ok. . .so. . .I had planned out a menu, based on what I have defrosted. I had made a big tray of stuffed cabbage and still had about 1 1/2 lbs of meat after. So I told my kids that i was sick and tired of cooking and them not eating and or food going to waste.

So, I gave them the options of what I can make with what we have and they suggested what they would like. So, early this morning, I went to the market to buy the "missing items" (I had buy stuff for my sons lunch box anyway).

Now, let me explain. . .I don't just go to one supermarket. I'm a very careful shopper, and check out the sales, then buy appropriately at the stores where sales are best. I like Ralphs, because Kroger Brand items are always on sale, and there are always in store specials, etc. The Managers specials on meat are always really good also. Add to that, using the rewards card, every couple of months, I get coupons for free items and a large discount coupon, or coupon for bonus points. (Ex. My thanksgiving ham was priced at .75 lb for card holders, and I used my Rewards money back coupon, so I got my ham for free, with a $2.00 credit. My Thanxgiving dinner cost me about $3.00 total)

Now, there are 4 markets that cater to the hispanic market and the produce is usually really good, and less expensive there and they have butcher counters, but they are usually very crowded during the holidays and in the afternoons, but for certain cuts, I have to go there.

Here is my dilema - One, I don't like going to because of the class of people there, and the way this chain started and their practices. They are a larger chain, and is always cleaner, (compared to the other 3) well stocked and organized, and the employees are corteous and friendly, and are all bilingual. the problem - The people who go there are pushy, arrogant have no manners, and entitled. (nouveau riche)

Another one I went into last week wasn't as clean and I could smell the meat (blood) from the door, which really grossed me out, but they have been in business forever and long time residents have good things to say about it.

Anyway. . .I went to Ralphs and bought what I wanted, and thought, well, it's early, so Vallarta shouldn't be so crowded. I got all my vegies, fine. . .there were no sales that I really wanted at the butcher counter, fine. . .I went to the other counter to get a certain precooked cut of meat that i needed. The line was about 5 people, and it went quickly. . .fine. . .so i started thinking, Ok. . .I survived this, it's a new year, maybe I'll start coming here again. . .

So, I pay, and I leave, go to my car, lots of empty spaces, but still reasonably full, put my groceries in the trunk. While I'm doing this, there is a woman getting into a brand new toyota talking very loudly on a cell phone. She is saying "Oh, yes, I see you. . .sure. . .follow me ok??? It wasn't hard to identify who she was talking to because that person pulled up pretty close to where she was parked and waved. There was another car behind her, waiting. Toyota woman, gets in her car, and instead of pulling out in reverse, decides to pull out foward through the emply space in front of me. She pulls through so quickly that she misses the person pulling in by inches. That person had no choice but to back out, because, guess what? The person following toyota woman wanted to do the same thing, and pull through the parking space, instead of driving an extra 15 feet. . .Then toyota lady jumps out of her car to examin her car to make sure there are no damages (No one hit anyone. . .how could there be damages?) Then started screaming loudly about how she is calling the police because the other person (pulling in correctly) tried to kill her. The person behind her pulled out in reverse and took off, and left toyota lady screaming at right of way guy, who was blocking me, so I couldn't get out and go home.

Toyota lady was starting to give me dirty looks, but finally, right of way guy pulled into a different space, and I was able to make my escape while Toyta lady continued to scream at him and follow him.

So. . .really. . .I should have known better, huh?