Category: Shopping

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A wonderful shopping trip

Usually I don’t say shopping is a wonderful experience, but today it was. I picked my grand daughter up from school, and we went into town shopping. First we went to the market, to pick up things that I didn’t pick up when I went grocery shopping. Then we went to a store where I knew there were garden supplies now on display. It was great how my grand daughter had helped me in the market, hanging onto the list, weighing onions and peppers, and even finding sales on what I needed that was on the list. That kid is a great shopper! I told her that I had a surprise for her, since she had helped me so much.

Once at the farm supply and feed store, I took her to the garden section. She looked like she was in heaven. I let her pick out ten seed packets that she wanted in her garden and she surprised me by picking out vegetables, all the while telling me that most kids her age don’t eat “veggies” and they should. She wanted to grow them, so she knew she would have them when she wanted them. Kid after my own heart.

Since she was so responsible about the veggie decision, I told her she just HAD to pick out some other seeds she would like to plant. She picked out ten seed packets of herbs like chives…which she absolutely loves and has since she first got teeth, despite of her breath… and then mints so she could make her own tea. Also eatable flowers. She made me so proud of her choices. Our next shopping trip is for a garden Angel. She is reading a book that is about a young girl searching for her Angel. Since we both believe in Angels, I’m going to surprise her and we’ll go pick one out that is just for her. I love that child so much.

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Wally World adventure

Yes folks, I call Walmart, Wally World. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t around here. I have to say if I know I’m going to WW…something I very rarely do, I check to see if I’m dressed right and I don’t have anything hanging out. It is because of the photos I see on the internet or in emails titled, “The people of Walmart.”

If anyone even tried to take a photo of me, I would totally go berserk and no doubt get arrested. Well, maybe not arrested, but for sure I would at least grab the camera, and yank the film or smash it. Isn’t there a law about taking a photo of a person without asking, or do I just have etiquette?

So there you have it. Another reason why I don’t go into Wally World unless there is garden things or seed packets on sale realllly cheap.

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Lists and coupons

Thinking I’ll make my life a bit simpler, I’m getting a jump on Saturday grocery shopping. I’ve got my list partially made up, and coupons cut…thanks to my daughter. I even feel somewhat organized.

I’ve been going through the freezer and the pantries, and throwing out things and at the same time, organizing…with the help of my youngest son, foodstuff. Also we all have been looking at the two refrigerators to see what we are running out of, then writing it down on the list.

Saying that I feel like Suzie Homemaker is really stretching it, but I am feeling a bit more organized. Now, if I don’t forget my list and coupons when I go to the stores I need to go to, it’ll really be an accomplishment.

 

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Great savings at Sears with coupons

I’ve shopped at Sears for as long as I can remember and now I wish I would have paid attention to the fact that Sears offers lots of coupons and promo codes to use while shopping. I actually am really bad about taking my coupons into stores. I forget them, nearly every time. Usually I don’t remember, until the cashier asks me if I have any coupons. Getting them from Sears and also the promo codes though, is an extra plus shopping at Sears.

Some of my fondest memories growing up, were my Mom and my Grandparents,  getting the Sears catalog. We kids could not wait to look through what we called, our  “Wish Book.” Because we spent a lot of time at Papa and Nana’s house, we had the advantage of both worlds. A wonderful childhood at home, and also there with them at our second home, as I always thought of it as. My mom would do a lot of Christmas shopping out of the Sears catalog. I also remember the Mother, Daughter dresses they used to carry. It was something special when she would get us matching dresses.

For years, there was a Sears in the city near here, but it seems that the city is slowly loosing a lot of the stores, since the factories are all closing, and now the Sears is going out of business in the mall. I’m really sad about it. I get everything from my tools to my eyeglasses there, and it’s not going to be the same with out being able to shop there when I want to. I know a whole lot of people this will effect also. My oldest daughter’s very first job was in the shoe department at Sears. She learned a lot about the other various departments also, but the main thing she learned was independence and responsibility. I was so proud of her when she came home and told me she had gotten a job there. She made very good friends, who are going to be out of a job as soon as the doors close for the last time.

A lot of guys I know buy their tools there because of the great deals and the fact they are durable and a very popular brand. It will effect them. Having to drive a great distance now, is going to be expensive, with the gas prices the way they are. I am however, very glad that Sears offers lots of coupons and promo codes. It will make the drive worth it. I’m going to have to pass this info on to more of my friends!

 

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The dreaded grocery store

Having to make another trip to the grocery store is something I have to do today that I really dread. Everything has gotten so expensive, that I find myself looking in all my cookbooks for ideas of meals to make that are great, nutritious but the ingredients are inexpensive.

