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.

Life In Lumber: Y5, W52

 Day 218:  Temps mid 40s

Arrived and hugged Pro Jeremy, since he lost his brother last week in a tragic accident. Took over for Alice, and was busy for 30 mins, then did the prelim duties, fronted the soda, did my AP4Me and LU, then started my yearly LSR refresher course. Didn't finish until 7:45, due to ringing up customers. HC Kay sent me to break, and when I returned, swept the area, pulled the trash, mucked the mats, and sanitized the registers. Locked the doors at 9. ASM Shan cleaned me out; I walked her up front and returned items to Paint and Hardware, then went back, put the trash in the hopper (Jase had already brought in the concrete), and put up my vest.  Then didn't remember if Shan had gotten the paperwork, so went back down, and retrieved it.  Clocked out at 9:25.

Also got an 'atta girl' email from ASM Shannon, since my 5 year anniversary is next week.

Outfit:  Blue striped sweater, faded jeggings, LJs, blue filigree danglies

Day 219: Temps Mid 50s

Arrived and took over for Marilyn, who was puzzled by a glitch in the system when a customer tried to use his card. Backed out of the screen and had him redo it; worked fine.  She was happy to be out of there!  After the line was done, did the prelim duties, then was slammed until after 5. Fronted soda and did the count, then took the Monster count. Began sweeping, then was busy again. HC Kay sent me to break at 7 and when I returned, put away the soda and did my LU, plus requested off my April Choir dates. Sanitized the counters and coffee bar and pulled trash. Locked the doors at 8:55.  HC Kay cleaned me out; Loader C brought in the concrete, then took my trash to the hopper. Put up my vest and paid for my GS cookies from Theresa.  Clocked out at 9:40.

Outfit:   Brown blouse, black l/s tee, faded jeggings, brown cluster danglies

Day 220: Temps in the mid-60s!

Arrived and took over for Kem.  Did the prelim duties, and brought in carts.  Did my LU, printed off my paystub, and requested March 23rd off. Was slightly busy between 4-5, then began sweeping at 5:30. Rider sent me to break at 7, but before I could leave, had to double-check the price of a door AND find the 23/32nds plywood for a customer. Finally clocked out at  7:20. After I returned, finished sweeping, mucked the mats, pulled the trash, and sanitized the registers.  Final customer left after 9, then I cleaned out the coffee pot, put up my vest, and returned an item to Hardware.  Clocked out at 9:30.

Outfit:  Blue sparkly shirt, faded jeggings, blue marble danglies

Day 221:  Rare Sat

Arrived and took over for Austin. Was busy for half an hour, then did the prelim duties and my LU. Began sweeping at 6:30. Fronted soda. Pulled trash at 7:30; Amy sent me to break at 8. Returned and finished sweeping, then sanitized the coffee bar. When Loader C was bringing in the concrete, there were still 2 people in our area.  Went up and asked if they knew we were closed; they looked surprised, but headed up front to join the rest of their family. I locked the doors and shut the large door after C finished. Returned items to Tools, Hardware, and Plumbing. Put up my vest and clocked out at 9:30.

Outfit:  Blue hooded Cabella's sweatshirt, dark jeggings, LJs, diamond stud and diamond heart stud

Life In Lumber: Y5, W51

 Day 214:

Was asked to come in at 4, due to a gap, so did, and took over for Alice, who was more than ready to get the hell out of Dodge. Was busy for an hour, then things slowed down. Did the prelim duties, checked my mail, sent a reminder to Holly, Shannon, and Scott about Wed, did my AP4Me and LU, and fronted the soda. Began sweeping around 6:30. HC Kay sent me to break at 7:30 and when I returned, finished sweeping, pulled the trash, and helped Brighton with a VSP. Mucked the mats and sanitized the registers. Cleaned #1's counter, due to someone having a leaky bag of concrete or grouting. Locked the doors at 9 and returned items to Seasonal and Tools, then went back to Lumber and opened the large door so Jace could bring in the concrete.  Took my trash to the hopper.  After J was done, took the cardboard down, then returned items to Electrical and hung up my vest. Clocked out at 9:35.

