I don’t live where I can get groceries delivered. I probably never will unless someone decides to start delivering to this area because, as I’ve said over and over, and probably say all night during my sleep . . I am never moving again!
When COVID first got bad, Vince and I didn’t go out at all. We did grocery pickup three times in 2-1/2 months. Milk was about the only thing we really needed during that time. Then . . either things got better or Vince got less concerned, and he began going to the grocery store. I’ve never gone out much. When Vince was in MO, we went out to eat a few times but I don’t go out much at all when he isn’t here. I still haven’t had a hair cut since February . . and it’s pretty obvious!
Here in MO, I needed so many things, and I needed things I want to look at I went to Walmart a few times. In the beginning they checked customers at the door and everyone had to wear a mask, though some took them off inside and no one said anything. Now, half the people have them on and half don’t.
Thursday morning I was in Walmart, had just made it inside the door and someone behind me was coughing like they were about to die. It was some woman, she walked right by me, within a couple of feet of me, still coughing and not wearing a mask. I don’t even know what to believe and I think it’s pretty obvious from “experts” that no one is even 100% sure masks will guarantee that you are not spreading the disease. Take into account that one time use masks are being worn over and over for months, people are making masks out of materials that were never intended to be used as protective gear and I don’t even know what I think but I do know I am not going out again if I can help it. But . . I wear a mask and would prefer the other people I’m around wear masks. Of course, I’m saying all this and Chad, Nicole and Addie go everywhere and never wear masks unless they’re required to do so (school for Addie) so my biggest exposure probably comes from them.
I’ve had friends whose doctors have told them that they truly expect it to get worse. It seems like the numbers being reported in our area of Texas are improving a lot but here in MO, it’s just awful. The county where we live has some of the highest numbers aside from cities like St. Louis, Springfield and Kansas City.
So, I’m back to ordering my groceries online and picking them up. I told Vince this morning that he can continue to go to the stores if he wants to but for the rest of my days, I’m doing pick up! It is so very easy and I’ve never been unhappy with anything.
I start making an order usually the same day I pick up one order. I got home from picking up my order this morning and a reader left a comment about a scone recipe using cinnamon chips so I added that to my next pickup order. I see a recipe I want to make and if I don’t have all the ingredients, I add what I need to my list and save the recipe.
This morning my pickup time was between 9 and 10. I “checked in” before leaving the house at about 8:45, drove the 5.1 miles to Walmart, got there at 9:00 on the dot, started calling to let them know and the guy walked out with my groceries. I put my window down a little, he asked my name, I asked how he knew it was me — I hadn’t even called in yet and he said “You’re the only person who has checked in for this time slot.” He put the groceries in the back of the car and I was driving away at 9:01. You just can’t beat that. It took about 25 minutes from the time I drove there, got my groceries and drove back and it took that long because almost the entire way, the speed limit is 35 mph.
I ordered two whole chickens, three 1 pound packages of ground beef and a chuck roast and asked that they all be frozen if possible (because I was just going to stick them in the freezer) and they were all frozen.
I saw today in an email I received from Aldi that some of their stores have curbside pickup available but the store here doesn’t so . . it’s Walmart for me til Aldi offers curbside pickup.
Teri says
Better safe than sorry. Everybody wears masks where I live and the restaurants are still only open for drive thru and pickup. They are saying it’s going to get worse 🙁
montanaclarks says
I love Walmart pickup. Our local town folk refuse to wear masks even though it’s mandated by the governor. So, I don’t shop in Big Timber. I buy gas but I don’t go into any of the stores except the new little boutique for coffee with my girlfriends and the people who own it wear a mask. We haven’t eaten in a restaurant in months, we have gotten pickup. We see Michael son and his bunch but they are super careful too. I’m so sad and tired of this–I want “normal” back.
vivoaks says
My daughter does Walmart pickup all the time. When I need something I go to the store. We do have a supermarket here now, so more often than not, I just run to the local store rather than drive the 5-8 miles to the nearest Walmarts. (4 within 20 minutes!!) I hate the masks, but it’s the law of the state in PA that we have to wear them, even though a lot of people don’t. I just do my best to stay away from people without masks, and that’s about all I can do. Last week I made trips to Costco and Sam’s Club the same day, and will now only have to go to the store for bread and milk. I finally got a big pkg of yeast too, so actually don’t even need the bread unless hubby wants something I don’t make! 🙂
Cindy F says
I’m in Utah and we’re in danger of running out of icu beds in the state. There are so many people who see masks as a rights issue and won’t wear them. I also see comments on social media about how covid isn’t that bad and everyone is overreacting. I wear a mask and go to the grocery store but try to go early in the morning when the crowd is small. I’ve not done the curbside yet but if it gets really bad I will. I’ve been putting off getting new glasses but I may have to brave it and get that done. I wish I had done this several months ago.
