Last Tuesday I went to our local Korean farm market to buy some produce. I just needed a couple of staples and wanted to get the hell out of there. I grabbed one of those little plastic baskets with the metal handles and went along my way. I always keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in my car after shopping so I can literally shower in it after having touched those vile carts. I have protocols I use when shopping: never touch your eyes, nose or mouth while shopping----ever. It's the first rule I have. The germs that are found on shopping carts are the most disgusting ones you'll ever find -- even worse than a toilet. Studies have found that not only flu and cold viruses linger there, but human feces, urine and other bodily fluids from babies have shown up. Usually with the mini baskets, you'll have your typical cold/flu germs on it, so I was prepared, until one lady came up to me and said, "Oh ma'am, can you check me out please?" I stared at her and she stared back as if I didn't know her language. "Ma'am?" as she pointed to the counter. "Oh my goodness, I thought you worked here," she said, embarrassed by her mistake. "No, but I'll gladly take your money." We both laughed as I shuffled towards the back of the store. This is not the first time I have been mistaken for an Asian, which to me is a compliment. I even worked at a Chinese restaurant without people giving me a confused look. It's all good. But, I was so baffled by this woman that I itched my mouth and rubbed my nose by accident.
See where this is going...?
I headed back into my SUV and grabbed my hand sanitizer. I had a wonderful evening after making dinner for Madelene and watching a movie. Later that night, or should I say morning, I woke up and ran so fast to the bathroom that I nearly tripped over Lola's little stuffed toy she left out in the hallway. I tried to go down the list of foods in my mind that could have been bad or contaminated, but all I had was a delicious salad with avocado and tomato and a little linguini in a light tomato sauce. I mean, of course vegetables can carry the E. Coli bacteria and other bugs, but this was fierce. Day one was awful, day two proven to be worse as my temp went up to 103. Day three, today, I'm still in the same boat but without a fever thankfully. I've been living on ring-o-noodle soup (salt in a cup), Gatorade and water and white rice. It's been an interesting week to say the least: #1. Lola's been lying under the covers with me, actually enjoying the time together. #2. I never really knew how 'entertaining' daytime TV was, especially Wendy Williams.
(How you doin'??) #3. I found a great weight loss plan. So for now, I will be reading, watching TV and going out of my mind until this stomach flu or whatever it is flies outa' me...and quickly I hope.
Moral of the story: don't touch your shopping carts.
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