I really should be doing 100 other things but. . . For those you have been in the military you will know that the Commissary is just the grocery store on post. Chris and I are devoted Commissary shoppers. I think we are in the minority in this area. I know a lot of people that refuse to shop there or hate to shop there for some of the following reasons:
-It does not always have the widest selection or latest products.
-It is chock full of slow retirees. (This is actually a bonus for us. Chris and I both really love senior citizens.)
-Around paydays it can be ridiculously crowded.
-It is not unheard of for them to be completely sold out of a common item such as bread.
-The baggers work only for tips, therefore you feel obligated to tip them.
-I'm sure I could add a few more reasons but I think these are the most common complaints.
The biggest advantage is that it is way cheaper if you buy name brands. Also if you live on post it is convenient because it is the closest grocery store. Chris and I were delighted to find that there is an Air Force base here in Tucson and thus a commissary!!! It is a bit of a drive for us but worth it to us for our bi-monthly big shopping trips. Now the Air Force has the best of everything where it comes to the creature comforts of its families so this commissary is huge.
Yesterday, we made a trip to the commissary and it was a particularly fun trip! The retirees were out in full force and full of the holiday spirit!
Ashlyn was singing a song she had made up that basically just repeated I love Christmas over and over. This was greatly appreciated by our fellow shoppers. Particularly one lady who joined in for a duet with her. Ashlyn, being the unfriendly little gal she is, promptly stopped and and looked annoyed. Apparently she wanted to sing a solo and this lady was stealing her thunder. I am afraid she is usually a bit of a disappointment to these folks. =)
Ashlyn was lovingly holding a bag or festive green and red marshmallows while sitting in the cart. When an older gentleman whipped by in his motorized shopping cart and with much glee mock snatched them from her. He said, "Oh, are these marshmallows for me?!?" Now Ashlyn was not nearly as amused by this as he and I were. She gave him a look that could have killed a lesser man. Then went into a fetal position around the bag of marshmallows. We shared a hearty laugh though!
Next was a little lady who was trying to snag the last bottle of maraschino cherries on the top shelf with her cane! This act stopped me in my tracks because it was a comical sight as she hopped up and down trying to get that jar of cherries. (I am often called on while shopping to help those who are vertically challenged.) I really was rooting for her and wanted to see if she could succeed. But my better sense won out and told me this would probably end messily or even possibly in injury. This is where I stepped up and came to her rescue by getting that much wanted jar of cherries. =D I was profusely thanked and wished a Merry Christmas.
Then there were just the usual various individuals who love small children and are looking for a little conversation. It is always a great reminder to slow down and smell the roses. I have had so many ladies wistfully tell me to fully enjoy the time while my children are small because it passes so quickly. And that I will look back on it as the best time of my life. (What?!?!? I thought that was supposed to be high school?!? Just kidding.)
Chris was particularly thrilled to be there after a recent trip to a local grocery store chain called Fry's. He became unhinged over the prices. He vowed never to step foot inside this store ever again and I was forbidden to ever shop there. Periodically he would joyfully shout out prices to me and remind me of what they had wanted at Fry's. The bread we buy was $3.50 at Fry's. At the commissary it was $1.50 AND there was a nice vendor handing out coupons for .50 cents off!!! What can I say? We love a good buy! I guess we are just old people at heart and like being surrounded by our peeps.
8 comments:
I completely agree! We only shop at the commissary to...and in Hawaii it makes a BIG difference!
I can totally relate!! I get a lot of the same when Liam and I go to the commissary...I think it is so sweet that the "retirees'" even want to talk and interact with us...I love it although Liam will usually either try to hide his face or just sit and look at them and then of course happily say bye when we leave =)
Ha. Welcome to Arizona. Ridiculously high priced foods, people who drive too fast on roads with speed limits of 75, and happy senior citizens during winter because it's 80 degrees outside and they don't have to defrost themselves when they get home.
Too funny! I love the way you write.
Yes, all those things you mention about the commissary are true, BUT, like you said, you save a ton of money, so it's all worth it. Glad you found a place where you can feel "at home". We plan to make a 2 hr drive to Hill for their commissary at least once a month.
I am a devoted commissary buyer, purchaser, whatever you call them. Now that I am living with my parents and I go grocery shopping with my mom at the local grocery store, I will always say, "oh you can get this jar of whatever so much cheaper at the commissary" I miss it! We live about 45 minutes away from Hill Air force base, so sometimes I take my mom there. Even in Germany their commissary is great! You just can't beat it. :)
Oh I really do miss the commissary in CO! Now with all our allergies I don't know if it would help me much, but they always had the best prices!
This was so funny! I love a good buy, too. I really get a thrill and Vernon just rolls his eyes and laughs at me. I got a Eddie Bauer diaper bag for $5.99 and it seriously made my week!
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