Grocery Day at Crest Grocery Store

A Productive Grocery Day at Crest

This morning, Mr. C and I finally decided it was time to sit down and make out our monthly grocery shopping list. No putting it off, no guessing — just getting it done. We briefly talked about placing a Walmart pickup order, but I always come back to the same thought: I feel like I can stretch our grocery budget further when I shop at Crest. Their discounts and savings consistently allow me to bring home more food for our money, and that matters.

I left the house fairly early and headed into Chickasha first, treating myself to a yogurt bowl and a smoothie to fuel the drive up to Norman. I considered stopping at TJ Maxx to do a little last-minute Christmas shopping, but one look at the packed parking lot told me everything I needed to know. I decided to skip the crowds and head straight to Crest instead.

Once inside the store, I quickly realized things had changed — a lot. Since my last trip, the layout had been almost completely rearranged. I found myself starting in aisles I normally save for the end, grabbing our case of water and soda right away. It threw off my usual routine, but thankfully I had my list in hand and checked items off as I went. That list was my saving grace.

There were a couple of things I didn’t pick up this time around, so I made sure to keep those items noted separately for a grocery pickup order later in the week. With everything checked off and loaded up, I headed back home. Normally I stop for a drink on the way, but I still had most of my smoothie with me, so I kept going.

I pulled into the driveway around 1:30, and Mr. C helped unload the Jeep while I started putting everything away. I made a quick stop at McDonald’s on the turnpike for a late lunch, and after eating, we settled in to watch Sheriff’s Country, visit for a bit, and enjoy a quiet afternoon. I wrapped things up by working on a couple of blog posts — a simple, productive ending to a busy but successful grocery day.

Sometimes it’s the ordinary days that feel the most satisfying.

 

Settling back into our normal routine

 After all my traveling yesterday, I decided to give myself some extra rest this morning. I slept in until about 7:30 a.m., which for me feels like a little luxury. Once I was up and moving, Mr. C and I had a few errands to take care of. The biggest one on our list was a drive over to Lawton, Oklahoma, to pick up medicine for Luther. His doctor is starting him on Glipizide 10 mg, and it feels good to know we’re getting him the care he needs.

Since we were already in town, we treated ourselves to lunch at Esperanza Mexican Restaurant. Oh, it was such a good choice! I ordered a plate with a hard taco, a cheese enchilada topped with guacamole, rice, and beans. Every bite was just as good as I hoped it would be. Mr. C tried something new — a chicken, cheese, bacon, and mushroom quesadilla. Let me just say, I had a bite of his, and it was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. We were both more than satisfied and agreed we’d have to go back again soon.

Back home, the rest of the day was about catching up and trying to get back into the swing of things. I had a little list of things I wanted to get done: calling for an eye doctor appointment, changing the sheets, unpacking from my trip, folding and putting away laundry from the dryer, and filling out paperwork for my upcoming colonoscopy. But when I looked at the clock and saw it was already 1:20 p.m., I realized I hadn’t crossed a single thing off that list yet. Sometimes, days just slip away like that, especially after being gone.

In the afternoon, we had some sweet company. Brody and Savannah, along with Lane and Landon, stopped by to visit. I always enjoy having the family around—it just makes the house feel brighter and more alive. Their laughter and chatter filled the room, and for a while, my to-do list didn’t matter at all.

As the evening crept in, I found myself staring at the kitchen, trying to figure out what to make for dinner. I wasn’t in the mood for anything complicated, so I knew it would have to be something quick and easy. Some days you want to be creative in the kitchen, and other days, you just want to keep it simple.

Being home again feels so good, though I’d be lying if I said I’m ready to return to work on Monday. It’s been nice having time away from setting goals, chasing deadlines, and waking up at 5 a.m. every weekday. I’ve enjoyed the slower pace, the little freedoms, and just being present at home with Mr. C and the rest of the family.

As I wind down this day, I can’t help but feel grateful. Life isn’t perfect, but I truly feel blessed with the life I have. I may not have gotten much done today, but I spent it with the people I love, and that matters more than a checklist. Here’s to living my best life, one day at a time.

