Targeted Observations

After taking my temperature my daughter made the following observation."I've never seen you stay in your pajamas all day before mom, are you ok"? Actually I'm dandy. I was feeling a little puny this morning and in an effort to combat global warming (less laundry)I decided there was no good reason to get dressed today. I was cleaning and had several hours of computer work to do.

Turns out I had a small reason to get dressed as I had to get my husband's prescription filled, snag some paper towel and a memory card for my camera. I compromised with myself after dinner and changed my pajama pants for sweat pants, slid my bare feet into a pair of fugs, donned a ski coat over my pajama top and drove the mile and a half to my local Target.

I love Target, truly I do. If they only had a full grocery store in that place I'd never venture on my usual Grocery Store Whore wanderings. I dropped off the Rx at the pharmacy counter and requested they re-bill a prescription I had filled 3 days ago and paid cash for due to an insurance snafu. I assured them I could occupy myself for 30 minutes easy and off I went trying to stay focused on my task.

In the electronics department I stood perplexed sorting through the camera memory cards trying to decide if the more expensive higher GB cards would yield better quality photos for my blog. I was offered assistance by an articulate young clerk who listened to my needs and assured me the mid-range card would suit my purposes when she could have tried to upsell me. I appreciate that.

A short while later they called me back over the speaker to the pharmacy. I just dread that, it usually means another insurance battle. I turns out they were out of one of stock on one of the medications. Did I want him to call other pharmacies to find someone who had it? Then he re-billed my insurance successfully, then had me wait because he didn't think the amount they credited me was quite right. He apologized and said wait while I call the manager to check this. So, I waited (I'll admit I'm not a good waiter). She came right over and they debated the situation until all parties were satisfied I got enough credited back to me. Then she handed me this:

Is that not the coolest thing ever? An apology coupon. Actually 3 apology coupons. For me waiting while they made sure I got good customer service after my insurance company caused aggravation for all of us. If anyone should be offering me an apology coupon it should be Blue Cross. All retailer and service providers should take a lesson from the master marketers at Target.

On my way out of the store I encountered I small screaming mimi of Japanese persuasion, loudly protesting what her embarrassed mommy would not let her have her way out. In the isle next to me the cashier politely asked a little boy, about 8 years old, not to play with the controller for the credit swiper a few times while his middle eastern mother just stood by horrified that a mere woman would be reprimanding her son. You see in several of these cultures we have in SE Michigan it is not normal for male children to be thwarted by their  female elders.

Back in my car this Carrie Underwood song came belting out "carved my name into his leather seats. Took a Louisville slugger to both headlights, slashed a hole in all 4 tires, maybe next time he'll think before he cheats". That lead me to this observation. It's been rumored that Tiger Woods spends $1million a year on a swing coach, and that's obviously paid off for this most successful  golfer.

Well I'm just speculating but I think there is good reason to believe that old Elin Woods may have hired Carrie Underwood as her swing coach and inspired Elin with her "Before He Cheats". I'd say Elin took those lessons to heart because not only did she totally mess up the house chasing that boy around it looks like she hit quite a few "sweet spots" on Tiger's head.

Back at home I am observing my 18 year old is not home here at 12:54 so I better get on the phone and track her down. She's been warned about not texting me back, now I'm going to have to put my money where my mouth is and bat her about the head with her cell phone.