After spending several years on the fence in terms of joining some sort of wholesale shopping club, we finally decided to become Costco customers earlier this year. The “quick trips” to Target and Walmart to pick up toilet paper or peanut butter or laundry detergent were almost always more expensive than I planned, so we decided to see if buying stuff in bulk would make a difference, if changing how we shop would have a positive impact on our budget.
And in a word (or three): yes, it has.
In fact, it’s made a huge difference. Now granted, we’ve had to be smart about what we buy at Costco – which means we stay far away from the computers and fancy knives and fine jewelry and whathaveyou – but in terms of buying paper goods and canned goods, it’s been a mighty good thing. Costco has been our grocery budget’s friend.
Plus, you know, they have two of my favorite snack products in the entire world in convenient economy sizes.
There are no words for the deliciousness contained therein.
But if there’s any drawback to shopping at Costco, it’s that you come home with many items that require storage, all manner of rolls and bottles and jars and cans. And as a result, for the last seven or eight months our laundry room has sported an elaborate organizational system that consisted of stacking all Costco purchases on top of one another.
Aye, and precariously.
Because the stack? It defied the laws of physics, my friends. At one point we had a small flat of English peas as the foundation for a multi-level tower-o-product that included paper towels, bottled water, Ziploc bags, marinara sauce, granola bars and an assortment of pasta. I just figured that if the whole thing ever came toppling down I’d scream “JENGA!” and pretend like it was fun.
Pragmatic as always, I am.
Last Sunday I’d been home from San Antonio for all of five minutes when David asked me if I’d grab him a twelve-pack of diet Coke from the laundry room. I figured that was easy enough since the twelve-packs are typically located right inside the laundry room door so that we have the opportunity to break a toe or three every single time we need to get to the washing machine. But when I walked into the laundry room, there were no twelve-packs in the middle the floor. In fact, there was no anything in the middle of the floor. Not an ill-balanced stack in sight. And when I looked behind the door to try to figure out where all our stuff was, here is what I saw:
Y’all. I squealed. And then I clapped. And even now – over a week later – I still think that, aside from my newborn son, it may be the most beautiful sight that I ever did see.
I mean, forget all those notions of being wined and dined that I harbored in my twenties. Because now? In my thirties? Wining and dining is fine and all, but truth be told it doesn’t hold a candle to the fact that my husband bought shelves, assembled them, and then filled them with our Costco bounty.
I get a little weak in the knees just thinking about it.
Last Monday I met my sweet friend NK for lunch, and after we finished relaying tales from our respective weekends, I told her about Shelving Surprise ’08. I told her about how all the paper goods are on the top shelf, and how I don’t have to break toes on the Coke products anymore, and how even the dog treats have a place of honor now.
And after I finally quit talking, NK pushed away her plate, looked straight in my eyes, and said, “Oh. Now that’s romance.”
I couldn’t agree with her more.
BooMama,
It is SO early in the morning but this post(and my cup of coffee) have helped to perk me up! I get very excited over organization…and goodness knows I need some more of it around here! How sweet and thoughtful of your husband to give you the gift of pressboard!!!
Way to go, BooDaddy! What a star! You picked a winner there, Sophie!
Now THAT, is a thing of rare beauty!
I love this! Organization and snacks all in one post – as a girl in my 30’s as well, I agree – who needs wining and dining with snacks and shelving!
We just joined Costco a couple of months ago. Now that the kids are back in school I plan to spend some time getting to know the store. I’ll have to try those chips and that dip.
You’ve got a winner!
now thats what I’m talking about. I am sending this post to my hubby ;) xoxo melzie
I can see a whole new range of Halmark cards…..!
I totally understand how thrilled you are now and the never ending excitement you will get from that gift.
The most romantic gift my husband ever gave me was the under the sink trash can on rollers. I JUMPED UP AND DOWN. I might have screamed. I told all my friends. I still tell every chance I get. Including now!
