Thursday 3 January 2013

Off (with) My Trolley

Photo Copyright: Maggie May

Since retiring, Harry has always done the main shopping. He usually walks a mile and a half to the main supermarket and back. There are smaller ones nearer to where we live, in fact, we'er not more than five minutes away from the nearest shop. However, Harry likes his favourite supermarket and collects points, special coupon offers and things like that.
Now that he's started chemo, he hasn't the strength to do it, so I have been really struggling with shopping at the same place and found that the trolley I had been pulling behind me was seriously aggravating my back pain. 
I tried a back pack but that was only any good for very lightweight things, so the tins and cartons that I needed caused aggravation too.

I had seen little old ladies pushing trollies with four wheels, in front of them and I thought that I wouldn't need one until I was a lot older. In fact, I can remember when I was disposing of my mother's belongings after she died, that she had one of those contraptions in her garage, but twelve years ago, I felt I was far too young to accept such a thing, so it ended in a Charity shop along with a whole pile of other aids that I wish I'd kept. Some how or other I always feel much younger than others might feel I am. Its only when I see myself in a mirror or shop window when I realise that I am a little old lady and that comes as quite a shock.

Whilst my daughter was staying with me over Christmas, she signed me up for Home Deliveries from the said supermarket and showed me how to place an order. After she left, I wasn't confident to do this on my own for the first time, so I postponed the idea until I could get some one to help me and realised that it might be a long time before that happened. So I thought that I'd buy one of those four wheeled trolleys that can be pushed, like my mother had had.
I set off on the bus into town and went to a shop where you order from a catalogue, pay and then wait your turn to collect.
I was dismayed to see that the trolley was sealed into a flat pack and I had to beg the man who gave it to me to assemble it as there was no way I could carry it to the bus and was wondering how I would even manage it fully assembled on a bus.
The man had to go and get help. It caused a bit of chaos spending so much time with my order, but eventually the job was done and the assistant seemed genuinely pleased by my gratefulness.
It was fairly easy to get it on and off the bus as I used the space reserved for pushchairs and wheelchairs, getting on and off a high kerb designed for the purpose of wheeling on and off. Not that I intended to use it on buses ever again, mind you. 

I feel as though I have had a new lease of life because pushing the trolley to the supermarket and trundling it back home is so easy. It is kinder to my back. If I was stuck at home waiting for a Home Delivery, then I wouldn't get the exercise or meet people and this is important. Most people smile and say,"Good Morning." Sometimes I meet someone I know and end up having a chat and I am getting fresh air and some sunshine no matter how weak it is at present. I pass an assortment of gardens and one or two have branches of rosemary sticking through a fence so I pick a small amount as a treat for my rabbits.
I will leave the Home Delivery until such a time as the weather is abominable or my health is not as good and take my new found toy out for little trips to the shops. It seems to help me to balance too.
I believe my readers from USA call these contraptions Shopping Carts and only use the word, *trolley* when talking about madness!
Well maybe I am mad to prefer to be independent.



30 comments:

Along These Lines ... said...

I remember, as a child, going shopping with my grandmother and she would push her trolley a mile into town to buy the groceries once a week. If i was good, she'd even let me push for a while. Happy new year.

Akelamalu said...

What a great idea Maggie and you're right the exercise and meeting people is very important. :)

Anonymous said...

That's brilliant, Maggie - I can just imagine you trundling off down the road with your trolley - you'll be whizzing around in no time!!

Irene said...
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Irene said...

That is a good solution, Maggie, and I agree with you that you need the exercise and the sunshine and the social contact. But I don't agree with you that you are an old lady. You are too sprightly spirited for that. xox

Jackie said...

Love the word "trolley"...to me, it is a mode of transportation, shortened form of "trolly car" like those used in San Francisco, California. But, I understand what it is for you, and I am so proud that you are getting your exercise and getting your shopping done in a location that you like.
I think you are marvelous...at any age. I am proud to be a member of your rank: a little old lady. We rule! Go Maggie!!
Love you,
Jackie

mrsnesbitt said...

Sounds just what you need Maggie. Shame you do not live closer as I am sure Jon would fit some sort of motor/engine to it no doubt with gears! The journeys would be so exciting lol! Whether or not you would be at the other end of the trolley however is another matter! lol!

FeltByRae said...

Those trolleys really are a boon - my mum had one when she ill years ago and I named it Mildred - no idea where that name came from!

I want to get on of those wicker ones with a walking stick style handle, but I have a feeling that they are pretty expensive

Formerly known as Frau said...

People of all ages used those to shop when we lived in Germany it was very helpful....I'm glad you embraced it out of convenience not age! Have a great day!

Celia said...

You rock Maggie! It has a nice little cover too. I find it hard to accept I need a little more help. Once I've made the adjustment it usually improves my life a bit and that makes me happier.

Expat mum said...

Good for you Maggie.
But seriously, have a play around with the Home Delivery web site. Until you actually press the 'send" button, nothing will get ordered anyway.

Working Mum said...

