Just Heather
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Damn the Corporations
Jul 08, 2005 | Filed Under: Checking Out, Never Again

I just returned completely empty-handed from a 30-minute trip the grocery store for much needed milk, meat and produce. As I’m sure you all know, I buy nothing that isn’t on sale. So I spent my time walking through the store with a toddler gathering the bargains. I get to the checkout only to discover that my handy dandy Kroger Plus card is not attached to my keychain since it was loaned to my husband in order to save money on our Family Fun Day at Indiana Beach. The cashier says “I’m sorry.” So I politely asked if there was a store card she could swipe to get my discount.

“No, sorry. We don’t do that here.” Then she starts scanning my over-priced groceries. What?! Like I would pay full price for anything. She actually looked stunned when I told her I didn’t want any of it. Then she looked around completely clueless while I left my cart exactly where it was, gathered my munchkin and left the store, passing a manager who barely glanced my way much less noticed me as an extremely unsatisfied customer leaving without my groceries.

If I didn’t have a free $20 gift card to go back and get the stuff tomorrow, I would definitely not be Krogering any time soon. At least I can revel in the knowledge that they won’t actually see a penny of my money.

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Support our Troops
May 27, 2005 | Filed Under: Bleeding Heart, Living Inexpensively, Love It, Scout Mom

I’m talking about real, honest-to-goodness support. My Brownie troop organized a care package drive at school. We managed to put together 10 care packages for soldiers overseas through the Any Soldier program. I am preparing them to mail this week, and in doing so discovered several other great programs.

I ran out of packing peanuts. Not surprising since I’ve never bought any in my life, but I still had 5 packages to complete. So I did what any good coupon queen would do and put a request on Freecycle. Not only did I receive 5 offers for packing peanuts, but I received an amazing offer from Beanies for Baghdad to ship all 10 packages for free, courtesy of Gary Sinise through Operation Iraqi Children and A Million Thanks.

I think all 4 of these efforts are wonderful opportunities to truly support our troops, and I plan to participate in some way with all 3 who have preserved my girls’ troop funds for next year’s activities.

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Eat here, Get gas
Jan 17, 2005 | Filed Under: Glamorous Life, Never Again

I have a thing about eating at restaurants attached to gas stations. I don’t know why; I just think it’s weird. Tonight I broke my rule and stopped at the Shell station McDonald’s because I wanted more time to eat before I picked up my movies.  The other MdD’s is basically next door to Blockbuster. Nothing good ever happens when I stop at this gas station McDonald’s.

Tonight was no exception. I paid for my meal at the 1st window with a credit card (I love that I don’t have to carry cash anymore!) As the guy is handing me my card, he drops it. It falls out the window and slides right into the Ronald McDonald House collection box. Which is locked, obviously. So the awkward teenager runs to get a key and runs (literally) outside to my window. Tight squeeze, so I pull ahead to get my food.

It turns out that the giant ring of keys he brought out has a key to every lock on the planet, except the collection box. He jets back in and comes out with a big, important manager guy. The special uniform tipped me off to his importance. He stands around looking important on his cell phone while Awkward Teenager tries every key on another key ring. Meanwhile, I’m eating my super salty fries that were just handed to me by the super smiley teenager girl and laughing my warm butt off at these guys standing out in the snow.

They are soon joined by Super Smiley Teenager with yet another keyring. This one has only a lone key, which—thankfully—opens the collection box. Awkward Teenager brings my card, apologizes for like the 47th time, and runs back inside. Important Manger Guy is still on his cell phone so that was apparently unrelated. Do I get my meal for free for my ordeal? Nope, the credit card incident happened after it was swiped. Am I offered a gift certificate for my trouble? Nope. Important Manager Guy simply shoos me because I am obviously pulling out of the drive-thru too slowly for his tastes.

Halfway to Blockbuster, I bite into my burger only to discover that at this McDonald’s “ketchup only” is code for “loaded.” Maybe later I’ll tell you how it was the perfect cap-off to my Soccer Mom Drama meeting. I’ll also tell you all about the 15 squealing adorable girls who spent 2 noise fun-filled hours in my home on Saturday. Right now, I just want to sleep.

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