Thread: Grocerystore Madhouse!

On Dec 24, 11:42*am, "cshenk" <cshe...@cox.net> wrote:
> LOL! *I just have to admit, I had to go to the store today. *I was missing
> several little things for the Xmas meal as well as low on dishwasher
> detergent. *I ended up re-planning the meal based on my finds.
>
> My what a crazy place! *They were out of shopping carts! *I ended up with
> one with a baby carrier and had a heck of a time seeing over it as I
> shopped. *The good thing was Harris Teeters had all lines manned so thewait
> to get back out was short. *I was pretty sure they would do that so avoided
> Krogers this time.
>
> I don't like self checkouts. *Frankly I feel like it reduces jobs and also
> I'm too slow at looking up the codes since most of what I get usually is
> fresh produce that has to be weighed with a code punched in. *Probably near
> 50% of my cart is usually fresh stuff that has to be weighed.
>
> Well, we did end up getting several other things and that's where we got the
> fresh ham (deal was too good to pass up so put the regular cured ham in the
> freezer for another day).
>
> They had a sale on my favored quick snack of frozen burritos. *1/2 price at
> 25cents each. *I dress them up with sour cream, cheese and onions then black
> pepper and salt. *Not haute cuisine I admit, but I like'em.
>
> Havarti was on sale as was sharp cheddar and phily cream cheese so got some
> of each.
>
> I've seen better looking asparagus but I got some anyways.

I did a quick trip to the grocery this morning to pick up a few odds
and ends. They weren't crazed, it was actually fairly mellow. There
were lots of people, but the mood was very happy and calm and
friendly. I guess they people that were shopping this morning were
not in the "ohmygodI'vegottograbit now" mode. Traffic was light. It
was a pleasant experience.

I'd open a Campbell's soup before I'd hit the stores today. You are
one brave person.

"ImStillMags" wrote
cshenk" wrote:

>> LOL! I just have to admit, I had to go to the store today. I was missing
>> several little things for the Xmas meal as well as low on dishwasher
>> detergent. I ended up re-planning the meal based on my finds.

>> My what a crazy place! They were out of shopping carts! I ended up with
>> one with a baby carrier and had a heck of a time seeing over it as I
>> shopped. The good thing was Harris Teeters had all lines manned so the
>> wait
>> to get back out was short. I was pretty sure they would do that so
>> avoided
>> Krogers this time.

> I did a quick trip to the grocery this morning to pick up a few odds
> and ends. They weren't crazed, it was actually fairly mellow. There
> were lots of people, but the mood was very happy and calm and
> friendly. I guess they people that were shopping this morning were
> not in the "ohmygodI'vegottograbit now" mode. Traffic was light. It
> was a pleasant experience.

Oh the people weren't 'crazed', quite nice in fact, but it was sure packed!
Worse than just before a hurricane! I'd never been to the grocery store on
Xmas eve except once in Sasebo (ship pulled in Xmas eve so picked up a few
things on the way home).

Well, the wrapping is all done. Now, just to wait for Santa-time ;-)

"Kalmia" wrote

> I'd open a Campbell's soup before I'd hit the stores today. You are
> one brave person.

;-) Don just had to have corn on the cob though and I was out. It's his
'tradition' and I'd forgotten to get any.

On 12/24/2010 4:36 PM, cshenk wrote:
> "ImStillMags" wrote
> cshenk" wrote:
>
>>> LOL! I just have to admit, I had to go to the store today. I was missing
>>> several little things for the Xmas meal as well as low on dishwasher
>>> detergent. I ended up re-planning the meal based on my finds.
>
>>> My what a crazy place! They were out of shopping carts! I ended up with
>>> one with a baby carrier and had a heck of a time seeing over it as I
>>> shopped. The good thing was Harris Teeters had all lines manned so
>>> the wait
>>> to get back out was short. I was pretty sure they would do that so
>>> avoided
>>> Krogers this time.
>
>> I did a quick trip to the grocery this morning to pick up a few odds
>> and ends. They weren't crazed, it was actually fairly mellow. There
>> were lots of people, but the mood was very happy and calm and
>> friendly. I guess they people that were shopping this morning were
>> not in the "ohmygodI'vegottograbit now" mode. Traffic was light. It
>> was a pleasant experience.
>
> Oh the people weren't 'crazed', quite nice in fact, but it was sure
> packed! Worse than just before a hurricane! I'd never been to the
> grocery store on Xmas eve except once in Sasebo (ship pulled in Xmas eve
> so picked up a few things on the way home).

