Last Friday, I sat in the 7-11 parking lot for almost 2 hours. Yes, you read that right, 2 HOURS!!! No, I didn't run out of gas. No, I didn't lose the keys. No, I wasn't having a nervous breakdown.
You see, I was out running errands and the baby fell asleep. I needed to run into the little bill pay place next door to 7-11 to pay the light bill. Sure enough, in the two minutes it took me to get there, he fell fast asleep. So I watched the people walk in and out of the bill pay place until finally, there was no one in line. I jumped out of the car, locked the doors and ran inside. Yes, I could see the car and the baby the entire time. I was in and out in 2 seconds. I know some of you are probably freaking out right now - but I had to do it. He needed to sleep and I needed him to sleep. Once I got the bill paid, I ended up sitting in the car for another 1½ hours. I just didn't want to wake him up. If I came home and tried to bring him in, then he would wake up. If I went to another store parking lot, I'd be tempted to get out and finish running my errands. I didn't want to sit in the car in our driveway either, seems to me like that'd just be dumb. So I did, I sat in the 7-11 parking lot for 2 WHOLE HOURS.
I read a couple of old magazines. I watched people. I am amazed and intrigued by how many people use the Red Box. I am shocked at how many people still drive up to the old school blue mailbox and drop in letters. I stopped counting the number of Slurpees that walked out of the 7-11 when I got into the 50's. I think 7-11 must be making all of their money on Slurpees! Who knew!?!?!
A lot can be learned by watching people for a few hours at 7-11. I got a few hours of quiet and the baby got a much needed nap! It was win-win all the way around!
P.S. Funny how I pride myself in the fact that most nights we sit at the table and eat. Go figure that when I want to capture these family times on film, the gang gives me a good show!
9 comments:
I think you know my opinion on the baby in the car...
I wanted to comment on the red box. I sat next to one for several hours at Walgreens, while N was selling Scout popcorn. Those things do amazing business! Individuals cannot purchase one, only businesses that do over a certain amount per month. there is another DVD rental thing individuals can buy, but they cost $20K. And I've never seen one.
That is awesome. What a cool use of two hours that you will only get once in your lifetime! I drop mail off in that blue mailbox if pickup occurred and I need something postmarked THAT DAY. Yeah, old school.
People watching is always fun and in a crazy way, relaxing....like mindless entertainment!
~me (Fellow Cjane Community leader!)
Can I admit I've done the same thing while the baby was sleeping? Those naps are just so darn important! and WOW--over 50 slurpees?? That's a lot of sugar!
i am not freaking out. i have
an amazingly easy going and
laid back baby who sleeps
like a dream and i still
completely understand.
sometimes you just need a
minute (or 2 hours).
one of the best bits of
advice i was given before
birth was something like:
"you will love your baby very
much, of course, but don't be
suprised if there are moments
in the first few weeks (or ever)
when you don't want to be a
mommy anymore."
that has always stuck with me.
P.S. i'm a fellow c jane community
leader : ) and i think its awesome
that you eat at the table together.
LOL hahah! Oh boy I need to try this sometime! :) Cute family.
fellow CJane community leader popping in to say hello!
Re: relaxing in the car? i do it every morning. i drop the kids off at school, drive to my favorite park, get my book and my starbucks and...aaaah. You see, if i go home, it'll be the messy kitchen or laundry that needs folding or any of one hundred things that must be done and i just cannot relax. but in my car? bliss.
also, i would not feel guilty for dashing in to 7-11 and leaving your baby asleep in the locked car. it's parked in front of the store for heaven's sake, and like you said, no one was around at the moment and you probably could practically see your car the whole time and you were gone, what? two minutes? please. no worries. i'm sure you were parked in front of the place.
looking forward to getting to know you here, and at the Cjane community!
Ive done this.. im a people watcher also and love the drama out there.. lol.. love the pic of family.. sam was the only one prayin and everyone else jumped into the food.. lol..
Good luck in bloggin..
I love this post. I think we could all use some slow-down time to just sit and watch people and count Slurpees. Thanks for sharing!
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