Life In Lumber Y4, W14

 Day 66:  Memorial Day  $6,821 (and 66 cents)

Was called in, due to a call-in, and the 1st half hour of my shift, I 'supervised', and rang up one customer on #3.  Sonia needed an o/r on 1, then Jeremy was ringing up a Pro customer on 1.  ASM K called me over and asked about W, and I explained he had a bad sunburn and couldn't lift his arms over his head, that I'd tried to get him to go in anyway, but to no avail.  She agreed with me, then shocked the hell out of me by telling me I was a good worker, and had always done good work for her!  Whaaaat?????

Shift was busy until 6, then slowed way down.  Liv came down and gave me my half hour break, and I ate 2 hamburgers, a bag of chips, and took 4 cookies with me down to my station.  Swept, sanitized, joked with customers (I had to soda count done by 4:45!), and brought in carts. Put away the soda, and took the trash to the hopper while HC C cleaned me out.  Delegated other people to take the returns back to Plumbing, Front Registers, and the right wall.  Clocked out at 10:20.

Outfit:  Black front zip tee, cut off capris, small silver hoops.

Day 67:  $6,137 (and 33 cents)

Was a good shift.  Did the soda count and was steady until 6.  Did my LU, swept, and brought in carts until Makenzie sent me to lunch at 7:30, just as I got a LBA app, so actually went at 7:45.  Came back and hopped on #2 to help with the line, then got back on #1.  ASM N brought a new dustmop down, so was able to actually sweep the floor!  Santized the registers at 9:30, then locked the doors at 10.  Clocked out at 10:25, after putting up my vest and returning a box of screws to Hardware.

Outfit:  White Bon Jovi tee, cut off capris, textured gold hoops.

Had to call in Wed; D had appendicitis and had his surgery on Thurs.  ASM N took me off the schedule for Thurs, with my return tentatively planned for Sunday

Day 68: Rare Sunday  $14,735 (and 22 cents)

Was running late, due to getting D bandaged and settled.  Was busy 1st half of shift, and had to call a code 3 when Em went to lunch; we even had 3 registers going at one point!

Cust A lost his temper when I scanned his flooring, rang him up, printed the receipt, then discovered the flooring had the wrong price.  I called Flooring to confirm, then informed A he would have to take his receipt to CS for his refund.  He demanded the manager, then told me to forget it when I picked up the phone.  ASM N asked me what was going on, and I told him.  "Just because I can't process a refund."

Contrasting that, had 2 customers thrilled to see me, and they were all smiles.

Went to lunch at 2:45. and just sat in the break room and ate 2 lunchables.  Went back and did the soda count, and the closing duties.  Had my final customer as we were closing. While Loader Al was playing with the concrete, had a man pull up on a motorcycle.  Told him we were closed; he thanked me and took off.  Another man tried to enter; I informed him we were closed.  Watched him go to the front doors....then head down to LG.  Thought, 'what part of 'we're closed' do you NOT understand?'

Outfit: Teal shirt, original capris, lg diamond earrings.

Life In Lumber Y4, W13

 Day 60:  $11,358 (and 46 cents)

Arrived and immediately began helping with the line.  Learned Em and I were both scheduled; she rang up customers while I started the soda count. Then they called her to the front.  Was fairly busy all shift, and #1 ran out of $$ around 7, so hopped over to 2.

Em brought down the soda, but didn't get started on it until after 8. Then when she sent me to break at 8:30, she indicated she'd put the rest of it away, but when I returned, she hadn't, so I did it.  Rang up my final customer at 9:30, then while HC C cleaned out my register, took the trash down. Then took the extra soda to the front, and put up my vest.  Clocked out at 10:20.

Outfit:  LJHS tee, dark jeggings, silver hoops.

Day 61:  $6,375 (and 72 cents)

Arrived and checked to see how W did on his 1st day; turned out he did well, and is looking forward to tomorrow:)  Saw ASM K walk in with her lunch, so told myself to 'be nice'.  Shift went well; had soda count finished by 5:45, and the place swept by 7. Had to move to 2 after break at 8, and sanitized the registers and counters.  ASM K thanked me for pulling all the trash.

G pulled me aside and told me that neither he nor ASM K were to be called for pro issues; they were too busy.  Oooookaaaaayyyy.....guess M and B were more relaxed with their policies???

Had a small floor show.  Customer and wife/g/f/SO were arguing over what to buy to patch the roof, and cussing each other out.  They finally settled on what to get, but it was too expensive, and settled for 2 pkgs of shingles.  Everyone was happier when they left!

Clocked out at 10:30, after returning items to Electrical, Tools, and Paint.

Outfit:  Gray Purdue tee, cut off capris, textured gold hoops.

