My goals for 2017
Get 7- 8 Hours of Sleep Each Night
Oh it was a horrible week for sleep. Too many projects, too many things on my mind and not enough sleep or long walks with Lucy. This week though, will be better.
Make Saving a Priority, Not an Idea
Eh. It was an expensive week. I bought a new kettle, 24 light bulbs {seriously, isn’t the price of light bulbs crazy these days?} we took Monkey Boy out for his birthday, filled up the gas tank, I made a trip to Costco, and bought a couple of other things I wouldn’t normally buy but had to because we needed them.
I also popped by Target for something and as soon as I walked in the store I realized that I hadn’t been there in months. I was literally in the store 7 minutes and in that time I was asked if I needed help finding something 9 TIMES. I couldn’t believe it. I felt like I was on a used car lot. It made my skin crawl and made me never want to shop there again. Ever.
- Do I LOOK like I need help? Because I think someone who is walking with purpose, with their eyes fixed straight ahead looks like they know exactly where they are going. Clearly I’m not their to lollygag, I’m on a mission. Maybe this is an INTJ thing?
- No I don’t need help, but thanks for asking {ONE TIME}.
- Is there some sort of rule that people can’t look at an item for more than 2 seconds without being questioned about it?
- When I check out, please don’t ask: If I want to sign up for a Target card, how my day is going, what my plans are for the day, what’s the weather like and do I need a bag all within the span of 15 seconds without giving me that chance to answer even one of your forced questions.
Sometimes {okay, most of the time} shopping makes me grouchy. Where have all the genuine people gone? The people that ask you a real question and actually wait for an answer and can give a meaningful response? Something that didn’t come out of the new employee manual? I cannot possibly be the only one who thinks this. I don’t need Peg at checkout, but c’mon.
Is it just me, or has the whole “shopping experience” as they like to call it now days totally gone downhill in the last couple of years?
Live a little
Our tea kettle broke last week so I ordered this Ovente electric kettle and let me tell you Bob, watching water boil has never been so much fun. The kettle lights up when it’s on and I LOVE the funky colors offered by the manufacture. True, I could just boil water on the stove top in a saucepan, but really, where’s the fun in that?
Visit 52 REAL Bakeries
I haven’t stepped foot in a bakery in weeks but I still have a few more to tell you about.
Have 1 “no spend” week each month
I’m 9 for 10 so far this year… and hoping I can make it 11 out of 12.
Start a Line of Rug Hooking Patterns
I did it! I finally got all 12 of my patterns listed on Etsy. I only wish I had put my designs into patterns years ago, but hey, better late than never, right? Last week I even shipped off a rug hooking kit to France. How exciting is that?
Turn My Wool Stash into $2,500 Mission Accomplished
This past week I sold $327.98 in my Etsy shop which brings my total so far this year to $10,040.15. I guess I made more rugs this year than I was planning on. 🙂 I have one last round of items to get listed in my Etsy shop today and then I’ll be done adding things for the year. I also added a ton of new hand dyed wool bundles in my shop too.
I’m going to take a few weeks off from hooking {or try to anyway and then I’ll get started on my Valentine’s Day projects so I’ll be ready to go in the new year.
If you have an Etsy shop and would like to be featured on the blog be sure and leave the name of your shop on this post. Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing Etsy shops in upcoming daily deal posts.
Purge 250 Items Mission Accomplished
I think we are past 300 items for the year and honestly, I don’t think there is anything left to purge except maybe a couple of pairs of sneakers with holes in them that my son will just.not.give.up. Maybe you can relate?
Learn to Crochet Mission Accomplished
I’m a hooker not a crocheter. Ha!
Dote on My Husband Even More Than I Do Now.
Hot out of the oven, these homemade scones are what I’m serving the HH this morning. Maybe they’ll inspire him to change the light bulbs in the family room.
Lose the Muffin Top. {again} Mission Accomplished
Dear holidays, please be kind because I’d really like to start the new year off with clothes that fit.
Wear out {most of} the clothing I already own.
Life is so much better uncluttered. Really, why stuff your closet full of things you aren’t going to wear? What’s the point?
Try 52 New Recipes
Today I’ll be trying Shalane Flanagan’s recipe for almond cake from her book Run Fast Eat Slow. The Girl and I have made a bunch of her other recipes from the book and very enjoyed them so I’m pretty sure the cake will be winner too. I’ll let you know.
Read 52 Books
This past week I’ve been listening to Saddled by Susan Richards {I can’t remember who suggested it, but thank you!} I still have about another hour to go {I’m listening to it on Hooplah} but I’ve really been enjoying it.