Outfit:  Gray hooded sweatshirt, new dark jeggings, LJs, red beaded danglies

Off the next two days to go to Lafayette:)

Day 215:

Arrived to find out Val can't sub for me on Sat. At the end of the shift, HC Kay got a hold of Dawson, who agreed to switch with me. So I'm working for him tomorrow, and he'll work Sunday.  Took over for Alice, then did the prelim duties. Did my LU, and swept the place. Pulled trash at 7:30, then got sent to break. Came back and Val left me some pistachios! Fronted the soda, sanitized the coffee bar. Locked the doors at 9, and checked out my final customer. ASM Charlie brought in the concrete; I took the trash to the hopper. HC Kay cleaned me out; returned items to Plumbing, Millwork, Lights, Appliances, and Hardware. Put up my vest and clocked out at 9:30.

Had a 'family reunion'....D's Aunt Mary and Uncle Joe were there around 6, and his cousin Matt was there around 8:30:)

Outfit:  Dark gray and white striped sweater, new dark jeggings, LJs, black danglies

Day 216: 

Began snowing around 1; had D drive me in. Discovered Alice had called in, so took over for Austin. Rang up a few customers, then HC Britt brought me some 5s and 1s for #1. Gas pains hit; around 5:45 called down and asked if Austin could relieve me.  He arrived after I rang up 3 more customers, then escaped to the bathroom.  Returned a few minutes later, and the place had died down.  Did the prelim duties and my LU, then swept the area. HC Britt sent me to break at 7:30, and when I returned, pulled trash and finished sweeping. Sanitized the registers and coffee bar, and locked the doors at 9. ASM Charlie brought in the concrete and took my trash to the hopper. Put up my vest and went up front; ASM SC said he has my 5 year badge on his desk:)  I'll get it tomorrow.  Clocked out at 9:30.

Outfit:  Red/Black plaid, black l/s tee, faded jeggings, LJs, black crystal wires

Day 217:  Rare Sat

Temps were still cold. Arrived and helped Dawson out (hugged him first as a Thank You for working for me tomorrow!) for an hour before he left at 5. Did the prelim duties and worked up a soda count, intending to fill it before D left, but a crowd arrived.  Helped Matt with a credit app and VSP. Did my LU. Swept the place, and brought in carts from the sidewalk. Amy sent me to break at 7; I took the coffee pot back with me and cleaned it out. Returned and mucked out the mats, pulled trash, sanitized the registers, and had to dismantle the coffee bar to wipe it down, since someone had spilled coffee UNDER the containers. Locked the doors at 9.  When HC Britt cleaned me out, took the trash to the hopper and returned items to Tools, Plumbing, Aisle 12, and Hardware. Put up my vest, then went up front. ASM SC gave me my 5 year patch:)  Clocked out at 9:30.

Outfit:  Dark gray IN sweatshirt, faded jeggings, LJs, red head wrap, blue fingerless gloves, thin gold hoop and diamond thin gold hoop

Off tomorrow to work the Paint-n-Sip fundraiser for the NYC trip!

February's Goals

Was it just me, or did January seem to drag on fooooreeeevaaaaahhhh?   Now granted, I spent the majority of the month coughing my lungs up, but I did manage to get a LOT of reading accomplished, as well as binge-watching my Peacock shows.

-Lose 5 lbs (start:  238) Lost 6, then put back on 4.  Ended up at 236, which is still a win!

-Get cover art for CYBL Not yet; Ron said his students are working on it.

-Add words to any existing wips:  PP, Singer, TT Not really....

