Life In Lumber: Y6, W45

 Day 176: Snow, mid 20s; 45 t/a

D drove me in, due to the foot of snow on the ground, and Kem and Ian were happy to see me.  Turned out there had been 38 call outs, and for the evening shift, there were only 8 of us running the store!  Me, Loader Charles, DS Ian, Brighton, Trevor, Jared, Kerrie, and ASM Chris B. Had mainly customers buying shovels and ice melt, but had a few buying plywood, plumbing items, or electrical.

Got paid to stand around and write.  Actually did my AP3Me and LU; sanitized the coffee bar thoroughly, and pulled trash at 7:30. Loader Charles watched the register while I took a pit stop at 6. Locked the doors at 8:50; Charles brought in the concrete; ASM Chris cleaned me out. Charles took my trash; I went to put up my vest and swap back into my snow boots.

Outfit:  Brown cowl neck striped sweater; black l/s tee, new dark jeggings, fair aisle leggings, large zirconians.

Day 177: Snow, mid 20s; 48 t/a

Arrived and took over for Kem; did prelim duties. Was fairly steady for 1st hour, then did my LU. Ivree sent me to lunch at 6:15; had 40 customers by then. The final 8 were after. Sanitized the coffee bar and registers; wrote; PM'd friends, and Brighton decided to take my shift tomorrow. Final customer left at 8:30. HC Austin cleaned me out; Brighton brought in the concrete and took the trash to the hopper. Locked the doors and put up my vest.  Left my boots there by accident; will have to stop and get them before I head north.

Outfit:  Red hooded sweater, white turtle, new dark jeggings, fair aisle leggings, red headband.

Off the next 2 days!

Day 178: Snow, low 20s; 37 t/a

Arrived to discover we would have another skeleton crew of 9. Wasn't very busy; did the prelim duties; Adam came down and sent me to lunch at 5:15; Loader Jax mopped aisles 19 and 20; Did my LU; pulled trash at 7; sanitized the coffee bar; swept the floor and mucked out the concrete board area; fronted the soda. Loader Con brought in the concrete at 9 after I locked the doors; HC Chris cleaned me out. Put up my vest, then we had to wait for her to finish, since it was her 1st night closing by herself. Clocked out at 9:45; D took me to BK for a snack.

Outfit:  Blue/white striped sweater, white turtleneck, new dark jeggings, fair aisle leggings, red headband.

Off tomorrow, though have a sneaking suspicion I'll get called in; Dawson is on the schedule, but not the flow chart.  Robin leaves at 4, so who will take over?

Day 179:  Rare Sun

January Goals

If you saw yesterday's post, you'll know I dropped the ball on a LOT of goals.  I'm sincerely going to try to make more of an effort on my monthly ones, maybe even modify them a bit, since several of the Home Repair ones are subject to the spouse's whims.

 -Lose 5 lbs Bleh....scale is going in the OPPOSITE direction; gained a few pounds.  245.

-Buy BP machine Was hoping I'd get one for Christmas; didn't happen.

-Finish Heart Song Made it to Ch 9, so getting closer!

-Do well at GSH Vendor Fair Sold 7:)  5 Wed, 2 Thurs

-Do well at KCPL Author Fair Sold 5:)

-Buy Beautiful Noise tix?? As of this post, Mom is still insisting she does NOT want to go, so have held off.  Will keep working on her....I have until March.

-Have fun at TSO Concert Check!  OMG...SO GOOD!  GREAT time with Erica and Sara!

-Have enjoyable Christmas Check:)  Had X-mas on 24th with kids, then quiet day on 25th.

-Make another payment to Dreaming in Michigan Not in budget just yet; I've been concentrating on paying down my credit card.

-Start chipping away at med bills Not yet.....

-Fix MBA Almost done!  Just have to replace trim, paint vanity, and figure out where to put everything back, lol!

-Cut carpet out of S's room Not yet...

-Upload digital copies to Patreon Not yet....

-Convert 2 VHS to DVD ($44)  Not yet...

-Read more in evenings YES!  Managed to read 7 books!

