(Originally posted March 19, 2018)
How many times have you gone into Costco (or any store for that matter) for just one item, and came out with $300 worth of stuff? Now I’ve never done that! (Okay, maybe $200, but that’s not what this post is all about.)
Ever since the Spring Conference on Saturday, I’ve had a hankering for some rotisserie chicken. Juicy, tender, yummy melt-in-your-mouth chicken.
Went into a store on the way home from the conference, just to pick up a few things. Their rotisserie chicken looked puny, overcooked, and had been sitting under the heater thingie for over three hours. No thank you.
Today, the hankering became more of an obsession. I wanted rotisserie chicken. Now, the good thing is that I live about a mile away from Costco. And if you’ve ever had their chicken – it’s over-the-top yummy. But, the only way I could get there was to walk. Hmmm…
I thought about it. And thought some more. And finally decided I’d go for it. After all, it was a nice day and a good walk never hurt anyone.
While I’m not very athletic, I do try to get in at least a mile (2400 steps) and preferably over 3000 steps a day. By walking to Costco, I’d not only get in my steps (and then some) but reap the rewards of my exercising efforts.
I also promised myself I’d only buy ONE item – the chicken. And to make sure, I took a small bag and $12 in cash. Yes, I had my debit card, but I also knew anything I bought over my ONE item limit would be something I’d have to carry on the way back. I’d have to get that gallon-sized Palmolive another time.
It took me less than 20 minutes to arrive at my destination. And although I was really warm (I’d worn a long-sleeved shirt and a flannel shirt) it didn’t matter now. With a bounce in my step and a smile on my face, I greeted the greeter and headed to the back of the store. I didn’t stop to sample the nacho chips, or bagel bits, or the canned chicken on a cracker. I was on a mission. I’d come this far and would not be distracted.
As I walked, it appeared. Like a fountain of water in the middle of the desert. The Rotisserie!
I went up and checked out all the steaming packages. Done just 10 minutes before I arrived. The scent tickled my nostrils. I placed my packaged chicken in my bag and held it tight. I had fulfilled my destiny.
At that point, I was curious how far I’d walked so I sat in one of the patio chairs and checked out my step counter – 2401 – just a bit over a mile. Which meant I had another mile before I’d get back home. Without wasting any time, I walked straight to the check-out lane. That’s right, I was bound and determined to get out of there with only one item.
After paying and showing my receipt to the guy at the door with the yellow marker, I headed back home. But, somehow it seemed warmer. And the chicken seemed to be heavier. Man, how much do these things weight? At least five pounds, I guessed. Glad I didn’t buy more than one…
The walk back took me a bit longer, but I made it home. And the rotisserie chicken was still hot, so hot I needed to let it cool down. Much like me, as I was overly warm after walking two miles with a ten-pound chicken.
(Okay fine, it was only three pounds, but it seemed to get heavier the longer I walked.)
Just before I sat down to eat, my 22-year old son Matt called. I told him I was getting ready to eat my rotisserie chicken.
“How did you get to Costco?” he asked.
“I walked.”
“You did not,” he said.
“I did.”
“You’ve never walked to Costco. I’m so proud of you,” he said.
“Well, I have been old enough to cross streets by myself for a while now.”
His voice perked up. “I want to walk to Costco. Can we go tomorrow?”
I wiped the sweat off my brow. “It’s supposed to rain tomorrow.” Thank goodness.
“Well, promise me we’ll go soon,” he said.
“Sure Matt, one of these days.”
Oh man, what have I started?
As I enjoyed my well-deserved lunch, I glanced again at my step counter – 5026 more steps than when I’d started out. Two miles plus One item - Equaled total contentment.