For the first time in almost exactly 3 years I heard from my ex-husband. He emailed me to pass along a message from the company from which we jointly leased my car that my lease will be up in May and they need to discuss the return with me.

I called the leasing company to check on all my options, because Dawg and I really love that car like a member of the family. We even call my car a pet name. I took down all the information then discussed it that night with Dawg. I could buy the car if I wanted, but the amount still due plus the finance rate they were offering just wasn’t financially reasonable. I asked him to help me make this decision, because the car I get next will be our car, even if only my name is on the title and loan, and I’m not great with making this particular life decision. He agreed. We are in the early stages of discussing what car we will get next. I know it will meet certain criteria (or, at least, that’s the plan) but beyond that I am excited to see what we jointly choose together. And this time I will buy, not lease.

I am sad that my current car will be going back to the car company, but am slightly relieved that the very last item that was still jointly owned by me and my ex-husband will finally be out of my life. It’s an old, bad habit to worry that I am disappointing that man with any of my decisions, and if we don’t have any financial responsibilities together he can be disappointed all he wants with my life choices but my decisions won’t negatively impact him in any way. That is a big relief.

Today I went full grocery shopping alone for the first time since I’ve had my new job. In a moment of brilliance during the shopping list creation process I decided to divide the list up by dry goods and cold/wet/perishable goods.

I arrived at the store, used my card to activate one of the self scanners, then walked around the inner portion of the store to shop for only dry goods. I filled up the entire cart with these goods, packing them snugly in their bags as I went. I checked out with $200 worth of groceries, brought them to my car, packed them in their spot, then returned to the store. I used my card to activate another self scanner, then walked around the outer portion of the store and the frozen food aisles to pick up and snugly pack $222 worth of food that does not appreciate being kept out of a refrigerator.

Lots of birds, one stone: I was able to pack my bags the way I wanted, was able to breeze through the 15 items or less line (when you self scan it doesn’t matter how many items you have, because you already totaled your groceries for them), and was able to keep all the perishable stuff together so I knew which bags to give priority when I got home.

Yes, it took me longer to do things this way, but I have anxiety issues when it comes to crowded places, and everyone was Thanksgiving shopping today so this was my way of coping. Because I had a plan I was able to take my time and keep a pleasant, even-tempered attitude while everyone was crowding the aisles around me.

I brought home $422 worth of groceries right as school was letting out, so was able to find a parking spot near my building. I ended up having to make 5 trips up my stairs. After trip 4 I was so exhausted that I ended up inadvertently planking on the bed while Twitter sat on my butt rubbing her head against my leg (it’s her “thing”).

There is still one trip left to make, but I was too exhausted to get the remaining spaghetti sauce jars and the Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper. Hopefully we don’t have a surprise overnight freeze.