WALLY WORLD

So we went to Wally World this morning to pick up some vitamins, mouthwash, etc. It's still the cheapest place to get stuff like that, but it's usually a hassle and I dread it. This morning it wasn't too bad. We got there shortly after eight and were out in twenty minutes. No lines. Our items were in stock.

This is not the norm. For the last few years, I've noticed there aren't enough cashiers, the stores are cluttered (with unpacked stuff in the aisles, not displays), workers are surly, and the shelves are bare.  I once went to buy pantiliners, and there was one box on the shelf. Opened. I came back in ten days or so, figuring they'd be restocked. Nope. And that same opened box was still there. Other medicine, toothpaste, and toiletries show those same bare shelves, making us have to come back.

I used to think it was just our particular store, that it was poorly managed. Then I found an online site where other customers were complaining, too, about their stores in various areas of the country. They describe the same problem we're having with ours.

Target may be a little higher, but it's looking better all the time. Maybe the Walton family needs to come up with a new Sam to run their business.

LIFE WITHOUT TELEVISION

Our television went out last Friday. Just as we were getting ready to watch the race qualifying. It was old, but it could have lasted a little longer. Like till the house closes and we get moved in.

Anyway, over the years we've gotten pretty resigned about accepting the way things you don't want to happen, happen. So we shopped at Wally World Saturday. The TV we came to buy, the one they had on sale, was not in stock. Rather than end up with something we didn't want (read that, 'something that my guy didn't want' since he's the one who reads up on stuff like TVs, phones, electronics, etc.), we held off and went down to the nearest Best Buy Sunday.

Best Buy didn't have the TV my guy wanted, but they had another one on sale that caught his eye. After much hemming and hawing, we bought it and brought it home. He got it hooked up that night. Not in time to see the race, but it came on. And did I say hooked up? I should have said plugged up.

To make a long story short, after fiddling a couple of days, the remote for the cable finally controls the TV. Except for the on/off part. We have to use the TV remote for that still.

But my guy's working on it and will get it figured out soon, I'm sure. Thank goodness, he's around to do techie stuff like that. I'd have no idea where to start.

Now, to get that old TV out of the house...

HAIRY LEGS

This morning I put on my knee pants - the weather is gorgeous today! - and headed off to Wally World with my guy. When I bent over to pick up paper off the car floor, my eyes were within a few inches of my calves.

Ewww! I hadn't noticed my legs were in such dire need of shaving. Some spots were okay but one spot had several long hairs that waved at me. I zipped in and out of the story with my purchases, all the while hoping I wouldn't run into anyone I knew.

Guess I'll be spending some time with my legs tonight.

WALMART

I hate going to Walmart. That's why we went early today when the crowds were in church.

Surprise. This morning was pleasant. We found a parking place that wasn't half a mile away. When I asked about the location of an item, an employee actually led me to it. So we whipped through the aisles and picked up our stuff. Then the rain came down.


So we walked a few minutes inside the store for exercise, then did the self-checkout business, left - the buggy guard smiled and joked with us as we left - and came home.

I'm uneasy. Are they trying to take over?

Wally World

I don't think I'm alone in my hate-love relationship with WalMart. I hate them because they're always crowded, there are never parking spots, and it takes forever to check out. I love them because they have the lowest prices on just about everything we buy and we can usually find what we need there.

Like other relationships, you adapt. You go early on Sunday morning so that you can find a parking spot less than half a mile from the entrance -- only 3-4 cars up and two lanes over from the door -- and so that you don't have to wait in line long -- well, not over 5-10 minutes anyway -- and so that you aren't bumped by other people's carts -- although we did have to move out of one lady's way today.

In the same way, we adapt to our personal relationships. He hates the sofa you love, so you buy one both can live with. You know he likes taking photos at the Alligator Farm so you go with him but read all morning at the snack bar. He knows you're dieting so he doesn't complain about not having meat and potatoes. You want pets and he doesn't but he lives with the cats anyway.

A lot of give and take goes on in all relationships. When they balance out, the relationships are usually successful. When one gives but the other takes, they usually aren't.