Day 62:  $5,963 (and 38 cents)

Rained most of the day, so wasn't sure if we'd be slow or slammed.  Fortunately, we were slow, and was able to get all my closing duties done in a timely manner.  Didn't have any drama, other than two customers at closing bought a sheet of 7/16 OSB and had Loader Al cut it in half.  It still wouldn't fit in the car, so they strapped it to the roof.  Loader T got video of the father cussing the son out, and when they drove off, the driver had one hand on the OSB.

Clocked out after returning items to Tools, Electrical, and Hardware.

Outfit:  White flamingo tee, cut off capris, tear drop gold earrings.

Day 63:  $7,471 (and 67 cents)

Wasn't happy when I arrived and discovered ASM K eating lunch. Checked the schedule; she was due to leave at 9, so I tried to make the best of it. Shift began rather slow; did soda count and Em brought it down. Had customer ask about his shingle order; found the invoice and he paid it, but it wasn't staged anywhere, and I didn't know where Loader T was.  Loader E arrived at 7, and got it pulled and loaded.  ASM K pissed me off three times tonight.

-A) She had heard about the slight altercation between W and myself on Thurs, and thanked me for diffusing it, but 'when you're here, you're collegues, not relatives.'  Yeah, yeah, I get it.....but I wasn't on the clock and neither was he!

-B) I needed an o/r and while I waited, I hopped on J's register to ring up the people in line.  K came down and finished the transaction as I finished the 2nd one, then asked me what was wrong with #2.  I said nothing; it was faster.  "I'm tired of repeating myself; these registers are for the PROS."  I did my LU on #1.  Other than having to slightly duck my head to read the screen, it went well.

-C) I wrote down a customer's item # and handed it to him to go to CS, then pushed his water softner out of the way.  K asked what it was, and I said return.  "Why are you doing returns?"  "I'm not."  I explained what I had done and she said okay.

I told HC C about it, and told I'm close to requesting a transfer to LG, or seeing if I could work somewhere else in the store if we happen to be on the same shift.  As much as I love my job and my area, I'm getting close to wanting out of there.  It's not fair that I breathe a sigh of relief when I see she's either off or already gone by the time I arrive.

Returned items to Aisle 1 and took some cardboard down to Receiving before putting up my vest.  K had me so upset, I'd forgotten to put it in the hopper.  Clocked out at 10:40.

Outfit:  Palm tree sweatshirt, dark jeggings, sapphire and diamond hoops. (temps in upper 60s)

Day 64:  Memorial Saturday $20,041 (and 26 cents)

Day began fairly decent; went over to Rendezvous and saw the family, plus friends PH and LR.  Ate Chicken and Dumplings and some stuffed mushrooms, courtesy of K, then headed back and went to work. ASM K was actually cordial; Loader AM told me W doesn't like to listen; Loader AL told me he'd heard about the argument and wasn't happy how W had talked to me.  Em went to break; I was on #2. I took my break at 2:30 and made the decision to stay in for lunch.  Em left at 3 and I hopped on 1.  Was busy all the way til 6:30, when they sent me to lunch.  Went to the break room, ate 2 lunchables, took a 15 min nap, then clocked back in.  Things slowed down; did the soda count and began the closing duties.  Customer paid for $600 with 2 $100, 5 $20s, several $5s, and the rest in $1s.  Had to put $50 in $1s under the tray.

When HC C came down, she asked me to hop on #2, since #1 was waaaaaay over the normal limit.  When ASM K left at 9, I hopped on Jeremy's register and did my LU, plus checked my schedule.  I logged off as C came down; told her "Shhhh....I used the pro computer!"  She laughed, then told me she'd asked ASM N hypothetically, if #1 was busy, was it out of line to use the Pro computer?  N's response:

"I know what this is about, and she's upset because she's been told repeatedly, and the last one was more forceful."  *eye roll*

So that told me K had already spoken to N about it.  C stated that for 3 years, we were all TOLD to do do our training back there, and to use the computers to help with the line, and in the future, should policy change, PLEASE TELL US!!!!

At 10, locked the doors and got the trash ready, and sanitized #1 and 2.  I'd mucked out the mats earlier.  Clocked out at 10:30.

Outfit:  Yellow Fla tee, cut off capris, small silver hoops.

Day 65:   Memorial Sunday $12,795 (and 43 cents)

Was slightly late, due to singing at the Rendezvous Sunday Worship Service, then saying goodbye to family and friends.  Learned more about the 'disrespect' about A; apparently my BIL B asked what her name was and her answer was 'Figure it out.'.  I don't know what she said/did toward other family members, but it was NOT a good impression.

Arrived at 11:30 and was immediately busy, then we had several periods of 'down time'. Em took her 1st break, then I took mine at 12:45.  Em went to lunch at 1, and we were so busy, had to call a Code 3.  Lexi came down and stayed for maybe 20 mins.  Did my LU on my 1st break, lol....I went to lunch (McAs) at 3:30, and when I returned, mucked out the mats. Em left at 6, after my 2nd break, and just did the closing duties.  Things had really slowed down by then.  After HC C cleaned me out, I took the trash to the hopper, then put up my vest.  Clocked out at 8:20.

