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bizarre and strange

 Made a quick trip to the grocery store as we prepare for another weekend of indoors, this time because of snow. (Weeks 1 - ice and covid, week 2- snow).

Between the crazy weather creating havoc with road conditions and the uproar in the supply chain since covid began, our grocery stores are once again putting out quotas on what you can buy. No more than 2 packs of meat, toilet paper, or milk per person. Thankfully that doesn't impact us, but it does make me wonder what large families are doing. Do they make multiple trips, or ask smaller families like us to purchase extra and share?  Sugar continues to only be available in a 10 lb bag, apple juice is almost non-existent, crackers and salt were almost totally gone.  I'm not longer shocked by the sight of empty shelves. I simply take note of what it is so I can keep an eye out for it somewhere else should it be an item we need.

I actually bought straws at Sam's Club yesterday. I don't like buying items like that in bulk, but Target has now been out of them for almost 3 months.  Sometimes Food Lion has them; sometimes they don't. It made more sense to purchase them at the cheaper price and to know Bobby would have what he truly needs when he needs it.  I know some of the straw issue is an environmental one, but for us it extremely helpful and almost necessary. 

Usually when I leave the grocery store I try to give thanks that in our land of plenty our shelves are not bare; we just have a few bald spots. And usually there is a similar item to purchase, even if it is limited quantity and not a brand we've used before. But today I left feeling uneasy, and I'm not sure why. Perhaps the spoiled American in me wants things to return to the overabundant, multiple choice, carefree lifestyle we used to have. Maybe I'm recognizing warning signs of what might be to come. It's possible my brain has been drawn to the Ukraine situation and a little amazed/alarmed the local news actually introduced the Uighyer problem in China this morning.  While I found their story barely touching the surface and extremely naive, the fact they told it all after almost 5 years of events makes me wonder if the world is slowly waking up and we are heading into things few alive today have witnessed.

But pondering all these things are not going to help me clean the house or get things ready for my sister-in-law's baby shower next weekend. I'm stepping out of my comfort zone and making the crib sheets, diaper bag, teething guard and changing pad cover for the nursery. All things I've never done before.  I'm excited for the opportunity, but a little concerned I might mess things up. And if I do, thank God for etsy. :)

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