Larry, we have those restaurants in Grand Rapids, some about five miles from here.  I like Olive Garden and we occasionally eat there for our family luncheon on Wednesdays.  I have eaten at Outback, but not here.  We have just lost our neighborhood K-Mart and will soon lose the area Sears.  I felt bad about buying our laundry equipment from Sears when I heard that, but they do not do the service anyway, when/if needed.  It looks like malls will be a thing of the past or at least with only small specialty stores, no big names.  Our small retiree group eats at Ruby Tuesday occasionally and I have heard nothing about them closing.  Of course, these companies are very selective in the stores/restaurants they close.

I think I liked the "good old days" better, at least for shopping and eating.  We had no Fast Food places when I was a kid.  One of our family favorites was a BBQ restaurant and we often would get BBQ sandwiches for a meal.  While I was still young, that restaurant was bought out by another restaurant with a good reputation - that they kept - and just a few years ago they went out of business because they had no one to take over when the owners got old enough to retire.  That building was torn down and several other business buildings are in its place.  Progress???

Mary Ann

Mary Ann - Our closest Sears, closed last summer, followed shortly by Penney's. They were both part of a large mall, and now the entire mall is being torn down.  Quite controversial, as to what will be built in it's place.  Unfortunately, it will most likely be high rise apartment buildings or condos.

Ruby Tuesday, has closed, but there are others that I know of that are too far from where I live. The remaining Olive Garden, is about ten miles away, so not bad, but it's ten miles of heavy traffic and dozens of long signal waits, so I haven't been there in a long while.  The only chain that's convenient is Outback, and of course, good old Denny's!  Here in the town where I live, there are lots of independently owned restaurants, but they are all very expensive.

Marilyne, our Denny's is within five miles and is very busy and popular.  We eat there sometimes.  We have one place that recently moved and is only open until 2 pm; it is mainly a breakfast place, but also lunch.  It has always been so busy that you can't get in, so we don't go.  We'd like to eat there, but often, for lunch, we don't eat until 2 pm.  We have several places to pick from.  I have no idea where our Outback is; I ate at one in Florida and don't even know where; it would be near Treasure Island because that is where Jim rented a motel suite each year. 

We have Subway that I like and we either eat there or Tom will meet someone there, then bring a sandwich back for me.  He often will bring a Mc D's or Wendy's hamburger/cheese burger back.  I have him buy salad stuff or spinach so I can have a salad, but so often he suggests eating out and that sounds much more appetizing than making a salad!  I'm lazy in my old age.

Tom works out of our lower level and often times works beyond meal times, then doesn't feel like fixing something for a meal, so we eat out often.  I almost never cook although I do have some favorite recipes I'd like to try.  Tom is not too good with left overs and I hate to be the one who has to finish them.  Once or twice is OK, but beyond that I find them on the back of a shelf in the refrigerator - and you know where they go from there. 

If all else fails, there is always a peanut butter/mayo sandwich!

Mary Ann

Mary Ann - I'm not much of a cook anymore. It really wears me out to stand on my feet in the kitchen and prepare a decent meal for the two of us.  We don't go out for dinner much at all, because my husband likes to watch the news for at least an hour, right around dinner time, and then a hockey game or some such program.   

He is easy to please when it comes to food, so I mainly cook simple things that are quick. I depend on the deli at Whole Foods, where I often shop for ready to eat meals.  I love those "help yourself" food trays, and they have a good selection.  I can pick out the things that each of us likes, and also buy a few staple items like bread, fruit and veggies. 

We would be perfect candidates to live in one of those Senior facilities, where you can go to the dining room for your meals. (like the place where June D lives.)  However, that is not something that's going to happen, so I'll keep on keeping on!

Marilyne, I think I'd be better off in a retirement home too, but with Tom here, I do manage.  I need help with things other than cooking, which I could do in an emergency.  I have rotator cuff problem and arthritis in my right shoulder and it is hard to lift the corners of the mattress to change my bed.  Tom's daughter usually helps me, but she is erratic as to times and I go a long time between changes.  She is in Jamaica right now, so today I took the bull by the horns and stripped my bed.  I haven't made it yet, but I will by tonight. 

