Can they get away with it?

I think so. I believe that a well-made navy blue cotton peacoat is so classic that both father and son can get away with it and it can look perfectly stylish on both of them. It was such a crazy discount at work that I bought two of them and brought them home to see how they would go over. I knew I liked them, but convincing the guys was another thing...but overall, I think they are pleased to have a little more GQ in their lives.

Perhaps they don't want to be seen out at the same time...or is that just a girly thing???

Rules of the Game

I've been working in retail for 3 years now as an adult and certainly in my early 20's did my time at some discount shoe store, a Levi's store, a toy store, The Gap and even Baskin-Robbins, my first job.

My 10 year old son recently has begun this little game "who was your worst customer today, Mom?" So after coming home telling him all sorts of stories I thought, hey, I could come up with a sort of retail blueprint that might be helpful to customers. There is the "thin khaki line" where I work, we are all from different backgrounds and even different countries in some cases, but we are all united in wanting to be treated with a certain amount of dignity at work.

Ok, so here goes:

1. The customer is not always right. And being loud, pushy and aggressive may get the manager to bend a few rules for you, but in doing so you have forever given up any chance that a salesperson will ask you if you need anything again. And we all remember the bad ones. And we all talk about you in the backroom - sometimes when you are still there.

2. Do not hand a salesperson your Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts or kid's lollipop stick and say "do you have a trash can?" It's GROSS. Find a trash barrel in the main Mall hallway or food court.

3. Do not throw things on the floor of the dressing room. The epitome of disgrace.

4. Getting to the Mall the second it opens is ok if you are shopping or returning at the register, but if you need help getting sizes, etc. the best time to approach salespeople is 30 minutes after the store has opened so their morning caffeine can take full effect.

5. Likewise, never come to a store in a last minute rush on a weekend night looking for anything. We are tired, our feet hurt and we do not care about your particular situation. We just want to go home.

6. As a salespeople, we have a pretty thick skin and are happy to help customers. However, one slip of the tongue or one condescending comment and we're done with you. We don't think you are better than us because you are thin or have a good manicure or you are carrying a $500 handbag. When you need an item that is not on the floor, we will happily look in the backroom.
If after 10 minutes you decide you need another item, depending upon how it's asked, we will dutifully go and find it. If you have not been nice, we will just go take a sip of our coffee. If you ask for a 3rd item, you don't stand a chance.

7. Crying babies make us all tense. Please feed your baby, change your baby, rock your baby, do whatever you have to do so that little one does not fret up a storm while you shop for khakis.

8. Do not interrupt a conversation between a customer and a salesperson because you think your question is more important.

9. Complaining in great detail about how a certain item didn't wash well, or faded, or a shoe was too big or too small is of no concern to the hourly employee. Call the company and share your disappointment. It doesn't matter a hill of beans to salespeople who are just looking for a (relatively) easy part-time job.

10. You don't have to overly fawn or say lots of "please's" and "oh thanks you so much's"...it's all well and good - but as I said the customer/salesperson relationship works perfectly fine most of the time. We don't expect to be treated like royalty - just for you to have a better understanding that we are there earning a little grocery money and for the discount and have just left a bunch of kids eating mac & cheese...so don't expect us to take you all that seriously.

Happy Shopping!

That Kinda Day

When we got up this morning, the refrigerator was warm. The fan was not humming, yet the freezer was cold and for a few days it had gotten all "frosty" with snow on things. It happens sometimes when (ahem) kids leave it open. But this time everything had to be moved to the new fridge downstairs that I luckily just invested in, while we waited for the repair person.

So out came the drawers and the nasty business that is undiscovered food items and I rolled up my sleeves and washed and cleaned the whole DARNED thing. It took hours. But now it looks brand new and smells, well, let's just say, a lot better than before!

And so I thought...while I am waiting for repair...I will just whip up a nice apple and pear crisp. I figured that didn't need refrigeration and would probably do fine for dinner, lol.

We had tacos and the apple and pear crisp with a little vanilla ice cream. If I never eat again, I'm good. Oh and the refrigerator's problem? The freezer had been left open quite a few times and the condensation would melt and freeze and melt and freeze and the whole back of the freezer was a frozen bar on the inside. The repairman was up to his knees in frozen peas that were on the bottom of the freezer and about 3 years old. Hey, at least I am admitting it! How often do you clean the interior bottom of your freezer??? Still, it was gross and I was PRETTY embarrassed.

But if it ever happens to you, just get your blow dryer out. There, I just saved you $120.00. (ouch)

Driving Mocs, anyone?

Looking for great affordable Driving Mocs? Well, although I work for the company, I have not found shoes this comfortable in many years at Lands' End! This time they got it right. Lots of padding on the inside and a nice textured rubber bottom. We got them in the gray in the store and I decided to get them in a couple of other colors online. I work on my feet and have worn them several times and with no problems, rubbing, stiffness, etc. I highly recommend!

Next Stop, York Beach

In Massachusetts, for the most part, dogs are not allowed on the beaches until October. But in Maine they are allowed after 6pm. I had to work on Saturday anyway, so late afternoon we took a ride up to York Beach to let Bono romp in the water.

He just had a "little" bit of fun (lol) and there was lots of splashing as he chased his boy Ronan over the waves.

My friend, Pam, came with us and enjoyed a little skee ball at the Arcade...

and then both she and Ronan chose "birthday cake" ice cream. It was bright yellow...but very good! We passed bandstands with musicians playing and as we were heading back to our car a family had lined up sparklers on the beach. Does summer really have to end?

Paradise Golf, Middleton

Just want to give a shout out to all those who love tall grasses and the sound of water fountains. The Paradise Mini-Golf on Rt. 114 in Middleton is beautifully landscaped. It is a little smaller than it's competition - Richardson's - right down the street, but offers a more lush feel.

Some grasses are so tall they are over your head!

And overlooking the crazy mini-golfer in the ground - lots of interesting varieties of trees are planted.

And for 30 minutes or so you can forget you are so close to civilization and just have fun.

more scenes of summer

the crossing off of the list continues...we had not played mini-golf all summer! What?? Well, the days were pretty hot and I guess we just never got there at night. So Friday night was lobster dinner and off to the golf course.

With mini and me ; 0

Go Carter!

And finishing with what seems like the "nightly" ice cream at this point in the summer season.