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Groundhog Day

Today is Groundhog Day and I always think of the Bill Murray movie. My life feels like that sometimes. I say the same phrases day in and day out, get asked the same questions at the same times every day. The Army phrase is "same old sh*t, different day" So... we're shaking things up!


I love love love love the 3 hours I get while Tristan and Brennan are napping, but I am giving it up. All I did was play on Facebook anyway... I could have cleaned, but I never did. Tristan hasn't napped in a few days and his tantrums have decreased exponentially. He just needed some more alone time with Mommy I think, especially with Josh gone. He also stays asleep longer at night now, which seems to help his 'tude as well. This also gives me more opportunities to teach him and try and get him to finally go on the potty. I have been more productive since I don't have the option to sit on my butt and be lazy while I feel bad for myself because Josh is gone.

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Yesterday we went grocery shopping and for the first time BOTH of the boys were little angels. I got them candy as a prize :) They most definitely deserved it. I was even able to snap some pictures there. I like taking pics of our normal days out so people can see how Spain is different from the US. I gotta do it soon before I forget the differences!

For instance:

* You have to put a coin in a cart handle to unlock it and take it with you (you get it back once you put your cart back in the corral and chain it onto the "line"). The wheels all move 360 degrees, which may sound cool, but makes it nigh impossible to steer once you get some weight in there. I always see ladies in heels, straddled, faces scrunched, trying to convince their carts to swing down an aisle.

* The store I go to is one of the few that bags groceries for you and has plastic carts. The cashiers everywhere have chairs. They don't stand, they sit comfortably at their register, scan your stuff and throw it down the belt, take your money, and then watch while you try and throw everything back into your cart. This is the reason we bag groceries at the car. We have reusable bags, but the time it takes to bag groceries while 2 kids act like maniacs does not match up with the time it takes the cashier to scan and toss everything. I like avoiding glares. Most Spaniards will help, but it depends on the store. The more "wal-marty" (yes I mean you, Carrefour) stores are full of rude people... how apropos.

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* There is a walkway much like the ones in airports that grabs onto the cart wheels and holds them in place, whisking you back to parking. That part is cool :)

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* There is an abundance of seafood, cured/smoked meats, cured cheeses, and fresh baked breads here. I will definitely miss those when we go back to the states. I can't tell you how often I get a baguette, throw some cured pork loin or jamon on it, a slice of manchengo, maybe a little olive oil and chow down. I'm not big on the canned fishes, but the fresh (and even the frozen) is excellent.

That's it for now. Brennan's finally up! :)

Comments

Anonymous said…
I really enjoyed reading this as I am living there as well, it is the little differnces. You just don't get it unless your there and it is like no ther place I have ever lived to include other places in Europe :) Great photos and great writing! Nikki
Haley Elizabeth said…
That is crazy how different the stores our. Was that fish that was hanging in the one pictures?

I wish my Leah would sleep for 3 hours. I remember I think it was about 4 when I stopped Haley's naps. I really just wanted her to nap b/c leah was still a baby and I need the sleep. haha
Britni said…
A lot of these things remind me of France I love your Spain "everyday" posts! I like to avoid glares to at stores....
Once Mark & I asked Ava loudly " little girl are you lost?" while she was throwing a tantrum to pretend like we didn't know her, hahaha. I know terrible. Ava & Em both gave up nps at 2 & 1/2....they both sleep 12 hours at night & it was just more effort then it was worth trying to tackle them into bed for a nap once they were in their twin beds.
Allison said…
@Brit - LOL!!! :D I've done that too!! Tristan is my fit thrower.

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