Well I sure am. The older I get, the weaker my wrists seem to get. Today I tried to open a new jar of marinated mushrooms to go along with my grilled spare ribs. First I just tried to open it using my hands alone. Ha! What was I thinking?
So I got out my trusty rubber round thing that I got my first year on the road from the Social Security booth at Quartzsite. No luck there either. 
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Next up was this handy dandy little opener that works on most every jar, and it’s adjustable to the jar lid size. Not today, though. It failed me. I really like marinated mushrooms so I was getting worried. I had one last tool to try…
I was plagued with two other things today. One was a definite ‘snake in the grass’, and the other one turned out not to be. The real snake in the grass came this morning when I got a call from the Wells Fargo Fraud Unit. It seems there were some questionable charges on my debit card last Friday and this morning, so they were calling to find out what was up. They approved the charge on Friday, but not the one this morning. Not sure what the Friday charge was for but it occurred through a billing agency in the UK. The one that was denied this morning was for an escort service also through the UK. I may be a solo, but I’m not desperate enough to hire an escort service!!
The result is that my card was immediately cancelled, and a new one is on the way. Steps were also taken so I would not be liable for the Friday charge. I’m sure glad the Wells Fargo Fraud Unit was on top of things, as it might have been some time before I caught the bogus charges myself.
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
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The credit card companies are pretty on the ball regarding fraud because it costs them money, not the customer. It's happened on both my Visa & Mastercard and never cost me anything either time. Any more, if I order something fairly expensive that I don't always buy I make sure I'll be home the next couple of days because they will call to verify.
ReplyDeleteJudy, I have a jar opener that mounts underneath the cabinet that I got from Pampered Chef a long time ago but it is one thing I made sure became part of the RV. I have never had a jar it couldn't open and is easy to use. One of these days I am going to do a blog about the things that make our life a little easier in the RV (inspired by your post a few days ago). I took a photo of the opener already in preparation for that blog so when I get around to that you can see what it looks like. John and i both have wristatosis so its a life saver or should I say dinner saver.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes have the jar opening problem too and would love to have that antique tool of yours. I try the gripper and if that doesn't work I give a good whack on the side of the lid in the direction I want the lid to turn. That almost always does it but it ruins the lid in terms of a good seal.
ReplyDeleteFunny you should be talking about fraud. For a long time last spring my blog was full of my problems with Citi Bank constantly denying charges I made thinking it was fraud. I finally got the fraud protection lightened up and we hadn't had any trouble until yesterday. We stopped to get gas in the RV and David mistyped the zip code into the machine. BINGO, when he tried to do it again the card wsa denied. Had to call them and straighten it out. They really don't get that we are full timers. Keep asking me when we are going back to the state of our address so they can put it in my record.
Your snake sure fooled me! Thanks for the information.
Last year we got that phone call about fraudulent charges -- twice on two separate cards. That was two times we could say thank goodness big bro was watching I too have the wrist prob -- something happens to hubby I'll be looking for a gadget (preferably electric) to help me open those stubborn jars!
ReplyDeleteWhew...glad to hear you decided against the escort service...LOL
ReplyDeleteI sure know what you mean about weak wrists. I have the same issue, so I too bought a jar opener. Sometimes even have a problem with that too. LOL
ReplyDeleteHmmm, an escort service? Be careful out there.
ReplyDeleteHi. My husband and I both have the wrist problem. Lots of times I am able to open really tough jars by using the tip of a spoon to break the seal. Have seen a tool that was made to do just that---break the seal---but decided it's easy enough to use a spoon. Do have to be careful; make sure I have the jar secure so I don't drop it.
ReplyDeleteIf my rubber gripper won't open my jar, I turn the jar upside down and give it a good whack square down on its lid. That usually breaks the seal enough to let me open it.
ReplyDeleteJudy, i make some really neat little things, rather like that round thing from Soc Sec, but from waffle shelve liner that people i have given them to swear by. Send me an address & i will send u one!!! :) eeewwww to the 'snake' pictures.............
