Life In Lumber: Y5, W49

 Day 204:

Was asked to come in at 2, so arrived and took over for Kem. Alice and I traded off ringing up customers, and I took a brief pit stop at 3:45, knowing she was leaving at 4.  Patty arrived at five after to send me to lunch.  Came back at 5 and did the prelim duties, then began sweeping. Had the mats mucked by 7, and the registers sanitized by 8. Pulled trash, then had Sage watch the register so I could make another pit stop and add water to my cup. Sanitized the counters, locked the doors at 9, and returned items to Plumbing and Millwork. Brought in the discounted concrete while Loader A was bringing in the concrete pallets.  After he brought the hopper back, I closed the garage door and put up my vest.  Good shift, but then had to defrost the car before I could leave the parking lot.

Outfit:  Mama Bear sweatshirt, dark jeggings, LJs, crystal studs

Day 205:

Arrived at 4:30; Alice took a pit stop. After she left at 5, I did the prelim duties, and began sweeping around 5:30. Was mucking out the mats by 7, and pulled trash when I came back from my break around 7:45. Shift was nice and steady and went fast tonight.  ISLG Chris began painting the break room a slight neon green.  Final customer left at 9; I locked the doors behind them.  HC Shel cleaned me out; took the trash to the hopper, then had to let out another customer who'd bought a shower. Clocked out at 9:20.

Outfit:  White cable sweater, dark jeggings, LJs, Yukon Tartan buttons.

Day 206:

Arrived and took over for Alice, did the prelim duties, then SM J asked me to do my LU.  Told him I wasn't sure what I was doing wrong; he had me bring up the screen and showed me what to click on. Waited until Pro J left so I could do it on his register, so did that around 6. Was fairly steady, and did the soda list. Went to break at 7 and when I returned, started sweeping, then got busy with customers. Finally pulled trash at 8:30, did a cursory sweep, then sanitized the registers. Mucked out the mats, then locked the doors at 8:55. Walked HC Shel up front, then took the trash to the hopper, returned a water bottle up front, and put up my vest. Clocked out at 9:15.

The new paint job in out break room is BRIGHT!!!

Outfit:  Lt gray IN sweatshirt, new faded jeggings, LJs, red rock danglies

Off to Lafayette tomorrow, to take Mom to her dermotology appt, then the Pantheon on Friday.

Day 207:  Rare Sat

Arrived and took over for Kelly, then did the prelim duties.  Was fairly steady until 6:30, when I began sweeping.  Did my LU, and requested off my April dates. Amy sent me to break at 7:30, and when I returned, finished sweeping, then pulled trash.  Mucked out the mats and sanitized the registers.  Locked the doors at 8:55 and fronted the soda. HC Shel cleaned me out, then opened the large door so ASM SC could bring in the concrete. Took the trash to the hopper and put up my vest.  Clocked out at 9:30.

Outfit:  Blue Cozy Blankets sweatshirt, new faded jeggings, LJs, gold wreaths

Off tomorrow!

Life In Lumber: Y5, W48

 Day 200:

Arrived, feeling slightly above 'death warmed over'. Took over for Alice, did the prelim duties, and noticed my dustmop had returned, but not the dustpan, and the tiny white one was also MIA! Went ahead and swept, confident I could find SOMETHING to sweep it into. Did my AP4Me and LU. Was fairly steady between 5:30-7, then things tapered off again.  Rang up a LARGE VSP order. #1 decided to go haywire for a moment, so shut it down and rang up a customer on Pro J's while #1 rebooted, then behaved itself for the rest of the night.

Pulled trash at 8; went to break at 8:30, and found another small white dustpan to sweep up my mess into.  Returned; swept up the mess; HC Shel cleaned me out.  Had to wait for Jace to bring in the concrete and the OSB; didn't even LEAVE lumber until after 9:30. Returned items to Tools, Electrical, and Fashion Bath. Clocked out at 9:40.

