Yesterday was a pretty eventful day for me after all. My boyfriend had to work, so my initial plans for the weekend were scrapped (especially as he’s working today as well! Talk about sucky) and I was quite upset, but when he came home he decided to take Kenzzie and I out to eat as an apology for all the time he’s at work. I didn’t really want to eat out, but I didn’t protest too much–it meant I didn’t have to cook, and I’m planning a nice dinner for tonight, as it’s Valentine’s Day and all.
First we had to stop at Wal-Mart because I needed new underwear and I wanted to surprise him with a Valentine’s gift. So we parked and he and Kenzzie wandered into GameStop while I wandered over to Wal-Mart. There were SO MANY PEOPLE THERE. I knew there would be, it being the day before Valentine’s and all, but good God. I raced over to the candy aisle and picked out a box of chocolates for Kenzzie and one for Aaron, then I mosied over to the lingerie section to get my undies. There were so many women there, lol. I couldn’t help but giggle! Finally I raced over to the cards section and managed to find an empty aisle where I grabbed a couple of cards that were nice (one for Kenzzie and one for Aaron). I strolled along the front of the store looking for a line that wasn’t too long, but every single one had at least five people in it with tons of stuff in their cart, so I went over to the jewelry section, thinking that it would at least be quicker. Silly me, right? The day before Valentine’s Day and I thought the jewelry section would be clear! Obviously I was wrong, so finally I went to the electronics section and paid for my stuff there. I managed to ask a man if he was in line, which he was, so I waited behind him. Finally my turn came and the man behind the register started making small talk. Initially I sort of froze, but then he asked about the card I had got for Kenzzie and I explained to him that my parents used to buy me and my siblings a card and chocolates every Valentine’s Day to make us feel special and I was carrying on the tradition, and he said I was a good mother and that it was sweet and he was sure Kenzzie was going to grow up with a good heart. 
I didn’t stutter or anything while talking to him, I felt almost normal! I almost skipped on my way out, lol.
Then we had to go to Bed, Bath and Beyond to get a shower curtain. We found the perfect one, and got a rod to put up as well. My boyfriend and I were having a lot of fun messing with the rod because it was about as tall as I am. While the cashier was ringing everything up Aaron banged it against the floor and said, “YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!” and I started blushing beet red because the cashier was waiting for him to hand over the rod for him to scan–I felt sure that he would be irritated that Aaron was holding him up. But the cashier wasn’t irritated at all! He laughed and told us that the Lord of the Rings series were his favorite movies. When Aaron told him about how I love both the books and the movies, we found out that he had never read the books and he asked me about them, but I couldn’t manage to say anything, I just stuttered a little over the word “I.” Luckily someone came up behind us at that point, so I beat a hasty retreat.
Finally, we went to dinner. When the hostess went to seat us, she asked Kenzzie if she wanted a kid’s menu, and Kenzzie looked back to me. The hostess laughed and said, “Oh, I guess she has to ask Mommy if it’s all right!” which made me blush even more because I’m not Kenzzie’s biological mom and it was the second time in the space of an hour that people thought I was. I told Kenzzie to answer the woman to avoid making eye contact, lol. I didn’t want to correct her and tell her that Kenzzie’s not my biological daughter, because I do love her like a daughter and I don’t want Kenzzie to think that I love her less just because she’s not MINE. But I always worry a little bit that Kenzzie might think I’m trying to step into her mom’s shoes. I try not to worry about it though–I figure if it bothers her she’ll tell me or correct the person herself. Every once in awhile she does, she goes, “She’s not my mom, she’s my AMANDA!” and hugs me. So the hostess seated us and I managed to order the drinks, and I managed to order the food for me and Kenzzie, which was amazing, normally I have Aaron order all the food. At one point Kenzzie had to use the restroom, so I asked a waitress where the restroom was. When we still couldn’t find it, I screwed up all my courage and asked ANOTHER one. I was very proud of myself for that, not that I had much choice–it was either ask and find the restroom or else have Kenzzie wet her pants!
As we left the restaurant, a woman called out to us, asking if the children’s menu was any good. Aaron was still trying to figure out what was going on, but I immediately called back that it was pretty good, there was decent variety and the prices were really good, but Sundays were kids eat free and Tuesdays was half price kids if she’d rather wait. I did it without even hesitating! I didn’t stumble over any of the words! I managed to give her good information, without feeling the least bit self-conscious! I was absolutely amazed afterward, though once I realized what had happened I started shaking REALLY bad and giggling like a maniac. I was really proud of myself!
So overall a very productive day in regards to social anxiety.
