Today is that wonderful day when Hubby and I pack all three kids into the minivan and drive to WalMart so we can do our grocery shopping together as a family. Why do we do this? Obviously, because we are crazy. Normal women would just go do the shopping themselves, either during the week with the two children that are at home or on the weekend, using the hubby as a babysitter. In our family, though, we like to do everything together. So, in honor of our special brand of lunacy, I bring you the best grocery shopping quotes I could find. Enjoy!
The odds of going to the store for a loaf of bread and coming out with only a loaf of bread are three billion to one.
-- Erma Bombeck
A bargain is something you can't use at a price you can't resist.
-- Franklin P. Jones
Anyone who believes the competitive spirit in America is dead has never been in a supermarket when the cashier opens another checkout line.
-- Ann Landers
If you change lines, the one you just left will start to move faster than the one you are now in.
-- O'Brian's Law
When women are depressed, they eat or go shopping. Men invade another country. It's a whole different way of thinking.
-- Elayne Boosler
I don't remember my mother ever playing with me. And she was a perfectly good mother. But she had to do the laundry and clean the house and do the grocery shopping.
-- Patricia Heaton
I think that last quote is a great example of why we do this crazy thing and go grocery shopping as a group of five. If we can share these simple things and make a game of the weekly errands, that's just one more bond that we share as a family. My three year old is learning about things like "serving size" and "added sugar," my eleven year old is learning about budgeting decisions, and the baby just loves being carried around in his Moby.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Table for Seven: Sonny's Real Pit BBQ
This week, I have been very good about planning and cooking meals. I personally actually cooked twice this week, which is my record so far this year. However, my willpower took a dive when I heard the news that Sonny's was giving a portion of proceeds to Red Cross' Haiti relief on Tuesday. BBQ Pulled Pork is one of my favorite things on Earth, along with sweet tea. The idea of feasting on this nectar and ambrosia for a good cause was just too much for me to resist. I told Hubby we'd be going to Sonny's for dinner the following day (no arguments there) and also invited my parents. We chose the Venice location rather than Port Charlotte because we'd be coming from Osprey.
Our van arrived first, after picking up our daughter from her dance practice. We went ahead and got a table for all seven, even though my parents were still on the way, and ordered sweet tea for everyone but the three-year-old (no caffeine for him!) When they got there, we were able to quickly order, since most of us have tried-and-true Sonny's favorites. My only decision was whether to get my pulled pork as a sandwich, a dinner, or an all-you-can-eat. Since I hadn't had much lunch, I greedily went with the AYCE, as did Hubby. Our super-healthy daughter had salad bar and a sweet potato, and our son had chicken tenders. Mom had the pulled pork meal, and Dad had the AYCE ribs.
All of our food was fabulous, since Sonny's really knows how to do Southern BBQ. We were seated comfortably at a long table that gave us plenty of room for the baby's seat. I was able to tuck myself back enough to feel comfortable nursing while covered by a blanket. The bathroom facilities were clean and adequate for changing diapers. The service was great, with refills of both sweet tea and meat coming promptly. The only thing that could have made my night better is if I had remembered that one huge plate of meat, macaroni & cheese and french fries is already all I can eat. No need to pay $2 extra for the privilege of stuffing myself beyond full, no matter how enjoyable the experience may be at the time.
Our van arrived first, after picking up our daughter from her dance practice. We went ahead and got a table for all seven, even though my parents were still on the way, and ordered sweet tea for everyone but the three-year-old (no caffeine for him!) When they got there, we were able to quickly order, since most of us have tried-and-true Sonny's favorites. My only decision was whether to get my pulled pork as a sandwich, a dinner, or an all-you-can-eat. Since I hadn't had much lunch, I greedily went with the AYCE, as did Hubby. Our super-healthy daughter had salad bar and a sweet potato, and our son had chicken tenders. Mom had the pulled pork meal, and Dad had the AYCE ribs.
All of our food was fabulous, since Sonny's really knows how to do Southern BBQ. We were seated comfortably at a long table that gave us plenty of room for the baby's seat. I was able to tuck myself back enough to feel comfortable nursing while covered by a blanket. The bathroom facilities were clean and adequate for changing diapers. The service was great, with refills of both sweet tea and meat coming promptly. The only thing that could have made my night better is if I had remembered that one huge plate of meat, macaroni & cheese and french fries is already all I can eat. No need to pay $2 extra for the privilege of stuffing myself beyond full, no matter how enjoyable the experience may be at the time.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The Persistence of Loss
Everyone who has ever lost someone they cared about knows that grief can be a strange thing. People talk about the seven stages of grief, but any of those feelings can hit you at any time without warning, even years down the road. I experienced a miscarriage at about 8 weeks just a few months before I became pregnant with my middle child. Although this is something that I can usually speak about fairly easily, every so often some thought will bring me to tears, and I always feel completely caught off guard when it happens.