I still get a little thrill in the tummy when I throw something away and I know the dog will not be getting into it the moment I leave the room.
He is still amazed that I really got that much joy from it. I really did.
THAT is romance at it’s finest! I am so gonna leave your page up in hopes that my hubs wonders in and reads this…and thinks of our garage!
…or maybe I’ll just print it off and staple it somewhere overly obvious. He IS a man, right? lol
Check out my Mule Day Giveaway for some excellent southern cuisine!
That’s funny. Romance does get more practical as we get some age to our relationships.
That man of yours is most definitely a KEEPER!!! My most favorite romantic gift from my husband was a Rowenta iron on Valentine’s Day! My friends thought I was insane, but now I can iron all of our church clothes in less than 5 minutes (but unfortunatley we still can’t seem to be on time for church?!?!)
You are truly blessed and blessed.
Peace and Love,
NO, he did not!!!
I’m not kidding, that made me gasp.
I would just faint.
Dena
Don’t you just ADORE your 30s???? Today I am wearing white socks under my stretchy red sandals and my husband still thinks I’m sexy. It’s enough to make me want to run down the hallways of the local high school yelling, “Don’t lose hope yet!!!!!! It gets sooooooo much better in just 15 or so years!!!!”
pita chips and hummus!! love it.
also, i love the shelves. my costco and/or sam’s club purchases end up on the garage floor, usually in front of my extra fridge. so if i need to use the fridge i have to push it all out of the way. those shelves look heavenly.
I’m swooning. True love!!
Someone I can actually identify with – I think I would have a HUGE party if I came home to find such a wonderful and thoughtful “gift”! You are a blessed woman indeed!
You are a blessed woman indeed. What a thoughtful thing to do and to surprise you with, one smart man. He can teach alot of men a few things. You go girl. Tell him that he has a lot of votes for husband of the year.
Well now my friend, THAT is true hubby love!
PS ~ I’ve recently tried Costco’s Kirkland brand laundry detergent, dryer sheets & dishwasher detergent (VERY cheap compared to my name brand faves)…. GREAT stuff!!! Great savings as long as you can stay FAR away from ALL the other fun items that call your name!
You are loved, my friend. Truly loved.
Xandra
Oh, romantic indeed! You have made my heart go all pitty-pat this morning with your pressboard story. *swoon*
Brought tears to my eyes, that did. What a man.
Now that man knows the languages of love – shelving, surprises and Costco! Wonderful organization and other than the surprise part (my DH knows I’m not always good with surprises -control issues ) just the kind of thing he’d do. It isn’t the big events (although they are nice) it is the every day caring for us that proves they love us as their own body (without all the hairiness).
Sigh. I wish we had a Costco. Earlier this year we (ha ha, like I helped…) installed shelving in our laundry/utility room and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It does pale in comparison to my excitement over my new washer/dryer a few years ago. And yes, I adore my 30’s!
Swoon!
Truly.
:)
You better believe that many a woman is going to send this post to her husband and say, “See? Women aren’t that hard to please!” Go BooDaddy, you do the male gender proud.
A job well done! And, I agree, it was romantic too!
Way to go BooDaddy.
And just think of how much money you can save pleasing your wife like this.
$40 shelves are tons cheaper than that $4000 diamond ring I want.
I’m a big fan of Sam’s Club myself.
Your husband was too sweet and he did it while you were away as a surprise! That is romance!
I will admit to a bit of a heart flurry myself, at the organized wonder of it!
Girl….bust out the Victoria’s Secret ensemble!!!! That man has filled a love tank……God-style!
I love me a man that knows my love language!!
Jackpot! Sister!
Oh….Dana D
Rowenta rocks!!! I won’t live without one!
My favorite Valentine’s Day gift from my hubby……was the most fabulous vacuum cleaner evah…..!
Gotta love a man that knows his woman!!!
Well. I thought my hubby was all that and a bag of chips with the sweet tea he delivered to the front door. Apparently there’s some competition in the neighborhood.
