Life In Lumber: Y6, W43

 Day 169: Rain, upper 40s

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

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

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

Day 170: Rain, lower 50s

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

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

Day 171:  Rare Sat Rain, 60 degrees

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

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

CI Sunday-sick

Rachel Wins!!!! #Survivor47

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

Until tonight.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Life In Lumber: Y6, W42

 Day 164: Warmer, high 50s

Rained all morning. Arrived and took over for Kem, and was slightly busy until 5. Did the prelim duties, my AP4Me, and LU. Was slightly busy until 6:30. Had Loader Con watch the register while I took a pit stop. Swept, then Adrianne sent me to break at 8. Returned and pulled trash, sanitized the coffee bar, and had two final customers. Locked the doors; Loader Con took the trash and brought in the concrete. HC Kay cleaned me out; returned an item to Hardware. Clocked out at 9:30.

Outfit:  Mama Needs Silent Night tee, black l/s tee, faded jeggings, stockings, ears headband

Day 165: Chilly, high 40s

Arrived to discover a contractor had brought in cookies (choc chip with nuts, PB, and sugar). Was fairly steady until 5, then did my LU. Swept, mucked the mats. Had a 'rush' at 5:30, then things died down again. Sanitized the coffee bar, the registers, and the counters.  Had two very complicated orders to ring up, Holly's cull pack and another customer's plywood. Finally got it all straight! Final two customers left at closing; locked the doors while Loader Con brought in the concrete and took the trash. HC Cam cleaned me out; returned items to Plumbing, Tools, Paint, Hardware, and OSLG. Clocked out at 9:30 and joined the SU at Denny's, since I hadn't gotten my break and was getting hangry.

Outfit:  Maroon Sarcasm tee, white turtleneck, dark jeggings, Antler headband, red/green danglies

Off tomorrow for dress rehearsal for Christmas Cantata (to be performed at Our Lady of Hope in Washington) and Thurs for my birthday and the TSO Concert!  Whoot!!

Day 166: Cold, windy, 30s

Kim J was thrilled with her Secret Santa gifts:)  Was busy until 5:30, when HC Austin sent me to lunch. Was steady until 8, when I began sweeping and pulled the trash. Things went well until 8:40 when a customer asked to pay his estimate....and things went downhill.  He needed to take off the insulation, but the quote wouldn't let me modify it. Printed it out, then redid it.....ran it through VSP, and oh wait....those aren't the right prices.  Again, it wouldn't let us modify them, so cancelled it out and rang him up for what he had.  Also began my shift by doing a HUGE return for one of the pros.  Loader Joe didn't show up, so they stayed there the entjre time, until Jax was persuaded to put them away.  HC Austin cleaned me out; OSLG Chris brought in the concrete; I returned items to Tools, Aisle 1 and Seasonal.  Brent had brough me the trim and silicone, so took it up front and had Dawson ring it up while I put up my vest.  Came back; paid....but what happened to the cart?  Turned out DS Kari put it away!  Then since Brittany Nav had brought me 8 savory scones, I needed help taking it all to my car.  Amy was my 'Code 50', ha ha, even though we were ribbing Dawson about doing it, since he wasn't paying attention to my cart!  Clocked out at 9:30.

Kari was my Secret Santa, and received a $25 AZ GC:)

Outfit:  Snowflake shirt; black l/s tee, dark jeggings, green jingle bells, ears headband

Day 167:  Rare Sat Chilly, high 30s

Arrived armed with cookies and straw covers for anyone who wants them. Was with Sabrina for 30 mins, and we were both steady, then she left and the crowd died. Did the prelim duties and my LU, rang up customers. Dawson sent me to break at 7:30 and when I returned, pulled trash and swept. Locked the doors at 8:50, since no one was in my area. When HC Austin cleaned me out, I took the trash to the hopper, then returned items to Hardware and Seasonal. Helped Amy put away car cleaning supplies, then went back to Lumber and watched the door while Nick brought in the concrete. Clocked out at 9:30.

