Just venting!
What a day yesterday was....
I was feeling really good today and decided it would be a good day to search for Lobster Tails for hubby and I for Christmas Eve dinner. I’ve been under the weather(not Covid related) and am finally feeling better.
Since it was a beautiful crisp day I also thought it would be a wonderful day to take a ride, listen to Christmas music so I chose Sam’s club which is quite a distance from our home. I was feeling happy and relaxed.
First mistake...I took my usual route on our 228 connector to Route 8 which would take me to Sam's easily.
Major one lane construction. In my happy go lucky mood I completely forgot because I did know it was a total mess on that road. I’m the last in line as far as I can see... There had to be at least and I’m not exaggerating 60 to 70 cars ahead of me. They were winding around the bends in the road. Oh no!!!
I was in line listening to Christmas music about 20 minutes. I’m OK. No rush!
Finally reached route 8 and it was smooth sailing the 15 or more miles I travelled. I was so happy..
Here’s where the fun starts...I get to Sam’s. Get right in. It was early and I was happy I left home early so I could get in and out. I really don’t want to linger in any store with this Pandemic.
I look for center isle where I know I’ve seen at both Sam’s and Costco fresh seafood. No center isle displaying seafood. Oh no!
I proceed to go to meat department and asked a very nice associate “Where is your fresh seafood”? She says we only have it in the frozen area. I say ok. A butcher coming out the back says” I’ll go with you” we always had the fresh and I do not know we had it kept in frozen now. I was happy he came along. Really nice associates in Sam’s. Very courteous.
Here we go. We find the Lobster...5 lb. for $163.97 and a box on top with about 4 packages of 6 smaller tails. Yay! Perfect for us, right? Here’s where the real fun begins... I say” I don’t see a price”. He say’s “ I’ll scan it. A price does not show. He says “we had to sell some because there is only 4 packages in here and it was a full box”. I say OK...
On to the next adventure. He had to call manager. We wait for manager he does his scanning. I follow him back to meat department. He comes out and says” I can’t find price so I’m having my guy go get another full box. I walk to frozen area. Guy says it’ll be just a few minutes. We walk back to meat department where Manager is in back. He goes and puts box on counter. I can see clearly he is checking all out side of box with scanner and his phone. I stand getting a little anxious but thought no worry, no hurry..right? Wrong! Manager finally come out and says "I can’t sell you any because I can’t find a price to charge you”? I say “ whattttt?? He says” I’m so very sorry but I have no way of checking price”. I leave discouraged but happy thinking no big deal but as I was walking out I thought "the box that had 4 packages left in it”. How did they sell the rest missing without price. Very suspicious I became at the exact moment. Hmmm Now I’m thinking something shady may have happened with those missing lobster tails. Wouldn't you?
On to happy ending...Yes there is a happy ending and I’ll get to it in a few paragraphs. I know I’m making this a very long story but I’m up feeling happy and actually thinking if this is my biggest problem boy am a really lucky. I leave store.
I’m in my car my phone rings its my daughter. I tell her my tale and she says are you close to Walmart? I say it’s right next to me but it’s so crowded. She says just go right in to the frozen seafood. ok to walk ever slowly with my still recovering forever knee. The store is massive. Of course seafood at furthest point. I get there....Lots of frozen seafood but no lobster. I persevere maneuvering myself around people who are looking for seafood. I’m ok. I’m in no rush. Even though people are in my way...That’s ok. I’m in not rush...lol
I start to go to my left and see some what appears to be fresh but with ice on bottom 4 packages of fresh lobster tails. I get excited!! Lady in front of me going to take those darn tails???OMG she doesn’t. I look 2 dated use or sell by December 26 and two use sell by Dec. 22. I grab the two packages dated 26th and quickly (there were 2 smaller tails in each package). I had no clue of price . I felt desperate at this point but still patient.
Now here is where the fun starts again but it is a Happy Ending...
The lines were unbelievable. Now is like 11;30 am. I started out at 9 a.m. I’m going to self check out. Line was around and beyond and was unbelievable. Oh I see two lines that seem short but people have lots in carts but I say checker should be quick...Not! Ok I stand behind a lady who has a huge order but think I’m not in a hurry so what if my tails have ice on bottom so what if they start to thaw. Really???? Lady sees me with only two small packages but just talks and talk and talks. At one point I say to her”I should have waited in the self check out with only these two packages but thought this would be faster” She nods. OK Well I was feeling optimistic she would say you go ahead of me. Not a chance! of that happening as when she finally starting to put her items/stuff on the moving belt. I am a little hurt but understand she may be just frustrated too and not thinking.
Here comes the good part..Right in line in back of me a very nice couple.( we all are wearing masks.) I say what a day! I don’t know when I’ll get home. He comes up closer to me and whispers...You need to be patient..Bless his heart. He then says” I’m 88 and my wife is 87. I look at them both with their items in their cart being very patient and so relaxed.
I thought now this is my Happy Ending..He proceeds to tell me they have 4 children. Only one lives close by but checks on them daily. She says and “ do all my own cooking and we live in our home” How nice is that? Appeared nicely dressed and put together. So nice to see an aging couple look great and be so socialable. They may have health issues or not but they didn’t seem fazed at all and actually quite alert and so pleasant. No grouchy old people at all as some can be. Sorry some are but old age and its stages can be very depressing. I work at it..Truth be told!
You see I have been thinking a lot lately of aging and what will happen to my hubby and I. Our children and grandchildren have their lives. Most live far away from us. We too have a son that lives about an hour from us.
You can call it what you want but I think God, my angels or fate played a part in this day and what started out as going to be a great day had a few bumps lol along the way which really put me in the right place at the right time and yes I did get my Lobster Tails. All good, right?
Merry Christmas and a very Safe and Healthy New Year.
Love and Hugs,
M.j.(Joyce)
***When serving I wrap these individually in wax paper and then a small napkin at the bottom where you would hold it. I forgot to add a popsicle stick this time when freezing.(:
