Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Things Are A Changin'

This morning I mustered up my courage and turned in my first  grocery order for Safeway's home delivery service.  I've thought about this for months and approached Bob about it several times only to have him respond negatively.

After Susan left and I saw he was going back on the grocery store circuit I decided enough was enough. There had to be an intervention.

I keep a good grocery list. Yesterday afternoon I took that list and signed in to Safeway and began the process. It was simple and straight forward, no problems. I ordered almost $200 of groceries.

The delivery fee for the first order is free.
Over $150 the fee is $10 if you select a 1 hour delivery window, $7 for a 2 hour delivery window, and $6 for a 4 delivery window. Figured I couldn't lose on that.

It is possible there might be a small mileage charge. Have to wait and see on that.

I figure it's a small price to pay to have someone carry in soft drinks, potatoes, milk, laundry detergent etc. Even ordered Bob some after shave.

I figure I'll do this once or twice a month. Just have to see. I'll keep a order going and whenever it's over $150 I'll order.

It doesn't totally eliminate going to the grocery store. We'll still need fresh produce, milk, etc. My goal is to stop so many of those trips and when we go to be able to leave with only a small bag instead of a shopping cart to unload into the car and unload again at home.

The minimum order is $49, orders up to $150 are $12.95 for delivery fee, over $150 are the prices I've quoted above.

Tomorrow between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. this big event should happen. Will let you know how it goes.
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Bob has improved some cognitively. I attribute this to two things, he's now taking his medications correctly, and daughter was just here for a week.

I'm speaking only about the cognitive. He's still extremely slow, can't drive and that sort of thing.
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I cleaned the refrigerator freezer. It was so packed I had no idea what was in there stuck behind something in the back. That's all organized now with what I need to cook quickly moved to the front where I can find it. The goal is no more Costco size boxes of cheese sticks, pizzas, beef patties, and waffles.
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I'm trying to wean Bob off focusing so much on the blood pressure machines. Trying not to talk much about blood pressure, moving back toward 'normal' life. Will deal with blood pressure only when he's symptomatic. You can drive yourself crazy fretting over your blood pressure.
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Step by step I'm taking command of this outfit.

22 comments:

  1. I have often wished we had home delivery of groceries where I live. I wouldn't go out in the winter if there was. One of the chains is trying curbside pick up, though and it's been popular with working people. I can see it being good for older people, too, who can't walk so much in the stores. I will be following your adventure with this with much interest.

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    1. The feedback I've gotten from people I've talked to has been good. I guess we'll know tomorrow. Sometimes you just have to take a leap and hope.

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  2. Before he passed, my brother had a delivery service and he loved it. No more lugging groceries. I would really like that. Oh, DH is getting better at keeping the house stocked, but he still 'forgets' things. He shopped today and two bags (small) didn't fit in the refrigerator freezer, so they are out in the big freezer in the garage. Grocery shopping is also not one of my favorite things to do.
    I hope this service will work out for you and be less stressful.

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    1. I have high hopes this is going to work. Our son works with a woman who uses this service and I've spoken with a woman in this complex that uses it and both had very good things to say about it.

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  3. Let us know how the delivery goes. Do you have to tip the deliverer? Sometimes wish I didn't live so far in the country. There is no way that will happen here. With that service, you will be spared the large grocery trips but Bob will still get to enjoy the perishable trips. Good compromise.

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    1. No tipping. Drivers are not allowed to accept tips. I am very much looking forward to this new experience. I don't enjoy lugging groceries.

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  4. What a great idea! Small price to pay for the peace of mind it will provide for you. Glad you got the medications straightened out. Your daughter Susan sounds like a gem! Always great to have a nurse in the family.

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    1. I figure it's a small price to pay for the comfort it will provide. I don't see anything noble about grocery shopping.

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  5. If tough choices make living better that's great. The grocery shopping routine is a roundabout way to take care of some challenges.

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    1. That's exactly right. I try not to make Bob unhappy and it often takes me a while to work up my courage to do something I know he doesn't approve of but this had to be done. It's only the third time in 54 years so I don't make a habit of it.

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  6. Way to GO, Girl!!!!
    You sound pretty positive about it and I'm so glad! That delivery system sounds ideal for older folks and it may be I will be using it after another few years! Right now sending LD to the grocery store is one of my favorite things to do!! Gives mea little alone time!

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    1. Sending Bob to the grocery store worked for many years and then my luck ran out. Now Safeway is going to have to play Bob's part.

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  7. I'll be interested in your grocery delivery experience. I've been accumulating sources for delivery I could use if need be -- groceries, meals, pharmacy. Fortunately, I have several options only minutes away. Hope your experience goes well. Without a lot of mouths to feed the big box stores aren't practical for me. So much other items we can simply order on the internet now.

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    1. When daughter was here she talked me into signing up for Amazon Prime because I order so much these days that she says it would easily pay for itself plus I'd have access to free movies and music. More and more I'm relying on Amazon. If this goes well tomorrow I'll be relying on Safeway. Our drugs come by mail order. I don't enjoy shopping so anytime I can eliminate some I do. I don't read books anymore but I listen to a lot of books and get those through Amazon/Audible and their Unlimited program.

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  8. We have Amazon Prime and use it almost weekly. Today, in fact, my new coffee maker and blender will arrive at my door! I'm looking forward to hearing how your grocery delivery service works out for you. You sure do well to face issues needing attention and see that things get done!

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    1. More and more I depend on Amazon. It's amazing what you can buy online these days. Hope nobody decides we should boycott them and makes me feel guilty for shopping with them. Doubt I would agree to participate in a boycott. Amazon is close toeing vital to this household's independence.

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  9. When I was a kid my aunt used to call the neighborhood grocery and a delivery boy would come with her order. I thought that was so elegant.
    I hope that Bob quickly adjusts to the new plan. I am sure you will find a way.

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    1. Your memory triggered a memory for me. As a child my best friend's parents owned the grocery store in our little town. Her father would set a box of groceries in the back of his old pick up and drive slowly to some old person's door to deliver them. Sherry and I thought that was great fun to ride in the back with the box of groceries.

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  10. I'm with Jean. I use Amazon Prime all the time. I also use Walmart to either pick up at the desk or have mailed. I order all most all of my household basics online. Like you said, fruits, vegs and milk are a quick run in pick up if you don't need to think about the basic items. I'll be curious to hear how you like it.

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  11. It's late Monday afternoon already and I'm just catching up.
    I went shopping at Safeway this afternoon. The store is only four blocks away, so that's where I do almost all of my grocery shopping, It is hot today. I came back in a grumpy mood. The clerk and the bagger both did a poor job of bagging my groceries in my reusable bags. Fruit should not be mixed with cans. People kept getting in my way in the aisles. I couldn't find the dark chocolate we eat every day. My car was hot in the parking lot. My ice cream was melting.
    Maybe I should try delivery.

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