Sandee, Jane, and I had a “Girls’ Night Out” last Thursday night. Guess what we did. It’s so wild and crazy, I’m sort of reluctant to write about it… we went to the grocery store, ALDI! Woo hoo!!

Now Jane and Sandee do not despise grocery shopping nearly as much as I do (It’s only one step above ironing pleated pants, as far as I’m concerned), so they were eager to go to the store to see how it compared to stores like Kroger and Publix. I, on the other hand, had heard from co-workers that it really was cheaper than more mainstream stores, and since I’m on a very tight budget, I was willing to check it out.

So the three of us drove over to the one nearest my house (about 1.5 miles away…not too bad). We went in without a cart, because we were not intending to buy anything. What we didn’t know was that you have to deposit $.25 to unlock a cart from the chain, then return the cart to the chain to get the money back. This “bring it back to get your money back” method keeps carts from littering the parking lot, as well as needing to hire people to gather them up. (Good idea #1)

First impression of the store itself… it’s small. Not a whole lot bigger than the small Piggly Wiggly I used to be dragged to once a week with my mom, growing up in Tallassee. (Side note: I used to be scared to walk by the area with “Red Devil Lye.” It had a picture of a red devil head on it that scared the bejeesus out of me as a little kid.)

From what I read, the store stocks about 1,400 different items, as opposed to the more than 40,000 items the bigger stores stock. So if you’re looking for exotic ethnic foods, or if you need 10 different varieties of grapes, you’re not gonna find it here. They offer the basic staples, and that savings on spaces allows for a much smaller building translating into lower overhead. (Good idea #2)

The trip down the first aisle (plenty wide and very clean) was not that impressive, as it was mostly junk food, which all of us are trying to avoid in an effort to be healthy. So we didn’t really pay attention to the prices. However, I did notice that the items were stocked in their boxes, not on shelves, so there’s no need to pay someone for stocking shelves. (Good idea #3). The prices were clearly marked above each item… helpful to someone like me who has trouble reading small type.

Sandee’s first spotting of a good bargain was a bottle of EVOO. It was approx. 50% less than what she would have paid elsewhere. Now granted, most of the products in the store are not nationally recognized brands, but most are the ALDI brand, which has the “Double Guarantee.” If you don’t like their product, you can take it back and get a replacement AND a refund. (Good idea #4) From everything I’ve read, their items are made by well-known makers like Campbells and Kraft, they just sell it under a different brand name. More on the items I got later.

We were most impressed with the cost of the milk…$1.79. What bothered me was that they didn’t sell half-gallons. But I went ahead and got the gallon. I need to drink more anyway, and hopefully, trying not to waste the gallon will help with that.

They had a large choice of meat that was really decently priced and  “looked” good. The cuts were generous portions and appeared to be fresh. They also had a large choice of processed meats as well. None of us purchased any meats, but I will go back and do that.

I bought one can of chili, because I’m picky about my chili, so if it’s good, I’m excited, because while I know it was a good price, I can’t remember the price. I bought a four-pack of toilet paper (not as soft as Angel Soft, but not too bad either) for $1.00. Jane got a loaf of honey wheat bread for $1.29, and we all tried it when we got home. It was just fine, compared to Nature’s Own, my favorite.

We didn’t really loiter and look at every item, but I did notice the selection of fruits and vegetables was minimal. What was there looked fresh, but there just wasn’t that much of it. They also have select items on sale every week that are not there all the time, mostly non-food items.

Anyway, we got up to the checkout, and found out they don’t take checks nor credit cards (which none of us were planning to use anyway), but only cash and debit cards. That way, they do not have to recoup the cost of using credit systems nor chasing bad checks (Good idea #5).

None of us noticed that they sell their grocery bags at a minimal price, but we didn’t have enough to need bags anyway. This keeps them from having to cover the cost of bags, and also encourages people to bring their own bags (Good idea #6… and “green” too). No baggers either… no cost for laborers.

Anyway, I’m totally sold on it as long as the items I get there are decent. I am a “brand name” person on a few things… QTips being one of them… so if they products are anywhere close to brand names, the cost difference will soooo be worth it.

If there’s an ALDI near you, give it a try. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. (Good idea #7)

It’s been 2.5 months since I last blogged. There’ve been so many times I thought, I should write about this or that, but just never did.

“Balloon Boy” was such a temptation to just flail all over those crazy parents. The economy is another. I’ve put myself on a strict budget now, so I’m sure that the daily logging of spending will keep it in the fore of my thoughts and is sure to spill into the blog. Then, of course, there have been all sorts of goings on that show up in the news… murder, mayhem, odd, bizarre, funny videos, and heartwarming stories as well.

Of course, the college football season has been interesting… not too bad for the Auburn Tigers, considering they have a new coach, but certainly, they have played with an inconsistency that is hard on a fan’s heart.

I guess what’s surprising me most right now is that it really doesn’t seem that long since I last posted. My life is good and satisfying, but sometimes, it feels like it’s slipping right through my fingers. I find myself wishing I was more “aware” of the special times in my life, and valuing them for the treasures they are. And by special times, I don’t even mean things like vacation, but just little things like times with friends, laughing at crazy things… enjoying the devotion of my aging pets… a relaxing weekend, etc.