Outfit:  Red Santa shirt with the bell sleeves; black l/s tee, dark jeggings, Snowmen jingle bells, antler headband

Day 168:  Rare Sun Chilly, high 30s

Arrived and gave Marilyn and HC Kay their straw covers.  Took over for Marilyn and did my LU; things were slow until 4:30 when the rush arrived. Customer had discounted wire, but no item #, and I guessed at the 50% discount, then needed an override, which never came. I hopped on Pro Jer's register and rang up 3 customers, then the 1st one said to forget it; he'd stick with the other wire. Cancelled the Code 99 and rang them up...JUST as Kait arrived.  Then had to call her back, due to another customer getting his fireplace and discovering it was broken!  Ended up sending him to CS to get it swapped out.  Rush ended at 5, and things slowed again., Theresa arrived at 6:45 and sent me to my break. Returned and was steady; pulled trash at 6:30, then began sweeping at 7. Had to sanitize the coffee bar, due to sugar being all over it. One of my final customers was Frank H, who was Steve S's roommate in the mid-90s, and we had a nice chat. Final customer left at closing; I locked the doors; Loader Con brought in the concrete. Kait cleaned me out, and after putting up my vest, returened items to Appliances and Hardware. Clocked out at 8:30.

Outfit:  Pyramid Santa shirt, black l/s tee, black jeggings, Santa hat bells, ears headband

Off the next 3 days!  Merry Christmas:)

Life In Lumber: Y6, W41

 Day 159:  Cool, 50s

Arrived with 2 doz Choc Chip, 18 Oatmeal-Raisin, and 5 PB M&M. Took two of each down to Lumber and took over for Kem. Was steady until 6:30, when I did my LU, AP4Me, and my Aisle blocker training. Fronted soda.  Dawson sent me to lunch at 7:30, and when I returned, I swept, sanitized the coffee bar, and pulled trash.  When HC Kait cleaned me out, I took the trash to the hopper, then put up my vest. Clocked out at 9:30.

Outfit:  Green Naughty List tee, black l/s tee, new dark jeggings, stockings.

Day 160: Cold, 30s

Arrived and took over for Kem; was busy for 2 hours, then did the prelim duties and my LU. Mucked the mats. Kait sent me to lunch at 6 and when I returned, was steady until 8 when I swept the floor, sanitized the coffee bar and Pepsi cooler, and pulled trash. Final customer was 8:15 until another one arrived just before closing.  HC Cam cleaned me out; I locked the doors; Loader Con brought in the concrete and I took my trash to the hopper. Put up my vest and clocked out at 9:30.

Outfit:  Red Mama Claus tee, black l/s tee, faded jeggings, green jingle bells

Day 161: Cold, 30s

Arrived and took over for Marilyn, and was fairly steady for 2 hours. Did my AP4Me and the prelim duties. Dawson sent me to break at 7, and when I returned, swept and pulled trash. Final customer left at closing. HC Austin cleaned me out; Loader Joe brought in the concrete and took the trash. Returned items to Plumbing, Lights, Paint, and Hardware, then put up my vest. Clocked out at 9:30.

Outfit: Green Naughty, Nice, I Tried tee, black l/s tee, faded jeggings, Santa Hat.

Was supposed to go to Lafayette tomorrow, but snow and 20 degree temps convinced Mom to reschedule.

Day 162: Cold, 30s

Fairly decent night:)  Took over for Robin, who said she would check her schedule and see if she could take my 20th and 2nd, and only had one 'rush'....at the very time I was trying to help a lady with a credit card app.  She was clearly getting frustrated, and the customers kept coming. Finally when the 'rush' was over, I pulled it up on Pro Jeremy's register and got her approved. Rya sent me to break at 7 and when I returned, pulled trash, swept, and sanitized the coffee bar. Loader Joe took the trash and brought in the concrete. HC Austin cleaned me out; returned items to Flooring, Paint, Hardware, and Seasonal. Clocked out at 9:30.

Outfit:  Black Merry and Bright tee, black l/s tee, faded jeggings, Merry and Bright.

Off tomorrow, for steak dinner at Kyle's!

