Last weekend, a couple came into the store and returned a bunch of stuff that had been purchased with cash. There were 4 or 5 different receipts and bunches of stuff and all in all, I refunded several hundred dollars to the couple.  The couple was in their 30's, very nice, the woman had a very hard look about her, but like I said, she was very nice. The guy would have been very handsome except for these very nasty looking sores all over his face.  This transaction took so long that I had to shut down my register and call someone else to come and open another line.  So in they come tonight at 9:00, just as we're locking the store.  They have another 5 receipts and are returning another round of items.  It takes half an hour to sort through it all and to get the money refunded.  Here's the thing, most of the guys sores have healed up, but now he has a huge crater in his face.  It looked like somebody had taken a teaspoon and dug a chunk of flesh out of this guy's cheek.  She looks even more hagard than the trip before, if that's possible.  Again, they are just as nice as they can be.  When they're out the door and we've locked up behind them, the other cashiers are grumbling about the couple being back in the store again and I get the story from my manager who knows someone who used to work with the woman. 

She is a stripper with a crack addiction.  He's got his own crystal meth addiction, hence the holes in his face from digging at imaginary bugs.  They have a usual routine of buying tons of stuff with the money she earns from dancing and come and refund it when cash is low to get drug money.  She has a young daughter at home and Lord knows what that kid has seen. 

It's not my place to pass judgement, but I'll keep my food addiction, thank you very much.

Yvette, it's so wonderful to see you again - congratulations Grandma! How wonderful for you and your daughter. I've gained too, Yvette but this much I know: being sad, angry, frustrated, any other negative emotion you can think of, will not help me turn this around! I must be positive and pro-active. It all starts in the head - we have to believe we can do this - only then can we set about turning things around! Don't be stranger, it's great to see you again. Maureen

There was a news article on stress eating that I thought I'd share. 

Click on the link and watch the video.

http://www.abc15.com/content/living/yourhealth/story/Stress- less-lose-more-and-look-fabulous/Fm_fy-o2cki3t9IRZbGgsw.cspx

Quicky pitstop....Im fine, taking a break...see you all perhaps in March.... Take care! 

Thank You all for your kind words and prayers. A tragedy like this tends to filter out some of the day to day B.S. and cause you to focus on what really matters.......Family, friends, good health.....to name a few. It certainly has put many things in perspective for me.

Be well, Dear Marchers

Mike