In The same Boat

I was at the store again today and I couldn't help noticing the lady in front of me was fumbling around in her purse to find something.
She seemed almost panicked and for some reason I gave her a big friendly smile.
She turned to me and said, "I am so sorry to take so long, I think I forgot something I have to have for my WIC".
I instantly knew then why I had smiled at her. I must of unknowingly saw her WIC coupons on the counter and you have to have your ID when you use them.
She thought she forgot her ID at home and she found that she did have it with her.
I told her to take a deep breath and relax and not to worry about me waiting on her as I too have been in the same boat of thinking I did not have all I needed to use my WIC.
She briefly explained that she had just started using WIC and was not used to the procedure yet.
I mentioned that sometimes there are days and then there are days.
She laughed, I laughed and the cashier laughed.
We said our good byes and she was on her way.
The cashier then turned to me and said that it was very nice of me not to be inpatient that she too appreciated my attitude as it made it easier on her stressful day also.
So all in all, we all had a nice finish to a long day.
I guess patience is a virtue.

I freaked Out While Trying to Check Out

OK, it finally happened...I was in line the other day at the grocery store. I had to buy an extra can of formula and I had a regular coupon for 5 bucks off the can. The checker did not know how to use it. I was already getting stares and the nervous shifting from people standing behind me in line.

I try and get all my WIC items arranged by coupon, and all ready to go for the checker. I had it all sorted out and on the belt. I told her never mind I would just pay for the can of formula and use the coupon next time. It felt like forever already. Then she rang up my first WIC coupon and made a mistake. The manager finally came over when he say her help light on, and told her she would have to redo the whole coupon. Which would mean getting the groceries out of my cart and starting over. It was only one coupon's worth, but it would still take extra time.

I was already fighting back tears of embarrassment at this point, and this was the breaking point. I said as clearly as I could while trying not to totally cry, that I had already paid for the can of formula in my cart, and I put the other bags on the belt and said I would come back some other time. I left the line with all my groceries still in their neat little sets on the belt. I could not believe I was walking away, but I felt if I did not walk away I was going to faint.

I was so upset I felt dizzy. I had my oldest daughter in the cart and was trying to hold it together as best I could, but it was obvious that I was upset. She looked at me and I said I am fine sweetie..but she did not look totally convinced. I only got a few steps when I realized that I had to go back and get my WIC ID Card , my coupons, and my keys ( since my store card was on the keys, the checker had them). This did not make me feel any less embarrassed let me tell you!.

It was not until later that night that I told my hubby what happened. It was 9:00 pm and it was the last day for that set of coupons. He offered to go back to the store with me, but I went by myself. I did not get up the guts to go back until 11:00 pm. When I got back to the store, the lady that was my checker before was still there. I thought she was the only one on duty at first, then I saw another lady. I asked her before I shopped if she knew how to do WIC, and she said yes, so I got my stuff.

I explained to the new checker what had happened earlier when I was checking out this time, because the one coupon was already written on. She was nice about the whole thing, which helped a lot, but I had to choke back tears just for trying to tell her about what happened. UGH, I hate how easily I cry! The other lady was not up there when I checked out, so I asked the new checker to tell the lady from before that I was sorry that I flipped out earlier. I really did feel bad, it was not her fault, but I just could not take the disapproving stares, fidgets and lane changes anymore that day.

Like I have said before I am very grateful that WIC is there for my family, and I do not think there is any reason I should be ashamed or embarrassed about using the help that WIC offers, but there is still an unspoken stress that goes along with this help. Learn from my experience, brace yourself for the feelings, so you can get through them and remember you are fighting for your family and nothing else matters!

Another WIC Experience

I got a message from a lady who is also dealing with the mixed blessing that is WIC. Her name is Jen, and she is looking for other's opinions and experiences with the WIC program. If you want to add your thoughts to her blog you can read what she wrote here.

Unfortunately her recent experience echos some that I have had. That is why I wanted to start this blog, to give a sense of support for other WIC participants. I know we are all grateful to have this help, but it does come at a price. So many people look down on you for "Taking a hand out", when in reality it is a "HAND UP". There is nothing wrong with using the programs that are in place to offer assistance, that is what they are there for. My family is working hard to change our current situation, but until we get there I will endure what ever snarky looks people want to throw my way. I may still want to cry when I get home, but here is what you can do while you are in line. Instead of giving in to the guilt feeling these people are trying to lay on you, relish in the fact that it is taking a while for you to check out. These people obviously need a lesson in patience, compassion, and tolerance....be their teacher.