I remember my grandmother having one of these. Also reminds me of when my baby daughter was in a "proper" pram that had a large tray at the bottom - I could carry loads of shopping whilst walking to the shops for fresh air and exercise - I was quite upset when she outgrew it and I had to carry shopping again. Yay for trolleys!

PS I'm sure you can manage the on-line shopping thing when you want to avail yourself of the service.

dianefaith said...

I am impressed, and you've got me wanting one of these things! In my case, it would be useless since the nearest grocery store is 5 miles away, but I still want one. That's how persuasive you are :-)

Rosaria Williams said...

You are getting exercise, socialization and normal experiences with your new shopping cart. Be sure you don't overdo it, or it will wear you thin.

Mimi said...

Well Maggie, it's good to be independent! And if a cart helpd achieve that, I'm all for it!
I'm the same as you, I always think I'm (much) younger than I am, and get a shock when I see myself in a mirror sometimes! I also always think I'm taller than I am, but people are always shocked to ear how small I am (5'1"), so maybe they think I'm younger too!
Whoever got your Mum's trolley/cart in the charity shop all those years ago has had good use from it, better than it sitting in your garage I think.
Happy shopping, I don't bother with home delivery, prefer to pick myself if possible.

Sally Wessely said...

You told your story in such a delightful way. I know what you mean about suddenly seeing yourself and realizing you are an old lady. How did it happen so fast?

I love the idea of using your trolley for shopping. I would do the same thing if it were convenient, but it just isn't here. We live so far from any grocery store. Things are so different here. You are getting great exercise. That can't be bad.

Best to your husband.

Secret Agent Woman said...

I'm so glad you found a way to make the shopping easier on yourself. And I love the look of that trolley. In fact, I kind of want one now.

Ayak said...

I have one of the two wheel trolleys but havent been able to use it since we moved to this village because the lanes are too bumpy. We don't have home delivery but even if we did I don't think I'd use it for the same reasons as you. I quite enjoy catching the village bus into town for odds and ends, and leave the heavy stuff to my husband.

Suburbia said...

Glad it helps Maggie, though I can hear your daughter tut tutting about the lack of home deliveries!!

Wisewebwoman said...

Well done you to find something that has the benefit of the shopping and also gives you some good physical and observational exercise!

XO
WWW

CiCi said...

I don't know how you were able to walk so far with a backpack or anything that hurt your back. It is admirable that you want to get out in the sunshine when it is nice enough to walk. Hope Harry is doing well.

Brian Miller said...

very cool...first it is nice you can get home delivery when the weather is bad...but it is cool that this allows you to get out and get air and meet others as well...

Wendy said...

I understand the need to be independent, so I would do exactly as you. Your trolley sounds wonderful. I too have been looking at those carts to push my groceries from my car, through the garage, up the elevator and into my condo. Otherwise, I have to make many trips.

I guess being a little old lady does come as a shock. I see her when I look in the mirror and wonder where my youth went? I laugh about it, but deep down inside, don't feel old (most times anyway).

Good for you getting out and about. I go mad staying indoors all day and evening (which I've had to do due to a bout of bronchitis and now the temps here are way too cold to go out. Can't wait until spring!)
Hugs

Maria said...

Happy New Year Maggie. Sorry to hear about Harry. He's in my prayers. I know what you mean about not feeling your age. I visited Ireland recently after a fourteen year gap and couldn't believe how everyone had aged. I've probably aged most of all. So why do I still think I should be only 25?

Anonymous said...

This is such a good idea, Maggie. You need contraptions like these to make life easier and if they're available, then why not make use of them, no matter how old you are. I have a friend who is mid-forties and suffers terribly with her back; she also has a shopping trolley and doesn't care what anyone thinks.

I'd like to hope there will be people around to help you with it if you needed to get up and down steps.

CJ x

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Quite a brilliant Idea Maggie :)

Damien said...
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Jeni said...

Nope, Maggie -you're not mad at all nor are you the "little old lady" you described yourself as being. You are smart, resourceful, strong woman who has found a way to get her cake and eat it too! You're getting exercise via walking -which you've always done and enjoyed; getting the good fresh air and even opportunities to chat up a bit with friends and acquaintances! Can't beat that with a stick now, can you? I know how old I am especially so when I look in the mirror, but my mind keeps saying much lower numbers to me in those moments even though I know images don't lie to us but still, as long as the mind says differently, I'm gonna keep trying to act that way and not relegate myself to being the proverbial doddering old lady at least as much as possible!

RNSANE said...

I think independence is so important. Several years ago, following an epidural injection for back pain ( I had back surgery 28 years ago ), something went awry &, suddenly, I could barely weight bear on my left leg. I finally bought one of those rolling walkers which I use to this day. It has kept me mobile ( two trips to India! ) & allows me to sit down if my leg gives way which happens from time to time. I don't always use it for short distances but it allowed me to keep working for several years which was great.

Hilary said...

Funny how what we associate with being older is what actually gives us back some of our youth and independence. I think you made a very wise purchase. Long may you use your trolly.