Monday, March 18, 2024

BB 2020 Week 3

 HOH:  Tyler 

During the Have-Nots selection, Nicole accidentally blurted 'someone who likes to talk about me' and nominated Janelle, which ignited a feud.

Safety Suite:  Enzo wins, and takes Christmas as his Plus 1.

Nominations:  Janelle and Kaysar


POV:  Cody wins:)

Life In Lumber: Y6, W4

 Day 14: Mid-30s (brrrr!)

Arrived to learn #1 was down, so was on #2 most of the night (later, I learned #1 had been fixed...damn it!). Did my AP4Me and LU, plus the prelim duties. ASM Shan brought down 2 carts of snacks and asked me to fill in the gaps when I had time, so that's what I did until 8:  Ring up customers and figure out how to 'stuff' the shelves. At 8, ran out of $5s and low on $1s, and THAT'S when I learned I could use #1!  By now, the snacks were filled, so I filled the bags and emptied the trash. At 8:45, took my break. When I returned, I found my broom and dustpan and started sweeping. Mucked out the mats; fronted the soda. Final customer walked in at 9:30 and near close, I attempted to ring him up.  1st his check was stuck in the machine (it was slightly curled), so I hopped over to #2. Rang him up again, and had to discount the bucket to get the same final cost, lol....Machine refused to do his check; ended up doing it MANUALLY. He finally got his lumber pulled (8 2x12x16) and loaded at 10:20.  

HC Kay cleaned me out at 10; I returned items to Tools, and took my trash to the hopper. Jace closed the garage door; I put up my vest and clocked out at 10:30.

Outfit:  Black l/s tee, B/W sweater poncho; faded jeggings, red 'crinkle' posts


Day 15:



Day 16: 



Day 17:  Palm Sunday Rare Sun




Sunday, March 17, 2024

BB Catch Up

 We decided to get rid of our DISH, and go with ROKU. I'm also paying for Peacock, and since I wanted to watch the Oscars last week, I began paying for Paramount.  I'm currently watching this season's Survivor and 2020's season of All Stars BB #2 on Paramount, and L&O SVU and Organized Crime, plus 2.5 Men on Peacock.

I just finished Week #2 in the BB house, and wow.  Just....wow.

Week 1 Recap: 

Here's the cast of characters:

Men:

Cody (the one who came in 2nd to Derek)

Memphis (didn't watch his season)

Tyler (surfer dude-YAY!  I loved him!)

Enzo (another YAY!)

Ian (former winner-YAY!)

Kevin (LGBTQ dude)

David, who was eliminated after the 1st challenge back in 2019.

Kaysar (Middle Eastern-YAY!)


Women:

Janelle (ugh)

Bayleigh (ugh)

Da'Vonne

Keesha (didn't watch her season)

Nicole F (former winner-YAY!)

Nicole A (YAY!)

Christmas (YAY!)

Dani (Evil Dick's daughter-bleh)


Cody wins 1st HOH, puts up Keesha and Kevin.  Enzo wins POV, and kept the noms the same; Keesha goes home unanimously.

I was fine with it; I don't particularly like Keesha, and Kevin was getting on my nerves for doing the EXACT opposite of what he said he was going to do....no more whining (he whined); no more passive-aggressive BS (he didn't know how to approach Cody, to build a relationship).

There's also a new twist for the next 3 weeks:  The Safety Suite.  Janelle and Kaysar got wind they might be put up, so they both competed. K won, and named J his 'plus 1'. J had to wear a sparkly yellow star outfit for her punishment, but they were both safe, hence the K and K noms.


Week 2:

Memphis wins HOH and nominated Nicole A and David.  He also won POV, so noms stay the same. Nicole is voted out, 10-2.

Safety Suite:  Several played, and Christmas won, with Ian as her Plus 1.  He ended up having to act out several scenes over and over from a BB space drama as his punishment.

