Consumer Alert! And a MeMe...

First of all, the alert. I noticed this yesterday while grocery shopping.

I don't know if this is happening in all stores, but in our local Walmart, some of the store brands are more expensive than the name brands. I'm not kidding:

Butter:
Land O Lakes: $2.29
Walmart: $2.59

Margarine sticks:
Imperial: .79
Walmart: $1.29

Flour:
Gold Medal: $1.49
Walmart: $2.12

Eggs:
Big River Farms: $1.48
Walmart: $2.28

I'm thinking the reason behind this is because so many consumers are watching their pennies closely, and the store brands typically run cheaper, maybe consumers aren't looking at the actual price of the store brands anymore? We compare ingrediants; we keep track of calories and fat content that maybe now we're just grabbing the store brand and forgetting to check the price? My advice: Keep an eye on the price sticker in front of the item and double check to make sure it's the right item! Walmart does this with milk. They'll post the price at the top of the dairy counter, but the milk that price belongs to is on the bottom two shelves. And unless you catch it at the cash register, you'll get sticker shock when the total appears.

I've Been Tagged!
Not to be accused of quoting Mia, but Amber Skyze wants to know about my writerly life, ha ha! I'm answering both as Molly and as Kenzie. Here it is:

1. What’s the last thing you wrote? What’s the first thing you wrote that you still have?

The last thing I wrote was my Christmas Newsletter. The first thing I ever wrote was a fictional story based on the film Logan’s Run.

2. Write poetry?

Every once in a while. Some are better than others.

3. Angsty poetry?

Only one or two.

4. Favorite genre of writing?

Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction

5. Most annoying character you’ve ever created?

Probably Joe Walker from book #4 in the Arbor U series..

6. Best plot you’ve ever created?

The two ‘reunion’ stories; one is the continuation of Forbidden Love, book #3 in Arbor U, and the book I finished writing last month under the working title of Class Reunion.

7. Coolest plot twist you’ve ever created?

Male model/stripper meets and falls for Christian Inspirational author. I’m on chapter three.

8. How often do you get writer’s block?

Several times a year.

9. Write fan fiction?

The one and only story I ever wrote based on the characters from Star Wars showed me I was destined for the romance angle!

10. Do you type or write by hand?

Both. It depends on if the computer is available when I get the brainstorm.

11. Do you save everything you write?

Absolutely! I still have stuff I wrote in the 6th grade:)

12. Do you ever go back to an idea after you’ve abandoned it?

Yes.

13. What’s your favorite thing you’ve ever written?

Book #14 of Arbor U, entitled ‘Reunion’. I enjoyed revisiting the original characters 15 years in the future.

14. What’s everyone else’s favorite story that you’ve written?

My mother would say Love Finds A Way, because the ‘F’ word is only used three times! The only other ‘fan mail’ I’ve received raved about All She Ever Wanted. And that one’s received good reviews, so I humbly thank anyone who’s read and liked my work.

15. Ever written romance or angsty teen drama?

Arbor U might be considered angsty; I’ve also got a YA story in the works. Don’t know when I’ll get around to finishing it.

16. What’s your favorite setting for your characters?

Small town Indiana or Florida.

17. How many writing projects are you working on right now?

Two. I’m editing Teacher’s Pet and after the holidays I’ll probably get back to work on Model Behavior.

18. Have you ever won an award for your writing?

Not an actual award, but All She Ever Wanted went to #3 on the Best Seller’s list! Does that count?

19. What are your five favorite words?

And, Then, Christ, God, Sure.

20. What character have you created that is most like yourself?

Toss up between Amy in Love Finds A Way and Gretchen in book #4.

21. Where do you get ideas for your characters?

Past experiences, Life.

22. Do you ever write based on your dreams?

Once in a while I’ll dream about my characters, and write about it the next day.

23. Do you favor happy endings?

I’ve written happy and sad endings, but I usually end up changing the sad ones to Happy For Now, in order to please the crit partners.

24. Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?

Yes. It drives me crazy to see those lines in the word document! I often reread what I’ve written the day before and will correct any obvious mistakes before continuing. Even during NaNo (hangs head in shame)

25. Does music help you write?

Yes. It helps the creativity, and I usually end up blocking everything out once the story is flowing.

26. Quote something you’ve written. Whatever pops into your head.

"I'm horny and pressed for time. And it's all your fault." (Tammy to Kevin in Teacher's Pet)

Hmmm....I'll tag Gracen, Mona Risk, and Barbara Huffert. If Barb's already tagged, then I'll tag Kenzie, although I stole a few of her answers!

9 Days Left!
Gifts Bought: Only 1, but check back on Friday!
Cookies Baked: Going into baking mode again today. The cookies set aside for Santa were eaten by a hungry 5-yr old and the spousal unit. Grrr....