I went to our local winn dixie to grab a few things and it wasn't too
bad. What is more entertaining is seeing what people have in their carts.

--
Currently reading: Finals over! Yay for an A in organic chem and a B in
Human Anatomy and Physiology. Now what to read?

"ravenlynne" wrote
> cshenk wrote:

>>>> avoided Krogers this time.

> I went to our local winn dixie to grab a few things and it wasn't too bad.
> What is more entertaining is seeing what people have in their carts.

Believe me, I get strange looks! I mean, it's almost all REAL FOOD. Bags
of flour, cabbages, beans, fruits. Then you get that stray oddball like a
frozen burrito (grin).

On 12/24/2010 5:26 PM, cshenk wrote:
> "ravenlynne" wrote
>> cshenk wrote:
>
>>>>> avoided Krogers this time.
>
>> I went to our local winn dixie to grab a few things and it wasn't too
>> bad. What is more entertaining is seeing what people have in their carts.
>
> Believe me, I get strange looks! I mean, it's almost all REAL FOOD. Bags
> of flour, cabbages, beans, fruits. Then you get that stray oddball like
> a frozen burrito (grin).

Until it was pointed out to me a couple years ago or so, I never
realized the 'product layouts' of grocery stores were strategic!!!
Perhaps most folks know this - but I never did until someone told me
specifically! Dunno why, but it was astonishing (to me) to learn that
nearly all the 'inside aisles' of a grocery store are mostly 'processed'
and frozen foods! It's the perimeter aisles where most of the fresh
food stuffs are located, such as produce, dairy, meats, deli, salad bar,
etc.! Yeah yeah, it's sales psychology and that sort of thing, I suppose ?!

Sky

--

Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice!!

"Sky" wrote
> cshenk wrote:

>> Believe me, I get strange looks! I mean, it's almost all REAL FOOD. Bags
>> of flour, cabbages, beans, fruits. Then you get that stray oddball like
>> a frozen burrito (grin).

> Until it was pointed out to me a couple years ago or so, I never realized
> the 'product layouts' of grocery stores were strategic!!!

I consider it hard to miss!

> Perhaps most folks know this - but I never did until someone told me
> specifically! Dunno why, but it was astonishing (to me) to learn that
> nearly all the 'inside aisles' of a grocery store are mostly 'processed'
> and frozen foods! It's the perimeter aisles where most of the fresh food
> stuffs are located, such as produce, dairy, meats, deli, salad bar, etc.!
> Yeah yeah, it's sales psychology and that sort of thing, I suppose ?!

Yup. Shop the perimeter and in my case, only dive into the isles when
there's something specific we need.

On 12/24/2010 6:26 PM, cshenk wrote:
> "ravenlynne" wrote
>> cshenk wrote:
>
>>>>> avoided Krogers this time.
>
>> I went to our local winn dixie to grab a few things and it wasn't too
>> bad. What is more entertaining is seeing what people have in their carts.
>
> Believe me, I get strange looks! I mean, it's almost all REAL FOOD. Bags
> of flour, cabbages, beans, fruits. Then you get that stray oddball like
> a frozen burrito (grin).
>

One guy had 8 packages of white candy coating and a tube of hemorrhoid
cream. I think you're ok with your frozen burritos lol.


--
Currently reading: Finals over! Yay for an A in organic chem and a B in
Human Anatomy and Physiology. Now what to read?

"ravenlynne" wrote
> cshenk wrote:

>>> I went to our local winn dixie to grab a few things and it wasn't too
>>> bad. What is more entertaining is seeing what people have in their
>>> carts.
>>
>> Believe me, I get strange looks! I mean, it's almost all REAL FOOD. Bags
>> of flour, cabbages, beans, fruits. Then you get that stray oddball like
>> a frozen burrito (grin).

