So we were we gone this weekend at a wedding (paid sitters for the pets), returning home last night after a long drive. Our THS sitters are due to arrive Thursday evening.
Murphy’s Law is so relevant. Our garbage disposal wasnt working this morning. Hubby spent all morning on it, then gave up and ran to the store to buy a new one to install. Also, recent winds really ripped up an already not so good screen door. We ordered a replacement (much sturdier) weeks ago and it finally arrived. The installers were here today while hubby was furiously working on the garbage disposal.
Please Mr. Murphy, no more mishaps this week!
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Totally empathize! 
It’s astounding to me, but over 35 years and 4 different homes, it seems like the day before Thanksgiving is the date our septic system, garbage disposal or plumbing always chooses to hiccup — but only in the years when we’re hosting cross-country visitors!
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Okay, but the nice thing about HAVING a sitter is that if something goes wrong – leak, power outage requiring resetting things when it’s over, etc etc. at least someone is in the house to let you know.
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Yep.
Welcome basket is all set (or in this, welcome reusable tote bag - plastic bags are illegal here and stores charge for paper bags…they can borrow ours but Trader Joe’s has such fun ones that I thought they want to keep it when they leave). Inside are small bags of snacks and some cans of coconut water flavored with yuzu.
A nice thank you note and a festive red envelope with a gift card to a local coffee shop we like and a gift card to help with gas in case the choose to take the dog out and about.
Gettin’ closer!!!
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Trader Joe’s sells addictive dried mango. I hope you included some of that in your goodie bag. 
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Nope! A variety of chips, some puffed cheese snacks, and some chocolate covered dried berries 
Also a couple of energy bars!
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Don’t get me started over their tiramisu !!!
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Their Chocolate pudding is a weakness for me 
Maybe Trader Joe’s needs a thread of its own haha
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There are Trader Joe’s groups on Facebook where fans share their favorite products. The lists go on and on.
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We live less than 10 minutes from a TJ’s and we just popped in. Had to get more of our dog’s favorite treats ever.
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“Even our dogs love TJ’s”…..
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TJ’s: 10 minutes
Sprouts: 10 minutes
Aldi’s: 5 minutes
Vons / Albertsons: 5 minutes
Ralphs / Krogers: 15 minutes (too far, not happening LOL)
Costco: 15 minutes, with gas station. Left my membership card for sitters to use for gas, as it’s by far the cheapest around.
Whole Foods: 10 minutes
And the farmers markets around us are the bomb!! A sprinkling of natural food stores. And a gourmet store with high-end everything.
And farms with all-you-can-pick produce (varies based on the season) for $5 entry fee.
We eat well . And no sitter leaves this joint hungry either!
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I only go to TJ’s to see what serendipity brings. Every other supermarket, I just order from via DoorDash. 
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Food shopping is the only shopping I enjoy! I do that in person, we do Costco shopping occasionally (same ‘serendipity’ factor, plus samples!). Everything else is Amazon 
I order from Costco via Instacart, but rarely, because the sizes are usually too much. Or I don’t pay attention and inadvertently order 3 pounds of something. I never go in person.
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We have a chest freezer in the garage. Their meat and seafood is terrific, price per pound is great and they do so much volume - it’s always pretty fresh. We buy in bulk and freeze some for later. That, and gas, is worth the price of membership for us.
Also the wine department… 
We have a fridge/freezer in the kitchen, and my husband and I each have fridges in our home offices. Plus, we have a full upright freezer in the garage. But he rarely cooks and I don’t cook at all. We order in usually, or do frozen food sometimes. Trader Joe’s has good selections.
We cook a ton! Most days. Frozen food, meh, we do that for a quick lunch sometimes. But we prefer homemade meals.
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One of my requirements for living anywhere is, the restaurants have to be good. And nowadays with DoorDash, that’s way easier. Like yesterday, I ordered from three restaurants.
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