Jenn Martinelli Blogging in Boston

They have this new program that they're just beginning to introduce, which my friend MisaGracie told me about recently and which we just got to try tonight when we went to the store for our beginning of the month big shopping trip.

You scan your Stop and Shop card and take one of the "shopping buddies" right inside the entrance of the store. You also grab bags then and there. Then you scan everything as you go and bag it at the same time, putting all the bagged items in your cart. That might sound annoying (the bagging part) and it's a little hard to manage at first, but it's nice knowing that when you're done you don't have to wait around for this to happen.

The device keeps a running total for you, which is awesome, and you can also remove items from your cart (and the device) if you change your mind about something.

When you're done you go to a regular checkout line where you just scan a UPC there to tell it you're done, then hand your Stop and Shop card to the cashier. Everything quickly rings up on a receipt that s/he gives you, you pay, and you walk out.

It ROCKS!

I understand that just like the loyalty cards they and other chains already have, this is potentially another way to track what I'm doing.... in what order I make my purchases, etc., but it's so convenient that I don't mind. It saves me waiting in line, it saves me dealing with crazy people, and it's really kind of fun.

Check it out and see if there's a participating Stop and Shop near you!

And I think I've mentioned before that I'm an INFP.

Look at this fun site. I haven't played with it yet, but maybe the next time I'm feeling like chopping my hair to about 1 inch long (like I was the other day) I'll try playing with this before doing anything drastic.

Of course, it's really all about the styling products more than anything else.

I'm a nerd, but this is pretty cool.

Of course, I'm fairly certain I'll never ride in it but I just think it's cool because for no apparent reason I was a little sad when they retired the Concorde. I guess because it seemed like something we discovered or invented that we were just giving up on.

Any billionaires out there who want to buy me a ride on this when it's up and running? Ha ha.

Well, if you know my mom you already know that. But actually, that's the title of this video on YouTube. It's hysterical.

Thanks to SBFH for linking to someone else who posted this by the way.

I am totally addicted to this blog - Joy Unexpected. The author is a mom to 3 with all kinds of adventures in everything from aerobic dancing and doing the worm at weddings to battling her kids at Guitar Hero.

Hey, look at this cool idea from Bank of America. I know lots of people hate B of A because it's basically taking over the country and will be the only bank or something, but I haven't had any complaints so far about them since I've banked with them. And Rob's banked with them for years exclusively online until they took over Fleet so now we have branches here. Anyway, I think this is a good idea. It's just like saving up your change in a jar, but easier.

This is really cool. Just keep zooming in.

One of the guys in this band bought our laptop from us in the spring and I really like the songs on their website. What do you think? If you like it, I think you can find them on iTunes.