Outfit:  Blue Whitehorse sweatshirt, dark jeggings, LJs,  thick silver hoops

Day 201:

Arrived feeling 50% better! The place was dead, but grabbed a dustpan off the shelf (per ASM SW's advice) and took over for Alice, who was ringing up 18 bags of busted concrete.  I hopped on #1 and rang up a few customers, then helped her with the count.  When she left, did the prelim duties and rang up more customers. Austin brought down the soda; I filled it around 7.  Pulled trash around 8, then A sent me to break.  Came back and swept the place.  Loader A brought in the concrete and took the hopper around. After HC Shel cleaned me out, I shut the large door and returned items to Electrical and Hardware. Put up the 3 extra Red Bulls and clocked out at 9:25.

Amy is taking my shift on Feb 1st:)

Loader A slapped a $10 bill down to 'rent' the new dustpan....then found his, hidden within the lumber stack!  Gave him back his $10, lol.....

Am off tomorrow, but plans to travel north were cancelled.

Outfit:  Red hooded sweater, dark jeggings, LJs, Mickey Mouse.

Day 202:

Arrived; another slow, rainy shift. Took over for Alice; did prelim duties.  Someone put an entire CASE of outside trash bags in our storage locker!  Oh happy day:)  Swept; fronted soda; rang up customers, brought in carts from the sidewalk, did my LU, and sanitized the registers.  Austin sent me to break at 8, and when I returned, pulled the trash and cleaned off the top rack of the snacks...it was FILTHY!  Locked the doors after last customer left at 9, and walked HC Shel to the front.  Returned items to Paint, Lights, Electrical, and Plumbing, then took the trash to the hopper, put up my vest, and returned one more item to Flooring.  Clocked out at 9:30.

When I arrived, there was a bit of drama playing out; our new guy in Tools apparently is dating HC S, and threatened her.  ASM Alex had to send an email to maybe Jeff or Corporate about it.

Also, due to the rain, I needed a pit stop 30 minutes into my shift.  ASM A covered it.

Outfit:  Brown gauze tee, black vest, dark jeggings, LJs, small diamond studs

Day 203:

Arrived and took over for Kem (Alice got married today!!!  She NEVER told me yesterday...) and did the prelim duties, then began sweeping.  Fronted soda, then ended up tallying it. Val sent me to break at 6:30; had a customer get 66 panels of drywall, plus 5 toilets and whatever else.  Ran it through VSP and saved him 22%:)  When I returned from lunch, finished putting away the soda; finished sweeping, then mucked the mats, sanitized the registers and counters, and pulled trash.  Final customer left at 9, and locked the doors after him.  ASM Charlie brought in the concrete; HC Shel cleaned me out.  Returned an item to Plumbing, then put up my vest.  Clocked out at 9:30.  Val agreed to work for me on the 14th:)  Must remember to email Holly on Mon.

Pinpad died on me 3 times, pooh.  At least I didn't have a line everytime it went down!  HC Britt said to press the arrow and pound at the same time to reset it, rather than pull it apart (which was how I reset it!)

Outfit:  Maroon/Gold plaid, l/s black tee, dark jeggings, LJs, small diamond hoops

I'm off the weekend!!!!

Life In Lumber: Y5, W 47

 Day 199:

Went in, even though I'm a coughing, sneezing mess.  Spoke with Holly about giving me a sick day on Sat, and she did! Cori was there until 4, so helped with the line, did some of the prelim duties, and scrounged up one more trash bag for the medium one. After C left, finished the prelim duties and was fairly steady. At 7:30, pulled trash....and discovered the black bags are NOT for the outside can, so put that trash back, lol! HC Kay sent me to break at 8, and when I returned, did some spot-sweeping (my dustbroom and dustpan were both MIA)). Cam brought in the concrete at 8:50, and after Loader Jax brought the rest of the carts in, went ahead and shut the large door. Jax took my trash; after HC Kay cleaned me out, returned items to Tools and Plumbing, and put up my vest.  Told ASM CB, "Is it okay if I go ahead and tell you I won't be there tomorrow?"  He laughed and patted me on the back.  Seriously; I feel like death warmed over.  When I left, I told him I was going home to drown myself in some chicken soup.  He said, "Hope you feel better soon!"

Me too!

Outfit:  Blue Cozy blankets sweatshirt, white turtleneck, faded jeggings, LJs, thick gold hoops

Had to call in Friday; bronchitis.

