Yesterday Phil and I both had the day off, and since I spent my first day off on Monday straightening up the house and doing all my other wifely duties, I had the whole day yesterday to just sit back and relax and I figured what better way to spend the day but to go to the new Queen Creek library, which is right around the corner from our house. We decided to walk/roll down there (lol) and it was such a beautiful day out, 80 degrees and perfect. The one thing I did notice was that sidewalks just seem to end around here, and then I am forced to off road it, and there are no street lights to get your safely across the street unless you go a mile up the road, so your forced to cross the street where ever you can. You would think that this town, with all the money they are putting in to building infrastructure and whatnot, could afford to put in some sidewalks or make things a little more handicap accessible, but I guess not. My mom says I should write the town and let them know the issues I have when trying to get around, but I think it is going to end up being another letter that is just tossed in some wastebasket. Maybe I will though, I know I've seen a few other people around here who use powerchairs and scooters and they have the same problems I do.
Anyway, we finally get to the library and it is so nice, and I just love the smell of a new building. We went up to the desk and both got a library card, and then we were off to explore. It has been so long since I've been in a library, and I didn't realize how much I missed it. The one thing that is nice about this place is that they don't use the card catalog of numbers, where to find your book you have to write down the number of where it is, and then search the whole place trying to find those numbers. This is basically here are the fiction books, and you find your author alphabetically. Not that I mind having to find a book I want based on the card catalog, I've done it a lot, and it isn't hard, but it makes it nice just being able to go to a section and there is everything you want and not have to worry about whether your in the right area or not.
The really great thing about this library is that you can check out DVDs, and these are brand new releases as well as older ones, and also TV series. This makes it so much easier then having to pay $1 a night for a Redbox movies, or $10 a month for Netflix, and you get to keep the movie for 7 days. And for us, who like so many people are on a budget, anything you can get for free is great! We rent The House Bunny and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and he also got some military movie and The Ring 2, which I told him he is watching by himself because I just can't do scary movies. I also checked out a really interesting book by John Grisham called "The Innocent Man" and Phil, who really loves Westerns, got a book about a gunslinger in the Old West. I also found the cooking section and checked out a Pillsbury cookbook with 177 different easy recipes that all look so delicious, and I am definitely one of loves trying out new recipes.
After the library, we made a stop by Bahama Bucks, which is a great place that serves Hawaiian shaved ice and smoothies. When you open the door to the place, you are hit with the smell of coconut, and their shaved ice is so creamy. I got watermelon, with cream on top, and a little umbrella in it, and really, how can a drink with a little umbrella in it not be good? It really hit the spot on such a warm day.
After our library and shaved ice adventure, we headed over to my work, good ol' Walmart, to pick up a few groceries we needed for dinner. I made my hearty pork stew, full of fresh mushrooms, carrots, potatoes, and green onions. It is so good and something I haven't made in awhile, because it takes a few hours to really get the stew nice and cooked with full flavor. But the hard work is definitely worth it. Served with some crusty french bread, and a good movie in the DVD player, it was a great end to a great day.
About Me
- Kimbo Central
- San Tan Valley, AZ, United States
- A wife and mommy to a beautiful three year old son, blogging about being a mommy, and taking care of my family.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Redbox = Confessional
There's this phenomenon, known as Redbox. I am sure you've seen them around in Walmart's and Walgreens, and who knows where else. It is, literally, a red box that has the latest movies in it, and you can rent a movie for the night for a $1, sometimes free if you have a promo code.
Of course, my Walmart has a Redbox, placed conveniently at the busiest door of the store, and on the weekends, this machine blows up. The line of people that stand there waiting to return and rent a movie can sometimes head out toward the door. A fellow greeter has named it the "Confessional", because you stand in front of it, hoping and praying your movie will be available to rent.
So this weekend, it was another go with the "Redboxers", having to continually do crowd control, asking them not to block the exit because, well, people are trying to get past you to leave and your not moving out of the way. I have come to love observing these redboxers too, because it is so funny how people will act when it comes to renting a movie.
