The Miss Elaine-ous Life

random acts of life, family and photos

Tuesday’s Tribute – Time Wasted. Patience Tested.

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This week I am participating in Jay & Deb’s Tuesday’s Tribute. And although I am usually a pretty positive person, today is not so positive. Just warning you.

Once upon a time I was in a hurry (which happens a lot by the way) and had just 30 minutes before I needed to pick up the kiddos from school. This was actually on The B Man’s birthday and I decided to stop at the Big Lots near our house (and school) to grab some wrapping paper. After also finding a cute $1.00 scrapbooking item and yet another bag of plastic eggs, I was good to go.

Until……..

I got to the check-out.

There were two lanes open. And let me just tell you right now, I picked the WRONG one.

As I began to realize what was going on in front of me I started to see my life flash before my eyes. And curse my name for getting behind these two. These ladies, mother and daughter, that managed (truly GOD himself only knows how) to spend just shy of $350.00 at Big Lots. That is NOT a typo.

They pulled everything from 100 thread count sheets to ketchup out of that cart. And as I began to feel week and dehydrated, the daughter (who was probably in her 50’s) continued shopping in the front of the store, adding things to their enormous purchase.

She piled on 4 plastic lawn chairs, a bag of charcoal, an Easter bunny, some candles and a couple of bags of chips.

I glanced at the man standing behind me and mouthed the word “WOW!” and for a moment we had a good little chuckle together. They were COMPLETELY clueless. But then reality set in again as I turned back around and realized they were STILL there and the checker was STILL scanning items.

And, just as I was about to cry and play the “I’m-pregnant-but-not-really-showing-yet-so-please-let-me-out-of-here-with-my-$4-worth-of-crap” card, they were finally finished. As my heart started to beat again, Momma pulled out her check book. I haven’t seen anyone write a check at a store since like 1999. I really thought I might go into cardiac arrest.

Once I eventually saddled up to the counter with my few items and my $5.00 in cash I looked at the checker and said “My transaction is going to be quite a bit easier.” For some reason, she was not amused.

As I passed Mama Cass and her daughter packing their car, I hopped in mine and realized it had been a 5 minute shopping trip, with a 15 minute plus wait to check out. And while picking up the kids and taking them home I figured they were probably still there loading their canned chili and colanders into the back of their Toyota Tercel.

So to the two ladies from Big Lots, I honor you for spending more money in that store than I EVER thought was possible. And while I’m at it, good job at robbing me of my time and patience. If I see your clown car in the parking lot next time, I’ll be sure to take a detour over to my dentist and get a root canal instead.

Tuesday's Tribute
A Jay and Deb Production.

P.S. Today’s the last day to enter the giveaway for The Noonie!

elaine

Comments

  1. I am laughing so hard my wife thinks I’m a moron…I mean, still thinks I’m a moron.

    That is AWESOME. Aint no party like a Big Lots Party.

    By the way, the Mama Cass reference was pure genius.

    (golf clap turns to rowdy football roar)

  4. Oh my! That’s a ton of money for that store. I’ve only been in there a few times though but things seem fairly inexensive.

    Sometimes I really have to pray for patience when I wait in line for people. Especially if they aren’t ready to pay.

    I just assume they figure they’re going to have to pay to get thru the line so why aren’t they getting their money out ahead of time, lol!

    Unfortunately I’ve made some errors and made people wait for me….sigh….

  5. So, there was nothing left on the shelves, right? How the hell do you spend that much in Big Lots?

    And why would you want to?

    As I read this story, I had a deja vu. I’m certain I’ve experienced almost this same thing.

    And don’t you hate when they pull the checkbook out at the last minute (and that check will probably bounce more than Tigger)? As if the cashier was going to say, “Oh, your order. Free.”

  7. Mama Cass, clown car, Big Lots, root canal~ funny stuff! Speaking as someone who has ZERO patience, I really feel your pain.

  9. Wow. Why does that always happen when you are in a hurry? I swear it happens every time I have to pick the boys up from school. I always get stuck in the slow lane.

  12. Wow. I didn’t think $350 was possible either…really. I give you tribute for surviving the wait. I may have bailed earlier and scribbled out a card when I got home! hahaha

  14. Is it bad that your ridiculous experience at Big Lots made me laugh? Oh my, I would have felt the same as you. Nothing like that to get your blood boiling!
    I love these tributes… and it is fun to see a sarcastic one. Thanks for the smile!

  15. I didn’t know it was possible to spend that much there, either. What a wonderful way to start my day…….here. 🙂

  16. LOL! First off, just laughing that you called her Mama Cass! Second, boy do i feel your pain! I ALWAYS choose the wrong check-out lane. ALWAYS, esp. if I am in a hurry.
    UGH!

    Hope you have a Happy Tuesday!

  17. What color Toyota Tercel? I’m going to start scanning the parking lots before I go in any stores around here…and if I see THEM I won’t even bother. Geez lousie, people! I ALWAYS seem to pick the wrong line.

  24. OMG I am laughing so hard..you are one patient lady.
    We all have crazy checkout stories…I don’t think I have EVER spent more than $20 at a store like big lots
    Cheers! Thanks for the smiles!

  30. I ALWAYS pick the wrong lane. Truly.

    Too funny though. I was thinking as you were telling the story that maybe they had stolen an identity or credit card and were living it up…until you said she wrote a check…what??? Who writes a check?

    Glad you managed to leave with a little bit of your sanity.

  34. Oh my…I HATE when I get behind people like that – and what is with writing checks in a store? The few I’ve seen in recent memory have always been from people who take like 5 minutes to write them out!!!!