Judy Laquidara says
Me too on the glasses. I so wish I had gotten them before this all started because I needed new ones then and put it off. Now I REALLY need new ones.
Melinda says
I wish our Walmart had groceries. Our’s has a few aisles of staples but no produce, meat, etc.
Judy Laquidara says
Really? I didn’t realize there were any left without groceries. I feel lucky!
Helen Burdette says
I love Walmart pick up! Check the app, Instacart, Judy. My Instacart will shop for me at Aldi and Target. They deliver to my door
Judy Laquidara says
I’m past their limits . . have to live closer to town for them to deliver.
Tee says
I have no options for delivery either, but do use curbside pick up in a town a bit further out than my regular Walmart. There is an Aldi there too, with no curbside pick up, so I do a pick up order at Walmart for what I can’t get at Aldi and then do a quick run into Aldi to get what I want there. I go early in the morning, with not many people, so it feels better. We have mandated masks here in Minnesota and everyone does wear them and most are wearing them properly, covering their nose. I am not stocking up yet, but after your post yesterday, I will do a stock up order soon. I don’t mind stay-at-home, March and April were just fine. I do think that the states will be reluctant to order stay-at-home this time, so it will be up to each individual family or home to mandate it for themselves. Our positive cases have increased here, with an over 5% rate of positivity, which was just 3% last week. This is not over yet and won’t be. We will still be wearing masks a year from now.
Judy Laquidara says
I’m afraid you’re right. At least masks are starting to feel more normal and I don’t feel like an alien of some kind with it on. Even Addie keeps a mask with her and doesn’t argue about wearing it (unlike her parents).
Barbara says
I used grocery pick up three times between March and June. It took over an hour to make a list on the website, and there were so many things the grocery store didn’t have. I used a higher end store, it was the only one with curb side pickup, and it was $5 for each pick up. I just hated putting away the groceries from those trips! So many bags!
I tried Target. Their curbside pickup is great, they have a new, special area reserved, but their produce selection is limited, even in the stores. In the spring they didn’t have any meat or frozen items available for curbside, but I’ve read that they added more fresh and frozen food options. I’m in Minnesota, I know several people that work at Target HQ, and since they were founded here, we have crazy home town loyalty to Target, so Wal-Mart isn’t an option, lol. I liked Target for staples, and will certainly use it this winter.
I haven’t been to Trader Joe’s since February, same with Aldi. I miss getting the unique things I picked up at these stores.
When I started shopping in person it was refreshing, I could find things on sale, especially meat, and feel like I saved a little bit. Now that fresh produce is more out of season, i can buy apples, oranges, and bananas online. With the rising covid numbers here, I’m ready to go back to curbside pickup.
Judy Laquidara says
I didn’t even know Target sold groceries. There’s one in Joplin but Target is one place I will not patronize. I haven’t shopped in them for years but we did go in the one in Joplin looking for something, left without buying anything and doubt we ever go back. No Trader Joe’s here but I do miss the fun things I found at Aldi. There are three Aldi stores in our vicinity though one is closed for remodeling so I’m hoping when it re-opens, it will be set up for curbside pickup.
I have the Walmart app on my phone and it talks almost no time at all to open it, add what I need to my shopping list and then when I’m ready to check out, the info is all in there so I doubt I spend more than 10 minutes total getting my order done. I get so tired walking up and down the aisles and criss-crossing the store since I’m not familiar with the stores here yet.
Like everything else, some love it and some hate it. Vince likes to pick up everything and inspect it where I grab the first thing I see, add it to my cart and get out as quickly as I can.
Beth S. says
It really has been a crazy year! I found this guide on the Washington State website for info about protection when wearing cloth masks :
https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/WearAClothFaceCovering.pdf
I live near Montreal, Canada, and my kids are back to school. The oldest is in 5th grade, so she has to wear a mask in the hallways and schoolyard, but not in her class, and my youngest, 1st grade, doesn’t have to wear a mask at all.
I live in a really small town (not even a gas station), so there is no chance of grocery delivery. I have a chronic cancer so I’m off of work since March and am not supposed to go shopping or be in closed buildings. My husband has been doing the shopping. I can tell you that there has been more cookies in this house this year than the last 10 years combined. I just discovered a warehouse type grocery store that does curb side pickup. I’ve been using their service for the last month. I make my order online as we start to get low on stuff, then I check their weekly flyer to see the specials. I order about every 2 or 3 weeks, and my hubster gets bread, milk, and fruit on the off weeks. I make bread a couple times a week, but not enough for my toast monsters.
