Madness In March...Yes, It's Madness

 What you seen in this picture is the price of a Wendy's Single hamburger...the price I paid earlier in the week.

It's madness.

It is, in fact, the price thanks to a burger promotion during the NCAA college basketball tournament, better known as March Madness. And it is definitely madness, but the madness has little to do with a basketball tournament, or any sports at all. What's mad is how much that burger costs without the promotion.

It's not just madness...it's criminal.

I haven't visited many fast food establishments as of late. That's not entirely true. I haven't visited fast food establishments for lunch or dinner. My wife and I have gotten breakfast on Fridays at McDonalds and we try to limit how much we spend. We've accepted the fact that our breakfast is going to cost around $10 for two people, a little more if we get extras.

I saw the March Madness promotion from Wendy's, so I downloaded the app and went to the restaurant for a cheap meal. I thought I'd get a combo meal, what they used to call a "value" meal. Those days are gone. The single costs me $1.07. Without the promotion it costs six bucks, and the combo meal was--if I remember correctly--$9. 

Have we lost our minds?

My wife and I used to go out to eat for dinner at least once a week for date night. It was fun--a night we didn't have to prepare a meal or do the dishes. Sometime last fall, we just sort of...stopped. Our weekly tradition ended with little fanfare. I know we can't be alone in this. So, what happens when the food costs so much people just stop going?

Nothing good.

I know talking about this is subjective. People put different values on how far a dollar (or five or ten or twenty...) goes these days. I also understand we no longer live in the same world we did four years ago when food was much more affordable. I also know there are many factors that caused the price to rise so high. All I know is I may take advantage of the March Madness promotion until it's over, then I can't imagine I'll be going to Wendy's for a burger any time soon.

And that's too bad...the burger was pretty good.

Man...They Work Hard

 My wife and I went out for Date Night a few hours ago. We decided to go to the closest restaurant to our house and pick up dinner. We waited in line. We ordered, then we sat down and waited while three employees prepared our dinners.

Man...they work hard.

Not only did they have several waiting in line for their food, but the establishment also has a drive-thru option...something I did not know about (next time I think we'll use that so we don't have to get out of our van in a rainstorm...). I watched those three employees putting together meals as fast as they could. If you live in an area like mine, you probably see "Help Wanted' signs on almost every restaurant and fast food place nowadays. Truth be told--I wouldn't want that job.

I know that many of these fast food jobs are starter jobs, places where people can get an appreciation for hard work, to manage money, and to learn that not all jobs are the same--maybe you can find a career you not only like, but can excel in. These jobs are important and they play a role in our society.

My wife and I worked hard today...hard manual labor/moving rocks/shoveling dirt/pulling weeds work. We're putting in our yard and we've got one week until the grass shows up. We have to be ready. Tomorrow we'll probably do the same thing. Both my wife and I were tuckered out as we sat and watched these employees make our dinners.

"That's hard work," I told my wife. She agreed. Tonight, I'm so glad people are willing and able to do those jobs--especially tonight...the food was delicious.

Watching A Very Efficient Pizza Worker...

Tonight my wife and I had our first date night in several months. I had a weekend job in September and October which took away all our possible Friday and/or Saturday date night opportunities. There's lot of places to get dinner--more now near us than there have ever been--but we both decided pizza sounded great for tonight.

If you're not familiar with the fast food chain Blaze Pizza, you should check it out. They've perfected making personal pizzas in about as much time as it would take to get a value meal at a burger joint. We placed our order on-line then I drove down and waited for them to fire up our dinners.

Tonight--like most nights--the place was packed. I've been there many times when it's packed and I've seen the pizza cut and serve area a real mess. Most times this area has pizza after pizza waiting to be cut and served.

But not tonight. 

I don't know his name, but because I had to wait for our food to cook, I had nothing to do but watch this employee work. He was great, efficient, no wasted movements. He even used the pizza cutter to shave off the burned crusts around the pizza edge. It was actually cool to watch.

I know there's many videos on-line that show workers who know and do their jobs really well. My little video isn't all that spectacular, but as I waited it was nice to see an overworked and probably underpaid employee do a really good job.

Another Family Tradition...

Years ago, I cannot recall how many, we decided the kids needed a system, a system to prevent arguments. We came up with a plan.

From the picture of the calendar, it's difficult to understand exactly what's going on. Each initial represents one of my children. Back before the system was devised, the kids fought. "What are we going to do tonight?" "What are we going to watch?" Having several strongly opinionated children living under the same roof is a recipe for active and lively discussions when it comes to which child's will will be appeased. 

And so we came upon an idea. There are two days each week when the kids get to choose what they do. We decided that the kids will take turns where they will be in charge. If they want to watch a DVD, the child in charge will choose. It's made life in the home much more enjoyable and we've kept the tradition for years.

A funny thing will take place next month. The oldest child will be leaving and so his turn every other week will be taken by another. I don't think, when he returns, he will participate in this tradition, the same way my wife and I don't participate.

This is just one change that will take place next month, one of many. I suppose we should get ready because, ready or not, next month's coming fast.

Date Night...

DATE NIGHT

It's been a long week and Friday nights are usually the time my wife and I go out on a Date Night. For the past few weeks we've been so busy that we haven't been able to go, but tonight we got the chance. I posted my thoughts on Facebook before we headed out and here's the responses I got:

 

Actually, we got deli and picked up a show at the Redbox--no grocery shopping or otherwise... Back in the day a date involved (most of the time...) a movie--did that, getting food--did that, and a good night kiss, if you're lucky. I guess some things never change...