Only needed 2 o/rs; one for discounted paneling, and another for discounted closet brackets.

Outfit:  White short sleeved blouse, cut off capris, teal Rendezvous outfit, double pearl earrings

Marcus Ericson won the 500; Tony Kanaan came in 3rd.  Now to FIND the race online, so I can watch it!

Life In Lumber Y4, W12

 Day 54:  $7,954 (and 92 cents)

Went to Culver's for lunch before my shift, and after clocking in, took over for B, who said he'd had a moderately slow day.  But evening shift was non-stop! I didn't get the soda count done until nearly 8, and only zoned the Monster and Red Bulls.  Liv sent me to break at 7:30, and it was well after 8:30 before I started pulling trash and spot-sweeping.

Loader Al informed me he'd broken my dustmop.  RIP.....it was a good 13 months.

Customer A told me the buckets were discounted; later I discovered it was the LIDS.

Customer B was incensed at how expensive the PVC fittings were, and had me take them off, even after I offered to knock 8 of them down from $1.97 to $1.38.

Did manage to do my LU while Al was taking out the trash.  Returned items to Plumbing, Electrical, Paint, Hardware, and ISLG before grabbing some cash register tape, then putting up my vest.  Clocked out at 10:30.

Outfit:  Blue baseball tee, cut off capris, small gold hoops

Day 55:  $6,002 (an 19 cents)

Today was waaaay better than yesterday!  (No full moon!!). Was able to get the soda count done AND the Monster cooler straightened up by 6:30.  Adriane sent me to lunch at 7:30, and when I returned, did the closing duties, my LU, and AP4Me.

It's a good thing I have a hard head....customer had one sheet of concrete board resting against the handle part of a flat cart. I rang it up, then moved on to the morter. Was bending over to scan the final bag when the board fell on my head, knocking off my glasses! Thankfully, glasses did NOT break, and my head only smarted for a moment.

Loader E was very careful and precise with the forklift, and didn't clock out until after 10:30.

Outfit:  Blue/white striped tee, cut off capris, small gold hoops.

Day 56:  $5,529 (and 44 cents)

Thought tonight might be busy, since it rained all day, and stopped by the time I arrived.  Was fairly busy the 1st hour, but managed to get the soda count done AND the Pro coolers reorganized.  In fact, was sweeping by 6:30, and got all the mats mucked out, and the OSB area swept, including the Pro counter area on the outside.  Someone had spilled chips.

Matt sent me to break at 7:30, but I first helped a gentleman in Tools, before heading to Receiving to get trash bags ("can liners"). Returned close to 8 and finished sweeping, then brought in the carts on the sidewalk and the drink cart.  Was reprimanded by ASM J for being on my phone.  Whatever.....there were NO CUSTOMERS!  But did manage to get a little more written.  Oh, and did my LU before I'd even clocked in.  Got all of them wrong, for the 1st time. Oops...

Held a mock, Lumber version of 'Sword In The Stone', when a customer came in with the glue, and couldn't get it open.  Loader E used pliers, and finally, AL just went and got another container, which opened a little better.  "You have been chosen!"

Had to take back items to Plumbing, Electrical, Lights, Tools, Fashion Bath, and Hardware, in addition to my trash to the Receiving hopper.  Rang up HC C's pool noodles and accessories, then clocked out at 10:45.  Agreed to cover Em's shift tomorrow....whoot!

Outfit: Rob Strong tee, cut off capris, small gold hoops.

Day 57:  $4,810 (and 97 cents)

Poured right before shift, so knew it might be a slow night....and it was. Had soda count done by 6:15, and the place swept by 7.  Went to break at 8:30, and when I returned, sanitized the registers and pulled the trash.  Put the soda away, and locked the doors at 10. ASM K cleaned me out, and we clocked out at 10:10.

Outfit:  Blue/gray Las Vegas tee, cut off capris, small gold hoops.  Tornado warning and torrential downpour.

Day 58:  $11,298 (and 65 cents)

Arrived at 4 and immediately went to work helping with the line.  Sonia was happy to see me, and so was Jeremy:)  Was steady all night; B left at 4:30, had soda count finished by 5:30; did the closing duties done by 7, and pulled trash at 8.  Was sent to lunch late (9 pm!), so after I returned, all I had to do was finish sweeping; Val had already sanitized. Clocked out at 10:30.

Outfit:  Soft Tribble tee, cut off capris, small gold hoops.

