Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Bad date

I usually do my grocery shopping at 8:00 AM on Sunday. I often have a kid or two with me, but it’s still relaxing because it’s usually just me and a few senior citizens in the store at that hour. Other events prevented me from getting there on this past Sunday morning and I had to go in the afternoon instead.

Both Bart and Maggie insisted on coming with me, so off the three of us went, list and bags in hand. At the first store (my usual store), the aisles were a little crowded, but not too bad. They were out of several of the sale items I had on my list, which put me in a bad mood. The line-up at the cash register wasn’t too bad, but the kids were misbehaving when it came time to bag the items (just goofing around, getting in other shoppers’ ways, etc.), which worsened my mood.

At the next store (across the street from the first store), I grabbed a cart and made both Bart and Maggie sit in it. The store was crowded beyond belief and I kind of hate this store anyway for its small aisles. After putting one item in my cart and getting bumped several times by carts and people, I finally said to the kids: “mommy has to get out of here or she’s going to snap.” I got a sideways glance and a smirk from a lady in the aisle. I plucked the kids out and left the cart right there in the aisle (adding to the congestion problem, I know, but I really was going to snap).

There were a few things I had to get before returning home, so I tried the Zellers next door. Apparently Sunday is the day to pull out boxes, leave them in the middle of the aisle and walk away. It’s also the day to use only three of the 16 available cash registers. After fighting with the aisles, I couldn’t face the line-ups at the cash register to buy 3 measly little items. For the second time in 20 minutes, I gathered up the kids, left the cart in the aisle and walked out empty-handed. Bart asked, “Why do we just keep leaving carts in stores?”

I got home and was so flustered that Homer didn’t even question the $40 in groceries I had managed to buy in the 2 hours I was out. It's only Wednesday and we're out of cereal, out of cheese and low on bread and milk. Needless to say, I have an 8:00 AM date with Food Basics this Sunday.

9 comments:

Jess said...

Wow. Good to know. We try to do our shopping on Friday nights. It's always nice and quiet.

Not Your Aunt B said...

I hate shopping on Sunday mornings and anytime in the evenings around dinner time. It is too crowded, not enough lines, and they are out of what I want or don't have the brand. I usually go Wednesdays.
Much, much easier. And it's the day the circular goes out.

Nowheymama said...

Whereas I have crossed over into this weird dimension where I shop better WITH a child or two in tow. On my own, I get distracted by all the pretty things and forget items on my list. So sad.

Mighty Morphin' Mama said...

I don't blame you one bit, I would have done the same thing. I hate grocery and zellers/walmart stores. Especially weekends and holidays.

Chantal said...

I like shopping at night on the weekends. The only problem with that is that the produce is usually picked over. I prefer the quiet of it. Our store is open 24 hours for the next month (those poor staff, why of why do we have to compete with that dam walmart). But that means I can even go shopping by myself after the kids are in bed. Oh won't that be relaxing. :)

bananafana said...

You just reminded me again why I HATE shopping. I do my grocery shopping on Wednesdays (mornings)when I can. I have actually started crying at Walmart (to stop myself from hurling things at other people) once 6 years ago and have never gone back.

Erin said...

Weekend afternoons are the WORST for grocery shopping. Sorry! I know that feeling all too well, of barely making it out of the store without losing it. YUCK.

Astarte said...

Oh, how AWFUL. I hate taking the kids with me, hate crap left in aisles, hate shopping on the weekends. I, too, have left carts in aisles, especially in Walmart. In fact, my SIL once left an entire, full cart in a grocery store because she just couldn't stand it anymore.

Beck said...

WE're big Saturday morning shoppers - all FIVE of us, although taking my husband along means that things don't get out of hand. Lately, though, we've just been staying at home and so the cupboards are BARE.
Lots of good family time, though. Lots.