Tuesday 25 June 2013

Good morning madam!

I have never been enamoured of supermarket shopping - I don't like the pushing and shoving, children charging up and down the aisles and the way the powers that be  change things around in order to make you search for them, and in the process buy things you would 't normally buy.  I know there is such a thing as free will, but sometimes their so-called offers seem tempting at the time and it is only when you get home and unpack that reason sets in.   Well, that's how it is for me.   I love children but I am not too keen on them in supermarkets unless they are babies (we get plenty of them as our nearest Tesco is on Catterick Garrison and the babies are adorable).

Because I am still unable to drive (I am waiting with bated breath for a go ahead from the DVLA) and it is the farmer's busy time, I decided to try 'on line shopping' - what a treat it is now that I have got used to it.

My order always comes on Tuesday mornings between 8am and 10am and because I am fairly near to the shop I am usually first on the delivery round.   This means getting up, showering, eating breakfast and clearing the table before they come.  (I usually play the slob and eat breakfast in my dressing gown).

I am ashamed to say in these days of the working mum, that I get huge pleasure from cleaning the store cupboard and putting my purchases away.   Because I have time to peruse the things on offer I usually end up buying things for the store cupboard (today it was tinned crab and salmon, tinned corned beef and anchovies.  They are marvellous with frozen food too as it comes in a special compartment.   I put that away quickly - my freezer is full to bursting.

I feel a bit like Mrs Tiggywinkle - isn't it sad getting pleasure from such mundane things in these days of high powered women?   I am sitting here at the computer at 10.28am with all my shopping for the week done (apart from a top-up on fresh fruit and vegetables at the weekend), a rather smug feeling (sorry about that) and a decision to make - shall we have fish, new potatoes, mixed frozen veg and shredded savoy cabbage for lunch or shall we go for the corned beef and pickle with new potatoes and red cabbage, apple and onion.   Decisions, decisions - and all courtesy of the lovely delivery driver from Cardiff who greeted me with a smile and a "Good morning madam"? 

You will see which alternative I chose from the photograph at the top of the page.

16 comments:

Barbara said...

"Good morning madam!" That made me smile. Online shopping sounds so pleasant and efficient. Hope you have a wonderful day.

Sandy said...

How lovely! I truly hate to grocery shop and would love to be able to order "on line". I'm not aware of having this service here in The States though. And like you I wish they wouldn't change the food aisles around.

mrsnesbitt said...

I detest supermarkets Pat. We have a new Asda and it really is hell.

Heather said...

I think it is lovely to get pleasure from simple things and do not envy those highpowered women who miss out on them. I haven't tried online grocery shopping yet but can appreciate that it must be a godsend to those who can't get out. I have to say that my weekly trip to a favourite Sainsbury store is a pleasure. It is large enough to have a wide selection and variety of goods but not so large that it is daunting, and the staff are always kind, helpful and professional.

Gwil W said...

It's just like the old days. My mum would hand me her order book and I'd run along to the local Co-op with it and hand it in. Then on the appointed day a man in a van would arrive with all our groceries, enough for six souls, in a large cardboard box. And like your man - with a polite good morning on offer.

Gwil W said...

By the way, thanks for the lovely comment on my blog today.

the veg artist said...

I'm going to whisper this - "My husband does the supermarket shop" - and he's really good at it. Like you, though, I enjoy the putting-away process. I have a tall larder cupboard, with every label facing front. Sad, but I love it!

MorningAJ said...

Corned beef please!

I really must try online shopping one day.

Em Parkinson said...

I'm a complete convert too Pat. They are coming tomorrow between 1.00 and 3.00 which is the cheapest slot at £2.00. It would cost me double that in diesel and, despite the sometimes bizarre substitutions, the whole experience is a joy. I think it's amazing they come out this far into the sticks. They must be mad but I'm not complaining!

JaneKirsti said...

I am enjoying your blog and think that we are not so different, really. We call your granny's bonnets columbine flowers, but bought the blue and after years, all are pink. I don't like shopping, and use online services where I can. Thank you for visiting GriggsDakota.

shadypinesqltr said...

I wish we had that option in my neck of the woods. I just got home from grocery shopping and I'm ready for a nap. The only food delivery available here is a frozen food truck called Schwan 's but the prices are high.
My son does all their food shopping on Saturdays while his wife cleans house. They've done it for years -very organised!

Lana said...

I am an avid reader of Griggs Dakota and just happened to see your post in her comments today so I thought I would wander over here to "meet you"...
Oh my goodness...how charming. I haven't even read enough to find out where you live, but just the beauty of your speech is wonderful. I grew up around parents that spoke well, however, living in Texas now, there is hardly a soul around me now that carries such charming speech...
I can see I will be a regular here as well...
ps...I have one of those "high-powered jobs" and I have to agree with you...(in Texas slang..."it ain't what it's cracked up to be!"

Elizabeth said...

We have something called "Fresh Direct" here and it is bliss.
No more toting ketchup and orange juice and beer and sugar and cans of beans up to the apartment.
We get 'free' delivery - I think we paid for a year in advance.

I prefer to buy my meat and fresh veggies from 'real' shops but all the dull heavy stuff just magically appears -and the drivers/delivery guys are very polite.
So glad you have it in England too.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

I like the simple pleasures too - like arranging the pantry shelves for a new load of food to come in - though we don't have delivery here, my husband does the grocery shopping, he is very thrifty and not as apt as I am about impulse buying - though he tends to bring me flowers when he shops (and I never complain about that).

I like all the things about staying home - as a retiree - the simple things I can do each day - the choices I have - no rushing about to get someplace - I wish others could enjoy this too and see what a grand place it is to be.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for your comment Lana. Thanks to everyone for visiting too.

Stuart said...

I like your plates.