That's what some of you may be thinking that I have. A rotten, black heart for not having a Valentine's Day party today. Let me set the record straight, I do not have a black heart...just a bad memory and poor calendar skills! I could lend this oversight to many things, but simply put...I just forgot! I am making it up to the kids by having a celebration on Friday. In the meantime, I'll be doing some major sucking up in order to make it up to them.
The crowd around the card section in WalMart yesterday was what finally snapped me out of my fog. Initially, I thought the mass of people was for free samples which drew me in. Reality came crashing in pretty quickly, when I realized there was no free food, only frantic last minute Valentine's Day shoppers. To the masses I mingled with yesterday in the carnage that was left for us last minuters...thank you for the life saving role you played in my existence.
I'll also take this time to spread a word of caution to any of you reading this: BEWARE OF THE NOSY CARD READING CASHIER!! Out of respect, she shall remain nameless, but here is how it went down:
After finally finding the right cards from both myself and my sons, which in and of itself was no easy feat, I made my way to the twenty items or less line. As I placed my items on the counter, I looked up to see this particular cashier reading my cards! Now granted, there was nothing explicit or tacky about the cards I picked up, but come on! I stood there in shock as she not only read the card to my wife from me, but the one from my sons, AND a thank you card I purchased. Also, she wasn't exactly a speed reader.
Now as someone who once worked at WalMart, I know for a fact that the cashiers have this little contest each month for the highest number of IPH's. For those of you without the WalMart lingo, IPH stands for items per hour. The number of items each cashier scans in an hour is recorded and then they have some little contest for prizes. This particular cashier, was in no danger of winning this contest and really could have cared less.
After reading each of my cards, Nosy Rosy picks up my son's almond milk, examines the label and then makes a face like it disgusts her.
On my way home, I turned off the radio and tried to see this scene from the cashier's point of view. As someone who was once a cashier himself, I know how incredibly boring it can be at times. Maybe this was her way of passing the time. Or, perhaps she was in need of Valentine's Day and Thank You cards herself and was trying to save herself time, by sampling mine so she knew what to look for. Obviously, she is fortunate enough to not have the milk allergy that my son has and has never had to drink almond milk.
Either way, I guess it is no big deal and I'm not sure why I was so quick to be annoyed in the first place.
After sharing this with the kids today, I'm not that sure that I'm willing to put it to rest though. The fun lover in me is toying with the idea of going back to said WalMart, purchasing another card, but putting a big post it note on the inside with some kind of little personal message. This way she'll know that I'm on to her and her card reading ways.
Happy Valentine's Day,
Mr. Fletcher
