I have to get the taste of last night's post out of my mouth. I was going to take it down, but dontcha hate it when you go to the trouble of leaving a well thought-out comment, then it gets pulled without explanation?
Talking of doom and gloom, last night (17th October) they put up the Christmas lights in our street. They used to change the design every couple of years, but we have had the same set ever since the beginning of the austerity period. Rumour has it we will have the same set for at least another 10 years.
I have taken to shopping more at Lidl, even though Waitrose is right on our doorstep. Most things are half the price of Waitrose and just as good. Waitrose is going down the drain due to piss-poor management.
I was in Lidl the other day, and I heard heard a woman say, "I love it when they put out the Christmas stuff!" as she pointed to a stack of things which sparkled red and green in the aisle.
Christmas in October? No, no, no. Just no. It's far too early!
ReplyDeleteI just read your post from yesterday and wanted to tell you that I hope you're feeling better and a little more hopeful today. For what it's worth, here's a virtual hug and a kiss or two.... oxx
Thank you Jennifer. I can't see it getting any better but I am hoping I will deal with it.
DeleteI went in LIdl once and didn't like it. I look over at them, they seem to be everywhere, and can't face going in, I get a sort of paralysis and then I walk into Waitrose.
ReplyDeleteLidl has improved greatly. Much of its stuff is British too. They go up and Waitrose goes down, but its prices go up.
DeleteWaitrose and Lidl are our stores of choice: Waitrose for food, Lidl for cleaning products and some tinned fruit (often better than fresh, especially the peaches - yes, we eat tinned fruit occasionally, puts us in the same age bracket, I suppose, to those who liked corned beef and salad cream!)
DeleteMargaret P
I always think of Deadwood when I see tinned peaches.
DeleteI often shop at two different grocery stores, One for canned / boxed items because they are a lot cheaper, and the other for fresh items because they have better quality. Both stores are in my closest small town, so it isn't a huge inconvenience. I do not like when Christmas items are put out ridiculously early. We have enough winter here as it is. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteI used to shop like that, but the fresh stuff has improved greatly.
DeleteFor whom are the two spare niches being reserved?
ReplyDeleteH.I. and me.
DeleteThat's what I dreaded.
DeleteI have seen people putting up Christmas lights but I am hoping it is just because it is easier to do it in warmer weather and they won't be turned on until a more appropriate time.
ReplyDeleteThe world is in a malaise, but things can change quickly. Don't give up on yourself. There are many that care about you.
There are too few teams putting up all the lights so they start earlier and earlier. Cuts again.
DeleteOur shop windows are gradually being taken over by the twinkling stuff (as the spring bulbs sell out actually) and almost every shop has Christmas cards but unless it changes this year Santa comes round on the first Saturday in December and turns on the street decorations. If it is any earlier I shall make a formal protest.
ReplyDeleteWe get B list local celebrities to turn ours on. It was supposed to be Rolf Harris one year, but he got detained.
DeleteI think that Christmas has been arriving in the shops in October for a good few years now ..... try and ignore it until you are ready to be festive. We don’t have a Lidl near us. I often shop with Ocado ...... Waitrose and Ocado products delivered to your door, free delivery if you choose the right slot, money back if it goes above Tesco’s prices and they take back carrier bags for recycling from anywhere and reimburse you 5p per bag on any carrier bag not just Ocado ones ! I have very rarely had any bad quality products and, if anything is bad quality, they give you your money back. Keep smiling Tom ..... Venice awaits ! XXXX
ReplyDeleteWe don't need delivery of course but I've been tempted to get Waitrose to drive the 20 yards.
DeleteXmas gear already out? Too soon.
ReplyDeleteI hear Lidl has made its way to our shores as well. -back East, I think. I'd imagine one could find some decent German product there as well.
Lots of German. Frankfurters etc.
DeleteMost of us tend to moan about "Christmas coming too early" when all the tat appears in the shops, but I am a woman of a certain age and I can remember it was always thus. Really. My parents had a newsagent's shop and as soon as the kiddied toddled off back to school for the Autumn term (early Sept) the Christmas stock began to arrive in our shop and was put on display, and this was the same in all the other shops in our village (a large village, more like a small town.) And I'm not speaking of the the 1980s, the 1970s, even the 1960s but the 1950s!!! We seem to be constantly surprised when Christmas things go on sale in October, but as I say, it was always thus. Well, since I was a child anyway!
ReplyDeleteMargaret P
Yes I suppose so.
DeleteWaitrose is more socially conscious than other organisations and so I like them. But they need to match some really low prices here and there, just so you feel you're really getting a bargain. I did get some very nice totally free yogurt yesterday cause of my Waitrose loyalty card actually.
ReplyDeleteThey try to reflect the values of the middle classes. Their 'Essentials' range can be amusing.
DeleteI shop in Waitrose as it is only a few minutes away by car in the town, and have never been in a Lidl.....(I think there is one about 15 mins away ) I agree that Waitrose is not the great store it was a few years ago. Very poor management of the car park is one particular gripe of mine and not having a specific ingredient on the day is another. However, I have been going there for about 30 yrs since it opened and know many of the staff almost like friends. It is quite a small branch so not got room for everything.
ReplyDeleteI was horrified yesterday to find that the council are already putting the Xmas decs up on the lampposts ! We had the Xmas cards in the Oxfam shop a few weeks ago!
Waitrose is always running out of basics.
DeleteWe have the dreadful Halloween first, shops laced with black and orange tat. I have just ordered my Christmas jumper and PJs for this year.
ReplyDeleteI used to like Halloween. Now it is black and orange as you say.
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