Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Ticked Off Tuesday

Here's a new thread...its called Ticked Off Tuesdays or TOTs.
I try to be positive about most things and I think I do a relatively good job of seeing my glass half-full instead of half-empty. But those who know me know that my greatest fear is that as I get older, I will lose the decorum I work so hard to maintain and become the grouchy lady in the nursing home who alternates between singing Amazing Grace at the top of my voice and spewing profanity at my caregivers.
In an attempt to avoid this, I've decided that maybe its okay to vent a little now and then to blow of some of that steam before I just erupt like Mt. St. Helen. But since I tend to do everything in excess, I'm limiting myself to one rant per week, hence the title "Ticked Off Tuesday".
Here's my first one:

Recently, Hometown decided to allow liquor sales in grocery and convenience stores within the city limits. I realize this may sound odd to some, but for as long as I can remember, we have been a "dry" town. Its not so much that I have a problem with the new legislation, its just that all of our stores and gas stations were not designed to accommodate both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Now that they are all scrambling to "retro-fit" their space to allow for beer and wine, it is almost impossible to find just a plain Diet Coke.

Every convenience store in town now stocks the glass wall of refrigerators with 42 different kinds of beer and wine. We're rednecks for heaven's sake, do we really need so many choices? I say, just pick the one with the shiniest can or the NASCAR endorsement and everyone will be satisfied.

The worst part is that all the sodas have been banished to small, portable refrigerated units in the back corner of the store. Honestly, I went into one place yesterday where my choices were Coke, Diet Coke, Dr. Pepper, Diet DP and 7up. Seriously. Every other beverage in the store was alcoholic. And to make matters even worse, they were OUT of Diet Coke!

However, the icing on the cake, or perhaps the olive in the martini, has to be that they took the McDonald's out of Wal-Mart in order to make room for beer and wine. When my kids were little I'd get them fries and a sprite from McDonald's because it was located at the back of the store where I begin my grocery routine. It bought me just enough time to get the items on my list without any weeping, wailing or gnashing of teeth. Boy, am I glad my girls are old enough now that I can go while they're in school so I don't have to explain that Happy Meals have been replaced with Happy Hour!

So there you have it. The first installment of Ticked Off Tuesdays. I don't know if it will be a regular feature, but you're welcomed to play along. What ticks you off?

8 comments:

Ruby Red Slippers said...

That is a good one to be ticked off about-here in the North, there is liquor everywhere, so I have never seen a "dry town" but so sad that it changed for you.
On a side note-I worry in my old age I will have chin hair, and I will be a hairy old woman...Isn't that a horrible thought too? Now I am ticked off!!!
LOL

Sturgmom said...

Just when I thought Gville WM couldn't get any redneckier, they took out McDs! I'm so sorry. But when you think about it, ANY alcoholic beverage just might make shopping at WM more tolerable.

Cheryl Hyatt said...

I was at a local grocery store (B) today waiting in line at the pharmacy and watched several "older" ladies fill their grocery baskets with several 24 bottle cases of cold beer. Now, older people can be grouchy and have their beer, too!! Thanks, city leaders, for providing more fuel for their flames. I really enjoyed this blog. You are too funny!

themil10s said...

Funny, but so true! I wondered what happened to McDonald's. Do you think a beer can will soon grace the store's exterior where the arches were once displayed? As for the weekly goal, I don't think I can hold back to one rant a week. Good for you and good luck. ~jmm

Jill said...

I like this theme and I might just have to do it along with you! I have so many thinks that tick my off!!!!! I loved this post!
I have never in my life heard of a dry town. It's not even dry at Disney anymore!

The Wise Family said...

I love this idea! I have a few things to rant about right now...

Anyhow, thanks for letting me you're praying. Granny and Aunt Sue are settling in. Kiersten is super excited about having her so close. You can imagine the junk that comes along with this, but I have no doubt God is faithful and will bring us through and bring glory to Himself somehow. Thankfully, it's not up to me to decide how it's done!!

Kimberly Carpenter said...

I agree, Denyse. Micah is very disappointed the "french fry" has left the store. He has to point it out every time we go. He pokes out his lip and says, "French fry gone-gone!"

Michelle B. said...

Thank you for putting it into words! Another thing that ticks me off (sorry, it is Friday, but I am just now reading this!) Where they put the alcoholic beverages is just opposite all of the diet Coke, 7UP, Sprite, etc.--- all of it! AND that hole in the back that used to be McDonald's not only has beer and wine,they have chips & dip and all the other stuff you might want to 'party'! Now isn't that a great message for kids & teens? Grrr....