Thursday, November 20, 2008
Economical Lunch
In light of the economy, Shannon and I have been trying to find ways to spend less money. We recently discovered that Costco saves us a lot of money, in more ways than one. Here is how you need to plan your next lunch hour with your significant other.
Upon entering, go directly to the hot dog counter (usually located behind the checkout lanes). Purchase 1 hot dog and a coke for $1.50 ($1.59 after tax). Share the hot dog and coke, get a refill on the coke, then get a buggy (it is important to look like you are shopping in order to pull this off).
Head straight for the deli area first. They are always handing out samples of sausage, salami, etc... Turn left at the rear of the store and walk about 113 feet. There is a permanent "sample stand" with a great lobster spread (this is their number 1 seller in the seafood department, thus the permanent stand). Turn right for some cheeses, then make a quick u-turn if you would like the spinach and mozzarella ravioli.
At this point you must be somewhat tactful. From this vantage point, there are 3 sample stands in clear view. Fight temptation and go down aisle 319 and go toward the front of the store (trust me on this). Circle back from aisle 313 and you can sample rice crispy treats, coffee, pomegranite juice (100% natural!), jumbo wings, veggie burgers (yuck) and finally peanut brittle and fudge for dessert!
Practice makes perfect, and once you feel like you have the hang of it, try it at shift change so you can go through twice!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Ben's Big City Adventure
My brother works for a funeral home in Dothan, AL. He wears many hats with his position, and one of them is transporting bodies to certain destinations. Recently, a Mexican gentleman passed away and needed to be sent home to Mexico. Ben was put in charge of taking him to the Mexican Consulate, then Hartsfield Jackson airport.
Ben's oldest daughter, Baylee, is in sixth grade, and is currently studying the United Nations. Because of this, Ben thought it would be a good idea to take her with him on this little trip for educational purposes. What could possibly go wrong?
After filing the proper paperwork at the Mexican Consulate (and a quick visit to their favorite TGI Friday's), they headed down I-75 to the airport. Anyone who has been to this airport any less than 10 times can easily get a little confused. Ben has been once, and that was about 22 years ago.
I'm not sure how (you would have to ask him), but Ben ended up on the tarmac of the Continental Cargo terminal. Probably not the best place to run out of gas... yup, out of gas.
So let's back up and take a snapshot of what's going on here: Ben, with his 11-year-old daughter, in a hearse, with a body, and no gas, on the tarmac, and it's getting dark outside. There is no way that I could make this up.
It was at this point in his little adventure that the real fun began. Workers scrambling all over the place, and not a single person offered to help. They claimed that they were shorthanded. Baylee's suggestion was to wheel the casket down the tarmac; surely someone would offer to help at that point (I'm with her on this one). An hour and many phone calls later (at one point Ben, myself, and mom were tying up 3 lines with Continental Customer Service) they finally got some help.
I can't wait to hear about the look on Baylee's teacher's face when she asks, "What did you learn yesterday on your field trip?"
Ben's oldest daughter, Baylee, is in sixth grade, and is currently studying the United Nations. Because of this, Ben thought it would be a good idea to take her with him on this little trip for educational purposes. What could possibly go wrong?
After filing the proper paperwork at the Mexican Consulate (and a quick visit to their favorite TGI Friday's), they headed down I-75 to the airport. Anyone who has been to this airport any less than 10 times can easily get a little confused. Ben has been once, and that was about 22 years ago.
I'm not sure how (you would have to ask him), but Ben ended up on the tarmac of the Continental Cargo terminal. Probably not the best place to run out of gas... yup, out of gas.
So let's back up and take a snapshot of what's going on here: Ben, with his 11-year-old daughter, in a hearse, with a body, and no gas, on the tarmac, and it's getting dark outside. There is no way that I could make this up.
It was at this point in his little adventure that the real fun began. Workers scrambling all over the place, and not a single person offered to help. They claimed that they were shorthanded. Baylee's suggestion was to wheel the casket down the tarmac; surely someone would offer to help at that point (I'm with her on this one). An hour and many phone calls later (at one point Ben, myself, and mom were tying up 3 lines with Continental Customer Service) they finally got some help.
I can't wait to hear about the look on Baylee's teacher's face when she asks, "What did you learn yesterday on your field trip?"
