Bob's Hat

I returned the hat to JcPenney at Parmatown today. It worked out as an even exchange. I was fearing that I would have had to pay the difference between Parmatown's price and SouthPark's price, which would have been about ten dollars. It was a very smooth transaction. All I had to do was sign the exchange receipt (in ink, not electronically). I hope that he appreciates the hat, considering all the fun that I had in purchasing it.

Until next time, enjoy the Super Bowl.

Bob's Birthday

Bob's birthday was on February 3. We started off with lunch at Denny's by Parmatown. Bob had a Grand Slam which was free (The cheese was extra.). Unlike last year, my entree was not free (It wasn't a Grand Slam Celebration.). I had a Boca Burger, fries, and a Coke, all for $5.99. (The burger and fries would have been almost $8.00 alone. I know a good deal when I see one.) We then went across the street to JcPenney. He wanted a shirt and a Browns hat, which were both on sale. As it turns out, the hat was not on sale at Parmatown (We had seen it under $4 at JcPenney at SouthPark the day before.). I asked about the hat and learned that clearance was at the Store Manager's discretion. I did pick up the shirt with no problems, though. On the next day, I went back to JcPenney's at SouthPark. I found the last hat without a price tag. The clerk investigated the situation. I was charged about $4. Bob later noted that the cost was slightly more than it was on Tuesday, but I thought the price was close enough and bought it anyways. After inspecting the hat, Bob found a flaw, so we're going to either exchange or return it at Parmatown's JcPenney tomorrow. Tune in to find out if we're successful.

We're going back to Wednesday's story now. After coming home, for a couple of hours, we went out to Applebee's at Steelyard Commons (In Cleveland) for dinner. Bob had received a $10.00 dollar gift card from work. We also benefited from an offer of two entrees and an appetizer for $20.00. Bob had steak and a baked potato. I had penne pasta and chicken. We shared mozzarella sticks and both enjoyed Pepsis for our beverage. It was a tasty meal, but I brought my leftovers home, which I enjoyed for lunch yesterday. We then headed for home.

Unfortunately, we arrived home a lot later than we expected. Applebee's offered an online survey to try to win $1,000. I thought Bob had the form. He didn't. I went back into the restaurant to our table, but it wasn't there. I had put it in my wallet, but I had forgotten that. In the short time that I was in the restaurant, the bus had gone by. In my defense, the bus was about ten minutes late. We looked at Famous Footwear and Best Buy to kill time. We tried again for the next bus. The bus was fifteen minutes late. As a result, we narrowly missed our bus towards home. We took a bus that took us closer to home. We stopped off at Arby's, so Bob could have a Value Menu Chocolate Shake that we took home. (I didn't have the appetite for a shake.) We made our bus home. It was about an hour later than it would have been if I remembered where the survey was. (Yes, we could have walked home from where we got off the bus that we took to get us closer to our goal, but I guess that we were tired and wanted to minimize our snow exposure. There wasn't a lot then, but we have a few inches now.) Bob could have had a better birthday if I cooperated, but that's another story for another day.

On my hat buying trip, I stopped off at the Best Buy across the street from SouthPark to buy Bob a Gift Card. I hope that he gets enjoyment from it. I could have bought it earlier, but I didn't want him to see me buying it.

Until next time, enjoy the Super Bowl.

The Rock Hall and Other Stuff

On January 18, Bob and I went to the Rock Hall. After our regular #35 bus, we took the B Line Trolley (Free for everyone anytime) and walked from East 9th and Lakeside down to the Rock Hall. We didn't waste time waiting for a train that wouldn't come until the afternoon rush hour like we did last year. We also avoided the huge crowds that a free admission day by leaving one bus earlier than normal. There were many interesting exhibits. Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, and Bruce Springsteen all had temporary exhibits that may or may be not there if you visit the Rock Hall. We watched a movie on songwriting which is regularly featured, so it may be there at a later time. Since we go at least once a year, we only stayed about 90 minutes. Even in the short time that we stayed, it was enjoyable.

After leaving the Rock Hall, we walked to Superior and East 9th to catch the #51 bus to SouthPark Mall. We ate at Five Guys. The burgers, fries, and peanuts were tasty. After only buying lottery tickets, we then went to Southland Shopping Center in Middleburg Heights. We browsed at Marc's, Giant Eagle, and Sears (Yes, there's a Sears at SouthPark, but we were looking at Lands End bargains.). We then went to dinner at Bakers Square across from Southland. After a delicious meal, we visited Andy's Hardware to find an interior lamp socket for an old lamp near our couch. We were not successful. I returned on Friday and bought it because the guy said it would work. It would work in our other lamps, but not in the broken lamp. This socket has been hard to find. Even Home Depot and Lowes don't have it. We might have to order it online and pay for shipping. We are hoping for a miracle. We ended the trip with a two bus trip home. We then relaxed.