After 31 years, I can definitely agree – that IS romance. My husband keeps assuring me that, after he retires the first of the year, he will have PLENTY of time for projects like these. We shall see!
I think a little pee came out when I saw that picture! Oh the joy that would fill my soul if my Sam’s purchases were as organized! Awesome :)
love it! makes me happy too!
I love a husband with organizational skills!
While it was not a surprise, my husband built shelves for me in our laundry room for our bulk purchases as well. Except that we may or may not need to add more. Shelves and organization are good things indeed.
Oh my gosh! That is the best Hubby surprise ever! I love it!
Oh, you.hang.on.to.him!
I TRIPLE LOVE Costco and know exactly what you mean about storing it.
Can D come to MN to talk to the Big Guy about his super organization skills, along with a nudge in the ribs to say, “This will get you major brownie points!!”
What a sweet husband!
Please, everyone, hold on while I sing the praises of Costco. I love their laundry detergent (no dyes!), their dishwasher detergent, all paper products, their photo processing (got really tired of taking photos back to Sam’s that were wrong, they always fixed it, but I still had to make the extra trip, Hellooo, do it right the first time.) The olive oil is made just for them, the pecans are fresh (I am known for my pecan pies), and the other dip you just have to try which I am snacking on right now is the Chunky Artichoke & Jalapeno. It is not hot! hope they have it in your area. And did you know, they even make the parking spaces extra big so you can wrangle all your bulk packages into any side of your vechicle that you need to? seriously. love that place.
And yes, the shelving is magnificent. Mine is out in the garage and I’m thankful for it. Try the men’s undershirts, too, they actually hold up in the wash! I mean for BooDaddy, of course.
:::sniff sniff:::
That’s beautiful!
WTG BooDaddy! Brownie points for years with this one!
I clapped my hand when I saw the picture!
Your husband is A-OK in my book, as if that matters! :)
Anyway, I LOVE the organization of it all!
Yes. That is the single most romantic gift I’ve seen in a long time. Storage. Initiative. And Surprise. A definite winner.
I can’t even begin to tell you how much that would make me happy too. Hubs got me a washing machine for my birthday a few years ago and I about died from excitement. I think I actually requested that we stay home from my birthday dinner to watch the spin cycle.
And who says that the way to a woman’s heart is confusing?
Wow! That is seriously impressive! My hubs hacked away at an overgrown sago palm in our yard yesterday. When I saw it, I definitely swooned.
Tracy’s right…this is a Romance Trifecta!
Unbelieveable!
May I live so long as to see something similar in my marriage….
Wuv, twu wuv. :)
Boomama-
I am truly so thrilled for you.
S-my beloved is an exceptional carpenter, and a brilliant man at eveything or anything he lays his hands on. Often times though- when I have an idea or something I would love to see be done- it doesn’t. I wonder if it is because I asked?(haha)
Blessings
Angie
What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man (yep pulling out the 90’s era songs). He does know the way to a woman’s heart.
I’m pretty sure that pressboard is the traditional gift for the 16th year of marriage. Boo Daddy is so ahead of the game.
I love old love…the kind that knows how to meet the other’s needs in a way that surprises us. Now, I know this is silly, but my man has started putting an extra roll of toilet paper in the toilet area of our bathroom and I so appreciate it. I don’t ever run out of paper anymore! He just takes care of this little detail and meets a need. I never asked him to do it…never even thought of it, but I sure notice how he takes care of me and I love it! Enjoy your shelves and your sweet husband!
I agree whole-heartedly myself! What a great guy you have! I’ve been wanting to try those pita chips…they are on my list for the next Costco run.
A beautiful site to behold indeed. I seriously studied your shelf to see how everything was organized, because you can learn a thing or two from looking at other peoples’ shelves. I’m always open for organizational suggestions.
I cleaned and reorganized my pantry last night, and I couldn’t stop peaking in to look at it. I am so content.
OK< what is the dip???? Please email and let me know. :)
That is so beautiful it almost brought a tear to my eye.