Monday, March 11, 2024

Life In Lumber: Y6, W3

 Day 9:  Cool; mid 50s

Arrived and took over for Alice, who was in for Kem. Was busy for 2 hours, then did the prelim duties. One customer had two carts and argued with me over how many deck boards he had; I finally let it go and finished ringing him up. Swept the place thoroughly; HC Shel R sent me to lunch at 6:20. Returned and pulled trash, did my LU and AP4Me, mucked the mats, and sanitized the registers and coffee bar. Keith came in and bought me a candy bar. Locked the doors at 10 while Jace brought in the concrete and took the trash to the hopper. Closed the garage door, and after HC Kay cleaned me out, returned items to Hardware, Seasonal, and Shop Vacs. Bought D a KIND bar, myself a Bueno, three pairs of Eclipse glasses, and paid for the Dasani I swiped last week.

Outfit:  Bless This Mess sweatshirt, new dark jeggings, small blue/white buttons


Day 10: Mid-60s

Arrived and took over for Alice on #2; Pro Kath was ringing up a customer whose card wouldn't work. By the time I was finished with my line, the customer was MIA; Kath had left; the cart full of bagged items was still there.  I just left it alone and hopped back over to #1. Ran out of $1s around 5:30, but didtn't get them until after 8pm. Did my LU and the prelim duties, then Dawson sent me to break at 6:40. Returned and began sweeping, plus mucked the mats. Pulled trash around 8:30 and sanitized the registers, counters, and coffee bar. Tuned in to 'Between The Brians' for a bit. Locked the doors at 10 and after HC Kay cleaned me out, returned items to Fashion Bath, Hardware, and ISLG. Clocked out at 10:30.

Talked the hubby into taking me to Denny's!

Outfit:  B/gray leopard stripe, new dark jeggings, gold 'Celtic Knot'.

Tomorrow and Thurs:  GSH Vendor Fair!


Day 11: Mid-50s

Shift began on a rocky note. HC Hannah said #1 was acting up, so I showed her how to reboot the system. Went to ring up Customer #1 and was shocked to find the 7/16 OSB had shot up $2 more! Tried to lower it, and couldn't get the o/r to cancel. So hopped back over to #1 and rang 'em up again....and could only take 50% plus the change off w/o an o/r. Then had a customer with a bad leg come in; I arranged for ASM Charlie to get his boards while he went up front for a scooter and some hardware and stain.  He couldn't thank me enough! Next customer was a sour puss.  

An hour later, I needed an o/r on paint, and the line began to back up. Hopped over to Pro Jer's register to handle the CC transactions, then one needed to pay cash, so hopped over to #2 as I saw ASM Charlie arrive.  I ended up taking care of 3 customers; C took care of 2 more.  He logged off; I went back to #1. Did the prelim duties and my LU, then discovered my broom and dustpan were MIA. Fronted the soda, then at 8:15 when Amy arrived, we had another rush.  Took my break at 8:45, plus emptied the coffee and retrieved a roll of the large trash bags. Returned and pulled trash, found my broom and dustpan, and began sweeping. Locked the doors at 10, and after HC Shelby cleaned me out, took the trash to the hopper and returned items to Paint, Hardware, and Flooring. Put up my vest and clocked out at 10:35.

Outfit:  Red turtleneck, faded jeggings, gold 'knots'.


Day 12:  Rare Sat Mid 60s

First of all, let me say I got up waaaaay too early (8am), and didn't take a nap. Arrived and joined Austin, then my earring fell out of my ear. I'd lost the back, so out them in my pocket. Even swept the general area; no luck. Rang up Customer #1, no problem. Customer #2, the printer malfunctioned, and I was forced to jump to #2.  Then a customer arrived with $15 paint, which needed an o/r. I activated #3 to help a customer while HC Shelby finished up with the customer on #1.  Got snippy with Jared when he kept moving the carts.  I'd deliberately shoved them over so I could get in and out of #2 without tripping or hitting my butt on a cart. Was so darn busy that 8pm arrived before it slowed down. Did the prelim duties and fronted the soda, and swept. Realized HC Shel had forgotten my break by 9, so I asked Brighton to cover me while I took a pit stop and cleaned out the coffee dispenser (Loader E had called in). Returned and pulled trash; discovered HC Shelby had FIXED the printer issue on #1, so was happy to be back on it for the final hour, even though I only had two customers. Got the place swept; the registers, counters, and coffee bar sanitized, and wiped down the soda cooler. Locked the doors at 9:55, and after HC Shel cleaned me out and Brighton brought in the concrete, I closed the garage doors and took the trash to the hopper.  Returned items to Hardware and put up my vest. Clocked out at 10:35.

