But first...

I decided a couple days ago that it was about time to buy groceries. It's not like we're almost out of food; I'm far too compulsive efficient for that. We are getting low on fresh stuff and a couple of staples, though, so I made my list.

This morning I decided I'd better get it together so I don't get to the store right at lunch time. I hate that. But first, I needed a shower. While I was in the shower, I thought about the sad state of the fridge and decided I'd better clean it out before I go buy more food. That, of course, generated a stack of plastic containers to be washed which were cluttering up the counter where I would need to put grocery bags. I'd just have to load the dishwasher, but first I had to empty it. So I finally got the dirty dishes into the dishwasher, and I was getting ready to start it when I turned around and saw the cutting boards I'd used to cool the plums I canned yesterday. I hadn't left enough head space in some of the jars, so my cutting boards were a little plummy. The dishwasher will take care of that, of course, but first I had to move the jars off them.

Now the dishwasher is washing, there is a bag of spoiled food ready to go out to the trash, and my shopping list is as done as it's going to get. I just have to finish drying my hair and throw on a little make-up, and I'm ready to go to the store, and it's now 10:40 (almost lunchtime).

That, my friends, is my whole life in a nutshell. I decide to do something, wade through a list of 'but first', and then put off the inevitable until after lunch. Procrastination isn't an affliction, and it's not laziness. It's a defense mechanism.