Day 59:  Rare Sunday $16,599 (and 24 cents)

Arrived and joined Em; was fairly steady all day.  ASM K told me she'd gotten 3 credit apps, and asked how many I was going to get.  I answered back, "One, hopefully!"  Turned out, I got 2 CC.  Em went to lunch at 1, and I went at 3:15, and tried to do my LU, but K told me, "You're not supposed to do that up here."  Pooh on her...did 2 questions, then went to lunch.  Came back and did the rest on my break in the back, only to find out she'd left at 4.  So had a NICE eveining!  

Em left at 6 and did the soda count and closing duties.  Just as we were closing, got word that a customer was coming with a $600 lumber order.  He arrived at 8:15, and it was only $350.  Took the trash to the hopper, then returned items to Plumbing, Hardware, and Storage, then took the front's trash to the hopper and two items to Receiving.  Clocked out at 8:45.

Outfit:  CBS tee, dark jeggings, silver dangles.

Life In Lumber Y4, W11

 Day 51:  $8,210 (and 54 cents)

Arrived and immediately began ringing up customers.  In the 1st 90 mins, rang up a steady stream AND did the soda count.  Had a couple of rushes, but managed to get everyone through. Started doing the closing duties, then knocked out my LU and AP4Me.  Went to break at 8, and when I came back, hopped on #2 to help with the line, and showed Marilyn (again!) how to load an LAR. Swept the place, and locked the doors at 10.  Returned items to Plumbing, Electrical, Tools, and Paint.  Clocked out at 10:30.

Outfit:  Black lace tee, cut off capris, diamond flower earrings.

Day 52:  $5,154 (and 14 cents)

Arrived slightly late, but on time, and took over for B, who said #2 had frozen on him 4 times.  Managed to get the soda count done by 7, only to be told we weren't doing it, since the only item we had was Pepsi Cherry. Did my LU;  Kelly sent me to break at 7:15, and when I came back, started sweeping and the closing duties.  Didn't have any returns, but when Loader Al took the trash, he ran out of gas, so didn't clock out until 10:30.

I'm off until Thursday!!!

Outfit:  Fire and Grace tee, cut off capris.

Day 53:  $8,422(and 67 cents)

Arrived at 4 and immediately had to go hunt down some flooring.  Finally connected with Tom, and got it resolved.  When I did hop on #1, it was as if my brain was already in Nashville!,,Mistake after mistake....but made it through. After B left, did soda count, and had it done by 6. Did my LU and checked my schedule; I'm working Mem weekend, but not Mem day.  When Emma sent me to lunch, ASM N was in the training room, so asked him if he'd chosen not to honor my request.  He told me to check back with him next week. After lunch, put the soda away, and #1 went down.  Spent the rest of the night on #2. Discovered Loader Al 'broke' my dustmop....it was acting up, so did the best I could, and sanitized the registers.  Took the trash to the hopper at closing time, and returned items to ISLG, Hardware, Tools, and Plumbing.  Clocked out at 10:30.  HC C said she's thinking of leaving.

Will starts the 23rd!

Outfit:  IN tee, cut off capris, diamond flower earrings.

Tomorrow....Nashville, TN! 

Observations 2021

Sept 2021:

 I've spent the past 6 weeks spending 5/6 weekends at an event.  So far, the reviews are mixed.

InConJuncti6 on:  Sold 8, two less than 2019

-Attendance was down, due to people not sure about being out in public just yet.

-I'd taken my daughter and granddaughter with me, so spent too much $$.

-Went to dinner with friends the 1st night; very chummy, supportive, and happy to see each other.

Imaginarium:  Sold 6, two more than 2019

-Well attended; I spent more time at my table this year instead of doing too many panels (I did 2 Fri and 2 Sat) or taking too many pictures.

-This was my 5th?? time at this con; I previously only sold one or two books at this event.  So to sell 4 in 2019 and 6 this time tells me my presence is being recognized.

-Went to dinner with friends Fri and enjoyed everyone's company, then attended a room party and fatigue did me in.  Sat, went to the banquet with friends and even though I didn't win, everyone was supportive.

Heroes For Kids:  Sold 6 and donated one.  No sales in 2019.

-Well attended; people seemed happy to be out again.  I spent more time at my table and was encouraged when I sold a book to my 1st customer:)

-Went to dinner Fri after setting up; got to meet new people and the atmosphere was friendly.  Saturday night, met up for dinner and things were good.

Superman Celebration:  Sold 19!

-Very well attended, even though it rained at first.  I stuck to my table the 1st day and sold 4, then ventured out the 2nd day for lunch and to see the celebrities; sold 9.  3rd day, sold 6!

-Dinner Friday was joyeous, as was Saturday night.

Royal Readers:  Sold 5, same as 2019.

-Was told there were more VIPs than vendors, but it didn't seem like it.

