Grocery Store Chronicles: 3 Vignettes From My Shopping Adventures

/ Ally Bean

Pretty picture of puzzle pieces put together that has nothing to do with the subject of this post, but pretty picture gotta pretty, right?

~ • ~

TO BEGIN WITH

Over the years I’ve written about my grocery store shopping experiences and put the stories here under the tag: Grocery Store Chronicles.

[The story about discussing kinds of pears and the story about stealing potato chips have been the most popular. Also there’s Betsy‘s favorite story about me buying beer.]

While the following isn’t one complete story like those I linked to above, these are 3 vignettes about what I watched unfold, and entertained me, while shopping in ye olde Kroger this past holiday season.

LOVE CONQUERS CONFUSION

The layout of the first part of our store goes like this: produce, deli, cheese, bakery, then wine and beer.

It was coming up on New Year’s Eve, busy everywhere in the store.

I’d just seen a couple in their 40s picking out some produce for something specific, while overhearing them talk about making something special to take somewhere.

Moving on I went to the cheese kiosk and found myself standing with about 10 other people there as well as the couple. I looked around and realized that the wife was on the verge of tears because, as she explained for all to hear, she couldn’t remember which kind of cheese she was supposed to buy.

She turned to her husband and said: I dunno, I can’t remember. I’m just a little ball of confusion.

To which he said: You know what I like about that?

Her, sad: No… 

Him, leaning in to hug her: You’re MY little ball of confusion.

She smiled weakly while all of us standing around the cheese kiosk in unison went: Aww…

And with that he kissed her and said: I’ll go get the beer while you figure out the cheese. Meet you back here. 

KARMA GOT HER NUMBER 

It was crowded in the store with people and displays of food/wine everywhere.

Zen-Den and I had a small cart full of items and were heading to the U-Scan lanes to buy our stuff. A woman walking behind us to the U-Scan was impatient with our pace. She did a wild dash around us to get to the U-Scan lanes first, giving us the evil eye as she went by.

We shrugged.

As fate would have it, despite our pace, we ended up in the U-Scan spot beside her, which when she saw us caused her to snarl our way.

We shrugged.

Well, as Z-D played cashier scanning our items, I stood there and watched her, surreptitiously. And here’s what happened: her first credit card was rejected. Her second credit card was rejected.

And when we left having successfully scanned, packed, and paid for our groceries, she was holding a third credit card that had been rejected, while talking on her cell phone with someone.

Half of me felt sorry for her because I’d guess everyone has had a credit card rejected at some point and it is frustrating, BUT considering how impatient she was and her negative attitude toward us… I smiled.

Ha!

WHEN THE WRONG THING IS RIGHT

I was waiting in the cashier line, standing behind a Dad with a cart heaped with groceries and a 3 y.o. sitting in the basket cart seat. The Dad was at the front of the cart while the boy was directly in front of me.

The little guy was laser-focused on everything his Dad was putting on the conveyor belt. Nothing escaped his notice.

About halfway through unloading the cart the boy told his Dad: That’s the wrong milk.

Dad: What?

Boy: It’s blue. 

Dad: WHAT?

Boy: It should be red.

Dad, catching on that his son was talking about the color of the label on the milk: No the blue one is right this time. 

Boy, raising his eyebrow like the 50 y.o. man he’ll be: Mom. buys. red.

Dad, still putting items on the conveyor belt: The blue one is buttermilk. It’s the right one this time because Mom is making cookies and this is what she uses. 

Boy, shaking his head, rolling his eyes, explaining to me under his breath: Mom BUYS cookies… and she’s gonna be mad about no red milk. 

~ • ~

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

So, been shopping in a brick and mortar store lately? And how did that go for you?

Overheard anything that made you smile?

Or watched something happen that brought out the snark in you?

Or confirmed that kids can be wise beyond their years?

~ ~ • ~ ~

246 thoughts on “Grocery Store Chronicles: 3 Vignettes From My Shopping Adventures”

  1. I laughed at the boy-and-the-milk story. It’s a great reminder that those little ones around us notice far more than we realize. It’s another bit of proof that some of life’s most important learning doesn’t take place in the classroom.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Linda, that little boy was so funny and so aware of what was happening in front of him. I managed not to laugh in the moment but the minute Dad and son rolled away I got laughing so hard I was almost in tears.

      Liked by 2 people

  2. Clearly I have only been laser focussed on getting what I need and getting out as quickly as possible, not taking the time to notice the goings on around me. Love all of these stories and the fact that you were observant in seeing them happen❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    • Lynn, our Kroger was crowded every time I went into it during December so I was forced to shop slowly. For something to do while I waited in the aisles, at the counters, I started paying attention to my fellow shoppers. I mean, it wasn’t like any of us were going to be going anywhere quickly so why not let people entertain me? 😉

      Liked by 2 people

    • Kate, that boy will do well wherever he lands in life. He was so serious about what he was observing, maybe a detective in the making. I wonder how many people don’t pay attention to the colors on labels? 🤔

      Liked by 2 people

      • I do. One of my products completely changed their label, color and text and I couldn’t find it on the shelves. I had to ask someone and it was right in front of me. I always think that is a bad thing to do. You may lose a faithful customer that thinks you discontinued it.

        Liked by 2 people

        • I agree. I dislike that too and it happens with many products. I notice it most often when the manufacturer has reduced the size of the product, then tries to promote the same product in new packaging to distract you from the reduced size inside. 😒

          Liked by 2 people

  4. Sorry lady. Truly. But it’s really hard to feel bad for you when you acted like such a bi-yatch.
    As for the kid – I LOVE this! My mother says that I had a ridiculous sense of observation. One night – NIGHT in the dark – we were driving home, and as usual, stopped at the stop sign before turning left towards our house. The house directly in front was the Fillion’s. I said. Oh, they painted the house! I was, three at the tim. Apparently, they painted it from pale blue to pale blue and I noticed it was a tad different. Turns out I was right, too!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Frank, I started my Grocery Store Chronicle stories 10 years ago just so I’d have a record of how people behave. So true, the grocery is a great place to observe people… in their natural habitat? 😁

      Liked by 2 people

  7. Hi Ally, Watching people being kind to each other is the best for feel good moments and can change the trajectory of my day. 😊 The Karma scenario…try to stay out of their space unless unavoidable. I extra love the smarts and wisdom of 3 y.o (disguised 40 year old adults in a miniature body). I have to think about your questions, Ally, since I am still on my first sip of coffee. In general, fun and interesting to watch human nature play out. 💕 Erica

    Liked by 2 people

    • Erica/Erika, I agree with you about watching people be kind to each other. Everyone who saw this exchange between husband and wife smiled. It was sincere and touching, thus uplifting.

      The boy in the cart watching his dad was another kind of uplifting moment. He was a smart kid, observant, and wise enough to not make an issue of the wrong milk with Dad right there. Let Mom handle it.

