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| Going Out of Business Dollar Store Haul |
On Monday, I woke up around 9:30 a.m., after going to sleep around 4:30 a.m., fed Dancer, decided I needed more sleep, and went back to bed! I slept through whatever partial solar eclipse we were supposed to be able to see. When I woke up close to noon, the sun was shining brightly.
Around 3:00 p.m., I finally decided to go to the phone store. Unplugged the device (the backup battery light came on), put it into a bag with the file and user manual, etc. and left to go to the store. The device started beeping on the drive to the store, but, I ignored the beeps.
When I got to the store, there was a handwritten sign on the door saying the store was closed for lunch (apparently only one person was working there) and will reopen at 3:45 p.m. I had over half an hour to wait.
So, I decided to walk over to the dollar store that is closing. The sign outside said 10% - 30% off, final sale on all items, etc. Most of the items were 10% off; some fresh produce was 5% off. The store wasn't very crowded, but, there were long lines as only two checkouts were open; however, when I was standing in line, they opened a third checkout and I was able to get into that line. The shelves were already getting emptied and I saw someone buying cases of canned items and bottles of sauces.
I was very glad that I had bought certain items such as a new broom on my last visit because there weren't any brooms available, today. I was happy to get a new mop, though, as I had wanted a new one ($1.35 +$0.13 tax = $1.48).
In addition to the mop, I bought a 29 fl. oz. jar of coconut oil ($4.99), a pastry cutter (something I have always wanted; $2.70 + $0.26 tax), 1 package of chili mango ($2.70). 1 package of chocolate mints ($1.30), 1 can of corned beef ($3.60 and two packages of dried chilies ($1.99@)
I spent a total of $21.04.
After I bought my items and put them in the trunk of my car, I went to the phone store. The salesperson who was on duty was not very helpful, at all. At first, he said he didn't even know what the device was! I showed him the manual that came with it, but, he didn't know about such devices. Of course, as luck would have it, all the lights, including the service signal light, were on and green in the store! Maybe the store was in a stronger service signal area! But, I had taken photos of the lights flashing red at home and I was able to show him the photos. Still didn't do anything for him and he was ready to dismiss me. It was only when he saw the phone bill that he took me somewhat seriously. Then, I told him that the phone company customer service agent had told me to buy a new SIM card and he gave me a new SIM card (it was $5, but, he was able to waive the fee), but, I was at once able to tell that this new SIM card wouldn't work on my old phone device as it was bigger for one thing! He claimed he couldn't activate it for me at the store, that I had to call the phone company and have them activate it. I asked for the earlier salesperson who assisted me when I bought my new cell phone from them, but, he was not in today, he will be in tomorrow, I was told, and I could return tomorrow if I wished to. So, I took the SIM card he gave me and came home.
By this time, it was past 5:00 p.m. and I hadn't eaten anything except for the morning cup of tea and I was feeling tired and discouraged. My daughter called to ask what happened at the store and I told her that although I received a new SIM card, it wasn't activated. I had also received a letter from the phone company in the mail, today, that stated that my account information might have been compromised as a result of their recent data breach and I needed to reset my passcode, etc. If it's not one thing, it's another, isn't it?
We tried to reset the phone and I moved it to a different location per instructions on the phone company website (to an outlet near a window on an outside wall) but, the red lights are still there. At this point, I was ready to give up!
Anyway, daughter needed to go to her chorus rehearsal and I ate a sandwich and drank some diluted juice. Then, I watched the evening news, replied to blog comments, visited a few other blogs, etc., took the trash cans to the curb, cleaned out the fridge of some leftovers that were too old to eat, and tried to put the phone issues out of my mind.
Later in the evening, I video chatted with my daughter and I have decided that I will go back to the phone store, tomorrow afternoon, and ask them to add a new cell phone line with my current home phone number, to my cell phone. It is important for me to keep the current home phone number. Once that has been installed, I will have two cell phone lines on my one cell phone. I don't really need two cell lines, but, I want to make sure that the new line will work properly. The plan is to go back in about a week or so, and remove the current cell phone line. I don't like the idea of being without a landline/home phone, but, one has to move with the times, I guess.
On the positive side, if I do go with the cell line, I will be able to declutter three cordless phones and their charging bases plus the black box device and I can repurpose the small table in the hallway as a side table or another plant stand!
Brunch was sandwich with the last of the leftover beef curry. Dinner was leftover rice with the last of the leftover shrimp curry. There is still a little leftover rice, but, I might make some fried rice with it, tomorrow. I need to make a meal plan for the rest of the week; I'm not planning to go grocery shopping this week, so the meal plan is based on what's in the pantry and freezer:
Brunches: Scrambled eggs with toast or fried potatoes, pancakes or waffles, fried rice, French toast, toast with peanut butter, tuna salad sandwiches, muffins if I bake some
Dinners: Spaghetti with meat sauce (and leftover garlic bread); baked salmon with savory rice and broccoli or snow peas from the freezer; fried breaded shrimp with oven fried potato wedges and salad, leftovers from the spaghetti and the baked salmon.
On Monday, I was grateful for:
- A mostly sunny and warmer day
- A safe drive to the stores and back
- Getting a few bargain priced items from the dollar store
- My daughter's help and patience with me as I figure out the phone situation
- Having options
Monday's joyful activity was doing one final shop at the dollar store!
Plans for Tuesday include another trip to the phone store!
How was your Monday? Were you able to see the eclipse? What are your plans for Tuesday?
Oh dear, getting telephone service has turned into a part-time job. Maybe the more competent employee will be helpful today.
