The birthday girl was power shopping on Friday

December 14, 2013 – Saturday

3 degrees/cloudy/calm

Pentoga Road

After going to bed around eleven last night, I was up at four-thirty this morning feeding the woodstove. My initial intention was to get up for the day, but after shivering in a chilly and dark house, returning to a warm bed sounded like a better option. The next thing I knew, it was four hours later. Needless to say, after a day of power shopping in Title Town, I’m well rested.

We made it to Green Bay in good shape Friday morning. Sargie spent much of the trip fielding birthday wishes from relatives and friends.

There was a long line of munchkins at the mall who wanted to sit on Santa's lap and share their wishes. Note the little girl on the right, all dressed up, who is reading off a list.

Our first stop was at the car wash to get a few layer of salt and grime peeled off the Kia. I purchased three superior car washes, inside and out, last fall and we used the second one yesterday. At least for a few minutes, the Kia was clean. I almost hated to put my feet on the mats. The car even smelled brand new… for a bit.

I think I may have discovered Baby Jesus at the huge Fleet Farm store in Green Bay. We found and purchased several items we couldn’t live without. Unfortunately, none of them were Christmas presents for others.

Fleet Farm may be a farm store, but they realize farmers need candy too. 

I did buy an ice fishing rod and reel, one designed on an old concept. I’m anxious to try it out. I bought Sargie a new birdhouse, one that reminds her of the barn high atop Milligan Mountain. Naturally, if one has a new birdhouse, he needs to have twenty-five pounds of sunflower seed selling for half the price offered locally.

We stopped at the Packers Shop inside the local Walmart where EVERYTHING is green and gold

This cart boy was dressed for the cold temperatures

Shopping at Sam’s Club went well until check out. Sargie caught two items for which we were over charged almost $15 and she called it to the attention of the cashier who called her supervisor. The cashier was a honey, but the supervisor, Kristen, must have been conceived and raised in the depths of hell.

It’s all a long story, but an hour later, after a conversation with Mary, the big boss who supervises Kristen, we walked from Sam’s Club having received apologies along with our purchases.

Many years have gone by since I’ve been mad… really mad; so mad that I go into my public school teacher/administrator mode of gradually getting quieter and speaking in measured and well thought-out words. But Kristen's lack of basic people skills and rudeness made me mad.

In talking with her supervisor, evidently Kristen’s been the subject of previous conversations and Mary assured us her lack of manners would be brought up at the next manager’s meeting. I thanked Mary and wished her a Merry Christmas with the hope and wish that Santa bring Kristen sticks and coal for her stocking.

The upside of Sam's Club on Friday... it was like shopping at a buffet. There were food samples at every corner. Here, they are handing out pieces of carrot cake. We also had a corn dog, sausage, smoked salmon, pasta, and smoked ham, along with other goodies. 

We visited the mall. I went to Best Buy and drooled over new Macintosh computers while Sargie power-shopped elsewhere. We met up later and talked and laughed and the day flew by. It was well past six last night before the car was headed north towards the UP.

Inside the glass elevator at Yonkers

I felt badly that after so long of a day, Sargie had to drive. Thankfully, we saw no deer and the roads were fairly clear.

The bulldog in our lives was ecstatic to see us. It appeared as though he’d spent most the day on the rug in the kitchen by the garage door faithfully waiting our return. He’s so glued to my side that I don’t think he understands when I go anywhere without him.

Brutus had excess energy, a day’s worth. Though it was -3 degrees and almost 10 PM, we went outside and played half an hour’s worth of fetch in the drive. That seemed to tire him out enough to ensure the pup got a good night’s sleep.

Brutus kept dropping his bone in my lap and wasn't going to leave either of us alone until we went outside and played fetch.

Sargie’s off today and plans to spend most of it wrapping presents. She has most of her shopping done. Other than purchasing a few gift cards, I’m the same. I think we’ll be ready for Christmas.

I’m going to work on some ice fishing equipment today. My old reel has something loose inside that I’ll have to fix and there’s line to put on my new fishing reel. 

I see Neighbor Mike is down for the weekend so that means we’ll talk and get caught up on the news. The last of the final papers are pouring in. These are from those students who have waited until the absolute last minute. All are due on Monday when I’ll officially close out the semester.

I can smell the coffee, which means it’s time to get this uploaded and listen to the news.

After all, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road… 

Its not easy guarding a house all day while everyone's away.