“This is a memoir about the power of animals to carry us through the toughest times of our lives—about the importance of constancy, the beauty of quiet, steadfast love, the way loving a good (and sometimes bad!) animal can keep you going.”
Give Back to 12 Different Organizations in My Community
January – Donated to Quilts from the Heart in Memory of my brother.
February – Donated to Empty Bowls Fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club.
March – Donated to my daughter’s mentor who was in a horrible car accident.
April – Donated again to my daughter’s mentor who was in a horrible car accident.
May – $100 Tip to a waitress on Mother’s day.
June – Started collecting men’s shirts to donate this winter.
July – Donated to the Chew Dog Rescue
August – Donated to the Houston Flood Relief Fund
September – $100 Tip to our amazing server at The Grey House and bought a tin of caramel corn from a Boy Scout
And then, there’s those top secret goals we’re not talking about yet.
Secret Goal #1Sell East Coast House Mission AccomplishedSecret Goal #2Chickens! Mission Accomplished- Secret Goal #3 Working on it!
- Secret Goal #4
How about YOU? Did you set any goals for 2017? How are they coming along?
~Mavis
Read About My 2017 Goals HERE.
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Lena says
Sounds like you go to target in a nice suburb. If you go to Targhetto like me, you won’t find an employee even if you want one!
Sam says
I never considered that my aversion to help in a store was an INTJ thing. I just figured I was a rude New Yorker, ha! Thanks Mavis, makes me feel better to know I’m not alone in that.
Teresa says
I have sort of the opposite aversion at checkout – I like to be greeted, and just because the little screen shows my total, I want the cashier to tell me how much I owe and thank me for my business. Too many times it’s just a totally silent transaction which annoys me. I’d really enjoy someone counting back my change if I paid in cash but that is a thing of the past.
Emma says
at my targets, no one ever ask you if you need help with anything!!! I do know that the cashiers at target are really pressured to ask about the red card and are supposed to meet a weekly goal of getting people signed up.
Kimmy says
I have stopped shopping at Target because I can’t take the pressure about the red card every. single. time. I know it’s not the employees’ fault so I’m not rude with them about it, but I’ve taken my business elsewhere.
KC says
99% of the pestilential fakey “help” is the company’s fault. I’ve given in and done customer surveys, and most of the questions were about whether the employee covered these particular points of Required Conversation. (no opportunities to give feedback on whether you wanted to talk to the employee.) If you make part of someone’s (already small) income, or even keeping their job, contingent on making sure every single customer hears a specific list of things, you’re not going to end up with good human interaction results.
JoAnn’s is especially bad – they don’t treat employees very well and don’t put much care into hiring people but then require them to turn around and be fake-fascinated with every single project that every single customer is buying things to make. Either hire people who are likely to take a genuine interest, plus treat them well enough that they don’t immediately burn out, or let go of every customer getting asked about their projects! I grasp that honestly interested employees can make people feel more welcome in a store in some cases, but the required/perfunctory obviously-fake stuff drives me up a wall – and knowing that those requirements are out there makes me suspicious of how genuine any interaction is.
Deb says
Never yell at people on the clock. I always try to engage and leave them with a smile. Not their fault they HAVE to say canned things. We’re in and out. They have to be with that looped convo all shift.
Mavis Butterfield says
I would never yell at an employee. I feel bad for them actually. It’s silly and I wish the people at corporate would understand that customers really don’t want to be asked a question every time they walk down an aisle or see an employee. The constant hovering is totally unnecessary and it doesn’t make me want to buy more products, in fact it does the opposite.
Sarah Stauffer says
See, I’m the total opposite. If I notice an employee in the same area as me, I expect to be asked if I need help. That is the respectful thing to do. And if you think about, they don’t know if I’ve been asked before or not. It isn’t like we walk around with a card saying, “I’ve already been asked and no I don’t need help”.
And in all fairness. Look at where you live. I live by you and we live in high maintenance suburbia. That sort of service is demanded around here.
I do think Target is pretty bad about the Red Card. However, I know their employment is DIRECTLY related to the number of Red Cards they get signed up. So, I can’t fault them for that, and for wanting to keep their job.
KC says
I think it’s more than fair, though, to blame *Target* for forcing their checkout clerks to choose between annoying people about the Red Card and losing their jobs or whatever. That’s definitely a choice that the management of the store has forced on them, really unfairly in my opinion, and the management or leadership or whoever is in charge is responsible for the assorted negative outcomes.
But yes, I’m on board with not blaming the poor clerks!
