The Hardware Store

As I've been cleaning today, I've found a few things that need fixing. Some are easy fixes (lightbulbs) and some are going to be a challenge (our outside bathroom wall/ceiling that likes to mold from time to time, putting lights in the ceiling fan in our bedroom). However, since I was cleaning today, I stepped on the plastic pull chain piece on one of the mini-blinds from Ethan's room and broke it. I didn't want to leave it like that and I hadn't checked my mail yet, so Ethan and I went for a walk to see what we could find.

We got to the post office-no mail. WHAT? No EW yet? Then we walked to the local hardware store. Living in a small town, I will say it is nice to have a hardware store, although they don't carry a whole lot and the associates would rather talk to each other than help you. Today was no exception. Before we went in, however, we ran into Doug. Doug and my great-aunt, Gwen, have a place on Maple Lake, but certainly aren't out here a whole lot (they also have 2 houses in Minneapolis). Doug hadn't seen Ethan ever before so we chatted for a few minutes before he had to get home and I had to get what I needed.

I went in and asked the guy about the plastic piece. He looked all dumbfounded at me before he replied, "No, we don't carry those. You should try Wal-Mart." I was already there today (before this break occurred), but honestly don't remember them carrying them ever before. I decided I would check tomorrow when Mark and I go do our grocery shopping (otherwise, we'll be driving out to Menards). Then I asked about the dining room light bulb I was in need of. Rather than showing me where the light bulbs were, the guy said, "Light bulbs are in Aisle 8." Thank you! Reading the sign, my own eyes could have told me that! Ridiculous! I got my light bulbs, paid about double I would have at Wal-Mart, and then trekked back home. Oh well! At least I 'm not in the dark anymore!