Grocery Shopping

In #housespouse news, men are buying more groceries.

Even though I didn't get groceries today, I'm doing it more and more. So it's nice to see that some retailers are recognizing that. Men's Health recently did a survey, of JUST men, and got some (expectedly) skewed results. But there is some truth to it.

Like "...when they do head to the store, men tend to buy many items at once, and shop alone..." [The Washington Post - July 28, 2017]. Fits me to a tee. When I shop, I prefer to shop alone because I can get in and out of the store faster. And yes, I buy lots of stuff.

And then there's the part about buying for that day or night and not the upcoming week [ibid]. Yep, I do that too. I'm terrible about making a menu for the week. But I'm still wrapping my head around being a house spouse so it's still new for me. Plus I'm still on probation when it comes to cooking.

What I'm curious about, and something that wasn't really mentioned, is what about bargain hunting? I'm all for paying less for something but I've never been a fan of coupons. They always seem like a hassle. I mean, you have to cut it out, organize it, remember to take it to the store, and hope it doesn't it expire. But I'm more than willing to stop, pull out my phone, do some math, and find what store has the lowest price.

Which brings me to my question for you. What's easier, coupons or finding the lowest price? How do you make couponing less of a hassle?

LOST With Elizabeth - Introduction

I've periodically blogged in the past about TV shows, usually roping in my kids or wacky inspiration to help make things interesting. Sometimes it works (I watch Knight Rider with William when he's sick), sometimes I run out of energy (Magnum Monday), and sometimes plans change (Three's Company Thursday).

Well, the newest idea is introducing my daughter Elizabeth to LOST. I have a hard time classifying it as the best TV show of all time but it's pretty darn entertaining and I knew if I could get her to make it past the first couple of episodes, she'd be hooked. She likes that kind of brain game stuff and always seems bent towards the supernatural. So watching it with her seemed like the best thing to do.

What I didn't plan on was turning it into a regular blog post idea. The questions at the end of each disc are great and just about perfect for a solid 20 minute discussion of the show and where she thinks it will go. I also didn't plan on how hard it would be to keep my mouth shut as she answers the questions.

Anyway, what I'm aiming for is a regular series of questions and answers. The disc will provide the questions and she will provide the answers. I'm also going back to each set of questions every time to re-visit all of them to see if she wants to change her mind on any of her answers.

40 Years Ago Today - July 15, 1977

Two different entries for today. The first is yet another visit to see Dr. Cho. Thankfully this time it was just a well baby check and not another ear infection.

The second is more interesting in that it shows a side of my father I never really saw. He had his hunting license issued. The California Hunting License cost him $10 and expired June 30, 1978. Only the Deer Tag line has a number printed. The Bear Tag line is blank and there are no pheasant or duck stamps on the reverse side. While some sellers and researchers have left the personal information on their online photos, I've redacted my dad's just to play it safe.

40 Years Ago Today - July 1977

Forty years ago, I sat for another photo session. This time I was sporting a fancy shirt that zippered up the front and had embroidery on the chest (there was a barn, car, house, and two trees). In addition to the typical head shot, my parents put me down with some props. A bucket and sunglasses, along with a tropical backdrop and what looks like brown carpet, made for a great beach scene. The shot also shows my matching shorts and cute little boots. Less impressive is the third shot where I'm sitting on a stool in front of a dark wood panel. But it looks like I made up for it with a smile and a tug on my ear.

As icing on the cake, I have two additional photos from July 1977. The first shows me in the bathtub playing with my rubber duck. Not sure that I remember it clearly but I want to say the duck still lived under our bathroom sink when I grew too old for baths. The second shot is just a candid one of me holding something in my hand.