Concrete Jungle
Below is a blog entry I wrote on November 19th. I have not posted it until now because we have been having issues with our internet and computer. You may be happy to know that I have since stopped searching for the illusive baby formula at our local Walmart-- One: because I don't need it anymore (yea!!) and Two: because I now know that it is located by the checkout aisle. hmmm. I would have never looked there!
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I am enjoying getting to know our new home, but my 3+ hour trip to Walmart today almost did me in. It is only 4.5 miles from my home, but somehow it took me 20 minutes to find the parking lot. Once I got in the store, I was pleased to find that I didn't immediately feel "turned around". Have you ever walked into a different store (same chain, different store) and discovered that the whole store seems turned around: The grocery aisles are where the pharmacy should be and the check out lines are on the wrong end? This happens to me most every time I walk into a new Walmart. I get used to the one in my town, then I move and have to figure out a new one. It's just another adjustment to make in a life of frequent relocation. Anyway, like I said, I was glad that I did not immediately feel discombobulated. Key word: IMMEDIATELY. It did come, eventually. Most likely because this Walmart has two floors--Yes, two floors! The first floor was grocery, pharmacy, paper goods, cleaning supplies, hygiene products, etc. The second floor contains the clothes, home goods, do it yourself supplies, baby supplies, shoes, crafts, etc. Needless to say, it took me much longer to accomplish my shopping list! Of course they had to put the baby section on the top floor in the very opposite side of the elevators (oh yeah, they have elevators and escalators that accommodate your shopping cart). I had two highly annoying experiences during my first Walmart endeavor. The first was the absence of the baby formula. I searched the baby section high and low and STILL could not find the baby formula. You would think it would be in the baby food section, but it wasn't! Thankfully, I am not out of formula right now because I never found the formula. Where else could it be? The second annoyance was when I was looking for some window suction hooks. I went to the craft section on the second floor and could not find them. I finally found someone working there and asked her where they could be. She told me they are in the "Kids Crafts" section on the bottom floor in the back of the store. Of course. Silly me, checking in the "adult" craft section. Funny! Oh well! I know it will get easier the more I practice! : )
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog today...as I usually do. Most people from the midwest have no idea what it's like to live out east - and vice-versa. We are from the east and moved to the midwest. Believe me, the adjustments aren't any easier! It's really interesting, though, and in the same country there can be such diverse cultures among the people. What an interesting place we live in! Praise God His grace is oh, so sufficient!
Love you!
Tricia
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You are so descriptive. I feel like I was right there with you. By now you probably know the store from front to back, upstairs and downstairs? What a riot!!
Hugs, Linda
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I believe that Wal-Mart keeps the baby formula near the checkouts for security reasons. Pricey baby formula + big diaper bag = shoplifting. It's too bad because it does make it hard to find!
It's good to have you back posting again!
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