The Pig

The Pig

 

Ok, so I work at a small kitchen store & we have had an incident this week that has me baffled. And amazed.  

We have a brand of pan called Staub that makes enameled cookware & one they make is called a "cocotte" which is defined as a "small casserole in which individual portions can be cooked & served".    It also means "prostitute", which is odd & interesting.  And it's $200.  

On Friday, our pig walked out the door in the hands of a shoplifter.  We did not know til Monday when my boss asked us if we'd sold the pig.  She checked with every employee & we had not.  So she went to the tape & saw a large woman wearing scrubs bought a couple of scrubbies, then put a couple of thing into her large pockets & then she picked up the pig & walked right out the front door while the only employee was dealing with other customers. 

We were all heartbroken.  It had little to do with the pig but with the stealing of it.  If we've experienced it before, it's been little things.  We don't seem to have that clientele.  We have a high end & classy store.  But this took not just our pig but our trust as well.

So boss put a still picture & the video up on Facebook, asking for help.  And called the police. 

Yesterday, a man brought the pig & other things back to the store. He said he recognized the picture of his cousin Cindy & went to her house to get them.  He gave the owner his name & his cousin's name, with a sob story about her having mental issues & she took care of her dad & could not go to jail.  So this morning, that's where we stood. Name given to police.

Soooo...this morning, another guy calls to tell us her name.  But he gave us a different name.  We looked her up on Facebook & it was her.  And we were very confused.  The 2nd guy came into the store & I was dealing with customers & trying to keep them out of situation while bending my ears to hear what was going on.  This guy was somehow remotely related to woman & said he's been in her house & she had piles & piles of stuff that she may have also shoplifted.  He even called the guy who returned the pig & put on speakerphone & he admitted he'd given a false name for Cindy so she wouldn't go to jail.  Boss was going to call detective to give new scoop but I had to leave.  I'll have to get the skinny on Friday.  

Basically we had a really decent guy (2nd) & an almost decent guy (1st).  And boss is grateful.  Oh, and dirty low down thief is complaining to both that the video being posted & that it was still up.  So of course, it's going nowhere.  Lesson:  If you don't want the world to know you're a thief, don't be a thief that steals things. 

More to come!

Bunny Butt Pillow

 

I've been waiting for this pillow to go on sale from the first day I saw it. I wanted 50% off but settled for25% off today because I was afraid I'd miss it. I love it!!

Today, I Had Some Kindness...

 I hate to say that simple kindness surprises me sometimes.  And I had some today.

The lady at Lowe's talking to me about blinds was amazingly good at her job, not something I expect from someone at a box store. I was ready to go somewhere else after dealing with the measuring crew's findings & estimate.  But she saved the sale.  

And then I bought a tester of paint & the kid who mixed it was quick & friendly.  And he upsold me! 

Then I went to Groves Library, where I thought the book I reserved last night was there.  But the nice girl found out it was a Mahon...and the team at Mahon had it ready for me when I showed up.

Then, because I was downtown, and it's a rule that if I'm east of University I've earned Fried Cheese Please from Spankys, So I got some.  Yum.  For today & tomorrow.  But I asked the girl behind the counter for a cup of water & she even brought me a 2nd cup because I guess I looked thirsty.  I think she appreciated that I put a tip in her cup instead of on my credit card because I'm convinced that management keeps all the tips put on the card.  So I give up cold hard cash for tips. 

The only unkindness was from my cousin. (See post above).   And that won't happen again.  I'm the only person who has tried to maintain a relationship. And I'm done.  He's not capable & I need to accept that. I don't have it in me to be kind anymore, though I won't be unkind.  Just letting it all go. 

Windows !!!!!!

Before

After

 
I finally have my new windows & they are beautiful!!  My little house was already the cutest house on the block but now it's even cuter.  Still a work in progress for sure. Today, I'm working on shades for my living room & bedroom, the rest to come later as I can afford them.  Just waiting for one more estimate, on Tuesday.  So excited!!

The bad news is next week, I have to pay for them.  😔 I sold part of a mutual fund to pay off.  I was dazzled & signed up with a monthly payment I could afford, financed.  At 6.99% interest.  Then I figured out that I'd be paying about $5800 in interest, a fact that offends me horribly. Thus, the pulling money out of the retirement funds. It's in my savings account til the first of the month, hoping to get a little interest before I send it all off.    

