Thursday Thirteen #467

 My typical Target run. There's a Target store just around the corner and up the block. I stop there several times a week. This does not reflect my shopping list. These are the impulse purchases and what I grab when I run out.  Here are the 13 things they tell me I pick up most often.

1. Goldfish Crackers. I do mix it up, however. Sometimes I go with Original, sometimes Flavor Blast, and I've just discovered Pizza flavor. 

2. Raisins. I'm trying to snack on these more often than cookies or the aforementioned crackers. 

 

3. Tuna in a pouch. This is not for me. Last fall, my church opened a pantry on the porch of the rectory. It is available 24/7 for neighbors who are homeless or don't wish to go to the "official" local food pantry, likely because they are undocumented and ICE sucks. I like to leave this because it works whether or not you have your own kitchen. 

 

4. Green beans. This is for the "official" local food pantry. Whereas for my church's porch pantry I go for convenience, I select more nutritious foods for the "official" food pantry, whose clients are able to cook at home. Also, I try to grab something for the food pantry every time I go to Target. That way I can gradually accumulate a bag of non-perishables without noticing any impact on my budget.

 

5. Sweet peas. These are for me. Love 'em.

  

6. Coca Cola. I prefer the 7.5 oz. mini cans.

 

7. Skim milk. In the 52-oz. bottle. If I buy the gallon, I end up pouring milk down the sink and that makes me sad.

 

8. Post Great Grains Banana Nut Crunch. I go through phases with my cereal. I believe I'm transitioning to my Apple Cinnamon Cheerios era.

 

9. 4-oz baby food tub of peas. Again for the food pantry. Since I don't have a car, I like to buy things that are easy for me to both get home from the store and then carry to the donation spot. And maybe I'm trying to inspire a new generation of pea lovers.

 

10. Fragrance-free skin baby wipes. These are for me, but you can see why Target sends me notifications whenever they have "baby stuff" on sale.

 

11. 100% pure canned pumpkin. For my cats. They love it, and it helps keep them regular.

 

12. Nilla Vanilla Wafers. Because I am weak and often tempted by something less nutritious than raisins.

 

13. Batteries. I lumped the AAs (TV remotes) in with the AAAs (shower radio). It would probably be more economical if, instead of packages of 4 or 6, I just bought the big 20+ packs. (Note to self: Add batteries to grocery list.) 

How about you? What do you run out of?

Please join us for THURSDAY THIRTEEN. Click here to play along, and to see other interesting compilations of 13 things.

Gratitude Challenge: Day 17

I first took this challenge in November 2014 and I think now is a good time to revisit it. Click here for a list of the Gratitude Challenge prompts.

Day 17: Something that makes me smile Today I am grateful for my local classic movie couple: Bob and Patricia. Everything about them makes me smile. First, there's how we met. We happened to be crossing Hollywood Blvd. at the same at the TCM Film Festival and discovered we live within blocks of one another! Then there's how they look. They are both tall and cute in a cornfed, Midwestern way. 

Most important, they make me smile because we vibe. We had lunch today, and when I suggested George's – the old-school local coffee shop that has hit hard times – because I want to throw it some incremental business, they immediately said, "of course!" They have an elderly dog they have built their lives around, so nothing I did earlier this year to help save my Connie Cat even made them blink. Last week, after a night of violent storms, they helped their neighbors capture and rescue a wet and frightened kitten (who now has a home with a grade school teacher). We talked classic movies, the Cubs, and our personal transitions to retirement. Our little lunch lasted more than three hours, and every moment made me smile.

 

Gratitude Challenge: Day 16

I first took this challenge in November 2014 and I think now is a good time to revisit it. Click here for a list of the Gratitude Challenge prompts.

Day 16: Something that makes me laugh Today I am grateful for the gang from Central Perk. I switched from the rather disappointing (Col 5 - Cubs 2) game to the Friends marathon on Nick at Nite and I was happy again.