I really picked a good week to be sick; they're cutting hours at work, so was off the schedule M-W. Had to have breathing treatments Fri-Sun.  The weather is supposed to be warmer next week; here's hoping I don't have to take any more days off!

Life In Lumber: Y5, W46

 Day 194: 

Arrived and let Alice take her break; started the prelim duties. When she left at 5,  finished the prelim duties, did my LU and AP4Me, then Kelly sent me to lunch. Returned and swept, then mucked the mats and sanitized the registers. Gathered trash at 7:30 and wiped off the top of the soda cooler. Final customers left at 8:50, after applying for a credit app and being approved.  Walked Cam through the process of getting their 20% discount.

After Loader A brought in the concrete, HC Kay cleaned me out. Put up my vest and clocked out at 9:40. Got pissed when ASM Shan told me to come in at 5 the rest of the week.  Hopefully my funds won't be TOO affected; they had to cut 200 hours.  Bleh...

Rained heavily.

Outfit:  Gray/black leopard, black vest, new dark jeggings, LJs, silver hearts

Day 195:

Arrived and took over for Alice, then did the prelim duties Was fairly steady for 2 hours, then fronted the soda and did my LU and aisle blocker training.  Kelly sent me to break at 6:30, and when I returned, began sweeping. Pulled trash at 7:30. One of my fave customers bought every damn thing on our clearance rack, so that took some time, marking it all down 75%!  Sanitized the registers, mucked out the mats, and locked the doors at 8:55. HC Kay cleaned me out; ASM Charlie brought in the concrete and took the trash. I closed the garage door and put up my vest. Clocked out at 9:25 and went to the gas station.

Outfit:  Maroon blouse, black vest, faded jeggings, LJs, gold and diamond ovals.

Off to Lafayette tomorrow, weather permitting!!

Day 196:  

Walked into a sh*t show.  1st customer, check wouldn't go through, even after HC Shel said to run it through #3.  They finally ended up taking it to CS and it was approved.  Then, customer wanted 130 sheets of 1/2x4x12 drywall and 63 5/8x4x12 drywall.  THAT took an hour...in the meantime, another customer wanted an entire bunk of 7/16 OSB.  A third man wanted 100 sheets of 1/2x4x8 drywall....but he wanted delivery, THANK GOD! Then when I went to ring up the guy with the OSB, something happened and I ended up having to rescan everything....then realized after running it through VSP, I'd forgotten the OSB!  So gave him 10% off the entire thing, which was the same rate as his VSP for the other stuff.  I humbly apologized and said I was way off my game tonight.  After they got him loaded, another customer wanted 70 rolls of blown-in insulation.  Loader A and I were both wishing at that point we'd called in!  I finally started the closing duties at 8pm....and had HC Kay cover me while I took a pit stop.  Swept and did my LU, and pulled trash at 8:30, but that's all.  Didn't sanitize or muck the mats.  After Loader A brought in the concrete, I locked the doors. HC Shel cleaned me out, and I returned items to Electrical and Aisle 10, then put up my vest. Clocked out at 9:35.

Went to karaoke to see if my voice was back, and it is, about 90%. Still slightly scratchy in the low tones.  Randy B and Nanette showed up; there were only 3 singers, so in an hour, I sang 6 songs!  Came home to a grouchy spouse.

Outfit:  Bless This Mess sweatshirt, faded jeggings, LJs, sea horses

Day 197:

Arrived to a slow day; constant rain. Did the prelim duties, then straightened up the Clearance rack.  One of my favorite female realtors came in and bought a LOT of the cover plates, pissing off the customer behind her, as I knocked 75% off nearly 30 items. Everyone else was patient; the ironic thing was, when he got fed up and left, I only had 5 more items to knock down!  Oh well....

Started feeling strange around 7, but attributed it to being hungry. HC Shel sent me to break at 7:15, but during my break, began dry heaving as I finished my lunchable.  Went back to work, but then nausea hit me around 7:50, and had to send a customer to get someone for me, as I was afraid to stand up and use the phone; I was vomiting into the trash can. HC Shel sent me home, where I continued to be sick for the next 24 hours.  Lovely.  Had to call in Sat, due to not being able to be vertical longer than 30 minutes at a time.

