May Goals

Was it just me, or did April seem to drag on?

-Lose 5 lbs (start 238)

-Finalize Defending Destiny and order copies Check!  Now to fix the minor errors....

-Add words to existing WIPS Check:)

-Do well at SI Con Sold 3 and gave one away....oops!  I thought she'd ordered all 4; come to find out she'd only ordered Whispers.

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

-Pay next installment for NYC trip ($1100)  Am down to $600....whenever my CC gets here ($500-pd with virtual card!) and BIL sends me $100.

-Work enough hours to pay^^^^^ YES!

-Upload digital copies to Patreon Not yet...

-/Begin short story due in June Not yet....

-Finish short story for BKM  Not yet...

-Finish SE8 of 2.5 Men Am halfway through it

-Finish Amazing Race 2021 Check!  Derek and Claire (team BB) won!

-Watch BB 2021.Think I've got just 4-5 more weeks?

-Convert 2 VHS to DVD ($44) 

-Read more in evenings Check!  Reading e-books in evenings

 

Health Update:  My left ankle continues to have its good days and bad.

Books Read:  6

            Print:  2

        E-book:  4

             DNF:  1

2024 Events:

May 3rd:  Pop Up Event, FF  Sold 1

May 11th:  SpringFest, Downtown Washington, In 10-3pm Sold 4:)

May 18th:  Magic of Books, Seymore, In Sold 0, but did an even trade....

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

June 7th:   Spring On Main???

June 7-9th:  Superman Celebration, Metropolis, Il ($125)

June 22nd:  Farmer's Market and PrideFest, downtown Vincennes

July 19-21st:  Imaginarium, Louisville, KY Pd 11/2023

July 27th:  Wabash Valley Geekz and Things

August:  IABE, Terre Haute, IN ($85) Pd 12/1 CANCELLED  Hannah House???

August 24th:  Geek Con, Evansville Museum, Evansville, In

September:  TBD

October:  TBD

November:  Indpls Christmas Gift And Hobby Show

December:  Kringle Market

May Goals:

-Lose 5 lbs (start 238)

-Fix errors in Defending Destiny  Can't do it until July, unless I want to cough up $25...

-Add words to existing WIPS Check:)

-Do well at Pop Up Market  Sold 1, but was able to eat at Frank's.

-Do well at SpringFest Sold 4:)

-Do well at Magic of Books Only did an even trade, but got to see 3 friends (Lori Roberts, Ariella Talix, and Kim Hoffman!)

-ENJOY NYC and Broadway Musical, plus sight-seeing and Concert Check!!!  

-Cut carpet out of S's old room 

-Pay next installment for NYC trip ($522.28) Check!; start saving for NYC 'extras'.Check!

-Work enough hours to pay^^^^^ Check:)

-Upload digital copies to Patreon ...

-/Begin short story due in June Not yet....

-Finish short story for BKM  Not yet...

-Finish SE8 of 2.5 Men 

-Finish Amazing Race 2023 Check!  Brothers won, team Beard 2nd, Father/Son 3rd Was hoping Rob and Cory (F/S) would win; Rob is deaf, and it was really cool to see the ASL signing!

-Watch current season of Amazing Race Check:)  The Boyfriends (Cesar and Ricky) won their 7th 1st place win:)  Pilots came in 2nd, followed by Team Orange, Rod and Letitiia.

-Finish watching Survivor Check!   Kenzie won!

-Finish watching BB 2021.Check:) NOW I understand 'the cookout' reference in 2022!  1st time there were ONLY People of Color in the final 6. Xavier won, with Tiffany voted Fave Houseguest.

-Convert 2 VHS to DVD ($44) 

-Read more in evenings

March Reading Schedule:

Never Will I Leave Thee-Heather Wilbur DRR! WOW, what a testament to faith in God, and answered prayer!  What a truly remarkable young lady:)

Porter The Importer-Ariella Talix Good story!

Bullies, Bovines, and A Bookmobile-MK Wyatt RR!  Enjoyable, memorable, and funny characters:)

Veiled Intentions-George Kramer Good story!  I enjoyed the 'Zoo' ending very much:)

Abandon Hope-Michael De Camp Cute story! I did NOT see the twist coming, but I DID see the set up to the sequel.

No Greater Love-Mildred Tengbom

Our Journey-Cassie Abel

Splinters-Bernie Niehaus

It Happened One Summer-Tessa Bailey Birthday Present from W:)

Hook, Line, and Sinker-Tessa Bailey Birthday Present from W:)

Illegal Use of Hands-Desiree Holt

Protecting Kate-DH

Defending Sophie-DH

Save The Date-Mary Kay Andrews

There's A Boy In The Girls' Bathroom-Louis Sachar

Watership Down-Richard Adams

Advika and The Hollywood Wives-Kirthana Ramisetti

Life Lessons-Katie Cawood

An Elephant in the Garden-Michae Morpurgo

The Queen-Andrew Morton

A Journey of Faith-Edward Grinnan

Hearts Don't Lie-Sutton Bishop

Transient Pulse-Laura Juntunen

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

-30

E-book:

She's Got A Duke To Keep Her Warm-Sandra Sookoo Enjoyable story!  Fave phrase:  
Merciful Heavens!

An Affair At Christmastide-Sandra Sookoo Good story!

Much Ado About A Storme-Sandra Sookoo

The Most Wonderful Earl-Sandra Sookoo

Loving The Duke-Jessie Clever

Mean Girls-Lucy Felthouse

Greyson-JM Walker

Control Us-JM Walker

Help Me Remember-Corinne Michaels (Want to get)

Karaoke Songs

5/9:

The Greatest-Kenny Rogers Nailed it!

5/16:

The Great Pretender-The Platters Not too bad:)

5/24:

The Greatest Love of All-Whitney Houston Did well:)

Separate Ways-Journey Nailed it!

