Peach flower, fruit, seed and leaves as illustrated by Otto Wilhelm Thomé (1885)
As soon as we got home I located the appointment card with today's date on it. It's a good thing I wasn't the one seeing the doctor, because I suspect my blood pressure was still flirting within an elevated range. We could have turned around and gone back at that point, demanding that Mike be seen, but that would have entailed sitting around for the rest of the day waiting to be worked into the schedule. Much as the immature little voice in my head was goading me to shove the card in that receptionist's face, I decided to let it pass for now and take the high road. After all, it was just a checkup and not an emergency. Besides, there were other people waiting their turn.
As I was still examining the appointment card (and attempting to silence that inner voice), Mike walked into the room with his head hanging. He confessed that the #69 ink cartridges were the wrong ones; the correct number was 200. So much for, "I'm sure it has a '9' in it." Evidently #69 (or maybe it was #79) corresponded to his old printer.
I grabbed the receipt, ink cartridges, and my camera and took off down the road. First stop – those beautiful trees! I needed to salvage something from a day that was otherwise doomed by multiple blunders. I stood in lightly falling rain taking pictures as I inhaled the fragrance of damp earth and listened into the sound of raindrops pattering on the leaves. It was thoroughly rejuvenating to metaphorically hit the pause button and stop time at this perfect moment. Then it was back in the car for a quick U-turn and I was headed back to the office supply store.
The next 30 minutes were spent watching first one, and then two employees (the second was a manager) try to refund my purchase and ring up the correct cartridges. The problem was that they had shredded my coupon immediately for my 'convenience and protection' (it came from Mike's computer and included personal information). They successfully refunded the original transaction, but were struggling to get the $10.00 credit on the new purchase without the paper coupon. It was pointed out to me that if I had a smart phone, the coupon would be easy to retrieve; but I don't — so we couldn't. They entered all sorts of codes into the register and everything would appear to be accurate until the receipt printed. Then they would have to credit that receipt and start over. After countless attempts and yards of paper, one employee finally noticed the coupon number on the original receipt. Voila! My fingers are crossed that my bank statement will balance out.
All our future appointment cards are now tucked safely in my purse (just in case). A new appointment has been scheduled for Mike. I have his printer number jotted down on a scrap of paper next to mine (also tucked in my bulging wallet). Honestly, the whole series of events is rather amusing in retrospect. If a day like this is the worst thing that happens to us, it's still a good day and we are very fortunate indeed. That said, I think I'll admire my pictures of the peach orchard and count my blessings.
©2015 Roberta McReynolds for SeniorWomen.com
Pages: 1 · 2
More Articles
- Ferida's Wolff's Backyard: The Snow Turned Into Snowy Rain As It Fell From The Trees. Still Lovely ...
- Ferida Wolff's Backyard: Awesome Goldfinches, Part of the Incredible Possibilities That Nature Might Offer
- Ferida Wolff's Backyard: Nature’s Jigsaw Puzzles
- Rebecca Louise Law: Awakening on View at Honolulu Museum of Art
- Ferida Wolff's Backyard: Dandelion Landing
- Ferida's Wolff's Backyard: A Nest!
- Ferida's Wolff's Backyard: Geese Coming Home
- Ferida Wolff's Backyard: Lots and Lots of Boxelders
- Ferida Wolff's Backyard: Corn Rows and Hurricane Ida
- Ferida's Wolff's Backyard: Yellow Bird and New Growth