A Tuesday in My Shoes

    From Call Center Calls to Evenings at Home

Some days seem to fly by faster than others, and for me, Tuesdays often hold a unique rhythm all their own. Not quite the the fresh start of Monday, not quite the middle-of-the week, push of Wednesday, but something in between. Tuesday, August 26th, unfolded like so many others in my life- a steady balance between the busyness of work and the comforts of home. Looking back, I realize how much joy can be found in the ordinary especially when we slow down enough to appreciate it. 

                                Early Morning Beginnings 

My alarm goes off around 5:00 AM, though truthfully, I often wake up a few minutes before it sounds. There’s something peaceful about early hours, when the world outside is quiet and calm. My morning usually starts with a cup or tea in hand while I catch up on last night nights news headlines and scroll through my emails. It’s a habit I’ve kept for years. I also will in my private journal. Something about being informed and organized helps me start the day with a clear mind. 

I take a little time to get myself ready for work, making sure I’m out the door by 6:30 AM sharp. My shift at the call center starts at 7:30 AM. My commute is 30 minutes.

                                                       Stepping into Work Mode 

        When I arrive at the office and log into my computer, I can already see members waiting in queue. Even on Tuesday-typically one of our slower days. One thing I’ve learned in this line of work is how quickly patience wears thin when someone has been kept waiting. By the time I answer, many callers are already frustrated, and it becomes part of my job, not only to solve their problems, but also to ease their irritation. 

It’s not always easy, but I remind myself that behind each call is a person with their own story, their own needs. My monthly goal is 250 saves. That means helping members resolve their concerns, so they choose to stay with us rather than leaving. On average, I aim for 12 saves a day to keep myself on track. Meeting those goals can feel like a challenge, but it’s also rewarding to know I’ve made a difference in someone’s decision to stay.

                                   Wrapping up the Workday 

By the time, 4 PM Rose around, I’m more than ready to head home. My commute back to Rush Springs takes about half an hour, and I’ve grown to enjoy that time. Depending on my mood, I’ll either make some phone calls, or I’ll simply let music feel the space. Some drops feel like conversations, others like little moments of solitude. Either way, is the transition that helps me leave the workday behind and shift my mind toward home.

                                Evenings in Rush Springs

When I walked through the door, i’m greeted by the comforting smells of dinner already cooking. My husband takes care of most of the cooking in our household. He has such a gift for it, and I’ll admit he has spoiled me completely in this department tonight, as with most nights, he’s prepared as a hearty meal the kind you look forward to all day long.

We always make it a point to sit down at the dining room table together no distractions just conversations. This time of the day is one of my favorites. We share details of our day, what went well, and what frustrations we faced. It may not sound like much, but these daily check ins keep us connected. 

After dinner, we usually migrate to the living room. Sometimes it’s the news, other times it’s a series we are watching together. It’s nothing extravagant, but it’s our way of winding down, being present with one another, and enjoying the comfort of our home. 

Tonight it was a night of beans, homemade jalapeño cornbread, fried potatoes with onions. A favorite meal for us. 

                                A Quiet Nighttime Routine

Tonight my shower routine is based on peach scented items. 

By the time evening, Rose round, I’m ready for bed earlier than most people. My nightly routine usually includes scrolling through TikTok or catching up on YouTube videos from channels I enjoy. It’s a way to unplug my mind from the day, even if it means staring at the screen for a bit longer than I should. I try to wind everything down around 9:00 PM, giving myself the chance to rest and recharge before the next day begins. 

                                Finding beauty in the ordinary 

As a reflect on this Tuesday, what stands out to me the most is not a single big event, but the string of little moments that shaped the day. The calm of an early morning, the challenges and victories of work, the comfort of a warm meal, the laughter shared over conversation, and the slow winding down at night. 

It’s easy to overlook days like these, to brush them off as routine or ordinary. But I think these are the days that matter most. They may not make the headlines of our lives, but they are the threads that hold everything together. and just like that, another Tuesday has come and gone. Nothing too fancy nothing too wild -just the rhythm  from early mornings with tea and the news, to the busy hum of the the call center, to the comfort of home-cooked dinners and a quiet evening with Mr. C. It’s these simple routines that keep me grounded. Each day may look ordinary on paper but together they make up a life I’m grateful for.