The Chaos Diaries - 3/31/20

Hubs and I were talking yesterday about, you guessed it, the chaos.  He's been watching the actual data and by his reckoning, the peak of this crap will coincide with the end of our food supplies.  So we decided the best bet would be to try and pick up some things now while the number of infected in our area is still low.  Since I had to go out anyway - bank stuffs - I extended the trip to include the closest dollar store.

Unfortunately, the mail with my paycheck didn't arrive until late morning.  I figured by that time anything really good would be gone, but I had to try.  Still no TP on the shelves.  No eggs.  No flour.  No evaporated milk*.

I did manage to get apple juice.  A necessity here since we don't drink soda anymore and a necessity for the digestive system.  Also purified water - for the cat.  And cat food - the last two boxes of Fancy Feast pate** which is the only kind she'll eat.  With what I already have, that'll last her until I can get more.

The thing that struck me as I shopped was the shell-shocked look on everyone's faces - probably mirrored in my own.  It was like footage you see after a disaster or a bombing raid.  

As I got into the checkout line, I noticed the guy in front of me had TP in his cart.  Then the gal who got in line behind me had TP, too.  I swear, I searched the store for it and came up empty.  So I asked the gal behind me.  She said you had to ask the checkout gal for it.  I stepped up to the register and the smiling cashier, made the usual polite conversation, and then mentioned the TP.  A thunder cloud came over her sunny disposition.  "If you want toilet paper, you're going to have to get out of line because I have to go to the back and get it and I'm not making all these people wait on you."

I collapsed in on myself and mumbled my apologies.  By this time, there were easily six people behind me, so I began to get out of the line.  That's when the gal behind me offered me her toilet paper, saying she'd be happy to go to the back of the line.  And then the gal two people behind her offered her toilet paper up to the first gal with the same idea.  The checkout gal relaxed and told me they have to be strict with the TP because people from out of state have been swooping in and raiding their shelves. 

We had also planned on hitting Walmart at 6am this morning because Tuesdays Walmart opens an hour early for anyone over 65 - and just those people, not their spouses.  After yesterday's run, I didn't have the heart to do it again today.  Sure, it would've been Hubs shopping alone and me waiting in the car, but I couldn't take the idea of another trip so soon.  So, we decided against it.  Which is good because it's after 6 and he's still sleeping.  And I'm letting him.

I had a nightmare last night that the eggs I have in the fridge actually expired*** last week.  Woke me right up.  Good thing, too, because I had forgotten to switch the thermostat back to heat after last week's AC usage, and it was freakin' cold in here.  I wonder if The Night Owl (the Kid) was shivering her buns off in her room.

Now, I decided to write all this out as a way to reach out to other people who may be experiencing similar stuff as a way to let them know they aren't alone.  Not as a 'woe is me' thing.  Looking at it this morning, I probably could tackle Wallyworld today.  Obviously not in time to do the Senior Shopping thing since it's almost 7 and it takes a half-hour to drive there, but I could do it.  I bounced back.  I always do. Some days the bouncing takes longer than others, but I do it.  You can, too.  :HUGS:

How are things with you?

* Evaporated milk can be reconstituted into milk.  Use a one to one ratio of water to EM, then taste it.  Add more water to thin it to your tastes.  It's not the best milk ever - like I wouldn't drink a whole glass of it  - but it works for having a bowl of cereal and using in recipes.

** When I checked Anazon yesterday morning, it was on back order until the middle of next month.  

*** Expired eggs can be checked.  If you drop an egg in water and it sinks to the bottom, it's good.  If it sits up, use it soon.  If it floats, throw it out.