      Liked by 2 people

  9. My grocery store trips always give me something to think or talk about. They’re full of people!

    That ill-tempered woman…talk about karma, huh? All she had to do was make her speedy maneuver without comment, but she had to draw attention to her rudeness.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Nance, you described the rude woman perfectly. I admit we were rolling along more slowly than normal, but it was in order to dodge people and displays that were everywhere. I generally try to rise above commenting on another person’s misfortune, but in this case… not so much.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Well geez—you’ve broadened my horizons and given me something new to do in my spare time while waiting for somebody to move their bloomin’ cart out of my way so I can get where I’m going. You put a whole new wrinkle on the grocery shop thing and I’m going to look forward to employing your techniques! Thanks. I needed that!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Julia, I try to be efficient when I go into the grocery, find my food and leave. But sometimes fate steps in and I am slowed down. That’s when the stories happen, waiting for someone to move along. Or tell me something in passing. That happens, too.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Oh I love all of these glimpses into life! I think I’ve encountered something very like each of them at some point over the years. It can be so entertaining to watch life go by for others. Sometimes I could easily relate to their situation, other times I had those moments when I felt really good about myself/my own situation because it wasn’t theirs 😉

    I don’t go in to shop as much anymore. I’ll order online and then do pick up or delivery but sometimes I just have this NEED to wander through the grocery looking and listening for moments exactly like you describe Ally Bean!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Deb, when it is crowded and I am forced to slow down while shopping I notice more about what people are doing. This last December our Kroger was chaos every time I went in so more stories to tell. You’re right that none of these stories are particularly unique, but they are real.

      We used curbside pickup for a couple of years there, but now I go into the store again. When I’m not tired I enjoy seeing all the possibilities for dinner that one store can offer.

      Liked by 2 people

  13. Loved the aww moment. I was ready to start clapping but the awws were much more appropriate. And then there’s karma. Who doesn’t like to see a little karma. Kids are usually more aware than their parents but when they begin to howl, I want to run to the exit. Grocery shopping was one of those things I did solo. Partly to have time away from my kid. He wasn’t an easy shopper and I could easily have a meltdown. Grocery shopping used to make me bitchy, no so since I am retired and have all the time in the world. I even pleasantly put up with slow cashiers because I have the time. It is so nice not to be rushed.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Jenn, at the cheese counter it was a spontaneous AWW that was perfect in the moment. That poor woman was tired, I’m sure of it. As for Karma finding the rude woman, I was onboard with that even if I feel a little mean saying so. Fortunately the little boy in line in front of me wasn’t a howler, just a very astute observer who made me laugh. I know what you mean about how wonderful it is to not feel rushed while shopping, a luxury of living long enough to grow older, I guess.

      Liked by 2 people

  15. Our shopping trips are pretty mundane but one day something happened that caught me totally off-guard. The woman in front of us in line finished paying for her groceries and as she started pushing her cart to leave, suddenly stopped, turned around and hugged the cashier. Then she said she hadn’t hugged anyone for a year and came back to me and gave me a big hug, without asking. I was bewildered. Then she squeezed her way around our cart and hugged my husband. And then she left. And all I could think of was hadn’t she hugged anyone in a year??? Part of me felt that if she was going to start hugging random people she should offer more of an explanation.

    Liked by 2 people

  16. Oh, I love these vignettes! Love the your description of the little boy raising his eyebrow like the 50 y.o. he’ll be — that’s so good!

    I buy my little items at a neighborhood store called Ken’s Market. Ken recently passed away but well into his 90’s would be sitting at the deli tables chit chatting all the customers. The store is more expensive but along with the lemon I need for dinner and their amazing prepared Chicken Tikka that I splurge on in the deli, I talk football (or whatever else is going on) with the staff and they play great music. It makes me love the grocery store!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Wynne, the little boy was nobody’s fool, observant, articulate in an age-appropriate way, and aware of how Mom would be dealing with this milk mistake later. 😉

      Your neighborhood store sounds delightful, more like the ones I remember from my childhood. Ken’s Market is a throwback, I especially like the idea of hearing good music whilst shopping for groceries. I’ve learned to tune out any music I hear in Kroger.

      Liked by 2 people

  17. I bet the kid was right about the wrong milk. I’ve used buttermilk in cakes and pancakes, but never with cookies, LOL. You notice a lot–when I shop, I do it military style: get in as fast as you can, secure your objective, and get the heck out. I even prefer to use the hand basket instead of the big cart whenever possible to be faster and more maneuverable. But it also means I get weight lifting in , especially when I’m getting cat litter.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Autumn, I’d be willing to bet the boy knew what he was talking about regarding the buttermilk, but I adored how he was going to let Mom straighten this out with Dad.

      I used to always shop in the way you describe. I had a list, I had a basket, I went through the store once, and that was it. However now that I’m older and shopping in the grocery can be done at *off times* I mosey around more. If I’m not tired.

      Liked by 2 people

  19. I do most of my grocery shopping at Aldi, a store which eschews U-Scan. In fact, N/A, not available. Their flesh and blood scanners are super quick. I consider it a WIN when CareBear helps me schlep my bags from car to kitchen.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Marian, we have an Aldi but I’d pass 4 grocery stores on my way to it which makes it a nice distraction, but not my usual destination. I like it when Z-D helps carry in the groceries too, although he likes going to the grocery to do the shopping as well. Food, ‘ya know, it calls to him.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. These are all so lovely! My little ball of confusion, karma, and an observant child? You had me smiling along all the way through.

    At Costco recently, a little girl (maybe 2-3?) sitting in a cart started waving frantically and calling “Ms. Emma, Ms. Emma, Ms. Emma!” I smiled and waved back. Her mom explained that I looked like her daycare teacher. The little girl was disappointed when I got closer, but the interaction made my day.

    Just this week, we were in a Walmart parking lot and a petite elderly woman walked up to my boyfriend in the parking lot and said, “You look like a kind young fellow who wouldn’t mind helping this old lady lift those water bottles.” It was clever framing because it was not a request, but an assumption + flattery + self-depreciating humor. We would have helped regardless, but I’m banking that for when I’m an old lady!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Erin, oh that is sweet that the little girl mistook you for Ms. Emma, her beloved [we assume] teacher.

      What a great story about you and your boyfriend in the parking lot. The older woman’s approach to asking for help is priceless. I love it, too. Now that I think about it I had an older woman in the grocery once flatter me, by saying I looked kind + alert, then asked me to read the fine print on her paper coupon. Naturally, I then found the product on the shelf for her. Gotta be cagey when you get to a certain age.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. This is a great post, Ally. 🙂 I have to say that I’m usually so focussed on getting out efficiently that I don’t pay much attention. I’m not a shopper; I really dislike it. I’ve recently changed my diet and that’s slowed me down, but it will pass.
    The-little-boy-in-the-cart story is priceless. He’s not missing a thing! Buttermilk in cookies doesn’t sound right to me.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Lynette, I used to be more of a focused shopper but now if I’m not tired it can be amusing to pay attention to my fellow shoppers in a grocery. I’m not much for shopping anywhere else though.

      I don’t know about buttermilk in cookies either, but that’s what Dad said. This kid was a wise beyond his years, especially with that crack about how Mom buys cookies.

      Liked by 2 people

  23. I bet that kid was right! I would have liked to be a fly on the wall to hear the conversation in their house.
    I loved what the husband said to his wife at the cheese kiosk. There were so many layers to that snippet of conversation. And now I’m thinking of The Notebook (book and movie).

    Liked by 2 people

    • L. Marie, yes I’m with you about the conversation back at home. The boy could have been right about it being the wrong milk, but I adored what he muttered just to me, out of his Dad’s earshot, how Mom was going to be mad.

      The couple at the cheese kiosk were a reminder of kindness and support and that people can treat each other with grace.

