One For the Books

Is it Monday or what? Sheesh!

The kids did well with the time change on Sunday morning. We were allowed to sleep a little later than usual, so that was nice. But this morning, they were up at 6:15ish. Good grief! I didn't sleep well because our normal (heavier) comforter was in the wash... either the new cat or Annabelle (in retalliation for the presence of the new cat) peed on our bed on Sunday night. So I had that going for me...

Took the kids to school and came home to get ready for shopping day. I just had Lillian with me this morning, so I planned a 4-stop outing (say it with me, Dora style...) Bank, CVS, Publix, Ingles. Bank, CVS, Publix, Ingles. Catchy little ditty.

The bank was the only thing that went smoothly today. The teller has a new goatee & mustache. He's lookin' fly.

CVS was next. I did well there, scoring $100+ worth of stuff for right around $50. The cashier didn't have change for my $100, so she asked if I had smaller bills. I found just enough to pay her and left.

Publix went okay. I couldn't find the smaller size of Pizza Rolls that are on sale (buy one, get one free) this week. No biggie. I couldn't find the canned biscuits, either, and I left my coupons for Green Giant Steamers in the car. At the register I asked about the biscuits and the smart-arse cashier told me I must be blind 'cause they're right there along the back wall. 'K, jerk. Then he proceeded to scrutinize every coupon I gave him like I was stealing. I HATE THAT.

So I paid and went to the car, loaded those groceries, got my missing coupons, went back inside and bought 2 cans of Grands biscuits and 4 bags of vegetables. Total: $2 (a different cashier wouldn't take off the full amount of the coupons, which were $1 each, because the veggies were only ringing up at $.89. I was kicking myself, because if those had been mixed in with all the other groceries he wouldn't have noticed. GRRR.)

It was at that moment that I realized I didn't see the $100 that I had tried to pay with at CVS in my wallet. My cash wallet has different pockets for different budget categories, so it was possible I'd tucked it into another pocket. I just knew it wasn't in the grocery pocket when I tried to pay at Publix.

Back to CVS I went. Talked to the cashier. She called the manager, who very politely and thoroughly did everything he could to find my money. It wasn't there, but he was so kind about it. He went through every drawer and looked everywhere before telling me it just wasn't there. He was just so very nice. A true gentleman, indeed. He took my name and number and said if they come up over by $100 he'll call me. I felt bad for wasting his time, but I would've second guessed myself if I hadn't gone back to ask.

Whew. After CVS we went back home to drop off groceries before heading back to Ingles. Got those things put away and took off back out the door. Stopped by Dollar General to get hangers, because we're short (again!) because these kids keep needing new clothes. How does that happen?!?! Some redneck was making a huge hillbilly fuss in the store, so I got my hangers and got outta there fast. It didn't sound like the argument was going to end well.

I had just walked in the door at Ingles when my cell buzzed. It was the lunch lady from the older kids' school. Even though I placed their lunch order last night online, it hadn't shown up so she was wondering if they had just forgotten their lunches or if indeed I had meant to order them something. I set things straight with her and started shopping. Lillian was her usual chatty (loud, singing, noisy) self, which was driving me batty. I got to the register, and the cashier told me that due to their new internet coupon policy (enacted by the manager that morning) she could only take off $.99 for each printed coupon over $1. HUH? I asked to see that policy in writing. She couldn't produce it, so she called over the manager. He threw his hands in the air and said, "I don't have to show it to you! If you want to complain, call corporate!" I did just that as I drove away from the store. I left a message, but no one has called me back (I emailed about an hour ago and got a quick response that basically told me I was right... ha!)

As I was putting up the groceries from Ingles (while trying to simultaneously make dinner for a family of 7 from the kids' school whose 10 week-old baby has been sick) my husband called. He picks Quinn up on Mondays, takes him to lunch and drops him off at my mother-in-law's house. Well, except for today. I could hear Quinn crying in the background because his throat hurt so badly. I had to gather up medicine for Quinn, wait for my casseroles to finish cooking, get Lillian in the car, pick up Quinn, then go out to pick up Aiden and Camryn and drop off the dinner for the family.

Deep breath.

I'm finally home now. A homemade dinner is iffy, which I hate, because I know I just bought a bunch of food. I just have ZERO energy left to cook. Pizza Inn buffet sounds so good right now.

UPDATE: While I was writing this, I got a phone call from the Ingles district manager. He said he'd talked to the store manager and set him straight about the way he treated me AND the actual coupon policy. He said that the coupon policy will now be posted in each store AND they're sending me a $20 gift card for my trouble. Woo hoo! How's that for handling a situation quickly? Color me impressed!

And still, after all that, I can say it wasn't an awful day. People who really had bad days would laugh out loud if I described my day as bad. I didn't lose a loved one today. My house was not foreclosed on. None of my children has a terminal illness. My husband still has a job. I'm not disabled. I have great friendships. My bills get paid every month. I'm blessed. Beyond blessed. And I'm grateful for it.

I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. Psalm 34:1
3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. 4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:3-4