Books Read:  7

            Print:  7

        E-book:  0

             DNF:  2

2025 Events:

Feb 7th:  Winter Market, 1972 Vincennes, 4-8pm ($40)

Feb 15-16th:  Saluki Con, Carbondale, Il ($80 Pd 12/2)

March 22nd:  SI Con, Benton, Il

March 29th:  Big River Comic Con, Hannibal, MO ($110 due by 1/17)

April 3-4th:  GSH Vendor Fair

July 20-22nd:  Imaginarium, Louisville, Ky (Pd 9/12)

Aug:  Watermelon Fest

Aug:  CCC

Aug:  Geek Con, Evansville Museum, Evansville, In

Sept 19-20th:  Cil-Con, Effingham, Il ($60 Pd 12/29)

Sept 27th:  Book Nook Book Fair, Peoria, Il ($75 Pd 12/27)

Nov 12-16th:  ICGAHS ($700-making payments)

2026 Events:

April 11th:  Dreaming Dirty In Michigan (Pd $60; still owe $120)

January Goals:

-Lose 5 lbs (beginning 245)

-Send Christmas Cards Check:)

-Buy new soap dish, toothbrush holder, and toilet roll holder for MBa

-Add words to Heart Song

-Send Future Unknown to editor and pay editor

-Add words to new fairy story

-De-decorate house

-Buy BP machine

-Pay for SI Con

-Pay for Big River Comics

-Pay down CC and start pecking away at med bills

-Read 6 books

-Finish current e-book

(baby steps, right???)

January Reading Schedule:

The Husband List-Janet Evanovich

Delusion In Death-JD Robb RR! Lots of visual dialogue; easy to follow

New York To Dallas-JD Robb

Special Circumstances-Sheldon Siegel

Split Second-Catherine Coulter

Romancing Miss Bronte-Juliet Gael

Live Wire-Lora Leigh

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn-Betty Smith

Shores-Tiare H Johnston

Older But Wilder-Elfie Leland Wilder

Killers of the Flower Moon-David Graham

Burr-Gore Vidal

Sex and Vanity-Kevin Kwan

The Neopolitan Sisters-Margo Candela

I Am Sheffrou-Cami Michaels

Letters To Matthew-Amy Leigh McCorkle

Get Jiro-Anthony Bourdain

All Hail The Queen of the Freaks-T Harriman

The Vermin Sleep-James M Watjen

Mom Jeans and Other Mistakes- Alexa Martin

Ms Demeanor-Elinor Lipton

Before We Were Wicked-Eric Jerome Dickey

Spare-Prince Harry

Down the Rabbit Hole of Narcissism-Natalie Mosely Klenotic

Loving Out Loud-Michael DeCamp

When My Heart Speaks-Steven Petty

Women of the Bible Speak-Shannon Bream

Yesterday's News-Katie Cawood

Wreck The Halls-Tessa Bailey

Someone Else's Shoes-Jojo Moyes

Same Time Next Summer-Annabel Monaghan

The Choice-Anne Greene (misplaced??)

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

-46

E-book:

Royal-Emily Silver

Closer Home-Kerry Anne King

Pine Grove Sampler-Jean Joachim

Meet Me In Fantasyland-Mary Martinez

Secret Identity-Ava Cuvey, et al

The Scottish Play-Phoebe Alexander

Fisher Of Men-Phoebe Alexander

Switched-Cassie Mills

His Brother's Baby-Blanche Merriott

Hunted-Jill Kaelin

Isn't She Lovely-Lauren Layne

Logan's Lessons-Tonya Ramagos

Enemies On Tap-Avery Flynn

Fooling Around With Cinderella-Stacy Juba

A Game Of Gossip-Sandra Sookoo

TBB (on wish list-was tired of not finding them!)

