Hi everyone. It's Michael. I don't remember the last time I blogged...with everything going on the posts got axed from the daily/weekly/monthly routine.
I have had some thoughts and observations lately that I'll share...well, some aren't so new. Like this one:
Elde
r & Sister Oaks spoke this past Sunday evening at the
CES Fireside. Fun times being on campus again for one of those. Deep - very deep - subject. Worth numerous reads and pondering it's implications. He also threw out the "I am speaking as a 'Watchman'" clause at the end. Double serious. But ever since I was introduced to this incredible man some 10 years ago I've always thought he could double as Professor X. It's that fine cranium of his, I'm positive. I bet he could use telepathy to speak to us all...no need to move his mouth. Just his huge brain residing in that shiny dome of his penetrating our minds to teach us. I'm sure he's been holding back this entire time.
These are new:
Combining
brownies and cookies in a box and selling for $4 a pop. Betty
Crocker knew what she was doing. Sucker born every minute? Yep, that's me. I've learned over the past near-two years of marriage that I just don't care for brownies, cookies, what-have-you straight out of the oven when they're blistering hot. I need baked goods to cool down to room temperature before blissful consumption can be realized. Same with these bad boys. Outright nasty fresh out of the oven but give 'em an hour and "Watch Out Now!"
What you're looking at in this picture is a $50 forehead thermometer + a $80 Baby Bjorn from Babies"Я"Us. What if I told you we scored these want-
listers for $20?
"SHUT YOUR HOT MOUTH!"
I thought you'd say that. Well, that's what happens when you have your very own "What Would Mackenzie Do?" moment shopping on a Saturday night. Mackenzie is my sister-in-law who has a talent for consistently both discovering and capitalizing on screaming deals/discounts/you name it any where she goes. I'm just waiting for the day when she walks onto a car lot and drives away in a BMW having parted ways with nothing more than her pocket change. She'll do it. Just watch her.
We're pretty proud of ourselves for this one.
Oriah had a return, some money on a gift card and a 10% off coupon at the aforementioned retail establishment. We snagged the thermometer and checked out content with our original $50 purchase for a respectable $45 having used the 10% off. Out-of-pocked = $0 (thank you gift card).
There happens to be a Toys"Я"Us next door to the Babies"Я"Us and
Oriah saw something a week or two earlier while out and about that she wanted to check out. So, we made the trek. Inside Toys"Я"Us they have a baby/infant section. Don't ask me why. While walking around I see the same thermometer discounted 25% (offer also expired 7/27/11...good for me; bad for them). Now we're down from $45 to $37. I sense arbitrage.
Having my "What Would Mackenzie Do?" moment I walk back to Babies"Я"Us and proceed with
Operation: Return My Purchase From 5-Minutes Ago + Get The 10% Coupon Back.
Mission accomplished.
Walk back to Toys"Я"Us where
Oriah - while I've been away strong arming the Customer Service folks - stumbles upon a Baby Bjorn on clearance from $80 to $60.
We waltz up to the front and ask their error be honored along with our 10% discount on remaining registry merchandise. With markdowns, discounts, gift cards combined: $130 for $20. Definitely worth a fist bump with explosion as we walked out the door.
The funny thing about all of this is...I remember when I was younger and out shopping with my parents - especially my Dad - I would be MORTIFIED when he would haggle and bargain at stores. Complete and utter public humiliation. Now I'm doing the same, exact thing. Funny how that works.
Oh, I've got a million of 'em to share...all my thoughts, experiences and observations. I'm out of time for this round. Love you all. Be good.
