I used to give blood in California, not regularly mind you, but from time to time. Since our move I haven’t. Not once. That makes it well over 10 years.
A few weeks back we were walking into Walmart and the Huntsville Bloodmobile was parked right near the entrance. I heard everyone saying “No” and “Not today.” and then rushing for the doors to air-conditioned safety.
I decided it was time.
It actually took far longer than I imagined and that meant Bob was cooling his heels for some time, while waiting inside the safety of the air-conditioned store… Sorry Bob, next time I do this I will make sure I am shopping solo. 😉
Anyway, about 6 o’clock that night I got a phone call saying I had won.
“Won what?” I said. (I’m thinking it’s a solicitor)
“The TV!” she said.
~*~
I went right over to pick it up and this is it…
Nice!
Bob said: “This is a Smart TV”
Me: “Ah…” (no clue)
I let him hook it up to check it out.
Him: “Wow, this has amazing graphics and lets me use the new graphic pack I bought to upgrade my game! My screen wouldn’t accept the upgrade.” (Yes, he is a gamer, but as I have said in the past: “At least I know where he is while he’s ignoring me.” 😉 )
It was his birthday the next day. What could I say, but,
Happy Birthday!
~*~
Question: Do any of you give blood?
UPDATE!
My title for today’s post is derived from the saying: No good deed goes unpunished. I went looking for the author and found it attributed to both Clare Booth Luce (not to be confused with Clare Luce the actress from early 1900s) and Oscar Wilde.
I must say that both of these individuals are quite interesting reads.
Life on the Farmlet 
I used to give blood regularly, but then had some surgery and was on medications following the surgery for a few months so I couldn’t give. Once I got out of the regular habit, I stopped. That and I moved to a more rural location where it is not as easy to find a place to donate. You have just inspired me to get back into the habit of doing this good deed. Thank you!
Good to know I have inspired you, Kathleen. Looking back it was the move and no longer teaching that got me out of the habit (used to come to the school). But, now I look forward to getting in to donate again. (and not just for the bribes, LOL!)
It couldn’t happen to a nicer donor! When I lived in the UK, I gave blood every three months, and had got to the point of getting a silver pin. Then I emigrated and found to my horror that Australia didn’t want my blood because of mad cow disease and no reliable test for damaged prions. And then I had cancer and they wouldn’t have taken my blood anyway. So I gnash my teeth in frustration every time I see the ads on TV saying how many units of blood they need this week… But to make up for it, the Husband goes instead. Maybe the TV will convince Bob to have a go himself?
Thank you, Kate!
And, hey, no gnashing of teeth. You gave much when you could and that should make you feel SUPER! ❤ I know the frustration of being turned down. When I was diagnosed with Celiac (35 yrs ago) they apparently didn't know enough about it and would not let me donate. Fast forward a few years later and they didn't even ask! 🙂
I used to give every chance I could then in my 50’s the veins wouldn’t give it up. I would give 1/2 a bag and it would quit! They told me it was time to give it a break and not donate anymore. I sure would if I could though and commend you for giving!
I saw a lady across from me who had that problem, but they had a nifty tool they used to run down the tubing and press the blood out into the bag. You might check to see if this is a new thing? And, hey, as I told Kate, you certainly gave your share when you could so feel good about it! 🙂
WOW!! Congratulations, Lynda! That’s such a great gift – especially for techy Mr. Bob who had to wait on you! ha ha!! I used to TRY to give blood, but there are always problems. I supposedly have rolling veins or small veins or deep veins – I’ve heard so many reasons… and it generally ends up with me being hurt in both arms and no blood is given. I had a surgical nurse tell me sometime back that I needed to hydrate myself heavily the night before and the morning of needing blood drawn and that does seem to help. So unless I can plan in advance for a blood drive, I do not even bother if I haven’t been pouring water into my body for 24 hours!
Ha, Lori, he certainly has been getting a lot of use out of it… 😉
The thing with hydrating is a real deal! If I haven’t been drinking enough water (coffee and Diet Dr. Pepper do not count!) I can’t get even one little drop out of my fingers to test my blood sugar! So yeah, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
I don’t know why the medical people don’t get that information out there. It would make giving blood so much easier!
I don’t understand it either, Lori.
Just so you know, I am embarrassed that I didn’t see this post til tonight… SORRY! 😯
Yes, just what I was thinking – about being hydrated for herself as well as to donate; )
I love your story! Wow, that looks like a great television!
