The Blueberry Club

 There is this great local supermarket that I frequent called Market 32. It used to be called Price Chopper, but I guess that wasn't fancy enough so they had to upgrade the name.

A big perk of shopping here is they have an Advantage card, which entitles you to extra discounts on grocery items and Sunoco gas. We could all use that now! And when they have special items, like bakeware and cookware, you can use your points to buy them. I was all about the MasterChef cookware!

Anyhoo, I was perfectly happy with my Blue Advantage card, until I noticed a woman ahead of me in line. She took out her Advantage card, and the picture on it was blueberries! You know I had to ask her where she got it from, and she said, "When I signed up for the card, this is what they sent me."

As you can imagine: I was so jealous! I had a plain old blue card, and she had blueberries! My mission was to get one of those cards! So when I went home, I ordered a new Advantage card and eagerly awaited delivery. When the envelope came in the mail, I ripped it open, unfolded the sheet -

- And the same plain blue card was in there! I was so upset! I wanted to be part of the Blueberry Club too! To try to make myself feel better, I did buy a reusable bag that had the blueberries on it, but it wasn't the same. 

My ire was further raised when the girls decided to get their own Advantage cards instead of me getting all the points. As you already know: of course they were both given the blueberry card! Why was I being excluded from this obviously exclusive club? Why did Price Chopper / Market 32 hate me???

So I had to suck it up and not sulk like the child I am inside. I would just continue to use the stupid plain Advantage card and be satisfied.

Then my card stopped working, and I used my license for the points. Yep: I did that right up until a male cashier one day said to me, "You live in South Glens Falls, right?" "Um...I might. Why?" "Well I saw your address on your license the other day. I grew up right around the corner from your family and I know your brother." That's when I knew I had to stop using my license! I didn't need anyone showing up at my house because they know my brother! That was all the impetus I needed to go online to sign up for a replacement card.

My new card arrived Saturday. I opened the envelope and unfolded the sheet, and what to my wondering eyes should appear? A blueberry card to fill me with cheer! I was finally a member of the Blueberry Club! I immediately put the card in my wallet, and I even have one for my keychain which I display proudly because I'm a nerd. Yet I feel like one of the cool kids now 😎 Thanks Market 32! Recognize!

An Interesting Question

 Brie and I were in the living room one evening, just hanging out. Kitty was in her room. Brie was on social and said to me, "Hey, here's an interesting question." "What?"  She continued, "If someone gave you a box that contained everything you ever lost, what is the first thing you would look for?"

It took me about five seconds, if that, to come up with an answer that surprised me. I said, "Bobby Thombs."

"Really?" Brie said. "I would look for Chootie." (our former tiger cat) "Oh!" I said, "I didn't even say my Pumpkin Louise!"  We all know how much I loved my little long-haired Chihuahua. But she isn't what this post is about.

I met Bobby Thombs when we were freshmen in high school. He was one of the kids that transferred to South High from St. Michaels, since that school only went up to the 8th grade. We got to know each other through mutual friends, and were acquaintances through school.

We didn't start to "notice" each other until the end of Junior year / beginning of Senior year. We'd talk at parties, and I remember how shocked I was that he could dance. Of course, this was usually after a couple of beers because he was kind of shy. But he was tall and cute and had the prettiest brown eyes. Yep: I was smitten!

And then I found out that he wanted to double with me, my best friend and her boyfriend and go out dancing at a fancy place called The Fountain in Albany. I was so excited, as it would be our first date! I bought a new red dress to wear, and Emily and I chatted about it constantly since neither of us had been there before. We felt so grown up!

The week before our big date, Bobby and some friends were walking home. A drunk driver hit Bobby and a couple of other boys. He was taken to the hospital and was in critical condition, while the other boys only had minor injuries. I was terrified when I found out. But I prayed for him and told his friends that he would be okay. After all: we were both looking forward to our big date!

Alas, he died the night before our big date. My best friend came to my part-time job at Montgomery Ward to tell me, and to take me home. I was absolutely numb.

All of his friends went to Bobby's wake. It was the first time I had ever attended such an event, and I was a most unhappy camper. Finally: someone who wanted to date me and was actually able to date me, had been cruelly taken out by a drunk driver instead. i was devastated.

