Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Empty Shelves

I just thought I would pop in here and update you on my trip to the grocery store this morning. I was there a little after 5 AM only to find out that they were not opening until 7 AM. This is normally a 24 hour grocery store so I was surprised. There was already a line of people waiting to go in that stretched across the entire front of the store. I got back into my car and went to a different grocery store. The prices are significantly higher than my preferred place to shop, but at least they were open.

For those of you who haven’t been shopping lately, those stories on the news are not exaggerating. The shelves were all but empty. I came home with less than half of my list and it wasn’t a very long list to begin with. There is one aisle that is usually filled with canned vegetables, fruit and juice. There was not one can of vegetables or fruit to be found and only two bottles of the exact juice that I needed to get to take with my medication. I only bought one bottle and left one for someone else, but seriously that was the only thing on that entire long aisle. I truly feel that God put that juice there for me because he knew of all the things on my list, I really needed it.

No flour, sugar, actually I could just go on and on. I have never seen anything like it. Sam just suggested on my last post that next time I do a call in order and either pick it up or have it delivered and I think that’s what I’ll do.  All I really needed was some fresh items like milk, bread, eggs and the juice. I was just going to pick up a few other things to round out our cupboard but I guess not. We may have some interesting meals but we will not starve.  And there was lots of ice cream. So I bought ice cream!

I should have taken some photos but honestly I was just shellshocked. You’ve probably all seen very similar pictures on the news and online anyway

I did start a new baby blanket this afternoon. It’s not very big yet! Ha!

Would you all like to see a picture of Piper?  That always cheers me up!

Their neighborhood sent out a message to everyone saying that since the kids couldn’t do anything fun for St. Patrick’s Day at school, they suggested putting shamrocks in the window so they could take walks and count the shamrocks and know that they were all thinking of each other. Here is Piper on her walk this afternoon counting shamrocks on her little clipboard.  I think it must be cold!

Stay safe out there everyone!

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”  Hebrews 13:16

Blessings,
Betsy

24 comments:

  1. So glad you were able to get your juice so that you can take your medication. Our stores are like yours. Fortunately, our regular monthly shopping was the week before things got bad so we were all stocked up. We did go back in last Thursday for eggs, milk and bread... we went to Aldi in the morning and things were not bad but a friend shared photos from her afternoon shop and most shelves were empty. Your Piper is adorable and what a fun idea the shamrocks were! Stay safe and healthy.

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  2. Sorry you had to get up so early to be disappointed in the store! Dayle has been going out with long lists getting in everything we need for a long "shelter in place" time. When he gets home I bring up the list on my computer and we delete all he's gotten and then print up an updated list. I'm going to do a post tomorrow sharing our pantry - he went through the whole thing and threw away all out-dated items and organized all the new goods we have. That baby blanket is so fluffy looking! What pattern is that? I'm still plugging away on my Dune blanket for Paige. They say the rain is coming back and I'm disappointed that our sun will go back into hiding. Take care my friend and stay home!! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  3. I heard they are trying to restock soon.

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  4. Our shelves look like that too.

    I've been brainstorming interesting dinner ideas and cooking things I haven't thought of for years. Ham and cabbage with Irish Soda bread for dinner tonight and the only thing I had to buy was the ham. So --- all good for me.

    Hope things settle down soon.

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  5. They did the shamrock walk in a bigger city here also! You are so right on the shelves being bare! Glad the Lord had a bottle of the juice you needed!
    Hugs

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  6. Store shelves are empty here as well - no fresh, frozen, or canned veggies. I did find some bananas and popcorn - what a combo! I purchased a thermometer this afternoon when the pharmacy called to tell me they got a shipment. That’s the one item I definitely needed and wanted. Now, I can stay home without worry.

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  7. Two of our local grocery stores and at least one pharmacy are reserving the first hour of the day only for the elderly and the immune-conpromised. Great idea especially for those of us who wake up early anyway.

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  8. So glad you were able to find the juice you need, Betsy! I went for groceries on Friday and got a head of cabbage because they were out of iceberg lettuce. So today I cooked the last of my little potatoes with a carrot and a slice of cabbage with a little ham I had left in the freezer which seemed appropriate for St. Patrick's Day and gives me enough to freeze some portions. The baby blanket you started is handsome! I will try to knit some rows tonight on the little blanket I started weeks ago. What a good idea to go on a shamrock hunt! 💜🙏🧶

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  9. Same experience here and we only went to out local Mom and Pop grocery down the street. My sister had already told us the big chains in town are empty too. The big chains have suspended all of our online pick up and delivery due to "fluctuating supplies".

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  10. I wouldn’t say our shelves are empty here in FL, but there are certainly gaps. I had to buy more expensive organic chicken broth, so I guess everyone is making chicken soup! The grocery stores have started hours for 65 and up shoppers to keep them safer and less stressed.