> One guy had 8 packages of white candy coating and a tube of hemorrhoid
> cream. I think you're ok with your frozen burritos lol.

LOL!

Hey, come into Chat? Me and Sky

In article <[email protected]>,
"cshenk" <[email protected]> wrote:

> LOL! I just have to admit, I had to go to the store today. I was missing
> several little things for the Xmas meal as well as low on dishwasher
> detergent. I ended up re-planning the meal based on my finds.
>
> My what a crazy place! They were out of shopping carts! I ended up with
> one with a baby carrier and had a heck of a time seeing over it as I
> shopped. The good thing was Harris Teeters had all lines manned so the wait
> to get back out was short. I was pretty sure they would do that so avoided
> Krogers this time.
>
> I don't like self checkouts. Frankly I feel like it reduces jobs and also
> I'm too slow at looking up the codes since most of what I get usually is
> fresh produce that has to be weighed with a code punched in. Probably near
> 50% of my cart is usually fresh stuff that has to be weighed.
>
> Well, we did end up getting several other things and that's where we got the
> fresh ham (deal was too good to pass up so put the regular cured ham in the
> freezer for another day).
>
> They had a sale on my favored quick snack of frozen burritos. 1/2 price at
> 25cents each. I dress them up with sour cream, cheese and onions then black
> pepper and salt. Not haute cuisine I admit, but I like'em.
>
> Havarti was on sale as was sharp cheddar and phily cream cheese so got some
> of each.
>
> I've seen better looking asparagus but I got some anyways.

Have mercy, are you out of your mind?!? My idea of hell is going to a
grocery store the night before Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve. I have
claustrophobia.

We did much of our weekly shopping at Harris Teeter when we lived in
Greensboro. Fresh Market was the closest store to our old house where I
would shop. The Food Lion was next door, but I rarely set foot in
there. The SO referred to it as the Food Skunk.

Cindy

--
C.J. Fuller

Delete the obvious to email me

On 12/24/2010 2:42 PM, cshenk wrote:
> LOL! I just have to admit, I had to go to the store today. I was
> missing several little things for the Xmas meal as well as low on
> dishwasher detergent. I ended up re-planning the meal based on my finds.
>
> My what a crazy place! They were out of shopping carts! I ended up
> with one with a baby carrier and had a heck of a time seeing over it as
> I shopped. The good thing was Harris Teeters had all lines manned so
> the wait to get back out was short. I was pretty sure they would do
> that so avoided Krogers this time.
>
> I don't like self checkouts. Frankly I feel like it reduces jobs and
> also I'm too slow at looking up the codes since most of what I get
> usually is fresh produce that has to be weighed with a code punched in.
> Probably near 50% of my cart is usually fresh stuff that has to be weighed.

I had to shop today, too. But while I had the same problem finding a
cart, and the lines were really long when I went in, I was only second
in line behind someone with a small amount of stuff to checkout when I
was finished. It wasn't even that hard to navigate the aisles. Plus, I
was fortunate to find a close parking spot. Today was my day at the
store. lol

Merry Christmas!

On 12/24/2010 2:54 PM, ImStillMags wrote:
> I did a quick trip to the grocery this morning to pick up a few odds
> and ends. They weren't crazed, it was actually fairly mellow. There
> were lots of people, but the mood was very happy and calm and
> friendly. I guess they people that were shopping this morning were
> not in the "ohmygodI'vegottograbit now" mode. Traffic was light. It
> was a pleasant experience.

One thing that was sad to hear today was what sounded like a pretty bad
car accident just as I was leaving the store. I heard others who were
walking into the store saying THAT WAS A CRASH and went running to see.
I heard on the traffic report on the way home that emergency vehicles
were heading to the location. It would be horrible to have a bad crash
on Christmas Eve.

Cindy Fuller <[email protected]> wrote:

>> Havarti was on sale as was sharp cheddar and phily cream cheese so
>> got some of each.


