The Jennifer Blogs

I'm not talking about my daughter this time. I'm talking about my mom. The one who accidentally ordered a "crappuccino" from Starbucks.



Sometimes my mom is just too cute!



To set the story, you need to know my mom works at Wal-Mart as a cashier. Today is her 71st birthday. She doesn't look 71 by any means, but that's what her birth certificate tells us.



Anyway, about a month ago they had a contest at Wal-Mart to see which cashier could sign up the most credit card applicants. My mom was telling me the winner would get a $50 store gift card. With gas prices where they are and her and my dad being on a limited income, she wanted that gift card and she was out for blood, boy. This little sweet lady would ask every customer that came through the line, "Would you like to apply for a Wal-Mart credit card? It only takes a moment." Don't you know this sweet little old lady not only won, but she blew the other cashiers out of the water!



So Mom tells me that after they announce the winner, she is given more hours than all the other cashiers. Some of these women have families to support. But my mom, the credit queen, has earned these hours. She's a valuable employee. She can help Sam Walton's family make more money with high interest credit cards.



The contest is over, but another one begins. The cashiers are told they need to sign up another 10 applicants in a week. There's another prize on the line. Mom wins hands-down. So the next week they do it again. Mom wins again. The manager tells her if she can do it again, she'll treat my mom to dinner. Piece of cake. Mom signs up 10 more. I ask her where she's going to lunch. She says, "Wherever they serve frogs legs and creme brulee."



So now they're doing another contest. She's way ahead.



I told her tonight that there are probably no real contests going on. There's probably some people in suits who can't believe the old lady is doing so well signing up credit card applicants and they're back there making bets.


Suit 1: I'll bet you a hundred bucks the old lady can't sign up another one.

Suit 2: I'll take your bet. Here's $100 bucks.

Suit 3: I'm in. Here's my $100.

Suit 4: Here's mine.

Suit 5: Count me in.

Suit 6: Might as well make it an even $600. Count me in.

Suit 1: What do we give her if she wins?

Suit 2: How about a $25 gift card to the store?

Suit 1: She only has to sign up 10 applicants!

Suit 2: Okay, a $10 gift card.


They all laugh maniacally as she signs up her 10th credit app.



Still, I'm proud of my little 71-year-old mother out there doing her thing. I told her she got into the wrong business. She ought to be selling cars!