5/30:

The Greatest Man I Never Knew-Reba McEntyre Blubbered my way through it....

I Get Weak-Belinda Carlisle Messed up on 1st verse....

Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'-Journey Nailed it!!

Life In Lumber: Y6, W10

 Day 39:  Rain, High 60s

Arrived just as the rain began. Took over for Kem, who informed me that #1 has been updated and no more Genesis.  It also now has the tap and pay with phone option. Was fairly steady until 4:30; Alice left at 4, then I did the prelim duties. Dawson sent me to lunch at 4:45; I simply stayed in the break room and read. When I returned, things had cleared out.  My broom was MIA, so I did my LU and AP4Me and wrote. Locked the doors at 10; Ian brought in the concrete. AJ took my trash to the hopper AND watched the register while I took a quick pit stop. HC Kay cleaned me out; put up my vest and clocked out at 10:30.

Day began with lunch at Schnitzelbank in Jasper with Randy and Shantel!

Outfit:  Black/gray l/s tee, black vest, new faded jeggings, red hoop earrings

Day 40: Sunny, low 80s

Arrived and helped Alice with the line. She took her break and I was slammed.  She came back; line died. I took a pit stop at 4:30 and swiped a broom out of the break room. When she left at 5, I did the prelim duties and was busy for an hour, then began sweeping. Austin sent me to lunch at 7:45; took a broken H-cart to receiving and told Kyle to 'put it out of its misery'. When I went back an hour later, Austin had sent for soda; I filled it. Finished sweeping and pulled trash, plus mucked the mats and sanitized the coffee bar.  ASM Charlie brought in the concrete; Joey took my trash to the hopper.  Returned items to Plumbing and Tools, and clocked out at 10:25.

Outfit:  Gray America tee, new faded jeggings, large hoops with 'disco ball' inside. 

Day 41: Sunny, low 80s

Arrived and took over for Kem. Did the prelim duties, as traffic was slow. Things picked up after 4:30, then Kim sent me to lunch at 5:15. Did my LU before I returned, and then did the soda count. Started sweeping, but then HC Britt brought the loaded cart down, which took me the better part of the evening. Only got half the floor swept, and only the trash pulled. Locked the doors at 10, and when Conrad brought in the concrete, shut the garage door.  C took my trash as HC Britt cleaned me out, then rode the mobility cart up front. Ended up returning to Lumber to open the large door again (another forklift needed to be brought in), but afterward put up my vest, took a pit stop, then returned an item to RTM.  Clocked out at 10:40.

Outfit:  Red LU tee, new faded jeggings, rhinestone danglies

Day 42: Sunny, high 80s

Arrived; discovered I'd wrapped my brace wrong, so went to the bathroom to redo it. Discovered I'd left my phone, so tracked it down at CS, thank god!  Alice took a break; I fronted the soda and pulled the coffee bar trash, and discovered Marilyn hadn't dumped the coffee.  Took the carafe to #1 so I wouldn't forget. Took a pit stop and cleaned out the carafe at 4:45, then when A left at 5, did the prelim duties.  Got pissed at AJ when he made 3 trips to get a customer's order that was staged at the back. Dawson sent me to lunch at 7:45 and when I returned, began sweeping. Pulled trash, mucked the mats, sanitized the registers and counters, locked the doors at 9:50, due to zero cars in the lot.  Loader Charles brought in the concrete and took the trash to the hopper. Closed the garage door and put up my vest after HC Britt cleaned me out. Clocked out at 10:30.

Outfit:  Black blouse, new capris, wedding day pearl buttons

Am off the next two days!  Friday is the Art Walk/Pop Up Market and Sat is Mel and Adam's wedding:)

Day 43:  Rare Sun Sunny, mid 70s

Arrived; discovered AJ was no call, no show after having a chat with Scott earlier in the week. Took over for Dawson, and for an hour, Austin and I traded customers.  Did my LU.  The minute A left at 4, five customers arrived, and I was steady for 20 mins.  D came back; no customers.  He went to see where HC Shel wanted him; I began sweeping. D came back at 5:30 to send me to break; when I returned, I finished sweeping, pulled trash, fronted the soda, sanitized the registers and coffee bar. Locked the doors at 7:55.  HC Kay cleaned me out; Mike brought in the concrete and Loader Joey took my trash to the hopper. Closed the garage door and put up my vest.  Clocked out at 8:30.

Outfit:  Bless This Mess sweatshirt; new dark jeggings, small zirconian posts.

BB2021: Weeks 7 and 8

 HOH:  Sara Beth!

Nominations:  Derek F and Claire

High Rollers Room Opens!

Xavier:  $75+$75=$150. Chooses Not to play

SB:$50.  Not enough to play.

Claire:  $100-not enough to play a game

Derek F:  $100+$50=$150.  Chooses NOT to play.

Derek X:  $100+$100=$200.  Chooses not to play.

Tiffany:  $50+$25=$75-not enough to play.

Azah: $50+$50=$100-not enough to play.

Kyland:  $50.  Not enough to play

Hannah: $75+$75=$150.  Chooses NOT to play

Alyssa:  $75+$50=$125; chooses to play.  19 rotations

Alyssa takes down Derek F; spins the roulette wheel and it lands on Xavier.

POV Comp:  Claire, SB, Xavier, Azah, Derek F, Alyssa

I'm a little confused; I know by watching Amazing Race that Derek X and Claire are a couple, but he's spending all his time with Hannah??  He and Claire have only interacted (on camera) a couple of times, yet Claire is now SOBBING if DX gets put next to her or in her place???

I'm also beginning to understand Kyle in BB2022's assumption about another 'cookout alliance'....NO ONE KNOWS IT EXISTS!!!!!

Alyssa:

DF:  (goes for $$) Won $7500!

