The joys of eating/shopping. Am trying to buy things for my new house, and it is a real hassle!! Big things are a problem, like rugs, shelves, etc. because how do you transport? And then the merchants really try to stick it to you (me) because I am an American. So I don't find that shopping experince enjoyable. But then, eating is another story. In the middle of shopping today, I stopped for lunch and had a delicious tuna sandwich (on a french roll), french fries and diet pepsi for $1. So guess it all evens out...But getting basic, necessary things, with any variety or quality, is not a simple thing. How we take the availability and quality for granted in U. S. !!