I Miss My Sweetheart

Justin's family came into town Thursday afternoon. They all left yesterday to visit family in Vegas. I couldn't go because of work. This is the first time I've been apart from Justin at night since we've been married. He'll be back Sunday afternoon. I cried last night. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. I didn't realize how much I love him and miss him until I came home and he wasn't there to greet me with a hug and kiss and cuddle with me at night. In thinking of him, I put together my favorite pictures showing the silly, cute side of my sweet husband:

Costume Drama

[I wrote this yesterday morning. Things have changed since then. Continue reading to find out how!]

And the winner is . . . the pirate costume! Here's how it happened (see the "Halloween Costumes" post for background info): Last week Friday Justin and I were supposed to meet somebody after I got off work, but she cancelled at the last minute. So after chilling a bit, we went back to Party City to try on costumes. Only, when we got there, they were closing in a couple minutes! My coworker had given me the wrong closing time. I didn't want to make a rush decision, so I put the costume on hold.

The next day, one girl kept trying on a million costumes but couldn't find one that fit and she liked. She chose the pirate one in a small size. No more left--except mine. So I gave it to them and they ended up buying it. It wasn't until that moment that I realized how much I really did like it. I was in such a sad mood after that!

After work I went into the back to look for costumes for me and Justin to try on. I checked the box of the pirate costumes just in case (the guys are notorious for overlooking costumes) and I found another small in the back of the box! Woohoo! I kinda felt bad that the girl got the one I already wore, but oh well!

I tried on a few more and we got it down to the pirate or the rag doll. I loved the firewoman one, but didn't want to spend $40 on it. (Good news: I found it at Target for $25! If it's still there after Halloween, I'm so buying it for next year.) The "Cruise Cutie" costume Justin didn't like. And actually, although you all loved it, it was my least favorite. The small was too loose; I tried the XS yesterday and couldn't even put it on. (The sizes are so weird. I wear a junior small for the rag doll and it fits perfectly, but some adult smalls are loose on women larger than me and some are so tight I can hardly put them on!) The rag doll one I get so many compliments on (I've worn it 3 times now), but it's too expensive and short. So the pirate one won: $35 for the dress, tights, arm warmers, hip wrap, and headband. And it's comfortable and cute. I'm wearing it today and tomorrow.

Justin ended up getting an Indiana Jones jacket and hat with a whip for next year. He looks so cute! I wish he were here on Halloween and we had a party to go to so we could wear our costumes.

[Now the update:]

Yesterday morning I tried on the whole costume and HATED it! The fishnet stockings did not look good on me. I still think the dress and headband are cute on me, but the colors and style are not me. I don't know what I was thinking when I bought it.

After my shift, I debated over what I should exchange my costume for. It took me 1 1/2 hours to decide (yeah, I am terrible at making decisions!). I got it down to the rag doll, since everyone loved it, and the Kandy Korn witch, which I thought was really cute. They are the same price.

I decided on the Kandy Korn witch. I like it better than the rag doll because it is more modest and versatile, thus worth the price: I can wear the costume as intended (dress, hat, stockings--with shorts, of course), the dress over pants, or the hat by itself. I love the Halloween colors, too. Plus, since only Jr. M/L was left, there's some room for growth. haha. I think I looked adorable (except in this photo), and I got as many compliments on it today as I do with the rag doll. Yay! I am happy with my decision. Sadly, since the housing complex had trunk-or-treating and a Halloween party last night, no trick-or-treaters came tonight so I was all prepared for nothing. Oh, well.

p.s. More photos on Facebook of my other costumes!

Quick Rebuttal

For all those who commented on my rant and rave post about customers:

1. The customer is not always right in retail. If they're planning a wedding or getting a haircut, then yes, they are right, because those things are a matter of personal opinion. Even so, wedding planners and hair stylists are there to give advice. For my job, there is nothing to be right about. We either have something or we don't. The return policy is the same. Sizes vary according to costume. The end.
2. I know exactly how customers feel--I am one! As I wrote in the post, this is my first time on the other side of the fence. Now I understand how workers feel and I try to be a nicer shopper. That's all I was saying.
3. People really are stupid. Other customers admit it too when they see someone do or say something really dumb. In fact, one lady even apologized to me later after we had a misunderstanding.
4. I am very patient and polite with customers, so much so that I sell a lot, am given lots of compliments from customers, and was even offered a tip once. I wrote the blog to vent to my friends instead of yelling at customers. I wasn't expecting such unsympathetic replies.

People are S-T-U-P-I-D!

Sorry, I need to vent. I've never worked retail before my current job, and the only other customer service job I've had was three years ago at Baskin Robbins. I love my job, but now I feel like the camel waiting for the last straw to break it's back. People are just so stupid, I want to yell at them and punch them in the face! Quick background: I work at the costume wall and Halloween area at Party City. When it gets busy, I stand on a stepladder and use a walkie-talkie to communicate with the backroom for costume calls. At the wall, I clearly and loudly say every five minutes or so, "If you need a costume, please form a line here and tell me the size and number." Yesterday, I added, "All sizes are listed on the posters." People just don't get it. This is what I wish I could scream at them:

1. Do you know what a line means? Seriously.
2. Don't assume that after you tell me the costume, you can go away. This is not McDonald's; we don't call out your number. If you want a response, then stay in line until I tell you where to get the costume! I hate hollering at you. And don''t get mad at me if I won't help you once you leave the line. Sorry!
3. I don't know what size your kids are. I don't shop for them and do their laundry. I don't know their age, height, and weight. If you, their own parent, don't know, then what makes you think I do? And check the posters to see what sizes the costumes come in instead of giving me nonexistent sizes.
4. If a costume is not on the wall, then we don't have it. Just because you found it online, doesn't mean our store has it. If a poster is covered up, we are out of that costume. Duh.
5. How would you feel if I came over to your house, touched everything, tried everything on, threw everything on the floor, stepped on and broke your stuff, and then left?
6. If you're not looking to buy, then get your grubby hands off the merchandise! It's not a playground or modeling studio.
7. Watch your bratty kids! If they don't know how to behave themselves in public, leave them at home!
8. Just because you said "Excuse me" doesn't mean I'm going to ignore the customer I'm currently helping and give you all my attention. Wait your turn!
9. Is it so hard to put something back where you found it? If it's too high up or the hanger is broken, leave it neatly on the shelf, not on the floor!
10. You complain to me how ripped and smelly and destroyed the costumes look while I watch you stuff one that is too small back into the package, breaking the bag while you're at it, with one hand holding your drink that you will forget in another aisle, and spilling the accessories all over the floor to accidentally run over with your cart or foot. Hmmm.

Please, readers, next time you shop anywhere, don't be stupid! Read the signs, ask questions politely, wait patiently, don't be mad at the workers for something that is not their fault, treat the merchandise carefully, and be respectful. Thanks!

p.s. In case you haven't figured it out yet, the customer service you receive is a reflection of the attitude you give.

Haircut

Thursday I finally got my haircut! I was going to wait until I could afford to go to Rolf's salon again (where I got my hair done in May, the last time I cut it), but we got coupons in the mail for Great Clips, so I went with Justin. My hair was just getting too long and wild and hard to take care of. The lady who did my hair was great. I showed her pictures of my last haircut. She got it done right and fast. I had to straighten it myself at home, so it's not as pretty looking as my last haircut, but it's definitely cute! Justin's haircut came out nice as well. His hair was so long and curly, especially his sideburns. I'm glad we both went and got great deals and great results!