Shop 'till you Drop

Hey, alright! My dependable internal alarm clock woke me at exactly 6am, just a I had planned. Because for this day to be a successful one, an early start was essential. I treated the first part of the day just as I treat a work day. Most of us get way more out of our mornings on work days than we do on our days off. That's due in part to our taking advantage of the opportunity for more rest. But more rest I did not need. What I needed instead was a peaceful albeit productive day. Later I would be out and about mixing it up with other Xmas shoppers fighting and scrapping for that last cuppie doll. For this I'd need all the patience and physical strength attainable. To frame my day correctly, however, I would need to run and run with a passion. You see, once I've run, everything about the world is better. A little play after run was all I had time for if I were to remain on task. By 10am I was out the door on my way. My stops included: Toys R' Us, Charles Penzone's, Dick's Sporting Goods (formerly Galyan's), Target, Home Depot, and Old Navy. Through my haste I had forgotten to eat, and I rarely if ever miss breakfast. Needless to day, I was rabidly hungry! Burger was now in my sites. I would stop and treat myself to a King Kong Double Whopper Combo. I still have many gifts and people to buy for, but no plan. And I am dangerous without a plan. I thought better of it and decided to move on to the next phase of my day - grocery shopping in lieu of more unplanned Xmas shopping. Today I was heading back to Wal-Mart Super Center for groceries. I guess you could say that I am jaded by Wal-Mart pricing. A return to Kroger two weeks ago opened my eyes to how much I save by Walmarting. I would guesstimate that like for like items are 30% more at Kroger. For example, a 6oz can of Starkist solid white albacore tuna fish is $1.22 at Wal-Mart. Same item at Kroger is $1.89. Another example; a quart of half and half is $1.77 at Wal-Mart. Same product at Kroger is $2.89. And neither Wal-Mart or Kroger has produce to brag about but Wal-Mart is always significantly less expensive - again around 30%. So, even though I don't care for the Wal-Mart standards of operation and some of their reported business practices, I, like many others, continue to shop their. Hey, give me alternatives! I have heard rumors that Target is giving serious consideration to bringing the Super Center concept forward to compete head to head. That would be nice. I really like Target and their stores are impeccably clean and organized which I truly appreciate. I finished at Wal-Mart like clock work, right at 5pm. I am good! Home was bound with a sleigh (Trooper) full of toys and other goodies. I don't know that my vehicle has ever been so loaded down. There was little room for anything or anyone else. Every spot held a package, bag, or box of some sort. Next action item ... unloading. After an exhaustive day of shopping and such, I was ready for an evening at Barley's. Mindy wouldn't be joining me this evening. instead, she'd be sharing an evening with her children. But we have plans for a busy weekend together. After a walk of Ykraps, I was ready to go. It was 8pm ish. Barley's was packed to the walls. And except for a few characters, everyone was there. I didn't eat - I drank. I had three beers. I had a firkin Xmas Ale, St. Nick's, and an IPA. All were top notch! I was ready to go by 930pm but it took a while to cash out for the large crowd. No worries. I love this bar. Once to my car I called princess. She was sleeping. I forewarned that I, in fact, was on my way and wondered what food she's like to eat. She sounded tired (go figure - sleeping and all), but opted for Taco Bell. So, I stopped at the Bell and grabbed us some midnight munchies! I meant to stay only for a couple of hours, but tow hours turned into all night. I like Mindy's home and bed it's just that I felt stressed to be detached from my long list of tasks. I doubt, however, that I would've completed much else at home anyhow. Song Of The Day: I Love This Bar, Toby Keith We got winners, we got losers Chain smokers and boozers And we got yuppies, we got bikers We got thristy hitchhikers And the girls next door dress up like movie stars Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar We got cowboys, we got truckers Broken-hearted fools and suckers And we got hustlers, we got fighters Early birds and all-nighters And the veterans talk about their battle scars Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar [Chorus:] I love this barIt's my kind of place Just walkin' through the front door Puts a big smile on my face It ain't too far, come as you are Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar I've seen short skirts, we got high-techs Blue-collar boys and rednecks And we got lovers, lots of lookers And I've even seen dancing girls and hookers And we like to drink our beer from a mason jar Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar Yes I doI like my truck (I like my truck) I like my girlfriend (I like my girlfriend) I like to take her out to dinner I like a movie now and then But I love this bar It's my kind of place Just trollin' around the dance floor Puts a big smile on my face No cover charge, come as you are Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar We got divorcees and a big bouncer man An old jukebox and a real bad band We got waitresses and we got barflies A dumb-ass and a wise-guy If you get too drunk just sleep out in your car Reason number 672 why Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar Play it on out boys Beer-thirty's over Got to take it on home Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this barI just love it