Above and beyond, mind over matter, homecoming

I bought two pairs of boots online last week (oops!) and they both arrived today, even though one came from New Zealand and the other from the US. The pair from New Zealand were from a store called Mischief Shoes. As well as my boots (which I love), the package contained a gift of a notebook, and a handwritten card telling me that they had already waterproofed my boots! I was very impressed. That's excellent customer service. 

I'm still going to the gym even though it's been a struggle of mind-over-matter the last few weeks (well, more of a struggle than usual). I've managed a couple of pretty good workouts despite my lack of energy. I'm getting much better at the hardest exercise in my program - three sets of 10 reverse lunges while holding a 14kg aquabag (a big, water-filled sausage).  It's still hard and I really dislike it, but I'll keep at it. 

Did I mention Luke is away? He's a bit over a week into a two-week visiting to England. I'm  quite happy being home alone, but I'm also looking forward to his return on Saturday night. 

Connecting, leaf collecting, seed popping

Dawood, who works at my nearest supermarket, is the most delightful check-out operator there is. He's friendly and chatty, and he when I said I didn't need plastic bags for my groceries, he commented that I never get bags. He hasn't served me in ages but remembers my bag habits!

This is part of the reason I'm determined to avoid using the DIY check-outs that are popping up everywhere in Melbourne supermarkets - a machine is never going to recognise me or serve me with a smile. Life is impersonal enough as it is. We should be connecting with each other, not retreating. I also had a chat with the butcher too, and not just about the weather.

Actually, I don't think I mentioned it here before, but rather than making a normal New Year's Resolution this year I chose a one-word 'theme' to direct my energies into improving part of my life that I felt was lacking. My theme is 'connect'. Just one short 'doing' word.

And so far I'm doing pretty well. I've made some ace new friends, I've resolved some ongoing issues with a close family member, and  that guy I've liked for ages? He's now my boyfriend. Wooh! Always more connecting to do though...

I saw a little girl in a purple fur-trimmed jacket walking along the street with her parents, holding onto some large, brown autumn leaves. Souvenirs from the park, no doubt.  

I love the way the little round seeds in wholegrain mustard give a teeny tiny pop when you bite on them.

The personal touch

Sometimes old fashioned things are far superior to their modern replacements - like buying your meat at the butcher shop instead of the supermarket.

Last year, for boring reasons related to my allergy elimination diet, I started buying my meat from the local butcher instead of the supermarket, and it's such a pleasure I've kept going. I haven't noticed a marked difference in price or quality, but it's so nice to be greeted pesonally, and to have a chat and a joke while you shop. 

OK, I admit I have a crush on one of the young butchers, which means I now look forward to purchasing meat like I never have before! (Save your meat double entendres. I'm sure I've heard them already.) I'm always a little let down if he doesn't serve me, but all the other butchers are so friendly and chatty that I soon get over it. And there's always next week...

Even without the crush-factor, I'd still shop there. There's nothing like old fashioned, personal customer service. When's the last time there was a butcher loitering in the meat section at the supermarket to tell you how to cook a particular cut of meat or chat about the football or ask how your weekend's going?

And to top it off, depending on what you buy, there's less packaging waste from shopping at the local butcher too (I detest those stupid non-recyclable plastic meat trays).

I  just wish there were still a greengrocer in my local shopping strip. Food shopping is one of the most inconvenient things about not owning a car. I'd love to avoid shopping at the evil Big Two supermarkets altogether, but it's time consuming without wheels.