Quote of the Week

The only person who never makes mistakes is the person who never does anything.

-  Denis Waitley

We almost didn't have a quote this week.  I hadn't found the right one until now.  This one fits the everyday life of all of us.  It is apparent in many daily acts, at work, with family, even cooking.  I use a variation of this when one of my culinary experiments doesn't live up to my expectations.

Why I Don't Like Shopping at the Mall

Are you a mall shopper?  Do you favor the specialty shops or the high-end department stores?  What trips your trigger about mall shopping?  Is it having all those stores under one roof even though you have to walk at least two miles to see them all?  Not me.  During my teenage years, and through much of my working life, I would shop the mall regularly.  It was a mecca of activity during the holidays, and the huge poinsettia tree was a thing of beauty.  Ah, those were the good 'ol days. 

Now it's a horse of a different color.  You can't walk from point A to point B without being accosted by someone selling something, offering to "lotion" or "perfume" you or wanting to see your nails.  They approach you from their kiosk, "Hey lady, can I ask you a question?"  "NO", keeps walking.  Reminds me of Tiajuana.  Really, I just want to get what I came after and leave as quickly and peacefully as possible.  I don't like being rude, but gee people give it a rest.  If we want to see what you're selling, we'll stop and ask.  Otherwise, just leave us alone! 

After 33 years, I would expect things to have changed.  In some cases not all changes are for the better. 

There are some good sales and deals to be had, though, if you can bear the harassement, the parking, the  traffic and the crowded stores especially around Christmas.  I try to limit it to one visit over the holiday, and that was today, probably the coldest day of the year thus far.  What a joy.  I treated myself to lunch at McD when I was done.

Target "Manufacturer" Coupons...Not Really

Target has issued "manufacturer" coupons with their logo on them, so which are they?  Coupons issued by the manufacturer to be used anywhere or store coupons useable only at Target?  Didn't they used to say "Target" at the top and not "manufacturer", and you could use them with  manufacturer coupons on the same item.  I printed some the other day and one said Target Web Coupon (which I understand to be used only at Target) and the other two said "manufacturer" which I assumed I could use anywhere. 

I used the one for Purina Cat Chow at PetSmart, and the cashier didn't even blink.  Today I tried to use the $5 off 4 Kellogg's cereal at Wal-Mart, and argued up and down with two cashiers that it was a manufacturer's coupon and not Target-specific even though it had the Target logo on it.  That was all they could see, and said they were told not to take coupons with other store names or logos.  They wouldn't even scan it to see if it would work.  I gave up and told her if I wasn't able to use the coupon, I wasn't buying the cereal.

The point is that a store-specific coupon should not say "manufacturer" on it if you can only use it at that store, and that a true manufacturer coupon should be valid any place that accepts coupons.

Anyone care to share their experiences?

Quote of the Week

I'm a little late getting this one out today.

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.  

- Martin Luther King Jr.

This one goes out to our best friends.  This is how they live their lives, and through them I have seen how faith works.

Yogurt...Good and Good For You?

OK, today we're going on a little trip, a health trip that is.  Are you a fan of yogurt?  The regular stuff that has been around for years or the new, supposedly more healthy versions such as Activia or Dan Active yogurt drink?  I don't always jump on any new bandwagon that happens along, but lately, I thought what the heck, let's give it a try, since we eat yogurt anyway.   So now what to choose?

Activia is supposed to be good for your digestive health.  They even have a money-back guarantee of up to about $12, if it doesn't work for you.  Yoplait has their own version called Yo-Plus, and they are offering free Yo-plus for switching from Activia (receipt, completed form and UPC required).  Activia comes in a variety of flavors, a light version and a drinkable yogurt.

Dan Active claims to help support your immune system.  This product is a drinkable yogurt that comes in a variety of flavors (some in light).  Do any of these do all that they claim?  Check out their websites, do your research and come to your own conclusions.

I read about both products, and regularly purchase both.  Will it make a difference in our overall health, I don't know, but I figure they won't do any harm, and I still get calcium and the good bacteria that we've know for years are good for us.  These fancy new products are more expensive, but with sales and coupons you can still get a reasonably good deal.  Also, Costco has Activia and Dan Active in bulk packaging.  There is yet another way to score a deal on all things Dannon.  They have a program called Dannonomics where you buy products, mail in receipts and completed form and receive dollars off coupons.  The coupons you get are based on the quantity and variety of items purchased.  The program continues through December 31, 2009, so save your receipts, download the form and get up to $15 in coupons.