The salesman came by during the installation & he mentioned the interest rate is now 9.99%.  Wow.

 

Same Song 22 Verse

 

I'm here again with the same problem.  I guess I'm the dimmest bulb in the box but I'll never understand.

I was going  downtown to the library & my cousin's office is around the corner.  I called his number to see if he had a few minutes for lunch & a visit. He couldn't hear me & said he'd call me back.  After I finished at the library about 15 minutes later I called again & he said "I didn't call you back".  No shit, Sherlock.  He was too busy for lunch & that's fine.  But I'll say it out loud:  I DON"T DESERVE TO BE TREATED LIKE THAT.  I've found my voice on that issue the last few months.

My cousin was never close with our family because of marriages & divorces, etc but I was a good enough friend to him when he came back to town.  Now he treats me like he does his mentally ill sister.  But I'll say it again, out loud:  I DON"T DESERVE TO BE TREATED LIKE THAT.

I can't give anymore without some return.  I at least deserve respect.  

Old?

One day last August, I woke up 65 years  old.  Gray hair, needs-a-forklift-to-get-me-off-the-floor, medicare eligible.  

Most of the time I don't fully feel it.  I don't think of myself as old but if I wanted a job I couldn't get one.  Age discrimination is alive & well.  For the record, I do have a job...I work part time at a kitchen store.  12 hours a week.  Savings. But I'd hate to find a way to make a living right now. I'm grateful I'm past that time, at least for now.  If we believe the gloom & doom being preached at us now, the October of my life is pretty good. I worry about Steve & Grayson & Layne tho.

I had a nurse come by a couple of weeks ago to do a health evaluation on me & I'm basically in pretty good shape.  All the tests were good.  Her evaluation said my BMI is just under 27 & normal is up to 25.9.  Losing 10 pounds could put me  in that level.  I know I've dropped weight over the last years & I weigh less than I did in high school.  (Always a chubbette)  I can feel it but still think it's not enough.  I still have a Baze belly & doubt that will ever fully go away.  But that number for some reason gave me the most confidence.  I want those 10 pounds gone by the end of the year.  We'll see.  Really, the only other thing she suggested wat talking to doctor about falling.  That's because I fell last year & broke my wrist.  But then I tripped over a raised sidewalk & face planted so I'm not really worried about that.

The thing I am worried about is my diabetes A1C.  It should be below 7 & it was 6.99 last time.  Way too close to the line.  I was taking an injectible med called Trulicity that had me close to 5 but although the Medicare is great for medical, it will not pay for that med.  And it's $800 a month so I can no longer afford.  That's a really annoying thing & I've written to my congressmen (for all the good that does) & requested they look into it.  Yeah, right.  I looked for email addresses for the manufacturing company, Lilly, but they have none on their website.  I looked up company officers & board of directors & they are all hiding very well.  They only have a phone number to call & I'm going to call to see if I can get some email addresses.  

I work with 2 college girls at the store & they make me feel old too.  They are going to Hawaii & Europe over the summer.  I'll be working & staying home.  Something wrong with that picture.  I'm really kidding about that though.  I don't care much for traveling anymore so I'm good being a homebody.   But I still feel old.

I also find as I've gotten older I have less tolerance for a lot of people's BS (like,say, a Beto t shirt, during election season) & politics on my Twitter account & to be fair conservatives preaching the end of the world while wanting us all to pay for a TV site that preaches fair & unbiased when they are just the other side of the liberal mask.  And a lot of noise bugs the snot right out of me. 

I guess old age will suit me.  I'd like a 3 wheel bicycle but don't feel old enough mentally but I'd sure enjoy it I think.  Maybe a little later.  A blue one with a big basket that'll let me ride around the neighborhood & to Walgreens without having to cross any major streets.  I'm truly not sure I can ride a 2 wheeler anymore.

I always say this but I really am trying to do better. I like my job & want to keep it.  That BMI number is the best thing I've read about my weight. And Tuesday I'm meeting with a new doctor, hopefully one who will respect me with time & listen to me & evaluate meds & see what we can do about the diabetes.  I'm ready for warmer weather so I can walk & spring & summer when I eat less. Those 10 pounds are my enemy & must be annihalated.