Grocery Shopping...if you want to send shudders down my spine just mention this phrase to me! It is the task that I dislike the most! It is something that I put off until we are absolutely desperate for food which coincidentally makes it an even bigger and overwhelming task!
When I'm actually on top of things I'm a very organized grocery shopper. I spend some time cleaning out the pantry, freezer, and fridge and carefully make a list of all the things I need. I keep on ongoing list on the fridge of items that we are running low on so that I can get them before we actually run out - i.e. ketchup, flour, or syrup - you know, the things that if you run out of you have to stop what you are making or eating to go get them because you just can't make it/eat it without 'em. Then I ditch all three kids and head to Wal-Mart or Jewel for an hour long torture session. I usually stick to the list and only allow myself 3 spur of the moment items. When I checkout I have my reusable bags that drive the check out ladies CRAZY because they have to actually take the time to open each bag up and get it to stay open while they are trying to load the groceries in. Then it's out to the van where I've parked right next to a cart corral for convenience. Load the van up, drive home, start unloading. The kids bring the bags in while I empty them all out onto the counters.
This way I can see how much food goes in the pantry, how much in the veggie drawer, in the fridge, etc. Now, like I started the paragraph off - this is WHEN I'm ORGANIZED. This hasn't happened in at least a month!!!
OH, NO, instead THIS is what my shopping experience consists of....
Load all three kids in the van after school in between homework and supper because I couldn't get it together enough to try and go when the older two were in school. They are tired, hungry, and wanting to run around. I spend my time chasing Ethan, telling the twins to quit hanging on to the cart, saying, "No, we are not buying Twinkies today", running from the front of the store to the back of the store because, "Oh, rats! I needed tomato juice which is kept in the Juice Aisle which is in the clear back of the store!" and telling Ethan to stop throwing food into the cart because he's smashing the bread. Than we head to the checkout where I've realized I've forgotten my reusable bags (which makes the aforementioned check out ladies REALLY happy and in a good mood) and I load the belt with groceries while trying to keep Ethan out of the candy, Kenton out of the arcade, and watch for Kaitlyn to come back from the bathroom because she JUST couldn't wait another minute. (She never has to go when we are in the back of the store by the bathrooms back there!) Next we head out to the van where the kids climb over the back seat into the van and proceed to start fighting over who sits where while I unload the bags into the van forgetting where I put the eggs and bread and praying that they aren't smashed!! On to home where I unload the whole van after making a quick PB&J supper for the kids because they are STARVING and can't wait another second for food. Then I hurry to get the frozen and cold stuff put away before whisking the kids off to bed and leave the rest of the groceries to get put away until sometime tomorrow...Did I mention that I dislike grocery shopping???
PLEASE, make me clean the TOILETS!!!!
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I decided to post a new poll:
Do you buy generic....
or name brand?
You can vote off to the side!
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Before all that craziness happened this evening I actually had a relaxing afternoon making cupcakes for the twins' after school snack. I realized today that I have this complex where I think cake is only for birthdays. Where did that idea come from??? The twins were pretty excited because usually I steer them towards a more healthy snack - yogurt, fruit, or wheat crackers and cheese. Plus it helped me get into a Valentine's Day mood which means I'm finally motivated to take down my Christmas decorations:)
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And Last But Definitely Not Least...
Introducing My Newest Little Buddy...
Mr. Snowman!
He has the privilege of sitting next to my computer where I can see him all day long. He was made by a sister of mine for Christmas! Isn't he cute??? I bet he's really looking forward to all that snow that I just saw on radar that is heading this way....
5 comments:
I love the snowman. When I go to the grocery store, I try to go once a week and work off a menu, I have made for every meal at home for the week. I usually buy generic because name brand is more expensive and I have found most things don't taste any different if they are generic or name brand. I try to see how much I can save with coupons as well. I hate to grocery shop too but since I started making a menu, I do a lot better and don't feel I spend money on unneccessary things. Plus on the other hand once I decide what we are having I don't have to worry "what am I going to make for dinner" everynight after work. If I can get things at Dollar General, I try to do that as much as possible too. Just an idea though.
thanks for the smile ! joan
Some things I buy generic because I can't tell a difference (Meijer brand bread). Some things I buy name brand because I can tell a big difference or because name brand is the only brand that offers the flavor I like (Old Orchard is the only one I've found that makes an apple strawberry kiwi juice).
And I like grocery shopping...when I get up on Saturday morning and get to the store before the rest of the world is up and moving. I hate shopping when the store's busy.
Oh, and as an ex-grocery-checker-person, I take my own bags too. But Meijer sells some that stand up on their own really well and they only cost $1. I like mine so well I use them for a lot of other stuff too: library trips, carting not-brownie treats to work, etc.
Wow, that's a pretty long comment. I'm glad your blog is back up and running!
Two posts in one week??? J/K!! My problem is remembering those reusable bags...then once I managed to get them in the store but forgot to use them at the check out counter??? This is all very amusing to my kids:-)
Yum, cupcakes! I bet the kids were thrilled. I could go for some of your butterscotch chip cookies right now :)
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