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Grocery stores can be a microcosm if human behavior, the good, the bad and the ugly. My heart melted at your first story. Hope she found the right cheese because she already has the perfect husband.
    💕

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    • River, your summation of the cheese kiosk story is perfect. Her husband was clearly not upset by her brain fart, just willing to let her figure it out. I don’t know which cheese she bought because I was on my way before she decided. Just a sweet moment in time…

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  26. Grocery stores…. I worked in one for 16 yrs (I’ve got stories). I love the people who meander down the aisle on their phone. They just stop becasue their call got “good” oblivious to the fact 10 people are behind them. IF (and that is a big word) I go to Wal-Mart (the wife usually makes me wait in the car – I like to remind her their slogan is “if we don’t have it, you don’t need it) I have to take a credit card because my debit card is always rejected. Again, we don’t need it! LOL

    Liked by 2 people

    • Danny, is that why those people just stop in the aisles! I never thought of that but I’m sure you’re right. Heaven forbid anyone pay attention to the people around them when there is a *better* person on the other end of the phone. 🤨

      I like your summation of Walmart’s philosophy. Seems about right to me. We don’t live near any Walmarts, so I rarely am in one which is okay by me. I feel overwhelmed in them, too. much. stuff.

      Liked by 2 people

  27. I used to do little written vignettes when I worked at the public library. At the grocery store I’ve pretty much been too stressed to notice anyone else. I guess I should. These are great. For the angry lady who ended up with no credit cards I might have been tempted (depending on the size of her order) to walk up and say, “Let me get that for you.” She might have realized she had a huge bad attitude. Or she might not. And for the little ball of confusion, how sweet you all sighed in appreciation of their love. AND for that 3 year old? I laughed out loud. Thank you for making my day!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Dawn, I can imagine the stories you’d see unfold at a public library. These were chance encounters for me, slowed down like I was by all the holiday shoppers in my way.

      The rude woman had more stuff in her cart than we did– and I’m not as kind as you, it never occurred to me to help her out.

      The little ball of confusion was priceless as was the wise boy trying to tell his father things weren’t right. I could barely contain myself to not laugh at the whole conversation. Wonder what Mom said when they got home.

      Liked by 2 people

  28. LOL! That little man was right. 😂

    I was at the grocery store yesterday and while waiting for a man to find the jelly or jam he wanted and not having any joy he kinda jumped startled when he realized I was across the aisle waiting my turn. He said he couldn’t find apple and cinnamon and that’s what his wife put on the list. He stepped out of the way and ushered me in to get my jam, and I looked but, couldn’t find it either…actually I’d never heard of it, but wondered if she meant apple butter? I said, “at least you tried!’ I sure hope he didn’t get the stink eye when he got home. Have you heard of apple cinnamon jam or jelly?

    In the deli getting some meat and cheese the young lady helping got to talking TV chefs we like. She told me about a YouTuber called The Cowboy Cook. I checked him out this morning. Now I want a Dutch Oven and some BBQ! 😂

    Liked by 2 people

    • Deborah, I wouldn’t be surprised if the boy was right about what Mom wanted, but we’ll never know. He was a hoot, so serious.

      I know of apple butter with cinnamon in it and apple jelly, but not cinnamon apple jam or jelly. I think that man was confused about what his wife wanted. Or she didn’t write it clearly on the list. Wonder what they had on their toast this morning?

      I don’t know about the Cowboy Cook but will look for him. There are so many good recipes out there anymore, once you find them. And don’t you love those casual conversations that introduce you to new things.

      Liked by 2 people

  29. Love the story about the kid! Literally made me lol, which made my hubby ask what i was laughing at. We have some precocious grandchildren (IMO) and i can just imagine them having that exchange. 😂

    Also… reading your second vignette reminded me to be more patient at the grocery store ( my most unfavorite chore). I don’t believe I’ve actually snarled at anyone, though.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Laurie, this little guy was observant and trying so hard to let Dad know Mom wasn’t going to like the wrong milk. He was just a miniature version of the adult he’s going to grow into.

      The rude woman was not aggressively awful, just so put out with us. I know we were moving more slowly than normal but it was because there were people and displays everywhere that we didn’t want to bump into with our cart. Patience wasn’t her virtue. Hope she got her groceries paid for eventually.

      Liked by 1 person

  30. One of the things I am noticing about grocery stores here these days is they seem to be stocking shelves more at “peak hours” rather than overnights. I am sure it is a witches brew of a lack of employees, a lack of employees who wish to work off-hours, and inconsistent supply chain deliveries. In any case, it is much more difficult to shop when employees are in each aisle putting products on the shelves with their own carts in tow. That tends to bring out the snark in moi.😒

    Liked by 2 people

    • Bruce, YES! Same here, they are almost always stocking some section in the store while I’m shopping in the afternoons, at a time when you’d think the shelves would be full. Yet there is some employee doing their thing in my way. Along with other shoppers on their cell phones. It’s an adventure. 🙄

      Liked by 2 people

  31. I love the way little kids think. They’re so honest and transparent. Funny too! I’ve been around people like that impatient lady and also enjoy when karma bites them in the you-know-where. I don’t shop much in the store (pick up) but when I do, I remember why I avoid it, although it obviously provides humorous stories! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    • Margaret, yes this boy’s thinking was delightful. He knew what was what and was only trying to help Dad. But him muttering under his breath to me was priceless. As for the rude woman, they roam among us, everywhere we go.

      We did curbside pickup during the pandemic but have gotten away from it now. I agree about how some days not shopping in the store is better than being in it. Yet, there are stories there.

      Liked by 1 person

  33. I love stories like these! Grocery stores can offer the ultimate people-watching experience! I even enjoy watching people in the parking lot. When I’m shopping, people often ask me where items are located – I must look like I know what I’m doing! Ha! Ha!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Michelle, I hadn’t thought about what goes on in the grocery store parking lot, but that could be a source of more stories. I’m impressed you’re a walking store directory.

      Random people tend to hold things up for me to see, like a vegetable or a cut of meat, and ask me out of the blue what to do with it. Like I’m a walking recipe book. Oddly enough sometimes I do know the answer.

      Liked by 2 people

  34. That boy was checking his dad’s work! Hilarious. He must be really fun to live with.

    We try to NOT have any grocery store interactions. We shop at off hours and try to avoid people. I don’t know why but the grocery store brings out the WORST in my husband and his patience gets very tried by the littlest things there, so we just try to limit how much time he has to spend there and how many people he has to deal with.

    Liked by 2 people

    • NGS, you’re right that boy was checking his father’s work. I don’t think Dad got an A+ though.

      I don’t wander into a grocery with the intent of talking with or observing anyone, but I can’t help it. Our store is always pretty busy unless you’re there at 6:00 a.m. and that ain’t going to happen.

      I know that when I’m tired I have less patience at the grocery than other times. I dislike retracing my steps which is what gets to me, but the people I take in stride. How else could I write posts for my Grocery Store Chronicles tag? 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  36. I really enjoyed reading your stories, especially the boy and cookie one.
    Reminded me of my 3 year old nephew at the dinner table. His Dad told him not to talk over his Aunty (me). With not a 2 second pause. He replies, “Dad, my voice went under the table and out the other side, not over Aunty’s voice.” Yes, he’s now at university and into computers 😊

    Liked by 2 people

      • Smart of you! The kid and the man knew this woman at home in very different ways. I could see the woman probably did want buttermilk to make cookies and the kid was probably correct that mom always bought the red label milk and bought cookies! What a smart kid and detailed in his observations!! Gotta love that.

        Your post sent me to google to search buttermilk in cookies recipes. And now I’m going to put the ingredients for blueberry buttermilk cookies on my grocery list!

        I so wonder what happens when they get home to mom / wife and what conversation went there. We will never know.