I'm best at computing and TV watching.

We have a Trader Joe's in the SW corner of our city and Tom's lady friend likes to shop there.  He takes her there, then buys some things, but I don't think they're any better than our supermarket.  He brought home some baking potatoes that are humungus.  I usually bake a potato in the microwave, then cut it in half for two meals.  These, I'll cut in three pieces.  Tom isn't too good with quantities; he'll get too many for what we eat and they wither away.  Some times that can't be helped if the product/produce comes in bags. 

I never was much of a cook anyway because my dad did much of it after my mother died.  He'd get home from school about 4 pm and I'd get home from work about 5:30.  We usually ate right away because we wanted to watch the 6 pm news (normal in those days) and I was not ready to sit down and eat the minute I walked in the door.  Now we eat whenever Tom is finished with his work and that could be anytime.  Or he could leave for the evening and I look in the freezer.  I try to eat wisely, but it isn't always possible. 

Mary Ann

<---------------------

Not a great picture,   but at least I can smile again!!!!

Oh happy Day!

Good morning from the Interior on another similar day. Farrah surprised me last night as I woke up and found her sleeping behind me on my pillow a couple of times. She was purring softly so must have felt the need for company. When she gets on the couch, it is always behind me on the back as well.

We have a Dennys, and a couple of McDonalds' here but most are local restaurants, Italian, Mexican, Asian, Korean, Thai, Hmong and Vietnamese. We have an East Indian restaurant that I really like and a couple of noodle bowl Korean ones. We have the usual small coffee shops and a few family bakeries and a really neat Alaskan restaurant called the Loose Moose that is a combo store and restaurant only selling and serving Alaskan made foods produced wholly in Alaska, There is also a Hawaiian food truck to round things out. Of course, there are three or four major restaurants with waiters and high prices. The food and service are excellent but the prices prohibit dining there other than special occasions.

We had the varied franchises and as I said, they left. Once a year in March, we have a big day about our International heritage and many crafts and food booths are from associations such as different churches, religions, and nationalities. People come for the food, good conversation, and discoveries. The food is amazing and is something many look forward to all year. It is similar to Octoberfest, but not limited to one nationality or style.

We lost our Kmart years ago, unfortunately, they closed just after a big two-year remodel so that mall sits empty other than storage rentals such as vehicles from servicemen sent around the globe. I can tell you about Sears, first they overburdened themselves by buying up several bankrupted chains such as Kmart. Secondly, the CEOs they chose for the last few years were not retail oriented, the last one was from real estate, so they didn't last long and made the situation worse.

The Sears store here where I worked twice, has a good chance for survival as it offers goods and services to several hundred miles in either direction, villages, small towns, and junctions. It is the only Sears store in the state other than the one in Anchorage and store policy assigns credit for mail orders to the closest Sears in the vicinity.

We have a strangle hold on our groceries however as there are one super Walmart and two Fred Meyers,(A subsidiary of Krogers); and two Safeways. They were colluding in forcing the smaller neighborhood groceries out and got called on it. The judge forced them to divest themselves of some of the properties but only the indoor farmer's market is thriving. It is made up of the same farmers and associations that run in the summer. Other than Safeway, which has good service and food, but high prices, there isn't much difference between Fred Meyers and Walmart for quality or service.

I used to cook quite often, taking twice a month to do mixes and preparation, then freezing the goods. For the past year and a half, I have been dieting, using the clean eating method due to weight and allergies. The clean eating method uses fresh, seasonal foods so not much is put up. You use no convenience, fast food or microwavable foods. My allergies have cleared up, for the most part, I am no longer pre-diabetic and I've lost forty-two pounds, but sadly, another forty-two to go. I eat mainly game with very little commercial meat products which I think really helps with my allergies to chemicals in food. I do not want another rush to the hospital for four thousand and change!

