We celebrated my birthday at Dimitri's in Parma tonight. The participants were Kathleen, Tim, Maggie, Mike (Schabel), Joe, Bob, Mandy, Lois, and Paul. We took advantage of the Sunday special. With a few exceptions, the entree, choice of potato, rice, or spaghetti, soup, salad, rolls, dessert, and beverage are bundled into one package. In some cases, a vegetable format of their choosing is included. The menu does not reveal this situation in some cases. My meal of Broiled Boston Scrod included a vegetable. After we finished dinner, I opened presents at the restaurant. In general, Best Buy benefited from my birthday. Hopefully, the lottery tickets from Patty and Dan SR. will be winners. I will let you know. After leaving Dimitri's, Bob and I watched sports and noodled on my computer. It was a nice celebration.
By the way, out of ten dollars spent, five dollars will come back to me, but I will let Patty or Dan SR. buy some more tickets. Tune in to find out.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
My Birthday
On Wednesday, I turned 39. Bob and I went to breakfast at Eat 'n' Park. We took advantage of their $3.99 breakfast special consisting of three eggs, three pieces of bacon or sausage (patties), choice of potato, and toast. I also had a free dessert with an entree coupon from my membership in their club. Surprisingly, I was able to take advantage of it at breakfast time. I chose New York Style Cheesecake, but I ate it later that evening.
After coming home, I made a trip to the Parma-Snow Library. (Since Eat 'n' Park is next to the library, I could have stayed up there, but I wanted to return some materials which I didn't bring to breakfast.) I then went to Giant Eagle to buy some cereal. They were out of the Golden Grahams that were on sale, but otherwise, I was successful. I came home and had a light lunch.
Since I had a free entree (except fajitas) coupon from Moe's Southwest Grille, I went to the outlet near Parmatown. I had a chicken burrito, chips and salsa, (Kaiser and El Guapo's Infamous) and Coke. I could have taken a bus towards home after dinner, but I was on the hunt for Golden Grahams, so I went to the adjacent Giant Eagle. I struck out again. I also planned to buy cough drops from Dollar Tree. It could have waited till the next day, (I was near a Dollar Tree store on my trip to the Rocky River Library.) but I took a chance. I was successful, but I missed my bus (It was either early or mis-marked as a bus headed back to the garage.). I then walked down to the Transit Center. I eventually took two buses (I barely made the second bus because the first driver left late after saying he wasn't taking his break because he was late arriving.) to Broadview and Pearl and walked home from there. I watched TV (when I wasn't on the phone) and relaxed. It was a birthday to remember.
Tomorrow is Celebration Day. Details will follow.
After coming home, I made a trip to the Parma-Snow Library. (Since Eat 'n' Park is next to the library, I could have stayed up there, but I wanted to return some materials which I didn't bring to breakfast.) I then went to Giant Eagle to buy some cereal. They were out of the Golden Grahams that were on sale, but otherwise, I was successful. I came home and had a light lunch.
Since I had a free entree (except fajitas) coupon from Moe's Southwest Grille, I went to the outlet near Parmatown. I had a chicken burrito, chips and salsa, (Kaiser and El Guapo's Infamous) and Coke. I could have taken a bus towards home after dinner, but I was on the hunt for Golden Grahams, so I went to the adjacent Giant Eagle. I struck out again. I also planned to buy cough drops from Dollar Tree. It could have waited till the next day, (I was near a Dollar Tree store on my trip to the Rocky River Library.) but I took a chance. I was successful, but I missed my bus (It was either early or mis-marked as a bus headed back to the garage.). I then walked down to the Transit Center. I eventually took two buses (I barely made the second bus because the first driver left late after saying he wasn't taking his break because he was late arriving.) to Broadview and Pearl and walked home from there. I watched TV (when I wasn't on the phone) and relaxed. It was a birthday to remember.
Tomorrow is Celebration Day. Details will follow.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Happy Birthday, Mandy (and Other News)
Today is my niece Mandy's Birthday. I hope that she enjoyed her day. If I find out any details, I will let you know.
In other news, Bob bought a Digital Camera at Staples in Brooklyn, OH on Monday. Eventually, he will receive a $50 Gift Card from Staples. I also hope to provide some "great" pictures to this blog eventually. I picked up a Memory card yesterday at Super Wal-Mart in Strongsville, OH, but it hasn't been installed yet.
I was in Strongsville to acquire anti-virus/anti-spyware software from Best Buy that will be free for six months. It should have been offered to me when I bought my computer last week. Bob and I learned about the offer when we were at Best Buy in North Olmsted, OH on Monday. Since we were going to Staples later that day, (We also wanted to catch a bus.) we didn't investigate the offer until we visited the Best Buy next door to Staples (For the record, H.H. Gregg across the street is in Cleveland. The other side of Brookpark at that point is in Parma. Best Buy's location is shown to be in Parma in their correspondence. There is nothing wrong with Brooklyn. K Mart accepted being in Brooklyn when they were in Best Buy and Staples' current complex. That's more than you needed to know.) .
