I try to help around the house as much as I can. My limited skills (and interest) disqualify me from many chores, but I still like to think I contribute to the common good.

The other night I could see that my wife just needed a break. She had a busy week. I needed to step up my game.

Lucky for me, the task Maria needed help with ranked up there as one of my favorites – grocery shopping.

  I used to handle all the grocery shopping once upon a time. When we worked opposite shifts, I would hit the store during the day before heading into work for the night. She could then fill in any gaps I missed if she really needed to.

We didn’t need that system once Maria became a stay-at-home Mom. Even when she slowly returned to working, she could easily handle the groceries. I remained in the bullpen waiting for my turn.

That’s why I felt a rush of enthusiasm when I saw the look in her eyes that night. I didn’t have to ask for directions on how to complete the task (or use the pre-made Post-It notes that she keeps by the washing machine since I just don’t understand that thing).

I just got in the car and went. With the list she had already made up, of course. I’m not a dummy even though I would do that once in a while when grocery shopping was one of my regular chores. Those were the times Maria would need to go by the store and get silly things like milk and bread because different kinds of pretzels and desert snacks mesmerized me.

None of that would happen this time. We didn’t need too much so I stayed focused for the entire visit. Well, kind of.

I needed to get potato chips for school lunches. As I headed down that aisle, I found myself distracted. I tried to get images of the snacks I could have out of my head, but I don’t have a whole lot of willpower.

So I circled back – on purpose as opposed to the times I circled back because I missed the aisle which had something I needed – and strolled down the aisle a second time. For some reason, I don’t think I could have returned home without queso dip without guaranteeing myself nightmares for a few days.

Somehow, that represented my one and only attempt to veer away from the list I brought to the store. I spent the rest of the time making sure I got the proper brand for some items and the best price for others. This is a delicate line I have to walk.

I have now receded back into the bullpen, but I know that I still have my grocery shopping skillz (not skills) intact. I’m ready for my next assignment even though I can’t promise that I’ll stay away from the ice cream aisle next time.