-Got pissed off when my 1st customer 1st griped b/c I wasn't wearing my mask 'correctly' (I was hot from setting up, so I'd pulled it beneath my nose).  She revealed herself as a cancer patient; I immediately pulled it up and tried to talk to her, but she claimed she couldn't hear me (she never did move any closer) and left.  Okay....1) you're not gonna be infected THAT SOON if I pull my damn shield up and 2) Why the hell couldn't she move closer after I did??

-My lunch apparently disagreed with me, and had to spend a considerable amount of time in the bathroom.

-I helped take three car loads of stuff over to the mall, and after returning to the hotel, I joined the rest of the group in the bar.  1) No one offered to move so I could sit.  I finally sat down and asked about service, then went up to the bar.  Upon returning with my glass of wine, somebody finally moved over.  2) The bartender apparently misunderstood my order, for my pizza arrived in a box, and was smooshed by the time we got the box folded so it would fit at the table.  3) Conversation flowed around me; I only spoke up a few times.  Felt like an outsider.

-After packing everything up, I went back to the mall to go to the Pepper Palace, M/M store, and for dinner.  Decided to go to Wahlburgers....then discovered several authors had already eaten there and were on their way out!  Why was I not invited?  Oh yeah....I'm an outsider.

-There just didn't seem to be the foot traffic from 2019.....though I will admit, it was nice to not have people come up *just* to autograph a poster!

N ow I'm off to the State Fair, where in 2019, I sold 18 books in 2 days.  I'll be there 4 full and 2 half days this year; hoping to match or even double that number.

Aug 11-13:  Sold 11 and donated one

-1st half day, sold 2. Paid $6 for pizza slice for dinner

-1st full day, sold 5. Paid $6 for 1/2 lb Angus burger and $6 for Chocolate Vodka Red Velvet Bundt cake

-2nd full day, sold 4 and donated one. Paid $6 for Elephant ear for b'fast, then $14 for Pizza on a Stick, then another $14 for 2 deep-fried cookie dough/red velvet oreos and 2 single cookie dough.  Also paid $10 for ride on the 'Spirit Wheel'.

18-20: Sold 18 and donated one

-2nd half day, sold 4. Splurged on a lamburger for $14 and spent $12 on deep-fried cookie dough/red velvet oreo combo with 2 extra CD.  Also 'did' the fair during the morning, and enjoyed seeing everything and taking pictures.  Spent $3 on a bottle of water.

-3rd full day, sold 8 and donated one (copy of CG to my cousin Lynn).  Paid for my four $3 ride tickets, $6 for a red velvet funnel cake, and $12 for another deep-fried red velvet oreo/cookie dough combo with two extra CD.  Rode the High Swings (YOLO), the ferris wheel, and the double-decker merry-go-round twice (downstairs on an ostrich, upstairs on a white tiger).  Ate a late dinner at Applebee's for $16

-4th full day, sold 6.  Since the hubby put $$ into my account, bought apple butter, pumpkin butter, and gooseberry preserves, plus another t-shirt and a sweatshirt, honey, fudge, and the cake swirls. Spent $6 on an Angus burger, then another $12 on more red velvet oreos/cookie dough combo with 2 more CD.  Vendor threw in two more CD for 'customer loyalty'.

TOTAL EARNED:  $229, which paid for the 1st 2.5 days ($225)

The first three days, I was on the left side of the booth, and couldn't see behind me.  Plus, N kept calling me 'Makenzie'.  The 2nd three days, I was on the right side, and she clued into the 'Kenzie', and got the genres correct, but she drove me mildly crazy with her views on the mattress people ("Can you believe people are LAYING on them?  And they don't SANITIZE them after!"), and some of the customers who tried to use us as a library. Not to mention her pro-vax stance.  I'll admit; I went over to talk to the vax people and considered getting it....but then saw a hashtag on FB with the horror stories and reconsidered.

Over all, I enjoyed the fair.  I loved the fact I dragged my butt out of bed early enough to go 'do' it on the 18th, and I loved the fact I sold out of 5 titles.

SI Comic Con:  Sold 7 and swapped one

-Very well organized and attended!  I only ventured away from my table twice; once to find BKM and Amy, and the 2nd to get Bonus Child's birthday present:  Silver Ranger's picture and autograph.

-Afterward, we all went to dinner at the Peking Buffet, and took a group pic afterward.  Felt very included in everything:)

Non-Con 6:  Sept 25-26:  Sold 1

I'll admit it; I was sleep-deprived the 1st day and kept falling asleep.  I did get 2 pages written, and handed out a few cards.  N sold 5 to one customer.  

-Went to dinner at the China King Buffet and enjoyed good conversation and friendship, as well as good food!

Day #2, I was irritated to discover we'd showed up an hour early.  I could have slept in; we could have had b-fast at Cracker Barrel; I could have kept listening to the flashback program of 1978!  Then the drive home was hell....a stopped train, then cone zones/stop-n-go traffic on every damn highway.

