Brain drain

I went to the post office today to mail a package. Weeks ago, I succumbed to a TV ad touting the benefits of a facial moisturizer/anti-aging solution guaranteed to rejuvenate and lift my skin. If for some reason I didn't like it, I could return the merchandise and pay only a small shipping fee. I figured why not. It wasn't the first time I've tried out merchandise this way and God knew my skin needed some rejuvenating. If it didn't work, I just had to be sure to cancel before the return deadline so my credit card wouldn't be charged the $79.95 + tax that the small jar of the magic goo costs. Fine. I could remember that. That's what post-it notes are for and magnets on my refrigerator.

So each morning and night no matter how rushed or tired or sleepy I was, I took the time to cleanse my face properly, use the free toner that accompanied the moisturizer, and smooth the miracle solution all over my face. Hope springs eternal indeed. Yesterday, I finally accepted the miracle wasn't working for me. My face was peeling, there were ugly red bumps on my skin and my face felt sticky in the evening. If "rejuvenation" meant I would be getting acne again at my age, I didn't need it.

So back to the post office. Before that of course I had to call the company, tell them I had decided to return the cream, explain why, say no to their offer of another product to try, get the return number and instructions for returning the blessed jar. Fine and dandy. I wrap the package carefully in bubble wrap, make sure the RMA number is prominently displayed, pulled out my debit card and drove to the post office. I felt so in control. I get in line, wait interminably for the lady ahead of me who was laboriously handwriting addresses to about a million envelopes and chatting up the mailman when she was done, I hand over the package, pull out my debit card, and realized I had my Macy's card, instead of my bank card.

Did I feel dumb? Yes. Before that point, I felt so in control and organized. I was sure I had covered all the bases, crossed all the T's and dotted all the I's. It was that last act of pulling out the wrong card that slew me. I got careless because in my mind, I had the project all wrapped up. Teaches you that in this life, sometimes it's the little things that trip you up.

Next time, I think I'll try a memory pill instead. My brain needs tightening more than my skin.