I love how everything is lined up, just waiting to be used. This IS romance!
Oooh, sister. Can you please share David for a weekend? Shannon could use a lesson or ten in the romance dept. of organization!
You gotta love a guy who gets it!!
OOOH! It looks like he color coordinated too. You are spoiled, woman!
Kate
Now who says romance is dead?! That is perfect!!
My idea of romance(provided I was dating or married) would be seasons tickets to see my VOLS play football, well until last happened and I just won’t go there. :) Who needs flowers, this is so much better!!
I love that he asked you to get him a 12-pack of diet Coke just to get you in the laundry room. So cute.
And I’m so glad you didn’t say something like, “Are you stinking KIDDING me? I just walked in the door from one of the most exhausting weekends of my LIFE, and the first thing you can say is, ‘Would you please get me a 12-pack of diet Coke?’ Get off your rear and get your OWN stinkin’ diet Coke! Hmph!”
Because that would have spoiled the romance a little.
I guess I’m a little late to the party, but I’ve been reading your blog for a few days now and I just love it! I’ve added you to my blogroll is that’s alright:)
This man in a DREAMBOAT!! I would give anything, well not anything, but we could use some organization as well!! What a great gift!:)
Where’s my husband, I need to go hug his neck just cuz.
WOW!
Let me just say without to much anger, that I came from San Antonio to the very oppisite of anything remotely organized! Oh and Let me add that when I left it was neat and clean, I mean what do they do while were gone!
Excellent! That’s how my hubby is, too.
And it looks to me that those might be Gorilla Shelves. And if that’s the case, why it’s definitely true love. ;)
My favorite part of that entire post (which was very good, by the way) was the TITLE! That made me laugh out loud.
By the way, my favorite thing with those pita chips is Boursin cheese which you can get in packs of three at Costco. Yum!
I’m exactly the same about things like this- that is very sweet of your hubby!!!
That is SO my love language. I think that is the best gift ever.
That brought tears to my eyes. Seriously. Which means I’m either highly emotional today,(my baby girl started preschool)or that I TOTALLY GET HOW YOU FEEL. I think it might be both. Anyway, that is just awesome. What a great man.
Oh wow! Okay, is someone going to win a hubby award or what?? Wowee!
Aye, shelving is a perfectly legit love language. The picture made me a little weepy.
Glad to know that the Sabra hummus is good…almost bought it a hundred times!
That Dave. he scored big time on that one. A full panty is a thing of beauty in my humble opinion…
My hubby re-upholstered my kitchen table chairs over the weekend. It looks like I had it done professionally. I got weak in the knees… then he cleaned under the table… and I swear he looked like Brad Pitt to me when he was putting up the dust pan. There is nothing like a home project to stir a woman’s heart. I think Gary Chapman calls it “Acts of Service”, it will give you the “tickles”!
I am also jealous of your stocking capability in the laundry room. Nice!
Oh honey, I loves me some organizing! I could sort paper clips and be happy, so having brand new shelves with which to hold all your beautiful Costco bounty brings a tear to my eye!
That David is a man after my heart. Did he arrange all the stuff on the shelves? Way to go David!
“Because the stack? It defied the laws of physics, my friends. At one point we had a small flat of English peas as the foundation for a multi-level tower-o-product that included paper towels, bottled water, Ziploc bags, marinara sauce, granola bars and an assortment of pasta. I just figured that if the whole thing ever came toppling down I’d scream “JENGA!†and pretend like it was fun.
Pragmatic as always, I am.”
Funniest paragraph I’ve read today!
If only.
If only my Dh had it in him.
I’ll FOREVER be tripping over crap in the floor.
He doesn’t have an organizational bone in his body.
Really.
Lucky you!! Enjoy!
Forget the pressboard, I couldn’t get past the pita chips and hummus. I too, am a member of Costco (an “executive” member at that – ain’t I fancy now?) and I buy the same pita chips, same hummus, same paper towel, same peanut butter, same popcorn…oh yes my friend, we are Costcoing kindred spirits indeed.