First City Music Festival, Oct 1-3: 

Rain threatened, but I did well, selling at least 10 books.  Went to dinner with my son and his BFF, who promptly told K, "We need to find a pitch.  Your mom is AWESOME at bringing people over!"

Awww....thanks D!

Indy Comic Con, Oct 15-17:

I thoroughly enjoyed people-watching, and sold 18 books over the entire weekend, and even one while I was off at a photo opp!  What made my weekend though, wasn't meeting Chandler Riggs (Carl from Walking Dead) or The Evil Queen from Once Upon A Time (blanking on her name at the moment!), but meeting Armin Shimmerman at the Jumpmaster Press booth, who played Quark in DS9!!  Got a pic with him; bought his book, and got to talk to him.  He was amazing!

CCC, Oct 30th:

A cold day, but sold some books and had fun.  Bought a copy of Little Black Sambo!

ICGAHS, Nov 10-14:  

Two authors backed out, due to catching CV, or being afraid, so when the Friday and Sat morning slots were offered, I grabbed 'em, and it paid off.  Think I sold 45 books??  Paid for my booth and gas....and went home with presents for everyone, including 5 bottles of wine.  Did a taste-test comparison between Carousel's Tiger Red, French Lick's Red, and Buck Creek's red....and Tiger won!

Unfortutately, landed in the hospital the following Monday with pancreatitis, and had to have my gall bladder evicted from my body.

May Goals

WOW!  It's MAY already?  Where did April go?

-Lose 5 lbs  Am down to 227!  Whoot!

-Do well at SI Con Sold 10!

-Do well at La Grange Sold 5:)

-Have fun at Comic Con Check!

-Do well at Saluki Con Sold 11:)

-Enjoy Writer's conference Check!

-Do well at Wine and Brewfest Sold 8:)  Rained, so left early.

-Turn in financial aid form  Check!  Turned in 4/12

-Order CG and pay for Whispers Not yet..

-Order copies of Rex Not yet....

-Add words to existing WIPS Finished Rock Star and Finding Opal:)  Working on Paranormal Preacher and DYL #2

-Edit/submit Defending Your Life Not yet

-Have a good, relaxing Easter Check!

-Build up savings Bleh....going the wrong way.  Hopefully better next month.

Books Read: 3

            Print:  3

Karaoke Songs Added:  6

2022 Events:

-Weekend With The Authors (May 13-15, 2022) Nashville, TN Pd $300 2021; may need to cancel, due to cousin's wedding on 14th....depends on if Mom wants to go. UPDATE:  Will attend this year!! Budget Update:  Rooming with someone, so only need $170 for hotel, $100 for gas, and $$ for breakfast/lunch Fri, and breakfast Sat and Sun.

-PopCon (June 3-5) Indy Convention Center, Indpls, In Was asked to be a guest panelist; no word on what it's going to cost.  Site says $40/Saturday +$30 parking...so will need minimum of $100 for the day. UPDATE:  L says our fee is going to be comped, so only need parking and $$ for food/souveniers!

-Superman Celebration (June 9-12th, 2022) Metropolis, Il Need to pay $200, since check was never cashed for 2021.

-Wild Deadwood Reads (June 16-18th, 2022) Deadwood, SD 10-3pm Cost:  $160 (full table)  Skipping it this year; too many cons scheduled already.

Independent Author Book Expo (IABE June 18th) Peoria Convention Center, Peoria, Il Paid $60 3/16

Pride Fest (June 25th) Vincennes, In $25

-Imaginarium Convention (July 8-10, 2022) Louisville, KY $110 Pd 9/15

-Heroes For Kids (July 17th) Perrysville, Mo Pd $50 3/31 (bringing own tables)  May need to skip this, due to rising gas prices.....

-Royal Readers (Aug 6th) Mall of America $110 Pd 9/16/21  Thinking seriously about skipping, due to rising gas prices....5/19:  Officially cancelled.  Will do Watermelon Festival instead.

-State Fair Thinking of only doing Aug 17-19 this year....UPDATE:  Our space is too small, and no storage, so SUZANNE cancelled it for this year.

-Hanna House

-Daviess Co Wine and Art Fair

-Penned Con, St, Louis, Mo Pd 2020

-Cil-Con Mattoon, Il Pd $100 10/21/21

-First City Music Festival $50 Need to pay $100, since check was never cashed for 2021

-Lexington Legendary Book Signing (Oct 1st) $185 Pd $100 1/18/22

-Non-Con Middletown, OH

-Writer's Block Author Fair Toledo, Oh

-Collector's Carnival and Crafts (Oct 29th) Princeton, In

-Indpls Christmas Gift and Hobby Show (Nov) Indpls State Fairgrounds $100 Pd 11/26 (Bal:  $250)

-Louisville Con, Dec 9-11???

May Goals:

-Lose 5 lbs (227)

-Do well at AWWTA Had fun, but authors royally outnumbered the readers.  Did meet some who only read on their Kindles, so maybe in August I'll get a nice royalty check from Zon?

