It's a 45 minute drive each way, and we have to make a lot of different stops in town. It doesn't help when the lineups at the checkouts are so long!
Part of the problem is that there is a severe labor shortage here in Saskatchewan. There's not a single large store that doesn't have a help wanted sign at the entrance. And because of the shortage, they hire people who may not be the best suited for the job.
Officially, the unemployment rate for this province was 3.7% in April, the last month for which statistics are available. During the summer it will drop to 2.5% which essentially means that anybody who really wants to work is already working.
When we go into town it's not only for groceries. We also do a lot of running around for the park. I was looking for new blades for our hedge trimmer, but it's an inexpensive Black and Decker model and it seems you can't buy replacement blades! I guess it's a throw away model. But I found a new cordless one on sale for half price and so at $60 it wasn't worth messing with new blades for our corded one. There are a lot of hedges that need trimming, so maybe next year we can talk them into a professional gas model. It looks so much nicer when they're done properly and you've got the right equipment to do the job.
We had left Lindsey behind with the kids and she had a good afternoon.
Cameron loves our little binoculars! We bought a magnifying glass and he gets a kick out of that too!
Sadie is always smiling.
Cameron was playing in the mud!
Cameron is a big John Deere fan. Notice his cap!
What's on the agenda for today? Hedge trimming and dishwasher repair for Kevin, and Ruth is going to take Lindsey and the kids into the town of Cabri to buy some more plants and flowers for the campground.
Here's our favorite photo from the month of December 2007...
View of El Burro beach from top of mountain across the road from our campsite, Los Cocos, Bahia Concepcion, Baja California, Mexico
Living the dream!!! What a beautiful smile little Sadie has!!!
ReplyDeleteShe always has a smile on her face. I think she has to be the happiest baby that I have ever seen.
DeleteOh man, Cameron is going to have the BEST memories ever. Riding on the John Deere. Helping Grand-Dad.
ReplyDeleteAnd yup, living the dream.
Oh, and the shopping woes? Suck it up Buttercup. It could always be worse.
He may remember them on a short term basis but years down the road I doubt he will remember them unless he sees the pictures. He sure is enjoying his time here though.
DeleteThe grands are so cute. Love that smile. It sounds like you guys are going to be back again next summer. You may have mentioned that before so I apologize for being so far behind.
ReplyDeleteI think that we probably will return next year but you never know what can happen between now and then especially with our life.
DeleteYes, Sadie has the BEST smile ever!
Long lines at grocery stores everywhere are common now. It seems that they hire less staff to keep within budget. I'm always checking what is rung in. The other day I was charged close to $8.00 for a 6 potatoes. She used the wrong code. Her excuse was that she usually worked in the garden section and doesn't know veggies.
ReplyDeleteYes, we always check out our bill as well before we leave the store, several times we have had to go back to the customer service to make a correction.
Deletestores here have same problem.....walmart 22 lanes of register...2 open. local grocery store 14 lanes 1 open
ReplyDeleteetc.
It's much the same here too!
DeleteMemories being made for all - love their smiles! Nothing better than that - adorable!!!!!
ReplyDeleteConnie & Barry in DE for the summer
Thank you Connie and Barry! Enjoy your time in Delaware this summer.
DeleteA 6 hour trip to go shopping is not a fun day at all, but somebody has to do it. How about going earlier before the stores get busy?
ReplyDeleteLuckily we only have to do it once a week and this past week was longer than normal because we had a number of things to do. I'm not sure if going earlier would make much difference.
DeletePlease, no pictures from Mexico. I'm getting homesick. :)
ReplyDeleteSorry Chris but for every month that we were in Mexico there will be a Mexican photo and you know that we have spent lots of time in Mexico over the past 6 1/2 years.
DeleteDon't know who has a bigger smile riding in that John Deere! :c)
ReplyDeleteYep, they both have pretty big smiles, don't they?!
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