Grapefruit, take me away!

I use a preprinted shopping list when I grocery shop. I put it together when Little Boy was an infant. I had gone to the store to get formula, and a couple other things, and I got home with a trunkful of food and stuff, but no formula. That's when I knew I had to make a list.

I wrote down the words on the aisle markers, and then listed the things the things in those aisles that I buy with an extra "other" spot. There is a check box by each item. Many times as I look at the list before I go shopping, the list prompts me to check on basics.

There's a separate column for toiletries, household and baby things. And there's space at the bottom to write special items.

I found some amazing deals at Walmart - I bought some clothes in bigger sizes for both my kids. Wrangler cargo jeans were on clearance for $5! So I bought two pair in Little Boy's current size, and a pair in a larger size. The larger size fit around the waist/rear, but were a tad too long. The current size pairs were snug around his belly. I took the other two back and bought his current size in a husky size. They were too big. Thankfully they have the adjustable waist. I didn't know fitting boys' pants was so complicated. I mean, it's not like they have hips or anything.

I found some cute tops for Baby for $2 and Hanes sweat shirts and pants were on clearance for $1. I don't worry about her as much since I could always sew her clothes much more easily than his.

But back to my list. I start at the back of the store and work my way forward. Milk, eggs, butter, cheese. And then I work my way through the aisles to the front. Many times I can skip a couple aisles because there is nothing on my list. That seems to help me not pick up unnecessary food stuff. I stop before the frozen section and work my way down the meat section, and then back up the center aisle of frozen foods - usually I don't buy anything from there - it's mostly quick convenience food and we don't eat much of that. I look at the fruit and veggies; I sometimes shop at another store that has better produce if I don't like how the stuff looks. And lastly, I get any frozen food I need.

But back to the produce section. I stopped by the citrus fruit and it was all so fragrant! I picked up a large grapefruit and smelled it. Ahhh. I love the scent of grapefruit! In my mind I'm trying to figure out why I like the scent even better than the other citrus fruits. I don't know. But as I was smelling it, I kept thinking, "I'd love to be sitting somewhere warm, eating a fresh grapefruit off the tree - alone. Ahh!"

Don't get me wrong (especially you, Dear, when you read this). I love my kids and I LOVE my husband, but there's just something about being alone. Even if it's just in your imagination. Completely carefree and relaxing - not worrying if the others are ok or safe or healthy or happy. In the smell of that grapefruit, I was THERE. And then I thought, "I hope no one is looking at me right now. Smelling this grapefruit I don't plan to buy. With a goofy smile on my face and my eyes closed." And I was back to reality from my quick trip.

I should have bought that magical grapefruit and figured out a way to wear it around my neck! LOL