The Stanhope Challenge-Cerise Deland (2014-$5)

Dark Side of Disney-Leonard Kinsey 

Romulus-Marilyn Campbell ($5)

Gaslight Chronicles-Cindy Spencer Pape ($8)

So Far Away-Dakota Madison, et al

Defending Devon-Shannon West

Love Realized-Melanie Codina

Love Resisted-Melanie Codina

Assumptions-Melanie Codina

One The Run-Jade C. Jamison

Decker-AD Ellis

Sawyer-AD Ellis

Twins-RG Miller

Saving Sarah-Nan Reinhart

Monster Among The Rose-Linda Kage

A Life Before-Julien Ayotta

Flower of Heaven-Julien Ayotta

Dangerous Bloodlines-Julien Ayotta

Dare To Love-Sandy Sullivan

If I Fall-Lydia Michaels ($5)

If You Want Me-Tara Mills

Tomorrow-Samantha Kane

Backdoor Billionaire's Bride-Roz Lee (2019-$5)

Happy New Year! Let's Make (and keep!) Some Goals!

First of all, let's take a look back at 2024's goals and see how I did:

 -Publish Choosing Your Best Life Changed the title to Defending Destiny and it was published in April:)  

-Pull ALL my books (except Kindle ones) and go wide with D2D Nope

-Make my e-books available on Patreon Nope

-Put a shelf above my bed Still waiting....

-Put a shelf in the MBA Still waiting, though I now have a new floor, toilet, and the vanity's been raised 3 inches!

-Evict items from Brown House Nope

-Evict items from basement Nope....seriously?  I had this as a GOAL?

-Rip out carpets in Daughter's room Getting closer, but no...

-Empty Mom's storage unit No...have to either evict items from Brown house or get Daughter's room squared away first.

-Work enough hours to pay for NYC trip YES!!!  Plus did a lot of fundraising and my sister helped out:)

-ENJOY NYC TRIP DEFINITELY!  And am planning to return in 2026:)

-Get my voice back 1/11:  Sang karaoke successfully!!!

-Finish any of the following: 

    -Paranormal Preacher Added maybe 100 words

    -Singer Story No

    -Aiden Kross antho  Not yet

    -Heart Song Am up to Ch 9!

   -Short story for Antho Yes!  Midsummer's Festival in Central Park:)

   -Short story for BKM antho Think I finished and sent it???  Need to check on this

-Sell 200 books Hand-sold 146.  Cut back on events this year.

-Promote Patreon page and get more sponsors No....think I picked up a couple of freebees, though...

-Sign up for Venmo and Cash App, for cashless/non-CC readers Venmo, yes. CashApp, no.

-Be a vendor at the following events:  Check!

    -First Fridays

    -March:  GSH Vendor Fair

    -April:   Eclipse event and SI Con Was knocked sideways by the amount of support from Washington during the Eclipse, selling 18 in 2 days!!!

    -May:  SI Con moved to April

    -June:  Superman

    -July:  Imaginarium

    -Aug:  IABE, Geek Con

    -Sept:  Cil-Con Cancelled this year

    Nov:  Christmas Show, GSH

-Carve out more reading time Check!  Look at numbers below

-December, put out the Nativity and Morty Depression set in; had to force myself to even decorate the damn tree.

How Was My Health In 2024?  Started off rough, with needing ortho visit, X-rays, and MRI on my left knee, but nothing was torn or damaged by the falls in November or December.  Learned in April the eye doctor DOES IN FACT run my vision through medical insurance, despite my due diligence checking BEFORE I decided not to renew it (and putting $40 back in my paycheck, something I DID enjoy!), so bleh....had to reinstate the crappy insurance in October.

Youngest Son had quit his job at Christmas last year, and even though he claimed to be applying 'everywhere', he did get hired in September at an aluminum recycling plant, which he enjoyed......for a week, due to being razzed by some long-time employees, and he threw a tantrum and quit.  Didn't get hired anywhere else until October, and sprained his ankle 6 weeks later, ON THE JOB, so workman's comp covered him until he healed right before Christmas.  Kid's already still talking about finding something else. He's been told no quitting/getting fired until he has something CONCRETE lined up, none of this,"Well, they said they'd get back to me...."

I know,,,,kids. Think they know everything.

