Grocery Shopping

I have often written about my affinity for shopping - especially grocery shopping. For the past 17 years, I have mostly lived by myself, but still managed to shop for groceries at least two times a week. Keep in mind that I don't cook, so most of my purchases would consist of milk, bread, lunchmeat, beer, snacks and household goods. However, I have compiled a rather long list of my favorite microwaveable meals.

Things have changed over the past few months. Some of you may remember the editorial two months ago when I wrote about housing my girlfriend's teenage daughter for much of the first semester. Well, now I am joined by her 13-year-old teenage brother and their mother. Add four dogs and two cats to the mix and it makes for a much more interesting grocery shopping experience.

Not only do I shop more often, but I am obviously purchasing more groceries. I am also buying goods that I have never sought before. For example, I now buy fresh meat, certain types of bread and other things that generally taste better when cooked in an oven. I never knew much about spices, but I am trying to learn. I even spent a good 20 minutes last week examining which dog and cat toys to buy. That was too much fun.

I never used to clip and save coupons. But now I do. Actually, one year I tried to cut out coupons, but I found that most expired by the time I remembered that I had saved them. In today's environment, I visit different grocery stores at least three times a week to take advantage of their specials. Not only do I find that I am shopping in more grocery stores, I now make regular trips to pet-related stores that I forgot were located in the Chippewa Valley.

I still enjoy grocery shopping, even though the exercise is a bit more involved now. After all, I eat better than I have since I lived with my parents and somehow things around the house appear as clean as they were before my expanded family was in place. Plus, I have teenage bodies to assist with those chores that require some semblance of strength. Not a bad tradeoff in my opinion.

Now I can't wait for the spring/summer clothes shopping season. I may actually visit a few more malls than I normally frequent since I have three more co-habitants to shop for.

But, to be honest, I am really looking forward to shopping for outdoor pet toys.

Your thoughts, concerns or constructive criticism is always welcome. Call (715) 834-7337 or e-mail: editor@tblnet.com