Azah:

SB:

Xavier: Wins with 3 mins!!!  BB Bankruptsy, Strategy Shutdown, and 3rd nominee  

Claire:

Xavier takes himself down; Derek X goes up.

Why do they call Hannah 'Chaddah'?  Duh....it's her last name.  *head slap*

Eviction Night:  Derek X is evicted, 5-2.

HOH Comp:  Tiffany wins!

Week 8:

HOH:  Tiffany

Nominations:  Kyland, SB, Xavier (punishment)

High Rollers Room:

Claire:  $100+$100+$50=$250. Decides to play:)  Scores 3!

Derek F:  $150+$75+$100+$100=$425. Decides to play:)  Scores 1 (totally threw it!)

Tiffany:  $75+$100+$50=$225. Not enough to play.

Azah: $100+$50+$50=$200.  Not enough to play

Xavier:  $75+$50=$125.  Not enough to play

SB:  $50+$50+$100=$200. Not enough to play.

Kyland:  $50+$50+100=$200 Not enough to play.

Hannah: $150+$100+$50=$300  Declines to play

Alyssa:  $75+$100=$175. Not enough to play.

Claire won the toss, and her nominations are the same as Tiff's!

POV Competition:

SB, Kyland, Xavier, Alyssa, Claire, Hannah

SB:  5:22

Kyland:  5:25

Xavier:   8:29

Alyssa:  8:14

Claire:  6:27

Hannah:  4:59 Wins POV! Chooses Kyland, SB, and Xavier to watch premier of Dear Evan Hanson.

POV Ceremony:  Hannah pulls Xavier off.  No replacement nomination necessary.

Eviction Night:

SB is evicted, 5-1

HOH Comp:  Endurance comp, standing on the swinging discs.

BB2021: Weeks 5 and 6

 HOH Comp:  The Wall!

Derek F falls off 1st, followed by Claire, Sarah Beth, Hannah, Kyland, Britini, Azah, Tiffany, Alyssa, and Xavier.  Derek X wins!!

Tiffany, Tiff, Tiff, Tiff.....you asked D if he was ready to 'royal flush' someone WHILE HANNAH WAS RIGHT THERE!!!  Oops....

He nominates Sarah Beth and Britini.

Brit immediately starts to cry. SB knows she's a pawn, so Christian can be back-doored.

SB, now YOU get your hair out of your face.  What is WITH these girls?

POV Comp: Derek X, SB, Brit, Claire, Kyland, and Alyssa

Derek X:  4th out.  Prize:  Lord of the Latrine:) Gets to unlock the toilet and announces whomever needs to use it!  "Lord/Lady has arrived to use the Porceline Throne!"  The Power of the Potty:)

SB: 2nd out.  Prize: $5K, which raised some eyebrows.  She didn't take the veto away from C, rationing that Brit needed it more, but others saw it as being greedy.  Esp when Derek floated the idea of giving her the Jackass punishment; she whined it was her birthday week, so please don't.  This didn't sit well with people.

Brit: Wins!!!!!  Picks Veto:)

Claire:  Eliminated 1st.  Prize:  Duke of the Deck

Kyland:  3rd out. Prize:  Jackass of Clubs

Alyssa: 5th out.  Prize:  Count of Communication (new smart phone, laptop, and video chat from home)

SB, what is up with that dress?  You've got 2 clashing patterns!

Derek, Derek, DEREK!  WHY did you tell Alyssa about your plan?  You just blew everything up!

Nomination Ceremony:

Whoa....before it even takes place, Christian (who got wind of the plan!) corners D in the storage room and lays it out:  If he puts C up, then people will come for him and mess up the Jury management.  What happens when Brit takes herself off?  Now D's thinking of Derek F.  Stay tuned...

Eviction Night:

Brit takes herself off; Derek X puts up Christian.

Cookout Alliance has an issue with Tiff, trying to boss Derek F around.  Tiff wanted to talk to Brit; both Derek F and Azah showed up, which pissed off Tiff.  Xavier:  "We had one job....stay together.  But now they're yelling at each other."

Love Christian's hair, btw....and whoa....Britt's wearing makeup!?!?!

Is Alyssa wearing a bandana as a shirt???

Azah, what is it with showing off your cleavage?? 

Tiff, wth are you wearing?

Christian is evicted, 7-2, and plants a HUGE liplock on Alyssa before leaving!

New Twist:  High Rollers Room!  Gamble for powers!

Get an extra Veto vote

Replace a nominee

Overthrow the HOH

Week 6:

HOH Comp:  Kyland tried to throw it to Tiff, but she got the wrong answer.  Azah also wanted it, but Kyland was too fast on the trigger.

Noms:  Claire and Derek F

High Roller Room Opens!

SB:  $50 Plays Veto Derby, scores 4

Hannah:  $75 ; banks her $$

Xavier:  $75; banks it

Brit:  $100; saves it

Azah:  $50; banks it

Alyssa:  $50; banks it

Kyland:  $50; plays Veto Derby; scores 9

Tiff:  $75; plays Veto Derby; scores 0

Derek X:  $100; banks it

Derek F:  $100; plays Veto Derby; scores 5

Claire:  $50; plays Veto Derby; scores 4

Kyland, Claire, Derek F, and Sara Beth get to bet on a houseguest to win the veto.

POV Comp:  OTEV is back! (sounds like Arnold Swartzenegger???)

Kyland (Alyssa) Out 5th, after throwing it to Alyssa, and wins 2nd POV

Claire (Kyland) Out 4th

Derek F (Britini) Out 1st

Alyssa Won POV!

Azah (SB bet on her) Out 2nd, after throwing it to Brit

Britini Out 3rd

At the Veto Meeting, Kyland saves Claire and puts up Brit.  Alyssa chooses not to use hers.

Brit throws a major tantrum about being on the block 4/6 weeks.