        Funny story…

        Liked by 2 people

        • I don’t doubt the kid knew what Mom usually did, but also he’d be too young to remember last Christmas so Dad could be right about Mom making cookies.

          There is something called blueberry buttermilk cookies? Welp, what do you know! I look forward to your review of them.

          Like

  39. I enjoyed all three of these stories, Ally. They really covered a variety of emotions. The first was lovely, the second infuriating and then satisfying, the last humorous. I bet that little boy mentioned the wrong mild as soon as he saw his mom. The cookies will make him forget.

    The rude lady story reminded me of experiences while driving: the humor of being at the red light (or at many red lights) at the same time as someone going well above the speed limit while weaving from lane to lane or the joy of having the highway patrol or police catching that annoying speeder. Or, in the first case, the fun of making it through a changing light before that speeding weaver. 🙂 SO many bad drivers.

    My grocery store story happened to me yesterday while shopping at Aldi. I usually say hello a/o chat with the people working there and it paid off in an unexpected way. The advertised sliced mushrooms for $.95 were out, but one of the managers said that I’m there all the time and always so nice, so I could pick out a package of whole mushrooms ($2.49) for the same price. 🙂 Made me happy.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Janet, good point that these little stories did cover many emotions, just like life I suppose. I hadn’t thought of it but I bet you’re right that the boy tattled on Dad the minute he saw Mom. How could he not, being a 3 y.o. quality control guy? 😉

      I’ve seen drivers do what you mentioned. It’s dangerous for everyone on the road not to mention just plain stupid. I’ve never seen someone get caught by the police for doing that, but would enjoy the moment.

      You make a compelling argument for being kind to the people who work in your favorite grocery store. I’m overjoyed to read that you got your mushrooms for such a good price. A little bit of customer appreciation goes a long way toward keeping all customers happy. Good vibes spread quickly.

      Liked by 1 person

  40. I love the story about the cheese and the sweet-as-can-be husband. I was so excited this week, after picking up my car from the dealership (UGH!) I stopped at Whole Foods and found a cheese my son introduced me to that I love — Brillat-Savarin. Have you tried it? It’s the creamiest cheese I’ve ever had.

    Liked by 3 people

    • E.A. Wickham, the confused wife and kind husband were one of the nicest grocery store stories I’ve seen play out in front of me. And then everyone at the cheese kiosk saying “aww” together made it perfect. I’ve never heard of Brillat-Savarin, but will look for it at Whole Foods the next time I head in that direction. I like creamy, oh yes I do. Thanks for the suggestion.

      Liked by 2 people

  41. PURE JOY. This post brought me pure joy (although, I do feel a bit sorry for the woman with the credit cards, but only a bit, because why be so surly to everyone around you? I am going to make up a very sympathetic story in my head about her, while marveling at the power of karma).
    The little boy and the milk was just delightful, and also, MY little ball of confusion? Awwwww.
    Sometimes I feel like my entire life is just grocery store anecdotes, so I feel very close to you right now, Ally!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Nicole, I’m pleased this brought you pure joy. I’ll admit I enjoy writing little posts like this one, based on what I see happening around me. The rude woman with the credit card woes was difficult for me to parse because I’ve had my cards declined at the worst moments, but she wasn’t all that nice to us for no real reason. Torn on how to think about her.

      The cheese kiosk couple and the little boy were absolutely delightful. I know how you feel about grocery store stories, it’s difficult to not stumble over a few stories every once in a while. And what better place to share them than on a blog!

      Like

  42. “You’re MY little ball of confusion”. Oh my — that one went straight to the heart. Love your ‘grocery store chronicles, Ally. Love them. Slices of humanity – right there before our eyes if we pay attention. Thank you for paying attention and sharing.
    I was at an appointment earlier and saw a youngster – maybe a grandson – soothing an older gentleman while grandma (not sure) was picking out new frames for her glasses. The little boy was being super patient but recognized his grandpa’s patience was waning…and I heard him say, “C’mon, I know you’ve gotta tinkle. Let’s go.” No shame. He ushered the gentleman out the door and into the hallway (presumably because he knew where the men’s room was). As the grandpa rolled out with the little guy, he winked at me and smiled. Not embarrassed. Proud, almost? Best part of my day (well…other than your post!). 🥰

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  43. “pretty picture gotta pretty, right?” Lol, and also, yes, absolutely.
    Lovin’ my personal shout-out. 🙂 🙂 🙂
    Yes, super cute exchange with the couple, and adorable that everyone “aww”ed. I wonder, though, if that just made the couple uncomfortable that everyone could easily hear their exchange.
    Dude, on that karma thing. Ugh. Nasty people…
    OMG, LOLOL about the kid and the milk! Haha! If only we could hear “the rest of the story” on this one. Which of the two of them were right? We’ll never know, sadly.

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  45. That husband gets a gold star from me! Because I can easily see me being the one to melt down in the grocery store over cheese. But then again, odds are against me being in the grocery store for cheese…I would have sent the husband! 😉

    The littles are VERY observant and I think sometimes their parents don’t really know just how observant they are – beyond what “mom buys.”

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    • Gigi, I agree that the husband deserves a gold star. I’m glad his wife didn’t burst into tears, but she was close to a meltdown.

      You raise an excellent point about how kids observe EVERYTHING that goes on, sensing more of what is really going on. Thinking back on this boy’s muttering had me smiling all day.

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  46. I love the little boy in the cart. I felt snarky recently when I took some long fluorescent lights to be recycled at Batteries Plus. Mind you, you have to pay money for them to take them off your hands, but it’s my only choice. I was pulling 5 out of my trunk and carefully walking towards the door when some women cut in front of me, opened the door, and instead of holding it for me, she let it slam behind her. She then hurried to the register to buy a battery that cost $7. Only she had forgotten her wallet at home.

    If she’d been the least bit polite to me, I would have paid for her battery. Instead,I smirked as she headed out the door!

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    • Bijoux, well that was a lousy thing for that woman to do to you. Talk about being self-absorbed and impolite. I understand why you didn’t pay for her purchase and the sad thing is if you had paid for it she might have figured she deserved strangers doing kind things for her because that’s how special she is. 🙄

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  47. The most important takeaway of this post is that you pay attention to details, which I love. In the midst of a crowded grocery store, you are listening to the stories of others. This post made me smile. Also, about the man who was so sweet to his wife? That sounds like something my dad would say to my mom. Or to me. 💕

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    • Kari, I do pay attention to details, sometimes to the point of driving myself crazy. Each of these vignettes happened when the story was crowded so I couldn’t whip through, had to slow down and look around. The husband said the perfect thing to his wife. She looked so stressed about whatever it was they were going to make, but his words calmed her.

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  49. Sunday, I was picking up a few things and went down a aisle. There were two ladies coming towards me with carts. We stood there looking at each other. Neither of the two would move over so I had to back up to the end of the aisle. It was very strange. Not critical but strange.

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    • Eilene, answering the questions is optional of course! I sometimes like to write about the people I see when I’m out and about, and this last holiday season was full of interesting folks.

      Liked by 1 person

  51. That milk story is too funny. Kids are a) VERY observant and b) quick to say things under their breath to strangers. At least in my experience with my own kids!

    My husband does the same thing as the first vignette. I’ll sigh about being “something” and he’ll say: Well, at least you’re my “whatever I’m sighing about.” It really does warm my heart.

    You did a lovely job describing all these situations. I also would have smiled on the inside after the snarky looks turned sour credit card experience.

