Well, I make no bones about saying how much I hate Walmart. It's just not my favorite place. I avoid going there at all costs. I've always disliked it a little bit, but since moving to where I live, my dislike has grown tremendously. I don't know what it is, oh wait, yes I do. It's probably due the fact that the Walmarts by my house are old and disgusting. The parking lot smells like fried food (yuck!) and it's filthy. Oh, and I feel like there's a risk of getting mugged. Now, I don't live in the ghetto. But the city I live in does not zone. So you can have a really nice, family-friendly neighborhood right next to a porn shop, or really creepy apartments, etc. Hence, there are scary people at Walmart!
But, given all the reasons I hate Walmart, I also am a sucker for a good deal. So, I find myself there once in a while to get some grocery shopping done. Well, yesterday I finally had some free time to get to the grocery store. Both kiddos had napped and were happy, so it was ideal. But as I pulled into the parking lot of the big W, I felt the dread wash over me. I'm muttering under my breath, "I HATE this place, why do I come here?" I was also in a quandary about which child would ride in the cart and how I was going to get out of there as quickly and painlessly as possible. I was debating whether or not I should leave the baby in her carseat or just carry her in. The first option didn't seem feasible because I needed Holly to ride in the cart as well, and there wasn't room for her, the baby's carseat with the baby in it, and food, too. What to do, what to do. Well, I took the baby out of her carseat, took Holly by the hand, and we headed into the store with the plan of putting the baby in the front of the cart and letting Holly run loose (which is usually a nightmare). We got through the parking lot and into the front door, and there it was...the answer to my problem. Walmart had a new kind of grocery cart for someone just like me. It was a normal-sized cart, with a baby seat in the front on the right side and the regular seat next to it for Holly. I couldn't believe my luck. Finally, a grocery cart that makes sense! (I usually steer clear of the grocery carts with the baby seats because they usually look disgusting, but these looked pretty clean, and hey, I was desperate!)
So, short story made very long. We survived our trip to Walmart. We were in and out in no time, no tantrums occurred (by me or the kids), and our fridge is now nicely stocked for the next week or two. So, maybe I won't dig my heels in everytime I have to brave Walmart. Or maybe I will...either way, I'm sure I'll go back, and I'll be grateful for that grocery cart that at least makes my kids more manageable.
15 comments:
I am so the same way. I hate shopping, but then mix it in there with Walhole..as I like to call it, and it makes me in a bad mood. I am glad that you found an occasion at Walmart..that ended up being okay!!! You make me laugh!!!
So Funny!! I feel the same way about that place. I actually love that you can get a lot of things for not too much. D and I call it trashmart. I know really nice eh? But hey, even ours here are disgusting!
Please explain to me how you are able to do enough grocery shopping in one trip to make it last two weeks!!?!?!! Is there anything you aren't wonderful at?
My dad refuses to go to Walmart. When we were in UT we would go to the one in Springville before we'd head to the sick one in Orem. Walmart is still sick in Canada. I make my trips there few and far between if I can - but, dang it diapers are totally cheaper there! Glad you had a good moment!
I think Walmart is terrible anywhere you go. Then it goes and sucks you in with their great prices. It's a Love Hate relationionship with everyone I think!
I stand by my statement that Wal Mart represents [to me] the Decay of Western Society...but all that aside, I appreciate a good find for a mom in need--especially if you got in on it while it was still new and "untouched by human hands," as I like to say. (I love new carts.)
I get the glorious pleasure of working inside the Wally world (at a financial institution). Luckily the one here in Payson is not to run down yet, but we do get some very interesting characters here. In addition to the outfits, the smells one experiences sometimes are beyond belief. I agree with you on that.
What is it about Walmart? I know it can be gross but I find myself there so often. Yes I am a Walmart shopper. What can I say. I sure enjoyed reading your experience though. I haven't seen any of those carts here but I need one that will CONTAIN five kids. Let me know when you see one of those.
I hear you! At home in Las Vegas, we refer to our trips to Wal-Mart as a cultural experience (and not a good one). And no matter how nice the store itself is, it is still Wal-Mart. I can't wait until Mason is off their infant formula. That is the only reason we go.
Hey, is anyone out there invited to see Melinda's newly private blog? Or am I the only one NOT invited??? Just wondering. :) No pressure Min...
I HATE wal-mart...I think it's from KY...it was ghetto there too! The grocery store in Louisvill had those grocery carts...I never had to use one! But I can see now with 2 kids how much I would have wanted to use one! The only problem with them is that there only seems to be a few and it would be my luck to go when all the other moms would go!!!!
I must admit that I have found some pretty good stuff at walmart... but I hate that place none the less. THe produce is the worst! I'm glad you had a non-horrific experience this time :)
I am too a sucker for a good deal, so I find myself at Walmart from time to time. I tend to spend less money if I go there rather than Target, because I LOVE everything at Target!! Glad you guys are going home for Christmas, we will miss you! This year we are sticking around here, but I hope we will connect up again soon!
that is so funny, annie. i too have a hard time with walmart but it is more because of the principle behind the whole thing. have any of you seen those very revealing documentaries about walmart? anyway, that is some eye opening material. or maybe i'm just a nerd because i love documentaries. anyway, i can't deny that i do go everytime i go home. no walmarts in new york. its cheap and a one stop shopping place so it absolutely has its perks. :)
Amazing the things we are now thankful for. . . a special kind of grocery cart? What happened to our care-free high school days?! I feel your dread!
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