An employee in the Computer Department gave us a disc. He referred us to the Customer Service Department. Since we didn't have the original receipt, I presented my credit card. A copy of my receipt was produced. In order to attain the offer post purchase, I had to "return" and "re-buy" the computer. The new price was over the original price because the Gift Cards were not properly taken off. Eventually, the price was slightly lower than I paid, but my Credit Card was rejected due to "insufficient funds." We had the deal reversed.
Yesterday, I tried again. The same procedure was going to happen again, but a clerk, who knew how to handle it fluently, arranged it so that I didn't have to re-buy the computer. Also, the disc was a different brand, which lessens the panic based on the potential information that the other company may have received from Best Buy." Hopefully, my Credit Card Statement will show the original price after all the adjustments. I'll let you know.
Super Wal-Mart was not a problem, although the Memory Card was two dollars cheaper at Wal-Mart Online. I bought it anyways. Tune in to find out.
In other news, Bob bought a Digital Camera at Staples in Brooklyn, OH on Monday. Eventually, he will receive a $50 Gift Card from Staples. I also hope to provide some "great" pictures to this blog eventually. I picked up a Memory card yesterday at Super Wal-Mart in Strongsville, OH, but it hasn't been installed yet.
I was in Strongsville to acquire anti-virus/anti-spyware software from Best Buy that will be free for six months. It should have been offered to me when I bought my computer last week. Bob and I learned about the offer when we were at Best Buy in North Olmsted, OH on Monday. Since we were going to Staples later that day, (We also wanted to catch a bus.) we didn't investigate the offer until we visited the Best Buy next door to Staples (For the record, H.H. Gregg across the street is in Cleveland. The other side of Brookpark at that point is in Parma. Best Buy's location is shown to be in Parma in their correspondence. There is nothing wrong with Brooklyn. K Mart accepted being in Brooklyn when they were in Best Buy and Staples' current complex. That's more than you needed to know.) .
An employee in the Computer Department gave us a disc. He referred us to the Customer Service Department. Since we didn't have the original receipt, I presented my credit card. A copy of my receipt was produced. In order to attain the offer post purchase, I had to "return" and "re-buy" the computer. The new price was over the original price because the Gift Cards were not properly taken off. Eventually, the price was slightly lower than I paid, but my Credit Card was rejected due to "insufficient funds." We had the deal reversed.
Yesterday, I tried again. The same procedure was going to happen again, but a clerk, who knew how to handle it fluently, arranged it so that I didn't have to re-buy the computer. Also, the disc was a different brand, which lessens the panic based on the potential information that the other company may have received from Best Buy." Hopefully, my Credit Card Statement will show the original price after all the adjustments. I'll let you know.
Super Wal-Mart was not a problem, although the Memory Card was two dollars cheaper at Wal-Mart Online. I bought it anyways. Tune in to find out.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
My New Computer
Yesterday, I bought a new laptop computer at Best Buy in Strongsville. Bob and I had looked for a similar model at Staples. It was one that had to be ordered in-store. They were out of stock in the warehouse, so the store couldn't order it. On Monday, Bob and I saw this computer. Best Buy and American Express were offering a $40 Best Buy Gift Card with a $200 or more purchase at Best Buy with an American Express Card. Unfortunately, registration was required, and I hadn't read the details, so I didn't buy the computer at that time. They didn't have this computer at Best Buy at Steelyard Commons, so we went back to Best Buy in Strongsville yesterday. This time, Maggie was the chauffeur, so we didn't have to cart the computer by bus. The purchase went relatively smoothly until a Rewards Zone Discount was handed over after Gift Cards were used. We had to start over. Thankfully, I hadn't swiped my credit card yet (The machine was ready, but the clerks were not.). Eventually, the transaction was completed.
Surprisingly, the purchase was less cumbersome than the registration performed on Monday via the Internet. It would have been easy, but a Security Code was required. It was only partially visible on my card. My "guess" was rejected, but it was a "technical" problem that was "fixed" by the time that Bob entered the code. Unfortunately, I was on the phone trying to attain the code. The options offered in the customer service system were "appealing", but useless. After three calls and two phone numbers, customer service was heard as an option. After a brief wait, I spoke to an operator who didn't have the code, but promised to send me a new card where the code would be visible. Hopefully, everything will work out to my satisfaction.
We put the computer in the upstairs hallway closet until today. The installation was pretty smooth, but the main problem was that we thought the remote was missing from the box, but it was eventually found. Internet access exists, but the computer is not in the printer network yet.
