Working an 8 Hour Day

     My daughter was sick this week.   As a result, I was bound to the house for 2 days.   Not knowing if she would be better the next day, I went to the supermarket as soon as my husband came home on Tuesday.   I haven’t shopped in the evening in quite a while, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.  Surprisingly the store wasn’t crowded at all.  Shelves aren’t as stocked, but I was able to purchase what was needed.  All was good until I got to the check out.  That is when I noticed a major difference.

     The cashier and the bagger were both under the age of 20.  With me standing right there, they did nothing but complain about how many hours they had to work, their schedule for the week, when they were going to finally get their break, and what the managers were doing to them.  I wanted to say something, but really did know what.  Mostly I wanted to know why they applied for full-time hours if they didn’t want to work 8 hours a day.  Also, what made them think it appropriate to have this type of conversation in the presence of a customer?

     I usually shop for food around 9 to 10 A.M.   Parking lots aren’t crowded, lines are shorter, and I prefer to do this early in the day.  The staff tends to be made up mostly of adult workers.  Most are kind and friendly.  There are some that are much older than me.  I often wonder if some are working to make ends meet.  Regardless, they are efficient, smile, and go about the business of serving the customer.  They might move a little slower, but they have the strong work ethic that I remember being instilled as I was growing up.  My grandparents worked much longer hours, in less desirable conditions, in order to survive.

     I am not throwing all young people under the bus.  There are many places, including this store, where the young people are incredibly polite and helpful.  There are others though who need to learn that working is not easy.  Every job can have long hours, difficulties, and a tough schedule.  Every type comes with challenges and periods of exhaustion.  The satisfaction comes from the knowledge of a job well-done, of contributing to society, and working for your pay.  Much that can be learned from people who have worked for many, many, years and still know how to smile.

Mirror, Mirror, Who is That?

     I don’t like to shop.  Let me rephrase that, I don’t like to shop for me.  I have a hard time finding clothes I like.  Maybe I’m too picky.  Maybe I don’t care.  In reality, I’m a blue jeans girl in a fashionista world.  My idea of looking presentable these days is a newer pair of jeans with a comfortable top.  I appreciate good fashion, and I like watching Project Runway, but the whole ordeal of finding something to wear is exhausting and frustrating.  There are times however, when an occasion arises that forces me into the mall.

     Recently I was invited to a wedding.  Looking in the closet, I realized I hadn’t bought a dressy outfit in about 10 years.  Some still fit, but none seemed suitable enough to wear to a winter event.  So, I eventually decided to hit the mall.  I was determined to find something.  I walked the entire length, went into every store, and eventually landed in Macy’s.  I was surprised to actually find a few dresses to try on given the fact that many were for a much younger woman or, for a much older woman.  Being in that middle age range is like falling into the black hole of apparel.

    I was appreciative that the saleswomen didn’t follow me into the dressing room.  I know what I like, and know if I like how it looks on me.  I hung my selections on the hook, undressed, and turned around.  Maybe it was the glow of the fluorescent light.  Maybe it was the multiple angles in which I was given the opportunity to observe myself.  Maybe it was because I was tired and in bad need of a haircut.  I didn’t recognize the woman staring back at me.  Suddenly I looked so much older than I do in my mirror at home.  Suddenly I looked about 10 pounds overweight.   I looked like a cross between a before picture and a mug shot.  Who was that stranger looking back at me?

    After getting over the initial shock, I found a nice dress and was happy with my purchase.  The next week I got a haircut.  For some reason, it always makes me feel lighter and energized.  The wedding was fun (more in another post) and I had a great time.  Last week I was thinking about the eyes we look out with.  The eyes that make an effort to be happy, smile, and enjoy life as well as deal with hard times.  The eyes that observe all around us and help us make wise decisions.  The eyes that look toward the future, reminisce about the past, and watch generations move along.  Aging of the body is a natural process in which we have no control.  More important is how we feel, how we live, and what we experience.  The mirror doesn’t show us that.

Mirror, Mirror, Who is THAT?

     I don’t like to shop.  Let me rephrase that, I don’t like to shop for me.  I have a hard time finding clothes I like.  Maybe I’m too picky.  Maybe I don’t care.  In reality, I’m a blue jeans girl in a fashionista world.  My idea of looking presentable these days is a newer pair of jeans with a comfortable top.  I appreciate good fashion, and I like watching Project Runway, but the whole ordeal of finding something to wear is exhausting and frustrating.  There are times however, when an occasion arises that forces me into the mall.