The one common thing I noticed is that no one has trust in the fact that someone else will return your movie for you, so you don't have to wait in line. You'll see a lady, with three screaming kids in line, looking frazzled, and the nice person in front of them asks if they can return the movie for her so she can go about her day, and immediately her hand tightens around her movies as she says no, and looks at the person suspiciously. It is funny how no one trusts someone else, thinking they will just keep the movie for themselves and they'll end up getting charged. Now, I am sure that happens, but I really don't think the 50 yr old grandpa wants to watch High School Musical 3 and Spongebob Squarepants. I could be wrong though....
Another great thing is how mad these redboxers get when someone comes into the store and just walks up to the machine and announces to the whole line that they are just returning, so it's OK I just cut in here, right? Most people don't say anything, but seeing as they having been standing in line for 30 minutes, if looks could kill, that little ditzy blonde would be a goner. And it is always those girls who come in dressed like they just left the club, or strip club. I guess they figure if their ass and boobs are hanging out, no one will notice they just cut in line in front of 15 angry people.
Of course, my favorite, is the people who get up there and spend about an hour trying to find a movie to rent, while the line behind them grows bigger and bigger. I've seen people read every description of every movie, and then after wasting all that time, not even RENT a movie. You start seeing the line get annoyed to downright ready to turn into a mob and kill. Of, and let's not forget the people who come up to me and bitch that their movie isn't available to rent, and what am I going to do about it. Well, I don't control the redbox, and if you want a movie so bad, go online and reserve it. One guy actually had the nerve to tell me that since his movie wasn't available, Walmart should give him the DVD of the movie free. OK dude, keep holding your breath on that to happen.
Oh look, I just got my Monday text for my free Redbox promo code Monday's...I must hurry and get in line.....
Of course, my Walmart has a Redbox, placed conveniently at the busiest door of the store, and on the weekends, this machine blows up. The line of people that stand there waiting to return and rent a movie can sometimes head out toward the door. A fellow greeter has named it the "Confessional", because you stand in front of it, hoping and praying your movie will be available to rent.
So this weekend, it was another go with the "Redboxers", having to continually do crowd control, asking them not to block the exit because, well, people are trying to get past you to leave and your not moving out of the way. I have come to love observing these redboxers too, because it is so funny how people will act when it comes to renting a movie.
The one common thing I noticed is that no one has trust in the fact that someone else will return your movie for you, so you don't have to wait in line. You'll see a lady, with three screaming kids in line, looking frazzled, and the nice person in front of them asks if they can return the movie for her so she can go about her day, and immediately her hand tightens around her movies as she says no, and looks at the person suspiciously. It is funny how no one trusts someone else, thinking they will just keep the movie for themselves and they'll end up getting charged. Now, I am sure that happens, but I really don't think the 50 yr old grandpa wants to watch High School Musical 3 and Spongebob Squarepants. I could be wrong though....
Another great thing is how mad these redboxers get when someone comes into the store and just walks up to the machine and announces to the whole line that they are just returning, so it's OK I just cut in here, right? Most people don't say anything, but seeing as they having been standing in line for 30 minutes, if looks could kill, that little ditzy blonde would be a goner. And it is always those girls who come in dressed like they just left the club, or strip club. I guess they figure if their ass and boobs are hanging out, no one will notice they just cut in line in front of 15 angry people.
Of course, my favorite, is the people who get up there and spend about an hour trying to find a movie to rent, while the line behind them grows bigger and bigger. I've seen people read every description of every movie, and then after wasting all that time, not even RENT a movie. You start seeing the line get annoyed to downright ready to turn into a mob and kill. Of, and let's not forget the people who come up to me and bitch that their movie isn't available to rent, and what am I going to do about it. Well, I don't control the redbox, and if you want a movie so bad, go online and reserve it. One guy actually had the nerve to tell me that since his movie wasn't available, Walmart should give him the DVD of the movie free. OK dude, keep holding your breath on that to happen.
Oh look, I just got my Monday text for my free Redbox promo code Monday's...I must hurry and get in line.....
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Tales From A Greeter - #2
Another installment of the wacky and weird things I see while being a greeter....
~Fashion Tip: Wearing sweatpants with writing on the ass, such as "Juicy", just looks weird, no matter how nice of an ass you have. And if you are going to wear pants with writing on the ass, don't get mad when guys stare at your ass the whole time you are shopping through the store..or when anyone looks at your ass because HELLO...you have words there...you might as well have your pants say "Stare Here!"