Mel says
I try not to get worked up about hovering employees since I know they have no choice, but it does drive me up the wall when the grocery store cashier asks if I found everything okay. My dream response is: “No. I never find everything okay. You don’t stock things I need on a regular basis–either not offering them to begin with or taking WEEKS to restock them–so I have to go to Amazon after every trip to your store. You also mislabel things, move them arbitrarily and don’t change signage, or insist things that are not in stock are available.” I of course never say this because it’s not the poor cashier’s fault, but I don’t know why they bother to ask when the answer is so obviously no.
I’m moving along this week with my goal of making Christmas gifts, but I’m still working on processing garden produce. More tomato sauce and apple butter are the plan for today.
Jamie says
I’ve actually told clerks “no” many times when I haven’t found everything I was looking for. They do try to help you even though you are checking out. I’ve had some of the best customer service that way! They will answer if they know the question, or grab a spare bagger or management to help you. They want to be quick and make the sale. I’ve had them go look for an item on the shelf or in the back, they often have it in the back. If it’s truly out of stock let you know the expected date it will be in. Also sometimes they have moved the item permanently or put it on display in an end cap. I’m amazed at how many times they make things magically appear! They can also tell your if it’s been discontinued so you don’t keep checking back at the store which is totally annoying 🙂
Mel says
I tried saying “no” once. The cashier looked stunned and tried to insist that yes, I had found everything. So, I just lie. And when I can’t find things, it’s for weeks on end–they just leave that slot on the shelf empty. It’s not discontinued or in the back; it’s just poorly run.
In the same store, I saw a lady ask for salsa. The employee in the aisle sent her 5 aisles back. The salsa was in the aisle we were in, and I tried to tell the employee (nicely) that I thought salsa was in this aisle. She insisted I was wrong. I held up a jar, and she grumbled and walked off.
This is the best bad grocery store we have to choose from.
Brianna says
Banks are the same with employees like Target. They have forced interactions with customers and try to sell them products. I haven’t walked into a bank in several years now because of the excessively pushing as of employees and the uncomfortable interaction. Thank goodness for online banking and banks without brick and mortar stores.
Fast food and fast casual places that have forces interaction annoy me too. Nothing is more irritating than seeing an employee constantly yelling, “welcome to Moe’s” or whatever place every time the door opens. Or ‘what can I get started for ya?’ When I haven’t even been in there a minute to look at a menu and make a decision. The hounding is terrible.
I use to avoid car lots during their normal hours because of the salesman annoying me, but now it has evolves to fast food and fast casual eateries, department stores, and major merchants. I haven’t been to Target in about a year since their binary bathroom policy, but I would tell the cashier as I placed my stuff on the belt before they could talk that I wasn’t interested in a red card. It would catch them off guard and pretty much wordless for the rest of the time. Occasionally a cashier could recover from instant rejection, but most don’t know how to.
Sarah says
Friday night I ran into Target and grabbed four items. The cashier was kind and did not talk to me about a Red Card. This was the first time in YEARS that I wasn’t pressed to get a stupid Red Card. It. Was. Awesome! I wanted to thank her, but I was afraid I’d get her in trouble. Thank you, quiet lady at the PDX Target!
I’ve had cashiers argue with me about my disinterest in the Red Card. They often won’t stop after I say, “no thank you.” I go to Target maybe twice a month and I’ve learned which cashiers to avoid if I don’t want extra Red Card pressure.
I still feel terribly annoyed that I have to say no thank you every single time. Maybe I should just tell them I’m not interested when they greet me as you do, Brianna. Doesn’t everyone know about the Red Card by know? Sheesh!
Heidi says
I have a really bad case of creases between the eyes. I have done botox, just between my eyes, for many years ever since my 8 year old asked me if I was mad at him all the time. I know it’s time for more when I get asked all the time if I need help. I think I look confused in the store when I’m frowning at everything!
Delorise says
I have embraced the minimalist lifestyle in all facets of my life except for my wardrobe. You can bet it just gnaws at me every time I open the closet door and there is all these clothes and shoes., However they are all nice stuff and look good on me so my mind tells me I just can’t donate them but I have committed to turning the hanger backwards when I wear something and at the end of winter donate items I didn’t wear. No exceptions!! Maybe that will encourage me to get out of habit of wearing the same items over and over. I also am going to just buy needed items which means only purchasing a couple of warm tops/sweaters. I have to say it is rare to have several store employees ask if you need assistance–it is more like chasing an employee down if you need help. It is more of the “doing more with less people” here.
Trinity says
I just bought light bulbs this week. I had budgeted a few dollars and they were almost $20. I was totally annoyed!
