>I set a goal to use my bread machine more often. The jar of yeast in the fridge had died before i finished using it up, and I took it as a sign that I wasn’t baking bread often enough. It’s not like it’s difficult with a breadmaker; pour the ingredients in, push the buttons, and let it go!

I did well for a while. Then I noticed the bread loaves were looking kind of, well, oddly shaped. One end of the loaf would look fine, but the other end would be stunted. Smaller. Bumpy-looking. Next on the goal list? A new breadmaker.

This is easier said than done. I saw a good model on the Amazon Friday sale… a few days before I declared this goal, unfortunately. By the time I’d decided I really did need a replacement, the sale price was gone. Sigh. It’s true that she who hesitates, waits – until another sale, that is.

Next, I decided to search the local stores. Kohls had nothing in stock. Shopko had one, an express-style machine, not the kind of item I really want. I went to Fleet Farm for gardening tools (oh, my goodness, don’t set me free in Fleet Farm’s garden center with a credit card in hand!), and wandered down their appliance aisle. No luck. They had several varieties of dehydrators, but I’m not totally convinced that I have the right attitude for dried food. There were so many crockpots and Nesco roasters that I almost wished I needed one. At that point, I realized I really must get out of the housewares department and shop for my soaker hose and watering wand.

In case you’re worried, I did not increase my carbon footprint or waste gas in the shopping process. I combined the search with other errands; I was going to these stores anyway. The trips were not wasted. Not entirely, at least.

I’m really thinking that the bread machine as I know and love it must be a seasonal item. They’re probably plentiful in October when people are shopping for Christmas (or in August when merchants think people are starting to shop for Christmas). May just isn’t the time to look for a new bread maker. If only I were looking for a grill…

Ideas, anyone? I’m close to ordering from Amazon. Maybe Kohls.com will have one that isn’t on their store shelves. I’ll only go through with it, though, if I have a free shipping code. These gadgets are heavy!