Outfit:  Gray sweater, faded jeggings, LJs, light blue studs

Day 198:  Rare Sun (4 degrees!)

Arrived; everyone was happy to see me! Took over for HC Shel, and was slightly busy for a few mins, then did the prelim duties, and began sweeping.  Around 4:30, I realized I was overdoing it, and sat down for a while, ringing up customers as needed.  Did my LU. Swept when I felt better. HC Shel sent me break at 7, and when I returned, joked with ASM Charlie about him bringing in the trash.  ASM A was with him and said, "Isn't that a Molly Job?"  Charlie agreed; I stuck my tongue out at him! Put on my fleece coat and fingerless gloves and pulled it, plus brought in two carts.  After locking the doors at 9, ASM Charlie brought in the concrete and declared, "It's officially cold enough to freeze grease!"  He had no brakes, power steering, or controls, and blew a lot of smoke as he brought in both pallets.

We also couldn't do propane exchanges, b/c the lock was frozen.

Once I'd closed the large door again, returned items to Tools, Electrical, Flooring, and Hardware. Clocked out at 8:30.

Outfit:  Dark gray IN sweatshirt, faded jeggings, LJs, dark blue studs

Life In Lumber: Y5, W45

 Day 189:  New Year's Day (3-6pm)

Arrived and tried to take over for Marilyn, but the line was long, so hopped on #2 to help.  Tried to buy a calendar, but we couldn't locate D's info, so I talked Paul A into buying it for me:)  After M left, did the prelim duties and my LU. Was busy the rest of the time, but did manage to pull the trash and spot-sweep (there was no time for a deep-clean!). Loader Nate brought in the concrete and took the trash; after HC Kay cleaned me out, returned items to Plumbing, Electrical, Millwork, and Hardware. Put up my vest; clocked out at 6:25.

Outfit:  B/W tee, l/s black tee, new dark jeggings, LJs, antique silver and pearl danglies

Day 190:

Broke down and went to ER b/c of my left knee, and called work, to let them know I might be late or not there at all.  Turns out knee is just inflamed, so I showed up at 4 and did my LU and AP4Me before heading back onto the floor (which turned out to be a GOOD decision, ha ha!)  ASM Shan, SC, and Alex, along with SM J expressed surprise, then were happy nothing was seriously wrong.  Just felt like a Mummy from the knees down....left one is wrapped, right one has compression socks. 

Shift was good; Alice and I worked well together until she left at 5, and we restocked the Coke coolers. After she left, I did the prelim duties, then restocked the rest. Shelby sent me to break at 6:30, and when I returned, was busy. Started to pull trash around 7:30, but was interrupted by a string of customers, two having clearance items which needed o/rs. Then I had a customer whose LU card wasn't activated, and had to use 3 different catds to pay for everything. They finally got everything resolved around 8:45. Rang up my remaining 3 customers and locked the doors, then pulled the trash!  Discovered my brooms were MIA, so didn't get a chance to sweep.  ASM Shan cleaned me out, then I walked her up front and returned items to Hardware and Aisle 30.  Returned as Jase was bringing in the concrete. Loader Jax took the trash, and I returned a final item to Millwork, then put up my vest.  Clocked out at 9:30.

Outfit:  Palm tree sweatshirt, black l/s tee, new dark jeggings, LJs, blue sapphire hoops

Day 191:

Arrived and hopped on #2 to help with the line. Alice went to break; I did the soda count, then she was needed up front. Had ASM Charlie watch the register at 5 so I could make a pit stop....then again at 7:30.  Never did get my break. Accidentally knocked over the Sprite pack, and sold it for $1 to one of my customers.  Also printed out the QR codes I'd made at home and handed out all but 15.  Hopefully, I'll earn that GC!  Had lots of downtime, so managed to get ALL the closing duties accomplished, even using 3 Clorox wipes on the coffee station!  After HC Shan cleaned me out, walked her up front and returned items to Hardware and Aisle 10.  Came back and let in Loader A with the concrete; took my trash to the hopper, and after I closed the door, returned items to Tools and Plumbing.  Clocked out at 9:20.

