Grocery Shopping on Sunday

Christmas Bears Card

I've had these bear stickers for years!  I glued them to a strip of cardstock and made another card with them.  

Today was a sunny day with the daytime highs in the mid-60s.  Tonight's low is supposed to be 39F, though.  

I spent a relaxed morning, answering blog comments, etc.  Thank you all for your kind comments, especially regarding the email to check on my niece. 

In the afternoon, I went to pick up my groceries that we had ordered on Saturday.  When I pulled into one of the designated parking spaces for customers picking up online order, Jenny, the young woman who usually brings the groceries to the car, was helping another customer.  When I parked my car, she came up to my car to ask me if I had already checked in online and I said no (I usually check in when I arrive at the parking lot).  She very apologetically asked me if I could hold off on checking in until she had finished helping that customer because it was taking some time and the store keeps tabs on how long it takes the workers to bring an order out after the customer checks in.  I think they are expected to fill the orders within 10 minutes of arrival, because, when we check in, we are told to call back if we're still waiting after 10 minutes.  I wasn't in a hurry, so I waited.  I suppose there was some issue with that customer's order, because after Jenny loaded the groceries into the truck, the customer went back to the store with her and came back several minutes later with another cart full of groceries.  

I waited until that customer got into the truck before I called to check in and let the store know that I was was waiting.  I had waited for almost 20 minutes before I checked in.  In the meantime, someone else had pulled in to the parking spot next to me and checked in!  Jenny brought out both our orders at the same time, apologized to me, and helped that other customer, first, because she had checked in before I did.  Which was fine with me.  Then, it was my turn and Jenny was very, very apologetic for the delay.  I told her it was OK, I was just grateful to be able to order online and pick up the groceries.  She told me that I was very sweet!  LOL.

Apparently, her co-worker had left work early, when he wasn't supposed to, and she was having to pick up the slack.  She sounded very stressed!  I told her it was OK and to take a deep breath, which she did.  Poor thing; working retail is never easy and dealing with the holiday rush and irate customers, while being timed on each interaction and short staffed is awful.  She thanked me, again, for being so understanding and gave me $15 off my order for having to wait!  I told her it was OK, she didn't have to do that, I didn't mind waiting, but, she had already put in the discount on her handheld device.  I took the store survey when I came home and in the box that asked if I'd like to recognize an employee by name, I said yes and put in Jenny, and when asked if I would explain why, I wrote that she was courteous and had excellent customer service.  I hope she will be notified in some way that a customer appreciated her.  By the way, the groceries were brought out and loaded into my car 5 minutes after I checked in (after that initial wait of 20 minutes, before checking in).  

This was my second grocery pick up for this month.  The first pick up was on December 12 and I spent $61.29 on that order (not including the bottle of ibuprofen, which was $14.99).

Today's order included 5 lbs. of butter on sale for $1.99/lb., two packets of coffee on sale for $5.99 each, and chicken thighs at $.99/lb. 

My December grocery budget is $250.

Spent to date: $61.29 + $23.71 = $85

Neighbor T called in the afternoon, after I had come home from picking up the groceries.  We chatted a bit; she wasn't sure if her daughter would be able to visit her on Christmas Day or not.  I told her I'll call her again, before Christmas.  I do hope her daughter will be able to visit her.  

In the evening, I finished my card making for now and tidied up the house a bit with my daughter's help.  She also did some cooking for the week, making chicken curry, dhal, kale mallung (shedded kale cooked with grated coconut, turmeric, etc.), and sauteed leeks.  I made coconut roti (flat bread) with the rest of the grated coconut (we used a packet of frozen grated coconut).   Later, I chatted with friend R.  Afterwards, daughter and I watched A Charlie Brown Christmas on TV, which has become a tradition with us!   

Today, I am grateful for:

- Being able to order groceries online and curbside pick up
- The discount for the delay at the grocery store!
- A safe drive to the store and back
- My card crafting supplies
- The spare bedroom doubling up as a storage room!  

Today's joyful activity was putting up a few more holiday decorations.

Plans for tomorrow include doing laundry ("Wash on Monday")  and taking the trash cans to the curb.  

How was your Sunday?  What are your plans for Monday?