Tuesday, May 06, 2008

List-less

I grocery shop with a list. That's actually an understatement. While at Baylor, I took a class called "Meal Management" (which was totally not in my major course of study---ironic, considering my life now) and learned the art of meal planning and grocery-list making using categories. It's wonderful; I've used the same system for 7 1/2 years, and I've never been tempted to change my tactic.

However, my Wal-Mart run is a totally different story. Since Wal-Mart is my destination of choice for diapers and other miscellaneous non-food items, I usually only need to buy 2-5 things when I shop there. So I don't really need a list. Or so I tell myself, which usually turns out to be a gross overestimation of my memory capabilities. More often than not, I end up aimlessly wandering the aisles, mentally berating myself for not actually writing out a list before I entered the store. It's funny how even when I'm sitting in the van about to enter the store, I can perfectly recall all the things on my mental list, but as soon as I enter "Stuff-Mart", my plan evaporates out my ears. Does that happen to any of you?

So anyway, last night was a perfect case in point. I made my late-night run in order that my two-year-old son would not have to squeeze into his baby sister's diapers today. I needed five other items besides diapers. I was successful in remembering two of them. Oh, and one other that I thought may have been on my list. So I stop, mid-aisle, on numerous occasions, "zoning" into outer space, trying to recall the other items on my list. More than once I was asked by a salesperson if I needed help finding anything ("yes, my brain, please"), so I know I must've looked pretty goofy and probably was even muttering to myself.

I still don't remember what those other items were that I was supposed to buy, but I did end up coming home with a large bag of Dark Chocolate M&M's and a sizeable bucket of On the Border Margarita Mix---just add Tequila---both of which were definitely NOT on my list. But I suppose they should've been, because my hubby is certainly going to make sure I continue to go to Wal-Mart without a list. It's much more fun that way.

11 comments:

Shelley Roberts said...

Chocolate and "drinks" don't need to be on a list. They are staples for every mother and father and are items that need to be purchased at every opportunity!

Anonymous said...

Wait a second- hold everything. Did you say a salesperson at Wal-Mart actually asked you if you needed help finding anything? And more than once? This is not the Wal-Mart I know. I'm so jealous! I need to move back to Texas!

Chelsea said...

Party at Steph's house this weekend!

Chef Mama Lori said...

ooooooooooh, did you see the new flavors of M&M's AND of Hershey's kisses? I think the M's are cherry (I held up under pressure), but the kisses, more accurately hugs (and you know that with me, chocolate is serious stuff), are "cookies & cream" with NO GLUTEN!!! Imagine the sheer joy of knowing I could buy AND eat something that TASTES like cookies & creams, but is truly cookieless!

Oh, wait, this was about you needing a list, not about chocolate. With me, it's ALWAYS about chocolate you know. My hubby, however, has just told me I am not to buy more candy. It is truly a day to mourn. Unless I give YOU money & send YOU to Wal-mart for diapers!

da, da, da, da ,da Stuff Mart, stuff mart, da, da, da, da da, lots of stuff, lots of mart.

Good night Madame Blueberry!

Anonymous said...

okay... maybe yesterday was the day of the wandering fool. I too attempted to "run" to HEB while Naomi was out and I had a free moment in between bouts of sickness.

So, I walk out the door without a list (I too am a list maker), without my wedding ring, and without a clue as to my real need in going shopping.

I did manage to get home, but only after an hour of wandering aimlessly and visiting the same aisle three times! :)

Good to know I'm in good company!

~Sarah

Anonymous said...

Stephanie, you are SO funny! Definitely have been there myself. Sitting in the car, prior to entering the store thinking, "Okay, it's just 3 things. I can do this. I can remember. 3 things!" I get two of them and an impulse buy to get me to my magic number of 3 and then realize the error of my way at home. ARGHH!

Amy E

Janice and family said...

Name your fingers...I know it sounds weird, but it works for me...pinky is milk, ring finger is eggs, middle finger diapers...etc...however, chocolate and margarita mix (or in my case appletini makings) automatically go in the basket and do not need remembering...

Anonymous said...

The rule at our house is, two you can remember, three must be written down. Here's my secret, I will trust everyone else to succeed with the rule as written, for me though? I write it down even if it's one item. Sorry, mom's are just too busy to try and remember ............anything. I do like the naming the fingers trick but I'm sure I would forget which fingers to buy. I would have to write on the fingers, that would prevent me from losing the list! Hey, that might work, 'course I'll forget to try it.

Ashley said...

I am a list maker (you have seen it) but I am a terrible impulse buyer. I have to remind myself to "wait" and it never works. Perhaps that is why I am always so over budget every month!

-Ashley

P.S. I obeyed your "tag" and put it in my blog today.

Aubrey said...

This sounds like me, only funnier, lol! I just happened upon your blog this evening. Definately will be coming back. Your writing shows a wonderful, bubbly personality behind that sceen. Can't wait to read more.

Aubrey said...

One more thing. Does anyone else enlist thier children to help them to remember to even bring the list to the store?!