It Probably Shouldn't Have Been So Hard

I ran into to a friend tonight who asked me how my blog was going. Since I haven't posted since May I had to admit not to good.  I guess I haven't felt that I've had much to tell lately. Though we've had a fun summer, nothing crazy or overly interesting has happened. It's been mostly the lazy days of summer hanging by the pool (well at least when it's not been more than 100 out). Otherwise we're just hanging out in the house at which time I'm trying to keep the kids from driving each other crazy and me in the process. And unfortunately by the time the kids go to bed in the evenings the amusing anecdotes of the day are already fading from my memory as I try to gain control of my home before I fall onto the couch for a few moments of TV. (I'm usually watching something completely void of intelligence that requires little or no concentration- vegging out as one might call it)  

Today however I do have slightly amusing story to share. It's one most moms can relate to.  Usually my little tidbits are about my kids and the funny things they do or say but today it's all about me.

The day started with discussions of back -to- school supplies. We were sorting through the things we already had and deciding which items we needed. This has been especially exciting for our 5yr old because she will be starting kindergarten this year.  Riding the bus to school, eating lunch there, riding the bus home, it all so thrilling for her. Though we often make use of hand-me-downs or last year's items that are still in good condition we always allow the children to choose a new backpack when they start kindergarten. Lil K had been thinking about this for sometime and had announced a few days ago that she wanted a pink backpack with polka dots to match her swimsuit. So this morning we got on the internet and began the search. It took a little while but we finally found one. A quilted backpack in fuchsia pink with bright green polka dots and a bow. "That's THE ONE!" she said with confidence when she saw it. Of course it wasn't on sale and it wasn't available on any of my favorite discount sites but after viewing about a 1000 backpacks on almost as many sites I decided it would be worth it.  I went to mark the page so I could order it later when I noticed a comment that it was the last one in stock. Being concerned we wouldn't be able to get it later I immediately began the ordering process. It was a website I had ordered from before so all my information was in the system. I quickly clicked through the screens and then it was done. I flipped back to my email to make sure I got a confirmation then jumped up and ran off to get started on my daily routine.

A few moments later my eldest daughter asked if she could use the computer. I said yes and she headed down to the desk. As I was working my way through the kitchen clean-up K comes back and asks why I was having Lil K's backpack sent to our old house. "huh, what?" When she had gotten to the computer the confirmation email was still on the screen. And there in black and white was the ship to address, our old home. Of course that needed to be changed so I began looking for the instructions that would help me do that. For 10 minutes I searched the website and could find no way in which to correct the error. (I guess they just expect you to know where you live.) So then I thought I'll just call customer service. Have you noticed how hard it is to track down a customer service number these days? Finally I found one. Once on the phone I was greeted by friendly representative ready to help me with my issue. (yeah, right) I explained the situation and his response "uh, I can't change the ship to address." I reexplained that I had just placed the order and that it hadn't been fulfilled yet. "yeah, I still can't change the address, I'll have to cancel the order and you can place it again." (Wow, that's technology working for you.) So I agreed to canceling the order then got back on the website and reordered the backpack, carefully checking all addresses and clicked to place order. Only problem. I forgot to switch the credit card to the current one. So back to the website, cancel the order, and then return to try the order again. Only remember how it was the last one in stock, well now it's not available. (Oh NO!)

Well I certainly wasn't going to tell Lil K she couldn't have THE ONE because I couldn't seem to place an order. So I began the search again for this one particular bag. After just a few websites I located one and was thrilled to find out it was also less expensive with free monogramming. So click, enter correct information, and place order. Whew! Crisis averted, backpack ordered, and now I can get on with my day.

As I was cleaning up and folding laundry (that pile that always seems to be there) I was suddenly smacked in the face with the realization that the back pack comes in 2 sizes, we needed the bigger one  and I didn't check to see which size I ordered. I ran back to the computer pulled up the site and guess what! It didn't even say what size it was. AAAHHHH!! Since it was a small retailer I thought the best solution was to send a quick e-mail to inquire about the size and cancel the order if necessary. I typed up a quick note sent it off then thought I better hunt up another one just in case. So I began the search again and wouldn't you know it, the site I started on, where the bag was no longer available, it was now available and you got it - ONLY 1 LEFT IN STOCK. So I checked my email hoping my question had be answered. It had not. Now what do I do? Order this one and try to cancel the other or hope for the best. I decided to wait until this evening and hope that last one didn't sell if I did in fact need it.

The end of the story is a happy one. The retailer with which I placed the order finally got back to me and it is the correct size. And if you were wondering the last one is still available.

Why I had so much trouble with this order I can't say. Maybe lack of sleep, maybe because there were too many kids in the room talking to me while I was trying to place the order, or maybe .......
And I know you're probably saying all that for a backpack, but when you are in a large family and most of what your child wears, carries, or rides use to be someone else's it's nice to get them something they really want and is just theirs once in awhile. And come that first day of school my kindergartener will wearing THE ONE backpack she really wanted and at that moment it will have been worth it.