Monday, July 28, 2008

Tips on Being Normal

When I shop at Target normally, I park in the same isle, toward the back of the lot. I don't expect to park in the exact same spot every time, but I do like to keep parked in the same general area when patronizing this large store.

I do this partly because I am a creature of habit. I also do this so I can remember where I park. ( mid-30's, it's hard on the parking-lot memory...)

Last week, I threw caution to the wind and decided to park in a different isle on the opposite part of the lot. However, I was cut off by a grandfatherly driver in a much smaller car. So, in the end, I parked where I normally do. 

After I paid for my items I proceeded to my car while doing the things I normally do: look through my handbag for keys and sunglasses. Can you say distracted?

I walked to my car, only it wasn't there.

In my state of panic I remember that I hadn't actually parked in a different spot, but for the life of me I couldn't remember where I decided to park. I knew it couldn't be far from my normal area, so I made the choice to wander around the parking lot pushing the lock button on my key-less remote. 

Finally the familiar sound of my mini-van horn called me home like a lost homemaker in a desert parking lot.

The mini-van? Sitting in it's normal spot.

Who ever invented the keyless remote is, quite frankly a genius, or he's married to someone like me. 

Since we are here and we are talking about Target... This weekend I went to buy a gift card and some needed toiletries.  Normally, to save time, I run my card while the checker is doing her job.

I pushed the Accept button just as I looked up and saw that she has charged my account for $533!  Uh....I'm pretty sure that shampoo was not that expensive.... Turns out she had rung up the $50 gift card as $500. 

My attempt to create a speedy check out was foiled and she had to void the whole transaction and start over.

The La Vida Dulce lesson of the week: Don't be normal.

It's highly overrated.






11 comments:

Tiffani said...

Well said, Kellie!! I, too, think that the keyless entry guy deserves a Nobel prize or something!!! Now, if he could just invent one that would beep to FIND my keys then FIND my car...well, that would be genius of the highest order!! Happy Monday!

Lindsay said...

I am glad to see I am not the only one that parks in the same spot so they remember where their car is. Glad you caught the ring up issue before you got home or looked at your bank account. That would have been pretty startling!

mer@lifeat7000feet said...

I couldn't live without my keyless remote...for exactly the reason you mentioned.

My friend once used her debit card at a local restaurant and didn't realize they charged her $5000 instead of $50 for her meal. She wasn't amused in the least.

Happy Monday!

Anonymous said...

That keyless entry thing was a lifesaver when Jeff and I visited Las Vegas patronizing buffets in all those big strip casinos. We couldn't keep our parking situation straight from one to the next!

You're right. Normal is SO overrated!

Jackie said...

Ah, I think I am too normal when it comes to parking. If I parked somewhere else, I would do exactly what you did and wander the parking lot listening for my car. :)

Recently a cashier charged me twice for an entire months' worth of groceries. I was not amused...it threw my bank account into a fair amount of chaos. Yikes.

Carrie and Jim said...

I need to pay attention to the numbers more. I would have done the same error (credit card charge)that you did as well. I often have to contact stores to get things worked out that could have been avoided if I had paid better attention.

Atleast you fixed things and found your van. Horray, for keyless remotes!

Anonymous said...

NOTHING ABOUT YOU IS NORMAL!!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm laughing at the visual of you walking around the parking lot clicking your remote at every car . . .

C D said...

I knew I had a reason for waiting until the total to put my card in!! Thank You :D

And anonymous hit it on the head ;-)

Make sure you ask your mom for some incredible soap!!! How much fun is THAT craft?!?!?

Musings of a Housewife said...

That keyless entry has saved my butt MANY a time!

Michelle@Life with Three said...

I'm with you on the parking lot thing! Isn't that the worst feeling when your car isn't where you think you left it? My stomach always feels like it falls to my feet. Thank goodness for that key fab thing -- it has saved me on more than one occassion. :)