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    • Elisabeth, I tell you this boy was a hoot. His commentary about what Dad was doing and how Mom was going to react to the wrong milk seemed spot on.

      I’d never heard anyone say your MY little “something” before and it was sweet. You’re married to a good guy.

      As for the rude woman with the credit card woes, I couldn’t help but enjoy her karma. I’m human after all.

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  52. Story 1—What a sweet husband! He chose the magic words.
    Story 2—People in the grocery store can lose their minds over the most minor things. Karma has a way of making things right with the universe.
    Story 3—Hilarious! Moral of the story: don’t make mom mad.

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    • Pete, nice summations. I agree with how you’ve said it, of course. I don’t go into Kroger with the intention of watching people, but it happens and when the stories are good enough, they land here. Hence my longtime tag, Grocery Store Chronicles.

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    • Margery, there’s a whole world going on in our grocery store. When it’s crowded and I am forced to slow down, I see many things happen like these vignettes. Other times I zip in and out of the store and couldn’t tell you about anything except what I bought.

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  54. I particularly love the milk story. So funny. I am always in a store. I buy groceries a lot. I cannot think of any funny stories at the moment. I have had someone ask me why I buy so many applesauces. Like, did I have a special recipe for it. Nope, we just like applesauce.

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    • Ernie, the 3 y.o. was priceless in his observations, and then his under his breath remarks to me. I can only imagine how many times you go to the grocery store and I’ve always wanted to ask… SO WHY DO YOU BUY SO MUCH APPLESAUCE? 😜

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  55. Ally, I love your vignettes!! The uncertain wife and the romantic husband. The grouchy woman with money problems. The fantastic, smart three-year-old. (I hope he gets some homemade cookies.)

    All these wonderful scenes can pass in and then quickly out of consciousness if we don’t try to remember them and even write them down. You see … I can’t think of anything right now. I should pay more attention.

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    • Nicki, I write these Grocery Store Chronicles for the reason you mention. I am known for observing people and these kinds of personal interactions make me happy [mostly], but they’re easy to forget and that seems a shame to me. Plus it’s enjoyable to write about what I see going on in front of me, I’m a reporter at heart I guess.

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  57. Kids can be wise beyond their years, I learnt this early on as a student teacher. (my first placement actually).
    It is funny you mention the impatient lady with the thrice-rejected credit card. I am aiming to make this a year of patience as when i am stressed, I can be so impatient. Today…. was my first real test. At the chemist (instore) the attendants took far longer than necessary to find my prescription, but I held strong and waited patiently! Although I had just walked out from a meeting one hour early as it was too much of a time waster. …

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    • Amanda, you’re right about kids. This boy looked like a 50 y.o. man when he was telling me how Mom wasn’t going to like this. It was hilarious.

      Oh waiting at the pharmacy [chemist to you] can get on your very last nerve. I admire how you held strong in the face of that kind of nonsense. As for meetings, by their very definition they are time wasters, at least in my experience. I don’t know if walking out of your meeting demonstrated lack of patience as much as good sense.

      Like

      • Perhaps walking out of the meeting was more good sense. Thanks for that perspective. I will take that with me today. I must admit I waited for an appropriate time to leave. I didn’t just storm out! And lo and behold, when I got to the car park I noticed another attendee walking to her car ahead of me. She had left too! Haha.

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  58. So, been shopping in a brick and mortar store lately? And how did that go for you? I’m spoiled in that my hubby does all the shopping, and he does his best to avoid all chaos so I miss out on delightful happenings like you’ve shared. I did however go with a friend to see what the new Costco was all about, filled my cart and then had to have my friend pay for me and then I had to reimburse her because the policy is that only the member can make a purchase. I guess cold hard cash isn’t the exception to the rule.

    Overheard anything that made you smile? Just your story which was sweet.

    Or watched something happen that brought out the snark in you?
    Neither of us have time to read my tales about the snark snake of mine that appears. Except for one moment while Black Friday shopping. I worked in retail during high school/college and was trained to know who the shoplifting cops were in the building, so I can spot them a mile away. I get annoyed when they think little ol’ gray haired lady me who rarely shops tends to dawdle too much and then becomes suspect #1. It feels creepy to shop when that happens. 🤔🧐

    Or confirmed that kids can be wise beyond their years? Yes, kids are smart and I hope he did enjoy the cookies, buttermilk helps them be extra creamy!

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    • Shelley, we’re on our way to Costco this afternoon. That place has good deals but strict guidelines about who can buy things there. Even as a member we can only pay with cash because they only take their own credit card which we don’t want.

      I wouldn’t like the feeling that I was being monitored by the shoplifting cops. I don’t know why they’d pick on you, but maybe they weren’t very good shoplifting cops, easily confused by honesty!

      I hope that Mom made some cookies and that the boy enjoyed them, too. Dad seemed to think she’d be doing that, but the little guy wasn’t convinced.

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      • Hmm…that’s interesting about Costco. I know they want you to get their Visa card, but I thought they’d accept any Visa card or cash. We haven’t decided if it is worth the fee to get a membership, do you find it useful for the two of you?

        My hubby says that he never gets looked at, he know right where to go, grabs his stuff, pays at self-checkout and gets out before anyone knows he was there. He says I’m too slow. 😆

        That little kid could be a politician someday 😆

        Like

        • We use Costco to buy paper products and soap and fizzy waters in bulk. With the exception of their unsalted mixed nuts, the sizes of the food are too big for us. The thing about Costco is that a lot of the merchandize changes every time you go in so there might be something you’ll buy. I bought some jeans one time, but the style was gone the next time. I bought some bath mats and the brand remains there all the time. If we were in the market for a TV or a iPad, I’d look there first… but without a credit card they accept we’d have to pay in cash and I don’t know if I’d want to walk around with that much money on me.

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  59. Oh, what fun stories! My favorite is the first one. Savvy husband defuses wife’s panic attack. As for the snarling shopper, I wouldn’t want to be on the road when she is driving. She sounds like the kind of person who blames her problems on other people. And that kid was pretty cool.

    I shop in a brick and mortar store a couple of times a week. I go after my yoga class because the stores and the studio are located close to each other. Other than the cashiers, I rarely interact with other customers at the Coop, maybe because it’s small and everyone is in their bubble. At the Winn-Dixie supermarket, I avoid the U-Scan because I always buy wine and that has to be scanned separately. Again, I don’t engage much with other customers unless I’m letting someone cut in front of me because they have only a couple of items. For some reason, I’m never in a hurry 😉

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    • Marie, perfectly said: “Savvy husband defuses wife’s panic attack.” That’s precisely what happened. They seemed like a nice couple.

      I don’t go into our Kroger with the intention of engaging with anyone, but sometimes people come up to me because apparently I look knowledgeable about food. Our U-Scan lanes allow us to buy wine and beer, but we have to have the attendant approve us which is ezpz when you have gray hair. I understand about why you’re not in a hurry now, still sometimes I just want to race around inside the store and get home.

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      • Most of the engagements I have are staff asking me if I need help or even just saying hello, to which I happily respond in kind. Actually I probably engage with people more than I realize, especially at the Coop because it’s small.

        The one time I went through a U-scan lane at the supermarket, I had to pay for my regular food separately, then go to another register and have a cashier check out my wine.I always have to provide my ID because they have to scan it regardless of the color of one’s hair. I don’t know if it’s a state law or Winn Dixie is just doing due diligence. So I avoid the U-scan 😉

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        • Good question, I wonder if that is Winn Dixie’s idea to card you even when you’re clearly of legal age to buy hooch? Sounds like a massive bother for everyone involved. Any dumb thing to make life more complicated, right?

