Thursday, December 20, 2012

Sometimes A Penny Is Worth So Much More




Wow...It has been almost 5 years since I wrote an entry in  this blog.  A very old friend made a comment today about my writing on a Facebook post and it made me think that I should stop using FB so much for lengthy posts when I have a perfectly fine blogspot to rant/muse/post thoughts.   It's been a whirlwind of personal tragedies and triumphs over the past few years which is partly my reason for  not "blogging" more frequently....I thought for my first blog in 4 or 5 years. It would be nice to have a heart warming and positive post, this close to Christmas.   I may be a bit rusty but here goes... 

I was kind of grumpy when I got up this morning.  I was working late last night  and I am trying to get stuff done before I head off for Christmas holidays. At 9:30 am   I ran out of the house, got in my car and groused when realised I forgot to get gas last night which meant I would have to take a detour to go up Marlee to the nearest PetroCan at Marlee and Lawrence  ( I try to only use PetroCan 94, which used to be Sunoco 94 til they were bought out).   Each time I go there I always have a really pleasant exchange with the young lady behind the counter, if she is on shift.  In the summer, I would make a point of stopping there before my golf games and getting gas and grabbing a few gatorades.  

 I pulled in to the station and started to fill up the tank and did the "groan" as I couldn't quite stop the gas pump in time at $80.00 and it clicked that one extra time to $80.01...In my head I did my usual rant about rich oil companies and the stupid pumps that are probably set to go over one cent on purpose etc etc and I wonder how many millions they make from all of us who sometimes go over 1 cent whilst pumping our own gas....I went inside to pay and the usual attendant was there and she greeted me with her big, friendly smile and said "Good morning ma'am  that'll be $80.00"   I said "huh?" she said "pump number 2.  $80"  I was thinking "the ornery bastard at the Esso at Derry and 401 always makes me pay the 1cent"....I paid her and then remembered I needed washer fluid....I said "oh, I'm really sorry but I need some washer fluid. Can you ring one up for me"  I was about to get out the Amex again when she stopped me and said "Don't use your money, you have tons of Petro points it costs minimal points to get a bottle of washer fluid"...I said to her "thanks so much, I never knew how many points I had or what I could use them for,  that 's a great idea.  I really appreciate it"   She smiled and said "you are always so nice when you come in here and  I just wanted to do something nice for you.  Bless you Ma'am and have a great day"     So she saved me ONE penny and a $3.99 charge for washer fluid but the fact that she didn't charge me the 1 cent and the fact she even remembers me meant a lot.  

I do want to send something to Petro Canada but not sure if she would get in hot water for not charging me the one cent so I may leave that part out and just tell them that they need more employees like her and SHE is the main reason I keep going to the PetroCan at Marlee and Bathurst...

Today's Quote:  "A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money."  John Ruskin