     Recently I was invited to a wedding.  Looking in the closet, I realized I hadn’t bought a dressy outfit in about 10 years.  Some still fit, but none seemed suitable enough to wear to a winter event.  So, I eventually decided to hit the mall.  I was determined to find something.  I walked the entire length, went into every store, and eventually landed in Macy’s.  I was surprised to actually find a few dresses to try on given the fact that many were for a much younger woman or, for a much older woman.  Being in that middle age range is like falling into the black hole of apparel.

    I was appreciative that the saleswomen didn’t follow me into the dressing room.  I know what I like, and know if I like how it looks on me.  I hung my selections on the hook, undressed, and turned around.  Maybe it was the glow of the fluorescent light.  Maybe it was the multiple angles in which I was given the opportunity to observe myself.  Maybe it was because I was tired and in bad need of a haircut.  I didn’t recognize the woman staring back at me.  Suddenly I looked so much older than I do in my mirror at home.  Suddenly I looked about 10 pounds overweight.   I looked like a cross between a before picture and a mug shot.  Who was that stranger looking back at me?

    After getting over the initial shock, I found a nice dress and was happy with my purchase.  The next week I got a haircut.  For some reason, it always makes me feel lighter and energized.  The wedding was fun (more in another post) and I had a great time.  Last week I was thinking about the eyes we look out with.  The eyes that make an effort to be happy, smile, and enjoy life as well as deal with hard times.  The eyes that observe all around us and help us make wise decisions.  The eyes that look toward the future, reminisce about the past, and watch generations move along.  Aging of the body is a natural process in which we have no control.  More important is how we feel, how we live, and what we experience.  The mirror doesn’t show us that.

Pushing Out Imagination

     My daughter has decided to be Red Riding Hood for Halloween.   The only part of the costume we need is a cape.   This is easy enough to make, but we decided to check a major toy retailer while we were out on a shopping trip.   The only costume items displayed were full ensembles with no “parts” available.   Since we were already in the store, we decided to look around.   Most toys today are based on television or movie characters.  What I found interesting is that these toys take up the majority of the store and, like the supermarket, are given prime shelf location and space.  Nondescript, generic, simple toys are relegated to the outskirts where they sit unnoticed by most.  What is unfortunate is that these are the toys that require more imagination and free-thinking.  They also aid in the development of motor and social skills.  It seems simple play has gone the way of pre-programmed sets with one outcome which, in my opinion, limits the development of a young child’s mind and leads them to the believe that there is one way to arrive at an answer.

     Ok, I know some are going to think that I am going overboard with this idea.  There certainly are a number of toys and games on the shelves that still lend themselves to imaginative play.   But where are the blocks?   Why do so many coloring sets have a few sheets of designs and colors to use?   How come so many baby dolls are now Disney characters?   Do you notice that entire aisles are dedicated to one brand so that comparisons can be prevented?   This definitely has an effect on the shopper where the display fools us into thinking that the toy provides a greater learning experience and/or more fun than the plainer, simpler versions.

     Smaller, independent toy stores are better at providing toys that are creative and educational.  It is also nice to be able to support local businesses that provide a difference in service.  There is room for all kinds of toys and games, but parents should not rule out the importance of crayons, blocks, dolls, cars and trucks.  It is fun to hear kids make up their own stories and adventures.  It is great to see how their pictures change from a few scribbles, to grand designs as they age.  If you need any proof of this, give them a big shipping box, some markers, and tape (oh yes, they looooove tape), and watch them create a little world of their own.   Have fun.

Shopping for School Supplies

     Every June, my daughters come home with a list of needed supplies for the next school year.   An opportunity is provided to purchase these items through the school, but since I already have many, I opt out of the program.  Here is where Target comes to the rescue.  In order to avoid the last-minute rush, we usually shop at the end of July. This year, as we were placing the pile of necessities on the checkout belt, I asked my girls if they really needed all of that stuff and did they use it all. Then I stated that when I went to school, (sounding like an old lady), all I needed was a notebook and a pen.  The cashier started to laugh.

