Here Are Your Pills, Honey

So last evening I was at Wal-Mart with Sam and Micah. That's considered a date, by the way. (And for all you anti-WalMart people out there, just remember that some people live in such small towns that it's the only place to shop without driving an hour.)

Sam needed some allergy medication and took along the empty box to be sure that he got the right stuff again. While I was at the pharmacy getting Micah's prescription (his staph infection is back) Sam asked for the box so that he could go get his own meds.

And as an aside here, am I the only one who has to carry everything in her purse for the entire family? Why does the family think that I want to carry things around for them? Don't you think they should at least offer to carry the purse around once in a while since I'm carrying their things?

As I was still standing at the pharmacy counter Micah was sent back to hand me the box of meds. Because, you know, family members also cannot carry things to the checkout counter themselves. Give it to mom is the chanted mantra, apparently. So I carry this thing to the checkout line after getting Micah's meds and start self-scanning things through. I was beeped at and it said an assocaite was needed. Of course, because I can't just check out with 3 things without some kind of hassle.

And wouldn't you know that in the next aisle is a dear friend that I haven't seen in ages and eons? Really, he was my high school teacher and I love him and his wife like second parents.

So I'm standing there chatting with them while this poor sales associate tries to ring up this box of meds. He tries this bar code and that, punching in numbers, and then again, and finally calls the pharmacy to see if they can help out. And then, while I'm standing there talking to these people that I haven't seen in years he says "did you get this here?" and shows me where the box is not only open but empty.

DUH.

Of course Sam blames it all on me because he had Micah give me the box, what else was I to think? In his defense, he did say that they were cheaper at the grocery store and we all know that man loves a bargain. He also seems to love running all over town wasting dollars in gas to save cents on groceries. But whatever works. I just assumed that he was informing me of the difference to rub in the fact that I won't run all over town. Silly me.

So being the very good little wife that I am, I went to the grocery store today to get the meds he so desperately needed. I forgot the box, but remembered what it was and lo and behold he was right - they were $1 cheaper. It was worth the extra stop with 3 boys in tow - one having to be awakened from his nap and the other two bickering amongst themselves about some piece of trash they found on the floor.

But when I got home it wasn't right. And it was my fault. I was supposed to know that I couldn't get them right off the shelf, I had to get them at the pharmacy. (Remember how I was standing at the WM pharmacy and he was getting them off the shelf? I was to know this how?!) I got the wrong ones because although it's exactly the same box, it's one ingredient different. And it's that ingredient that makes it all wrong and forces me to go to the pharmacy to get it.

And the man wonders why on earth I balk and protest when he asks me to do things for him.

20 comments:

CanadianMama said...

Yep, men cannot live without us!

Suburban Correspondent said...

Karen, I think you typed "Micah" up there when you meant "Sam." It messes up your story a bit. Sam handed you the box, right?

And it would have been a date, if you had left Micah home with the 13-year-old watching him! Or is he still too difficult for a teen to babysit him? I just know that, despite the drawbacks to having teens, the great part is that you have just grown yourself a babysitter!

Karen said...

I laughed until I got to the end. Then for some inexplicable reason I wanted to knock the Rocket Scientist out of his chair.

Debbie in CA : ) said...

Hello there, I just popped over from Karen Deborah's to meet Micah. I'm so glad I did! He's adorable (and so are you). I've only read your latest post (and I'm laughing, nodding, and then huffing and puffing -- life's the same all over, it seems). I will surely be reading a lot more of your postings. I'm mom of 5 living my own experience with "specialness." CP and autism came in our twins package and enriched our life beyond belief. One son is in heaven and the other just turned 20! Three daughters complete my life with my zany scientist/inventor hubby. It appears at first glance we may have a wee bit in common. ; ) I'm outta time right now, but I am coming back to read more. So glad we met.

Michelle said...

Yeah... there's a few things that I seem to be expected to do that just aren't in the contract I signed when I joined up in this whole marriage and mom thing. Unfortunately, my union doesn't seem to be strong enough to do anything about it!

Cecily R said...

Hey, I've done the same thing. Well, except for the bringing the box and chatting with my old high school teacher in the checkout line.

What I meant was that I have come home triumphant that I even remembered to get the darn medication at all only to be grumpied at because I got the wrong exact box as he had.

Dork men. That's what we have.

Unknown said...

Men can't live with them without wanting to strangle them every oncein awhile!!

Aimee said...

You are not the only one who has to carry everything around for the family - I, too, am a pack mule. A couple of days ago, Rob gave me his cell phone for my purse because it made his pockets feel bulky. But carrying a 30 pound pack around on my shoulder makes me feel light as a feather.

Flea said...

Sam needs to make you breakfast in bed this weekend and give you a foot massage. :)

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

You mean you didn't have fun doing all this? Damn woman!! How selfish are you?

Hallie :)

imbeingheldhostage said...

I'm running away from home to live on a beach somewhere, wanna come?
At first glance, I thought Flea was telling YOU to cook SAM a breakfast in bed! Ha, that's funny-- you screw up so bad, now you have to give him a massage to make up for it. :-)

Debbie @ Three Weddings said...

UGH!!!!!!!!!! This sounds so familiar! I hate that I get stuck doing all that dumb stuff. I love how when I get home with three kids in tow I can handle collecting my purse, diaper bag and all the other junk and make it in the house but when he's with me he can't carry more than one item. MEN! I always tell him if I have to put his junk in my purse he has to carry it. Since it's a very girly purse, that usually helps. Good thing you saved that $1

Pam said...

I have messed up enough times that hubby gets his own allergy meds now. It may or may not have been on purpose a few times.

Leanne said...

Smack him. And yes, hubby is your fourth CHILD!

Beth said...

I also live in one of those areas where only Walmart exists. I snorted over your "Walmart dates." hehehe! I absolutely DECLINE most Walmart and Dollar General dates with the hubster. OMG..

I'm with you.. three children and a husband. Heh!

Michelle said...

It's so true about carrying everything - Joe always hands me his sunglasses to put in the purse/diaper bag.

Ugh, he should have just got them at WM while you were there - now an extra trip back to the grocery store doesn't make the medicine cheaper with the factor of gas!

Andrea said...

Men, are they ever happy? He should have just spent the dollar more because now you have paid it in gas to drive everywhere. My husband also doesn't understand how aggrivating it is to drag kids all over the place and stop at three different places. I am a fan of walmart and I am sorry to the small town stores, but I refuse to get my kids in and out of the car more than twice. But I will calm down now. :)

My Two Army Brats said...

LMAO you poor thing! Run away, run far far away!

We also only have WalMart around here too. We can't afford to drive the thirty minutes to the next closest shopping town so we deal with it!

caramama said...

Well, the key is to not carry a purse. A lot of times I just take my cell phone, my keys and my ID and money. Because my pockets aren't big enough, I get hubby to put them in his pockets. Works like a charm!

Anonymous said...

Shh . . . don't tell anyone, but I think we are married to the same man!

I am so glad to not be carrying a diaper bag anymore - I am now limited on what I can carry for everyone else!