A few years ago I was sitting at my desk at work. All of a sudden, I felt...something go through me, and I heard the word 'Bobby'. That day I went to the cemetery to talk to him. I guess he wanted to make sure I didn't forget him. As if I could...

Forgive me Pumpkin Louise for not naming you first. But I think you understand.

So I ask you the same question. What would you look for first in that box of everything you've lost? Let me know!

Sometimes I Feel Like...

 ...Somebody's watching me. And I know exactly who it is: the internet and more specifically: Google. Seriously: how do they know what I'm looking at within five seconds of me looking at it???

A couple of weeks ago during my lunch break, I was looking to see what kind of good clearance items they had on the Torrid website. I have a collection of "date night" clothes and wanted to add to it in case someone wanted to take me to the Ridge Terrace before they close for the season (hint hint). 

Anyhoo, there was this really great electric blue dress that was FINALLY on clearance, and in my size! I hurriedly put it in my cart, along with its sister in black in case I lose my nerve with the blue one. It's a little out of character for me, but not for the Ridge Terrace! Or 15 Church, for that matter 😉 Then I found a couple of nice tops I'd had my eye on and now they were clearance too! So I put 3 in the cart (you know I had to get one for Brie or else I'd never hear the end of it once she saw them!) and a t-shirt dress I can't wait to wear. I placed my order and was satisfied.

A few minutes later a co-worker came over with a non-work question about a recall he had heard about. I looked in my email and I had one listing different recalls. I clicked on it (as I always do when I see recall alerts) and not only did the list of recalls come up: but also on top were all of the items I had just bought! He's a smart man so didn't say anything, but he was fighting to not burst out laughing as I clicked on the recall he had mentioned. The only thing that would have been more embarrassing was if I had ordered lingerie!

Then, when I went on Instagram and Facebook a little later: there were the ads for those same items! Why am I being stalked by the internet? Why does the internet want people to know what I buy??

I'm sure some people think it's a good thing so they never miss a sale or get to see new items coming up, but I find it a bit creepy. I don't need their suggestions of what I might like: nor do i need them reminding me of what i bought or that the price is now 70% off instead of 60%. Leave me alone!

But if I'm being completely honest, and I do try to be, there is one ad that I don't mind seeing at all. One day I was thinking about my new favorite show, Yellowstone, and a commercial I had seen. So I went to the website of Tecovas boots, which is what they wear on the show. No I didn't buy any because they're like $275 a pair, but I am not mad when those ads pop up! Rip, feel free to call me and I'll put on that blue dress for ya! 

Your Item Has Been Delivered

 No, it hasn't. 

You see, I placed an online order with Old Navy for leggings. They were only $6.00! Yes I know I already have 742 pairs, but when you have to split them with Brie...well you can imagine! And the weird thing is: she always tells me to stop ordering them because I have enough, yet when they show up she wants to know if I got her any! But I digress...

Anyhoo, I placed the order and even though it's 180 degrees every day, I couldn't wait to get them. I finally got the email that they had been shipped for free. Hooray! I'd have them soon and put them away for Fall.

And then, on July 14th, I got the text: your packages have been delivered! I was so excited. When I got home they weren't in the package area for deliveries, so I assumed that Kitty had taken them up and put them away. Then I promptly forgot about them until a few days later when Brie asked if we ever got those leggings. "Yeah, they were delivered on the 14th," I replied. "Well do I get to see them?" "When I'm ready to show them to you." Then I again forgot about them.

Schmoop-dog came over the following Sunday, and Brie again asked about the leggings. I half-heartedly looked around and said, "I think your sister brought them up. Ask her where she put them." She did, but her sister said she hadn't brought up any Old Navy bags. Then Schmoop said, "Didn't we carry up a couple of bags a couple of weeks ago?" I thought I vaguely remembered. "Maybe. Where did we put them?" We all looked around the room. "On the island?" he said. Nothing on the island. I saw a bag on a box by the front door. "Oh this must be it!" But it wasn't: it was tee shirts.

I checked my phone and went back to the text. I clicked on the link and there was a picture of a delivery guy with my packages by the door. Had someone stolen them??? Ugh, what a drag! "I'm going to have to contact Old Navy and tell them I never got my packages. I hope they replace my leggings!"

And as you can imagine: I never contacted them. It was too hot for me to do much of anything. Seriously: I cannot stand summer!