I live in an Independent Seniors' building which has many services, but other than five-holiday meals and a bring your own bowl and spoon day, soup lunch bimonthly, there are no meals served daily. The kitchen is available for groups and holidays but that is it. although there is twenty-four-hour bread, donuts, and coffee downstairs in the main common room that is provided and maintained by committee.

Sandy, I just saw your new avatar and looking good! I need to get off my duff and get mine done!

Sandy. Looks like a beautiful smile.  Are the comfy.?

They are comfortable and they are well made and adjusted....    I  am very satisfied. 
Being able to smile changes so  much about how I feel about myself!!!!

Sandy, that is a wonderful picture and your smile is also wonderful.  I'm glad you have the new dentures.

I have a new crown, but even when smiling, no one can see it.  Ha!

Mary Ann

Good Morning Everyone from the getting much cooler,  rocky coast of Maine...

Good Bye January ....      (Hooray)

Now to get through FEBRUARY ...   (Never easy for us here in the North East...    But we do the best we can!!

Have a good day,  Everyone

Hi everyone.  It is another beautiful and sunny 44 degree morning.  We will likely get to 70 degrees this afternoon.  We noticed the first tulip tree bloomed out yesterday.  We have had such a mild winter that I guess the plants think it is Spring again. I have a light schedule for today. Between 10 and 11 am today I have to get to Walmart downtown to pick up a grocery order.  I also need to go to the other Walmart that is close to us here to pick up a prescription and get a birthday card for my sister's 73rd birthday next Monday.  After that I plan on a quiet day but can always find something to do. 

Mary Ann, we lost our K-Mart last year and I think I read they are going to close the Sears store over in the large mall.  It seems the once large and powerful companies have their day and then fall by the wayside as shopping methods change.  I haven't shopped in either store for years and am so glad we can now order online.  Of course, we used to order from the Sears and the Montgomery Ward catalogs.  I am hopeful that it was just a rumor about Ruby Tuesday's.  If you have a Firehouse Subs anywhere near you be sure to try them.  There subs have become my favorites and I go there often.

Marilyne, we still have a Penney's store in the big mall. Sorry to see that your Ruby Tuesday's restaurant closed.  We have lots of different places to eat either here in North Augusta or across the river in Augusta and the traffic really isn't too bad.  We have an Outback fairly close by but haven't gone there since moving here.  We did eat at Denny's not too long ago.  I guess I need to check out the Whole Foods store that isn't far from us.  Meal preparation is also a bit of a problem for Pat and I.  I keep thinking more and more about the Senior facility where they have the meals.  I just hope we can stay here another 4 or 5 years. 

Sandy, I can see your new teeth and your great smile.   

Patricia, I guess if Farrah stays behind you she can keep an eye on your movements more easily.  What nationality is a Hmong restaurant?  Family bakeries is something lacking around here.  Congratulations on your successful diet plan with the weight loss and the other benefits your mentioned. 

At 8:30 we left to go to where I get my haircut.  That done, we had breakfast at the restaurant next door.  When finished there, we went to the Urgent Care building where I had blood drawn because I take Eliquis, a blood thinner.  At 10:30 we pulled into our garage and I'm finished for the day.  It isn't often that I have three things going in such short order.

The cat helped me change my bed last night and you can bet he was a BIG help!  With the bottom sheet, he grabbed hold of it and wouldn't let go, thinking it was a game.  I left him there and went into the bathroom to get ready for bed.  When I came out, the cat was not there so I straightened out the bottom sheet and started with the top sheet. Then he came back so I covered the cat with the sheet and he liked that.  He finally came out an when I was putting a lightweight quilt over the sheet, I covered him with that too and he was very happy.  It doesn't take much to please him, in one way, but in another way he isn't interested in what you want him to do.

I don't know what I'll do the rest of the day.  There's always something to do, whether or not it gets done.

