Sunday, May 24, 2009

What a lovely weekend !!!

We had a lovely weekend away... and it did my heart good to be able to spend some time with great friends... and to get my COSTCO card!!!
As excited as a I was to get the card though, the visit with Miz K is what what made the weekend so special... I just love that girl to bits. :-)

We headed out of here on Saturday morning, and eventually manged to get on the road after a few false starts. We actually headed out from my house at about 10am, and then managed to get half an hour down the road before the Old Guy remembered that he had left the charger plugged in at his house... so we had to come back.
Which when you consider a bladder like mine... well, I couldn't complain too much, now could I? I know every public toilet on every route we take, because no matter where we go, well, I just gotta...you know.
I'm menopausal and stuff.

Anyhow, we eventually got to Melbourne, settled down for some visitin' and catching up with Miz K and her other half, then we all headed to COSTCO. Yes, I know I don't need to type capital letters when I'm saying Costco... but I just love the way it trips off my tongue, ya know? And it truly IS larger than life!



COSTCO is coming!

Opening in July, 2009 !!!



Weeks back, when I read the information that only about 40% of their products here in Oz would be American products... well, I have to be truthful, and tell you that my heart sunk a bit. But after thinking on it, I just imagined a huge, HUGE store with only 10 aisles in it - and FOUR of those aisles would be nothing but American goodies! I don't think it will dim my shopping experience too much... because just being able to buy anything for far cheaper prices than the damn duopoly of Safeway and Coles currently rip us off for... well, it's gonna be better than good!

(Just as an aside...did you know that we pay just about the highest price for groceries of anywhere in the entire world, right here in Oz?
And why? Simply because they can charge us an arm and a leg - legally. Gotta keep those stockholders happy, ya know. And man, do they love to stick it to us.
It's about time that the rip-off duopoly of Safeway and Coles learned a hard lesson - and it's time that we as consumers have some choice in the matter.
My grocery bill has stayed just about the same for the last year... but that's basically because I've been forced to buy less and less and less each month - simply to make ends meet!)

Anyway, I was thrilled to see that large grocery cart sitting at the sign-in area, and I almost got all misty-eyed just looking at it! They had:


Cascade ( I need to buy a dishwasher now)...Bounce Fabric Sheets (now I have to buy that dryer!)...Folgers coffee ( maybe not the best, but MY particular favorite!)...Normal sized paper towels (why are the ones here, several inches shorter? They don't fit on my wall holder thingie)... as well as the traditional Kirkland signature items.... *sigh*

Me with my Costco bag!!

The Old Guy with his Costco card!


Oh, I can't even remember all the goodies that were in that basket (trolley) and I'm seriously regretting that I didn't ask Miz K to take a photo of me and the basket ... and maybe even the cute little Meat manager. Even though he couldn't guarantee me that we can get regular American-style bacon, I won't hold him personally responsible.
I could have kissed him anyway. Hearing that someone handles USDA Choice meat, well, it just affects me that way.



Miz K and I are happy little Costco-ites!




Miz K brought these back for me, from her recent trip to the US!


Hershey's Eggs and Reese's Bunnies... Oh my!

Then while I was working on this post this morning, my kitties were looking just too darn cute to not take photos of.... and I promised them I would share...


Wally (daughter -bottom of pic)
Willow ( Mother- above her)
Bear (Wally's son, sitting above)



Wally washing her momma's face
and momma looks none too happy!

Hey,Miz K?
Could you run back to Costco, and take some more photos for me?
Pretty please?
I'll even share my Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, when I get them, okay?

25 comments:

redpoppy007@aol.com said...

Glad you are having a good time..

Joolz said...

Oooh! Do they have the original type of jam PopTarts? Not the frosted ones, just plain old jam filled ones? I know a certain daughter who would walk over hot coals for a jam PopTart!

Joolz

darsden said...

Hilarious ...taking pictures too funny..and pass that candy please. We don't have Costco but we have Sams club I think it is in the same line. I get lost in it..shopping for all kinds of goodies I didn't know I needed or wanted! Enjoy :-)

Bz said...

We got to see you! We got to see you!!! ...AND your kitties! (they are adorable). Okay, you were hard to see with the Costco bag (and the pics didn't enlarge), but the smiling one with your friend... You have lovely cheekbone structure ... I don't know what you call it... where the person's bone in their cheek, under the eye... what's that bone?? ANYway, I've heard that plastic surgery nuts have those bones implanted into their cheeks so they can look like yours.
What a fun trip you must have had. Funny, the things we take for granted over here. I would miss real bacon for when I do beans ...and short paper towels? -what's up with that!?!
Glad you had fun!
p.s. No wonder the "old guy" has a hankerin' for you -he robbed the cradle!

Tatersmama said...