Eviction Night:

Britini is evicted, 7-1

HOH Comp:

Claire:  34.97 Eliminated by SB

Xavier:  Fell off twice; time ran out

Derek X:  So close, but couldn't beat SB's time

Derek F:  Couldn't beat Claire's time

Hannah:  Couldn't beat SB's time

Azah:  Couldn't beat SB's time

Tiffany:  Couldn't beat SB's time

Alyssa:  Fell down at the end; eliminated

Sara Beth:  21.03 WINS!

Life In Lumber: Y6, W9

 Day 35: High 60s

Thankfully, after the weekend stress, today was much slower.  Arrived and took over for Alice, and was busy for maybe an hour before doing the prelim duties, my LU and AP4Me. Started sweeping, and by 7, was all caught up.  Worked on my schedule and requested some forgotten May dates and June dates. HC Kay sent me to break at 8:15. Returned, pulled trash, and sanitized the registers, counters, and coffee bar.. Didn't have any customers until 9:45, then had 3 in a row. Final customer left at 10. I locked the doors; ASM Ian brought in the concrete; Loader Joey took my trash to the hopper; I put up my vest.  Clocked out at 10:30.  Discovered tomorrow's CS Robert's last day.

Earlier in the day, I scanned 4 casters, and the $800 total never phased me, until the customer showed me the receipt.  It had scanned a PACKAGE, meaning 94 casters, instead of FOUR, so I sent her up to CS for a refund.  Clearly my brain wasn't awake yet!  Robert and I laughed about it as we were walking out.

Outfit:  Blue hooded Cabela's sweatshirt, dark jeggings, large gold skinny hoops

Day 36: Rain, high 60s

It wasn't raining when I arrived, but by the time I got to the register, it was pouring. Did the prelim duties, then got busy. Things quieted down; at 7:30 I tuned into Brian's podcast and continued ringing up customers. Had one elderly gentleman want a water cooler, plus an extra water. Finally got it sent up to Lumber, and he checked out. Austin sent me to break at 8:30, and when I returned, had another elderly gentleman with an item I'd never seen before, plus he didn't know his rebar dimensions.  So while he was taking pictures, I hopped to #2 and rang up the others.  Rang up the 1st guy, then the place died again.  Did my LU and swept the hot spots. Sanitized the registers and counters, and fronted the soda (we'd filled it earlier). Brighton brought in the concrete and took the trash.  I locked the doors at 10 and returned an item to Tools.  Clocked out at 10:30.

Outfit:  Black/white poncho, red l/s v-neck tee, dark jeggings, thick white 'grandma' hoops

Am off the next two days!  Mom has an appointment on Wed, and choir practice on Thurs.

Day 37:  Low 70s

Arrived and took over for Alice. Discovered we had ZERO trash bags....so after doing part of the prelim duties, was slammed with a difficult customer, and the line backed up.  Asked him to wait, and called ASM Scott, who came down as I was checking out the VERY long line, and told him what was going on.  He told me how to fix it, so after the line grew shorter (and Brighton happened to come down to help!), I took care of the customer.  Got his order pulled (110 sheets of 12' drywall, 5 sheets of 8', and 45 sheets of 5/8ths), then the place DIED! Did my LU and checked my schedule, pulled all the trash, filled the bags.  Amy sent me to break at 9, and when I returned, swept the place and sanitized the coffee bar. Locked the doors at 9:55.  Conrad brought in the concrete, and HC Shel cleaned me out. Loader Joey took my trash to the hopper; put up my vest and returned an item to ISLG.  Clocked out around 10:40 and put gas in my car for tomorrow.

Outfit:  Palm tree sweatshirt, new faded jeggings, large thin white hoops

Off tomorrow for SI Comic Con in Benton, Il!

Day 38:  Rare Sun Sunny, high 70s

Arrived and stocked soda for an hour. Marilyn left at 4, then new hire Kim left at 4:30.  Was steady all evening.  Did the prelim duries, and my LU, then swept most of the area.  Final customer left after we closed.  Brighton brought in the concrete; HC Kay cleaned me out; I took the trash to the hopper, then put up my vest and returned an item to ISLG.  Clocked out at 8:30.

Took my break at 5:30, and discovered someone ate two of my lunchables.

Outfit:  Blessed Grandma tee, new faded jeggings, silver with blue and pink stones hoops

BB2021: Weeks 3 and 4

 Xander is HOH:)

Wildcard Comp:

Tiffany:  Wins!  Declines the offer, so Brent and Whitney don't get a chance to be safe.

Britini:  Gets knocked out 1st

Derek X Is knocked out 2nd

Nominations:  Brent and Britini

Why is she crying so much?  It's a GAME!  And you're supposed to be a karate master?  Control your emotions, woman!

Maybe I'm being too harsh, but I have never seen anyone CRY so much about being nominated!  Cry, yes, then get your head back in the game.

Brent, NOBODY is "pawn material".  Get over yourself.

Personally, I think he should have nominated Whitney instead of Britini.

And what is it with a couple of women with strands of hair hanging in their faces?  Makes me want to jump in and brush it back!

And whoot....LIPLOCK between Christian and Alyssa!!!

POV Comp:

Xavier, Brent, Britini, Christian, Derek F, and Whitney:)

Brit vs Brent:  Brent wins

Xavier vs Brent: Xavier wins!

Derek F vs Whitney:  Derek wins

Christian vs Derek F:  Christian wins!

Xavier vs Christian:  Christian wins POV!!!   Doesn't use it; keeps noms the same:)

Brent thinks he has the numbers to stay.....ummm, no, you don't.  You've annoyed EVERYONE!

Just an observation:  Why does JCM always reiterate they're evicting LIVE?  After 21 seasons, I think everyone knows this....

Eviction Night:  Brent is evicted UNANIMOUSLY!

Hoh Comp:  Christian wins!

Finally!  Someone agrees with me about Whitney's weird hoodie/sports bra look!