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  11. Aw, little Piper! How precious! I love her little doll and carriage. She is such a dear, little girl, and you can sure tell she is being raised right. Oh, my heart just breaks over all that is going on in our world. Did you ever think you would see such things in America? To walk in a grocery store with empty shelves. Unbelievable. You know, it is so amazing, but I look back over recent events in our lives, and it now becomes clear to me why God has had us go through certain hardships. He was preparing us to better cope with what is going on now. I trust He will see all of us through all that is going on. Praying for you and your family, dear friend.

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  12. Sweet picture of Piper --and what a good idea about putting Shamrock pictures in their windows around the neighborhood...

    I don't understand hoarding AT ALL.... Even though I try SO SO SO hard to stay positive, I just feel so sorry for people who need some of these items and cannot get them. The hoarders are SO inconsiderate --only thinking of themselves... OKAY--nuff said about that. This morning I saw a bit of SUNSHINE --and that made me smile!!!! We haven't seen the sun here in awhile --and the rains are coming back tonight. SO--that sun was GORGEOUS early this morning!!!

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  13. Oh Little Miss Piper mades me smile. She is always so happy. I am glad you were able to get your juice. Hubby was able to find a two four packs of TP. He got one for us and left the other pack on the shelf for someone else. No one else might not know about the good deeds that good people do, but He does. If we keep our eyes on Him, it will all work out in the end. We have some interesting things in our pantry as well. We are about to find out what hot dogs, cake mix and some cabbage can be made into. :) Feeling very blessed and counting all my blessings....because there might be some that don't even have that. I have you in my prayers dear friend. Always. :) Blessings.

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  14. Piper is so cute! I hope she had fun counting shamrocks☘☘☘

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  15. I ordered groceries online at a local store so it will be interesting to see what I get. You are right meals could get interesting! Piper looks like she is dressed for the cold and that is a good activity to do outside. I am sure the kids have lots more energy than the adults! Stay safe Betsy:) Thanks for the grocery report!

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  16. What a cute picture of Piper! I can't believe your stores Betsy. Of course, Dee showed pics of empty shelves, but my stores (1/2 hour away from her) were fully stocked! That was last Saturday. Who knows what they are like now. We will need to (try to) pick up some things eventually.

    Saw your thread crochet on your last blog post. WOW! Betsy, you make some incredible and beautiful pieces. I wish I knew how to do that.

    Stay well and take care my friend.

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  17. THat's a darling Idea, and Of Course Seeing PIPER is awesome.
    Betsy get in touch with me of Ravelry please! When you can

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  18. That darling face made me smile Betsy. Our shelves are bare, I can get some canned soup, rice and pasta but no turkey or chicken and of course no paper goods. It is very much like this when we have a hurricane coming, but there is no storm, well at least not a typical storm. Stay well my friend.

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  19. Seen similar in real life here Betsy yes, some folk aren’t def out of kilter! Sad! I’m shoping at a smaller but much better stocked sorts so what if it’s a bit dearer, it’s there. They’re not too bad anyhow. Not inflated just bit dearer.
    I go at quiet times, cdertaunky not that early our supermarkets are opening at 7am and 7 to 8 is for folks with gov health care or pension card. I could go then but not from what I’ve seen or heard would I bother, not only that I’m too unwell then.
    Cute little Piper, how that girl is growing up. I remember her when she was about 18 mths r 2 an dnot well, you wouldn’t know that now!
    God is very good, may we always recall that!
    Thanks for being a blessing, and may God bless you too, especially in these troubled times, may we look up in faith! Praying you’re all kept well too!
    Hugs, Shaz in Oz.x 😊

    {Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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  20. I have not been to the store yet as I still have plenty but there will be things I need this next week probably. I don't expect bare shelves but then I have no idea. I'll be doing pickup and online I am hoping they tell you if they are out of something. Great idea about the St. Patrick's Day count. Piper is getting tall! They grow up so fast! I love your baby blanket...such pretty colors! Stay well!

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  21. I love the idea of the children putting shamrocks in the window. That is so sweet!

    I hope the stores get a good supply soon, so you are able to get what you need.

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  22. It's really bad here at the stores... such a fiasco. Not one necessity on any shelf. // Hi, Piper! *waves at Piper* Glad to see you out in the fresh air with your sweet little babydoll. Hope you found a lot of shamrocks!

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  23. Hey Betsy. I am a little late seeing this post. The store shelves are empty here too. My husband and I were standing at the front door of Walmart at 6:30 last Friday morning waiting for them to open. Have never done that before. We needed a few groceries and paper products. We haven't been hoarding anything. :) Thought if we got there early we would find what we needed. They were out of most of the things we needed.

    Betsy, thank you for the nice comment on my post today. I may owe you an apology. I mentioned your back pain in replying and later was thinking, oops, was I thinking of someone else. I'm sorry. I feel terrible about doing this. Hope you will forgive me.

    Piper is such an adorable child.

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  24. Piper is so cute and I like that name. I have not been in a grocery store in two weeks, I do know there are NO cleaning supplies like Lysol wipes and no toilet paper. I even looked online, none available. My sons are taking turns bringing me groceries, at my age it is best to avoid stores. What a blessing that God provided the juice you needed, and also that you left one of the two bottles for the next person.

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