I do my main grocery shopping late Sunday nights around 11pm.  It isn’t because I like the strung out addicts that are roaming the isles or lack of staff at the store, it’s not for the adrenaline rush of getting to and from my car safely in a dimly lit empty parking lot nor is it for the messy shelves and sparse produce after a big day of shoppers taking advantage of the fresh advertisements.  I don’t do it because I enjoy getting home to a dark, quiet house with no help to unload the groceries while I lug them up 2 flights of stairs and I don’t do it to deprive myself of sleep.  This is really my best attempt at simple economics, if I shop after everyone is in bed the food will last longer.  Sunday nights are another key point because 9 months out of the year they will be in school the next day and no one will be home between 7am and 3:30pm to intermittently rummage through the pantry.  It is almost a labor of love bordering on mild insanity that stirs in my brain.

There are several perks to the theory that I have found over the decades beyond my initial economic strategy.  The obvious is how quiet the store is, no fussing kids (this includes mine), there are no lines, I can think clearly while I shop and stay focused on the needs of the house – not get caught up in the desire, I always have a prime parking spot in front, the limited employees are actually happy to see me and despite the extra effort of loading and unloading groceries without my family to pitch in, I would be lying if I didn’t admit I like the calm that comes with this late night outing.  Oh and I also get to pick the radio station, sing all the words wrong as loud as I want with zero criticism. 

There is one thing that always makes it into my cart that no one asks for.  I don’t really know if anyone even likes them, I have never asked.  It is a box of Golden Graham cereal.  I LOVE them.  Really, really, truly love Golden Graham cereal.  Here is the interesting part and probably another indicator of my motherhood induced insanity – I never eat them, not even one straight out of the box.  I don’t think any of my kids could tell you that they have ever seen me eat a bowl of Golden Grahams.  I buy a box because I want my kids to enjoy a cheap bowl of fulfilling happiness.   I am positive if I poured myself a bowl it would never stop.  I would eat the entire box, which could include literally the box!  So I stay away from this obsession but continue to support the brand.  I am mentally saving up for a day when my kids are grown and on their own, then I will go ballistic on Golden Grahams.  It may be all I eat when I reach my 80’s. Until then I have to stay healthy, eat my veggies and do my part to keep them in business to reach this milestone in good form.  It’s you and me Golden Grahams, count on it!