Books Read:  84

            Print:  57

         E-book:  27

              DNF:  5

So....Here Are My Goals For 2025:

-Lose 5 lbs per month 

-Publish Mandela/Butterfly Effect

-Pull ALL my books (except Kindle ones) and go wide with D2D

-Make my e-books available on Patreon

-Put a shelf above my bed

-Put a shelf in the MBA

-Evict items from Brown House

-Evict items from basement

-Rip out carpets in Daughter's room

-Empty Mom's storage unit

-Save $3-4K for 2026 NYC trip

-Finish any of the following: 

    -Paranormal Preacher

    -Singer Story

    -Aiden Kross antho

    -Heart Song

   -Short story for Antho

   -Check on story progress for BKM antho

-Sell 200 books

-Promote Patreon page and get more sponsers

-Be a vendor at the following events:

    -First Fridays/Creative Market

    -Feb:  Saluki Con

    -March:  SI Con, Big River Comic Con

    -April:  GSH Vendor Fair, Kokomo Con, E'ville Craft Fair

    -June:  Superman, Farmer's Market, Pride

    -July: Imaginarium

    -Aug:  Watermelon Fest , CCC, Geek Con

    -Sept:  Cil-Con, Peoria Event

    Nov:  Christmas Show, GSH, Kringle Market

-Carve out more reading time

-December, put out the Nativity and Morty

Yeah, they look familiar....for a reason!  Just look at the top of this post.  I need to stay on top of this.

I'll post my January Goals tomorrow.  I've got some reading to do.

                         Happy New Year!!!!

Words to Live By 12-20-24

 A few weeks ago I happened to be in the company of two colleagues who do not share my political views, and that's okay.  But what bugged me the most was the FEAR they exhibited, and "we will be planning to see how we can best survive this setback."

I soooooo wanted to chime in and say I'd been praying for 4 years for her side to 'wake up' and see the damage they've done to our country, and that my FAITH is what was getting me through every day.  After several minutes of biting my tongue, I found an opportunity and simply said, "You gotta have faith."

They nodded, probably NOT realizing we were on opposite sides of the aisle!

Then today, in my daily devotions, I read this:

"What will the new year bring? Do I stick with fear or move forward with hope?  My faith tells me to move forward with hope. To trust in the living Word of God-and let Him be a light unto my path."

-J. Brent Bill, Walking In Grace (formerly Daily Guidepost)

Exactly.

No matter what side of the political aisle you're on, you need to trust God.

Four years ago, yes, I cringed as someone I did not want in the White House was voted in and began a four year-trek into the worst example of Elder Abuse in action.  Yes, I do NOT believe he was actually in charge, but those around him were propping him up when the man should have been made to retire gracefully.  He became a joke for pundits everywhere....and it was sad to see.

But instead of getting angry.....or retreating into a 'snowflake safe space' (I'm being VERY sarcastic here), I simply went on with my life as before, watching the news in horror as the crime rate soared; state governors retaliated like children at times; and biological MEN taking over women's sports.  

Let me digress a moment.  I remember seeing a story about a transgender WOMAN competing on the men's swim team several years ago. Yes, s/he didn't break any records, so there was no bruha over it.  In fact, one of my favorite stories growing up was abuot a girl who was so good, the coach put her on the MEN'S tennis team!  And I was one of the early women percussionists in my HS band.

Okay; not sure where I was going with that.....

The point is, you can't simply hide your head in the sand and wait four more years like a toddler who no longer wants to play. Life must go on, and you have a CHOICE. You can choose to live your life in FEAR or continue on in FAITH.

God has a plan; you just aren't seeing it.

Life In Lumber: Y6; W44

CI Monday -sick

Day 172: NYE Cold, lower 40s (3-6pm); 54 transactions

Felt better, but now D's got it. Went in anyway (think I get Holiday pay today?) and took over for Kem. Was fairly steady for an hour; rang up customers, did the prelim duties, then had some time to do my AP4Me and LU. Pulled trash at 5; Kait sent me to break. Took a pit stop, then found what I thought were the right trash bags for the large trash can under the med cabinet, but no.  Washed out the coffee pot, then returned. Swept the high traffic areas (in front of Pro and in front of the door), then locked the doors at 5:55.  Turned around and my final customer was at the register.  Rang him up just as Loader Con opened the large door to bring in the forklift....and proceeded to help LG Kait refill one of the lumber bins.  As my customer was about to pay, a guy walked in and I had to tell him we were closed. Customer pays and leaves....then two more vehicles pulled up and asked if we were open or closed, and if we were open the next day (yes, 9-6). Con and Kait were still in the aisle, so I went ahead and closed the door.  About 2 mins later, Con's beeping the horn, so I reopened it and let him out to do the concrete. HC Austin arrived to clean me out; I hopped over to the drywall aisle to return some tape, then waited while Con brought the hopper around. Tossed him my trash, then closed the door and returned items to Tools, Electrical, Hardware, and Toys (someone had apparently not wanted a tiny car??). Clocked out at 6:30.

