Thursday, December 6, 2012

Freaking Lights and Why I Hate Hobby Lobby


Prompt courtesy of Mama Kat’s Losing It":

 3.) What was the last thing you bought?

I stand corrected from previously posted opinions. 

There is a place I despise more than Costco. And the only reasons I hate Costco have more to do with the environment (parking lot, crowds, negative energy of patrons, etc.) than what it offers. I DO spend money at Costco. And lots of it. That part is easy and, mostly, I enjoy what I buy especially the books, wines and meats!

I CANNOT STAND HOBBY LOBBY.

It used to be I went there several times a week for the "this and that" needs of my kids. It was the only place carrying stuff for projects and they loved going there.

As they got older, I finally got smart. Letting them off at the door, I'd give them a 45 minute shopping window and I parked the car to read. This worked well, I thought.

Yesterday, I found myself in need of things only one place offers. Cheap ass Christmas stuff!

Has anyone ever noticed that most of their stuff is cracked, broken or chipped?

I really needed extra outdoor lights for the backyard like this (the front yard is white):


And Hobby Lobby is the closest place. It’s right up the street.

I brought home four strands, strung them on the magnolia tree with the others already hanging there and pushed in the plug. Ta Da!!!

The freaking lights didn’t work. I tested them individually inside and they lit up fine. Just fine.

I packed them up, drove back, got four more strands and headed home.

I'm not dumb. So I tested them, together this time, in the kitchen before heading out. These freaking lights didn’t work at all! "Cheap ass Hobby Lobby stuff! Screw the freaking lights!”, I said to my husband. Actually, I may or may not have used stronger language.

I packed them up and drove back.

Yet there is a pleasant ending to this dreadful Hobby Lobby debacle. I picked up some mistletoe. And I hung it in the busiest thoroughfare in our home, the path from the stairs to the mudroom.


It didn’t take my husband very long at all to notice it. As a matter of fact, it was just about the first thing he saw when he came home from work. Maybe I planned this ;-).

There’s nothing like taking time to test mistletoe and I'm happy to report ours is in full working order. Hopefully our family will stop for a few moments in these next few nutty weeks and kiss the person standing under it. It will probably be me! 

Addy and I were the first true testers. Shush, don't tell!

I’m pretty happy with the very last thing I bought. Hobby Lobby was good for something.

What did you last buy?


Mama’s Losin’ It

23 comments:

TMWHickman said...

I actually prefer Michael's to Hobby Lobby, because they are open on Sunday when I usually think of stuff.

Nice use of mistletoe!

And the last thing I bought was an iced tea from McD's. Delish!

Tami said...

What is Hobby Lobby? I've never heard of it. Is it a regional store?

Jenny said...

The last thing I bought was groceries. Online. Not very exciting at all. :) Have never been to Hobby Lobby (I'm from the midwest, but living in Scotland right now) but pretty sure that's because it is a regional store. Costco on the other hand? Weekly. And have to agree with you on the environment, parking and negative energy. On the weekend here in Scotland? Scary place to be I tell ya, that Costco. :)

Samantha Brinn Merel said...

Love that you guys tested out the mistletoe! Ugh, I would hate Hobby Lobby too. That kind of store just gives me anxiety. But I desperately love Costco. I think the trick is knowing when to go. We usually end up at a little known store really close to closing time.

Michelle aka Naila Moon said...

Hobby Lobby...I have not had issues like you have with them but I hear ya!
I prefer Michael's too. Costco...oh, my gosh like that place but atmosphere is exactly what you say it is. LOL

Barb said...

Oh, man, that would make me so mad! I'm glad you got the mistletoe out of it, though!

Stacie @ Snaps and Bits said...

Lucky me, I've never heard of the hobby lobby! I love Costco though - except in December. It pisses me off that I have to fight the crowds to go buy staples!

Christie @Random Reflectionz said...

Ugh! I just hate when I schlepp all the way to the store with the kids in tow only to get home and find that the stuff doesn't work and I need to schlepp back to the store and wait in line to return it. Ugh again! I'm glad your story had a good ending though. I've never tried mistletoe around the house. What a fun idea!

Gina said...

I do too but its about 20 minutes away versus 5. I've forgotten the Sunday thing many times!

I like mistletoe a lot!

I've never had iced tea from McD's. I do drink there coffee in a pinch and it's good but way too hot!

Gina said...

I don't know if it's regional but must be if you don't know it. It's crafty and home stuff, frames, decor, holiday things, paper goods, etc. However, everything is sort of irregulars meaning not high quality at all. You buy stuff cheap but it always breaks or cracks. Good for kid projects though.

Gina said...

My neighbor to my right shops for groceries on line. I've never done that but I enjoy the market. I find people in Costco boarding on rude. Plus they have no spacial awareness. We won't even go on a weekend.

Gina said...

Of course, we couldn't resist!

I'm not anxiety ridden at all but this place gives it to me. Never enough help anywhere particularly at checkout. Might as well plan for a 30 wait. So slooooooooow!!!! I go to Costco right at 10am or right before it closes at 8pm. Seems more empty those times.

Gina said...

The stuff is so cheap. Things are always falling apart but it serves it's purpose, I guess. My daughter used to be addicted to it. Costco is Costco. No other way to put it.

Gina said...

The mistletoe was my treat for the lights disaster which is really not that big of a deal...just a total waste of time that I seem to not have enough of!

Gina said...

Lucky you is right!!! I was at Costco on Monday. Insanity ensued.

Gina said...

Get some mistletoe. The amount of kissing your family does will increase dramatically. It's fun!

I hate schlepping anywhere and I hate wasting time unless it's on something I love. The I don't mind wasting all the time in the world. AND I good at it!

Jack said...

Never been to a Hobby Lobby so I can't comment on the quality of their products.

But I imagine that dealing with hanging lights has to be a bit of a task at times, especially if they aren't working properly.

The Reason You Come said...

At least you got a nice mistletoe and got to kiss under it! I'm not sure we have a Hobby Lobby here, but based on your post, I don't think I'm gonna be a customer if there is one.

Gina said...

There is no need for you to ever step foot in one unless your daughter or son needs supplies for a school project.

It's a very quiet time in our house. We don't speak while we do it out of total frustration. After being married so long, we've figured this part out.

Gina said...

Yes I did. It's a gentle reminder to family of the importance of kissing and hugging regularly. Don't go unless you have to. I guarantee you will come out of it frustrated.

Kenya G. Johnson said...

You did good to do all of that TWICE. I would have lost momentum after the first take back. I love what you ended up with. The last thing I really bought was groceries. But yesterday I did buy a 2013 Chevy Camaro in Candy Apple Red! Christopher picked it out but it wasn't going to be delivered until yesterday. It his was his choice for his 2012 Hallmark Christmas decoration. HA did I get ya? I got excited myself. ;-)

Gina said...

You DID get me. I was like "Wait a minute! It's not Christmas yet!" Then "Lucky thing..."

Kenya G. Johnson said...

LOL!