Parenting Under the Stars

We don’t really mind the rain as long as it’s not cold so my son and I went hiking and hit a couple stores. It’s a nice way to spend time together and talk without all the background noise or distractions in the house.

We get a kick out of watching people run in the rain as if they will melt or something. I guess if you just got your hair done and didn’t have an umbrella or something it would be upsetting.

Our last stop was the grocery store and I must have been getting tired because the intent was to grab a snack but instead I remembered we needed more cereal and coffee and left without the main thing I was there for.

I usually follow certain rules once I need more than a couple things and one of them is to make a list. The other of course is not to go hungry. Third, stick to the list. If you don’t have a list and you’re hungry and tired it won’t be a good scene.

Printable Grocery Lists

• If you want a printable list, I like the list and menu planner on Jennifer Wolf’s Single Parents Blog. It lists the headings but not the food which I like because it still helps trigger ideas and half the food on those other lists I never get.

• If you’re really into lists, My Parent Time’s Printable Checklists have tons of them. Some seem sort of useless but many look quite handy so you might find something you could use.

• If you’re using Firefox, they have an add on called Grocery List Generator. I haven’t tried it yet because I have to restart the computer to complete the installation.

I found a bizarre site that has tons of other people’s old grocery lists posted. (GroceryLists.com) Some of them gave me the giggles and a whole book has been written about them. I don’t know why but it was fun looking at people’s multi-colored and crumpled up lists. One simply said to tape Oprah and pick up a cutting board. One guy’s list included a reminder to say goodbye to his wife. So far I haven’t found one that includes the cost so I guess most people just wing it.