The next morning was eventful. I was running late to catch a bus to buy bananas for Bob. I managed to fall on the ice that was on the sidewalk next door. I banged up my knee and ripped my pants that I wore to Costco on November 18, but I wasn't seriously hurt. I am still a little sore, but it could have been worse. We bought the bananas the next day at Wal Mart.

My trip yesterday for bananas at Save-a-Lot (Brookpark and Broadview Roads) was a lot smoother healthwise. It involved a ten minute walk from State and Brookpark Roads because I was not waiting ten minutes at Broadview and Pearl Roads in very cold conditions for a bus to take me a lot closer to Save-a-Lot. I had just missed the previous bus by about a minute because I was competing with the people on a narrow stairwell who were catching their trains after I left my train. (That's a story for another day!) If the next bus that would have taken me closer to my destination would have arrived sooner, I would have waited, but I caught the bus that made the trip easier without waiting for a bus that could have been late. Exercise is good! However, I took the bus home because it was coming soon after I left Save-a-Lot. It was late, but it kept me out of the cold for a brief period. It was so good to be home. (For research purposes, go to http://www.riderta.com . Check out the #20A, #35, #51, and #79 schedules. The B and E Line trolleys do not have posted schedules, but they come about ten minutes apart (For each one).

In closing, I would like to offer a belated 30th Birthday wish to my nephew-in-law Mike Schmidt. His birthday was on January 16th, but I forgot to post it here. However, I didn't forget to send a birthday present. I hope that he enjoyed his birthday.

There will be more insights in the future.

The Browns and a Christmas Sale That I Missed

On January 3rd, Bob and I attended the Browns-Jaguars game at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Our seats were in the Dawg Pound. Our tickets were provided by our nephew, Dan. He has had season tickets since the Browns returned in 1999. Until this year, his tickets were in the back row near one of the corners. We had a nice view of the whole stadium from those seats. The end zone is the featured view in the Dawg Pound. It was hard to see what was going on for most of the game. It didn't help that everyone in the front row was standing for the whole game. Even with all the problems, including the very cold weather, we had a nice time. It didn't hurt that the Browns won 23-17. After the game, we took a crowded (We had seats!) train back to Tower City. We then took a bus to Dimitri's in Parma for a nice dinner. After some shopping, we came home.


Before the game, we ate at Subway in Tower City. We then took a train to the Stadium. Just like the later train, we had seats. Seats or no seats, it beats walking to and from the Stadium from Tower City.

Unlike the Stadium, the stores were generally not crowded for Orthodox Christmas on January 7. There is one exception. I was at Ziggy's Produce near my house on January 6th buying a lottery ticket. It was a little more crowded than normal. I also noted that the store would be closed on January 7. I could have asked why, but I didn't. I later learned why. There was a picture from a ceremony observing Orthodox Christmas Eve in the January 8th Plain Dealer. After looking at my calender from St. Leo's, I discovered that January 7 is Christmas on the Julian Calender. Although there are many Orthodox churches in nearby Parma, Orthodox Christmas is apparently not publicized in my area. Orthodox Easter, which is usually a week later than Christian Easter, gets a little more publicity. (We're not talking about candy sales!) This inspires me to do more research on the Orthodox religion. By the way, Ziggy's Produce had a few more customers than normal on January 8th when I returned to buy another lottery ticket. There must have been an "unpublicized" sale at the store. In closing, I am wondering if there is an Orthodox Black Friday. It would be interesting to see if there are any good deals on that day. Tune in to find out!

Christmas Dinner (Who Needs Facebook and Twitter?)

I promised to mention my Christmas dinner in my Christmas post. I ended up having a Lean Gourmet Chicken Club Flatbread sandwich washed down with some Stars and Stripes Sweet Orange Soda mixed with Wildwood Ginger Ale (They came from Deals and Giant Eagle (A grocery chain based in Pittsburgh, PA), respectively.). This was around 9:00 P.M. It was so enjoyable that I bought two flatbreads yesterday at Giant Eagle across from Parmatown Mall (the same one from my birthday report). I bought an Italian Deli Flatbread and two Classic Lotto tickets there as well. I then went to Dollar Tree (also featured in my birthday report) to buy some soda. (Stars and Stripes Root Beer and Cola (Dollar Tree and Deals are sister stores. By the way, Deals used to be a Supervalu division.)) The soda made it home safely, although I should have had each bag double-bagged. Let's hope that both soda bottles are enjoyable.

Before this becomes like Facebook and Twitter, I won't be revealing my New Years Day dinner, but I can tell you that it won't be pork and sauerkraut. By the way, I do have Facebook and Twitter accounts, but there will be very little interaction at those sites. I have my Facebook account because I was doing research on Kelley Tuthill of WCVB in Boston. It was a bust, but I am still learning about Facebook. My Twitter account exists because I signed up after learning that various members of my immediate family have Facebook accounts. I thought it would be funny to have a Twitter account. Most of my Twitter research will be on Regis and Kelly and Boston and Cleveland TV personalities. (For the record, you can do your own Kelley Tuthill research on The Boston Channel website that is linked on the left side of this page. )

Until next time, I wish all of you a Happy New Year.