My mom did give me a big envelope of coupons that I’m going to go through. They may help. The problem with using the coupons, is that most of them are for things I don’t normally use. Or, I forget the ones I can, which is a major flaw of mine. I also tend to forget my lists unless someone in the family reminds me.

Today I’ve decided to go in armed though. I think when I went to the market on Sunday, I got flustered because the store was super crowded, a lot of the items that were on sale had not been restocked and I didn’t want to try and find a person to help me go in to where ever they go and get what I wanted. That is, IF I could have found someone to help. In that store it’s nearly impossible. I just wanted to get the heck out of there.

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A great Spring gardening magazines

I’m so excited. My son brought in the mail today and handed me not one, but two new Spring 2012  Native Gardener’s Companion magazines! This is like a catalog, but with tips on growing various flowers, potted plants, shrubs and trees, plus a whole lot more.

In the What’s New section, I see that they now offer a Pollinator Kit that I would like to try. It consists of a tray of 38 potted plants for moist soil situations, and from the sound of it, there are a variety of really pretty colors, and forms of plants that attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, all of which I love. Some people are afraid of bees and try to get rid of them. I’m not one of those people. I love bumbles and honey bees. The only kind I don’t like, are the ones that are long and yellow and up here, people call them yellow jackets. They like to attack and build nests under the eves, and actually anywhere they can. Those are scary and so very mean. Plus they do nothing for my gardens. I’m glad that I rarely see them anywhere near my plants.

I’ve noticed also that the Gardner’s companion has include a color coded diagrams for planting gardens in various way, including plants in pots and various flowers and grasses. This is a great idea. I like to get new ideas and ways of making my gardens look different each year. I’m so excited for Spring to get here. And getting this magazine in the mail today boosted my spirits.

 

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Looking at Mailboxes

While looking for just the right new mailbox for my house, I came across Auth Florence mailboxes, online. A friend of mine recommended that I take a look and see if there were any on the site that I might be interested in.

From what I have seen so far, there are a lot of mailboxes and other items that would be more suitable for businesses and apartment complexes, but I haven’t found anything I can put up by the road yet. I’m far from finished looking though. Another friend of mine who owns her own business, just bought a small building that she will be renting out office space and there are three small apartments on the bottom floor as well. They will all be receiving mail and needing something installed.

The friend who recommended looking at this site is buying an apartment complex and will be needing cluster mailboxes to install in his building. I honestly didn’t know there were so many to choose from. It’s pretty awesome, actually. There are also peep holes with a buzzer included, and slot mailboxes…just lots of great stuff.

Florence Mailboxes are indeed sturdy, and since my one friend will need extra sets of keys for all the apartments in the complex, he plans on getting a box to lock them up in after they have been labeled. I’m still looking for my perfect mailbox, but it’s great to look at all the various choices.

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Fish sticks of all things

When my daughter and I went to the grocery store today, she asked if we could have fish sticks for supper tonight. I must have looked at her in horror or something similar, since I am a fresh seafood person,  and the kids are nearly all grown and haven’t had fish sticks since they were young. My main diet is seafood, veggies and rice, but my daughter really wanted the little fish sticks I used to give the kids when they were young, so I bought a big box (UGH) of frozen fish sticks. I did however pick an expensive brand and made sure the sticks were made out of filets, not minced fish.

My kids and even my husband loved the dinner. I did make a side dish of veggies and rice that they like. It sometimes amazes me that the family can be totally happy with simple things.

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Address Plaques are a great solution

After my mail box got hit and demolished the other night, I’ve decided to look at cool address plaques. My old mail box had the house numbers that were reflective, right on the wooden mailbox post. It was free to have the first time, from the village I live in. Now, it will cost me a mint to get another one. Since the mail is delivered around 10:00 am, and everyone knows everyone here, my mail man does not need to know my the house number, so it doesn’t need to be a reflective address sign.

I rarely ever have company in the night time, and if I do, once again, I don’t need reflectors on the house number, but I would indeed like to check out house numbers for the front of my home. I like the look of them. I’ve seen many now after shopping around on the net, that are classy, but not too fancy or overstated for me.

I also have been trying to decide if I would like to buy something distinctive for the front lawn, since my herb and flower gardens are planted there. I’ve been looking at lawn plaques. There are some really very classy, but simple ones I wouldn’t mind having. I’m still undecided, but I am leaning to these, as they would give a great touch to my front lawn and gardens.

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A quiet Christmas Eve

It’s going to be a quiet Christmas eve I hope. I do have some last minute shopping to do like usual, but I have my lists so it shouldn’t be that bad. Not like the rushing I did last year. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!