We had snow overnight but the roads are OK; we had no trouble.  The furthest we were from home was three miles as the hair salon, restaurant and urgent care are all at the same corner.

Mary Ann

Goodmorning, and it is snowing. So do not think I will make my doctors appointment.
MaryAnn, when I am trying to make the made in the morning, Taffy will also get hold of the covers. I guess they think its a game. Keeps my mind going, as I am talking to her.

Larry,  We use to eat at Ryans a lot.  Thursday, out Red Hats are having a get together at the food court in the mall, we will order on our own, I would have Chinese but I thing to full of salt. Have not been in McD. for a long, long time so I might get something from there. Of course all will depend on the weather, and how I feel.

Larry I find it ironic that both Sears and Montgomery Ward are gone/going out of business.  Both of them were more or less the first big "on-line" (shop by mail) companies.  I can remember when Sears started their decline.  They run off all their full time (and many old timers) sales staff.  People who knew their customers and merchandise and went out their way to please them. It was around 1984.  We moved back to San Antonio about a year later and when I had some car trouble I took it to Sears, thinking they were a little pricey but trustworthy.  Well that proved to be a mistake on my part, it seems everytime I took it back they broke something else and they always denied their fault and things just went from bad to worst.  I had a long "discussion" with the service manager and attempted to talk to the store manager and such a run a round you would never believe at any rate I finally told the service manager I was finished with Sears and I know they wouldn't go broke without my business and I did quit shopping with them, completely.  Never in my life would I have thought it was not only me but many others that found their service unsatisfactory.  Their car service department finally closed except for tires and batteries.  I haven't been by there for so long I don't know what is going on.

Funny thing is that for years, especially when I was in the military, I swore by Sears and Wards, they always went out of their way to take care of my needs.  Never a doubt in my mind, your only as good as your people.

I apologize for writing a book.

Larry, the dictionary says, " Hmong is an ethnic group from the mountainous regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. Hmong people are also known as Miao (苗族). However, the Hmong people themselves consider it an insult to use such term. Instead, they prefer to be called "Hmong," which means "free." Hmong began a gradual southward migration in the 18th century due to political unrest and to find more arable land."

During the French and later American war, against the communist Pathet Lao and Vietnamese insurgents, they were recruited to fight against the communists.  Because of this, after the war collapsed, they fled in large numbers to the west, Australia, French Guiana, Canada, and Argentina and Thailand. Most however settled in the US with large settlements in Alaska and along the Texas coast. They are actively persecuted in their homelands and face forced assimilation.

MaryAnn, you had a busy day. I used to do that sort of thing before and after work as well as walk to and from daily. Now after going to the grocery store, I need a day of rest to recover, and that has only been the last two years. Last November I noticed and became alarmed by this so have made an effort to be more active each day. Of course slowly bringing in the remnants from my balcony, handwashing or laundering them helps so much as well as making more of an effort to move so much excess out of my apartment, either to the giveaway table or to the Alpa company representative to take back to her office for giveaway there.

I gave her high heels and heeled wedges before as well as an Italian leather purse and some clothes. These would never find a home here, and the representative knows several twenty-year-olds that love my offerings and swoop down on them. Her words, not mine. I know that no one here would or is interested in heels or work clothes.

Larry, I have learned to stay out of Rosa's! Have you ever had freshly made that morning, cannoli? Or bruttiboni, or sfogliatelle? Just spelling out the words can make you gain ten pounds! They make all kinds of bread and expressos, but I love their hot almond bread with hot melted butter. She is an Italian woman married to a Serbian, and there are also many other delis, restaurants, and groceries. They are anywhere there are large groups of immigrants and serve mainly the resident population, but they are becoming more known outside of their communities.