~ Attention Shoplifters: If you send one guy in the store to buy a computer legitimately, and they go through the door and the greeter stops you and checks the receipt, and highlights that everything is good with THAT computer, don't leave the store, give the receipt to someone else, and have them come in and get the same computer and try to pass it through the other door. We highlight the receipts for a reason...do you really think we aren't going to catch that?
~ Attention patrons of the Redbox movie machine: Walmart does not run the Redbox, we do not put movies in there, that is done by the Redbox guy once a week. Having your cute 6 year old come up to me asking if I could put High School Musical 3 in the machine so they can rent it, and then getting mad at me when I say we don't have the ability to do that and yell at me because your kid is crying because the movie is all rented out, really isn't good parenting.
~ Speaking of bad parenting: When you enter into the store, it really isn't smart to walk fast with your 2 yr old toddling behind you, and you are halfway into the store before you realize your kid is still trying to get through the door. It would be so easy for someone to snatch up your kid and you would be none the wiser. Besides having to do returns and check receipts, I also then have to be the babysitter for your kid until you realize they aren't with you.
~ Please don't yell at me and tell me I am discriminating against you when I ask to check your receipt. I don't care what your race, religion, or anything else is, if you have things at the bottom of your cart, anything from electronics, or if you are just walking out of the store with an item, I have to check the receipt. I didn't check the guy in front of you because his stuff was in a bad, and your walking out with an MP3 player in your hand, no bag, no visible receipt.
~ If you need to ride the electric cart around the store when you are shopping, then by all means, it is available for your use. But the carts are not allowed outside the store, and there are signs posted regarding this. If you walk into the store just fine, then suddenly tell me you can't walk out to your car and yell at me about discriminating against the disabled, then don't get mad when I alert you to the fact I saw you walk into the store fine, so you are able to get to your car without the electric cart, and that I am not breaking any disability laws, because I know the laws full well...hello, I am disabled myself!
~ Speaking of me being disabled, it really is not alright for you to walk up to me when you come into the store, push on my legs, and ask how long I have been paralyzed. Yes, I kid you not, people will actually push on my legs thinking I am paralyzed and can't feel it. Even if I was paralyzed (which thank goodness I am not), why would you need to push on my legs!? It's just weird!
OK, so there's a few goodies for ya! There's always more to come!!
~Fashion Tip: Wearing sweatpants with writing on the ass, such as "Juicy", just looks weird, no matter how nice of an ass you have. And if you are going to wear pants with writing on the ass, don't get mad when guys stare at your ass the whole time you are shopping through the store..or when anyone looks at your ass because HELLO...you have words there...you might as well have your pants say "Stare Here!"
~ Attention Shoplifters: If you send one guy in the store to buy a computer legitimately, and they go through the door and the greeter stops you and checks the receipt, and highlights that everything is good with THAT computer, don't leave the store, give the receipt to someone else, and have them come in and get the same computer and try to pass it through the other door. We highlight the receipts for a reason...do you really think we aren't going to catch that?
~ Attention patrons of the Redbox movie machine: Walmart does not run the Redbox, we do not put movies in there, that is done by the Redbox guy once a week. Having your cute 6 year old come up to me asking if I could put High School Musical 3 in the machine so they can rent it, and then getting mad at me when I say we don't have the ability to do that and yell at me because your kid is crying because the movie is all rented out, really isn't good parenting.
~ Speaking of bad parenting: When you enter into the store, it really isn't smart to walk fast with your 2 yr old toddling behind you, and you are halfway into the store before you realize your kid is still trying to get through the door. It would be so easy for someone to snatch up your kid and you would be none the wiser. Besides having to do returns and check receipts, I also then have to be the babysitter for your kid until you realize they aren't with you.
~ Please don't yell at me and tell me I am discriminating against you when I ask to check your receipt. I don't care what your race, religion, or anything else is, if you have things at the bottom of your cart, anything from electronics, or if you are just walking out of the store with an item, I have to check the receipt. I didn't check the guy in front of you because his stuff was in a bad, and your walking out with an MP3 player in your hand, no bag, no visible receipt.
