Enumerated Update

How was your weekend?

Here's where we are:

1) Pumpkin Patch,Redux: I went with the duo's Kindergarten class to the Pumpkin Patch Friday. This was a new locale for us, as this Pumpkin Patch is held at a local camp, presumably a day and/or overnight camp right outside of our city. An update will be forthcoming, but in the meantime I leave you with these thoughts: a) School buses are not air conditioned and b) I have no idea how school bus drivers can do what they do every day without benefit of a flask.

2) Meanness: The other day Gracie offhandedly announced, “Mrs. X is mean to me.” When asked for details, she explained, “She always tells me what to do, and she says 'rule 3, rule 4, rule 5.'”

Yeah. I never like that either.

3) Commonality: What do Target, the Apple Store and JCPenney have in common? Ron Johnson. Johnson served as VP of Merchandising at Target. He then served as SVP of Retail Operations at Apple, Inc., where he helped develop the model of the Apple store (along with Jobs) and coined the term Genius Bar. For his efforts, he reportedly earned $700M during his tenure. JCP lured him from Apple with the position of CEO. Shortly after he took the helm, Skip and I walked through a JCP at one of our local malls, and we were quoting Julia Roberts from Pretty Woman when she said, “BIG mistake. HUGE!” And then made her exit to go shop elsewhere.

A few months later, in desperation, I went to our local JCP,newer, freestanding location, in search of a dress for upcoming photos of the girls. The children's department was impressive. After looking everywhere else, I found a perfect special occasion dress very reasonably priced.

To date Johnson's influence is felt more in the newer locations. The marketing strategy has been overhauled, and the brands with whom they are partnering (i.e., Monet, Betsyville, Izod, etc.) are a step up for JCP. They have implemented a pricing structure that is not insulting. For example, prices are set in whole values, e.g., $30 v. $29.99. Unfortunately, this strategy may be too little too late, as the JCP brand was so severely tarnished that even the extreme resuscitative measures may not be enough to save the dying brand. But, I am pulling for them to survive. The latest marketing strategy? Free hair cuts to children for a limited time. If you are skeptical of free hair styling, they are also luring you into their stores with a free 8x10 (and a digital print) in their portrait studio. Both offers are clever.

In full disclosure, I have only given the women's line a cursory glance, but I am impressed with the men's and children's departments.

4) Virtuosos:  The duo are taking piano lessons again this year. Their classes are at 3:30 and 4:00. A fellow student also has a lesson, right across the hall, at 3:30. This guy is probably in the 11-13 year old range, and when I first saw him last year I knew immediately that he would be talented. At the recital, he clearly was the star of the show, outshining students who are 5-6 years older.

Last week Gracie took the 3:30 slot while Lauren did homework in the next room. We could hear the virtuoso playing a classical piece. Lauren got very quiet and asked, “Is that Gracie playing???”

5) Lincoln: My nerdy husband alerted me to Spielberg's new movie, starring Daniel Day Lewis as Lincoln. We are counting down the days until it opens.

What is happening with you? What do you have going on this week?