Day 163:  Rare Sun Warmer, 50s

Walked into a busy shift. Helped Robin for half an hour, and when my line was finished, I looked up and she was already gone.  Tried TWICE to pay for the GC, and it wouldn't work, then LU app logged me out, and can/t get back in. Tried to look up the card; needs a different phone #.  So had to call D to come do it, and he wasn't happy about it.  Kim sent me to break at 4:45, and when I returned, was still freakin' busy!  Finally I caught a break and Brent brought down a headband for me.  It has ears:)  I wanted the bells one, but it had a skinny metal band, while the other was padded.  Pulled trash at 7, and when HC Austin cleaned me out, took back an item to Aisle 19. Clocked out at 8:20.

Outfit:  Red Santa shirt with straight sleeves, black l/s tee, faded jeggings, green bells, ears headband

Priorities

Hello all!  Today is our meeting/event/(insert whatever you want).  Unfortunately, I will not be there.  See you next time!

One member of a group I'm a part of is really starting to irritate me.

Don't get me wrong; I completely understand things come up; illness happens.

But EVERY TIME???????

Esp when this person is the ORGANIZER???

*shakes head*

When I became a published author, I decided the only way I was ever going to be successful was to do what I can to get my books in people's hands.  Even getting pregnant didn't slow me down (much, ha ha!)

Case in Point:  Baby #3 was born the following March; I think I skipped most of the festivals I'd done the previous year, but for one, I set up his pack-n-play under my canopy and took him with me, and had my spouse help out.  Fortunately, he wasn't working that weekend and my two older kids helped out also.

Even though I had to cut back on some of the self-promotion after that, I still made an effort to do at least 2-3 shows a year. Joined my 1st writers group in 2005 or 6.  When we moved, yeah, the writing took a back seat, but as soon as I could the following summer, I found places to promote my work, esp since Book #2 was getting ready to release.  And by then, I had better internet, and learned the art of networking with other authors, which in turn led me to writing a new genre and attracting a publisher's eye.  

Networking led me to other opportunities:  Author Fairs, Conventions,and in one case, being a vendor at my beloved Indpls Christmas Gift and Hobby Show.  For YEARS while we were in Indpls, I'd wanted to attend it, but money was always tight, and my spouse had no desire to go (Home Show, yes, but Christmas?  Forget it..).

I guess what I'm trying to say is, I don't understand some people's priorities. When I left our local hospital vendor fair on Thurs, the organizer of that event, who is related to the person I'm talking about, informed me of 3 birthday parties today.  Okay, enjoy.  It never crossed my mind that my colleague would go to the parties instead of the event we have today, because THIS PERSON ORGANIZED THE EVENT!!!

When you are planning an event, don't you look at the date and say, 'oh, so-and-so's birthday is that day...let's pick another day.'  Or maybe the birthdays fall during the week and the parents decided today would be good.  I get it; my son and I are celebrating together on the 14th this month (his is the 8th, mine's the 19th).   I also seriously considered not performing in our Christmas Cantata when I discovered it would fall on K's birthday, but he's 33 and hey, he could come see his mama perform, and we'll celebrate afterward!  I signed up.

And we dealt with it by making other plans.

I missed a dear friend's funeral because I'd committed to a book signing.  I had managed to see him before he passed, and since he was pretty much my #1 supporter back then, I had no regrets.

I did have to cancel one event after my dad passed away, but that was because I was now my mother's caregiver, and there was no way I was hauling her 3 hours south.  Even as I was planning 2020, I consulted with Mom (before she made the decision to move into assisted living), and arranged for handicapped accessible hotel rooms, and made sure I would possibly have extra help with her.  

Covid ended up resulting in me cancelling a lot of those plans, plus Mom chose to move to an assisted-living facility, meaning I could return home and resume my Evening Job.)

But I digress.  When I was organizing my book tour, I only had to actively back out on one, and that was due to transportation issues.  I've never made it back to that venue, and the person who ended up royally pissed off at me eventually got over it.

But again, this happens consistently EVERY MONTH.

I guess our priorities are different.

December Goals

Why did October drag and November flew by?  It's already Dec 2nd and I'm nowhere near ready for Christmas!

 -Lose 5 lbs (start: 243)

-Do well at ICGAHS Sold 45!  Tied with 2021 as best show sales:)

-Buy BP machine

-Finish Heart Song Not quite, but getting closer!