Outfit:  Brown sweater, new dark jeggings, LJs, copper/larimar danglies

Day 192:

Arrived and sent Alice to break.  Was slightly busy, esp when Corey M needed a phone sale, so had to invoice it, hop over to #2 and sign in, then back to #1 to bust the line asap.  Finally got everyone rang up; went back to #2; C had the customer on the phone.  Got him started, then back to #1.  Needed an o/r, so called for it, then back to #2!  HC Brit arrived to take care of #1 while we were finishing up on #2!  Then hopped back to #1.  Alice and I did a quick soda count, but she said there was no coke or Pepsi on the shelf.  She left at 5; I did the prelim duties and began sweeping. HC Brit said there was soda in receiving, so I did a proper count, and when Bella sent me to lunch at 7:15, she took it down when I returned. Pulled trash, and put away all the soda HC Britt brought down.  Mucked the mats and wiped down the coffee station. Locked the doors at 9; HC Britt cleaned me out while I took the trash to the hopper; Jace brought in the concrete; I shut the large door and put up my vest. Clocked out at 9:30.

Outfit:  Red turtle, new dark jeggings, LJs, thin gold hoops

Off Fri for the Writers Roundup at the Pantheon, and Saturday!  Bella agreed to work my shift on the 24th, so I can take Mom to the hair salon.  Need to email Holly on Sun.

Day 193:  Rare Sun

Arrived to find out ASM Charlie had just been confronted by an angry customer. Took over for Marilyn and did the prelim duties, then was fairly busy for 2 hours. At 5:30, Dawson came down to give me my break, and when I returned, swept the area, did my LU, emailed Holly about the 24th, and pulled trash. Final customer left at 8:45, though after I locked the doors and ASM SW was cleaning me out, had 2 guys knocking on the door!  I took the trash down while ASM Charlie brought in the concrete, then returned items to Plumbing, Electrical, and Hardware.  Clocked out at 8:30.

Outfit:  Blue Christmas sweater, new dark jeggings, LJs, silver crosses

Happy New Year! Welcome 2024!!!

 It's a brand new year!  How did I round out the end of 2023?

-Lose 5 lbs (start 138)

-Finish singer story Not yet...

-Finish Paranormal Preacher story added a few words....

-Get cover art for DYL Still waiting....

-Start saving for NYC trip; pay deposit $300 Check!

-Work enough hours to pay for ^ events, inventory, and build up savings Check, though savings is limping along....

-Bake cookies 

   -Thanksgiving:  5 Doz Choc Chip

   -12/9:  3.5 doz Oatmeal-Raisin, 4 doz Choc Chip

   -12/18: 6 doz chocolate chip

   -12/19: 8 Doz Oatmeal-Raisin

   -12/24: 4 Doz chocolate chip

   -12/26:  5.5 Doz M&M

-Buy/wrap gifts Check!

-Send Christmas Cards 12/20:  Addressed and sealed; just need stamped

-Celebrate K's birthday Check!  Texas Rdhouse on the 9th:)

-Enjoy MY birthday Check! Baked, ate at Texas Rdhouse; saw the X-mas lights

-Finish deep-cleaning MBA Not yet...

-Clean S and W's old bdrms Slated for Jan.  W moved home 12/18

-Buy Business Cards Not yet...

-Watch Grimm Watched final 5 episodes Christmas Day:)

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

Health:  Due to my two falls (Nov 10th and Dec 2nd), and my left knee and leg still swollen, made an appointment to have it looked at.  Unfortunately, was called to Jury Duty (ugh!) the same day as my appointment, so here's hoping I get another text saying 'thank you, we don't require your services', the way it happened in October! Received text; didn't need me!   Whoot!

Books Read:  Dec:  5          2023: 66     

           Print:  3                    20

       E-book:  2                    46

            DNF:                       2

2024 Events:

Jan 5th:  Writer's Roundup, Pantheon, 5-7pm Bleh....had to lead; meeting was over in an hour!

Feb 2nd:  Writer's Roundup, Pantheon, 5-7pm

March 16th??  Magic of Books, Columbus, In ($40-50) Might skip this one; have never heard from organizer.

