One of the things that I don’t enjoy about shopping with Chuck is that he likes to window shop a lot more than I enjoy it. I prefer to prepare a list of what I need to buy, go to the store, get in, grab what I need to get, pay for it, and get out again. I don’t enjoy lingering and longing for things that I can’t have. The last time I went shopping with Chuck, he told me that he only needed to buy some new guitar picks, but he ended up spending over an hour “window shopping” at the store, checking out the new shipment of high end acoustic guitars. Yes, they are very nice, but they are also very expensive, and I’d rather not waste my time pining over things that I can’t afford to buy!
The dreaded grocery store
Once again, it’s time to make a weekly trip to the local grocery store. I hate to shop, let alone grocery shop. Prices have gone sky high and there seems no end in sight. One can of veggies that went for .49 are now doubled…and that is the store brand or generic. I’m armed with my list, pen and grocery money, but it took me all of last night to figure out what I am going to make for a week’s work of dinners, plus what to buy for the extras that we need. It’s all starting to bum me out a bit, to be honest.
Memorial Day garage sales
Around this area, Memorial Day weekend is the biggest yard, garage, estate and what ever type of sale one could ever want, weekend. I try to get up at the crack of dawn and get whoever is going with me around to be on the streets and roads by 8:00 am. It’s fun to make a girls day out of it. I’ve found though, lately my two sons have been wanting to come along. The problem with them going, is that they get tired of looking and road cruising, and then we have to take them back home.
This weekend, my daughters and I are planing on going to the sales and do some other shopping and errands that need to be done. It should be nice if the weather holds. Even if it doesn’t, I know of a lot of barn sales that are going on also. There are at least three flea markets we can hit that are inside, but with the temperatures staying on the warm side, it’s doubtful many garage sales or even tented sales will shut down.
Easter and garden supplies out
I went shopping yesterday and could not believe it!! Easter items are out already. To me, this is getting a bit out of hand. I asked the store clerk how long they had been out, since it looked like the shelves were pretty much picked over and I hadn’t gone to that store in awhile. He told me they had stocked Easter things right after Valentines Day. (SMH)
The great thing though, is that the garden supply section is now nearly fully stocked. Looks like I’m going to get an even bigger jump on shopping this year for my garden. I’m at least excited about that!
Holiday shopping
Tomorrow I will attempt to battle the crowds and go shopping, something I’m not even looking forward to. I did get my youngest son the BMX bike he wanted already. He found one he’s wanted for months online, so I got that one for him. I think he’ll be a happy camper!
Information Highway Helps With Shopping
One of the ways that the Internet can be helpful is to compare options from different places without feeling a lot of high pressure from someone. I always hate it when I have to buy something “big” like an insurance policy, or a new car. So I like it when I can find a website, like the one that allred insurance burlington nc put up that will answer a lot of my questions without me actually having to talk to a person. My shopping around is a lot easier with the Internet’s help!
Spring cleaning
Every spring I go through my house from top to bottom and throw out the old and bring in fresh new things. This year my focus will be getting new carpet in my living room and bed room. I will be looking for the best price and the best carpet when I start shopping for my new carpet. I have narrowed my choice of colors down to two shades of brown I need the brown due to my dogs and the amount of traffic these rooms have. As I get closer I will also look at the carpet outlets in near by Georgia to see if I can find a bargain.
Budgeting for the Holiday Feast
My favorite meal of the whole year is always the traditional Thanksgiving feast. I have always enjoyed a turkey dinner on Thanksgiving, even the one year that I was so broke that I only had $20 in my budget to spend on the entire meal.
I remember going to the wholesale grocery that year and buying the cheapest possible brand of everything to be able to create a small but traditional Thanksgiving meal. I had to buy a frozen turkey loaf for $6, two white potatoes and one sweet potato, a box of stuffing and a can of generic green beans – I already had a can of mushroom soup at home in the almost empty pantry. I bought four apples and made a pie from scratch with flour and sugar and cinnamon already at home. It was a lot of work doing everything from scratch, but it tasted great and made me realize that I can create a great feast with just a little money.
This year I am spending $20 on just the turkey. It will be the biggest one they have in the store – I love turkey and there is not such thing as too much turkey in my house! The rest of the side dishes and fixings will be a combination of scratch and prepared, depending upon the brands and my taste preferences. And I think I will make an apple pie again – its not that hard to do and they always taste better than store bought pies.
A full Saturday
Finally I have time to sit down and relax. It feels good to put my feet up. A day filled with grocery shopping and then running errands is not something I was looking forward to today. I got some great photo frames that I needed and also a new clock for the kitchen that were on sale, so that was a plus.
When I got home, I had a visit this evening from a dear friend, Brenda. She and I are gardening buddies and we are always swapping plants and surprising one another with little garden gifts. It was a welcome visit. We sat talking about more home improvement we wanted to start on our houses, and had the same idea about various tile in the kitchen.
All in all it was a productive but long day. Tomorrow I’m going to dig up some more iris’s to give to my friend, and she is bringing me some of her tile samples that she got so I can look them over.
A new screen door
For the last few months, I’ve needed a new latch on the storm/screen door. Finally I looked at the darn thing to figure out what I would need to fix the handle and latch. I figured it shouldn’t be that hard, though I’d never done it before.
The guy I talked to at a store I will not mention right now, took over the job of “helping” me, and though I thought it was a nice offer, I told him I didn’t need help. He tagged along anyway. Nothing bothers me more than a person trying to sell an item, not because a person needs it, but because the “helper” will make a commission. Heck with the part or piece works or not on what one needs it for.
I finally went to another home improvement store, and brought a brand new door. It was on sale, fit perfectly, and it was one I had my eye on for awhile. The kicker is, it was only 15.00 more than the parts the little “helper” had try to sell me.