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          • Well, it’s complicated if I’m trying to go through a U-scan lane. I prefer to go through a regular lane anyway, and then it’s just a quick scan of my ID. Legal age for buying and consuming alcohol is 21 down here, and we have two universities and a community college. Winn Dixie is probably just making doubly sure the store doesn’t get in trouble 😉

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  60. Loved all three stories. I don’t pay much attention to what is going on around me when I shop. Clearly, I should. I’m missing out on all the drama and action and romance. I’m taking notes the next time I go to the grocery store. Thank you. 🙂

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    • Robin, because it was so busy in the store I was forced to slow down and when I did I began to notice people doing things. When it isn’t crowded I zip in and out of the grocery, but fate other plans for me I guess.

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  61. About 30 years ago, I did the grocery shopping when my wife broke her foot. I didn’t know where anything was, but we had stopped in on the way home from the orthopedic (with her on crutches) so people recognized me. Everyone in the store was helping me shop. The butcher cut the cut of meat she was hoping they would have. Store personnel pointed out several times that “your wife doesn’t use that brand.” It wasn’t a small store, but she was there often and everyone seemed to know her. I do most of the grocery shopping today. It’s uninspiring but I like the store(s) I go to, and I get to go at times when they’re not busy, so no bad encounters to report.

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    • Dan, that’s a wonderful story. I am grooving on the store employee’s kindness. Isn’t it something that people knew who your wife was and who you were in relation to her, of course. I like the Kroger I usually go to, but I doubt that anyone there would know me from Adam. I can accept my anonymity, maybe because it lets me observe other shoppers.

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  62. We do our main monthly grocery buy as an online order/pickup from Kroger. Any smaller buys we do at the local (smaller) Publix. I love seeing couples show affection for each other. And kids… kids can be such a hoot!

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    • Linda Lou, during the pandemic we did a curbside pickup from Kroger and it was great, but now I wander into the store, obviously. The couple was delightful, just so supportive and kind. The kid… they say the darnedest things!

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  64. All three of those were great stories! But wow, the rudeness of Ms Karma, that someone can be that blatantly rude… I must live a sheltered life. 🙂 The story about the confused lady in the cheese department is my favorite. I did have a smile event today. We went out for lunch with my mom after visiting dad @ the nursing home.There were probably a dozen people scattered throughout the restaurant, at least 1/2 of them we knew at some level. There was an energy in the place. It’s been a hard week winter wise, and I could tell people were just glad to get out (like after the COVID restrictions were lifted and people were lingering a little longer to visit. Right before we were done, a former neighbor of mom’s slid over to our table and announced it was so and so’s birthday (elderly lady in a booth with her husband. (I think she’s in the early stages of dementia )..former neighbor said to our table, :”let’s go over and sing her happy birthday.” We did, we 3 stood up, with two other ladies and I started us off…it was short and sweet! I thought I saw the birthday girl wipe a tear from her cheek. Yep, one of the highlights of our outing Thanks for asking.

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    • DM, the rude woman was in her own world and we weren’t invited guests. Did enjoy her difficulties paying though.

      Your story about singing happy birthday to someone you didn’t directly know is delightful. I’m glad you had the chance to be part of the choir. It’s amazing how spontaneous generosity of spirit, which is how I’d describe what you did, can lift you up all day. Well done.

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  65. Hahah. Mom buys red!! That reminds me that I often ask my friend’s 13 year old what the rules are of the house and believe me, she knows them. Like they have a squeegee in the shower and I had to ask if I was expected to squeegee EVERY time. And yes, I am expected to. Dang it!

    I have learned to just wear my earbuds and listen to my book while I am in the grocery store. It is always a mad house, inevitably there is someone in the self checkout with a cart FULL of stuff (why!?) who gets the flashing “help” light every third item and then has booze even though it is not allowed. I just zone out and step up when it is my turn rather than getting impatient with everyone.

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    • Kyria, you’re right that kids know the rules better than anyone else in the house, parents get distracted but kids know what needs be done to not get in trouble. Like using the squeegee in the shower every time. My oh my…

      I never thought about listening to something I brought with me while grocery shopping. That’s an idea for when I know it’s going to be busy. Our U-Scan lanes have no limit on the number of items you can scan there so many people scan a lot of items. Why they don’t go through the cashier lanes I don’t know, but people gonna people, I guess.

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  66. These all brought a smile to my face: Who hasn’t been a little ball of confusion now and again? I love it when Karma catches someone, such as scenario #2, and the Wise Little Man filled my heart with his confidence.

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    • Suz, I’m pleased that these vignettes made you smile. That’s really the purpose of them. I find I enjoy writing little things like this that have no big meaning, just glimpses into the ordinary.

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  68. We’re back to grocery shopping in bricks & mortar stores, and I occasionally pop into other types of bricks & mortar stores – generally on my own. But I’ve really lost the love for having a mindless mooch around stores.

    I loved that first story, it reminded me of the sort of thing I say to Himself. Not that he’s forgetful (damn his near perfect memory) but about his own special little insecurities. I’m glad if anyone was to overhear us that they would think “aww” and not “yuck”.

    But the know-it-all kids wins hands down 😀 😀 😀

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    • Deb, I don’t do any unnecessary shopping anymore either. I used to wander around a few home goods stores, just for the joy of seeing stuff, but now it seems pointless.

      The couple was a pleasant distraction from the chaos in the store. They were obviously working as a team to make whatever they were making. You’re right the husband knew his wife’s insecurities and made things better.

      Yep, that 3 y.o. kid was a hoot. I’ll remember him forever, never knowing if the buttermilk was the right milk or not.

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  69. Ally, shops are a wonderful microcosm of society as you more than show here! The first exchange between the husband and wife had me ‘ahhh…’ing along with you all in the queue- such warmth, love and tenderness at the hardest of times. Bless!

    The couples I see in shops mostly seem to be arguing and very fed up – with each other! Rather dispiriting and a lot more moodiness and short tempers amongst shoppers overall compared to before the pandemic – or maybe I’ve just rose-coloured glasses on?! 😀

    Haha! Oh, children see so much and know a lot more than many appreciate – I can just visualise those eyes and their messages!

    Happy Shopping and catching those nuggets of life! 😀❤️

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    • Annika, you are right that stores, especially grocery stores around here, are microcosms of society. The husband and wife were the sweetest, he helped her calm down in the gentlest of ways.

      I see more arguments between couples in stores now too. I also see many adults not happy with their kids. You could be right that we just didn’t notice such things before the pandemic but after keeping our distance from people for so long, we’re more aware of the ones we see now.

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  70. That husband wins the “Husband-of-the-Year” award and a round of applause and “Awws” too. I love it when someone is snarky and they get their comeuppance and people they crossed are there to witness it. That kid is a stitch and does he pay attention to what’s in the shopping cart or what? Most kids are looking at their parents’ phone, jammed into their hands to keep them occupied while Mom/Dad shop. This kid will make a good partner/husband one day.

