RTT: Stalking, Balking, and Smack Talking

Yes, this post is disjointed, but it's supposed to be that way. The title will work if you're willing to work with it. (Please be willing.)

I am the one who does the grocery shopping in the family. I know I've mentioned it here before. While Publix is the premiere store in the state of Florida, and I have been loyal to the chain for as long as I can remember, I have been taking to trying out Walmart as a way of saving money since so many other people have recommended it. The first time I tried it, it was Friday evening, I was tired from a long week, and I wasn't in the mood for people. At all. Driving over to the nearest Wally World, I pushed my cart into the produce section which looked like a crime scene from someone deciding to test every tomato and cast any failures onto the foor where other shoppers decided rather than swerving to avoid the obstacle, to treat it like a target. Ketchup anyone? Meh, onions are closer. Let's go for salsa. I almost abandoned my cart three separate times before finally making it to the check out alive and having not been slapped from recommending that some people cheat and take their Saturday night bath a little early this time. (Why, yes, some of the folks out there still try to stick to the once a week rule on bathing. Those people actually do have families and the stench does multiply when in numbers.)
The next week, I played it safe and dragged Sprite along for a stop at a nicer Walmart on our way home. Not only did I make it out alive, I was able to concentrate more on the prices and quality and less on the quantity of people who all seemed to be heading down the same aisle. After the noticeable difference seen in my grocery bill, I've become almost a stalker, marking the grocery sites and checking them first thing in the morning on the day the new sales come out. I actually let out a little squeal when I was told Walmart accepts coupons. Did anyone else know that? I feel like I've just been handed a secret password! 

I wonder if Hollywood has a direct line on my blog for last week's episode of Grey's Anatomy didn't suck! From the first minute to the last, it completely held my attention and only had me yelling possible causes of death, not reasons to turn the channel. I was actually impressed with the show and the acting. Don't ask me about Private Practice. I didn't see the latest episode since frankly, I was too high on endorphins from Grey's success, I didn't want to kill the buzz. I'll wait until this weekend and skip to the last part to see how Charlotte is overcoming her aversion to her own baby since, in Lala Land, these characters can go the entire 12 steps in hours as compared to the years it takes real people to make through trauma. My guess is she'll be planning his first birthday party since that just seems to be the way they run the show. (Into cancellation.) (Okay, wishful thinking.) (Yes, I know I could just change the channel, but why? At least I KNOW the show is bad!)

No, Sprite did not get the pillow she threw into our shopping cart. I'm sure you all know me well enough by now to know that I do not give into my child's every whim. I made her put it back and she of course gave a small pout, easily resolved with a "Don't forget, your birthday and Christmas are very close" reminder. Sure, I got off easy. She could have given me a hundred and ten reasons all in the key of scream, but she didn't. She's actually been really good about it given that our old standby's are no longer plausible. Since we can't use the excuse "Ssh, the doll is sleeping" or "We're not allowed to buy it. It's only to look at." (Oh, yes, we have used that lie and it has worked until recently.) without an eye roll in response, we were scrambling for better reasons to deny her the coveted item that didn't include tears, melodrama, and the pulling of a fire alarm. Luckily, we didn't need an escape route. She gave us a map. Now, she has devised a way of telling us she wants something without resorting to tantrums and hostages. She simply walks over to the product in question, gushes over it appropriately, and then turns to John or me and says, "We come back for this, o-KAY?"
At first, John and I thought we were being punked. It could not be this easy! "Okay," we replied, and she would walk away, no longer intent on having the doll/box of cookies/you-break-it-you-buy-it in her hot little hands. And then, guess what? She forgets about it! (As long as we avoid the aisle the next time we're in the store..) So far, so good. Sure, we could look over our shoulders for the second dropping shoe, but right now? We're running with it.

Although she may get that pillow sooner than she thinks. Can I just say it's been an entire week without ANY accidents? And we've hardly had to prompt her. She's taken it upon herself to announce it, do the deed, and even try to clean up after herself. Potty training? We met your challenge and finally beat you at your game. Now, I just have 9 or so years to get ready for puberty..

I need to readjust my movie meter for I seem to be picking some losers lately. Susan joined me for a cheesy rental, agreeing amiably to my newest Netflix arrival "Adventureland". Note to self: Just because it has Ryan Reynolds in it does not make it good. Even better note to self: If it has Kristen Stewart in it, avoid at all costs. Seriously, my crap radar must be on the fritz, for I found myself wanting to throttle her character every time she made that angsty throaty breath catch. (Which she did, a lot. Turns out that the Twilight franchise does NOT have the patent on her quirky acting abilities.) I am, against my own better judgement, heading back to the theater during Thanksgiving weekend to see the newest Twilight, with Susan again, but this time, I will shell out for the tickets. By the end of my inevitatble snarky comments, she may want to throttle ME.

And now for someone who's definitely not a loser. Unless she's losing weight, then feel free to call her a big loser. Just don't say it around any execs at NBC or you may be sued for brand theft. Look, just go over to Keely's and say hi to the other Randomizers. It's honestly the best way to spend your Tuesday!

Comments

[Rachel]

I actually like to stop by one of the nicer Wal-marts on my way TO work. It is never more lovely than at 6 in the morning when it's empty and fresh and clean. Then the cheapness really shines.

Yay Sprite!

I don't suppose Susan wants to make a new friend Thanksgiving weekend?

[Casey]

Oh man, not in the mood for people and you went to Walmart? I only go there about once every six months since I just can't stand the uhm, upstanding customers. And I end up wanting to punch people.