Glad you had the same trouble I did.

That said, it's "Philly" cream cheese. That AND it's made in New York.

Would somebody please explain how it ever got called Philly cream cheese
to me?

Merry Christmas!!!

Sorry, no chimneys for me this year!!! Keep a window unlocked. That
would be nice, at my age.

Best,

Santa

"Cindy Fuller" wrote,
> "cshenk" wrote:

>> LOL! I just have to admit, I had to go to the store today. I was
>> missing
>> several little things for the Xmas meal as well as low on dishwasher
>> detergent. I ended up re-planning the meal based on my finds.

> Have mercy, are you out of your mind?!? My idea of hell is going to a
> grocery store the night before Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve. I have
> claustrophobia.

In a big open store?

> We did much of our weekly shopping at Harris Teeter when we lived in
> Greensboro. Fresh Market was the closest store to our old house where I
> would shop. The Food Lion was next door, but I rarely set foot in
> there. The SO referred to it as the Food Skunk.

Each store is good or bad really based more on the local management.
There's a Food Lion down the street from me that I think well of. It's main
problem is the layout is awkward.

Cindy Fuller wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "cshenk" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> LOL! I just have to admit, I had to go to the store today. I was missing
>> several little things for the Xmas meal as well as low on dishwasher
>> detergent. I ended up re-planning the meal based on my finds.


>
> Have mercy, are you out of your mind?!? My idea of hell is going to a
> grocery store the night before Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve. I have
> claustrophobia.
>
> Cindy
>

Claus-trophobia? Is that fear of Christmas shopping?

gloria p

On Dec 24, 2:42*pm, "cshenk" <cshe...@cox.net> wrote:
> LOL! *I just have to admit, I had to go to the store today. *I was missing
> several little things for the Xmas meal as well as low on dishwasher
> detergent. *I ended up re-planning the meal based on my finds.
>
> My what a crazy place! *They were out of shopping carts! *I ended up with
> one with a baby carrier and had a heck of a time seeing over it as I
> shopped. *The good thing was Harris Teeters had all lines manned so thewait
> to get back out was short. *I was pretty sure they would do that so avoided
> Krogers this time.
>
> I don't like self checkouts. *Frankly I feel like it reduces jobs and also
> I'm too slow at looking up the codes since most of what I get usually is
> fresh produce that has to be weighed with a code punched in. *Probably near
> 50% of my cart is usually fresh stuff that has to be weighed.
>
> Well, we did end up getting several other things and that's where we got the
> fresh ham (deal was too good to pass up so put the regular cured ham in the
> freezer for another day).
>
> They had a sale on my favored quick snack of frozen burritos. *1/2 price at
> 25cents each. *I dress them up with sour cream, cheese and onions then black
> pepper and salt. *Not haute cuisine I admit, but I like'em.
>
> Havarti was on sale as was sharp cheddar and phily cream cheese so got some
> of each.
>
> I've seen better looking asparagus but I got some anyways.

I've found the best time to go to the grocery store is between 2:00
and 4:00 in the afternoon. The worst times are from 10:00 am to 1:00
pm and from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

On Fri, 24 Dec 2010 14:42:38 -0500, cshenk wrote:

> My what a crazy place! They were out of shopping carts!

Both CostCo and the HEB (regular grocer) were out of carts. And
nobody was making any attempt at collecting them. I was even told
by the "Courtesy Clerk" (cart boy) at CostCo, "I don't have a
raincoat" after I hinted that he do something about it.

> one with a baby carrier and had a heck of a time seeing over it as I
> shopped.

To HEB's credit, they chained up the ones that are made to look
like fire engines and are twice as long and slightly wider than
normal carts.

-sw

In article <[email protected]>,
Cindy Fuller <[email protected]> wrote:

> The Food Lion was next door, but I rarely set foot in
> there. The SO referred to it as the Food Skunk.

[The SO responds...]

That's because on one visit the place reeked of some really foul odor.
Maybe a cleaning solution? Was there a spill in the meat department? A
murder in the bakery area? Did a skunk wander in?

--
Julian Vrieslander