Now this is NOT a whine! I'm grateful every day that I have (more than) enough food to eat, and I think of the millions who go to bed hungry when I complain that we don't have the right brand of pudding or the potato chips aren't crisp.

Just an observation: I make it to town and back, make it through the aisles and the check-out, packing the groceries in the car, etc. When we pull into the garage, I think, WHEW, we're DONE! (Because my husband won't let me carry anything upstairs to the house except what I can easily get on my one trip)

Then I get upstairs and remember I have to unpack, sort, put away, freeze, etc. And at that point I just want to collapse in my chair, too tired even to eat! Why don't I ever think of that when I'm loading my cart?

I bought several pounds of chicken tenders on sale for $1.99, so those have to be frozen in serving-size packages and labeled--washing hands in between each chicken-touching. And we bought several things at the reduced sale bakery shelf: tea bread, muffins, pie, coffee ring. I cut those in singles and wrap in saran for my husband's coffee break. I hardly ever bake anymore, except biscuits or for special occasions.

My next project is pulling things out of the pantry closet and re-loading so that the fresh stuff goes in the back. Can't tell you how many times I've paid for skipping that step with four-year-old cereal to feed the hens!

It's a good feeling to have the trip behind me and the larder full--thanksgiving every time we hit Shaw's!

Oh, one more thing! I always keep my eye on the bagger, even at the store where I hardly ever have problems...don't really want the soap with the cereal, or the grapes on the bottom. It was a kid, I mean he was literally probably 17. Hadn't seen him before today. Afterward I asked him, "Are you new?" He said, "No, why?" And I said, "I just wondered--you're a really good bagger!' I should have told his boss instead!

I love to grocery shop. It wears me out and takes me a day to recover but I still love it. Maybe because it's about the only place I can count on going to at least twice a month.

What a great story, Blessings. It reminds me of how I used to like to grocery shop with my little coupons and plan my little meals, keeping my DH's and children's favorite foods/dishes in mind... and mine too.

Even after MS began to take it's toll on my strength and agility, I still looked forward to it.....in my minivan, with my scooter. It was fun.. The grocery boy/girl packed all my groceries so that any one bag was not tot heavy for me and placed them in my car, in the passenger seat for me, which made it easier for me when getting home.

Ah yes getting into the house with all the groceries. I had a plan...sat in my van, in the garage, next to the three stairs going into the kitchen. Took sacks and set them, one at a time on the garage floor, next to the steps. Then I exited my van and used my walker to get over to the hand bar, held on with one hand and, with the other hand, lifted all the bags up to the landing and then slid them in on the kitchen floor. Put refridgerated things away and flopped into my indoor scooter, traveled to couch and.

The rest of the groceries got put away, whenever. I didn't have the energy to cook on grocery day, so usually bought that meal already to heat and eat.

Now that I don't walk or drive, Schwans does all my shopping, putting away, preparing and ready for me to heat and eat.

I bought and had my son in law install those pull out shelves in my pantry. It sure helps in rotating items and finding what I want.

Grocery shopping is the bane of my week. I have a million coupons to keep track of (i save about 50% of my bill on coupons) and the bright lights, the massive amounts of perfume, the noise, and trying to remember things throws me over the edge. DH has been asking me to use the scooter in the store, but I barely have enough room to do what I need doing in a regular buggy.

I meal plan ahead of time, and I have seen my pantry since DS moved in and it scares me! I used to have it all lined up, but DS will use the last of something and leave the packaging on the shelf! Anything even close to an exp date, and he will pass it over. Sheesh! Cherios DONT GO BAD if they are UNopened! Same for many other products, but he is picky. The beans are with the fruits and the marmalade is now with the tomatoes! ugh! I cant find anything!

DH and DS know once I am done paying for the food, I am not able to drag it in the house. Its their job to put it away while I lie on the floor and scream about my back pain.