As a young wife, I quickly learned that if I wanted it done the right way, I was going to have to do the grocery shopping myself. I never minded it at all— I had all the time in the world to leisurely peruse the aisles and plan recipes as I shopped. I could sip a latte and read trashy tabloids at the checkout. I could roll my eyes at the tantrum throwing children around me and shop for an hour without ever needing to crack open emergency snack food. It was a breeze. A pleasure.
Three kids later, the market is just another chore that I rarely feel like tackling. If I’m with the kids, it’s a constant game of “we want this!” and “but so and so gets that!!” Not to mention the monstrous car-cart that I am totally unable to maneuver. Rarely can I make a corner without destroying an entire display. If I’m without one, two or three of the kids, I’m always aware of paying someone by the hour to allow for such a luxury. And if I wait until Jeff comes home at night, I pretty much sleep-walk through the entire experience. It’s never fun, to put it mildly.
So, last week when Jeff volunteered to do the shopping, I reluctantly took him up on it. I knew from past experience that this task was way outside of his comfort zone, but I was exhausted from a never-ending day with the children. We were in desperate need of the basics, and anyway, how hard could it be to stick to the list I carefully crafted? The directions were simple: Follow the list, use the club card and use the coupons. Easy, peasy, right?
Wrong.
Not only did I have to return to the market an hour later to exchange a tube of artificial parsley for fresh, canned fruit cocktail for the natural variety and rotten grapes for fresh, but I also needed to get the $19 refund for Jeff neglecting to enter our phone number at checkout. How difficult is that?
It’s going to be a while before I send him back. When I finally do, though, he’ll be armed with a common sense guide covering the most basic of basics. Chocolate milk is fine, for example, just not when I specifically ask for milk.
He’ll still manage to mess something up, I’m sure, but at least I’ll get the fresh parsley and real fruit.
If I’m really lucky.
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That’s hilarious. Next time send him with the pictures above and he’ll surely figure it out. :)
The Marketing Mama´s last blog ..My Two Maternity Leaves
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Oooh this a familiar one! I loved the squeezy parsley – that’s not stupid just, um, creative right?
I have another ‘creative’ shopper for a husband. He’s does reasonably well with extremely specific instructions and a very short list but always, ALWAYS gets lured in by the reduced-to-clear section. So I may have sent him out for bread, milk and cat food but you just know he’s going to come back with minced beef, a packet of broken biscuits, 20 jumbo sausage rolls and a some potato salad. All of which have to be eaten that day.
It’s makes for some ‘creative’ suppers I can tell you…
Josie´s last blog ..The Ordinary Child and a Mashed Potato Moment
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I think they always underestimate what it takes to prepare menus and shop for a whole family. Hello, people who aren’t moms who do that, are paid to do it. They are called chefs, and they don’t even have to do their own shopping.
Elisa´s last blog ..Short and to the point
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Love it, as usual. I’m actually the grocery shopper in the household at the moment…sometimes take our boy with me. Lately though, things have been too busy, so we’ve been using peapod. SO convenient, especially since they bring stuff right to my kitchen table.
You should see if they deliver in your area…great stuff.
Mariano´s last blog ..Tech Savvy Virtual Assistants: Integrating Tech with Your Business
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Amber Reply:
August 22nd, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Peapod was my saviour over the past few months! It may cost a bit to have your groceries delivered…but I always saved money because there was no impulse shopping involved. I would add what we needed throughout the week (it saves your list until you submit for shipment). A great idea!
Amber´s last blog ..pre and post preg
Twitter: unlikelymama
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Oh mama, I feel your pain.
And why is it so hard to user the club card at the grocery store’s gas station? IT SAVES 10 CENTS PER GALLON. That is big money these days, yet my freewheelin’ husband can’t be bothered to swipe his card.
Don’t get me started on his refusal to use coupons. Obviously, those teeny pieces of paper are as emasculating as ED.
Amy B.´s last blog ..R.I.P. John Hughes
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Hahaha. I have to write down weights and specific labels, colors, and brands.
Not sure why this is so hard for them :)
Jessica – This Is Worthwhile´s last blog ..Sleeping in the middle of the bed is 2/3 bullshit
Twitter: tisworthwhile
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There is a hilarious Richard Scarry story about this that reminds me of my husband every time. I would highly encourage your kids to check out “Best Mistake Ever” so you can read it and LAUGH at the similarities between sending Huckle shopping and sending our husbands. I love my husband, but HATE it when he’s gone shopping without my prior consent or detailed list.
Liz´s last blog ..Back to School WOW WOW WUBBZY
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