Monday, April 17, 2006

Post Holiday Ritual

Speaking of Candy, I did it again today. I'm not sure anyone but a Clark would understand, but on the day after Halloween, Valentine's Day, Easter, and Christmas, I can never help myself. I've always got to get to the nearest store to check out what half price holiday candy they have on the shelves. No matter how much candy we may have at home, no matter how much I've eaten in the days previous (and no matter how much I've resolved to lay off the stuff), my curiosity gets the best of me. [I'm most proud of once coming back home to Cambridge, MA after spending nearly a week in UT for Christmas, making my way (almost immediately) to a nearby CVS, and bringing home a 2 lb. Whitman's Sampler for 75% off. ]

And I did it again today. I went out to get the mail and knew as soon as I left the house, I knew I would need to cross the street and visit our local grocery store. I think I might have been looking for a good deal on jelly beans, but it's hard to say--since I'm open to just about anything sugary at the right price. I made sure not to tell Michelle where I was going--especially after what she did to the Halloween candy--so for all she knew I was just getting the mail. [The truth is, though, whenever it takes me more than 5 minutes to get the mail, she always tries to look behind my back when I get home to see what I've bought].

I ran into a few problems today. First, I went to Ralphs, our grocery store across the street. We've termed it "Rip-off Ralphs" for a reason. Whereas just two days ago their jelly beans had been "on sale" for a $1.50 a bag, today it was 50% of $2.50. I may have acclimated to the California weather, the $1800 rent for a 2-bedroom apartment, and $1500 a year for car insurance, but I still cannot stand to be ripped off at the grocery store! Please, someone point me to the fools who actually thought they were getting a deal!

I left mildly disappointed--partly because even their half price candy was a rip off, but also because I'd been hoping for some more Sweet Tart Jelly Beans.* I might have even paid $1.25 for those.

I then wandered over to the drug store next store and found the situation much the same.

Later in the evening, and this may convey the extent of my *problem*, I put Jared in the car kicking & screaming and we went to Target to see what they might have. (He eventually warmed up to the idea when I told him we were going to buy candy). The problem at Target, though, was price as much as it was selection. By the time I got there at 7 p.m. the day after Easter they only had three things left: 1. Bright Red Bunny Peeps (why people still buy those things I'll never understand); 2. Spice Jelly Beans; or 3. Black Licorice Jelly Beans.

I suppose any of those candies will due when one is desperate, or maybe even if they were 90% off, but neither was the case this evening. So again, I went home empty handed.

I just wish I could've gone home knowing that I still had a healthy supply of Halloween candy stored if my needs were great--but someone had already made sure I'd find no such comfort!

*By far the best jelly beans Michelle and I have ever tasted. I'm already looking forward to Easter season next year because of them.

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