My friend Amy died soon after I graduated from high school. Her and her sister were killed by a drunk driver who was a repeat DUI offender. They were both beautiful, loving, just generally wonderful girls, and their loss was difficult for everyone who knew them.
Although I miss Amy, I can honestly say that I don't think of her every day. I live in a different town, so there are days I can go about my life without anything reminding me of her. There are certain objects and songs that always make me think of her, but usually with a smile, because they make me think of how much sunshine she brought into the world.
Today, though, was different. I posted a message to Facebook about my baby's difficulty taking a bottle. One of my friends from high school replied with a comment about how her son had the same problem, but now takes a bottle just fine. It was very normal, day-to-day stuff. I had a thought about how strange it is to think of my friend as a nursing mother when I haven't seen her since high school. That's when out of nowhere, I thought "Amy should be nursing a baby." I just broke down in tears. Just when I thought I'd come to terms with the loss of a beautiful life eleven years ago, today I started mourning again. Eleven years ago I lost my friend Amy. Today I lost the beautiful children that Amy would have had. I lost chatting with her about parenthood and being proud of what a great mother she had become, the way I'm proud of so many of my other friends. Anyone who knew her knows what a great mother she would have been, and this is something else that one drunk driver stole from the world.
I know this is an old, worn-out message, but please think about this when you think about drinking and driving. That one stupid action could have an impact on so many lives, and for so many years. The world has been a worse place ever since Amy died, even if only for those of us in her corner of the world. We will always miss her and wonder what she would be doing if she were here now. I will always wish I could get her advice and support as I go through life. I will never forget.
My friend Amy died soon after I graduated from high school. Her and her sister were killed by a drunk driver who was a repeat DUI offender. They were both beautiful, loving, just generally wonderful girls, and their loss was difficult for everyone who knew them.
Although I miss Amy, I can honestly say that I don't think of her every day. I live in a different town, so there are days I can go about my life without anything reminding me of her. There are certain objects and songs that always make me think of her, but usually with a smile, because they make me think of how much sunshine she brought into the world.
Today, though, was different. I posted a message to Facebook about my baby's difficulty taking a bottle. One of my friends from high school replied with a comment about how her son had the same problem, but now takes a bottle just fine. It was very normal, day-to-day stuff. I had a thought about how strange it is to think of my friend as a nursing mother when I haven't seen her since high school. That's when out of nowhere, I thought "Amy should be nursing a baby." I just broke down in tears. Just when I thought I'd come to terms with the loss of a beautiful life eleven years ago, today I started mourning again. Eleven years ago I lost my friend Amy. Today I lost the beautiful children that Amy would have had. I lost chatting with her about parenthood and being proud of what a great mother she had become, the way I'm proud of so many of my other friends. Anyone who knew her knows what a great mother she would have been, and this is something else that one drunk driver stole from the world.
I know this is an old, worn-out message, but please think about this when you think about drinking and driving. That one stupid action could have an impact on so many lives, and for so many years. The world has been a worse place ever since Amy died, even if only for those of us in her corner of the world. We will always miss her and wonder what she would be doing if she were here now. I will always wish I could get her advice and support as I go through life. I will never forget.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Quotable Sunday: Procrastination
Thank you, Toni, for sharing such a lovely way to get back on track each week. Quotable Sunday feels so doable, even when I'm feeling totally frazzled, and I promised I'd take Ari and her friend blacklight mini-golfing for their birthdays, and my syllabi are still NOT DONE!!! In light of this, I will be sharing some quotes on procrastination that I like. I can then use this post to refer back to when I feel like not posting...
Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn't the work he is supposed to be doing at that moment. ~Robert Benchley
You may delay, but time will not. ~Benjamin Franklin
Putting off an easy thing makes it hard. Putting off a hard thing makes it impossible. ~George Claude Lorimer
Procrastination is like masturbation. At first it feels good, but in the end you're only screwing yourself. ~Author unknown, possibly from Monty Python?
What do you guys think? Favorites? Any procrastination quotes you love that I missed? I tried to stay anti-procrastination, but it seems there are so many more in favor...
Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn't the work he is supposed to be doing at that moment. ~Robert Benchley
You may delay, but time will not. ~Benjamin Franklin
Putting off an easy thing makes it hard. Putting off a hard thing makes it impossible. ~George Claude Lorimer
Procrastination is like masturbation. At first it feels good, but in the end you're only screwing yourself. ~Author unknown, possibly from Monty Python?
What do you guys think? Favorites? Any procrastination quotes you love that I missed? I tried to stay anti-procrastination, but it seems there are so many more in favor...
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