I used to shop online for fabric and yarn, but have been ordering more often now. A box of sock yarn arrived yesterday!
All said, I’m so tired of our new reality. It hurts me to think of all the families that have been affected. I hope that 2021 will be completely different.
Judy Laquidara says
I’m glad you’re taking precautions with your health concerns and wish you the best. Thanks for the link. I definitely hope 2021 will be a better year and though we may never know “normal” as we knew it before, surely things will get better soon.
Liz says
One thing to remember as we go into the winter season is keep your Vitamin D levels up. I recommend that everyone get a lab test done to check your levels. Even though I am out in the sun, I tend to wear long sleeves and a hat and sunscreen, so my numbers were low. My doctor has me taking 10,000 iu a day. BUT, I get lab updates on a regular basis.
I am also getting the pneumonia vaccine shot since I am at that age and lung problems can develop with C19.
I have noticed that I am better at writing down the items needed and what store to go to pick them up. So, my exposure times are shortened. In and out – no leisurely strolls around the store anymore.
Judy Laquidara says
Not long after we moved to Texas, when I was spending LOTS of time in the garden, I was diagnosed with low levels of Vitamin D and had to take an Rx for it. I told the doctor I was surprised since I spent so much time in the sun and he told me that as we get older, our bodies process it less efficiently and it is not uncommon for us older folks to need extra D.
Linda in NE says
I live in a very small town and our grocery store owner delivers on Mondays & Fridays. I haven’t used the service. I need to get out of the house now and then. Store, gas station, post office, library….those are pretty much my only stops. Of course the store is small & doesn’t carry some of the products I use so I venture out to the next bigger town that has two nice, bigger stores. Not a lot of people wear masks though Covid has picked up in our area. We had almost nothing until sometime in August/September after bars opened up again and restaurants started sit-down service again. I feel like we wasted March, April, May, June, July in our area. We could have had our Easter family dinner and other family get togethers. Now they’re telling us we should skip Halloween, Thanksgiving and probably Christmas. We’ve been fine. My husband is always out and about, stopping to talk with people, going to other houses. I’ve been to several of grandson’s football games with pretty good crowds at some of them. Don’t know about basketball, inside, lots of people. I’m sure the school will mandate masks for all and I don’t blame them. My quilting group and women’s club went back to having meetings. Our groups are small and the rule is that if you don’t feel well or have been around someone sick you don’t attend. Through all of this our daughter worked at a cardiology clinic (receptionist) and as one of the shoppers filling the pick-up orders at the HyVee grocery store. She’s been fine too. Grandkids have been back in school and they’re fine. As far as Covid goes, it’s a coronavirus, the same as many colds. Has no doubt mutated many times by now. I think we can all plan on catching it sooner or later. Maybe there will be a safe, effective vaccine. Maybe it will be more like the flu shot, have to get a new one or two every year and it can be anywhere from 10-40% effective. I don’t think there will be any miracles until the virus fades away on its own. Huddling in my house just isn’t an option for me, I’d go crazy.
Judy Laquidara says
In some ways, I feel the same as you do but I’ve known people who have died from it, many of whom did have underlying conditions, but some of whom did not. I’ve known people who hardly felt sick at all and I’ve known people who thought they were going to die. Because none of us, not even the experts, seem to know how it affects us, I’m huddling in the house, but that’s what I prefer to do anyway. This area of MO seems to be having a surge so, not only because I prefer not to get sick, but don’t want to add to the burden at the hospitals, I’m staying home, though still seeing Chad, Nicole and Addie.
Sandi B says
This is from a FB group I’m involved in (Keto Nurses) regarding what Vitamin D3 needs to in order to be effective:
Magnesium
Vitamin K2
Iodine
Fats
Nelle Coursey says
I think it was a week ago today that we had 20 new cases in one day! And some people are having it a second time and the second time is worse than the first! I want this to be over soon!! I will wear my mask!! No matter who makes fun of me!
Judy Laquidara says
No! I hadn’t heard that people were having it a second time and was hoping there was some immunity after having had it. I do watch the numbers there and yes, I want this to be over NOW and I do wear my mask.
Judy H says
I love Walmart pick up. If you check in on your app you don’t have to call when you get there. My app registers that I’m there and asks me what parking spot I’m in. I click the spot and somebody brings out my order! I have noticed, though, that some of the things I usually get are no longer available for curbside. I hope that is temporary.
Judy Laquidara says
Thanks! I didn’t know about that. I’ll do it next time. I haven’t been doing it long enough to notice some things aren’t available but so far, everything I’ve wanted has been available.