So a week or two later: imagine my surprise when Kitty sent me a text that said "I brought in your Old Navy packages." "What Old Navy packages?" "The ones in front of our door from FedEx." WTH...?  Sure enough, when I got home, there were the two Old Navy packages that were photographed supposedly delivered on July 14th, yet were brought to the apartment on August 2nd. And it wasn't laser ship this time: it was FedEx. Go figure!

I think the important thing is that I received my items without calling Old Navy, since I made no move to actually do it. However, the other thing is I think this was God's way of saying 'enough with the leggings!' I believe he's right!

I Thought It Was Bronchitis

 Over several years I have developed allergies, which blows by itself. This summer I had the usual symptoms: slight sore throat, watery eyes...you know the drill. And then the cough started. That deep, bronchial cough. I hate having bronchitis. It was Sunday, so I knew there would be no going to work on Monday.

Monday the back ache started, right across my bra line. Ugh: all of the coughing was now causing the body aches, but weirdly not in my ribs. So I was sucking down cough medicine and taking Tylenol like a junkie. However, it didn't seem to be helping. I had no appetite and because I wasn't eating, I wasn't taking my actual daily medication. Ugh.

Then Tuesday rolled around. It's summer but I was going from hot to cold. I finally ate a banana so I could take my meds. That evening, I don't know what happened. I woke up, stood up, and felt woozy. I have never fainted in my life but this came really close. "Mom, what's the matter?" Brie asked. "I don't know." "You look terrible!" It felt like my eyes were rolling around in my head, and I had never felt like this before. "Maybe I just have to use the bathroom. I'll be right back." I stumbled to the bathroom and sat down.

When I came out I went back to the couch and collapsed. "Um, mom: do you think you need to take a covid test?" Brie asked. "Nope. I take one every week at work and it's always negative. And I'm always very careful." "I think you should take one." I didn't have the energy to fight. "Okay, if you set it up." She did.

The box said that you would get results in 10 minutes. In 20 seconds it came back positive! I was so offended, I didn't know what to do! I wanted to cry, but didn't have the energy. I told the girls to take tests and thank God they came back negative. So I was quarantined with only the dogs for company. They were so happy to have Grammy home with them! Selfish little dogs.

I think that if I'd had any idea that I had covid, I would have panicked and it would have been worse. But I thought it was bronchitis so I treated for bronchitis and body aches, which is what my doctor (when I called her the next day) said to do: just treat your symptoms. So in the grand scheme of things: I was very lucky. I never lost my sense of smell or taste, I lost a few pounds, no one else got it and I was better by Friday. God is good!

The funniest incident from this is one night the girls were begging me to eat but I wasn't hungry. I was laying on the couch half asleep and then I informed them that I was going to order prime rib from Texas Roadhouse for delivery, and also steak frites from Gaslight in Lake George for delivery. Brie said, "Um...neither of those places deliver mom. Did you want something else?" "No, that is what I want for dinner." Then I fell asleep.

When I woke up 2 hours later, I asked Brie where my food was. "What food?" "I ordered delivery from Texas Roadhouse and Gaslight." "Mom, you didn't order anything and they don't deliver. I'm sorry." "No one cares about me! TJ could have brought me my dinner from Gaslight! I have no food!" "Mom, I'll make you something. What do you want to eat?" By this time I had fallen back asleep.

The morale of the story is this pandemic has been going on for almost two and a half years. Numbers are down: but that still doesn't mean covid is gone. You can be vaccinated and boosted yet still get covid. So remain vigilant!

Lastly, here's a pic of my souvenir from my brush with covid. It's a patch of vitiligo on my wrist. It's not contagious, there's nothing you can do about it and I'm praying it doesn't spread. It's caused by a virus: just like covid. Bummer!

They're All Exactly the Same

 This morning I woke up to another hot and probably going to be humid day. It's Friday, and that means you can wear jeans to work. But I would have to be crazy to put on jeans in this weather: even a pair of the cute capris I bought yesterday at Maurice's. So again: it meant I was going to wear one of my summer dresses.

Don't get me wrong: I love my dresses. But I just want a moderate day where I can wear something else. Anything else!

Anyhoo, I went into Brie's room to get a dress out of the closet, where I keep all of my dresses. As I thumbed through them I noticed something. All of the dresses were exactly the same.

