It makes sense that an organization geek like me would also be a lover of lists. I like to make lists, but even more than that, I like to look at other people’s lists.
I know it seems weird, but I actually get excited if my cart at Wal-Mart has someone’s left-behind list in it. If I see a crumpled-up list in the parking lot, I will actually take the time to pick it up, smooth it out, and read it.
I think that I’m fascinated with the lists of others, because they offer a little glimpse into a stranger’s life. I like to see what kind of paper the list is written on (often a free pad from an insurance agency or the like), what the person’s handwriting (and spelling-yikes!) is like, and most importantly, what they plan to buy. What people purchase says a lot about them, and it’s for this reason that I also investigate the contents of people’s carts while waiting in line at the checkout.
When I was on bedrest during my pregnancy with Cakes, I discovered that I’m not alone in my list fascination. While searching the internet during a fit of boredom, I stumbled on GroceryLists.org. This site is a compilation of almost 2000 found grocery lists, and it’s absolutely riveting for someone like me. I literally spent hours scrolling through the lists (what else did I have to do?), and laughing at some of the odd combinations of items that people set out to buy. One of my favorites, scrawled on a mud-stained Post-It, was:
Squirt Gun
Hot Peppers
Strawberrys
Bee Trap
Pie Pans
Hmmm….I wonder what that person’s weekend plans were?
I also liked the self-deprecating humor in this one, although it made me a little bit sad.
Just for fun, I decided to post my grocery list for the week here. It’s not terribly interesting, however, the Ohio Blue Tip matches are for my husband, who wants to build a stink-bomb out of a ballpoint pen. Apparently he did this often in high school (oh Lord), and he insists that Ohio Blue Tips are the only kind that will work. I think this says a lot about him.
Guess who the labelmaker tape is for? 
(UPDATE: An anonymous commenter said that I must buy a lot of brand names, based on this list. I actually buy almost all generics, unless I have a coupon, sale, or combination of both that brings the price of a name brand down to the same or lower than generic. Examples on this list are Lemon Pledge and Reddi Whip. Other times, I write the brand name because it’s easier than writing “generic Town House-style crackers.” However, there are some brand-name items that I buy because I’ve tried the generic and didn’t like it. Examples are Velveeta and Kraft singles (generics are more watery and don’t melt nicely), and Tylenol (we don’t think that generic acetaminophen is as effective).
Bananas
Apples
Cinnamon applesauce
Black beans
Velveeta
Dijon mustard
Green olives
Canola oil no-stick spray
Eggs
Reddi Whip
Sour Cream
Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Parmesan cheese
Kraft singles
Ice cream
Tater tots
Deli Select honey ham
Ground beef
Chocolate chips
Flour, all-purpose, unbleached, 10 lbs
Saltines
Town House crackers
Flour tortillas
Aluminum foil
Lemon Pledge
Tylenol
Labelmaker tape
Letter-size copy paper
Humidifier filters
Gift for kindergarten swap (boy-$3-$5)
Ohio Blue Tip wood matches (not the tiny ones!)
If you want to play along, and post your grocery list for nosy people like me to read, enter your link in Mr. Linky. Don’t forget to leave a comment!