     I remember being excited to go back to school.  It was usually after Labor Day, which signified the end of summer, and the beginning of fall.  The one staple I always got was a blue canvas notebook, filled with ruled paper divided up by those plastic tab sheets that separated the subjects.  I had a ruler and some pens and pencils.   That was it.  NOW….we need folders and binders of multiple colors, dozens of pencils and pens, index cards, post-it notes, eraser caps, highlighters, glue sticks, sharpies, colored pencils, crayons, and markers.  Of course we also need a pencil box to put it all in.  

     Wait…we aren’t done yet!   We still need a backpack and lunch bag.  I use to carry my books.  Now we need a backpack big enough to hold all these materials as well as a smock, library books, and other items based on grade level.  This involves visiting numerous stores until we find the one we like the best.  If I brought lunch from home, it was in a paper bag.  I don’t remember ever getting sick, even if I brought something with mayo.  Today we need an insulated bag with an ice pack, and multiple snacks and drinks to get through the day.  We drank water from the water fountain.  My elementary school was so old we probably drank lead, and were exposed to asbestos.  Water bottles and juice boxes did not exist.

     I don’t purchase clothes until fall.  Most retailers are trying to get rid of summer stock and the month of September is still warm.  I did get a head start on winter jackets only because it was tax-free week, and I got a great deal on the web.  The tax savings isn’t anything compared to the discounts that will occur on new clothing in a few months.  So, I am not one of the many out and about in the shops this week.

     The summer has been fun, but it flew by.  As my girls enter another year, it makes me realize that they continue to grow, and the days of them being young are going a little too fast.  The bottom line is that they love school, and are excited to be returning soon.  They will see their friends, meet another great teacher, and learn new things.  When all is said and done, that is worth the cost of supplies.

A Wallet Bursting With Rewards Cards

It used to be that when you went out shopping, you needed only a few things.  A driver’s license, keys, some money and one or two credit cards were all that was required.  Now it seems you need to load yourself with an arsenal of cards and coupons before you head out the door.   Rewards are being offered by most major retailers.   Leave the house without these necessary cards, and you will pay more than you have to.  I have had more than one minor panic attic thinking I left that coupon, card, or email notice home.  Usually I find it in my wallet, purse, or pocket before I get to the checkout.  It is getting to the point of being stressful and tiring.  Do we really all need to walk around with this little item we get for free? 

It started with the supermarkets.   You only get the sale price if you have the card.  Of course we all have to eat, so saving money here is a big lure.   For the longest time I got by with just these cards and 2 major credit cards.   I avoided credit cards from stores since I didn’t see the advantage over a major card.  I also paid with cash most of the time.  That was years ago when coupons and extra discounts weren’t given.  I now have 4 cards from various retailers that I frequent.  All give me an extra 5 to 10 percent off my purchases.  If I wanted, I could probably have a dozen more from stores I shop in maybe once or twice a year. 

I have approximately 12 rewards cards.  Ones for supermarkets, craft stores, drug stores, and retailers who I do not have credit cards with.   There is only one reason for this and the stores don’t know what it is.  I save money.  In fact I am making money off of them because I pay everything off when it comes due.  I have not fallen into their little trap of buying something on credit, and then carrying a balance which is accruing interest by the second.  I have also not fallen for the gimmick of shopping in their stores every time they have a sale.  I especially like the ones that offer you “bucks” towards your next purchase.  They give you a time period to use it, and that is usually when there is no sale going on.   If I don’t have the money, or I don’t need the item, I don’t buy it.

My wallet has become so stuffed that I have to carry another little pouch to hold all these cards.   I have to look through too many to find the correct one, and gets even more confusing if I have gift card.  It looks comedic at times.  Retailers have created a game of making people feel like they are losing out if they don’t shop in their stores.  The only stores that don’t seem to have this option are the local independent small businesses.  They have their sales, they welcome you in without a rewards card, and they give you a nice shopping experience.  Maybe the time has come to start shopping in these stores more, and start supporting small business as we are all being encouraged to do.  It just might be the better deal.

Why Gap Stores Are Losing Sales

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Article first published as Why Gap Stores Are Losing Sales on Technorati.

      It was recently reported that Gap sales in stores has dropped 32% since 2004.  They are now reorganizing and revamping their line of women’s clothing.   It surprises me that this comes at such a shock to the company.  I am old enough to remember when Gap stores first started appearing outside of major cities.  The inventory consisted of jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc., which appealed to everyone. The clothes were well-made and reasonably priced.   Throughout the years they changed to a more upscale style of apparel and totally lost the brand for which they were known.

