Pay day and the commissary

Like most enlisted (especially lower ranks) military, payday is a huge deal to us. It means we've got the money to pay bills, grocery shop, and even go out to dinner (something that still almost never happens). Well, today was that day. We needed just a few essentials, and since the Commissary (the base grocery store) has the best prices, it's always a good idea to get stuff there. Plus, we were going to be on base anyway. Well, we pull into the parking lot and it's packed. I mean packed. Thank God I'm pregnant so I got my maternity parking, otherwise it would have been quite a barge across the snow/ice covered parking lot. Especially with a toddler who wants to walk everywhere.
So, anyway, we get inside and it's just miserable. I find out that not only was today payday for the active duty folk like ourselves, but it was also the day all the retirees get their monthly check. So, every old person in the greater surrounding area who served in the military is SLOWLY walking muttering to themselves as they try to do math on their calculators. Then of course there are the couples who have lost each other on the same isle and just look completely lost for a few moments until they spot each other. You feel a little bad for them, but at the same time, you're too busy trying to maneuver your cart (and toddler) around to really care. Anyway, you're constantly saying "Excuse me. EXCUSE ME." Until the person hears you, and moves.
Then finally, you have made your way around the store, and it's time to check out. So, you head to the front and go to get in line, when, what's this? You cannot find the end. You begin to follow the winding line of carts, children, and adults until you find yourself back in the frozen foods section in the opposite side of the store saying "Oh my... what do I not need? Can this pass for under 15??" Luckily today, I had John with me, so, I ran and got a hand basket, gave him about 10 items, and we both stood in the express line. I should mention this was also extremely long, but, it went an awful lot quicker since you didn't have the people pushing two fully loaded carts along and attempting to check out with them. So, we pretended to not know each other, checked out, and then met back up at the store exit.
Quite an ordeal. But, I got everything I need to make John my steak and egg rancheros with homemade salsa for breakfast one of these days, cream for the ice cream I'm going to make tonight, and cleaning supplies to thoroughly cleanse my house from the damn mice we've been dealing with. I should mention there is at least 1 still here since I keep finding poop. I am determined to catch the bastard, even if it means I have to cut it in half with one of those old school mouse traps. Not my idea of a good time, but, hey, it saves me from having a contaminated, mouse poop, house.