A Day in the Life of...

By Janus Galante

1 min read

I just got back from doing some shopping and errand "running" and thought just maybe this might lend some encouragement to someone today.

Running errands alone

I spend a lot of time alone. That said, I have to get out and grocery shop, etc., by myself. It's a 20 minute one way trip into town. I have a small cardboard box on the passenger seat to hold everything that will pertain to this particular run.

Keys... check.
Sunglasses... check.
list... check.
Coupons... check.
Try to think and remember clearly... check?
Emma Jean... check. (She's my 7.5-pound constant companion, and no, she doesn't get put in the box.)

It's a mental exercise

Then the driving commences and it is an on purpose mental exercise of 4 places to go. That's 4, I keep reminding myself. Park. Attach parking placard, make my way in to store always looking down, where I'm walking. Never making eye contact. Can't!

List in hand, yes. Windows open for Emma, yes. Doors locked, yes.
Step OVER curb, watch that uneven crack in sidewalk, and on and on it goes until finally after my last stop is done and I pray no one I know will stop and engage me in a conversation, I can get back in the car and head for my "safe" place... home!

Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly

We get there safely, Emma Jean and I, and I chuckle to myself because I remember the words that a very wise man once said, "Anything worth doing, is worth doing poorly," (thanks for that article Devin!) and I realize that even if everything wasn't done perfectly, it was done. For today at least!

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DonnaFA Member
Hi <inline-mention user-id="4016225" username="Janus Galante"/> & Janus 😀 It sounds like a successful day to me - any day it all gets done is a win! I'm glad you had such fine companionship in each other. Thanks for sharing your story, your encouragement, your humor (and lovely writing style!). -Warmly, Donna (MultipleSclerosis.net team)
Janus Galante Moderator
Thank you so much for reading and commenting Donna. Thank you too, for the very sweet compliments! xxxx's Janus
1. DonnaFA Member
 It was absolutely my pleasure, Janus! Have a wonderful day! -Warmly, Donna (MultipleSclerosis.net team)
toddlius Member
Glad you need to do done.
1. Janus Galante Moderator
 Thank you for your reply, Toddlius. It's always some sense of accomplishment whenever we can achieve something isn't it?
glendahendry Member
I must know...is Emma Jean a cat? My 80 pound chocolate lab goes almost everywhere with me. I’ve learned to order online for many things and utilize the drive up window for many other things. It’s so hot where I live, I cannot leave her in the car. My day is spent mostly talking to her.
1. Janus Galante Moderator
 Hi there gmc, No, Emma Jean is a 7.5 pound malshi mix. (maltese/shih tzu) Yes to online ordering and yay to drive up windows. I wholeheartedly agree! Your chocolate lab sounds like a treasure! Aren't pets wonderful companions? I'm so glad you're a part of this community gmc. Thank you for responding to my story!
caninemom6142 Member
Hello Janus: Your Emma Jean sounds adorable and I'm sure she is a wonderful and compassionate little companion. I am a lifelong dog lover and dog owner. There have been only 34 days in my entire life so far that there has not been a dog or multiple dogs in my home, they are my loves, all that I care about. I have gotten to that point now when I have to go out for an appointment or grocery shopping or a trip to the library, I have a few mental exercises I have to do. Keys? Got 'em Cell phone? Yup Is the gas off, nothing on the stove? Check Prior to my check list there were times when I'd walk out the door, slam it in back of me and at that very second, realize my keys were hanging on the hook, inside the house and stupid me, I. Was. Outside. Locked-Out!! Luckily, had a friend who had an extra. Your post is nearly 3 years old but I'd like to offer a small piece of advice. I'll start with telling of an incident from 4 months ago. I had gone to the pharmacy, as I got out of my car, looked over to see a little dog barking directly across from where I was parked. I could see that the car window was down about 6 inches or so. I went in to the store, came back out and was curious as to who the car with the dog belonged to so I sat watching. A few minutes later, I saw a man looking at the car. He walked over to it, looked inside and when he saw the open window, proceeded to stick his arm in to unlock the door or grab the dog. I immediately honked my horn a few times and jumped out of the car yelling, "GET AWAY FROM THERE, THAT'S NOT YOUR CAR!!!!!!" The guy looked at me and got out of there. I'm not a meek looking person and I have a bad temper to match. I went back and sat in my vehicle. About 15-20 minutes later, a lady came out of the store with a few bags, walked to the car, the dog barking happily to see her. I got out of my car, walked over and told her that if I had not been sitting watching her car, her dog would most likely NOT be there waiting for her, and told her about the guy who was just about to stick his arm in the window. I told her she should NEVER leave her dog in the car with a window down and since it was Winter, a cold day, there was no need for open windows. She looked kind of dumbfounded and said, "I was always told I should leave the window down when she's in the car." "Yes ma'm, that's on a warm day but on a warm or hot day, you should actually leave your dog at home while you do errands, where she can be comfortable and there is no need to worry about car windows or your dog getting heat stroke. On cold wintry days, take her along for short errands and NO need to leave windows open!" I take my little dog with me just about everywhere, as long as weather permits. On cold days there is a nice big thick blanket on the "dog seat" (passenger side), for her to curl up on. On warm or hot days, she stays home where it's cool and comfortable, she has her water and treats and her stuffed toys to cuddle with. Keep yourself and your little companion safe at all times.
1. Lori Foster Member
 Thank goodness you were paying attention and you spoke up, <inline-mention username="caninemom6142" user-id="3991049"/>! You give some great advice about being a responsible pet owner in your response. Thanks for chiming in. Wishing you the very best. - Lori (Team Member)
pegggiepj Member
Still wishing could do these things, sadly as MS has progressed can't 
1. Debbie Petrina Member
 It's so hard to get over the grief of things lost--big and small--due to MS. Best wishes for some other positive things to come your way. Hugs, Debbie (Team Member)
erikoxy Member
I have to use humor !!!! I have pretty bad Balance issues. I am like a bull in a China shop... I like to tell people ," I shouldn't have had vodka for breakfast...after all these years in should learned .... giggle