Sunday, August 8, 2021

Stocking Up and some Observations

   



  Jeff and I have been noticing more and more empty shelves and spaces at some of the grocery stores.  Walmart was especially glaring.  I was worried that with the students coming back, that it would be absolutely horrible to find anything.  However, this weekend the WSU students were hitting Walmart hard and I noticed something interesting.


   Some of the shelves that had been empty were being filled up again...but the produce had obviously been sitting around for awhile and was not very good.  One of the ladies that worked there said they had lots of fresh produce in the back room, but, again, it was not looking it's best.  They had brought a lot in because of the students coming back...however, don't count in it staying well stocked.  


   We found some marked down meats and bought those.  Meat has been hit or miss there for awhile.  We also found packages of plums marked down to $1 each.  They had been sent way to many of them and needed to move them fast.  I bought 2 packages.  HBA items have also been on the lean side for awhile, so I got what I needed to build up my stock a bit more.  I had also been looking for a few more pairs of soft jeans for over a year.  I am very picky about my jeans because so many of the fabrics and/or the buttons, hurt me.  I finally found two pairs on clearance for $4 each.  I have capris in the same fabric and I love them!  These jeans should get me through a few more winters since I mainly wear them when I go somewhere outside of the house and then rest of the time I wear soft leggings at home.


   Jeff and I also went to the Grocery Outlet to try and find some of the jalapeno and cheese snacks that I love.  They were out of those but we did find some more amazing deals.  We picked up 2 racks of cooked and frozen ribs for .97 each...yes you read that right!  I would have bought them out except that I don't have the room in my freezer.  They also had boneless skinless chicken breast that were marked down so I bought a package and came home and divided it up and then froze each breast separately.  Each of those will make a meal for Jeff and I.  Crescent rolls were on sale for 6 for $1.  I bought 3 of them.  Another great deal was their Asian noodles.  They came in 2 packs for .99 each.  I got 4 of them to make stir fry or Asian style soups for Jeff and I.  Way cheaper than going out to eat and satisfies my cravings!


   We are also noticing gas shortages here.  We went to fill up our car with gas only to find that most of the pumps at the lowest priced gas station in town were totally out of fuel.  Luckily there were still 3 pumps with gas so we were able to get some there.  I am going to make sure that Jeff and never let the tanks go below half from now on.


   Covid-19 cases are on the rise here once more and I am noticing that more and more restrictions are coming back into play.  Vaccines are being required not only at some work places for employees, but also if you are a customer.  Colleges here are requiring that you be vaccinated if you are an employee or a student, K-12 are also requiring vaccinations for staff and that masks be worn at all times regardless of if you are vaccinated or not.  Masks are required at grocery stores if you are not vaccinated and the employees are being required to wear them all the time now no matter if they had the jab or not.  I am hearing rumors that some of the grocery stores will soon not be allowing people who are not vaccinated to shop period!  That should scare the pants off everyone!  Looks like we will be doing the shopping for our family members who have not got the jab and don't plan on doing so.  They have their own reasons for not wanting to get it and I totally respect that.  I think everyone should have the right to make their own medical decisions.  Jeff and I did make the choice to get the shots ourselves after weighing the pros and cons and I am glad we did.  I don't think that people who have chosen not to should be vilified though.  Do I worry about those relatives...yes, but again, it is their choice to make, not mine or anyone else's.


   I am fully expecting more restrictions to come into play on the state and national level this coming week.  Things are just moving way too quickly and with all the fires, droughts in this area, flooding in others, coupled with transportation shortages, and this virus making a comeback, things are getting worse.  Looks like time is getting way too short to stock up while you can before the panic buying starts once more.

13 comments:

  1. Since we border Washington all of our restrictions are coming back. SO glad I got the shot!

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    1. I figured that you would be in the same boat we are. We live right on the Washington side of the border but do a lot of our shopping in Idaho. Here we go again. (((((HUGS))))

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  2. Agree with your comment accepting those who don’t wish the vaccine. My husband and I got the shots but we respect anyone’s right to make their own decisions. I have been horrified with the hatred and vilification I have seen in various blogs…it is a sad comment on the state of love and compassion in our world.

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    1. Thank you and I am so glad that you are seeing what I am seeing, as horrible as it is.

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  3. As a Christian, I believe we are living in the end times. I think we will need to help each other more and more. I,, like you, respect those who decide against the vaccine. No one should be vilified for deciding against it. Their lives will be more restricted but those of us who are vaccinated can help them where we can should it come to them not being allowed to shop. Scary times but I have peace that God is still on his throne.

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    1. Thank you Theresa for your thoughtful reply. I too am a Christian and have the same feelings as you do about all of this.

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  4. So far, gasoline has been available. But pricey $1.67 per liter (ie quart). I let my tank get very low and put in just over $100last week...doesn't really matter that it's Canadian.

    I'm with on people making their own choices. I too got both jabs but am ok when others chose differntly. it's their life, not for me to comment.

    For me, I'm chosing to continue to wear a mask even when it's no longer mandated here. Or at least not at the time I'm writing this. I have my own health issues and the mask, for better or worse, makes me feel better about going out in public and reminds me to keep my distance from others.

    Back from last post - I use clips I purchased at Ikea for $1.99. About 20 in two sizes. They last.

    I just put up another batch of pureed yellow squash for the freezer. Yea.
    Cheers, SJ in Vancouver BC

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    1. Hello my friend...you do whatever makes you more comfortable. :) Your gas sounds so expensive. Thank you for the tip on the clips from Ikea...I may have to have Lauren pick some up for me.

      What do you use the pureed squash for and do you cook it before you puree it?

      Much love!

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    2. I used it for your casserole...you said to boil the squash and then mash...So I froze up some ziplocks with about 3cups of cooked and mashed squash to use in the dish. I also read about a 'lemon-yellow squash quick bread' that sounds interesting if I can find the recipe.

      I love the clips from Ikea...my main use is to clip bags of frozen veggies. So the clips have lasted a long time even when being in and out of the freezer.
      cheers
      SJ

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    3. Missed part of your question. Yes, i cooked the squashh on the steam setting of my instant pot. Then drained and mashed with my hand blender.
      Cheers, SJ

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    4. Thank you for letting me know how you did the squash. I have a basket full of them and will have to do that myself!

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  5. We've noticed shortages on our shelves here in Canada too. I just thought it was items from the USA getting slowed at the border but who knows. Nice of you to shop for your unvaccinated relatives although I think the longer they wait the harder their lives will get if they don't get it. But like you say, to each his own. Take care!!!

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    1. I think there are shortages all over the place. I was reading an article about how expensive it is to ship things now and shortages of truck drivers and dock workers are making it even worse all over the world. We are all interconnected when it comes to goods and services. Take care. :)

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