Royally got ASM SCH:  One of the night shift workers asked him if he'd ever told anyone he used to be a woman in Mississippi.  While we were laughing, I turned around and asked, "More specifically, does your WIFE know?" The others laughed and told me 'good one!"  Scott replied, "Don't encourage them!"  

Outfit:  Blue Whitehorse sweatshirt, faded jeggings, yellow posts.


Day 13:  Rare Sun Mid-40s

Arrived and found Marilyn ready to head home, ha ha....apparently it had been a zoo until 4. I hopped on #2 and rang up a few customers, and brought in carts, and checked the trash. Put the larger items that were behind the counter on a cart and pushed them into the Lumber aisle, so I could reach the trash can. M left at 5; I was fairly steady for an hour.  Had one weird thing happen:  Lady paid me in $20s; I gave her $18 back:  A $10, a $5, and three $1s. She walks out the door, turns around, and says I didn't give her a $10.  I was positive I had, but I called down to see if they wanted to audit my drawer, check the cameras, or what.  They ended up checking the cameras, while I rang up several more customers, and in the end, the camera clearly showed I'd given her a $10 bill. Where it went after that, who knows....I looked under the tool cart, behind the water....nada.  She went on her merry way, and things slowed down. Did the prelim duties and fronted the soda...then did the soda count.  Did my LU. At 8, locked the doors and checked out my final customer, then had to stop another from coming in. HC Kay cleaned me out; Loader Charlie brought in the concrete; Jace took my tiny amount of trash to the hopper. I put away the soda and put up my vest.  Clocked out at 8:35.

Outfit:  Pug Crawlin' St. P's Day tee, l/s black tee, faded jeggings, sparkly shamrocks.



Monday, March 4, 2024

Life In Lumber: Y6, W2

 Day 3: mid 70s

Arrived and took over for Kem. In between customers, worked on the closing duties. Had an irritating thing happen; customer arrived with paneling and announced ASM SW had authorized the price match. However, HC Shel refused to honor it, since S was in the manager's meeting, and by the time I made contact with him via Messenger, he'd already left. I even flagged down new ASM Shan, but she refused, saying it was SW's responsibility.  So now we had an irate customer, who even contacted the other store's manager, but HC Shel refused.  Customer paid for drinks and left. I finally got the prelim duties done by 5 and started on the soda count. Had it finished by 6:15, when Austin sent me to my break. Came back and things had slowed, so did my AP4Me and LU, then was busy again. Didn't have time to sweep or sanitize; Austin brought the soda down, so in between customers, I was stocking the coolers. Also pulled trash. Finished stocking the coolers at 8:30 and finished pulling the trash. Locked the doors at 9 when HC Shel cleaned me out, then waited for ASM Charlie to bring the hopper.  Tossed in the trash; ASM Ian brought in the concrete. Closed the door and returned items to Plumbing and Millwork, then put up my vest, cleaned out the carafe, took a pit stop, and returned items to Hardware. Took the paperwork to CS, then set my purse and water on the counter and returned the carafe to Lumber. Clocked out at 9:25.  District is due in the morning.

Outfit:  Beige sweatshirt, new faded jeggings, silver sea horses


Day 4: Rain, mid-60s

Arrived to find K discounting yesterday's paneling one at a time. Apologized to customer for not trying to do that yesterday. Took over for her and was busy for 2 hours, then did the prelim duties and fronted the soda. Was told my break would be at 7, but by 7:15 I needed a pit stop, so ASM Charlie watched the register,  I no sooner returned then HC Shel arrived. Afterward, I pulled trash and sanitized the registers and coffee bar.  Locked the doors at 9, and after ASM Charlie brought in the concrete, took the trash to the hopper and put up my vest.  Clocked out at 9:30.

District didn't show up.

Outfit:  Black/gray LS tee, new faded jeggings, silver and turquoise danglies

Off tomorrow to take Mom to pick up her glasses!


