On a lighter note- the Thursday 13

Thirteen Useful Items that Can be Purchased at the Dollar Store:
(Because people seemed mystified that one could purchase dishwasher detergent there)

1. Canned Goods- seriously, a canned good is a canned good! Granted, this is one of those Dollar Store gray areas, where you need to make sure you aren't buying for $1 what the grocery store sells for 63 cents, but still...
2. Condiments- again, what's the difference? Ketchup is ketchup.
3. Garbage Bags- I got a box of 15 last time I was there.
4. Light Bulbs
5. Batteries- I've gotten Panasonic, in everything from triple A to D.
6. Sunglasses- ok, so it's not the brand the movie stars wear, but hey! Dollar Store sunglasses will do in a pinch. Especially if you're like me and utterly incapable of not sitting on expensive sunglasses. The pricier they are, the faster I demolish them.
7. Coloring Books- because seriously, coloring books have gotten ridiculous at regular stores.
8. Dishwashing detergent- yes, it's true, I promise. You can also get laundry detergent, but I'm nervous about that.
9. Toys- SOMETIMES you can even get GOOD toys! At the very least, party favors.
10. Pet Food- I fed my cats Dollar Store cat food for two weeks, with no ill effects.
11. Paper Products- paper towels, napkins, paper plates and cups, etc, etc... also wrapping paper.
12. Household supplies- No, not just dish detergent! Window cleaner, all purpose cleaner, brushes, scrubby things, auto accessories. A veritable plethora of supplies!
13. PREGNANCY TESTS. This, to me, is the biggest Christmas miracle of all. Why pay $15 for one test at the drug store? Seriously, if you, like me, are constantly paranoid that you're knocked up, you can STOCK UP for $15!!! You can buy 15 tests! That's, like, 5 months worth. (Assuming you test, decide that test must be wrong, test again, then wait a day and test again in case BOTH tests were wrong. Come on, you know you've done it.)