What fur?

Story #1

I have 3 beautiful faux (fake) fur coats right now. They’re visible, but behind the counter so they don’t ‘walk away.’ A couple came in this morning and the guy spotted the coats and spoke with disdain about them, loudly proclaimling,. “I can’t believe anybody would ever wear a fake fur” and then went on and on about how cool real furs were. They had just walked in, so he didn‘t have a clue as to who else may have been in the store (or what they were wearing).

Before they left, he proceeded to ask for a discount on a $10 costume jewelry ring. He didn’t get a discount and didn’t buy the ring. Go figure.

Story #2

Young woman walked into the store about 4:15 this afternoon and started to tell me about the beautiful brand new wedding dress she wanted me to buy or consign. I nicely told her that I don‘t take in wedding dresses. She then looked behind the counter, turned up her nose and said, “But you take furs?” My answer - “Yes, because they sell."

Because she just stood there quizzically looking at me, I said, "Wedding dresses don’t.”

She made a face and left.

Ladies, PLEASE don't buy a wedding dress unless you're sure it's what you want and you understand that 99% of the time, nobody else wants it when you're done with it, whether you've worn it or not. It's the truth.

I just might lose my "wife card!"

I haven't been responsible for the household grocery shopping in years. It all started when I lived in Cleveland from 1985-95 during the week and only came home on (most) weekends. My husband became the grocery shopper, cook, etc. I only had to occasionally grocery shop for myself in Cleveland.

I didn't miss it at all. And even after I moved back to Toledo, I avoided it as much as I could. Fortunately, because my husband would rather eat than breathe, he likes to grocery shop.

For two reasons, I'm going to be grocery shopping again: I am retiring soon and my husband just started a part-time job. I told him that I would take over this task at least one day a week.

I was off both Saturday and Sunday last weekend and he had to work both days (delivering for Bartz-Viviano florists). So I ventured out! What a reality check: first were the prices. He'd been telling me about the rising costs, but seeing it for myself was quite a shock.

And I made a huge mistake - everything looked so good, that I bought way too much - and a lot of it had to be eaten within 24 to 48 hours.

Needless to say, we've eaten very well for the past 2 days.

So, do you have any good grocery store stories?

Age just doesn't matter

There's a new man in my life. But it's okay if you tell my husband. There is a guy that I've gotten to know well over the past year and I'm happy to call him friend.

But the big deal is - I'm old enough to be his grandmother! We even jokingly refer to ourselves as "grandma and grandson."

Only 23 years old, Andrew is such a fine young man that I'd be proud if we were related. I've known his parents for several years, but it was at a BNI conference last year in San Diego where a bunch of us BNI Assistant Directors got to know each other better.

Andrew has had more than one job in the recent past, but now I believe he's found his niche in selling insurance. And since this profession is found in almost all BNI chapters already, he has to start a new one (BNI chapters are "business-exclusive; that is, only one profession per chapter so you're never in the same chapter as your competition). And I'm proud to be the Assistant Director of this new chapter.

Thanks, Andrew (er, grandson), for being my friend. And thanks, Shirleen and Chuck, for sharing your son with me.

Update on previous post

Store isn't sold yet, but I've now met with two other parties who seem to be seriously interested - so every time the phone rings, I'm hoping it's one of them, offering me even more than my asking price! (always a dreamer, Sandy)

I've asked everyone I've met with to let me know if they "drop out of the running." So far only one has.

Keep your fingers crossed for me.