Week 4:

Wildcard Comp: Claire wins!  

Decision time:  Keep herself AND her team safe OR only keep herself safe until Jury?

Claire chooses safety for just herself:)

Whitney's smile is beginning to be annoying.....all those teeth!

Nominations:  Whitney and Hannah

Aaaarrrrgggghhhh......I just want to push Hannah's hair off her damn face!!!!!

Thank you Tiffany for fixing it so all her hair is UP!

POV Comp:  Christian, Whitney, Hannah, Claire, Derek X, and Azah

BB Volleyball! 

Christian wins!  Derek X was a close 2nd.

Whit's outfits....wth?  A white bustier with overalls?  Orange jumpsuit with the top tied above her ribs?  A yellow crop top that shows off a lot of cleavage?  Be ready for a lot of male attention when this show is over.

Ohhhhh Derek X.....you just accidentally let Whit know she is the target and you plan to vote her out!

Noms stay the same.

Eviction Night:  

Julie...wth did you do to your hair?  Change it back!!!!

At this point, I'm fine with either of them going.  Whit and her teeth, Hannah and her hair.

Azah, is one of your straps in the wrong place????

By a unanimous vote, Whit is ejected:) 

HOH Endurance Comp:  The Wall!

BB2021: Week 1 and 2

 Week 1:

Divided Into Groups:

Jokers             Aces           Kings                Queens

Team Captains:

Frenchie       Whitney        Christian        Claire

Azah               Brent             Alyssa            Kyland

Britini            Derek X        Xavier            Tiffany

Derek F        Hannah            Travis            Sara Beth

HOH:  Frenchie, plus decides to decline the 'double or nothing' offer, yet makes it after the fact.

Have-Nots:  Kings, who finished last.

Wildcard Comp:

Kyland  4:86

Hannah  4:14

Christian  1:25  Wins and keeps himself safe:)  Spins the wheel and keeps Xavier safe

Noms:  

Kyland and Alyssa

Frenchie has lost his mind.  He nominated Alyssa, thinking she was in a showmance with Christian.  His 'observational skills' are obviously on the wrong track; now he's targeting Derek X!

The Cookout Alliance is formed! 

Tiffany, Derek F, Xavier, Azah, and Kyland

POV:

Frenchie, Tiffany, Kyland, Travis, Hannah, and Derek X (which totally messes up Frenchie's back door plan.....unless either Trav or DX don't win.)

Derek X wins!  Uses it on Kyland; Frenchie puts up Travis.

Eviction Night:  

Travis is evicted, 11-2

HOH Comp:  Pool Sharks

Kyland wins, on his 30th birthday:)

Week 2:

Wildcard Comp:

Frenchie wins 3rd round:)

Sarah Beth wins 1st round:) And 4th round:) and 5th!  She wins and opts to stay with her team, instead of switching places with either Claire or Tiffany.

Brent wins 2nd round:)

Frenchie....dude, after only one conversation that apparently didn't go your way, you're ready to throw in the towel?  Chill out!  You're beginning to piss off your fellow houseguests and make them WANT to vote you off!

Kyland nominates Frenchie and Britini

POV:

Players:

Kyland, Frenchie, Britini, Alyssa, Claire, and Derek X:)

Kyland:  4:54

Frenchie:  5;06

Britini:  5:08

Alyssa:  6:57

Claire:  5:33

Derek X:  4:41  Wins!!!  Doesn't use it; noms stay the same.

Eviction Night:

What is it with Azah and her low-cut outfits?  Same with Hannah....both were seen tugging their tops into place.....and when Azah stood up, I thought she was going to 'fall out'.

And yes, Tiff...we know you have cleavage.  Cover it up. 

Same with Xavier....button your shirt....I think that look went out in the 70s....and you have NHOC!

Frenchie is evicted, 11-1

HOH:

Xavier wins!

Life In Lumber: Y6, W8

 Day 29:  Mid-80s

Arrived and took over for Alice, who informed me #2 was refusing to print.  Did the prelim duties, then was busy until 7. Swept the floor and fronted soda, then was busy again. HC Shel sent me the break at 8:15, and when I returned, pulled trash and finished sweeping, did my LU and AP4Me.

Had a customer pay me $300 in $5s and $1s....really ruined my night.

Loader Charles brought in the concrete; I locked the doors and shut the garage door.  HC Shel cleaned me out; I took the trash to the hopper and put up my vest. Clocked out at 10:35.

Outfit:  Pink LU Safety tee, faded jeggings, Ecuador beads.

Day 30: Low 80s

Was called in to work; both Alice and Dawson called off.  Arrived at 3 with my MK fundraiser, and was immediately busy. Around 4, did the prelim duties; was sweeping by 5.  Things picked up again at 5:30 and was busy until 7:30.  Swept half the center area, then ASM Alex was able to give me a pit stop, and I cleaned out the coffee carafe. HC Kay sent me to lunch at 8:15, and went first to Subway, but they were closed, so ended up at McA's. After returning, I pulled the trash and finished sweeping, then mucked the mats and sanitized the registers.  After Cam brought in the concrete, I locked the doors and closed the garage door at 10.  HC Kay cleaned me out; I took the trash to the hopper and put up my vest. Returned an item to Fashion Bath, then went up front.  Clocked out at 10:35.

Outfit:  Yellow Fla tee, faded jeggings, double pearls

Day 31: High 70s

Arrived and took over for Alice; did the prelim duties and was slightly busy, but things died down after 7. Did my LU and swept the area. Was sent to break at 8:30, and when I returned, pulled the trash, wiped down the coffee bar and the tops of the Pepsi cooler as well as the Monster and Red Bull ones. After Jace brought in the concrete and took the hopper, and HC Kay cleaned me out, I locked the doors and returned an item to Electrical. Put up my vest and returned an item to Paint and ISLG. Clocked out at 10:50.