-Add words to new fairy story Check....

-Finish watching 2.5 Men Check!  11/16!

-Buy tix to Beautiful Noise (May) Mom is refusing to go, so this might be tabled...used the earmarked funds to pay for Peoria and Saluki Con.

-Pay for Peoria and Saluki Con Check:)

Books Read:  1

            Print:  1

        E-book:  0

             DNF: 0

Karaoke Songs Added:  2

2024 Events:

December 4-5th:  GSH Vendor Fair Sold 7:)

December 7th:  KCPL Author Fair, 10-2pm Sold 5:)  (Still need paid for 2)

2025 Events:

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

March 22nd:  SI Con, Benton, Il

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

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

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

2026 Events:

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

December Goals:

-Lose 5 lbs

-Buy BP machine

-Finish Heart Song

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

-Do well at KCPL Author Fair Sold 5:)

-Buy Beautiful Noise tix??

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

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

-Make another payment to Dreaming in Michigan

-Start chipping away at med bills

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

-Cut carpet out of S's room

-Upload digital copies to Patreon ...

-Convert 2 VHS to DVD ($44) 

-Read more in evenings

December Reading Schedule:

Memories of Moscow-Harold Lipman 12/2:  Am on Ch 40

Becoming-Michelle Obama RR!  I remembered much about 2009-16 and have to admire her tenacity and ambition. Still doesn't change the way I feel about his presidency, though I have to admit I was wrong about a few things.

A Royal Duty-Paul Burrell DRR!  Esp fans of Diana....there was SO much misinformation out there....but here is an insider's view into her life.

Wildwood Creek-Lisa Wingate RR....the only thing stopping me from the 'D' is I was disappointed in the ending.  I wanted to see how the two stories were going to eventually come together, and Allie be related to Bonnie, but no.

Unfortunately Yours-Tessa Bailey DRR!  After reading it, wondered when certain words had entered the mainstream books; I love her sex scenes; they're so FRESH! And this one had dirty bedroom talk, which I can't remember reading in another book.  Very well done!

Redemption of the Duke-Gayle Callen DRR!  Wonderful story and not at all 'typical'. There's a bit of a mystery that kept me guessing:)

Voyager-Diana Gabaldon Spend two days speed-reading this book, once I realized it had been on my bedside table for an ENTIRE YEAR.  I remember seeing the ending on TV, but OMG....the twists and turns that ultimately ended them from Scotland to France to Jamaica to finally Georgia!  Again, these books are almost too long.  But I read them b/c I can no longer watch, and some of the dialogue is HYSTERICAL!  I especially LOVE when Jamie discovers Fergus and Marsalie are hand-fasted!!

Stitched With Love-Cathy Marie Hake, et al DNF I like Christian Romance, but this was just not holding my attention.  Maybe again at a later date.

A Wild Yearning-Penelope Williamson DNF Again, this just was not holding my attention.  It began wandering after Ch 6.

Life In Lumber: Y6, W40

 Day 157: Snow, 20s

Began snowing as I arrived; took over for Kem and was steady for an hour. Did the prelim duties, and the place really slowed down. Swept, fronted soda, and pulled trash at 7:30.  Loader Con watched the register while I took a pit stop and emptied the coffee carafe. Final customer was around 8:15. At 9, ASM Ian brought in the concrete while Loader Con took the hopper. Kait cleaned me out (HC Kay had called in), then returned items to Tools, Millwork, Plumbing, Flooring, Appliances, and Seasonal. Clocked out at 9:30.

Outfit:  Green floral tee, black vest, dark jeggings, blue f/l gloves.

Day 158: Cold, 20s

Boring shift.  Found out ASM Alex is in hospital with heart issues. We were short-staffed, so once again, I did not get my lunch. Loader Con watched the register while I took a pit stop.  Was proud of Loader Jax; he answered a Code 50, in which the customer needed 10 bags of 50 lb concrete, and he didn't whine about it!

Outfit:  Maroon 'It's the most wonderful time....allegedly" tee, white turtle, new dark jeggings

Off the next 5 days, due to the GSH Vendor fair Wed-Thurs; baking Fri; Author Fair Sat; Cantata performance Sun.