Went to BW3 to claim my free birthday wings, but a) my app refused to let me place an order and b) they were freakishly busy, so I said "F-it" and went to Walmart and got Bagal Bites, some Italian bread, some sliced Mozzarella, and a jar of Ranch dressing.  Came home and watched Grimm until 11:55, then found the NYE Times Square and counted down the seconds. Toasted with the hot Winter Spice White wine from Carousel Winery, then responded to texts; called Mom; then watched the rest of that Grtimm episode (we're re-watching SE 1). D went to bed; I flipped it over to Family Ties and watched 2 episodes, then went to bed at 1am.

Outfit: Gold sparkly shirt, black l/s tee, black jeggings, dangly rhinestones, Happy NY headband.

Outfit for couch: Black PU sweatshirt, fair aisle jeggings, fair aisle slippers, HNY headband (only for 10 mins)

Happy New Year!  Goodbye 2024, Welcome 2025!!!

Day 173: Cold, upper 30s; 114 transactions

Arrived; Holly asked if I was feeling better and laughed when I replied, 'Hell yes!"  Took over for Kem, who informed me of the full moon and to 'watch out for crazies'.  Was fairly steady for 1st 2 hours, plus did the prelim duties and LU. HC Austin sent me to break at 5:30. Came back with small trash bags, then things slowed down. Swept, then ran out of $$ after a 'rush' at 7. Hopped over to #2, and didn't have another cash transaction until 8:45. Pulled trash; HC Austin cleaned me out while Loader Con was bringing in the concrete. Returned items to Electrical and Paint. Clocked out at 9:30.

Did have a guy ask us where to drop the shipping container; called ASM Alex, who had NO knowledge of it, but came down; think it was to go to Receiving (I was busy by that time).  My final customer left at close with 2 carts full of lumber.

Outfit: Gray hooded sweatshirt, black l/s tee, new dark jeggings, fair aisle leggings, sapphire hoops 

Day 174: Cold, low 30s, 152 transactions

Arrived and took over for Kem; was busy until 5:30, when HC Austin sent me to break. Returned an item to Tools, then cleaned out the coffee pot. Afterwards, rang up a few customers, then did the prelim duties, my LU, and my annual LSR, which took an hour between it and the customers. Swept a little; pulled trash, and locked the doors at 9. Final customer left at close.  Took the trash to the hopper after LG Kait cleaned me out, then returned items to Lights and Hardware. Clocked out at 9:30.

Outfit:  Blue Cozy Sweatshirt, white turtle, new dark jeggings, fair aisle leggings, thin gold hoops

Off tomorrow!

Day 175:  Rare Sat Cold, upper 20s, 44 t/a

Was asked to come in at 6; Dawson had called in.  Rescued Jared, rang up a few customers, then did the prelim duties and swept a little. Pulled trash at 7:30; at 8:30, HC Kait came down so I could clean out the coffee pot. Returned and rang up final 2 customers. Loader Con brought in the concrete and took the trash; HC Kait cleaned me out; returned items to Plumbing, Lights, Hardware, and ISLG. Clocked out at 9:30.

Outfit:  Dark gray In sweatshirt, black l/s tee, new dark jeggings, fair aisle leggings, small gold hoops, red headband.

Sun:  Due to snowstorm, store closed at 4. I was told I did not have to go in. Snow Day!!!!