Day 5:  Cloudy; mid 50s

Arrived and spotted a dustpan!  Confiscated it and took over for K. Was busy for 2 hours, then did the prelim duties, then began sweeping.  At 7:30, Madi arrived to relieve me, then asked if I'd done the soda count. So I quickly did #2's coolers, then turned it over to her. Had an enjoyable lunch, then returned and did my LU, then began mucking the mats. HC Britt brought the soda; I put it away. Final customer left at 9. Locked the doors; Loader Charlie brought in the concrete and took my trash to the hopper as HC Britt cleaned me out. Returned an item to Aisle 10, then put up my vest and took the extra soda (Madi didn't realize the Coke cooler only held 4 per row, not 5) back, then took our busted Spider stool and a box of busted primer to RTM. 

K had told me before she left that she was scheduled to leave at 12:30 the next day; I wasn't scheduled until 5. Brought it to ASM SC's attention, and he okayed me to come in at 12:30 tomorrow.  Whoot!  More hours!  Clocked out at 9:40.

Outfit:  Black/white new sweater, new faded jeggings, black vest, silver stars


Day 6:  Rain, 50s

Arrived at 12:30 to a) discover my appearance was a shock and b) everyone was in a tizzy over the 75% clearance items!  Also heard several customers ask me, "what are you doing here so early?"  LOL...took my 1st break at 2:30, since Alice's was at 3. Ate a lunchable, since I was hungry, and D had dropped off 8 more. Returned and Alice mildly ticked me off by asking how long I'd been gone.  *eye roll*  She claimed she was bored....when she was gone, I fronted the soda, brought in the carts, and straightened the papers on the coolers.

She left at 5, so I started the prelim duties, only to be told by HC Shel to go take my lunch.  Spent the 1st 20 minutes shopping and taking the items to my car. When I returned an hour later, did the prelim duties and started sweeping. HC Britt sent me to my 2nd break at 7:15, and when I returned, sanitized the registers and coffee bar, and pulled trash.  Final customer left at 9; locked the doors. Loader Charlie brought in the concrete and the final carts; I closed the garage door.  After HC Britt cleaned me out, took the trash to the hopper, returned an item to Plumbing, and put up my vest.  Clocked out at 9:35.

HC Shel ticked me off after lunch:  1) she wasn't going to honor the 75% for everything, then I talked her into it; 2) she had refused to let one of my customers use his Pro card, b/c he didn't have his ID on him, therefore robbing him of his 5% off.

SM Jeff told me he approved my time off for the NYC trip!  Whoot!

Found out Keri in Fulfillment is taking over ASM Shan's DS spot, while HC Shel is taking Keri's old Fulfillment Lead slot.  We also trained a new HC, Shelby R.

Outfit:  Palm tree sweatshirt, new faded jeggings, diamond studs


Day 7: Rare Sat Cloudy, 40s.

Arrived and took over for Austin; was fairly busy for 2 hours. Did my LU and the prelim duties, then began sweeping. One customer ticked me off:  Asked for some foam board; I told him aisle 49.  He asked if someone could get one for him; I stated they were fairly light, and in aisle 49.  He asked again if someone was available to help him; I told him Jax was on his lunch break, but I would try to find someone.  Fortunately, Jared walked in with carts, so I flagged him down and had HIM take the customer back to aisle 49.  A few moments later, the customer arrived, carrying his one board.  I refrained from making a snarky comment!  HC Britt sent me to break at 8:30, and I ate 3 slices of pizza, then took two more with me back to Lumber.  Things slowed waaaaay down; only had 2 customers between 9-10.  Did the soda count; mucked the mats; sanitized the registers, counters, and coffee bar; put away the soda. Jeffrey brought in the concrete and took my trash to the hopper; I locked the doors and returned items to Tools, Plumbing, Appliances, and Seasonal. Clocked out at 10:50.

Outfit:  Mama Bear sweatshirt, new dark jeggings, small gold hoops


Day 8:  Rare Sun Mid 40s

Arrived to discover I wasn't supposed to be there until 5, but clocked in anyway, which turned out to be a good thing, b/c Lunber was slammed.  Marilyn left at 5 and things calmed down a little.  Did my LU and the prelim duties, swept the area, and fronted all the soda. Learned our HC went home sick, so Matt was in her shoes. At 7, I asked one of the other associates to watch my register while I took a pit stop, then continued to ring up customers. Pulled trash at 7:30, and locked the doors at 8 after the last customer. While I waited for Conrad to come down, had to shoo away a customer who didn't know we closed at 8!  HC Shelby R cleaned me out, then Conrad brought in the concrete. Waited until Barry was finished bringing in all the carts, then closed the garage door and put up my vest. Clocked out at 8:30.