Graham has given in to some really odd explanations of why not lately and I'm wondering when Ashton is going to jump out of a closet too!

[jenni]

That's awesome about the potty training. She totally deserves that pillow.

Love your random, as always. You crack me up!

[Laufa]

Wow, how did Sprite get so mature all the sudden?
Did you know Wallyworld price matches too? Take the grocery(Publix, Walgreens, K-mart, Winn-Dixie, Piggly Wiggly, Albertsons)flyers with you and you show the cashier the price you saw and want.

[Robin]

Oh, Publix! We used to shop there when we'd visit my grandparents in Miami... Why is it that other people's regional supermarkets always seems so much more glamorous than your own local places? When really, they're just selling all the same stuff?
Happy tuesday!

[Michele]

Yay! to Sprite. A whole week is a pretty big accomplishment.

I totally applaud your desire to save money. Because, you know how cheap I am, right? That saying I still can't bring myself to shop at Walmart. It's their corporate policies that I object to mostly. Not the humanity that shops there, though that is in question.

[Jan]

Like Michele, we avoid Walmart because of their corporate policies; Beloved worked closely with them at their corporate headquarters Bentonville while employed by Informix - it took him six months to quit because Walmart and their practices and policies appalled him. I understand that some people can't be that discerning because of the prices, but I'm certainly glad we can afford to be.

Sprite's growing up quickly! I think she realizes that Mommy and Daddy aren't going to give in to every wish and whim and that throwing a tantrum does no good. The "We come back for that, okay?" is her way of conceding that fact without losing face.

[Sprite's Keeper]

Sorry, I just had to be the 11,111th commenter on my own site because I want to see the numbers! Yes, this is my excitement for the day, people..

[Baba]

Tell me if you are going to buy the pillow. {I thought she had all the pollows} Your father does all the shopping at Costco you need to work on him. I guess he knows if you let me loose in there I would buy everything for my Grandkids.

[Maureen@IslandRoar]

Um, not to burst your bubble, but I don't think you've got 9 years till puberty. My older daughter turned into a "teenager" at 8 in 2nd grade (in attitude, anyway). The other one may have waited till 10...

[bessie.viola]

I despise the Wal Mart in our area. It is DREADFUL and I hate going there. The main grocery in Michigan is Kroger, and I've found myself to have great luck there. Plus, they DOUBLE coupons every day! Beat that, Wally World!

[WickedStepMom]

The trick of avoidance does not work on an 8 year old. She remembers... and if she still does not get it, she pouts and stomps her feet.

[Melly]

I took a break from all of my bloggers, but I'm back now to lurking on you! I missed you! *squee*

[Heather]

Here's one for Sprite: The store is going to hold that item here for you...like layaway!

[Harriet]

Who does that to tomatoes?
Guess I'll put off going shopping till tomorrow:)

Have a great RTT!
http://iamharriet.blogspot.com/2009/10/woman-scares-off-burglar-by-acting-like.html

[Susan]

We got away with that line alot this past weekend "we will come back for that" hehehahah. Wonder how long it can work :) Jen the first Twilight movie I remeber laughing alot I am sure #2 won't be any different. Bring it on snarky comments and all.

[mrsbear]

Publix is my grocery mart of choice too. I've tried Walmart, and while the prices are nice, the whole place just has a seedy vibe. I seriously won't go without my husband, he's the only one who can talk me down when I start to get claustrophobic. People. Ack.

Gah! I couldn't get through the first Twilight, you're paying full price for the sequel?! Don't do it. ;) The boy that plays Jacob is much better looking than Edward though. Had to volunteer that.

[A Tired Wife]

LOL about Walmart. We have a mini-Walmart ... no food, and they only carry a handful of anything. The town didn't want a Walmart, but they (as usual) bullied their way in. We held them to our limit on store size though. Ha.

So, although no food, I do find myself avoiding the Walmart Zombies ... wandering aimlessly through the store ... standing in the middle of the isle for no apparent reason. Ugh.

[blueviolet]

There are NICE Walmarts? I do shop there because it really is significant savings. I hate their produce and meat though.

Last week's Grey's was awesome. It only took them all of last season and part of this to hit another win.

[K]

I'm so jealous of your potty trainning sucess. Some day...

[Captain Dumbass]

Wasn't Grey's awesome?! And Private Practice? I happened to catch an episode a few weeks back when somebody's baby had just been stolen from her stomach. That was jumping the shark and not making it.

[Arwen]

I used to get a headache just walking into a Walmart. Where we live now, though, there's not a lot of options, so I've learned to deal with it. Definitely better to go as early in the morning as possible and avoid Friday nights at all costs.

11,111? Wow.

[vodkamom]

My head is pounding from a day at the pumpkin patch followed by a huge Halloween party at school. I'm exhausted and I need a drink.

where is the damn waitress, anyway???

[Stacy (the Random Cool Chick)]

Your first foray into the world of wally was on a Friday after work? That's the best time to avoid it at all costs. ;) At least you do have a 'nice' one in your area, too - they just built a new one 5 miles further than another one out here...so I drive the extra 5 miles to get 'nice'. :)

Sprite is so precious! Cool that she's into the 'come back for it' mode already. It took a while for Princess Nagger to get there. :)

Yay for Sprite's success!!

Grey's was AWESOME last week for sure - here's hoping they keep up that momentum. I won't divulge what happened on Private Practice...

Happy RTT! :)

[Belle]

What a smart girl!! "We'll come back for this?"... awesome trick Sprite. They're totally falling for it. Combine with potty-training and it's a guaranteed success. Well played!