    I haven’t encountered anything interesting my last few trips to the grocery store, although one cashier at Meijer doesn’t care for me. She always has an attitude as I ask for double bags on occasions I have enough groceries to not tackle the U-scan when I have a full cart. I asked her bagger (equally as rude) for double bags and to pack the refrigerated items in brown bags so I can locate/unload them quickly before I need to be at work as I put other stuff away later. No acknowledgment of my request. A few minutes later the bagger picked up a container of yogurt gingerly, like it was an explosive, then said “what about this?” I said “it’s yogurt – what do you think you do with it?” (I’m not normally rude, but I can certainly respond in kind when I need to.) She got haughty and said “well I know what yogurt is, but I never eat the stuff.” I told her to feel the container – was it cold – then go for it and put it in the brown paper bag. I would have treated her to a smirk but I was masked up, so it would have fallen on deaf ears, er … eyes.

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    • Linda, because the store was crowded during December, seemingly any time of day, I had to slow down and I noticed what people were doing. Hence these vignettes.

      You shop at an *interesting* Meijer. Sorry employees are so rude in it. I’d think that bagger would have been taught to put like with like, but maybe not? Or obviously not, I guess. Our Meijer is the exact opposite. It’s friendly to a fault, but I rarely get there. It’s not close enough to where we live to make it a good choice.

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      • This Meijer duo is the only ones like that … the store personnel are all friendly otherwise. Until our Meijer remodeled a few years ago, they had a few aisles where you could scan in your groceries no matter how many you had, so I never used a cashier and could pack it how I liked it. If you have a job interacting with people all day, you can’t have an attitude when you get to work.

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  72. Ha! The grocery store is just STOCKED with opportunities for weird and wild interactions!

    That first husband was kind of a cheese ball… but cute. And I laughed about the red milk vs blue milk! Kids know!!!!

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    • Suzanne, you said it. I don’t always have the inclination to pay attention to the other shoppers, but last month it was so crowded that I kind of had to.

      Yep the husband was a cheese ball [nice one]! This little boy explained things in his own articulate way, but Dad may not have gotten it that Mom was going to be mad.

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  74. I always enjoy your slice-of-life stories, Ally. Last time I was in the grocery store, the man in front of me excused himself, explaining he needed to get out of line because he had forgotten his wallet. He only had a couple of items, so I offered to pay, but he declined. I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable by insisting, but I still felt bad watching him leave the store.

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  75. Ally, I can only imagine your raised eyebrow at the lady who cut you off to U-scan. And I notice something you and the little guy have in common—laser focus for details. It’s one of the reasons for my returns. ❤️

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    • Crystal, the rude woman at the U-Scan was inexplicably difficult. I don’t know what her problem was. I don’t wish credit card problems on anyone, but I guess Karma does. I hadn’t thought of it before, but thank you. I do tend to pay attention to details when I slow down enough to pay attention.

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  76. Hi, AllyBean! So glad to see you back! Hope you and yours had a wonderful holiday and restful break.

    My reactions to your fun post, separated by topic:

    Love Conquers Confusion: Awwwww….. 🙂

    Karma Got Her Number: YES!! (I know…it’s wrong to be delighted by it but — YES!! 🙂 )

    When the Wrong Thing is Right: LOL — “mommy buys cookies”. Maybe daddy doesn’t know?? LOL

    Answer to the Questions of the Day:

    Not shopping in brick and mortar much anymore; got so used to grocery pickup…although I want to pick my produce, so I go in for those. I buy a lot of them from Costco so I only need to go once a week.

    Last time I was at Costco, by the entrace were these lotions/serums. A couple walked by and glanced at the display and the woman said, “I’m getting Botox this year! And you’re paying for it!” LOL

    Nothing has brought out the snark in me lately…and I have not had much contact with kids lately as well.

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    • M, it’s good to be back to blogging. I like and agree with your reactions to the 3 situations. I wondered too if Dad didn’t know Mom bought cookies.

      We did grocery pickup for a while but got back into actually shopping for groceries again. Kind of a throwback to how we always did things, even though curbside pick-up is wonderful.

      So the woman is getting Botox and it’s gonna cost a pretty penny. That’s funny. I hope she likes the results, but some of those Costco lotions and serums might be a tad less expensive, work well enough.

      Thanks for stopping by to comment. I enjoy hearing from you.

      Like

    • I “aww-ed” over the love-conquers-confusion, too! You know how there are lines that stay with you forever, like “you had me at hello”? I think another may very well be “You’re MY little ball of confusion.” ❤

      We are still keeping up with grocery delivery, but I still remember a toddler, at Costco, years and years ago, seeing a (clearly) particularly alluring toy truck, and deciding that life wasn't worth living without it. The parents saw the price tag of the truck and decided no. That child decided to lay down on the floor, face down, and start howling like all that was dear to him was snatched away from him. If we hadn't seen how the sad story begun, we would have thought something horrifying had happened to him. Go figure?

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      • EW, the little ball of confusion line was a new classic for me, too. It was said with such love, seems like we all at certain points in our lives have been little balls of confusion that deserve love, so it rings true.

        The Costco story with the toddler is believable and probably happens more often than we may know. Toddler’s act out with drama, enthusiastically leaning into what they perceive to be a wrong done to them. I can understand how the story stayed with you.

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      • Hello, Endless Weekend! How are you? I hope well!! I don’t know if I’ve “talked” with you since I joined the ranks of people who enjoy endless weekends! 5 months later, and I’m still pinching myself; can’t believe it’s really happening! LOL

        Awww…poor guy….when you just want something so badly, it’s sooo hard to let it go! LOL I remember those days….I would pick my son up and out the door we’d go until he could compose himself. Poor things with such big emotions and little tools/experience on how to handle these emotions!

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        • It’s fantastic to hear again from you, and, no, I’ve not heard from you since you started to bask in the endless glory of the Endless Weekend 🤓 CONGRATULATIONS!!! 🎈🎈 🎈(caps intentional!) How does it feel? Any lessons you’d share? Ours was that we should have started off on the Endless Weekend sooner 😁 I just spoke to a friend who’s ready to pull the plug, but is scared because what will he do with himself without work…

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          • Thank you!! 

            It feels wonderful! 5months and a few days since I walked out the door and all’s well!!  I’m enjoying myself immensely. I’m a natural homebody so that’s what I’m indulging in….allowing myself to be a hermit as much as I want — with the almost daily foray for Zumba and strength training classes. It’s funny because I got a text from a coworker friend who asked me if I’m bored yet— and that she was talking with another retiree friend who said she’s bored. I said I have not been bored for even 1 second!! 

            Lesson learned? I would have loved to have started sooner, too!! I retired at 56, the earliest I could retire and still be part of the health insurance plan at work. It still costs a lot — but just an arm…and not an arm and a leg were I to pay for it all myself. FIRE wasn’t around when I was just starting out…and I don’t know if I would’ve been able to pull it off anyway, with a child who was/is expensive to raise! LOL All those private schools and private sports lessons and even a couple of years of post-high-school baseball “university” and all that it entails. My husband, 7yrs older than me, left the workforce 15yrs ago (he did FIRE without even realizing it! LOL) and became the parent to take son to school/extra curriculars, etc; I had been working 16hrs per week for 10yrs at that point (starting when son was born). I guess all that to say our lesson learned is that we won’t have done it any other way…and are immensely grateful that our chosen path took us where we are now. :-) 

            I have heard that men, in general, have a harder time retiring…but I also know many who said, “I should’ve done this sooner!” I guess it just depends on whether he has hobbies and family/friends and personality (one friend says she’ll never retire because she’s Type A personality and can’t imagine being unproductive! LOL)

            What adventures have you guys been up to? I need to visit your blog soon to catch up!!!

            Take care….

