Um, is today National Be Nice to Ashley Day? It’s not? Hmmm…..that’s weird…..it felt like it.
Remember when I left my phone on the top of my car? When I got it back I swore I would never leave anything anywhere again. Well, that was short lived…..
Today I was trying on some things at Old Navy. When I went to pay, I reached into my purse…..and my wallet was….. gone. Panic. When could someone have taken it? I never let my purse out of my sight for even a second. I looked around to see if there were any suspicious characters. The toddler in the stroller behind me looked pretty shady…..but not like grand theft shady. The cashier, Tonya, was just as upset as I was. I wasn’t so worried about having my wallet stolen (because I am prepared, remember?)….but in my wallet was my ID (which I need to get on a plane tomorrow) and prescriptions (which I needed filled before getting on the plane). I asked Tonya to hold my stuff (I just met Tonya but I think I can call her my new BFF)….and I jumped in my car to drive back over to Target where I’d been 45 minutes before. Guess what…..I’d left my wallet in a cart…..in the parking lot…..and someone returned it. AND-THANK-YOU-nice-person-in-the-Target-parking-lot-who-didn’t-even-take-my-fully-filled-McCafe-Rewards-Card! When I got back to Old Navy, Tonya was so happy and said she’d been praying since the second I left…..it worked:
After Old Navy, I went to Costco to fill my prescriptions and…..right when I got there…… the pharmacist had just taken off his jacket and was going to lunch. Just my luck. But….when he saw me, he stopped…..walked back over…..asked me how I was doing….and commented on my hair. He’s bald. We were twins for a while. Then he took my prescription and said he’d take care of it right away. His name’s Andrew……and he’s awesome. We’re BFFs.
After all that, I got in line for a slice of pizza. As soon as it was my turn to pay I realized I didn’t have any cash. So I started counting out pennies and nickles and checking every pocket in my purse for change. An older man behind me stepped over and said “Do you need some money, sweetie?” Omg…..he thinks I’m homeless…..but wearing Lululemon. I turned down his offer. I had to return my drink (for a water cup)….but I paid for my pizza with 4 cents to spare. Now I wish I’d told him he was my BFF……
But then he seemed a little annoyed when I held up the straw line to take a photo ……and then had to retake the photo a second time. Don’t worry mister, you don’t want those straws anyways….
As for the straw photo…..how else will I further my campaign for un-germy straws at Costco?
They never end up calling me……
I need a name for this campaign. Something I can hashtag…..any ideas?
Update: I think Mr. LBB found the perfect solution. Dear Costco, simply place your hand under the dispenser and a “sterile” straw will drop into your hand. By my calculations, for 605 worldwide locations, this will cost you about $75,000…..and then I’ll stop leaving comments in the suggestion box! Based on your June sales, it would only take you 21 seconds to make enough revenue. You could buy 4 for each store in the time it took me to do that math.
aaaaand, now i want costco pizza. at 11. there went my night 😉
Haha – love it. So many nice people in the world!! How about #degermcostco or #dirtycostcostrawdrama 🙂
Glad I’m not the only one who hates that kind of straw dispenser. I also have to always get a cup lid that is NOT the first on top. Well, how many unclean hands have touched where I’m about to drink from. Yuk!
Except for those of us who reach in between all the time and grab the ones not on the top. Also, they fill it from the top so chances are at one point or another the “clean” lid we take isn’t as clean as we think. I also saw an employee grab up all the straws off the counter and put them back into the dispenser once – boy did i give him an earful!
The love was bouncing around the universe for you today!
#CostcostrawsREALLYsuck
Is your flight tomorrow to Seattle? We’ve had a grand total of 78 minutes above 80 degrees this entire summer. For realz. Bring the sun or some warm clothes – we’re not expected to crack the 70 degree mark until Wednesday. Woot woot! We’re all super excited.
#ReallyWantToMoveToSeattleForTheSummer
Some kid would come along and stick their hand under the dispenser until all the straws were back like this. Just saying. LOL Glad you had a good day today. 🙂 We all deserve a break every now and again.
Grand Theft Shady Baby…
I am cracking up!
I absolutely HATE those straw dispensers! Who knows how many snotty, filthy germ covered hands have touched them! Ewww! I am not one of those who go completely nuts over germy things… I just usually use soap and water which isn’t always practical when out in public. I also take a lid far fro the top to cover my coke.If they give me a packaged straw at he drive through and its either wet (gross) or torn….I must have it replaced. It’s just the way it is. I also hate for them to hand me a coke through the drive through window with a)no straw and b) a dripping wet cup that must have been overfilled, They always want to be a little harsh with me. No manners! Now, back to the germy problem -#americansagainstgermystrawholders!! Long…but looks kinda professional. HAHA 😀
Great post Ashley! It WAS National Love Ashley day 🙂
hashtags?? #costcogermlicker #suckonthatcostco
#suckrandomfingersatcostco I mean that’s really what you are doing anyway…right??
Oh a few more #sipongermsatcostco #snotonmycostcostraw
I like number 2! #suckonthatcostco 😉
#hellocostcoTHESTRAWS
Safe traveling!