~ If you need to ride the electric cart around the store when you are shopping, then by all means, it is available for your use. But the carts are not allowed outside the store, and there are signs posted regarding this. If you walk into the store just fine, then suddenly tell me you can't walk out to your car and yell at me about discriminating against the disabled, then don't get mad when I alert you to the fact I saw you walk into the store fine, so you are able to get to your car without the electric cart, and that I am not breaking any disability laws, because I know the laws full well...hello, I am disabled myself!
~ Speaking of me being disabled, it really is not alright for you to walk up to me when you come into the store, push on my legs, and ask how long I have been paralyzed. Yes, I kid you not, people will actually push on my legs thinking I am paralyzed and can't feel it. Even if I was paralyzed (which thank goodness I am not), why would you need to push on my legs!? It's just weird!
OK, so there's a few goodies for ya! There's always more to come!!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Swollen Finger
I've noticed, for the past 2 months, that I haven't been able to take off my wedding ring. I wear a size 7, but my fingers to tend to swell a bit with my arthritis, and with the colder weather, they have been a bit swollen. I've tried taking off the two rings, but they don't come off easily, and since I really have no reason to take them off, I haven't worried about it.
Yesterday I decided our rings needed cleaning, and since I bought a new toothbrush, I took some toothpaste on the brush and scrubbed his ring, and it came out so nice and shiny. So I went to take off my ring, and of course, it wouldn't budge. So I cleaned it with it on my finger, and it looked like it was brand new, but I wanted to get it off so I could clean underneath it. A few hours passed and I tried taking it off again, this time pulling and twisting it as hard as I could, and I got them both off, but it made my finger red and swollen. So I got it nice and clean and took a shower, and afterward put the rings back on again and the finger got even more red and swollen, and the rings wouldn't move an inch. I tried putting butter and oil on my finger and it just wouldn't move, and I ended up making my finger raw. So I iced it all night, and went to bed hoping the swelling would go down. No luck, the swelling was still there, and my finger felt tight, and we had no choice but to cut off the engagement ring part. I was scared as hell when he came at me with the pliers, pleading for him to not cut off my finger as well, but he was so gently and after a few tries, the ring snapped off, and I cried. I love my ring, more for the symbolism then anything else, and it broke my heart to see it laying there on the counter broken. But my finger started feeling so much better right away. I iced it more, and I thought I was going to have to take the wedding band off as well, but it doesn't seem to be bothering my finger, and I really don't want to go around wearing no ring at all. Luckily the swelling has gone down some, and the finger is feeling better.
I would like to get a new set, because I love wearing a set and not just the band, but for now, at least I have my wedding band to wear, and that it good enough for me. Eventually I'll get something else that I will love just as much, but I am going to hold onto my engagement ring, because it has so much meaning for me. I put it in my jewelry box for safe keeping.
Yesterday I decided our rings needed cleaning, and since I bought a new toothbrush, I took some toothpaste on the brush and scrubbed his ring, and it came out so nice and shiny. So I went to take off my ring, and of course, it wouldn't budge. So I cleaned it with it on my finger, and it looked like it was brand new, but I wanted to get it off so I could clean underneath it. A few hours passed and I tried taking it off again, this time pulling and twisting it as hard as I could, and I got them both off, but it made my finger red and swollen. So I got it nice and clean and took a shower, and afterward put the rings back on again and the finger got even more red and swollen, and the rings wouldn't move an inch. I tried putting butter and oil on my finger and it just wouldn't move, and I ended up making my finger raw. So I iced it all night, and went to bed hoping the swelling would go down. No luck, the swelling was still there, and my finger felt tight, and we had no choice but to cut off the engagement ring part. I was scared as hell when he came at me with the pliers, pleading for him to not cut off my finger as well, but he was so gently and after a few tries, the ring snapped off, and I cried. I love my ring, more for the symbolism then anything else, and it broke my heart to see it laying there on the counter broken. But my finger started feeling so much better right away. I iced it more, and I thought I was going to have to take the wedding band off as well, but it doesn't seem to be bothering my finger, and I really don't want to go around wearing no ring at all. Luckily the swelling has gone down some, and the finger is feeling better.
