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Sunday, June 7, 2009

It Only SAYS That It’s Pickles

It was touch-and-go from the very beginning.

I left home the summer I graduated from high school only to discover that all of my possessions, minus the mattress and dresser drawer, fit into my first car, a ’68 Ford Falcon, a car quite old even at that time.

You might not need a china hutch or a TV, but towels? A can opener? Forks?!

Those first couple weeks were quite a shock.

Preparedness was not my forte.

And there was the matter of the money.

I was raised frugally. The product of a mother who eschewed paying for doctors based on her belief in the restorative powers of the Hot Wet Washrag and a father who would rather fry you a hamburger and cut his own fries rather than hit the McDonald’s drive-thru, I’ve never led an extravagant life.

Which brings me to my Tupperware.

Oh, and when I use the word “Tupperware”, I use it in the same way that I use “Barbie”, “Jello” or “Kleenex” to describe any doll, flavored gelatin or tissues.

There are whole legal departments out there spending good money to combat just such mental laziness.

But back to my Tupperware.

Would you believe old Cool-Whip and sour cream containers, pickle jars and fanny packs?

No, not fanny packs. I’m not sure why I said that.

I just can’t bring myself to spend money on rubber, burping-lid food preservers. Part of me feels I should, but why bother? I do actually own a couple of real Tupperware, of course: for carrying my lunch to work. You really can’t trust that the old sour cream container will remain sealed.

Believe me when I tell you this. The Chili-Seaped-Into-The-Bottom-Of-My-Lunch-Bag Blues is no way to start your day.

But if those leftovers are just going to sit in my fridge until tomorrow?

It can do that sitting in the Cool-Whip container.

Like I said, it started out poorly. It’s not gotten much better.

25 comments:

♥ Braja said...

Start as you mean to go on, I always say.

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

I don't "get" tupperware either... what waste of cash. I can waste the cash so much better on so many other things. Cool whip containers rock!!!

Ms Sparrow said...

As a huge fan (both figuratively and literally)and afficianado of the product, I must protest your spelling of Cool Whip! It is in no way related to Kool Aid, which I am far less fond of. I love the empty Cool Whip bowls, as well. Think of all the uses: starting plants, sending leftovers home with the relatives, catching occasional drips under the sink, pet food dishes, scooping potting soil, storing leftovers,etc. The best part of Cool Whip bowls is that you can throw them away without guilt since recyclers won't take them!

Stephen R. said...

I'm right there with you, sister.

And whenever my good friend Alanda has me over for dinner, she always packs up some food for me to take home. (Very Southern of her). And always - - ALWAYS - - the food is packed in former Cool Whip containers.

I'm not sure why she has HUNDREDS of Cool Whip containers, but she does. I mean, spray can whipped cream is one thing in the bedroom, but Cool Whip from a container? Am I missing something here? :)

Pseudo said...

I miss my mom's tupperware, but use containers from food products too...

I'm curious about those first left home stories...

Bobby Allan said...

Rubbermaid is extravagant as I get.

The Retired One said...

I know!!!
I had three cupboards FULL of saved coolwhip containers, etc. when we packed and moved the last time.
My hubby had to put his foot down and make me throw them out rather than pack them.
It killed me.
But I have my new stash in our new home in one overflowing cupboard above the refrigerator now (heh heh heh).....

nsiyer said...

I remember my dad used to say' Spread your legs according to the length of the bedsheet'. You reminded me of him when you talked about frugality.Thanks

underOvr (aka The U) said...

Hi Pearl,

Although it's been a few weeks, I easily slipped into a comfortable spot and found myself once again being reminded of youthful carefree days.

You always give me something to smile about.

Thanks for stopping by.

U

Douglas said...

You really can’t trust that the old sour cream container will remain sealed.

Tape, Pearly-Q, tape. Good ol' Scotch (generically speaking) cellophane tape. Always worked for me.

Chris said...

Hey, that Tupperware pickle-picker-upper is awesome. No sticking your hand in pickle juice or fumbling around with a fork.

Beth said...

But as for heating foods in the microwave, it can't happen in the sour cream container. I'm all a-scared that poisons will come out and kill me. But then again, I'm the weird one who would rather heat something on the stove top than use the microwave. It just tastes better.

Carry on.

Joanna Jenkins said...

Plastic food containers are so much easier because you can match the sour cream carton to the sour cream lid. I swear I have way more lids then I do tupperware :-)

Very funny post! Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

We had that same frugal ware going on at our house.
The great thing about it was that there was no fussing around with the lids...one size fits all.
We also saved coffee cans to put grease in..I don't ever remember using that grease...but it had it's own special can.
We also used bread bags to line our boots...
Now all that stuff is considered "green' and fashionable...
But we've been rocking that stuff since the dawn of time.

Peace - Rene

@eloh said...

Sounds like you've got some Southern roots.

My "Tupperware" matches my breakfast food/salad bowls, same difference minus the lid.

You are very classy lady if they actually say "Cool Whip", mine are all store brand. . .I suspect yours are too as you strike me as frugal. Just another use of the descriptive brand name, as you pointed out.

DKG aka Scrappy Doo said...

You and my Mom.jeeesh

I go through the "Mom whats in the Butter Tub" everytime I visit her and raid the frig.

Anonymous said...

Ditto sister...Ditto.

My lunch for tomorrow is in a butter dish as we speak...

Have a Cheeky Week!

:)

Kavi said...

So you carry lunch to work. I guess home grown values still live in the household !

tupperware or other ware !

:)

SparkleFarkel said...

Tupperware was only fun in the 50s, and then only when it was being burped by a full-skirted, high heel-wearing, pearls-around-the neck mom. I only knew of one of those ladies in real life (June Cleaver and Donna Reed do not count. LOL!): Midge Wilkens, the neighbor lady whose husband was the president of the bank. (When he walked by, you could hear the change in his pockets. When he got home, he probably emptied them into a Tupperware container!)

poosemommy said...

You should see my parents' collection! My husband has banned anything that is not square and stackable, but sometimes I catch myself washing out the butter tub *just in case*.
And Scrappy Doo? I totally feel you on the mysterious contents of opaques butter tubs in the fridge. I always fear an unpleasant surprise...

kim said...

I think I'd pay $10 for one of those awesome Tupperware orange peelers that they used to give away as gifts at the parties..mine always comes up missing...

nikkicrumpet said...

Heck...my hubby just dumps everything that's left onto the plate he was eating from...puts it into the fridge UNCOVERED...and eats it all the next day. Now THATS frugal...disgusting...but frugal lol. It also cuts down on having to wash the dishes hehehe

Fancy Schmancy said...

All of our local chinese food places use reuseable plastic containers now, I'll never need to buy tuperware again!

LSL said...

I'm such a hoarder of these things. :)

Ginny said...

I remember that car! By the way, I used to sell Tupperware. I was pushing lids and bowls. I have to admit, it is overrated.