Parking

It was Brian's day off and what shall we do??  We decided to take a road trip and go to Costco!  We had our yearly rebate check that we get from having a certain type of membership card.  It's not a heap of money, but if anyone is going to pay me money for shopping at Costco, I'll take it!!

Growing up in Washington, it seems like shopping at Costco is just a part of life.  Not here.  I don't think that most people even know what Costco is!  Here, people shop at Sam's Club, which is like Wal-Mart on steroids.   It's like shopping at Wal-Mart, but they have items in large quantity like Costco.  They also have their own signature brand called Members Mark, which is supposed to rival Costco's Kirkland Signature brand.  Personally, I still prefer Costco over Sam's Club because I think you can get more premium items for a lesser price. ...or I'm just spoiled, either one.    Which brings me to the one factor of our Costco shopping trips that is, to us, an amazing and funny thing.   We've lived here for 5 years now and have made numerous trips to Costco over this time. (Previously more than now)  I recall the very first time we went, was in the afternoon and as we pulled into the parking lot we thought they might be closing. 

The parking lot was so sparse!

We pulled into the closest center parking lane and parked 3 spaces from the front.  Unheard of.  Three spaces from the front?  Wow!  After shopping at Costco in Washington we were in shock!  Usually you could only score a front row parking spot if you were handicapped or if you arrived just before they were opened!  This was niiice.  Now, 5 years later I am happy to report that each and every time (on differing days and times) we have been to Costco we have never parked any more than 3 spaces from the front, either on the left or the right side of the center first row of parking.  No joke.  I wish I had a camera for every time because I know there is at least two people who think this sounds amazing and unbelievable.  It almost feels like we're getting away with something...  Crazy, I know, but it's in my blood that if you're going to Costco, you're going to have to jockey yourself into a decent parking place or just resign yourself to a small walk.Why else do you think they offer samples? You need to regain your strength after walking inside!

How funny it is to live life one way for so long and then see it change for the better and then feel funny about the results!   How equally funny is it that shopping at Costco has so influence my life!!  We live such a spoiled life.  :)

(And yes, that is my most handsome husband unloading our cart into our lovely car...in case you were wondering, that is.)