Life In Lumber: Y6, W43

 Day 169: Rain, upper 40s

Arrived and had to hop on #2 to deal with the line...and needed an o/r. Mike finally arrived, then Kem needed one!  K finally left around 3:30 and I took over #1. 2nd customer had one sheet of OSB....I asked him if he only had one SOB!  Cracked all of us up! After that, the afternoon was fairly steady. Did the prelim duties, then Robin arrived at 5:30 to send me to lunch. Returned and pulled trash at 7:30; did my AP4Me and LU; swept the area; mucked the mats; sanitized the coffee bar and registers. Kohl brought in the concrete; Loader Con took the trash. Kait cleaned me out and I returned items to Plumbing, Tools, Lights, Flooring, and Hardware. Put up my vest and clocked out at 9:30.

ASM Alex had a scary situation:  He flat-lined during his heart cath; turned out he was allergic to the meds. They're going to do another one, with a different med.

Outfit:  Blue cozy sweater, new dark jeggings, sapphire hoops

Day 170: Rain, lower 50s

Arrived and took over for Kem. Was steady; had a large cull pack at 6:45 that needed multiple o/r, then HC Kay sent me to lunch.  I'd also done the prelim duties as well as scoring 7/7 on my LU:) After lunch, I pulled trash, swept, sanitized the coffee bar and the registers, and mucked the mats of #2 and 3. Fronted soda. Loader Joe took the trash and brought in the concrete. Returned an item to Millwork after HC Kay cleaned me out and put up my vest. Clocked out at 9:30.

Outfit:  Green Naughty List; I Regret Nothing tee, black l/s tee, new dark jeggings, thin gold hoops

Day 171:  Rare Sat Rain, 60 degrees

Within 15 minutes of arriving, I knew I should have called in. Sneezing, and overall body aches.  Did the bare minimum and was happy when the shift was over. Clocked out at 9:30 and came home and went to bed.

Outfit:  Red It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year....Allegedly tee, black l/s tee, new dark jeggings, thin gold hoops

CI Sunday-sick

Rachel Wins!!!! #Survivor47

 I watched SE 47, not really feeling the need to blog about it.  Yeah, Andy had a meltdown after his team lost the 1st challenge, and somehow managed to NOT get the ax, and after the merge, there was Kyle, dominating the first few Individual Immunity challenges, until Gabe won, then he was voted out.  Plus there was the whole trying to get Sol voted out....the rivalry between Genevieve and Rachel....but still, not enough to make me feel the need to blog about it.

Until tonight.

Rachel and Sam had been going head to head over the last few challenges, with Sam leading the charge to vote her out. But Rachel came back with blocking his vote, then pulling out an immunity idol to save herself.

Final Challenge:  Sam and Rachel led Teeny and Sue the entire time, until the others eventually caught up. Sam was in the lead going into the puzzle, but Rachel (who was a WHIZ at those puzzles!) caught up and overtook him. She decided to make Teeny and Sam build fire to fight for the 3rd spot, and gave Sue a free pass.

Fire-Making Challenge:  Boy was this one a whopper!  First of all, back at camp, Rachel coached Teeny, who got the hang of it, and successfully built 2 fires. Sam, who admitted he'd not even TRIED all season, was stuck.  Defeated, he pulled out the letter from his dad....and found the determination to go off and try it again.  He finally got the hang of it, and walked into the tribal council area, ready for battle.

Teeny jumped out to the early start, while Sam struggled to even get a spark. Teeny's flame begins licking the rope as Sam finally got a tiny flame going.  Then the wind interfered, and blew Teeny's flame all around the rope, and even away, just as Sam's one flame managed to climb high and lick the rope.  The wind helped Sam; hurt Teeny. Sam's rope burned all the way through, sending Teeny to the jury.

Jury Questions:  From the questions they were all asking, I KNEW Sue didn't have a prayer of a chance; they were all directed at Sam and Rachel, and I honestly thought Sam had the votes, or even maybe a tight race. Maybe even one person would write Sue's name down, and they would have the first ever tie?  I know, wishful thinking. The jury voted 8-1 (Kyle voted for Sam) for Rachel.

I had hoped they'd do a 'fan favorite' vote, because I think Teeny would have won it, but they didn't and even did the after show still on the island, no audience members.

Whew....what a ride for that final show!  It was truly epic.

Looking forward to #48; there's a person on the autism spectrum; a CEO who looks like a tarot card medium; and a guy who attributes his muscles to chocolate milk. This should be interesting!