Wally World

I went to Walmart last night for the first time in almost 2 years. I simply hated to break my streak. It is not that I hate Walmart (there is all that stuff about fishy business practices--i.e., hiring 2 part-time workers rather than one full-time to avoid paying benefits, etc... But they are a cusumer driven business that demands lower prices and they strive to meet that goal however they can.) This would be only one of the reason that I usually choose to shop elsewhere. I also, don't like shopping there. It is rarely a fun experience and leaves me a little stressed out everytime I simply drive through the parking lot. Too crowded. Too much stuff that is not usually what I really want in the first place. But I am preparing to take a trip to W. Africa soon and I needed to stock up on some supplies and what better place to get everything all in one place than Walmart. I was disappointed (or I should say I found exactly what I expected to find, but was hoping for better). Their (sad, I almost spelled it "there" instead of "their"--grammar police is going to get me on that one). hm. Their selection of Bug repellents--not so great (I even check all 3 locations--camping/outdoors, lawn and garden, and bug killers next to laundry detergent)... And although the selection was different in all three places they did not have the one I wanted... pump spray Off Active (sweatproof, waterproof, good Deet concentration) and the Premithen to dip my clothes into--they had some sort of aerosol spray, but not the dip and they had the Off Active in the aerosol or a pump spray of deep woods off. Finally found the sunscreen I wanted. Forgot the batteries, because apparently they are now hiding. They didn't have the type hat I wanted, but I am happy with the sunvisor I did get and a new pair of sunglasses (sadly, not rose colored glasses, but polarized with some great tinting).

The real reason I don't go to Walmart... I always end up with more stuff than my list says that I need... Bubble sticks--really long tubes filled with bubble fun! Little note pad (very pretty blue with flowers on it and elastic to hold it closed). Dog treats (as if they don't have Milkbones galore and really need peanut butter flavored dog cookies). From the clearance row... a Cocomotion machine (they have one at the group home in Adams and it is such a neat device, but totally a one trick pony for the kitchen). I almost picked up a new Beta fish as well. But decided that I would have to clean out the bowl again and I not entirely sure where the drops are for the water--so, I actually resisted an impulse buy from Walmart... Oh, Walmart the nemesis to my savings account!