Monday, October 4, 2010

Adventures in Commissary shopping


Diaper bag. Check
Bottles. Check
Toys. Check
Double stroller. Check
...and here we go...

Upon entering, dart past the old guy on the scooter, and make a mad dash towards the shopping carts. Finding the perfect cart, that doesn't pull to one side, is KEY! Weave through the hundreds of other people that wait for payday to do their shopping and head for produce.

"oh, are they twins?"

Smile, nod, and find the least damaged apples, bananas, and whatever else is going for less than $1.20/lb. Veges here I come!

"are they twins?"

Keep smiling, nod and grab a large bag of carrots, lettuce, and English cucumber without coming to a complete stop.

Check list...

"are they twins?"

Come on, you can do it...smile! Nod! Continue to push the stroller with one hand, while pulling the cart behind you.

Ignore the people that give you dirty looks for your 'train' and all the space that it encompasses.
Try not to groan too loudly at the moron that parks their cart in the middle of the aisle and walks away. Kick Push said cart to the side, and continue to the next aisle.

"wow, are they twins?"

"No, they're brothers."

wait for the perplexed look...

"how far apart are they?"

"Two minutes"

Try not to feel guilty for the smart comment as I walk away and check the list again.

Okay, we're in the home stretch...dairy section is ahead.

Wade through the sea of shopping carts that stupid bottleneck the newest renovation has created, and grab milk, cheese, etc.

Okay, head to the check out...and get in line...keep waiting...then get yelled at to head to the specific register I'm told.

Pull out ID, wait for cashier to roll her eyes and ask "paper or plastic?" Then, watch the baggers smash your bread, bruise your fruit, and put 12 cans of soda in a single plastic bag.

"are they twins?"

Head to the parking lot where I attempt to remember where I parked. Tell the bagger they must wait while you turn the car on, the AC, get the boys back in their car seats, fold up the double stroller and put it in the trunk first. Get more dirty looks when you ask for the frozen/cold items to be put IN the car (b/c they didn't bother to pack them that way). Hand over $3, get in the car...breathe...and wonder why you made the trip in the first place.

*I heart my Army wife life*

Today should be better, since I have someone watching the boys. My goal is to be in and out in under 20 minutes...I think I'm up to the challenge!

12 comments:

STILLMAGNOLIA said...

You go girl. I had two 13 months apart...and that in itself was a feat....

Kristina P. said...

So wait, are they twins?

Erin said...

I think you should have onesies made that say, "Yes, we're twins." Maybe that will stop some of the questioning!

Mary said...

I ended up having to take the boys with me...and we survived! The commissary wasn't too busy, I think it helped going the monday after payday.

Eric and I have seriously considered getting those onesies...but don't have the time or money to do so...and the boys are almost 7 months, and well into 9-12 month clothes...they are so long!

Annette said...

I love you Mary, you are one of the bravest woman I know!!! The boys, "twins" are really lucky to have you as their mom! Love, Grandma.

Missy said...

I get that and when I attempt to tell the truth it takes forever. I just started answering yes and going on! I hate grocery shopping!

The Youngs said...

You are amazing and BRAVE!! I dread going in there on a payday or any other day by myself... I went with my little one the other day and grabbed some stuff - forgot half the stuff on the list Keith made for me... :-)

Jessica G. said...

You are just as brave and noble as your military hubby.
And I have a magnet on my fridge that says: Starving vs. Grocery Shopping with Kids...it's a tough call!

Just SO said...

Hey, are they twins??

Sorry you can totally slap me now.

Good luck today!

Queenie Jeannie said...

Commissary shopping on PAYDAY??? Girl! You know better than that!! I went to buy fresh snow peas the other day...until I saw that they were almost $10/lb. Can you believe that???? Fresh produce is crazy here!!

Hugs!

Megan and Jeremy said...

OHH this post made me laugh :) You are one brave woman fo' sure!

I love that question myself (NOT!) & I wish I had the guts to give someone a smart answer some day. We'll see. It's like no, they're exactly the same size & weight but they're not twins, what are people thinking!?

I'll keep your Dad in my prayer-I hope everything goes smoothly.

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