   The clothes for women seemed to be aimed at a certain demographic.  Teens and those in their 20’s seem to be the main market.   Unless you and tall and shaped like a pencil, the clothes are not flattering to most.   Why do so many jeans have to be low-risers?  I’m sorry, but after a couple of kids, low-riser jeans are not comfortable.  I also don’t want to worry that they will fall off when I bend down.   I remember having a pair of Gap jeans that were my favorite for many years.  I know styles change, but other companies seem to be able to design jeans that fit a wider range of sizes and shapes for the same price or less.

   The company has stated that they can’t get women’s shirts right.  I did buy two shirts last spring.  They were button down and made of very soft cotton.   Before that, I probably hadn’t bought anything for ten years.  Most of the shirts are made of a knit material that is often ribbed.  Again, you have to have long limbs for these to look good.   They are very form fitting as well.  I could probably pull this off but I like to have room to move in my clothes.   Why can’t they make shirts that have a wider appeal?

   I’m not much of a fashion expert, but don’t think it should be so hard to understand what appeals to the average woman.  Nobody seems to understand that most of us are not model materia,l and don’t need an expensive wardrobe to fit our lifestyle.   I believe Gap stores would flourish if they went back to their origins.  The baby boomers would be nostalgic, the young people would feel like they are going retro, and shoppers would return for another look.

A Gallon of Gasoline

   The price of gas is going up again.  It seems like every trip to the pump is experiencing a rise of 20 cents or more.  As much as I don’t like to see this happen, I can say one thing about gas.  We can judge the cost because no matter what the price, we pay for a gallon.  This is not true of many items we purchase.  Other industries have modified their sizes and quality without us readily noticing.

   My favorite brand of orange juice is Tropicana.  Last week, I saw it on sale for $2.50.  I thought this was quite the bargain and bought two.  It wasn’t until I got home that I noticed that the carton was now 59 oz. instead of 64.  They have been selling other juices at the 59 oz size for some time, but the straight orange juice has only been reduced recently.  So in other words, my great find was not really a great find after all.

   Cans of tuna are now down to 5 oz.  Sure they may be 10 for 10, but they are smaller.  I also noticed that the quality of Bumblebee has much to be desired.  The last time I opened a can, it contained more water, and the tuna itself was of a lower quality.  I now purchase another brand that I pay $1.25 to $1.50 for but it is 7 oz. and much meatier in taste and appearance.

    Coffee cans have shrunk too.   A small can is now 10.5 oz.  What happened to it being a pound?  It slowly reduced its size from 16 oz to 13 oz, then 11 oz and now 10.5 oz.   Pretty soon we will all be forced to by those little cups for individual servings.

   The list can go on and on, detergent, soap, crackers, bread, peanut butter, etc.  My sister thinks the roll of toilet paper has gotten narrower too.  I took a look the other day and realized that she is probably right.

    The makers of everyday goods have pulled a fast one on us.  I would rather have to pay more than to be fooled into thinking I am getting a bargain, and finding out that the contents is reduced or modified.  So, while I don’t like the cost of gasoline rising, at least I know that a gallon is a gallon.  Well…at least for now.

Small Cars at Costco

       I went shopping at Costco last week.  The drill is always the same.  I plan to go in for a “few” items, which should only take a “few” minutes.  Well, this never happens but I like to try and fool myself into thinking that someday it will.  The few minutes always turns into at least an hour.  The few items double or triple by the time I get to the checkout.  That is why I would really like to know what you buy when you go to Costco in a small car.

   I buy cereal,  coffee, meat, and breads on every trip.  There are other necessities that get added at times such as toilet paper, juice, cleaning products, aspirin, soap, etc…  Then there are the items that you didn’t know about before you walked into the store.  Here you can find clothing, a CD, a book (even though I already have about 10 unread at home), something for the house, or something seasonal.  I’m not an impulsive shopper, but sometimes those deals are too good to let go.    

  Most items are large, bulky, and heavy.  The toilet paper alone, all 48 rolls, can take up half the cargo space in the car.  Other items can weigh a ton.  I wonder how I got that herniated disk.  In any case, you need space in your vehicle to be a serious shopper at Costco.

   So I wonder how one manages with a small car.  Maybe they are only going in to use the pharmacy.  Maybe they live close by and go more often.  Maybe they are creative in making it all fit.  Here’s a thought.  Maybe they just buy a “few” items.  Much as I would like to believe it, I don’t think that day will ever come for me at Costco.