And oh, their holiday selection! They have some shatterproof Christmas ornaments that I’d sell my firstborn for!!
yep…the way to my heart is definitely through home improvement, too!! he’s a peach, your husby. :0)
and i cracked up at the hummus and pita chips. i buy those all the time too! we buy the “naked” pita chips, though.
What a great hubby! Mine just sent the kids away for our anniversary last week and booked me a pedicure AND a massage all in one beautiful quiet day. It was absolutely perfect!!
By the way….I absolutely LOVE Stacey’s pita chips. I have to restrain myself to only buy 2 bags at a time. Because…eat them? I will.
Awwww – we LOVE him! What a great gift and how clever of him to point it out without pointing it out ;).
I’m insanely jealous of the Sabra hummus from Costco…ours only carries a local hummus brand that is OH SO INFERIOR to the Sabra goodness.
My husband even thought it was “chip dip” which says a lot for Sabra’s deliciousness because he is a man who enjoys cookies and Coke for breakfast.
Viva la Costco!
Now that is romance. I came home from church one evening, I had gone by myself to give Daddy and daughter a night out together (or so I thought). I came home and they were covered in paint because they had painted the wall in our living room that I had been wanting to do for months.
It was the best. I got all teary eyed and will never forget that day.
Way to go BooDaddy… you Rock!
Flowers and candy are for the teenagers. The most romantic thing my husband ever did?
When we got married, the first four weeks went like this:
Wedding
Honeymoon
Move 300 miles
Start new job
Sister had brain surgery
Needless to say, my house was…less than unpacked. It was all contained in the guest room, and I’d do a box here and there, as I got to it.
I went on a business trip, and when I got home, he asked me to get something from the room. When I went in there, he had cleaned everything out, and even assembled the bed that went in there.
*Sigh…*
He’s bringing sexy back.
Oh, yes he is.
LOVE IT! Smart man…
My husband is in his Master’s course level of school and they asked the other day, “what is the greatest gift you’ve ever given someone?”. He said, “on my wife’s 40th birthday I invited 40 of her friends to go-cart with her at Celebration Station for her 40th birthday”. He said the other students, much younger, just looked at him. What they didn’t understand that after 20+ years of marriage, he knew what would make me happy and he pulled it off, just for me. That’s what your shelf did for you. Your guy knows what makes you happy and he put in the effort. That’s a cool thing. : )
HE IS A KEEPER!
(And in a perfect world, SteinmartS would sell in bulk.)
Isn’t it funny what makes us weak in the knees now? It used to be a hot rockin roller. Now, it’s your husband assembling shelves!! Go figure:-)
What a man, what a man, what a man, what a MIGHTY GOOD MAN! (say it again, y’all)
Ok, you’re on, Queen o’ the musak. Name that artiste….
Without Google. Can ya?
I am amazed at your husband’s organizational skills. My husband would have told me that since I am SO good at organizing things he will leave that up to me and he’ll take care of more manlier household tasks like playing computer games and leaving clothes and stuff all over the house for me to pick up and organize! Ah, love!
~Meredith
I love that hummus.
I am so feelin’ your joy! I wrote about this same thing last spring!
http://5merryhunts.blogspot.com/2008/03/way-to-my-heart-is-through-wire.html
Nothing like some good organizational lovin’ from your man!
OMG! If my hubbie ever did that for me I’d have the Big O right there on the spot. That’s some serious foreplay! :)
Oh, he is a goooood man. He even earned some extra o’s
Oh my word. KEEP HIM!
Where oh where can I find me a BooDaddy?
I kinda have a little tear in my eye. I’m so proud of him!
And the plus on the shelf situation would be the added trips to an office supply store (of which I am obsessed) to get labels for the shelves!
Ok I have to stop now. I can’t breathe.
I so, so get you.
And isn’t Sabra hummus the best on the planet?