Ranee says
I used to think I should buy stock in Target – that’s how often I shopped there, until I lost my job due to the great economic screw up. Then I downsized, eliminated, purged, sold and cancelled whatever we didn’t want or need. It was good motivation to take stock and figure out what we really wanted and needed. Then, several years later, we moved to a small town. There is no Target, no Aldi, no Cub Foods and many more stores and shops that many people would not be able to live without. In an effort to buy locally, we rarely go to any of these other stores, all within less than an hours drive. It’s a bit more expensive but you also don’t buy all those extras that you don’t need. On rare occasion, I will text my husband to pick up something from Target because it’s priced right. I will admit that I do use Amazon quite a lot, but with the way things are changing there, I’m less and less inclined. We do have a Walmart, but I have never been a fan of Walmart ad haven’t changed. As far as the push to sign up or did you find everything o.k. – don’t seem to get that here except when it’s real and you can tell it’s not just a trained automatic question or response. We haven’t regretted moving from a bigger city, although my husband still drives back and forth for his job. He listens to a lot of audio books so actually is ok with it.
Rachel says
Our town is small and so Target is one of my only options. Back in my spending days I enjoyed it but now I’m a minimalist and only go when I really need something immediately. They finally got self-check out lanes and I was so excited to stop making small talk and just be able to check myself out. The lady they have put in charge of that section has FIVE THOUSAND questions for you as you try to quietly check out. Part of me wants to point out that I choose that area so I don’t have to talk to people but I also recognize she makes minimum wage and is just trying to make her shift go by quicker. So I politely engage for a moment and move on. It’s common courtesy. Think about what you would want if you were in their shoes.
Candy C. says
If you have ever answered a store survey to be included in a drawing then you would realize that they Have to ask those questions. The surveys always ask if you greeted upon entering the store, if you need help locating anything, if you would like to apply for whatever card the store has, etc. How satisfied with the assistance you were offered and did you find everything you came in for, etc. I am certain it is more tiring for them to ask umpteen people the same questions everyday and realize you only have to endure it a few times. I once asked with a chuckle if they dream of that speech at night and the clerk looked at me and sighed and answered, “yes, yes I do.” So try to answer cheerfully, remember that as the holidays approach, being a clerk, bagger or other store employee can be a trying time for them dealing with the public’s snotty attitudes, demands, and that they are only trying to make a paycheck so they can be with their family. You get to leave. They must stay until their shift ends and are expected to to accommodating and do it with a smile. So ease up everyone. Life is hard enough. Remember the reason for the season this holiday season. It has begun.
gina seaton says
Ha! Peg from “Terget” is one of my faves. I 100% HATE anyone bugging me in a store. I also very much dislike waiters coming over every other minute, asking me if “everything is ok”. How about I’ll tell you if it’s not?
Marcia says
I love your goals! You inspired me to set them this year. I kind of fizzled out though. I still like reading about yours!
– My grocery bill was insane this week, almost $50 over my budget. Ugh. So I can relate on the expensive week.
– I’m super impressed with your Etsy haul.
– I crocheted two blankets this year. But I did a granny square one for my 5 year old, using the “magic ring”. Which doesn’t hold up to little 5 year old fingers that push through the holes. So 3 times now, I’ve spent 20-30 minutes patching up the magic rings that unraveled, and tying them down. You know, that’s hard on these old eyes. I think I need to get a new prescription for progressives.
– I am wearing out my clothing too. Any tips on patching the frayed/ holed crotch of jeans? I figure I should patch in a way that I can still wear to work. Google isn’t giving me great ideas.
I think the Target thing must be INTJ. I’m a crossover between ESTJ and INTJ, meaning the E/I and the S/N aren’t strong. It also means sometimes I’m super social, and other times I just want to be left alone, dang it!
Laura says
First of all, Mavis, let me say that I am totally in awe of the sheer amount of things from A to Z that you accomplish in one day! I love reading about your goals and how they’re going for you and I truly appreciate all the price info on different products. I’ve yet to figure out just how grocery shopping at Amazon works, especially with the Prime Pantry……It seems whatever I pick, I’m told I need much, much more to qualify for this price or that and so far, I haven’t bought any groceries from Amazon and it appears I could save a good deal of money doing so….a short tutorial would be so helpful for me if you ever have the time :), or a link that ‘thoroughly’ explains how this works with the ‘box size’, etc.
As for people hovering and constantly asking if I need help, I don’t mind being asked once or twice, but beyond that, I’m not a happy camper and wind up cutting my shopping time shorter in these stores. Bed, Bath, & Beyond is one of my favorite stores to browse in but I’ve noticed the same thing whenever we shop there with the employees constantly asking if we need help. I guess that is what they have to do to live up to their company policy.
Tracie @ SomewhatAwry.com says
Hey Mavis,
Did you know that if you put a couple of wine bottles in your boots it will make them stand up straight? It helps them keep their shape. I LOVE your closet!