Paper wrapped straws? Yes please. I think Costco sells them 🙂
You could just carry your own straw. No germies and Eco-friendly.
I have some reusable ones I got from Crate & Barrel years ago. Ikeep a few in my purse (pencil organizer or toothbrush holder to keep clean). Pop ’em in the dishwasher to clean.
And yeah for nice peeps 🙂
Man, my life is boring. Everywhere you go, you have an adventure. Granted, sometimes those adventures are stressful, but once they are over, you have a great story to tell. I absolutely love reading about your life. You are hilarious. Keep up the good work. I’m also so happy you are feeling good and have beat cancer!!
You are just awesome! I love reading your blog because I know I’ll be smiling by the time I’m through!
The straws at Costco are nasty!!! I just keep taking out a ton until I’m pretty sure one is clean… #nastystrawsviolation 🙂 Good luck trying to get them to change it! Have a great vacation!
Love it all! Glad you got your wallet back and in tact!
That was so funny – especially the germy straws! I never use the first one that the previous customer has touched. Even though I think that makes me a little weird 😉
Ashley, I never have cash on hand either. More than once I have been in line @ Costco to feed the hungry savages, and no cash. Once a lovely employee told me that you can pay for your pizza/hot dogs/ice cream/frozen fruit yumminess at the self-checkout! They have a barcode you can scan. Swipe your debit card, and go give the snack peeps your receipt!
It’s great to live in America, isn’t it?
Happy Benicetoashley Day!
Ashley, what a day you had! I agree about he straws…a letter to the ceo Craig Jelinek…and then we all should write a letter too….800 Lake Drive Issaquah, WA 98027. And I do totally like that mr. lbb found another means of dispensing straws! Safe travels, and hopefully you will keep your wallet and phone with you at all times:)
how about #costconeedspaperwrappedstraws
so glad you got your wallet back!
#costcostrawsarenotmyBFF
I had no idea that they even had those containters anymore..
“Unpapered” straws were covered in germs long before they rolled onto the dispenser mechanism. Some employee has grabbed them with questionably dirty hands and put them in there as well as touching the inside of the container to contaminate straws that may be filled by truly clean hands. My answer always is to BRING MY OWN CUP AND STRAW. I got mine at Starbucks (they have the 30 oz. “Trente” now) but any cup with a lid and straw would work. Of course, this doesn’t protect you from the questionably germy hands touching your food, but I don’t have a solution for that one. P.S. The additional advantage (not mentioning the waste of disposable cups/straws) is that ESPECIALLY IN YOUR DESERT HEAT – the cups they give you are wax covered paper. When they are in heat, they start to melt and break down and then leave your cup holders sticky. Reuseable, washable cups won’t do that.
I do that too! I carry my own cup with straw around everywhere. Hubby makes fun of me but I swear my OCD is getting worse the older I get. I can’t drink out of a can either – even if I wipe the top off (Thanks a lot Oprah for that show about the rats running around on top of the soda cases !)
Also my cup is insulated and keeps my drinks nice and cold. Nothing worse that a watered down coke. Except maybe germy straws.
#germaphobes against costco straws
🙂 Clair
Or the coke cola man jumping in the back, shutting thedoor to relieve himself while on his runs. I saw this once in NYC. I thought I was going to gag.
Love reading your post…feels like I go on an adventure with you! I’m with you, I don’t like germy straws….why can’t they all be wrapped in paper! Get that petition for “GERM FREE” straws and I will be the first to sign it! Have a super day! Safe flying!!!
Why don’t they just use the paper covered straws? Would it be that detrimental? I think saving a few thousand people a few million germs would be worth it… I don’t like germs at all… I think they should all be dropped off on a small island, (and not a pretty one) and they can do as they please there. #CostcoUsePaperCoveredStraws #Campaign4CleanStraws #Costco4Cleanliness #CleanlinessCampaign #NoGermyStaws #GrossStrawNeglegence
Glad you got your wallet back. I would be beside myself too… I have all sorts of stuff in there…
You were so lucky to get your wallet back. Wow!
You are way to funny. I have been getting your emails for some time now and I never miss them.
This one made me laugh. You have the best personality and are a terrific word goddess wizard. lol
Barb
North Carolina
Ok ,you should tell your US Costco to call us up north in Canada, we have a straw dispenser like yours , but our straws are wrapped !!!! How hard can it be to buy different straws???? Maybe the guys in Costco Canada are just more worried about germs ??
You have heard of “chemo brain” havn’t you? I think it explains a lot! I’ve been there… Had it!
I’m at the LQ Costco eating pizza right now, Ash, and the flies are even grosser than the straws.
#costcopleaseorderwrappedstraws
Ashley how about #ithinkiwillbeabandwagoneraboutthestraws, #IThinkTheCostcoStrawsHaveGermsBecauseAshleyDoes (that one is maybe to long). Does it ever bug you that lots of blog readers believe they are just like you? I’m a selective germaphobe. Never, ever, never ever will I eat the part of ANYTHING that is the part I’ve held. You know the part of the hamburger you hold, the very end of each fry you hold? But the straws, never.crossed.my.mind! Totally made me laugh! You are one funny girl, and I love your writing.And, as for a few of the commenters…really? And, reusable straws…GROSS. Straws are disposable for a reason. There is not a good way to really know that the entire, little tiny, cylinder of a shaft has had an adequate flow of sterilization run through it. Throw them away and use new always (even if you must push the little lever dispenser five times to get one). That’s all.