-Enjoy Granddaughter B's 1st b-day Check!

-Enjoy the 500 with mom Worked instead, and watched it online

-Order copies of Rex, CG, WA, BD, and MB Nope

-Add words to existing WIPS Check!

-Finish/add to Frank's story Added some...

-Build up savings Nope; ended up TAKING $100 out.

May Reading Schedule:

Print:

State of Terror-HRC and Louise Penny Enjoyed this fast-paced novel, even if it was by someone I can't stand....

Burner-J.S. Lenore DRR!  Loved this book and can't wait to read the next one!!!

Silent Whispers-M. Katherine Clark Interesting.....

Invincible Forever More- Lynda Sunshine West Really enjoyed some of the essays!

An Autographed Mystery-DeAnna Julie Dodson RR!  Really enjoyed this mystery:)

Legatia- Maria Pascale Weintraub Bleh...DNF.  Badly edited; it switches tense every page AND head-hops BADLY!  Gave it away.

Karaoke Songs:

5/5

The Beat Goes On-Sonny and Cher Did well!

The Climb-Miley Cyrus Nailed it!

Second Chance-Shinedown Was VERY happy this was good!

Everybody Hurts-REM Very good!

I Remember You-Skid Row Rocked the bar!

Independence Day-Martina McBride Wanted to show off my country skills to a guy named Patrick....

Does He Love You-Reba Sang this with Billie B, who was in town:)  Had to put up with a drunk guy singing with me...

F'n Perfect-Pink Admittedly, I wanted to show off for BB...

I Will Be-Leona Lewis Wanted to give my voice a break...

Whiskey Lullaby-Brad Paisley/Alison Kraus Patrick and I finally found a song we both knew to duet!  Poor guy can't harmonize though...

Don't Stop Believin'-Journey Closed out the bar with everyone singing along:)

5/12:  Skipping, due to AWWTA

5/19:

The Dream Is Still Alive-Wilson Phillips Nailed it.  Only song, due to possible tornado.

5/26:

The Final Countdown-Europe Good!

Secret Lovers-Atlantic Star Nailed it!  Sang both parts:)

Enough Of Me-Melissa Etheridge DNH

Fame-Irene Cara Good, but camera batteries died.  Will have to check to see how long the video is.

Fooling Yourself-Styx-Did well!

Strawberry Wine-Deana Carter (duet with Jennifer) Wasn't too bad; I couldn't hear myself.

Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now-Starship (duet with BC) We nailed it!

Heart Like Mine-Miranda Lambert Not too bad...

I Remember You-Skid Row Cracked myself up when I tripped over my tongue....

I Will Be-Leona Lewis Nailed it, and was complimented:)

Life in Lumber Y4, W10

 Day 45:  $6,066 (and 75 cents)

Arrived and had a WTH moment when Mgr G was telling Loader C "So I don't have to micro-manage so much...'  I nearly asked, "You mean you actually MANAGE?", but bit my tongue!   Took over for B, and after ringing up a few customers, had the soda count done before 6.  Paul A arrived, and I passed along Pro J's message, and he went to find his order.  An hour later, Loaders C and Al pushed his order up, and both ASMs M and K rang him up.  I did the prelim duties, and Em sent me to break at 7:30.  When I came back, began sweeping, and final customer was at 9pm. 

Had one customer say yes to donating her change, then was surprised when I began pulling out her $67.  She thought she donated ALL of it, ha ha!

Locked the doors at 9:50 when Loader AL began to bring in the concrete.  Found out K is leaving for the summer and they fired N.  So definitely NEED to get W into see Misty!!

Returned one item to plumbing, and handed off the curtain hooks to Charlie.  Clocked out at 10:15.

Outfit:  Fuzzy Socks tee, new faded jeggings, gold hoop earrings.

I'm off tomorrow; heading up to Lafayette to spend my 31st anniversary with Mom:)

Happy 19th birthday David Co and Grace Ca, and Happy 12th to Ben Ca:)

Day 46:  $4,853 (and 8 cents)

Arrived, and bought a deadbolt for Sara. Immediately helped with the line, then did the soda count and prelim duties.  Things were fairly steady until 7:20, when Liv sent me to break. Came back and swept, bought a bag of Gardetto's and printed off my pay stub, checked my email and schedule, and did my LU and heat exhaustion training.  After HC J cleaned me out, took the trash to the hopper and waited for Loader K to finish setting the safety pallets.  Clocked out at 10:15.

Outfit:  Star Wars tee, red v-neck, new faded jeggings, gold hoop earrings.