It won’t be long before I enter the last year of my 40s. I’m going to use this year to get physically healthier so that I’ll enter my 50s with a real good chance to (at least physically) do the things on my “Bucket List.”

Now, to figure out what to put on the Bucket List!

Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils.
~Louis Hector Berlioz

Snippets of things that have crossed my mind this week… or this year… or my whole life.

Jaycee Lee Duggard

Arrggghhhh… that poor woman who turns up after being abducted 18 years ago. Thank goodness she’s alive, but jeez! Can you imagine what kind of emotional basketcase she must be… not only to have had to endure the physical torments of her abductor, but also being subject to his insane religious crap!! And then, as horrible as it must have been, to have it all, the only life she’s known for a LONG time, ripped away?!?!

I read some of the posts on the guy’s blog… the most “interesting” one being where he discussed how he can control sound with his mind, and how ultimately, he will use it for the salvation of the whole world. Um, no thanks.

Even though I’m not a parent, if this had happened to a child of mine and if I was given the chance to inflict punishment, I would definitely invoke the “eye for an eye” retribution in this case. I’d stick him in a small place in the middle of nowhere, have his only access to another human being when someone is raping him, create enough pain to simulate giving birth to two children, take away his access to drugs (which apparently, he’s done a ton of), and make him listen to something totally antithetical to his belief system blared over loud speakers 24/7. And I’d make sure he had a plentiful supply of sharp razors nearby, just in case he wanted to do us all a favor and rid the world of some trash.

If this were your child, and you had a chance to do anything you wanted to her abductor, what would you do?

During the relaxing and blissful time at the lake last weekend, we watched From Here to Eternity. Neither of us had ever seen it, although we’d both seen the famous scene of Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr kissing on the beach as the water came in over them. I suppose the reason that’s so famous is because it was so bold for its time. In reality, it is not the most important part of the movie, nor is their story line.

What’s interesting is that Frank Sinatra, Montgomery Clift, Donna Reed, and Ernest Borgnine are also leading characters in the movie, and I never even knew they were in it!! It’s actually a pretty good movie… unlike my opinion of Citizen Kane. Even though that is a wildly famous movie, I can’t for the life of me figure out why!

I received a call yesterday AT WORK from a recruiter. I thought it was in terribly bad taste for a recruiter/headhunter to call on behalf of one employer to another employer’s place. Found out from from our HR guy that the practice is actually quite common and not considered unethical in the HR world. It still made me uncomfortable. Go figure.

I’m happy where I work. I like my co-workers (and I think they like me), the pay is good, I’m respected in my area of expertise enough that I’m at least listened to, I am able to do several different kinds of projects so I don’t become too bored,  I have a degree of authority and responsibility as a manager, the company’s market share is solid, and the commute is easy.

So here’s the question: If you were in my position, where the positives far outweigh the negatives, what would it take for you to be lured away from your current job? At some point, even a significant raise in pay would not offset having to start over as the low person on the totem pole, the learning curve of a new place, not knowing the people you work with, etc. So what would it take for you to entertain the thought of leaving a place you enjoy working?

I watched a Backstory episode on GAC a couple of nights ago, and it was a very interesting piece about Darius Rucker, former lead singer for Hootie and the Blowfish. I really liked his voice when he sang for them and was interested to find out what he’s doing these days.

Turns out, he’s always been way more into country music than rock/pop. So now that he’s no longer with the band, he’s started to record country music. Yesterday, I downloaded his debut album Learn to Live. I’ve only listened to it once, but I liked what I heard, solid songs, but nothing that blows me away. The only thing somewhat disappointing about it is that there’s little to no resemblance to his  Hootie-days voice. I liked the rough, gravelly sound that he used to have, but heard only echoes of it in his country work. His voice in these country songs is much more mellow and subdued, not what I expected.

Based on the mostly positive reception he’s received already, and assuming he keeps up the good work, I can imagine a very long career for him in the country music world.

Most of the time, I can put a positive spin on the things that happen to me, the circumstances I find myself in. Of course, I can also put a cynical and cautionary spin on them as well. Most of the time, the spin depends on my mood at the time.

Last night, S and I were waiting in the drive through at Brewster’s. It was taking sooooo long for us to even move up in the queue, and I was getting impatient. A large crowd of people were ordering at the walk-up window, and I’m guessing they get priority over the people in the drive thru. (Harrumph)

So S and I are just talking, about the lottery, about work, about the upcoming weekend, and so forth. I made the comment that this was the longest wait I can EVER remember sitting in line for anything. I didn’t say it angrily, but simply as a statement of fact.

S said equally as matter of factly with a smile on her face, “But at least we’re together.” Well, call me a softie, but that just made my heart melt. And I realized, yes, we were together, and having good conversation, about so many things. And it’s rare that we are just sitting alone talking. One or the other (or both) of us is usually working or on the computer or something else that keeps us from focusing on the conversation.

I not only appreciated that she reframed that impatient moment of mine and turned it into a positive, but turned it into a moment of affirmation that she enjoys being with me. I can’t tell you how much that means to me. No matter how confident we are, no matter how much we like ourselves, it’s still nice to hear from the people we value most, that they value us in equal measure. I love moments like that.