Outfit:  Hot cocoa sweater, new dark jeggings, gold studs

Sunday, March 3, 2024

March Goals

Did everyone enjoy the extra day in February this year?  A friend of mine decided to have her baby at 7:45 am!  

And my Youngling is still moaning over the fact he wasn't born until 3:30 am March 1st.....he rather likes the idea of only being '5' years old instead of ordinary 20.....sorry babe...

Anyway, how did I do this month?  I'M NOT SICK!!!  Whoo hoo!

 -Lose 5 lbs (start:  236) Bleh....gained 2 lbs.

-Get cover art for CYBL Check!  Now to make a decision.....

-Add words to any existing wips:  PP, Singer, TT Added maybe 100....

-Get hair cut Check!

-Cut carpet out of S's old room Nope..weather didn't cooperate

-Pay next installment for NYC trip ($600) Managed $250, thank you BIL!

-Work enough hours to pay^^^^^ Nope

-Upload digital copies to Patreon Nope

-/Begin short story due in June Not yet

-Finish short story for BKM Not yet

-Finish SE3 of L&O: Organized Crime Check!  All caught up!

-Finish SE2 of 2.5 Men Check! Well into SE4...

-Convert 2 VHS to DVD ($44) Nope

-Read more in evenings Too stressful

Health:  Aside from being able to breathe and talk normally again, my left ankle has been giving me issues, ever since starting physical therapy.

Books Read:  5    
           Print:  3                   
       E-book:   2                  
         

2024 Events:

March 1st:  Arts and Drafts. Vincennes Brewing Co, 2nd and Main, 5-8pm 0 sales, but did hand out plenty of cards!

March 13-14:  GSH 7-5 Sold 4; 2 each day.

April 5-8th:  Eclipse???

April 27th:  SI-Con, Benton, Il (pd April 1st, 2023)

May 18th:  Magic of Books, Seymore, In ($40)

May 25-29th:  NYC Trip, Performing at CARNEGIE HALL!!!!!

June 7-9th:  Superman Celebration, Metropolis, Il ($100)

July:  Imaginarium, Louisville, KY Pd 11/2023

August:  IABE, Terre Haute, IN ($85) Pd 12/1

September:  TBD

October:  All Shook Up at Graceland, Oct 21st (full table, $225??)

November:  Indpls Christmas Gift And Hobby Show

December:  Kringle Market


March Goals:

-Lose 5lbs (starting 238)

-Make final decision on cover art for CYBL Check!

-Add words to existing WIPS

-Do well at GSH Vendor Fair

-Have an enjoyable time at Jeff Dunham show (March 21st)

-Cut carpet out of S's old room 

-Pay next installment for NYC trip ($600) 

-Work enough hours to pay^^^^^

-Upload digital copies to Patreon

-/Begin short story due in June

-Finish short story for BKM 

-Finish SE5 of 2.5 Men Check!  Now onto SE6...

-Convert 2 VHS to DVD ($44) 

-Read more in evenings 


March Reading Schedule:
The Mad Gasser Cheerleader of Calhoun County-Karl Witsman Enjoyable story!  Formatting was rather wonky....
The Mad Gasser Cheerleader Returns-KW Again, enjoyed the sequel!  Formatting was still wonky. Not sure if this was a Lulu issue or just the way he set it up.
Woodstock Dreams-Donna Carlene
A Veteran's Homecoming-Santiago Cirilo
Lessons Learned-Katie Cawood
The Courtship of Camelia-Michele Shriver
Never Will I Leave Thee-Heather Wilbur
Porter The Importer-Ariella Talix
Bullies, Bovines, and A Bookmobile-MK Wyatt
Veiled Intentions-George Kramer
Abandon Hope-Michael De Camp
No Greater Love-Mildred Tengbom
Our Journey-Cassie Abel
Splinters-Bernie Niehaus
It Happened One Summer-Tessa Bailey Birthday Present from W:)
Hook, Line, and Sinker-Tessa Bailey Birthday Present from W:)
Illegal Use of Hands-Desiree Holt
Protecting Kate-DH
Defending Sophie-DH
Save The Date-Mary Kay Andrews
Watership Down-Richard Adams
Louise Penney book
A Quiet Strength-Janette Oke
Valley of the Shaman-Arlen Andrews
Joyful Poems For Children-James Whitcomb Riley
I Heard God Laugh-Matthew Kelly
Life Is Messy-Matthew Kelly
Franklin and Eleanor
-28