Day 47:  $8,541 (and 76 cents)

Arrived and took over for B, then did the soda count.  Was steady all the way until 7:30, when I began the prelim duties.  Em sent me to break, and when I returned, put away the soda and finished pulling trash and began sweeping.  Did my LU and mucked out the mats around 9:30, then organized the returns.  Locked the doors at 10, and when HC J cleaned me out, returned items to RW, Plumbing, Electrical, Tools, and ISLG.  Clocked out at 10:15.

Got a service star!!  ASM N said a survey came in and that I "engaged with her child, and now child wants to go back to" the store:)

Outfit:  Black V-neck tunic, new faded jeggings, gold hoop earrings

Day 48:  $12,775 (and 48 cents)

Arrived and immediately began ringing up customers.  Had the soda count finished by 6, and prelim duties and LU by 7. Started sweeping, but kept get interrupted, so finished after my break from 8:15-30. Around 9:30, pulled trash and mucked out the mats, and sanitized the registers and counters.  Loader AL broke a safety pallet, so put Loader K in charge of the door after HC J cleaned me out.  Clocked out at 10:15.

Only needed on o/r, and that was for a discounted water heater.  Also 'ordered' a sink, but there was none in the network, so customer's going to get a phone call, ASM N said.

W has interview tomorrow at 12:30 with ASM M.

Today was Mel's last day, as well as Loader K's.  Signed M's card...."You got me into this and now you're LEAVING?  Love you!"

Outfit:  CBS tee, red v-neck, dark jeggings, gold hoop earrings

Day 49:  Rare Sat $18,931 (and 71 cents)

Today was interesting.  Drove S's Jeep so she could use my van to move into her new apt.  Took W in for his interview, and Mgr S ended up conducting it. I clocked in and discovered I was 30 mins early, so did my LU, then went on down to Lumber.  Worked with Lexi, whom I was happy to see was NOT afraid to go get carts and MOVE out from behind the counter, ha ha!

W arrived at the counter at 1 and said his interview had gone well, and should expect a call by Wed.  Turns out he knows Tanner, our new loader.  S called; D's BP was 171/100; I called ASM N to let him know I might have to leave, and he said we didn't have coverage.  Told him if I got another call, I was going to leave, and he said okay; they'd deal with it.  W went home to keep an eye on him.

We really weren't that busy, but fairly steady, and I took a quick pit stop at 2:45 to grab my book for my lunch break.  Lex left at 3, and K called, asking when my lunch was.  I thought it was at 4....then was THRILLED when TDS and JAS appeared next to OSB, and T waved at me.  Went over to chat for a few, and officially met J, and was introduced as 'an old college friend, who dated SS'.  I just went along with it.  Matt passed the bar and is now in Chicago.  No word about Gretch's wedding, so I played dumb. Then had to get back to the register, and was hoping they'd check out through me, but no....still, it was good to see him, and now I want to see him again even more.  It's been nearly ten years.....he's still sexy!

At 5:30, I saw Mgr N and jokingly told him I was 'wasting away....when am I getting sent to lunch?'  He said 6:30....there had been a few call ins, so they were shuffling people around.  I called K.  At 6:45, Marilyn showed up, and I skeddadled over to Subway.  K bought me lunch, and had a nice visit with he and Miss B.  S and A showed up, and said D was doing better.  I returned to work.

An hour later, S called; D had vomited and was shaking.  I called ASM M and told her I needed to leave. Marilyn returned, and I told her just to pull the trash and hand the paperwork to HC J at the end, and I'd clean it up on Sunday.  I then went home and bullied D into getting into the truck.  Took him to the ER; his BP was up, and he had a temp of 101.  An hour later, it went up to 102.  He tested neg for CV and flu, but tests revealed his heart was enlarged.  By 2 am, his fever broke, his BP returned to normal, and he was more lucid than he'd been at 9pm, so they let him go home, b/c he couldn't give them a urine sample.  Was home by 3am.

Outfit:  Gray hooded sweatshirt, dark jeggings, gold hoop earrings.

Day 50:  Rare Sun Happy Mother's Day!  $14,248 (and 37 cents)

Woke up at 10:45 and called ASM N to tell him what took place at the ER, and the fact I'd not gotten home until after 3, and had just woken up.  Told him I'd be in by noon. Arrived at 12:30 and helped Lexi, then she went to lunch at 1. When she returned, they needed her up front, and that's when things got interesting. I was ringing people up as fast as I could, when a customer brought me an SOS order they'd found in the clearance bin.  While I was waiting for HC J or ASM N to come down, I hopped over to 2 and rang up customers until 2's pinpad shut down.  By then, #1 was free again.  Was busy all the way til 5, and did manage to get the soda count done and the floor partially swept.  Noah relieved me for lunch (McA's) and when I returned, did the closing duties and rang up my last customer at 7:55.  Had Loader E (who CUT his hair!!!) watch the door so I could make a pit stop.  Clocked out at 8:30.

Outfit:  Bless This Mess sweatshirt, dark jeggings, diamond flower earrings.