If you are one of the people that stair at us while we check out, taking those deep sighs of breath so you make sure we hear you, just remember....with the economy on the down slide it might not be long until you are the person being stared at! I hope this does not happen to anyone, but if it does you will br glad these types of programs are in place too!

More on Gas Points

Don't forget when on the rare occasion that you decide to splurge, buy gift cards at Giant Eagle when ever possible. If you are buying school clothes, toys or a dinner out, check and see if they have a card for it. You will get the fuel perks for the money you were going to spend anyway, and often they offer more than the regular 10 cents per 50.00. Right now it is 15 cents per 50.00

Keep in mind that it can take 24 hours for the card to activate ( not always, but it can) and to save the receipt for the card until you use it in case anything goes wrong with card activation

WIC Approved Cheese

Make sure you scan the dairy aisle of your grocery store well, and compare it to your WIC card. You are not allowed to have individually wrapped cheese slices on WIC, but you CAN have the more expensive cheese that it sliced but not individually wrapped...why? I do not know.



It took me ages to realize that I could buy the store brand sliced cheeses that were not individually wrapped as well. This gave me more variety to choose from, and it gave me more options when it came to cooking.



So what I do now, if I see a product that I think may be approved, I will take it and another similar item that I know is approved up to the counter in case the new one is not approved. This saves me a trip back across the store with my cart load of groceries.

Lactose Intolerant? WIC May Help

I am SO glad that WIC allows for Lactaid Milk. My whole family is lactose intolerant, some worse than others.

If you or your children are lactose intolerant, check with your doctor about getting a prescriptions for Lactaid. Some WIC agencies may want a prescription, some may not, call your agency and find out the guidelines.

I like Lactaid milk. In fact, if I try and drink regular milk now I do not like the taste. I do not know why Lactaid tastes sweeter than regular milk, since lactose is a form of sugar, and they take it out of Lactaid, you would think that it would be less sweet.

I also like that Lactaid milk takes longer to expire. Maybe it is more stable without the lactose,..I do not know. I may have to do some research. All I know for sure is that all of our bellies can tell a difference LOL!

Some Great Blogs

Here is a list of some fun sites. It is amazing how fast you can meet new people on the net. I have only been blogging for a few weeks, and I have met all these friendly people! Stop by and check some of them out.... Edited 10-2-08 to alphabetize and add new finds!


A Little of This and That


All in a Blog

Angies Silly Stuff

Baby Luvin

Blog About it


Blog Fogg


Bloggie Mommie

Busy Bee Village

The Cajun Blogger

Candle At Both Ends

Cat-o-nine Tales

Claudette's Words

A Christian Marriage

Confetti by:Kateedyd

Coodas Corner

Cypress TX Mom

Da Boss And Bryguy

Different World

Domesticated Diva

Drizzly Blog

Fat Girl Goes Fit

Feelings Just Are

Flipping Adentures

Florida Travel Spots

4 Cats Make Me Crazy!

The Fuzzbutt Files

The Geeks Girl

Godly Woman

Good News

Green 'n' Pink

Have Your Health

Healthy Home Blog

Here On Columbia Avenue

Hillbilly Heart

House of Bargains

House Wife Wom

Huckle Buckle and Other Mom Stuff

A Hunter's Wife

I Don't Commute

I Feel Like A Woman

I Love My 3 Boys

It's Just My Thoughts

Kateedyd What?!

Kimmi's Krazy World

Kim's Kountry Kitchen

KKB Mom of 3


Kookie Krumblez

Lipgloss N" Pinups

Luxury Lifestylez

Making My American Dream

Mia's Motivation

Mix World

Mad Mommy

Momas Life

Mommie’s Marbles

Mommy Mia's World

Mom Tidings


Moon Babyz

My Big Fat Battle

My First Steps With Jesus

My-Junk-Drawer

My So Called Blog


My Name is Not “Mom”

My Song of Joy

My Wahm Life

My Weekly Beef

Not Just In Your Head

Paradise Fiber Studio

Photos for the Fun of it

Postcard from Somewhere

Pure Jade Home

Raising a Girl


Remotely Mommy

Saving With Tracy

Savvy Business Moms

Secola‘s Space

Secret Thoughts and More

Shrinking Pamelalala

SlickMom

Something Witty to Say

Success Factors


Surgical Nurse Musings

Talk Time with Kim

That‘s What I am Talking About

The Geek's Girl

Thrifty Momma Ramblings

Thrifty Thoughts

Vibrant Healthy U

Wahm Adventures

WAH and Loving It

WICBlog

The Work From Home Blog

Work from Home Options

World of Homemaking

World of Mom