alcohol sales = no coke zero

July 29th marked a big day for my "city". Prior to that day, one could not find alcohol on store shelves anywhere within the city limits. Oh, it was sold in the county (a mere 15 minute drive could get you some), but just not within the city limits.

All that changed on July 29th, when voters passed an alcohol referendum, and (legally) brought alcohol back in the city limits for the first time since the 50's.

I won't get into all the hoopla that surrounded this vote because that's not what's important here - but let me tell 'ya...

BOY, WAS I GLAD WHEN JULY 29TH CAME AND WENT!!!!!!

(Liken this to how some of you may feel once November 4th rolls around.)

I had actually gotten used to strolling through Wal-Mart/grocery stores/convenient stores and not seeing case after case of beer and wine.

It takes me a while to adjust to change, and well, I'm still adjusting to this change. I have lived here for 6 years with no alcohol and now its...EVERYWHERE! It will take a little time for me to once again become desensitized and then I'll be over it.

With that said, what I do have a problem with is that all the cases and cases of alcohol lining every shelf in every store I step foot in, have edged out my true love...

This picture doesn't lie folks, it really is a party in a bottle! More taste than Diet Coke with none of the calories of regular Coke. Yep, a party in a bottle!

I feel the need to tell you that after choir practice tonight I was craving some time with my love, so I did what any smart woman in need of a caffeine boost would do. I went to a convenience store. I quickly scanned the coolers for my love. I saw the red label, I saw the silver label, I even saw the gold label, but to my surprise, no black label. No worries, I'll just go to the CVS right down the road. It. Was. Not. There. Either! THEN, I went to another convenience store (I was really serious about my need) and THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY EITHER!

I had to settle for a Diet Dr. Pepper (my one-night stand). Oh and never mind the fact that I could hardly see the floor (I kid you not) for all the alcohol boxes and what not all over the place. I asked the clerk where the Coke Zero was and he said (in his best Apu from the Kwik-E-Mart voice)...

"We trying make room for more things. We place order and it be here next week. We build store bigger to make room. Come back later."

Okay, great, but why was it that the only soda I didn't see was Coke Zero?

I see how it is.

No love.

I got love, and will proudly display my bling to prove it.

(P.S. I'll add this just because I know you're curious - Mr. Baseball and I do enjoy a glass of wine from time to time (read: like once every 3 months or so). Its not really a big deal to us.)