Your mission, should you choose to accept it…shop for toys for tots.
I was given a monetary donation today for the Toys for Tots campaign the Jeepin’ group I belong to is holding. Due to their work hours, they couldn’t shop so they handed over cash. I’m not working, I have time, scratch that, I have nothing but time. So of course, it was mission accepted.
I immediately went online and asked for recommendations for the best places to check for toys where I could maximize the amount of toys I could purchase. I wasn’t disappointed as suggestions and recommendations abounded.
And I, have a coupon for so much off an order at one of the local stores mentioned. I thought I would ask mom if she wanted to join me and she and I could get out for a little while.
The first stop was a local home and garden center for a seal kit for my wood stove. I walked aisle after aisle before I finally broke down and asked. I will admit here, that in all that walking, I found some really pretty cactus, just preparing to bloom. It was as I picked up two of them, one for me one for mom, that I met an employee who lead me right to what I was looking for. I only walked right by it twice. Up to the check out, paid for and on to the car. That mission a success.
The second stop, was at the store from which I had the coupon. We get there and toys are stacked high. As I go along choosing among them, mom astutely commented on how I should have a cart, okay, she said buggy but anyway. I went for the buggy and returned quickly. The items I had chosen so far, placed inside and I began looking for more. I wasn’t going to spend the entire amount here but I really wanted to use the coupon.
Then, when I was ready to go check out, I saw the line. The really, really long line of folks waiting to check out. Nope.I was not going to ask my mother to stand and wait for that long of a time. The store only had one register open, we would be there forever. So I did something I don’t ever do, I left the cart and walked away. I’m sorry folks who work there, but wow.
We stepped into a nearby store where I had been told I could get multi colored solar lights. This was days ago, but thankfully I was still able to find a box. I’ll get them out and let them start charging tomorrow. While in there I ran into a former coworker who really looked good since their retirement. They were happy in their decision so I’m hoping it will work out as well for me. This time, another mission accomplished.
Then mom and I headed for a not too far away big box store.
You can tell the hoarders are still at it, as row upon row of shelves were empty. I’m glad I wasn’t after any paper products. I do however need some sweet peppers and they still don’t have what I need. Mom however was able to get the cat food dad wanted for the cats that aren’t theirs but they feed anyway because they don’t want to see anything go hungry. I saw they only had two packs of the canned dog food I give my dogs so I grabbed one of those. Then off we went through the store. We found part of what we wanted, and didn’t find others. It was a game of hit or miss. So that store was a kinda successful mission.
Tomorrow though, is another day. I failed in the toy mission, partly because I waited so late to go out there. Tomorrow, I will start earlier. I have a list of possible stores to check out. I can’t fail this mission. This is not for my benefit, it is for the kids out there who may not get a toy otherwise. Its for the ones who still want to believe in Santa and presents and fun. Its for us big kids who still want to play Santa in some form or fashion. I didn’t bring home any toys today, but I won’t call it a complete failure, I did get mom out for a while, and now I know where to look. I also have a new determination to succeed. The kids are depending on us, I’m going to try and do the best I can to not let them down.
Words from The Dirt Road 