-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 Appt canceled due to my being too sick to travel.  Now set for Feb 13th:)

-Cut carpet out of S's old room Not yet; weather too bad

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

-Work enough hours to pay^^^^^ bleh....hours were cut, but did manage to pay $400!  Next month looks bleak, though.

-Upload digital copies to Patreon Not yet...

-Fix mistakes in CYBL Check:)

-/Begin short story due in June Nope...

-Finish short story for BKM Nope....

-Convert 2 VHS to DVD ($44) Nope....you'd think being sick would have been a great opportunity to screen the tapes, but no....

-Finish watching Outlander Check:)

-Read more in evenings Check!

Health:  MRI on knee revealed nothing torn (thank you Lord!), and was given exercises on 1/29.  Unfortunately, was overzealous the 1st day and made my ankle hurt worse.  Started them up again 2/3.

Was also diagnosed with bronchitis on 1/24 and finished meds 1/28.  As of now, the coughing isn't as bad and I'm not needing breathing treatments twice a day, in order to function and to sleep at night.

Books Read:  17    

           Print:  12                   

       E-book:    5                  

            DNF:   1                       

2024 Events:

Feb 2nd:  Writer's Roundup, Pantheon, 5-7pm 5 of us showed up, and had a good discussion!

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

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

Feb Goals:

-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

February Reading Schedule:

Print:

The Fable of Wren-Rue Sparks  Honestly, the best part of this book was the final 2 chapters. Read it b/c I'm a friend of the author, and I admittedly skimmed some of the text.

A Million Notes-Pepper Choplin LOVED THIS!!!!

Marathonarium Anthology-Carma Hadley Shoemaker, et al Some I skimmed; at least 2 I really loved!  Great job Jen Selinsky and Carma Hadley Shoemaker!!!

E-book:

A Wright Christmas-KA Linde  DRR!  Could NOT put this one down!  Excellent story!

Rush-Kandi Steiner Finally finished this one.  Was confusing at times, with so many characters, nicknames, and the damn thing ended on a cliffhanger. Still have no desire to read the next one; I can guess what's going to happen; it's just that I don't care.

Life In Lumber: Y5, W50

 Day 208:

Good shift!  Arrived and took over for Cori, then did the prelim duties and began sweeping.  Did my LU and AP4Me, then had a string of customers which kept me busy for about an hour. Had everything swept by 7, and HC Kay sent me to break at 7:15. Returned and fronted the soda, then pulled trash, mucked the mats, and sanitized the registers. Final customer was at 8:50. Locked the doors at 9 and while HC Kay was cleaning out the drawers, took the trash down. Returned items to Tools and Electrical.  Found out Loader A leaves later this week...boo!!!  Clocked out at 9:15.

Outfit:  Black v-neck tunic, yellow plaid vest, new faded jeggings, LJs, teal green rock danglies

Off tomorrow, unless I get called in.  Paul A said he'd stop by to rummage through the brown house, but not holding my breath.  He's told me so many times he'll be by, and has only been by once.  I'll believe it when I see it.

Day 209:

Arrived; Alice was ringing up a customer on #2; Pro Kath was ringing up Corey on #1.  I brought in a few carts, then hopped on Pro J's register to ring up 2 customers until the others were finished. Did the prelim duties, rang up customers, and swept. Loader C was stressed, due to being pulled in 2 directions, and couldn't find a spotter.  He finally found one, only to be told by the customer, "I'm tired of waiting.  I'm going home."  HC Shel sent me to break at 7:30 and when I returned, finished sweeping, pulled trash, and sanitized the coffee bar. Final customer was at 8:40, so locked the left door. Locked the right one at 8:55 and returned items to Hardware, Paint, and Plumbing after walking HC Shel up front. Loader C took the hopper and brought in the concrete; I took a drip edge down to Aisle 52 and put up my vest.  Clocked out at 9:30.

One of my customers donated $20 to my NCY fund:)

They've also revamped our break room.  New snack kiosk, plus cameras.  Discovered we're getting rid of our 'library'....boo.

