IS BIGGER REALLY BETTER????

Natalie Molloy

B.J's , is bigger necessarily better? If you're reading this article you may be a "little" disappointed. The topic I'm "touching" on may not be what your curiosity led you to , however , I am a mother of three rapidly growing boys and I am always looking for the better solution. So, I ask again moms, dads when you do your shopping for your household do feel buying in bulk (bigger) is economically beneficial or is it smoke and mirrors?


My food bill each week keeps growing. Makes sense , I mean after all so are my kids. I've tried the B.J's thing , but I have to say , sometimes I feel that the more I have the more they eat. it doesn't last any longer, unless of course I'm purchasing paper goods or garbage bags at some ridiculous bulk size amount. Then, everything comes in over sized boxes and bags, HELLO - where am I storing all of this crap? Part of me wants them to eat everything just to create more space in my home!

How much am I really saving anyway? I'm spending way more than I do in the supermarket, but hey - I just bought half a cow? I don't know - I can't make sense of it. So I ask your help. What tricks of the trade do you have in grocery shopping?

I've watched that show "Extreme Couponing" and I can't wrap my brain around that either. These people shop and walk out with one hundred boxes of Cheerios - healthy, yes - breakfast , lunch & dinner - NO! Then they show their homes and the things they've stocked up on, really, nothing I could use or force myself to do so.

So , I turn to you - the public. Weigh in here, and help out a fellow shopper. Are you a believer in bulk, or does the intimate setting of your local grocer satisfy you?

MOMMIES R US....

 

One baby crying, two toddlers fighting , only three lanes open , four Barbies flying , FIIIIIIIIIIVVVE PONY TALE WEARING MOMS!!!!!!

Yes, the Christmas dash is on and the new mommy and me meeting spot these days seems to be Toy R Us.

As we were gathered around the board game aisle , in outfits we vowed not to be wearing when we became moms, you know - sweats , a t-shirt that was okay for your child to wipe his/her mouth on , bear paw slipper/shoes and of course the traditional mom pony tale - frizz free and pulled back tight enough to make your eyes look wide awake and refreshed. I remember distinctly saying to myself when I saw someone dressed so ," I would never dress that way when I become a mom", now knee deep in it I see the rational.

We all paused in the board game aisle took a deep breath , glanced at each other - laughed and shook our heads in some bewildered state of comradeship . Talks of the outrageous price of a board games (Doggie Doo Game - $24.99, do I really need to pay for a toy to crap in my house and clean up after it - hello - mom of three boys here!!) and break your bank account LEGOS, that will probably be completed in twenty minutes($150.00 later) , In the midst of the Christmas kaos it was a nice breather.

We exchanged gift ideas , where something may be less expensive , yet - is it worth the gas money to drive and purchase it elsewhere? What's the hot toy everyone is on a treasure hunt for? Complaining about the lack of registers open when people are looking for jobs even a few laughs.

Even on line there were some thoughtful do gooders, handing coupons back and forth if someone saw something in your wagon they were't purchasing or didn't make the limit to use a certain coupon. I have to say that even at the register ( forty minute wait repeating -"don't touch that - annnnd don't touch that!) the cashiers seemed to be non - robotic and shared a little holiday spirit interaction.

So , if you think your alone, the only crazy person on the planet who's head is spinning in all directions waiting for your eyes to catch up and focus during these last few shopping days and preparation for Christmas GOOD NEWS - YOU'RE NOT!

Buckle up and enjoy the sleigh ride my friends , the holiday season comes once a year ( exhale), next year we're all a year older (don't be scared) , we hope and pray they still "BELIEVE" ( threaten them if they don't - wink wink) , and don't forget the egg nog!!!!!

Merry Christmas!



Natalie

INTRODUCING NATALIE... WE WELCOME YOU TO DRL!

My Last Crazy Project

Natalie Molloy

I have to say I could just sit and watch my garden grow all day. I wait for my husband to leave for work and out the door I dash. After all I only have a certain amount of time before he comes walking through the front door to ask "what went on here today?"

We women realize that the best time to rearrange a room , hang a picture , dig a giant hole in the ground and plant a tree or vegetable garden , yes the best time to get these projects done is definitely when hubby is not around. No questions asked. No comments like "Leave it where it is it looks just fine" cue the beer cracking open and baseball game on. Feet up on the coffee table (that you want to move) and project not getting done. I've talked to many women about this and most seem to agree.

My last project was when I moved our fire pit from one side of the yard to the other. The pressure was on, I had limited time to get it done, and you never know when a surprise visit during the day may occur, my husbands office is literally five minutes away! A goodbye kiss a peak out the window to make sure he was DEFINITELY gone and shovel in hand I was out the door! I started by digging out the hole for the new location of the fire pit with that dirt I filled the old hole. Then started moving the thirty some odd boulders with a hand truck across the yard to surround the newly located pit. I felt like Paul Newman in Cool Hand Luke when he had to move the rock wall from one side of the prison yard to the other and then back again. A quick "Hi honey how's your day going" phone call to make sure I wasn't getting a surprise visit and back to work I went.

I finally finished and couldn't help but marvel at the outcome of my project.
It was hard work, a major calorie burner! It came out great! I couldn't wait for my husband to come home and show him how great the "new" pit looked. I just knew he'd love it.