I would like to get a new set, because I love wearing a set and not just the band, but for now, at least I have my wedding band to wear, and that it good enough for me. Eventually I'll get something else that I will love just as much, but I am going to hold onto my engagement ring, because it has so much meaning for me. I put it in my jewelry box for safe keeping.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day has never been a good day for me in the past, I've either been single on the day, or I was even dumped on the day once, many years ago. So I sort of make it a point to not even try and recognize the day. But now I have Phil, and the day isn't as bad as it used to be.
For him, I bought him a fishing pole this year, and yes, as silly of a Valentine's Day present as it seems, it is what he really wanted. The funny thing was trying to roll around Wal-Mart with this fishing pole, which I was able to pull apart, but it was still tall, and having all my co-workers laughing at me, making jokes about my "big catch". That day was also extremely windy and stormy, so trying to make it home across the parking lot, in 20mph winds, holding onto a fishing pole for dear life, was quite a sight too.
Phil got me a big box of chocolate's, the one thing about Valentine's Day I love, because I love the chocolate assortment, and he got me a beautiful card. He went to work that morning, I went to work at night, but my real present was when I got home, for he had cooked me a big dinner, and it was so good! It was nice to be pampered like that, especially after a long night at work.
Now I am enjoying two days off, after working five days in a row, and I am definitely needing the relaxation. I was able to finish the book, Twilight, and I have to say I am totally hooked, and can't wait to start in on the next book in the series. I can't believe it has taken me this long to finally get to reading these books, and now I am looking forward to seeing the movie, which I am sure Mindy and I will end up going, because I don't see it as Phil's type of movie, and she is in love with it too, and has already seen it like two or three times. I am sure I can convince her to see it one more! Haha
Today is President's Day, and something strange I found out, is that Obama is going to be visiting my old high school on Wednesday, Dobson High. As my friend Tori says, he just wants to close to where Kimbo has been Hahaha!!
Well, nothing else to really report. We were thinking of heading out to the park tomorrow and letting Brandi run around and explore, and have a picnic, but rain is coming in again tonight, so I think we'll just spend another quiet day at home together before our work week begins again.
For him, I bought him a fishing pole this year, and yes, as silly of a Valentine's Day present as it seems, it is what he really wanted. The funny thing was trying to roll around Wal-Mart with this fishing pole, which I was able to pull apart, but it was still tall, and having all my co-workers laughing at me, making jokes about my "big catch". That day was also extremely windy and stormy, so trying to make it home across the parking lot, in 20mph winds, holding onto a fishing pole for dear life, was quite a sight too.
Phil got me a big box of chocolate's, the one thing about Valentine's Day I love, because I love the chocolate assortment, and he got me a beautiful card. He went to work that morning, I went to work at night, but my real present was when I got home, for he had cooked me a big dinner, and it was so good! It was nice to be pampered like that, especially after a long night at work.
Now I am enjoying two days off, after working five days in a row, and I am definitely needing the relaxation. I was able to finish the book, Twilight, and I have to say I am totally hooked, and can't wait to start in on the next book in the series. I can't believe it has taken me this long to finally get to reading these books, and now I am looking forward to seeing the movie, which I am sure Mindy and I will end up going, because I don't see it as Phil's type of movie, and she is in love with it too, and has already seen it like two or three times. I am sure I can convince her to see it one more! Haha
Today is President's Day, and something strange I found out, is that Obama is going to be visiting my old high school on Wednesday, Dobson High. As my friend Tori says, he just wants to close to where Kimbo has been Hahaha!!
Well, nothing else to really report. We were thinking of heading out to the park tomorrow and letting Brandi run around and explore, and have a picnic, but rain is coming in again tonight, so I think we'll just spend another quiet day at home together before our work week begins again.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
20 yrs of Walmart and Bobo
I went to work last night and noticed we had a new greeter, which at first took me by surprise because they have been cutting hours and have put a freeze on hiring, but it turns out she is a transfer from the store in Albuquerque. I am going to say that she is probably in her 80's, very sweet women with a soft southern accent. She told me that as of June she will be with Walmart for 20 years! I think my jaw hit the floor when she said that, and she said that in all that time she has never been late, and has never missed a day, she is just totally dedicated her to job. I just can't imagine working there for 20 years! Yes, I am grateful in these hard times to have a job, but we are talking about a company that has a blantant disregard for it's associates and where people just thinking they can enforce new rules all the time, no matter how silly. Plus, just dealing with some of these customers, getting yelled at for silly things like not being able to take an electric cart outside, is tiresome and feels not worth it for the minimum wage your being paid. On the 25th I'll be there for 5 months, and already I am sick of the place....can you imagine 20 yrs!! Geesh!!