ReplyDeleteEscort service?????? No way, we already had the discussion on here that you are a "cheap date". hahaha It's a good thing they are looking out for you on your credit cards.
ReplyDeletehttp://travelinglongdogs.blogspot.com
I am lucky enough to have a man in the house to open jars..but I loosen them first..makes him feel better!! :)
ReplyDeleteI like that your tool that got the job done was the oldest one of the bunch. What does that tell you? I had a fraudulent transfer from my bank account to my PayPal account just last week. It looked suspicious to PayPal so they froze my account before the money could be spent...I was sure glad of that. Sure are a lot of dishonest people, but thank goodness, they are in the minority.
ReplyDeleteWonderful news about Wells Fargo. So glad to hear they are on the ball. We have Bank of America and they too called Paul not long ago about something very similar to yours. We were thrilled they caught the false charges.
ReplyDeleteI never knew a lizard could have no legs. Of course there is a lot I don't know. Enjoy your week. ~wheresweaver
Being a big gal and as my dad said independent as a hog on ice always did things for myself. have learned how to ask others for their jar opening ability, especially at the restaurant. I am fortunate the kids there all take care of me. I have my dad's old nutcracker and it works wonders on tops the size of soda bottles
ReplyDeleteIt seems like everything is getting harder to open..from jars to the shrink wrap stuff...conspiracy, I'm thinking...ha!
ReplyDeleteHang on to that rubber thing from SS. I have been looking for one and they are not easy to find.
ReplyDeleteLizard? Snake? Look the same to me! You do seem to have the jar opening arsenal.
ReplyDeleteeveryone seems thrilled that you got your jar open! me too...
ReplyDeleteI am however sad that the lizard has to go through life looking like a snake!
I have two handy tools for opening jars. One is a regular "church key"-type can opener from days gone by. It is easy to pierce the lid of a jar with this implement, so use it gently - just enough to break the vacuum. The other I got from Amazon. It works very well, but does not fit every single jar lid. Here is the URL for it.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/Harold-Import-70200-Frosted-Assorted/dp/B002OJBW8E/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1332866099&sr=8-16
You may find them in a store somewhere, too.
Virtual hugs,
Judie
We charged a $370.00 baseplate for our Tracker on our American Express from US Auto Parts Warehouse. They assured us 3 times that it was "in stock" and hit our credit card with the charge within 1 hour of ordering. Found out it was NOT in stock and wasn't even MADE yet due to a backorder at Blue Ox. We could expect it in 7-9 weeks. I cancelled the order and the company would NOT issue a refund.
ReplyDeleteGood ole American Express went to bat for me, removed the charge immediately from my account, and now, 4 weeks later they finally got that company to comply with the refund status. Amazing!
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Karen and Steve
(Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com
Sometimes it's nice to have a "Big Brother" looking out for you. We've been pretty happy with Wells Fargo, too. An escort service, too funny. Hey, wait, isn't that what you do at the refuge, escorting all those people around to see the cranes?
ReplyDeleteI've heard of legless lizards before, but never saw a picture of one. Cool Beans!
Quite a collection of jar openers you have, but it goes to show that there isn't always a "better mousetrap" when the antique one was the only one to get the job done.
Judy,
ReplyDeleteYou may have been a math teacher but you DO write well! Meat and potatoes writer, ha! (And I ought to know: I was an Anguish teacher)
Emjay
I hate hearing from my credit card company that there's been a suspicious transaction. But I love that they're on top of it.
ReplyDeleteCool on the antique gizmo! I usually bang the jars on my counter top, then realize my MH is not a real house, I should not do that!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the Credit Card co was on the game & called you asap!
YUCK! I hate snakes. Hope that wells fargo gets things taken care of for you.
ReplyDeleteTravel Safe
I understand those folks who monitor credit card transactions are always looking for something unusual or out of character for the card holder. They hit yours on the 'nickel'. If I can't get a jar open, sometimes I slam it lid down on the floor. Usually enough force to crack the seal, Although your antique one worked quite well.
ReplyDelete