I had bought these dresses at Old Navy and Maurice's. I am so sure of my size that I can just order them online, which is very convenient. But getting back to them: they are all sleeveless tank dresses with pockets. Cute, but identical. Sure they are different solid colors (Old Navy) and different patterns (Maurice's) but they are the exact same dress. When I pointed this out to Brie, she just laughed at me. I don't know why: because she has like 5 of these dresses too! Twinning!

So now I wonder if other people, like my coworkers and people at church, have noticed this phenomenon. And wonder why a woman of a certain age would buy dresses with short hemlines to parade around in.

Because I can! It's hot! I only pay between $8 and $13 for these dresses, and I get free shipping. They are cute, comfortable and it's summer, for heaven's sake. According to Brie, I have the heat crazies from this weather (can't stand summer) so I need to do what I can to be cooler.  Besides, the legs have stood up over time, no pun intended! 

So I'm going to continue to wear these assembly-line dresses until the weather gets below 75 degrees. Then I can switch to something with short sleeves, or a midi dress. Can't wait!

In the meantime, I just got an email from Maurice's. My new dress is ready for pick up! 😮

 

The Real Fruit in the Garden

 I don't like to window shop, but I do like to catalog shop when it comes to food. Omaha Steaks: show me that beef! Wisconsin Cheeseman: show me those Easter cookies! (not interested in the cheese). Swiss Colony: show me those petit fours! Hale Groves: I see you Ruby Red Grapefruit!

But my absolute favorite has to be Harry and David. Their catalog has the best photographer because every picture is perfect and looks delectable: even if it's something I don't eat. Like summer sausage. Or trail mix. Or the grand Meat and Cheese box. Yikes!

The most amazing photos, though, have to be of the fruit. The beautiful, delicious, very expensive fruit! I don't even remember when I ordered my first box of Royal Riviera pears at an exorbitant price but let me tell you: it was worth every penny! Those pears arrived at the peak of perfection: not hard like a lot of pears are. I didn't have to wait for them to soften up: they were eating-ready when they arrived. And I ate! They were the perfect consistency and so juicy and sweet: the girls were lucky they got one because there were only nine in the box. Best. Pears. Ever! So every year I order one or two boxes because I deserve it!

Then I discovered something even better. I'm not a big fan of peaches: I don't eat peach cobbler (only the crust), I don't eat peach pie (only the crust) or peach jelly or jam. However, in the catalog they had this great picture of peaches in a basket with one sliced on a plate, all juicy and shiny. I read the blurb about these Oregold Peaches and I believed the hype! So I ordered a box of nine at an unheard of price and proceeded to wait, and wait, and wait until they were at the peak of ripeness where they would be rushed to me.

Let me tell you something. When that box finally arrived and I got out my scissors to cut the tape and opened that box...my olfactory senses were assuaged with the tempting aroma of fresh peaches. I picked one of the nine up: hmm, it had a good hefty weight. I thought about washing it but then figured it would be okay to at least take a bite to sample it. So I did.

That peach practically burst in my mouth with sweetness and juice. I sat there like a child: juice running down my chin and fingers getting sticky but who cared? It was the best-tasting fruit I had ever had, and that's even counting cotton candy grapes! (yes, that's a thing)

When I came out of my peach-induced trance and washed my hands and wiped my face, I tried to figure out how I could keep all of the peaches to myself. But because I'm a good mom,  after fighting with myself I did let the girls try them. And they agreed they were so good you didn't even need to peel them: just eat them skin and all. Ambrosial!

With all of this background, here's the crux of this post. For centuries people have been arguing over what Eve ate in the Garden of Eden that got her and Adam kicked out. I'm a King James Bible girl, and that version just says it was fruit. Other biblical versions say it was an apple. But have you ever had an apple that was so good you had to rave about it? Nope. Brie says she saw that it was a pomegranate. Are you for real? No such thing as an ambrosial pomegranate.  And I've never heard that, except from her. 

But I'll tell you what: after experiencing that Oregold peach, I know that had to be the fruit! Eve wasn't going to be tempted by an apple or a pomegranate, for goodness sake. Would you? However, that Harry and David Oregold Peach would have done it. So I think the reason it only says fruit in my Bible, was because no one had yet thought of a name for a fruit that was so indescribably delicious! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

So if you have an extra $40 - $60 laying around, do yourself a favor and order a box of these little pieces of Heaven before the season is over. I guarantee you won't regret it!