Off tomorrow for choir practice!

Outfit:  Brown 3/4 length sleeve blouse, faded jeggings, gold hoops with Grandma's diamonds

Day 32:  Mid 60s

Arrived to find Alice at #1; said #2 wasn't printing. Took over and was busy for an hour, then did the prelim duties, plus soda count. Was fairly steady all night; got the floor swept all but the 'horseshoe' and the concrete dust. Did my LU around 9. Pulled trash at 9:30 and sanitized the registers and coffee bar. Had to marvel at one customer who apparently decided 9pm was 'the perfect time' to buy countertops and a door.  Locked the doors at 10; Loader Charles brought in the concrete and took my trash to the hopper. I'd wrangled Brighten around 8:30 to watch the register while I took a pit stop, so after HC Britt cleaned me out, I took the coffee carafe back to the break room.  Returned it, then took items back to Electrical and Paint.  Clocked out at 10:35.

Outfit:  Blue/white striped sweater, faded jeggings, gold/silver 'fireworks' danglies

Day 33:  Rare Sat Low 60s

Was asked to come in at 4, for coverage; Austin showed me the Monsters and Red Bulls he'd yet put away.  Was busy for an hour, then did the prelim duties and did my LU. Started sweeping. Was busy from 6-8, when I finally closed the garage door (temps were falling) and put away the energy drinks. Finished sweeping, then pulled trash.  Was finally sent to lunch at 9. Returned and sanitized the coffee bar and my counter. Fronted all the soda. Locked the doors at 10. ASM Charlie brought in the concrete, and after HC Shel cleaned me out, took the trash to the hopper. 

Had a stupid customer tonight. Brought in 4 shower/bathtub parts to return, then took them off the cart!  I looked over, saw what he was doing, and politely asked if they would please put them back on the cart?  He gave me an incredulous look, then did as I requested, all but the shower wall, b/c the code was on the bottom, and he didn't want to shove it back into place.  I had AJ haul it back to Fashion Bath, all the time thinking, "How the hell did you think WE were going to haul it back?"

Also had an entitled customer, who wanted 75 2x4s pulled for him.  He also thankfully took our 50% off drywall.

Clocked out at 10:35.

Outfit:  Ash gray IN sweatshirt, dark jeggings, tiny sapphire hoops

Day 34:  Rare Sun high 50s

Arrived and discovered Austin was there until 6. Was immediately busy, and around 5, discovered a couple had asked for 'an estimate' about our cull cart.  Loader Charles told them we'd have to ring it up first. Then they approached me; Austin was on his break, and I told them I wasn't allowed that far from the register. The woman gave me a look ala 'and you claim you work here?'  Then later, came back.  Austin helped the hubby push the cull cart up; I then went over and scanned all the bar codes I could find, then adjusted the price.  He said he'd take it, so Loader Joe grabbed a cart and helped me load it all up.  Then more bar codes were revealed; we did the same.  I also rang up the shingles and the two plywood panels, then had to wait for an o/r.  By then, I was done with people. I'd whacked my bad knee; my left ankle was complaining.  After I got them rung up and out the door, I took my 15, then Austin left. The place settled down; did the prelim duties and my LU. At 7, pulled the trash and swept, plus swept up all the concrete dust. Had 2 customers walk in the door at 7:55, and final one left at 8:05, slightly ticked off he couldn't get any help in plumbing.  Told him to come back the next day DURING the day when we were fully staffed!  Returned a Zebra to the back and put up my vest.  Clocked out at 8:35.

Outfit:  Black/white l/s tee, black vest, dark jeggings, black hoops

April Goals

 How did I do in March?

-Lose 5lbs (starting 238)

-Make final decision on cover art for CYBL Check!

-Add words to existing WIPS Check!

-Do well at GSH Vendor Fair Sold 4

-Have an enjoyable time at Jeff Dunham show (March 21st) Check!  Laughed so much I nearly had an asthma attack!  GREAT dinner before at Outback!

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

-Pay next installment for NYC trip ($600) Pd $350

-Work enough hours to pay^^^^^ Thank you discretionary bonus!

-Upload digital copies to Patreon Not yet

-/Begin short story due in June Not yet

-Finish short story for BKM  Not yet

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

-Convert 2 VHS to DVD ($44) Nope

-Read more in evenings Check!  Reading e-books in evenings

Health Update:  My left ankle has its good days and bad.

Books Read:  6

            Print:  4

        E-book:  2

2024 Events:

April 5-8th:  Eclipse Weekend

                4/5 (FF):  Sold 1

                4/6(Eclipse Washington):  Sold 12!

                4/7 (Eclipse Washington):  Sold 4, bartered 1:)

                4/8 (Eclipse Home):  Sold 1, paid $40 for parking cars

                            Grand Total:  18 sold, 1 bartered:)

April 27th:  SI-Con, Benton, Il (pd April 1st, 2023)  Sold 6:)

May 3rd:  Pop Up Event, FF

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

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

June 2nd:  Spring On Main???

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:  TBD

November:  Indpls Christmas Gift And Hobby Show

December:  Kringle Market

April Goals:

-Lose 5 lbs (start 238)

-Finalize Defending Destiny and order copies Check!  Now to fix the minor errors....

-Add words to existing WIPS Check:)

-Do well at SI Con Sold 3 and gave one away....oops!  I thought she'd ordered all 4; come to find out she'd only ordered Whispers.

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

-Pay next installment for NYC trip ($1100)  Am down to $600....whenever my CC gets here ($500-pd with virtual card!) and BIL sends me $100.

-Work enough hours to pay^^^^^ YES!

-Upload digital copies to Patreon Not yet...

-/Begin short story due in June Not yet....

-Finish short story for BKM  Not yet...

-Finish SE8 of 2.5 Men Am halfway through it

-Finish Amazing Race 2021 Check!  Derek and Claire (team BB) won!

