When you're angry, go to bed!

My safe place.

Sometimes, when I've had a really long day and haven't gotten out of the house in a while (that can happen when it's regularly 110+ degrees outside), I like to go to Hobby Lobby all by myself and wander the aisles looking for nothing in particular. It's quite therapeutic, I must say. Though, it is a bit weird they already have their Christmas decor out. I mean, it's not even Labor Day yet! Hold your horsies, Hobby Lobby.

Anyway, yesterday was just one of those days (two words: teething toddler) so when 6:30 rolled around, I told Dill I needed some Hobby Lobby time. He nodded sympathetically and off I went. As I drove, I imagined how serene the store would be -- organized perfectly and smelling sweetly of potpourri, its shoppers (always few in number) blissfully strolling along while subtle smooth jazz or elegant piano music floated overhead. I couldn't wait. I practically jumped out of the car and ran inside once I arrived.

Upon entering: Ahhhhhh. Sigh of relief.

(Hobby Lobby has that effect on me.)

Even though it baffles me, I browsed all the Christmas decorations, then made my way back to the clearance section. Finally, the thought dawned on me that my bedroom could stand to have a little greenery in it, even fake greenery. So I headed over to the fake flowers and plants section to see if anything caught my eye.

I was perusing the half-off floral stems when suddenly, my reverie came to a screeching halt. A clearly disgruntled woman was standing at the register, verbally assaulting the cashier. At first, I thought it was a joke. It had to be. What adult yells at the top of her lungs at the cashier in a craft store?

I hurried to the end of the floral section where I had a better view of the goings-on. Lo and behold, it was no joke. There stood a woman, probably in her mid- to late 30's, repeatedly yelling, "You are being SOOOOO RUDE. Get your manager! No, do NOT speak to me; get a manager! I am SOOOO writing a formal complaint!" The cashier forlornly picked up the phone and said over the intercom, "Code 7, register 1."

I don't know exactly what "Code 7" is, but I surmise it means "I'm about to get my head ripped off, help."

(I imagine it works if there's a werewolf on the premises, too.)

Soon enough, the slight-but-spunky manager appeared at the scene. Some hushed dialogue was exchanged between she and the cashier; meanwhile Angry Lady continued to interject loudly: "I am a BOUTIQUE OWNER and I spend $900 a month at this store!" "She was so RUDE to me! She's always RUDE!" "I'm writing a formal complaint!"

Not gonna lie, it was really embarrassing and uncomfortable to witness. A knot quickly formed in my stomach. I'd suddenly forgotten what I'd come for. Tense situations tend to do that to me. This is why I routinely forget at least one item every time I shop at Wal-Mart.

(And to think I came to Hobby Lobby for some relaxation. Psh.)

While standing amidst the floral stems, trying to watch the scene unfold without looking like a total gawker, another woman passed me and we exchanged that look. You know, the one that says, "That woman has totally lost her marbles." We had a mutual understanding: some crazy shenanigans were going down in the Hobby Lobby tonight and we we had the privilege of witnessing it.

Eventually, the manager followed Angry Lady to the back of the store to resolve the price dispute she'd had with the cashier. I wandered aimlessly through the fabric section in an attempt to escape the her continuing boisterous claims of "RUDE" and "$900 A MONTH" (she did mention that four times; I counted). But alas, her ranting was so loud, it carried through the whole store and could not be avoided. I caught a glimpse of them a little later and noticed the manager handling it very professionally, nodding and smiling amicably, while Angry Lady carried on.

Soon, Angry Lady left the store. Peace was restored. My "friend" from the floral section checked out shortly thereafter and I overheard her vocally supporting the cashier. "You know, SHE was rude to YOU. She was a total b!*@#. I mean, I can be b!@#y too, but I'd never do something like that. I mean, it's a freakin' craft store. Lady needs to get some air conditioning in her car or something."

It was pretty awesome.

Of course, I couldn't help but replay the scene in my mind after it was over. There's this saying in retail and dining -- "The customer is always right." And yeah, I value good customer service and I get pretty cranky when I receive poor customer service. But sometimes, customers can be downright mean, treating store employees like trash when they don't get their way. And that's just not OK.

Throughout my life I've been told, "You catch more flies with honey than vinegar." That proverb kind of paints a sick mental picture -- not to mention, who wants catch flies? -- but it serves its purpose. And it's true! Maybe the cashier WAS rude (if so, she was very quiet about it). But how does it help to be catty right back? It just ticks people off further and annoys all the lucky passersby who must suffer through your immaturity.

In the end, my Hobby Lobby trip was nearly ruined by this woman's antics, but I did get a stem of some very realistic-looking poppies for 50% off! And I learned a lesson: when you yell in a craft store, you look crazy. So don't do it. If an employee is rude to you, just be pleasant in return. Kill 'em with kindness. Or take a mental note of the cashier's name, go get some sleep and call the store in the morning to complain about how you were treated. But by that point, you'll have likely realized how trivial it was and it'll suddenly drop like 10 spots on your priorities list.

Which leads me to the best marriage advice I've ever received. Most people say, "Never go to bed angry." But someone once told me, "When you're angry, go to bed!" I've found it to be effective so that's the marriage advice I always dole out when asked. Being tired and stressed only amplifies problems. So when you get in a tiff with your spouse or the cashier at Hobby Lobby, just lay down, maybe take an Advil and let your mind wander off to Dreamland. Nine-and-a-half out of ten times, the problem is miraculously gone in the morning. At least, that's how it always works for me!

P.S. Don't forget about the giveaway! It ends tonight at midnight!