Mom's Rules

*Sometimes the little things that change your life are...

Let me tell you a story. It’s about me; an independent and successful woman in her thirties.

But I wasn’t always so, I used to be young and inexperienced at many everyday life things; like going to the supermarket.

I had moved out two weeks prior. Mom had helped me with the first fridge and pantry fill. You know, the spices, condiments, and other ingredients we don’t buy every week. But, of course, I had noticed some things missing, while others had been used.

Mom had developed a two-fold system over the years. Its rules were simple:

1. Make a weekly menu

2. Write a list of needed ingredients and other household items

3. Look at all the pamphlets that come in the mail for worthwhile specials

4. Never choose more than 2 stores. They must be near each other and go to both on the same day.

5. Make sure you don’t forget your list

I admit I hadn’t followed all the rules. I had written a list, but not a menu. I had chosen only one store, so hadn’t bothered with the pamphlets. Still, I left home confidently.

Once at the store, as I searched my purse, I soon realized I had forgotten my list beside my empty mug on the kitchen table.

I heard my mother’s voice in my mind, “Oh Anna! It’s cheaper when you bring your list.”

I answered, just as silently, “I know mom, but I wrote it so I should remember it. It’s no big deal.”

Off I went, remembering mom’s strangest rules. The ones I hadn’t realized are really useful.

6. Learn the lay of the land. Where is what? How is the store organized? Do this for ALL the stores you like.

7. Write your list accordingly, it will save you time.

Though I had often shopped for mom with her lists in the past, I had never really paid attention to the way her note was organized.

This time was different. For the first time, I was on my own. I was the cook, the cleaner, the decider.

And boy, did I ever go around. Much more than I ever had before. So much so that, I had forgotten mom was the bookkeeper here. And today was her day in the office upstairs.

I continued my silent conversation with my mother. I had started with “I think I can do this without my list. In fact, I’m sure of it” to “I forgot the green onions. I have to go back to the produce section.”

I imagined my mother frowning here and there, but she was mostly proud of me. I planned on cooking, just like she always had.

I reached the detergents and soap aisle. I needed to do some laundry and had forgotten to buy some when I was with mom.

I automatically went for mom’s favorite, but it was expensive. And way too big to boot. I did not have a slew of children at home like she did.

I had a tough choice ahead of me. The first of many I would make by myself. There were so many different kinds, colors, sizes, and prices.

Big red bottles, small green ones that said BIO on them, a trusted brand in multiple sizes and colors. OMG! It wasn't the same when I had mom's list. I usually just took the one that was on it, but now I had to choose and I had no list.

I tried to remember if mom had a rule I could apply to this dilemma. “Nope! Nothing. She never talked about things like this.”

I finally chose the cheapest and put it in my cart. As I moved away, that’s when I heard her, loud and clear, “Anna! That’s a bad choice! It may be cheaper right now, but it won’t be down the line.”

I could hear others chuckling and suddenly realized; she wasn’t in my head. She was on the intercom system. Mortified, I -and every other customer- heard her continue,

8. “Always compare the number of loads you can make with the same quantity of different products. That one may seem more expensive than this one, but you will buy it less often.”

9. “What’s my number 1 rule? Do the MATHS.”

And that’s when I made my first rule,

10. Don’t go shopping during mom’s shift.