A high anxiety morning for me.

Karen has been picking up my groceries, these long 4 months and last night I was thinking that I should get back to doing my own shopping.

This morning at 9:15, I loaded up the back seat of my car with 3 bags of bottle returns.
I checked to make sure I had everything I needed. Even some ice water because the A/C in the car only works occasionally, and I knew it was going to be hot.

I prayed that God would protect me and keep me calmed and relaxed. I even had a note at the top of my list that read, "You can do this. You'll be fine."

I got to Meijer and hauled all 3 bags of bottle over to the return place only to find a sign that said they were closed until they got more containers. Oh well, no problem. I put the 3 bags back in the car. The guy behind me was upset and yelled the "F" word three times in a row.

When I got in the store and checked my list, I realized it was "backwards" as I usually go in the pharmacy door and back to the pet food section first. Oh well, no problem I started at the bottom of the list and worked my way up.

No Brownberry 12 grain bread that I like. Oh well, no problem, I just opened a new loaf yesterday.
I thought I was in the Howell store, but I was in Brighton, and everything is laid out differently. I was confused. I did find Koegel's Thick Slice bologna that I like for my noon sammich, Karen hadn't be able to find it the last two times.

I chugged along. My back and legs were already hurting. I am so weak. My balance is off, then I just happened to look down and I was and had been going the wrong way in the aisles. They have arrows on the floor, directing which way to go.

I went out into the center aisle and just stopped for a moment. I checked the "saying" I had written at the top of my list, got my bearings and did manage to figure out how to get to the Pepsi and milk aisle going the way the arrow showed me I must go.

Finally done with the grocery part, off to the more quiet part of the store where the pet food is, then up to the pharmacy area to get some soap and finally plodded along trying to find a check out.
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My Bridge Card had been reloaded last week, so my list was mostly food products and knowing Meijer would rather we use our cards, instead of cash that I normally use, I had put $$$ in the bank so I could use my debit card.

Got it all checked out and loaded, reached for my debit and Bridge card and..........................

The mask was hot. The long, heavy hair on my head was sweating. Tears sprang to my eyes as I explained to Dave the Cashier.

"I forgot to being my cards with me!"

"No problem." he said. "I'll push your cart over there. I'll keep the receipt, you go home and bring back the cards.

I knew right where they were. In the envelope that I carry my cash and Bridge card to pay for groceries.

I may have broken the speed limit getting home, but all the other cars were doing 55-60, so I joined in the fun.

Ran into the house--there were the two cards in the purple plastic envelope with the sticker that says, "GROCERIES".

Back to Meijer, limped in and found Dave. He finished the customer he had and then signaled for me to come forward. He rang up the receipt and the card reader asked me if I wanted to take $6.00 off my order, through my M-Perks.

I thanked Dave several times and told him, "I would hug you, but I know it's against the law right now."

Trust me. I will call corporate and put in a good word for him and he will be in my prayers tonight, asking for a blessing on him.
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All the way home, I argued with God, reminding Him that the least He could have done was remind me about the needed cards. As I pulled into the park entrance, the A/C starting blowing nice, icy air. I guess that was God's answer--giving me a break?

I backed in the driveway, up close to the porch steps and again asked, "Dear Lord, help me carry in this stuff."

So weak in my arms I can barely lift the sack with two Pepsi's in it. Lack of exercise has turned me into a wimp!

I am exhausted. My back and calves are screaming, BUT I did it and I will be fine!!!

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Later----I'm sure you want to hear the rest of the story.

Putting the groceries away, I sat down to look at the receipt. The total charge was $84.49. I thought, "That can't be. The only non-food I got was a Thistle Seed sock for the birds and dishwasher cleaner." I looked further and realized that my Bridge Card hadn't been rung up and $84.49 had come off my Debit Card.
EGADS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


So, I took a big drink of cold Diet Pepsi, went to the bathroom and headed back up to Meijer customer service.

Credit my Debit Card? Nope had to give me cash--I thought Meijer didn't like dealing in cash?

Ran my Bridge Card for $62.12--the amount of cash they had given me as a refund on my Debit Card.

I decided while I was there, I would speak with the manager about my cashier Dave. I told the manager a brief scenario and he thanked me and told me, for every compliment, the employee gets 500 points---which later turns in a bonus of $$$$$. YAY

Then I decided, as long as I was out, I would stop into the Smoke Shop to get some more E-oil for my Vape thingie and a couple of CBD oil pain patches. I headed up toward Howell. They were closed.

The nearest Smoke Shop? East end of Brighton!

Turned around and back on the road and 6 miles back to that Smoke Shop. They DID have the brand I like, so I was in luck.
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I missed my Soap, which I can watch tonight, but I got it all done and....I AM NOT LEAVING THIS HOUSE UNTIL ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!