Shocked in Walmart

I had to run out to Walmart to buy some tissue for my daughter who has come down sick over the holidays.

On Christmas Day, our children open their stockings before my wife and I roll out of bed from our Christmas slumber.  The first words uttered by both were “Thanks for our spin brushes!”  Imagine excitement and appreciation over a toothbrush.  

We are blessed with thankful and giving children.  While shopping before Christmas, my daughter asked for her $10 allowance in fives.  My wife gave her two fives and she promptly walked to the Salvation Army kettles and gave away half of her money.

As we opened gifts, we received appreciation for every gift.  Seriously, every gift was appreciated, from socks and underwear, to shirts, to a DSI and a camera.  It didn’t matter if it was what they wanted, they were thankful to receive.  Sometimes we take for granted that our children are truly good kids who are respectful and kind.

I was reminded tonight while in Walmart that not everyone is as thankful.  Cashier asks me, “How was your Christmas?”  I reply that it was good, but that it passed so quickly.  I asked how hers was to which she replied, “It wasn’t that good.”  Empathetically I said, “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”

At this point I expected to hear a comment about an illness or sad event within the family.  Instead, I was almost shocked to hear this:

“It’s wasn’t anything really bad, I just didn’t like what I got.”  

This young lady, probably 19 years old, maybe early 20’s explained that she was given “stuff to live on my own.  I guess I got the hint.”

Gee, wonder why!  I don’t think I want an ungrateful princess living under my roof either.  

Thankfully, I don’t.

It’s good to be reminded of our own blessings, but it’s a shame that others live with misfortune, or selfishness.  These things become choices.  She could look at her gifts in such was that she is now more prepared for independence as she embarks on a new phase of her life, but instead she looks with greed and selfishness.  Such a way to wreck a perfectly good Christmas.

Everyone has a story.   What’s yours?  Are you thankful for your blessings?

Dear Tepperman's

Dear Tepperman’s,

My family was out and about on Boxing Day when we heard your advertisement “Pay nothing, no money down, no payments, no interest for 18 months on approved credit!”  

We had been looking at getting a new TV since our 52” rear projection LCD was in need of a $400 bulb.  We drove to the store on Wharncliffe Road in London, passed through the doors that proudly announce “Family to family, that’s the difference.”  How nice!  

We looked around that vast home furnishings and made our way to the TV and electronics section.  We ideally wanted another LCD, but the 60” plasma was very inviting.  We decided that since we were already approved for $10,000 we would go ahead and take the $1500 television - for $0 down, no payments and no interest.

Well, that was until our sales rep advised that he required a 15% deposit on the TV.  Um, no, I don’t think so.  We shared with him the ad on the radio.  He looked at the ad in the paper which supported our position.  We weren’t planning to pay anything.  Mr. Sales Rep asked another rep who said, there was no money down except for 15%, a sort of “goodwill gesture” that we would fulfill our end of the contract.

Anyone see the irony in his statement?

So we asked again, are you going to give us the TV with nothing down, no payments, no interest?  No.

Well, we spent cash this Christmas, without taking any debt on.  We didn’t need a TV right now, but 18 months without payments and we could have paid it off anyway.  Instead, we walked away without a new TV.  More importantly, Tepperman’s lost a sale that day.

“Family to family, that’s the difference.”  One thing you forgot Tepperman’s...my family doesn’t lie to me.

Regards,

Todd Rowley

Most people know her as Barbie, one of the tattoo artists at Hardcore Tattoos and Piercings, located at 397 Talbot Street in St. Thomas. By the end of November, she hoped to be known in the Guinness Book of World Records as the artist who has given the most tattoos in a 24 hour period. The number you ask? At least 802, but Barbie has higher aspirations.

Mandy gets some work done by Barbie

A longtime St. Thomas resident, having attended both Arthur Voaden Secondary School and Central Elgin Collegiate , Barbie began at Hardcore Tattoos and Piercing six years ago as an apprentice. Having completed her high school co-op placement there, it was Barbie’s “love of art” that drew her to the unique field of choice. Much has changed in six years; she has completed her apprenticeship and has been tattooing full time for the past three years. Barbie has even taken first place in the “Biker Theme” category during the tattoo competition at the Canadian Biker Build Off held annually in Wellend, Ontario.

Kat Von D from LA Ink fame set the original record at 417, which has been shattered a number of times since and the record now sits at 801. Barbie is confident that she will set a new record, hoping to surpass 850, possibly closing in on the 1000 mark.  Barbie planned to tattoo an outlined 3” by 3” cancer ribbon, with shading in a choice of colours to reflect the cancer being recognized.  With each tattoo, a $20 donation was required with all money raised going to support the Canadian Cancer Society.

With a number of supply donations from community businesses, Barbie has been well stocked with the needed gloves, masks, cleaners and razors. Stencils were prepared and everyone was in place.  

I was there at noon on November 27 when Barbie began the task.  Francie Bisson was number one, getting her first tattoo ever, inked forever on her leg.  Francie lost a sister and an aunt to cancer.   One down.  801 to go.

By 5:00 p.m., a friend of mine had his done, and he was number 80.  Seems like things aren't moving fast enough by my calculations to pull this off, but I know Barbie was excited about his and the team at Hardcore wanted her to succeed.

I went back at 8:30 p.m. to follow up.  It wasn't looking good.  Barbie was in pain.  Her back was sore, but much worse, her hand was stiff, sore and swelling.  She iced it, she wrapped and kept at it.  Until 10:30 p.m. when she called it quits.  Over 200 tattoos were done, but far from the record.

Barbie decided to take a week off to heal from the ordeal.  She was in pain, but more so was disappointed.  It's okay though.  Remember the $20 donation that was required?  In just ten and a half hours, Barbie was able to donate over $6000 to the Canadian Cancer Society.  That's something to be proud of.

Everyone has a story.  Francie is wearing hers for everyone to see.