I'm sure these type of places are plentiful in other US communities. I know we have not only Asian, East European, East Indian, populations, but we also have  Mennonites and ex-hippies and those drawn to Alaska's reputation and wanting to homestead and live off the grid. It is the latter group that makes so many of the Native villages not want a road system. They have had to go out and rescue too many unprepared families and individuals and those seeking to proselytize. Jobs are not plentiful here as many scams promise and hire Alaskans first is not only a slogan here.

Homesteading is also no longer useful or encouraged even though there are thousands of unsettled acres. People have dreams that are unfettered by reality, and that makes them dangerous to themselves and others. There is available land, but it is costly, both regarding ready cash and then for any services. If you live out in the bush, your supplies are by plane and or barge, depending as the railroad only goes to the larger cities and towns. It is very expensive and very hard work to live in the bush.

Natives here do not live in reservations but live on vast acres of land that are owned by them through corporations that they set up through the Alaska Settlement and Land Claims Act. It turned over Native lands ownership back to the tribes. So there are three types of government in the state, Federal, Native and State and depending on locale, you have to obey all three.

Hal, unfortunately, you are right in many ways. I have worked for Penneys, Wards, and Sears and once they went "Corporate," there was no going back. What upset many of us, shortly before I left Sears in 2012, was when we saw shoplifters, openly stealing, called Loss Prevention who took forever to get there and then were told what we saw was hearsay and would not hold up in court.

The theft had to happen in front of a Loss Prevention officer, and the insurance was used more and more often instead of staff prevention. In 2012, 33% of what was considered loss is added to the price of goods across the board. That is what you pay daily for other's theft in medical, insurance, retail and other industries. I wonder what the rate is today?

Gloria, I believe talking and playing with Taffy benefits both of you. I know having Farrah here is a big help to me and the knowledge that what I give to her, even if just a pet now and then has given her stability and a way back.

A blast from the past..  I was under the impression that Montgomery Ward folded about 10 or 12 years ago.  But two weeks ago I got a Montgomery Ward catalog in the mail.   

MaryAnn   

IMHO, if you think that you would be better off in a retirement home,   you ought to seriously look into it. 
There would be a lot people around and you certainly deserve to live in more comfortable circumstances... with people around most of the time,  when you would like them to be there.


Sandy

tis 32 degrees and snowing.  They say heavfy7 snow for the next two hours.  UGH

Sandy, thanks.  I might be better off in a retirement home, but I'm not moving.  I'm not as efficient as some people who can dispose of possessions and junk.  It isn't that I don't want to, but I just don't take the time and it doesn't seem to be a priority with me.  As long as my health is as it is (fairly good) and I get rides to my medical appointments, I see no reason to move.  I happen to be a person who does not need others; I can be alone in a crowd and I am with people enough to not be a hermit.  The day may come where it is necessary for me to go elsewhere, but it isn't here yet.

I am another one who talks to the cat as if I think he understands.  He does know what "NO" means, but otherwise, I think he tolerates me.

Mary Ann

When I moved to Auburn in  2004, Sears had a very large store in the local mall.  About 5 years ago it sold the their share of the building or just left it--I don't know the whys or wherefores--and moved to a very small mall with a Dollar Tree, Mexican Restaurant, and several other small businesses.  Now the new Sears only sells appliances and might (don't know this for sure) have a repair department.  The old mall still has a J.C. Penney's, Dillards, Belk's, a large sporting goods stores, and a number of smaller retail stores that specialize in different items.  One interesting thing in the new mall parking lot is a 10 unit lot for electric car recharging.  I've not yet seen a car doing that, but I'm not able to drive yet after a big fall, so maybe I've just missed that.

Sue

Sue, our Sears was a full store as far as I know.  It is quite far south of where I live, so I don't go there, but I did buy a washer and dryer there recently.  I have said I was sorry I did, but they don't have a repair department and I'd have to go elsewhere for service anyway.  Tom is my laundry person and he likes it, thinks it gets clothes cleaner than my old pair.  This set is front-loading.  I have no idea how it works.