-Watch BB 2021.Think I've got just 4-5 more weeks?

-Convert 2 VHS to DVD ($44) 

-Read more in evenings Check!  Reading e-books in evenings

March Reading Schedule:

Lessons Learned-Katie Cawood DRR!  Loved it, and can hardly wait to read the next one!

The Courtship of Camelia-Michele Shriver RR!  I was surprised by all the 'fat girl' comments, but it was a good story:)

Never Will I Leave Thee-Heather Wilbur

Porter The Importer-Ariella Talix

Bullies, Bovines, and A Bookmobile-MK Wyatt

Veiled Intentions-George Kramer

Abandon Hope-Michael De Camp

No Greater Love-Mildred Tengbom

Our Journey-Cassie Abel

Splinters-Bernie Niehaus

It Happened One Summer-Tessa Bailey Birthday Present from W:)

Hook, Line, and Sinker-Tessa Bailey Birthday Present from W:)

Illegal Use of Hands-Desiree Holt

Protecting Kate-DH

Defending Sophie-DH

Save The Date-Mary Kay Andrews

There's A Boy In The Girls' Bathroom-Louis Sachar

Watership Down-Richard Adams

Advika and The Hollywood Wives-Kirthana Ramisetti

Life Lessons-Katie Cawood

An Elephant in the Garden-Michae Morpurgo

The Queen-Andrew Morton

A Journey of Faith-Edward Grinnan

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

-30

E-book:

Broken Trust-Nana Malone Gah....399 pages???? finished 4/3 Good story

The Truth About Lies-Aly Martinez Long, drawn out story, but good.

Love in Lingerie-Alessandra Torre Long, drawn out story, but good

Soulless Nights-Virginia Johnson Why did I get this?  Oh yeah, it was free.

Cutting Through The Lies-Virginia Johnson DNF....just not invested in the characters

She's Got A Duke To Keep Her Warm-Sandra Sookoo

An Affair At Christmastide-Sandra Sookoo

Much Ado About A Storme-Sandra Sookoo

The Most Wonderful Earl-Sandra Sookoo

Loving The Duke-Jessie Clever

Mean Girls-Lucy Felthouse

Greyson-JM Walker

Control Us-JM Walker

Help Me Remember-Corinne Michaels (Want to get)

Life In Lumber: Y6, W7

 Day 24: High 60s, rain

My battery died on Sunday, so D drove me in. Took over for Alice, who informed me she was off on Wed. Rang up a few customers, then the place died. Did the prelim duties, only to discover there were no trash bags. Read my email and learned Corporate is coming tomorrow, fun, fun. Hope they're gone by the time I arrive at 3!  Did my LU and AP4Me; helped a customer figure out how to get a live person when he called the credit card company, then took his payment. Swept the area behind the pro desk, the area between the registers, and the area from the pro desk to the 7/16 OSB. The rain arrived, and so did a flood of customers! Deja sent me to break at 8:10, and before taking my break, retrieved the trash bags. When I returned, pulled the trash, sanitized the registers and coffee bar, and replaced all the trash bags. Did the soda count, and after HC Kay and ASM Shan cleaned me out, I filled the soda coolers.  Loader Charles brought in the concrete and took my trash to the hopper. I had already returned the two items earlier to Plumbing and Hardware, so put up my vest and went up front. Clocked out at 10:30; D picked me up in my van; he'd gotten a new battery for it:)

Outfit:  I Blacked Out tee, black l/s tee, new dark jeggings, eclipse danglies

Day 25:  Low 60s, rain

Arrived and took over for Kem. Was steady for an hour, then things trickled down. Corporate was in, but by 4, everyone had left, and SM J wouldn't give any hints as to how it had gone. At 5, did the prelim duties; HC Britt sent me to lunch at 6:45. Emptied the coffee and returned an hour later. Things were dead; I'd already swept the Pro area, front and back; did my LU; checked my schedule. Pulled trash at 8:30; sanitized the coffee bar at 9:30, fronted all the soda, and locked the doors at 10.  Loader Charles brought in the concrete and took my trash to the hopper.  I walked HC Britt up front after she cleaned me out, then put up my vest.  Clocked out at 10:45.

Off to Lafayette tomorrow:)

Outfit:  Gray hooded sweatshirt, new dark jeggings, green danglies

Day 26: Mid 50s, sunny

Day began on a sour note, when we learned we would have to pay $2700 to Fed tax and $400 to state.  Ugh.  D blamed me.

Arrived and took over for Alice, then did the prelim duties and LU. Ran off copies of my excerpts. Did the soda count. Was so busy, I didn't have time to hardly do any closing duties, but did pull trash at 8:30. Conrad sent me on my break at 9. When I returned, I finished pulling the trash and sanitized the coffee bar. Spot-swept. Locked the doors at 10. ASM Charlie brought in the concrete; after HC Britt cleaned me out, took my trash to the hopper and put up my vest. Clocked out at 10:30.

Outfit:  Brown striped cowl-neck; faded jeggings; small marquis diamond studs.

Day 27:  Rare Sat Mid 70s, sunny

I knew we were going to be uber busy this weekend, and I was right.  Arrived and took over for Marilyn. Sent Dawson to lunch and was steady until he returned an hour later. I took my break around 4:15, then had to take an extra pit stop due to the unfortunate result of the one slice of Domino's pizza had on me.  D left at 5 and I was slammed for an hour.  Managed to get the prelim duties done, then was busy again.  A lady called ME on the phone, wanting to know if we had 8 ft cedar pickets; she'd paid for them, but had gotten pine instead.  15 minutes later (with Loader Ethyn trying to run the register, then ASM Shan taking over), I finally got her to understand we didn't have any 8' cedar, only the 6'.  She said she'd make it work, and I was finally able to give E back his Zebra!  HC Britt sent me to lunch at 7:30; I treated myself to MCA's, where the person behind the counter saw the book I was reading, Katie C's Lessons Learned, and commented, "Good book!"

