What Simply Works!

One weekend, I was at my current favorite fresh grocer’s and quickly completed my shopping list when all my time saved was spent on a long queue at the cashier’s counter.  According to the staff, their POS system was down and it affected many stores within the shopping centre.  I wished I could put back everything I took from the shelves and leave but I didn’t have a choice then but to wait.  It was a dreaded moment since I had many errands to finish that day.

It never happened to me before and I hope it never will again.  I can’t imagine the horror of having to wait long and starving at a restaurant to be seated, then served and to wait some more for payment to be processed all because the restaurant POS systems were down.  No dessert would ever make up for that.  And that for sure would make a really mean, horror story.

When I was still working, I disliked having to spend a lot of money on wardrobes.  Apart from the freedom that I had to choose the color and style I wanted for the day, it was a big downer that I had to have a decent collection of work clothes that I mixed and matched.  Otherwise, it would have seemed like I came up with some sort of work uniform I wear on schedule.

That’s where those who work in the medical field, for example, have the benefit of free hospital uniforms.  They can wear shirts or any comfortable outfit to work and put on a hospital uniform that is supplied to them.  If I’m not wrong, it is even washed and pressed for them by the hospital. Lucky, aren’t they?  And that leaves say, doctors to worry about their patients and/or research work day to day since their scrub sets (who knows even their shoes?) are all taken care of.

Our trusty almost 3-year old car is due for maintenance.  It is my husband’s task to bring it to the shop each time and I’m not complaining.  I’m never really interested with car mechanisms, head gaskets or wheels and usually car shops here or even Los Angeles auto repair shops do not usually have comfortable lounges or cafes for long waits.  Although I don’t know these days if some repair shops have very comfortable, fully-airconditioned rooms and with free wifi to boot.

But what I do know is that we’re not paying high maintenance/check-up fees for our car compared to car brands such as Honda Civic.  That’s why even if our first car of choice was a Honda, we factored in future maintenance requirements and settled for the car that we have now.  So far, we never had engine troubles or any risky car issues and we hope that it stays that way until we decide to replace it.

The past week gave us beautiful sun-shiny days and all the while I thought we should be ready for our air conditioning and ceiling fans for hotter days.  I was wrong.  This weekend’s forecast will be rainy and it will extend up to next week. Boo.  We were supposed to go on a long drive on Sunday and now that would have to wait.

Like a child in a lolly shop, I was so excited browsing through an online camera store, checking the gadgets I’m eyeing to buy.  It’s too early to get them I first thought, Christmas is still months away.  But I feel that I really want to get them, n.o.w.  So this morning, with my husband’s go-ahead, I finalized my order and payment.  I’m looking forward to take photos again, it’s time to update my family albums and to go out and take landscape lights, or just landscape in general.  Needless to say, I am very excited!

Now that I have a toddler who is actively walking and will pretty much be running soon, I need to be on the go, on super comfortable shoes. My current favorite shoes are close to being worn out and it’s about time to get a new pair. I have heard of mbt shoes and reviews say that they are worth buying. If my shopping budget permits, I should get myself a cool pair.

My husband is a shirt and jeans kind of guy.  If he could get away with wearing them at work, I’m sure he’ll attempt to.  But for shirts, he likes the simple designs to almost plain kinds.  For sure, there are guys out there who hates plain and prefers loud colors and designs like the ones blac label clothing carries.  Oh well, people have varied preferences and it’s good that they are all catered for in the market these days.

Whenever my husband gets sent for out of town trips, I get easily overwhelmed by the extra child caring duties I have to cover.  But on hindsight, I’m still very thankful that first, they are not overseas assignments, second, that he is in an industry that doesn’t expose him to health risks like mesothelioma cancer.  Thinking about that helps me put things in perspective.

We’re down to the final days of packing our stuff for the house move.  What’s left are things that we use day to day and to the extreme are things that we hardly use at all, like weighing scales.  I feel much better now compared to a week ago when all the tasks involving the move seem very daunting.  I’m thankful that we have friends who are so helpful and really generous with their time.  We are blessed.

It’s Father’s Day tomorrow on our side of the world.  Lots of families are busy preparing personalized gifts or buying gift certificates (or Sears coupons), making it easier for Dads to choose the item they fancy.  As for our household, my daughter has prepared a gift for him, which I’m sure her daddy will love.  And probably, given the time tomorrow, we’ll have an extended lunch celebration right after our church service.  Happy Father’s Day!!