Call It What You Want...

Off I went, leaving Tim to tuck Mark into bed, going to the store to buy milk. We were out.

No one joked (in my hearing) "I wonder how many bags she'll come back with."

No bets were taken on how many extra things I would return with.

No one even checked to make sure my alphabetized and categorized collection of coupons was at hand.

But the diapers were on sale, in addition to the coupon I had, and if I bought them (for more than a couple dollars off), I also got a free bottle of baby lotion, which is good because Tim just tossed out the original bottle we got as a shower gift from Ericka, Mel, Mer, Laura, and whomever else was involved.

And I really like the Dove products (in the health and beauty aisle, not the chocolate one, though I like those, too), and when you get a reputable deodorant (that actually works) for $1, that's always swell.

And I used a coupon for the baby snacks (also on sale besides) and then on top of that got a register coupon for the same on my next purchase of them. Can't beat that with a stick, huh, dad?

And peaches were on sale and so was the milk and the 6-pack of RC (see, Tim got something out of the deal, too).

The only difference between me and the Great Shopper is that everything I bought, we'll use. I bought no Fish Sauce, no grape leaves, no indeterminate canned item. Nothing had the price written on it in magic marker. And nothing seemed to be dented, already opened, or past its expiration date.

And I don't actually have a sorted coupon collection. Just a handful from my pocket.