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            • It’s funny, we just started (well, a few months ago) to incorporate strength training to our workout routines. It’s interesting that it’s made a difference to our cardio workouts. Even before we had 3 different workout routines we were struggling to understand how we ever fit work into our days 😁 There’s SO much to do!

              Did I tell you I saw a study that folks that live to work tend to have shorter lifespans?

              What does it say about folks who feel that the only way they can find meaning in their lives/be productive is to have a formal job?

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              • Strength-training kicks my bu** every time! But I figure it’s good for me, so I keep going! LOL Some days, my Gentle Yoga classes make me sweat like crazy in there and some days, I feel like I need more….but it’s what makes these workouts enjoyable. My favorite are the dancing one; I have 2 left feet but I enjoy dancing anyway! LOL

                My will-never-retire friend says she doesn’t want to be idle…and no matter what I say about how you can choose to be idle or you can choose to move…but you have the choice which is the beauty of it! But it’s still such a weird thing for her to even contemplate….but again — it’s what makes the world go-’round, all these different takes! And besides, if everyone wanted to retire/quit and did retire/quit, we won’t have workers! LOL

                Oh, and that “live to work” phrase. It’s completely different from how I interpret is vs how she interprets it. To me, “live to work” is that it’s your purpose in life, to work; to her, it means opposite. So I guess we’re just opposites in many things! I’m surprised we continue to be friends! Ha!

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                • We do strength training every other day and the non-strength trading days feel like a “vacation” 🤪 Have you tried doing planks? They’re one of those deceptively easy looking exercises, that when you see the world champion hold a plank for over 4 hours, you think “no problem.” And then you try it yourself 😓

                  I think that there’s a strange concept that some (many? Most?) folks have bought into, that “retirement” means sitting around on your porch, waiting to die, and unless you’re getting paid for what you do, you’re “idle.” 🤦‍♀️ Have you heard of Mappiness? It’s a study where they collected millions and millions of real-time data points about what makes people happy. Or not happy. There are some really interesting things that came out of there, but I’ll tell you just what’s in the bottom of the list: what’s the thing that makes us most miserable? Being sick in bed. And just above that? Work 🤣

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  77. Having recently heard of yet another couple we know getting divorced after, I dunno, maybe 15 years, it’s nice to hear the “ball of confusion” interaction. Sounds like something the husband would say to me. 🙂
    Schadenfreude – it’s in all of us. Sounds like the woman brought it on herself, though. 🙂
    The last story has me wishing you could have somehow followed them home and witnessed the reaction of everyone – mom, dad, son – when mom finally saw the milk. I really want to know!!!!

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    • The Travel Architect, I agree with you. Once you see a few *surprise* divorces among your friends, any show of support by any couple becomes more sweet.

      I know about wanting to find out how Mom reacted to the milk. Was it the right one after all and Dad bought what he was supposed to? OR did the 3 y.o. know what was going to happen in the end and tried to warn Dad? Never shall we know for certain. 🫤

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      • FYI the comment box on your current blog post won’t let me type anything into it. It’s just a blank white rectangle without any prompt. Just thought you might want to know.

        Loved your photos of Carcassonne, except the castle exterior with the yellow aluminum concentric circles. Controversial? Heck ‘ya .

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    • Neil, I don’t hate shopping in grocery stores, but I’m usually in a hurry so I miss the human drama that is unfolding in front of me. Because Kroger was so crowded during December I was slowed down and noticed people more.

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  80. You have the most interesting experiences. Perhaps you were, as you said, slowed down so you noticed more. The last few years I have almost never been inside a store. I have had some interesting interactions with the kids at the pick-up area or my delivery drivers, of necessity short conversations. One of my favorite drivers showed me pictures of her new Berneoodles which are ridiculously cute. Maybe I don’t pay enough attention to watching people when I’m in a store.

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    • Zazzy, I don’t always tune into the people around me when I’m shopping, but in December I did. The peoples were everywhere I needed to be.

      I’ve no doubt Berneoodles are cute beyond words. And eat a lot too I’d guess. It’s wonderful that your driver showed you the photos. Something new to ponder on, know about.

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  81. I’m afraid that all of these make me want to know the follow up. Did the wife find the cheese she needed? Did the impatient woman leave with her groceries, or were they left behind because she couldn’t pay for them? Was the mom actually angry about the blue milk, or did the dad know what he was doing this time?

    Your story reminds me of a time when I was at the grocery store, buying perhaps 10 or 12 items, and the man behind me had 2 or 3 items, and looked stressed, so I asked him if he would like to go in front of me. He said, “Yes”, and went in front of me. (He never said “Thank you”, as most people do when given this kindness.) He then proceeded to talk to the checker about his recent surgery for the entire time his (admittedly few) items were being rung up, and THEN started filling out his check for payment. Sigh. There was no karma in that situation, unless it was bad karma for me, for some past misdeed.

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    • J, I’d like to know the rest of the stories, too. I’m hoping that the wife found the right cheese, the rude woman ended up using cash for her purchases so she left the store shamed [you’re not allowed to do that in the U-Scan lane] but with her groceries, and that Mom didn’t get too mad when Dad came home with the wrong milk.

      What a clueless man. Not even a thanks for your kindness. I haven’t seen anyone write a check in the grocery store in years. I hope it wasn’t bad karma for you, but if it was then your payback was kind of small considering what karma can do.

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  82. Ally,
    My favorite story is the one with the little boy. He knows what’s up and he’s just trying to keep his dad from getting into trouble. That’s okay. Husbands learn one way or another. Kids learn quicker than adults sometimes. The other two stories were great too! The last time I was in the grocery store was right before we had the mini-ice storm a couple of weeks ago. Was it Ice? Was it snow? Was it snice? I dunno. There was only one bad road day, but everyone bought just in case, I guess. It certainly felt like everyone was at the grocery store, that’s for sure, and they were out of everything, especially the egg noodles I use to make creamy chicken noodle soup. Lots of empty shelves. That’s okay. We all survived. As you know, I’ve had interesting encounters at the grocery store and the pharmacy and Target and restaurants. Not this time, though. This time, it was just trying to get what we needed and getting out as quickly as possible. We ended up using a different type of noodle in our soup, btw, and it turned out just fine. Mona

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    • Mona, I’m pleased to know that you were able to overcome the adversity of not getting your preferred noodles. That shows a strength of character I can admire. You were able to sally forth through the snice [well said] to the half-stocked store and back home again, without any real troubles. I can imagine how crowded the grocery was, the same thing happens here when there is a threat of being snowed or iced in. Grocery store chaos ensues, forthwith.

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  83. A woman on the verge of tears about which cheese to buy sounds utterly annoying (esp. during the holidays) so props to her husband for saving the day. To the second story my wife would simply say “karma”, but I was reminded of a time I was at the head of the U-Scan line and a guy right behind me demanded I choose one bank of the checkout machines (left side, right side) instead of waiting for whichever machine opened next. That has NEVER happened to me before or since; it’s always been one line for the entire section of machines. Regardless, I threw up my hands in surrender because I didn’t want to be the victim of an apparent case of grocery store road rage.

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    • Dave, I’ve never had anyone want me to pick one side of the U-Scan or the other. That’s weird behavior. I’d do the same thing that you did, not try to explain how things worked. People get testy over the strangest things anymore so best to avoid grocery store road rage, a wonderful description btw.

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    • Barb, I liked that woman who was the little ball of confusion. I’ve felt like that often enough to relate. The kid trying to tell his Dad that Dad got the wrong milk will stay with me forever. He was wise beyond his years.

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