Outfit:  Lavandar sweater, black vest, new faded jeggings, LJs, tropical danglies

Day 210:  Mid-50s!

Arrived and took over for Alice, did the prelim duties. Had several large orders, then the place died. Swept half of the area, then did my LU and checked my mail.  We're getting a discretionary bonus in March, on top of the Winning Together (if they pay it out....fingers crossed!).  Helped Loader Charlie with a credit app (customer was approved!).  Swept the rest of the area, then HC Hannah sent me to break at 7:15. Came back and mucked out the mats, then pulled trash. Fronted soda, sanitized the coffee bar. Locked the doors at 8:55 after final customer left. HC H cleaned me out; I took the trash to the hopper. Jeffrey brought in the concrete, then I put up my vest.  Played Plinko for the 2 credit apps I got 2 weeks ago, winning $8 in Lowes Bucks.  Game goes through the end of the month, then we 'cash' them in for whatever.  Clocked out at 9:30.

Outfit:  Burgundy cowl neck sweater, new dark jeggings, silver chains.

Day 211: 65 degrees!

Arrived and had to help a customer before I even got to the register. Had barely logged on when my 1st customer arrived; barely had time to say goodbye to Alice. Gathered the paperwork and her trash, then was slammed for the next 2 hours. HC Britt asked me to do soda; finished it around 8. Rider brought it at 8:15 and sent me to break; when I returned, I finished pulling the trash and putting away the soda. Final customer left at 8:55 with 50 2x4s. Locked the side doors, then Steve brought in the concrete. Returned items to Tools and Aisle 10. Clocked out at 9:30.

Outfit:  Blue fleece jacket, white v-neck tunic, new dark jeggings, green studs

Day 212:  Rare Sat

Arrived early and got my LU out of the way. Marilyn took a pit stop; Pro Kath asked me to empty the coffee.  M returned; I took care of the coffee.  M left at 5:30; I did the prelim duties and rang up customers for an hour, then began sweeping.  Pulled trash at 7:30, and mucked the mats, plus sanitized the coffee bar. Final customer left at 8:55. After HC Britt cleaned me out, returned items to Plumbing and Flooring. ASM Charlie took my trash to the hopper and brought in the concrete.

Got a compliment:  Customer A asked me how I stayed cheerful (he witnessed a customer who didn't understand the concept of 'minimum payment'), and they one behind him said "She's like that all the time! We shop here a lot and she's always got a smile on her face and something nice to say."

I thanked him, then told his wife:

-I don't have to hear 'Mo-om'

-I don't have to put up with a grumpy spouse

-I don't have to fix dinner, or clean up

-Lumber is my 'Happy Place'.

She hi-fived me:)

Clocked out at 9:35.

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

Day 213:  Rare Sun Super Bowl Sunday

Arrived and took over for Austin, who did the soda count and filled it, then took his break and brought in carts. Things were fairly steady until 5, when I did the prelim duties, did my LU, swept the entire area, and pulled trash at 5:30. At 6, I discovered my Kindle wouldn't load Paramount, so downloaded the app to my phone just in time for the pre-game stuff. Dawson sent me to break at 6:15; I watched Post Malone sing God Bless America (he did a good job!) and Reba sing the Nat'l Anthem (slightly twangy, but it's Reba!), and the coin toss. Returned, and ASM Alex walked in.  I assured him I'd still take care of the customers; he said, "It's the Super Bowl...." and left the area. Had maybe ten customers between 6:30-8. Locked the doors at 7:55 and let out Loader Jax at 8. HC Hannah cleaned me out; I put up my vest and we watched the Halftime Show with Usher, Alicial Keys, Lil' Jon, Will I Am, and Ludacris. I brought in some carts before the show began, and finished watching in my car after clocking out at 8:30.

Outfit:  Teal green l/s tee, black vest, new dark jeggings, LJs, green 'space ship' danglies