Our Wards went out several years ago, in fact the mall that had Wards and K-Mart as anchors was taken down except for the two end buildings several years ago and there is a Lowe's there and they are busy.  Anything like Home Depot or Menards is across the river so not too convenient for people in my area.  I bought a refrigerator and range from Lowe's. 

I think the day is coming (not in my lifetime) where there will be no big stores and people can buy everything online from clothing to appliances.  What a different world than we grew up in and I never thought I'd see some of the technology that has come about.  I think about my parents, Dad especially, if they could see what is available today.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann - I'm happy to know that you'll be staying in your condo for the foreseeable future.    Kendrick would miss you so much if you moved away!  I know Tom would take good care of him, but Kendrick would be lonely there without you.

Sandy - your teeth look great, and very natural!  The way you described the whole process, it sounds like it was fast and thorough and painless.  I'm glad it turned out so well for you.

I just hate to see the demise of Sears.  They were so good to me in my younger years, and I like to say that Sears helped me pay my way through college!    I worked in many different departments in the San Jose store, and ended up in the Personnel Office, which I liked the best.   Then when my husband was drafted and sent to Ft. Lewis, WA, I got a great job at the huge Seattle store, which at that time, was the West Coast Corporate Offices.  After the Army  sent him to Camp Hanford, in Eastern WA, I worked at a small Sears store in Pasco.  Of course, all this was back in the l950's, and I know things have changed since then.  No matter - I will always have a special place in my heart for Sears.

MaryAnn, I also plan to stay here as long as I can.  As I am always writing my neighbors always look out for me. It is mine and I can do anything I want in it. I can also sleep as long as I want

Patricia I just got a nice call from one of my RH sisters inquiring about how I am feeling.  she also lives alone and her son got her and electronic dog and cat. Which I never heard of she also has ALeXA. which talks to her.  Never heard of that, until Carol just mention it in another post.By the way I have worke up the last two mornings and Taffy is sleeping right at my back. What would we do, without our lives babies.  Kenrick is good for MaryAnn also

I worked at the local Sears store twice. I also was employed at both Penneys and Wards twice. The best time at Sears was the first during, 1992-2003. I started in hardware, paint dept., moved to tools, shoes, babies and then to juniors. The second time in 2004-2006; first as Customer Service Manager and then in the Cash Office. The second time was Corporate all the way with no exceptions ever!

I remember when they closed the large Penney's store here. It is now a small inside mall. They reopened in another location, three or so years later and had just a repair department and a counter for online ordering. Anchorage does have a large J.C. Penneys still operating. Wards have been gone awhile.

MaryAnn, who's to say that cats don't understand us? I believe it is as if they were trying to make sense of an unknown language and going by your tone of voice. Farrah has shown by her actions, several times that she understands. Whether she wants to is another matter entirely! 

I may rile up the nature versus nurture crowd, but I see repeated sounds that she associates with various activities and actions. Such as the sound Win for treats which she never uses in the morning. In the morning, she uses Win-Win instead, and never for treats.

She likes to be in her mesh carrier in the living room. But as I said elsewhere, I got a new pillow for the bed, and now she spends the majority of her time back in the bedroom again, except this time on top of the pillow and not under the bed. I have woken in the middle of the night to find her sleeping on the pillow behind me. I've wondered if she thinks I need to get my own pillow? 

I honestly believe that living with a pet gives you more compassion, empathy, love, and understanding, along with better health. Especially as we all age. That is one if the reasons they now have pets in institutions.

I am also one who enjoys her own company. The way it is here is that you are left alone in your apartment, but not in the common rooms so that is where I and others go for company. My friends outside of the building keep joking that they're going to stage a computer intervention! They are either still working, involved in volunteering and other activities or doing a lot of trips and or shopping. I am too broke for the latter and uninterested in the former so here we stand. We do get together twice a month or so for lunch or dinner with cards.

Gloria, I wonder if the electronic dog and cat are those you can get like an app or game on a tablet? Small robot animals seem to be expensive! Alexa is simply a device that connects to your other smart devices such as phone, alarms or TV and controls them, rather like a better Cortana on Windows ten.