E-book:
Crowne of Lies-CD Reiss Good story, just LONG!
Free Me-Laurelin Paige
Broken Trust-Nana Malone
The Truth About Lies-Aly Martinez
Love in Lingerie-Alessandra Torre
Soulless Nights-Virginia Johnson
Cutting Through The Lies-Virginia Johnson
She's Got A Duke To Keep Her Warm-Sandra Sookoo
An Affair At Christmastide-Sandra Sookoo
Much Ado About A Storme-Sandra Sookoo
The Most Wonderful Earl-Sandra Sookoo
Loving The Duke-Jessie Clever
Mean Girls-Lucy Felthouse
Help Me Remember-Corinne Michaels (Want to get)

Monday, February 26, 2024

Life In Lumber: Y5, W53; Y6, W1

 Day 222: 70s!

Arrived and took over for Pro Kathy, and was busy for the first half hour.   Customer came in, then a few minutes later walked back up, with ASM SC, ASM Ian, and Pro Jeremy.  Turned out, he'd cut himself, not badly, on a sheet of plywood, and had called an ambulance (eye roll-the guy wasn't even BLEEDING profusely!) The paramedics bandaged him up, and he and his family commenced shopping.  At 5pm, things slowed, and I did the prelim duties. I had also asked Loader C to locate my mop, broom, and dustpan, which he did not do. Things ebbed and flowed, and at 6:30, HC Shelby sent me to lunch. Returned 30 mins later and did my LU and AP4Me, PLUS went down and found my dustpan and broom!  Spot-swept, mucked the mats, pulled trash, and locked the doors at 9. When HC Shel cleaned me out, took the trash down and returned items to Millwork, Electrical, Aisle 10, and Hardware.  Clocked out at 9:30.

Outfit:  B/W LS tee, black vest, dark jeggings, emerald set


Day 223: 70s!

Arrived and took over for Cindy, who informed me Kassidy was fired, due to getting caught vaping in the Fullfillment area. Was busy for the first 90 mins, then started the prelim duties and filled out the soda sheet. Around 5:30, did my LU.  Madi sent me to lunch at 7, and when I returned, pulled trash and started spot-sweeping. Filled the soda coolers and locked the doors at 9. HC Kay cleaned me out; I took the trash to the hopper and put up my vest. Clocked out at 9:30.

Outfit:  B/W poncho, red V-neck LS tee, dark jeggings, ruby studs


Beginning Year 6!

Day 1: 30s....ugh

Arrived and took over for Pro Kathy.  Saw a 2 y/o Norwegian Elkhound!  Forgot my hearing aids, and misunderstood a tax exempt account, and ended up sending him to CS. Alice left at 4, and the place died, so did the prelim duties and spot-swept.  Did my LU at 5 and brought in carts from the sidewalk. Met the new loader, Ethyn. Ran out of $1s and HC Hannah brought them at 6, then sent me to lunch. When I returned, had a 'rush'. Fronted the soda, pulled trash at 7:30, and dusted the top of the ice machine, the soda coolers, the coffee bar, and all counters. At 9, locked the doors. HC Kay cleaned me out; ASM Charlie brought in the concrete; I took the trash to the hopper, then returned items to Electrical. Put up my vest and clocked out at 9:30.

Outfit:  Blue crewneck Cabella's sweatshirt, dark jeggings, LJs, pink TAB cans

Am off the next 4 days, with the exception of the mandatory store meeting on Sunday:)


Day 2:  Store Meeting on Sunday

Arrived and clocked in, then went to Receiving and sat with Amy, Kerrie, and Marilyn. Ate a hamburger, chips, and honeydew, and drank water.  Learned ASM SC is taking over Gareth's spot over Pro!!  ASM Shan is taking SC's slot over the front end.  Whoot!  Not the toxic manager that was rumored!!!!

Won a hand gun case in the drawing and we were are given T-shirts, travel coffee cups, keychains, pins, and hats (I declined mine).

Was good to see people I don't get to see regularly....Adrianna, Pam, and some of the other day shift people.