ReplyDeleteWell, the solar eclipse was absolutely amazing! It was really fun to hear from family in different areas because the views differed wildly. We didn’t expect much in the Bronx, but fortunately I was prepared with eclipse glasses. The view was crystal clear and, even though we had 90% occlusion, I experienced the darkening (to about a dusk-like level), a change in temperature (chilled a few degrees quickly), and the astonishing view of the moon moving across the sun. My husband, at work, popped out to see it (they took turns) and the same for younger daughter in Philadelphia. My sister and her husband were in Manhattan (only a few miles from us) and hardly saw anything. Older daughter outside Columbus, Ohio saw the full eclipse. Nephews and their families in Indiana and in Louisville, Kentucky also saw 100% eclipse. Everyone was profoundly moved. Cousins in Texas who expected to see it had cloud cover, alas. Many of my neighbors were out and it was a fun day.
Apologies to Mama Cat and Dancer for my mix-up. 🙀
Good shopping at the Dollar Store. It worked out well that you had time to fill and you were nearby.
I’m off early today for bloodwork. Good luck with your phone!
I'm getting thoroughly fedup with all the phone issues!
DeleteHow wonderful that you were able to see the solar eclipse and different members of the family in different areas were able to view it, too, to different degrees!
No need to apologize for the cat mix up!
Yes, the trip to the dollar store worked out well.
I hope your bloodwork goes well and the results are all good.
Thanks! I need all the luck I can get with the phone! :D
Most electronics are made to be replaced these days, not fixed, unfortunately. It sounds like you've come up with a good solution for your phone. We were able to see the eclipse. We weren't in totality, but had 87% coverage which was pretty amazing. I was surprised about how much the temperature dropped during it.
ReplyDeleteYes, built-in obsolescence, which is really sad.
DeleteI'm glad you were able to see the eclipse and experience it. :)
We were too far east to see the eclipse, other parts of England saw it. I've been thinking about getting a pastry cutter for 40 years. I think I can manage without one now!
ReplyDeleteSorry you couldn't see the eclipse, Angela; Rosie would have loved it, I'm sure. I've managed without a pastry cutter until now, too, and it was definitely a want, not a need, but, maybe it will help prevent my fingers from cramping when I make pastries, and for under $3, it was an affordable splurge. :)
DeleteI think you will find the pastry cutter useful for more than just pastry. I use mine all the time to cut up eggs for egg salad sandwiches!
ReplyDeleteI hope your phone plans work out well. I like the fact that you will have the compensation of being able to get rid of the cordless phones and reclaim that space.
We have sunshine and cloud again today, much like yesterday when we were able to see the partial eclipse from our yard.
Thank you, Bushlady; I'm hoping that the pastry cutter will speed up the pastry making and relieve some of the cramping in my fingers when I make pastry. I shall look forward to using it for cutting up eggs for egg salad, too!
DeleteI'm getting fed up with the phone situation, especially as I received notification from the phone company that my personal information was compromised during a recent security breach and data leak! I hope that the issue gets resolved, today.
I'm glad that you were able to see the partial eclipse from your yard, yesterday, and you continue to have nice weather. It's sunny, here, today, and in the mid-70s, right now.
Glad you found the pastry making tool at bargain price. My friend's mum had one years ago and when I saw it I bought one for my mum. It was hard to find at the time but she was really pleased with it. When I moved out I bought another for myself. They are so useful! What a pain about the phone and the rubbishy service. Hope the other colleague is more helpful. Don't give up!
ReplyDeleteElla
Thank you, Ella; I'm looking forward to using the pastry dough cutter tool to make something. I hope it works as well as I hope it will!
DeleteThe phone issues have been resolved and I'll probably to another post about it. It took two trips to the store, but, in the end, it was resolved. "If you can't beat them, join them" or something like that! :D
I hope you get some help tomorrow! It must be so frustrating especially when they aren't a lot of help.
ReplyDeleteI sat in the garden to watch the eclipse. I wasn't going to but it was a beautiful afternoon so I sat and watched the birds and, with glasses I got from my MIL, I looked up now and then to watch the eclipse. I was so glad I didn't go anywhere. I could see it well enough and it was really peaceful.
Thank you, Sharon; yes, I received the help I needed. Good customer service is so difficult to find these days, isn't it?
DeleteI'm glad you were able to watch the eclipse from your garden. Sounds like you made the right decision to watch it from home. :) The last time there was a partial eclipse, a few years ago, I, too, watched it from my garden.
I know all of the phone drama has been resolved but even while knowing that, I got stressed out on your behalf reading about your dealings with the unhelpful worker at the phone store. I think we've all had situations like that and it can be pretty upsetting.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you wanted to just go home, eat something, pet your cat and zone out in front of one of your videos.
You got a few good things at the dollar store. I have a pastry cutter and find it quite useful at times. (I use it for making egg salad)
Your dried peppers will be useful. I know you like some spice in your cooking. Me too!
Thank you for getting stressed on my behalf, Debra; my daughter got quite stressed on my behalf, too! She even offered to fly down on Friday to go to the phone store with me on Saturday and fly back up on Sunday! It would have been an expensive weekend trip and I told her not to worry, I'll handle it, myself. :)
DeleteYou are the second person to mention using the pastry cutter for making egg salad! :D
I like to use the dried peppers when I make certain curries like sauteed garbanzo beans and dhal. Just one or two go a long way. :)
I'm not surprised you were feeling discouraged, Bless. I find customer service can often be sadly lacking, and no one seems to want to assist these days.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your daughter was able to help you. Xx
Thank you, Jules. Good customer service is hard to find, I think.
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