Long long ago when I was in my 20’s, I gave blood for a friend fighting leukemia. All went well until time to sit upright, and my blood pressure would fall, and I’d have to lean back in the recliner to stop from fainting. I had fainted about half a dozen times in the past, from a barrel-racing accident to cooking over a gas stove and even the first time my sister rolled my hair in the newest product, ‘electric rollers.’ I should have suspected problems but didn’t. After half a dozen attempts or more, they finally allowed someone to help me to the car, where they drove me home… I was instructed, ‘Never give blood again unless it’s life or death reason…’
Most likely with the history of dengue and chikungunya, they would never accept my blood, even in an emergency…
Glad your went well!
I read this when you posted it and then had to run! Sorry, I just got back to it tonight.
Very mysterious and scary problem, Lisa. Did you ever find out what causes this? Was it from the head injury in the barrel-racing accident?
Yes, mine went very well, thank you. 🙂
ha.. no, i’m just an ultra-sensitive person, and when something bothers me, my blood pressure falls.. or when i am over heated, like with the rollers or the cooking – i get faint.. the barrel racing was from the blow to my knee – ja, my sister saw that i was about to faint and called for someone to help catch me! sigh – i’ve learned to catch the signals before fainting so it’s been a long time since i fainted. my family still laughs at my ‘toughness’ yet i faint so easily! thanks!
Well, that is just scary.
Ha! Yes, it was scary a long time ago, like when I was about twelve years old.. so over the years I finally realized the warning signs and would squat down, tie my shoe/untie my shoe/ whatever it took depending on where I was…… aside from being sick with dengue and chikungunya, my bp has been stable!
Glad you are not sick with those any more! ❤
My favourite Wilde quote is: The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.
I am glad that your happy ending was not fictional on this occasion.
Tom, it was such a nice surprise!
I never knew that Oscar Wilde lived in the 1800s till I looked him up for my quote reference this week. Wilde’s oft quoted sayings always struck me as very contemporary and I just assumed he was too. I will be looking up a biography on him at the library soon. Wikipedia just doesn’t do him justice.
Regarding your shared quote I’d have to say, truer words…
Congrats (on going unpunished; )and Happy (belated?) B’day to Bob!
Deb, yes, belated. It was last month and I have been playing hooky from blogging. So some of my posts will be of the catching up variety. 😉
I tried once …. I was too anemic. I never tried again ,but my son’s and hubby give regularly. They come home with t- shirts and pretty band wraps. So neat you won!!!
Hi Deb, I do hope you are over the anemia and it wasn’t chronic! (a neighbor’s daughter has issues of that nature) How wonderful that your family can donate and does. I think I would have been happy with a T-shirt or pretty band wrap, but I was bowled over by the TV. I never win anything. Well, I guess I can’t say that anymore. 😀
It is a chronic problem,but not a bad as it used to be… sometimes getting older has its blessings. :))
I’m sorry to hear this, but you seem to be keeping a good attitude about your situation. ❤
What lovely luck! Doing good for the community has done good for you (well, Bob). Happy Birthday Bob.
Annie, yes, Bob is really enjoying it. 😉
When I will really feel the benefit of my contributions will be if I ever have need of a few pints in an emergency. I’ll know that I had helped in a pay it forward kind of way. ❤
Trev gave blood for decades till one ignorant doctor decided that his psoriasis precluded this generous act.
Gill, I felt that way years ago when turned down because I have Celiac. I don’t understand how a disease that is in your genes can keep a person from donating. If you didn’t catch it you can’t pass it on, and unless you are impaired physically or are on some scary medications for it, then I don’t get it. It has been deemed OK for those with Celiac to donate since then. Has the issue changed for Trev’s psoriasis too?
He has never gone back and asked. You get one strike with Trev, then you are out. He was very upset about it
I understand his feelings on this. So frustrating. 😦
gosh! how Lucky you decided to donate that day!
I was, Claire! A total surprise for me. 🙂
Like the others, I used to be a regular donor.
Time to get back in the chair!
Congrats on the TV and thanks for donating 🙂
Do it! 🙂 Because I am always sticking myself 2X a day for insulin, I have become quite used to getting stuck and it isn’t so bad. LOL, I still can’t watch when they are taking the blood samples though. That makes me want to faint every time!