The computer works so far, although the mute button changed colors and would not change back although the mute function worked properly. Somehow, the problem was fixed. The cause and solution are both mysteries, but the media controls are a little sensitive, and they are too close to the "insert/scroll" and "delete" buttons. On second thought, let's just say that it's a mystery that may never be solved.
The computer will be an adventure until I get used to it. At least, I have "formal" laptop experience of approximately eight months. An external wireless mouse will also help. Tune in to find out more about my adventures with the computer and in life.
Surprisingly, the purchase was less cumbersome than the registration performed on Monday via the Internet. It would have been easy, but a Security Code was required. It was only partially visible on my card. My "guess" was rejected, but it was a "technical" problem that was "fixed" by the time that Bob entered the code. Unfortunately, I was on the phone trying to attain the code. The options offered in the customer service system were "appealing", but useless. After three calls and two phone numbers, customer service was heard as an option. After a brief wait, I spoke to an operator who didn't have the code, but promised to send me a new card where the code would be visible. Hopefully, everything will work out to my satisfaction.
We put the computer in the upstairs hallway closet until today. The installation was pretty smooth, but the main problem was that we thought the remote was missing from the box, but it was eventually found. Internet access exists, but the computer is not in the printer network yet.
The computer works so far, although the mute button changed colors and would not change back although the mute function worked properly. Somehow, the problem was fixed. The cause and solution are both mysteries, but the media controls are a little sensitive, and they are too close to the "insert/scroll" and "delete" buttons. On second thought, let's just say that it's a mystery that may never be solved.
The computer will be an adventure until I get used to it. At least, I have "formal" laptop experience of approximately eight months. An external wireless mouse will also help. Tune in to find out more about my adventures with the computer and in life.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Bob Evans and Anniversary Gifts
Bob and I bought gift cards for Bob Evans Restaurants for Mike and Marnie and Dan JR. and Laura's Wedding Anniversaries. In the case of Mike and Marnie, we bought their gift card at the Independence, OH branch while paying for dinner on September 2. Unfortunately, the cashier thought that we were using the card to pay for our dinner, so she removed it from the cardboard. Apparently, most of her customers do not make it more portable before using it. Also, the card was not activated yet. It all worked out eventually.
To avoid a repeat experience, we bought Dan and Laura's card at Giant Eagle across from Midtown in Parma, OH (I usually pick up gift cards at places that sell other people's cards, anyways) on September 28. The Self Check Lane was used in this transaction. (I use this method when possible.) The transaction worked fine until we were going to use a coupon from Discover Card to save some money. We tried to use it before swiping the card. Since it's not a routine coupon, the procedure was unclear to us. Giant Eagle did not know how to handle it, either, so the coupon is still in my brother's possession.
I hope that both couples enjoy their meals. This is normally not a problem. The experiences are memorable, nonetheless.
The next report will be about my new laptop. (This is not a misprint!)
To avoid a repeat experience, we bought Dan and Laura's card at Giant Eagle across from Midtown in Parma, OH (I usually pick up gift cards at places that sell other people's cards, anyways) on September 28. The Self Check Lane was used in this transaction. (I use this method when possible.) The transaction worked fine until we were going to use a coupon from Discover Card to save some money. We tried to use it before swiping the card. Since it's not a routine coupon, the procedure was unclear to us. Giant Eagle did not know how to handle it, either, so the coupon is still in my brother's possession.
I hope that both couples enjoy their meals. This is normally not a problem. The experiences are memorable, nonetheless.
The next report will be about my new laptop. (This is not a misprint!)
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Happy Anniversary, Dan and Laura!
Today is Dan and Laura's sixth wedding anniversary. Let's hope that they enjoyed themselves (although the Browns lost on an overtime field goal that looked like it was missed). I am sure that our present will bring pleasure to them and their young kids. Details will follow!
Meanwhile, Dan's parents are in Los Angeles visiting their son, Patrick, as he works as a sound engineer for the Los Angeles Dodgers who are entering the playoffs, which means more work for my nephew. The Dodgers and the Red Sox would be fun to see in the World Series. In fact, anyone but the Yankees would be nice (Sorry, Dave). The playoffs should be exciting, but the Indians' presence would have made it more enjoyable. There is always next year!
The next post will reveal the anniversary gift. There's a good story attached to it. Tune in to find out.
Meanwhile, Dan's parents are in Los Angeles visiting their son, Patrick, as he works as a sound engineer for the Los Angeles Dodgers who are entering the playoffs, which means more work for my nephew. The Dodgers and the Red Sox would be fun to see in the World Series. In fact, anyone but the Yankees would be nice (Sorry, Dave). The playoffs should be exciting, but the Indians' presence would have made it more enjoyable. There is always next year!
The next post will reveal the anniversary gift. There's a good story attached to it. Tune in to find out.
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