(Online) retail therapy

I love shopping! Let's face it . There's nothing nicer than leaving the kids, cats and co-workers behind, jumping in my little silver Honda Logo, and zipping down to Botany Town centre to shop 'til I drop. Of course the largest part of the shopping (the part Darlingest doesn't understand) is the looking, touching, comparing part. I don't actually spend much money. (Seeing as the budget is so closely monitored by Mr. U-know-who.) But I do linger, and loiter and lust after all sorts of useful, pretty and completely useless doo-dahs. I usually end my morning's shopping by settling myself comfortably at one of the little bustling coffee shops (called cafes here). I order my trim Flat White - like a cappucino, but milkier, and my fat-free, cheese-free toasted pannini. Like a cheshire cat, I sit and muse over my day's purchases.

The shopping I don't like, is grocery shopping. Lately I've found the most wonderful service. For a $7 delivery fee, I can have my groceries delivered at my door! Every Thursday I perch myself on my bed, laptop on my lap, and shop in the comfort of my bedroom. Pictures of the products appear on screen, with prices (and the specials are in red), and I just 'Add' away at the products I want. The running total is shown, so no going over the budget. (Dearest likes this feature!) On Friday evenings, instead of rushing to town after a hectic week, I now know that at 6pm sharp the friendly delivery man will be knocking at the door with my groceries beautifully packed. The best part of this is the promotional products that are popped in amongst the groceries. For Free!

The last gift was a small fridge shopping list. The kids love it. This week's input from the family read:
- toothbrush for Rae - and Impulse
- chocolates - Paul
- socks - Dalla (His brother has been wearing his in the house, and they are now full of holes.)
- undies - Niel (This I'll do in person - and not leave to the online shopper!)
- cat food (we have a new kitten, and two big cats.)
- diswashing liquid.

The list may not be the most profound reading, but it pretty much reflects life on the home front!