March:  GSH 7-5

April 5-8th:  Eclipse???

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

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

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

July:  Heroes For Kids (pd 2022) Might have to skip this one again....

July:  Imaginarium, Louisville, KY Pd 11/2023

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

September:  Cil-Con, Effingham, Il

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

November:  Indpls Christmas Gift And Hobby Show

December:  Kringle Market

January Goals:

-Lose 5 lbs

-Get cover art for CYBL

-Add words to any existing wips:  PP, Singer, TT

-Mail Christmas Cards Check!  Mailed 1/3:)

-Get knee looked at Check:) Getting MRI 1/14; showed no tears. Therapy exercises assigned 1/29

-Get hair cut

-Cut carpet out of S's old room

-Pay next installment for NYC trip ($600) 1/12:  Pd $300; 1/26, pd $100

-Work enough hours to pay^^^^^

-Upload digital copies to Patreon

-Fix mistakes in CYBL Check:)

-/Begin short story due in June

-Finish short story for BKM

-Convert 2 VHS to DVD ($44)

-Finish watching Outlander

-Read more in evenings

2024 Goals:

Apparently, I didn't even make goals in 2023, other than say I was going to do the same ones as 2022....but never followed through.  So to rectify that, here are the goals for this BRAND NEW YEAR!

-Publish Choosing Your Best Life

-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

-Work enough hours to pay for NYC trip

-ENJOY NYC TRIP

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

-Finish any of the following: 

    -Paranormal Preacher

    -Singer Story

    -Aiden Kross antho

    -Heart Song

   -Short story for Antho

   -Short story for BKM antho

-Sell 200 books

-Promote Patreon page and get more sponsers

-Sign up for Venmo and Cash App, for cashless/non-CC readers

-Be a vendor at the following events:

    -First Fridays

    -March:  GSH Vendor Fair

    -April:  Kokomo Can, E'ville Craft Fair; Eclipse event???

    -May:  SI Con

    -June:  Superman

    -July:  InConJunction, Imaginarium

    -Aug:  IABE, Geek Con

    -Sept:  Cil-Con

    -Oct:  Graceland

    Nov:  Christmas Show, GSH, Kringle Market

-Carve out more reading time

-December, put out the Nativity and Morty

I think that's a long enough list, ha ha!

-

January Reading Schedule:

Print:

Let The Drum Speak-Linda Lay Shuler Good story!  I remembered enough of the 1st one that I wasn't confused as to the characters.

Christmas In The Movies  Very informative, and now I'd like to see some from the 40s!

42 Years In The Classroom-Joseph Ruhl Very good!  Would be good to pass onto future teachers, for encouragement:)

The Wedding Veil-Kristy Woodson Harvey DRR!!!  Really enjoyed this story, and now I want to visit the Biltmore Estate, and see or at least google the artwork of Karl Bittnor (boy stealing geese and the one in Central Park).  Was thrilled to see friend Kristin Harmel mentioned in the acknowledgments, and need to google Friends and Fiction.

The Lost Five-K.L. Wilboorn Good story!

The Whispers From Beyond -KL Wilborn DNR....just wasn't invested in the story.

The Other Queen-Philippa Gregory Good story, though EXTREMELY repetitive in parts.

That Certain Spark-Cathy Marie Hake Good story:)

Stars of Fortune-Nora Roberts Interesting story!  Would like to find the other two in this series...

The American Way-Helene Stapinski/Bonnie Siegler DRR!  LOVED this!

The Faerie of Central Park-Bruce McGraw Cute story! Took this to work and enjoyed it..

Dino Horrors-Matt Schorr Cute story!

E-book:

Boyfriend-Sarina Bowen Good story!  Made me forget I was reading 1st PP Pov:)

One Way Back To Me-Carrie Ann Ryan Good story!!  Might have to investigate the rest of this series....

Love You Right-Julia Kent RR!  Slightly long, but excellent dialogue (though the caps got to me after a while), and loved the twists and turns it took for Rachel and Kell to finally COMMUNICATE with each other, build trust, and find their HEA.

One For The Money-Skye Warren Good story:)

Kissing Tolstoy-Penny Reid DRR!  Could NOT put this down!  Excellent:)