JCWillow, It sounds like you've had a busy weekend as well...:-)
It will be so good when your hubby is home again!
~~~~
Joolz, I'm the same way - give me a plain PopTart any day! We have the frosted ones here, but i don't like them. :-(
~~~~
darsden, We used to have Sams, Costco and Winco, and I MISS them so much! This is gonna be gooood!
I had to hide the candy, because the Old Guy just *eats* it like it's candy or somthing... and I want to make it last! LOL!
~~~~
Bz, That's what I like in a friend... the ability to tell fibs with a straight face! LOL! I'm almost as old as the old guy, you know! I'll be 55 this year and he just turned ummm... I forget. 58? Yeah, that's right.
Now I don't know if those are pure cheekbones or cheekbones and chubby cheeks - but I hate them! LOL! When I smile, they make my eyes go all squinky!
Thanks for the nice compliment though... you made me smile and then my eyes plumb disappeared!

rubiesrnotpurple said...

I am so pleased you had a good weekend. I'm surprised they were able to drag you away from Costco.

Robynn's Ravings said...

We can SEE YOU! We can SEE YOU!! That's OUR Katie Tatie! How CUTE you are and what a fun face full of mischief! lol But are we surprised? I almost put corn in it.

I'm ALMOST as excited for you about Costco as you are. We LIVE at Costco. And actually, that's almost true. It is 3/4 of a mile down the road. Just there AGAIN today. I even watched that promo you posted and told one of my friends about Australia getting Costcos! SEE?! I'm excited!

Anonymous said...

Sounds fun. As for paying an arm and a leg for groceries - I bet Sweden's prices are even higher!!

Narelle said...

Glad you got to get away for the weekend. Have been thinking we should chat soon :)

Katidids said...

Well goodness lady! What treats would you like in your care package?? I loves sending them...just let me know!!

Anonymous said...

Hooray for you! A great piece of Americaca, even if I don't shop there! Enjoy!

Nancy M. said...

You're in love, aren't ya? That is so cool that you're getting a COSTCO. I'm glad you'll be able to find more American products that you have been missing! I had no idea that the groceries over there were so expensive. I hope this will help y'all out!

The cats are gorgeous!

Fruitcake Sandy said...

Sooooo funny ... sounds like you had a great time, isn't it great to be with friends AND go shopping?!? I let my membership to Sam's Club lapse, being 'empty-nesters' thought the quantities just too much ...BUT I love going to the local Costco (yeah, I like the way it rolls of my tongue as well!) with my Kiwi (new U.S. citizen!) neighbor

Treehouse Chef said...

I don't usually buy in bulk which is why I have not purchased a card to these mega savings stores. However, in light of the recent economy and wanting to save money I am going to look into it. We have Costco and Sams. I don't know the difference but I am determined to check it out. Enjoyed the photos!

Paula said...

So happy for you to have some american stuff. My sister has a cosco and it was really nice. We just have a sams club. Shop away.

pam said...

Four whole aisles of American stuff!! What will you do with all your goodies!

Libby's Library said...

My husband thought that I was a nut for taking photo's of the SAM's Club in Honolulu..they were above the Wal*Mart and there was a little escalator just to take the carts back upstairs.
Uuuuuumm - you didn't say anything about Crisco. So did they have any or not? BTW - I thought of you today when I was frying up a pound of bacon!

Becky said...

I'm so glad you had a fun time while you were away! I was wondering about the Crisco too. I'm really needing that sander right about now, I looked at my heels today and they are pretty scary!

Becky said...

P.S.

Love the kitty cats!!

Bz said...

You're welcome on the compliment.... but, I'm just being HONEST... so, enough of that self-deprecating!
You know, you DO look good FOR YOUR AGE. Okay...NOW I'm teasing... just on the 'for your age' part though.
:-)

Robynn's Ravings said...

Hey Katie....I hope this gets through to you with all the Blogger problems we're both having. I'm goin' postal over here.

But if you can, go over to The Butterfly Mind (you can link if you want to through today's comment section on my blog) and read the poem "Looking for Work in Oz." I just think you'll like it. I think this is her husband's work and he's good.

OMGOSH. If I don't get to post soon I'll pop!

Julieann said...

OHHHHH, Yay on the Cosco Card!!! I just LOVE, love, love Cosco:) What a happy post, I enjoyed all the pictures too!

Julieann

Sooziebelle said...

Wellll, I'm a day late and a dollar short, but I just LOVED this latest blog post! Loved that your excitement was oozing out of every word, loved the pics ...! Yay!

Not Costco excitement for me, as it is too far away ... though I actually know a couple of Americans in Sydney who are going to make a road trip!

Anyway, I am one of the lucky ones who has actually seen you and TOG (The Old Guy) close-up and in the flesh and all I can say is ... you look even cuter in photos!!

Keep posting puddy pics too!

XOXO

Homestay Mama said...

You're getting a Costco in OZ! How exciting. I couldn't survive without my Costco! So glad mine is only 3 miles away! I buy my gasoline there as well! About 20 cents per gallon less than anywhere else.
Katie-Tatie, I'm so glad you posted a photo so we could see you, even though you're hiding behind shades and Costco bags! LOL

Jan Mader said...

I just love reading your posts. You are like the Erma Bombeck of the blogging world!

Hey...if you have a chance, stop by my ANIMAL TALK blog. I posted a story my niece wrote there. She's a miracle girl.

Janet is now 18. When she was 15 and a junior in HS (because she skipped a grade) she was diagonsed with osteosarcoma, a deadly bone cancer.

That was bad enough. Even worse was that she was ranked 12th in the nation in a track event and training for the olympics.

In the end, she didn't have her leg amputated, but they did limb salvaging surgery. After a year in the hospital with horrible horrible chemo, she is now 18 and just finished her first year of college with a 4.0.

She still has bone scans every three months. I'm rambling on and on here, but at any rate I'm really proud of her and blessed by her honest strength and courage. I save everything she writes and wanted to share!

Jan


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