I need a cat in my life, like you do.

At one time we had a catalog office for Penney's up on the avenue west of us and I would order and have the package delivered there and I'd pick it up.  One time I ordered and was told I would have to pick the order up from the store in the southend mall.  No way.  I chose to have the order sent by mail or UPS or whatever.  We still have a Penney's store, but it is the one in the southend mall and is about 15-20 miles from here.  Even if I was driving yet, I would not go out there.  My motto is "if I can't find it near me, I don't need it". 

My retiree friends and I get together once a month in good weather months.  It probably will be April or May before we start up.  Two of the women go south after Thanksgiving and are gone until Spring.  Tom takes me wherever we choose to eat, but eats apart from us, either at the same restaurant or elsewhere.  I have my TracFone to call him when I'm ready.

Mary Ann

I need a cat in my life, like you do.

I second that. Oscar and Lucy agree.

Hi everyone.  It is going to be another beautiful in the low 70's day with no rain.  Not much to write about today.  Pat has a PT appointment at 11 am and then I will have dinner this evening at the Church with Scott and hopefully Jennifer.  Then they will come out to the house for a time of visiting.

Mary Ann and deAngel, our cat always liked to crawl under the covers and get in the middle of whatever we were doing.  I think making a bed is very tiring.  Fortunately our housekeeper changes it when she is here and the rest of the time we can just straighten the covers to make it. 

deAngel, we were sad to see our Ryan's close a few months ago.  I haven't eaten in a mall food court in probably 10 years or more. 

Hal, my dad didn't think there were any finer tools than the Craftsman line.  Pat did order something from Penney's last Christmas for her sister.  That way if it had to be returned she could go to her local Penney's store and do the exchange, which she had to do.  As I was growing up we had a big Sears, Ward's and Penney's store and it was a town of around 5,000 people although the college added another 3,000 or so during the school year.

Patricia, thanks for the info on the Hmong people.  I have never heard of them before.  I have had a freshly made connoli but neither of the other two items you mentioned.  Right before we moved to Anchorage in the late 60's the church we joined had sold their property to Penney's for a hefty sum and it allowed the church to build a big and beautiful church in replacement at another location.  It sounds like loss prevention didn't work very well in the store where you worked. 

Jeanne, Ward's is strictly an online catalog type store now according to what I just read. 

Joan, you are having a winter to remember.

SCFSue, I know that Sears has separate small stores for appliances and I expect catalog pickup.  But they still have some of the larger department stores as well, at least for now but keep closing more and more of the stores.  The founder of J. C. Penney's came from a town in Missouri (Hamilton) not too far from where I grew up.  One of the things I remember about Penney's is the cash system with little containers for the ticket and cash to one office upstairs and they returned the change and receipt. I don't think I have ever seen a car plugged into one of those electric charging stations and am not aware that there are even any in the Augusta, Georgia area.   

Larry, when I was growing up we had three main department stores in town, all locally owned - Wurzburg's, Steketee's and Herpolsheimer's (the latter two were nicknamed Stek's and Herp's).  Stek's did not carry furniture but the other two did.  I only remember that Wurzburg's did the same with cash - put it in a cylinder and send it on its way.  Wurzburg's also had an escalator, the only one in town that I knew of.  I was more familiar with that store because when we took the bus downtown, that was the first store we came to.  Even after working downtown, I rarely went to Herp's because it was at the far end of downtown and a long way from where I worked.   Wurzburg's had a mezzanine which is where the escalator went, but it had elevators too, as did the other stores.  Stek's supposedly (at least when I was young) was more high-toned than the other two store.  Now, none of those stores exist, not even in the malls and I think they closed and were not bought out by nationwide names.  It probably was due to people going to the newer stores. 

We are enjoying 30 degrees with the sun shining.  I think tomorrow it is to be about 20 degrees high. 

Mary Ann