Apparently when I said “pictures coming tomorrow,” I really meant “pictures coming possibly Monday or maybe in November.”
The apartment is clean enough now. My clothing is no longer in a giant pile in the bedroom and I have cooked actual meals in the kitchen now. We have done things like sit on the couch and read. I even have a library card now (you can check out an unlimited amount of items. As in. . . there is no limit. Coming from my 15 item library in Texas, I almost kissed the librarian).
But there’s this – our house is still kind of jammed with things that are posted to Craigs List but have not been sold or picked up yet. Which means we have random stuff piled up in the corners. And I am too vain to show you pictures of my almost lovely home when it still has motorcycle helmets perched on top of the bookcase and a tiny TV sitting in the kitchen chair.
In more boring moving news, the other night we went to the grocery store. I had been nervous about finding a grocery store I liked here as I loved H-E-B more than was probably healthy. I loved the layout of my local one, the cheap store brands, the availability of every item I ever looked for. What could possibly compare?
Then, we went to the store located closest to our apartments, the heavens parted, and the angels sang. It was clean. It had a nice parking lot. The food was inexpensive. The store brands were reasonably priced. Ice cream was as cheap as dirt. All was well in my world.
Is it ridiculous that a good grocery store has so much impact on my happiness in a location? No need to answer that question if you think it’s insane.
Bryan and Christy Clark says
i hate learning new grocery store layouts! Its weird, but I feel a little more at peace knowing I have a friend in a neighboring city that if I was in dire straits while visiting boston I could call! We are DEFINITELY going to see each other! And you could babysit while we go to the temple! =) haha i'm jk!
Sheyenne says
Absolutely not ridiculous. I lived on an island with one crappy Piggly Wiggly grocery store on it, and it was horrible! It does make a difference.
BrittWilk says
no, it is not ridiculous at all. we'll use me as exhibit A on the "unhappy" list. i came from the land of the cheapest food on the planet (provo), to the land of small town food more expensive than las vegas (cedar city). how silly is that? even wal-mart kills me. my poor food budget. needless to say that the main reason i'll be happy to leave cedar – the grocery stores. 🙂
Jennifer Lee says
You are not crazy. I am so excited to get a grocery store within 10 minutes (driving) of my house that we are actually going to the grand opening tomorrow. Hurrah for good grocery stores.
Jess says
I totally understand your vanity. Our house is unpacked but I still haven't posted pictures because it isn't decorated and furnished. I KNOW. I'm ridiculous.
Jenny says
I think if your Craigslist people don't come by soon, you should leave the motorcycle helmet where it is, and maybe move the small tv to the spot on the back of your toilet, and then just pretend they belong. And I'm glad you found ice cream within your budget. Because, hello, how else would you combat this horrific spell of hazy, hot and humid? (And come planting season, if you have to buy dirt, you might want to try planting your seedlings in ice cream. Because dirt's not so cheap here.)
Elizabeth says
I swear, I had to leave Nebraska because of the bad groceries and the bad library. Major deal breakers, both of them.
Emily says
Can't wait to see your new place. Glad you guys made it and are getting settled. If you have a Trader Joes nearby you should definitely check it out. Not everything is cheaper but plenty of things are and they have delicious stuff.
lacie tidwell says
ha ha! we STILL have things piled in random places! and we moved two months ago and we have at 2500 sq ft house! hooray for cheap ice cream!
Peaceful Reader says
the photos that went with the previous post (from ralphie) made up for the lack of apt. photos. and I do agree internet hook-up is more important than grocery shopping but a great grocery store is hard to find!
Sarah says
Food is SO EXPENSIVE in Texas – or at least in Round Rock! I am loving it in Phoenix!
Stephanie says
Glad that your move went so well! I had to laugh that you had library card before you found a grocery store!!
There's nothing weird about a good grocery store. We went on vacation last year, and I had to go to a completely different store. No Winn-Dixies in the Midwest. I had such a horrible time trying to find exactly what I wanted!
Melanie says
Getting acquainted really is one of the more difficult things about moving to a new town. It takes twice as long to get the shopping done.
Hope you're loving Boston!
Heather says
congrats on the great find w/the grocery store. Good luck finding a home for everything.
Carly Jane says
I seriously hate learning a new grocery store layout. Here in Cedar the REALLY serious food budgeters go to three different stores, shopping the sales. I can't make myself do it yet… because of the dread of learning three store layouts. I did, however, just barely start going to a closer store to my new apartment. But it's not cheaper. I can't decide if it's worth it to be so much closer or not. Sigh.
Trish says
I desperately miss HEB–we don't have them in Dallas, just the upscale Central Market. It's fabulous, but too expensive for us. Really, I can't imagine that it gets better than HEB–no matter what you say. 🙂
Hope you get settled soon. We've been in our house for two years and I still have boxes that are unpacked (we are in a rental and never planned on staying this long–guess we just got comfortable).
emandtrev says
I totally agree about the grocery store thing. I think that for as much time and money we have to spend, it's just fine to worry about it.
I'm glad your move to Boston went well. I can't wait to see pictures. 🙂
Bean says
I definitely agree that you have to find a good grocery store. One that is clean, close to home, with a nice layout and decent prices is a must!
Miriam says
I am so jealous of your grocery store – food is so expensive here, I detest going shopping. And….you want MORE than 15 books out at a time?
Packrat says
When moving to a city, maybe checking out the local grocery stores (w/a pharmacy?) should be included in the checklist along with churches, schools, and libraries. Having easy access to decent stores makes a huge difference in how one lives.
Post pictures anyway. 🙂 Make some of us "slobs" feel good. LOL
Queen B. says
I just have to agree with you.
I ADORE My Kitchen Cafe's blog !!!!!
craftyashley says
I am simply dying to see your new east coast digs, but I understand the need to have it look right. 🙂 Good luck!
Megs says
I'm jealous of your grocer store experience, but I am coping with mine. Glad things are working out for you too! 🙂