Speaking of which, I guess it is getting about that time for me start getting ready for work myself. Phil is out right now doing a measurement on a security door for my friend and fellow greeter Lela. She was looking for someone to install one for her and I offered Phil's services. He is so happy to be able to do some carpentry again. He really misses it and went off happily with all his tools.
Oh..and on a cute Brandi dog note...last night after work I was getting the birdies some food and Brandi some of her wet dog food she likes, when I came across a Valentine's Day Bobo (for those that don't know, those dog toys called Loofah Dogs, they are long and squeak, we call them her BoBo), and it is red and it is holding a pink heart that says, "I Wuff You". How could I resist that!!?? He thought I was silly, but her halloween bobo that looks like Frankenstein has about had its day. And she has been loving on it ever since, in fact she just brought it to me to play. $4 toy and your dog loves you forever, how could I pass that up!
Speaking of which, I guess it is getting about that time for me start getting ready for work myself. Phil is out right now doing a measurement on a security door for my friend and fellow greeter Lela. She was looking for someone to install one for her and I offered Phil's services. He is so happy to be able to do some carpentry again. He really misses it and went off happily with all his tools.
Oh..and on a cute Brandi dog note...last night after work I was getting the birdies some food and Brandi some of her wet dog food she likes, when I came across a Valentine's Day Bobo (for those that don't know, those dog toys called Loofah Dogs, they are long and squeak, we call them her BoBo), and it is red and it is holding a pink heart that says, "I Wuff You". How could I resist that!!?? He thought I was silly, but her halloween bobo that looks like Frankenstein has about had its day. And she has been loving on it ever since, in fact she just brought it to me to play. $4 toy and your dog loves you forever, how could I pass that up!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Still sicky...
I am still sick with this cold/allergies/whatever the hell it is that is making me not breathe. Work the past two days has been murder almost, last night I could barely keep my eyes open because of the sinus pressure in my head, and I haven't been able to really sleep in the past three days. Either I wake up coughing or sneezing like every 5 mins when I try to lay down. Poor Phil went to sleep on the couch at 2am because I was keeping him up and I felt so bad, but he said he wanted me to have the bed so I could get rest. Too bad rest never happened. Today was payday though, and I was able to get some Tylenol Severe Sinus Congestion pills, which has always helped me when I am really sick like this, and already the pressue in my head is getting better, and my sinus's are slowly clearing. I am hoping that by this time tomorrow I feel a lot better, and work will be more tolerable. I also hope I can get some real sleep tonight. I also have my appetite back some, in the past 3 days all I've had to eat was a bagel last night, and 2 popsicles before work today. I didn't feel like grocery shopping tonight, and pizza sounded so good since we haven't had it in so long, so right now we are waiting for the Papa John's guy. I love their Chicken, Bacon, and Ranch pizza, and I get it with ham also.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Achooo...
It has been a long time since I've had a cold this nasty, and this thing is really wiping me out! I thought at first I just had bad allergies because they have been planting a lot of flowers around here the past week, and both our allergies started acting up. But he started feeling better, and I just kept getting worse. Yesterday I thought I was bad, but today I am worse. I've almost lost my voice, which is going to make work fun tonight, seeing as the whole point of being a greeter is to actually talk and greet people. My glands are swollen and are very tender, and my throat feels like it is on fire, and my nose is either stuffed up, or can't stop running. I just really feel miserable, and I haven't had a cold this bad in a long time. But I guess it was inevitable, the weather has been warming up, yet as soon as I get into work it is freezing, and customers are coming in sick with their returns, and associates are sick too. So right now I am trying to get as much rest as possible, but I work the next 6 days in a row. I am actually grateful that I am only working 4 hours a day these next 6 days, because it means I can rest more before going to work, and then can come home and go right to bed. Right now I am trying to eat a little something, but I have no appetite and it hurts so much to swallow. Ugh, I hate being sick....
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