I put the plastic straw that comes with my lovely plastic cup in the dishwasher. Living in the oppressive FL heat, I have several of them – so always a nice sanitized fresh from the dishwasher one available when I need it. Ahh!
I’m glad you had several people be unexpectedly kind to you today. You deserve it! I am also so happy that you’re feeling better-keep up the good recovery!!
I’m excited to have had some very kind people cross my path the past 2 days…
-yesterday I was off and slept in, but woke up to yard equipment across the street. I saw a landscaping crew doing my nice neighbor’s yard and since we stink at doing regular yard work at my house I ran over and introduced myself. The boss was very nice, did a great job on my yard for a great price and will come biweekly from now on. He is also the Spanish language minister at the Christian church down the street and it made my day to meet him and talk to him!
-the awesome girl at my favorite lunch spot Costa Vida saw me walk in and started making my usual order without me ordering it yet-she is always so positive and sweet!
-I had an excellent employee say some very kind things to me today that really touched me.
-I had a good friend go out of their way to do something very nice for me that I needed help with.
-I had conversations with several very nice customers at work today.
Regarding the Costco straws- the fact that another Costco has wrapped straws tells me that stores place individual orders for straws. Start asking to speak to the store manager and sending him/her emails regularly. I’m sure the wrapped ones are more expensive but if you’re persistent you can likely change their mind. I think you can do it!
#saynotocostcostraws or #sanitarystraws… Yeah, those things are kinda gross, but I’d rather use one of those than drink from the cup rim that somebody just touched!
Where I’m from (Alberta, Canada) the straws are all wrapped individually in paper, so no germy straws to worry about!
Ask them to be like Canadian Costcos! All the straws in Costco Canada are sealed with paper – in the same kind of dispensers!!
I lost my wallet at Costco todaY 🙁 please return reward ….
Costco in garden grove California
MY I’D HAS A LAKE FOREST ADDRESS BUT ON BACK IS MY CURRENT ADDRESS
PLEASE HELP
#papercoveredstrawstherevolution
LOL, I love your stories. I once left my diaper bag in a shopping cart at Target that was on a Friday I didn’t notice until Monday it was missing (Pregnant brain maybe, I was expecting baby #3 at the time). Anyways, when I remember which Target I left it at, I called 4 Targets, yes 4! There are a TON in my area, nearly one in every city, I also rotate Targets. When I got there the wonderful workers handed it over, we had a good laugh b/c she said she looked through it to find a luggage tag /phone number and when she did she said my diaper bag could be used as a Target Up and Up ad b/c everything in there was from Target even the bag it’s self (well that was an Eddi Bauer). I then I admitted I have a bit of a Target Shopping problem. It’s nice to know that people are kind and will turn things in every now and again. I have since added a tag to my bag so people can call me when I leave stuff places, I have gotten better at checking the cart too.
What a great testimony of God’s love. And… How about #IckySickyCostcoStaws
I carry my own straws in the car 🙂 I dont carry a purse, but you can carry some in there in a ziplock. You can even buy metal ones that reduce plastic waste(i couldnt though cuz that icks me out, how do you really get them clean?).
Exactly! I never would let my toddlers drink out of those nasty, plastic, ridged, bendy straws that come with lots of the toddler cups. You know the ones? There is no dishwasher that is getting inside of a straw to clean it properly. I know, dishwashers sanitize and all, but in the case of those straws it just bakes the crap inside and makes it worse! Gross!
What about using those cleaners for the dr browns bottles?? Or the things they use to clean instruments?? it just seems there has to be a way to clean reusable straws.
Never thought about the straws till you started posting about them. 🙂
I want in on this campaign Ashley!
That’s hilarious! I love when your angels are SO obvious!
Love ya!
Hair is adorable!
I love this story ! I’m always concerned about the lids for the cups. Yes i admit I’ll pull a pile off and get a lid from the middle.
Awesome!!!! See God just wants you to know he’s still there which can’t get any better. I think even on good days we need to be reminded (not that you did or anything 😉 ) Love the comments to Costco on the straws. I’m sorry but good ole straws wrapped in paper can’t cost them that much more.
Just starting reading your blog…I think I am in love with you. jk! Can’t wait to read the rest.
btw. Off to Cosco to buy Diapers and stop for a slice hehehe
Take Care,
Lisa
3 things…1. you crack me up. 2. hash tag “This Sucks”. 3. I was at Creation Fest with my granddaughters. In my little mind I thought I may run into you. (How many 100’s of thousands of people are in the Seattle area). I took my purse everywhere in case I ran into you so I could show you my grosgrain ribbon wallet…that really needs to be washed.
#destrawer
#nakedstraw
You just crack me up girl!!
Oh my gosh, I’m cracking up at the Sani-Straw dispenser!!!! I want them EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!