the things I do for a good deal

After Kathryn's doctor's appointment this morning, we had to fill her prescription. At Target. I love me some Target, but today they were just pissing me off. I guess I shouldn't put all of the blame on Target. I did have a crabby, sick, hungry toddler with me who was just a tad bit past nap time.

I brought Kathryn's prescription for some crazy antibiotic I've never heard of to the pharmacy. 20 minutes. Fantastic. I'll cruise around the store and browse. I just had to walk past the Easter candy. They had those yummy Sweet Tarts. I'm a sucker for Sweet Tarts, but I cannot resist the ones that are shaped like chicks, ducks and bunnies. Don't ask, I really don't have a reason why.

We're trying to waste more time, so I wander in to the shoe section. For Kathryn. Not me. Kathryn has been in Robeez since she started walking and I'm beginning to think that maybe she needs to be in some thing with a thicker, more protective sole. They've got a cute pair of all leather upper sneakers on clearance for $3.24. Woot! Of course, there's only one pair left in her size and they have no tag. I figured I would just take another pair up with me, but the lady working in the aisle tells me there's a number on the tag inside the shoe that the cashier can plug in to the computer. I should have gone with my gut.

By now Kathryn is getting cranky, so I head back to the pharmacy. The drugs are ready. Hallelujah! If I had been smart, I would have purchased the shoes and my candy then. But no, I am a glutton for punishment.

I've got two items. TWO. Express Lane, ten items or less here I come. Except there is a lady in front of me who has over ten bags of clearance Valentine's Day candy. More like 50. And the cashier is moving slow as molasses. I'm getting impatient and my kid is getting whinier as every second ticks by. But I am not passing up a good deal on a pair of shoes. And dammit, I need my sugar!

Finally, I'm checking out, but the cashier is being a moron and tells me there's no tag on the shoes. I explain what the salesperson told me about the number inside of the shoe. She tries to key it in three times and it's not working. She overrides the computer and charges me $8.00. Awww hell no. I tell her the shoes were on clearance for $3.24. Fine. My total is $4.84. Charge it. Except my stupid credit card will not read in the self pay thingy. Kathryn is pitching a royal fit by now and the line behind me is a mile long. I hate being that person. HATE IT.

I was a little worried that my credit card was being rejected because it's brand new, but then I thought, no, I just used it at the pediatrician's office and the pharmacy. I give it to the cashier for her to run, but she tries to put it in the self-pay doohickey. No, you don't understand, IT'S NOT WORKING. Duh. She finally realizes this and tries to slide it through her machine a million times, but it's still giving a "card read error." HOLY CRAP, I have a $5.00 bill in my wallet, let me pay cash. Ok. Thanks. Bye.

As I sit here, reflecting on this whole fiasco, eating my damn Sweet Tarts, I think, was it really worth it? Because the first thing Kathryn did when I put on those stupid shoes was face plant in to the ground.

It's been a fantastic day.