Returned an hour later and had to immediately clock in and sign in, so HC Britt could do an o/r. Was busy for the next hour, then was able to pull the trash and sweep the entire area.  Realized around 9:50 I'd never put my vest back on.  Oh well.... Locked the doors at 10 and Brighton brought in the concrete.  Closed the garage door, and when HC Britt cleaned me out, I took the trash to the hopper.  Returned 5 doorknobs to Hardware and a saw blade to Tools, then took Robert's trash to the hopper and picked up a roll of trash bags for Lumber.  Took a pit stop, then put up my vest and found MORE Domino's pizza!  Ate a slice of sausage, and clocked out at 10:30.

Oh, and my 'work husband' Brent will be returning to work in Milwork next week!  YAY!!!

Outfit:  Black Washington Eclipse tee, faded jeggings, gold stars

Day 28:  Rare Sun Low 80s, sunny

Arrived to discover 3 of us in Lumber. Did the soda count, then retrieved it. Arrived back in Lumber just as it was time for Marilyn to leave, and Amy had been called up front. Was busy, but able to do the prelim duties. Filled the soda coolers whenever I had a chance, which took 2 hours. Sent AJ to Paint, Tools, and Fashion Bath with the returns. Got frustrated with Loader Jax when he couldn't locate the mold resistant drywall and sent Loader Joey to help him.  ASM Chris asked me if I needed anything; I told him, "A lumber associate with a brain." HC Shel sent me to break at 6:30; I took an extra 5 mins. Came back and at 7:15, it finally calmed down.  Was able to pull trash and sweep, and muck out the mats. AJ brought in the concrete at 7:30, so I locked the doors. Closed the garage door at 8, and when HC Shel cleaned me out, tried to take the trash to the hopper, but someone had already taken off with it. Returned an item to Millwork, then hauled the trash to Receiving.  Put up my vest, then went up front and volunteered to wait for HC. Hauled the extra carts to the front area, then clocked out around 9:25. HC Shel and I hauled the 13 extra carts outside to the waiting area.

Outfit:  Blue sparkle tee, faded jeggings, pearl danglies

Life In Lumber: Y6, W6

 Day 21:  Mid 70s

Arrived just as it started pouring.  Sent Alice to break, and rang up a few customers, then we traded off until she left at 5. I took my break at 4:40 and cleaned out the coffee pot. Started the prelim duties, did my LU and AP4Me. Had a trainee with me most of the night. Talked D into buying me Thai when I went to dinner at 6:30. Afterward, started sweeping, pulled trash, mucked the mats, sanitized the registers and counters. Locked the doors at 9:55; Deja and Loader Jax left at 9; had zero customers after 9pm. HC Shel R cleaned me out; ASM Charlie brought in the concrete; I closed the garage door and took my trash to the hopper, then caught up with Josh to give him the area rug. Put up my vest and clocked out at 10:35.

Outfit:  Gray v-neck tee, new faded jeggings, blue with white stripes buttons

Day 22: Falling Temps, 70-49

Arrived again just as it began pouring. Sent Alice to break and rang up a few customers.  When A returned, realized there weren't enough customers between us, so took a quick soda inventory and went to fill it. Two ladies shanghaied me in Tools, and helped 'em the best I could before moving on. After collecting the soda, was able to fill most of it, before A needed to reboot her register.  Rang up several customers before getting the rest of the soda filled.  A took another pit stop; at 4:40 I turned off my light and put lemonade and water in the cart, then took a pit stop before returning to Lumber.  A left; I did the prelim duties. At 6, a customer's card declined, so he pulled out a mutilated check.  Ran it through manually, but it got stuck in the printer.  Couldn't get the register to behave, so got the number for IT from ASM Shan, then hopped on #2 to take care of the line. Went back to #1; it was behaving. Managed to save the transaction, then hopped back to #2.  Ran the check again manually, but it printed on the wrong side of the check.  Ooops....#1's printer malfunctioned, so shut the whole system down for a few.  Rebooted; same thing.  Ended up staying on #2 the rest of the evening. 

Was sent to lunch at 6:30 and when I returned, my trainee was there. She was doing well on the register, so I swept and pulled trash.  At 9:30, we had another 'Transaction From Hell'....rang up the customer's 4 carts; card declined, even the store card.  Saved invoice; hopped to #3.  Same thing.  Former HC Kate walked by; she was able to get a partial payment, but everything else declined, even the hubby's cards!  At this point, the store was closing, so Kate said she'd refund everything. I stepped away to lock the doors when lo and behold.....everything worked again!  HC Kay cleaned me out; I sent Deja to Tools, Hardware, and Pets to return items.  I took the trash to the hopper and returned items to Aisle 21, Millwork, and Aisle 19. After ASM Charlie brought in the concrete, I closed the garage door and put up my vest.  Clocked out at 10:45.

Outfit:  Lavander sweater, new faded jeggings, white danglies

Day 23: Mid 40s

Arrived in the rain and took over for Alice. Wasn't too busy.  When A left at 5, I did the prelim duties and LU.  I got a 24 cent raise!!!  Was sent to lunch at 6:10 and when I returned, Deja was with me again. I swept, mucked out the mats, and pulled trash; she left at 9; I filled the soda and sanitized the registers and counters. Brighton took the hopper out while HC Britt cleaned me out. After B came back, I closed the garage door and returned an item to Aisle 1 after putting up my vest.  Good shift!

Before I went on the clock, ASM Chris asked me if we were going to have another transaction like yesterday's!  I said I really hoped NOT!  LOL....

Outfit:  Teal l/s tee, black vest, new faded jeggings, Grandma's white danglie.

Am off until next Tues for Eclipse events!!  Here's hoping the weather stays nice.....