Amazing Race BB: Week 6

Croatia, Pt 2:  Raining!

Detour:  Bag salt or pull up oysters?

Salt:                                                                                                        Oysters

Tucker/Eric (breezed through)                                                               Kyland (trouble rowing)

J/J (can't figure out reverse on car; had to redo 1 bag)                          Nat/Steph (good work!)

Joseph/Adam (got it!)                                                                             Rubina/Kristine (R-loses glasses!)

Izzy/Paige (issues with sealer; dump and kick wheelbarrow; got it)

Jack/Chelsie (went past the wheelbarrows; had to redo 2 bags)

Roadblock:  Reading A Map and answer questions

Eric-got it in 2 tries:)

Taylor-didn't read all the facts; realized questions change; gets it after 4 tries.

Jas-Gets it in 2 tries:)

Steph-not sure what a relief map is; 1st try

Adam-1st try:)

Jack-2nd try:)

Izzy-2nd try:)

Rubina-2nd try:)

Pit Stop:

Tucker/Eric 1st:)

Rubina/Kristine-Eliminated (was soooooo hoping that when the clue said 'may', it meant non-elim leg!)

Survivor 49: Week 6

 Tribe Switch!  Back to 3 tribes:)

Blue: Stephen, Shannon, Sage, and Jawan (Sage can't stand Shannon!)

Yellow:  MC, Sophi, Rizzo, Savannah

Red:  Alex, Sophie, Nate, and Kristina (who appears to be having an issue with her knee??)

Right away, Kristina is overcome by the heat, and Jeff calls Medical in.  She's fine after some water and a short break.

Reward Challenge:

Yellow wins grilled cheese, potato chips, iced tea, and brownies! Sophi finally gets to eat something other than coconuts!!!!

Red gets just grilled cheese

Blue goes back empty-handed.

Stephen's on the outs at blue; MC at yellow, and Nate at red.

Sophi finds the Knowledge Is Power advantage!  She can ask anyone at tribal about an idol, and it becomes hers:)

Immunity Challenge:

Yellow and Red win, sending Blue back to Tribal.

Tribal Council:

Shannon wants to out Jawan; Sage wants to out Shannon; Stephen's game for whomever.

Shannon voted out:)

From The Stupid Files: Y7, W36

Day 127: Chilly, rain; 58 t/a

ASM:  Maria

HC: Isaac

Loader:  Conrad

1) DS Charlie is now over Flooring :(

2) Customer's card declined; he finally used another card

3) Customer's drywall wouldn't fit in truck; returned 90 mins later.

4) Could NOT get Maria or Daniel on the phone!  Turned out everything blew up at once....

5) Customer wanted 2 5' pieces of pipe, since we didn't have any 10' in the 2" size....but since I couldn't get an answer, he had to leave to go get his wife.  If he returns, I'm authorized for ONLY 2 pieces!

Outfit:  Halloween shirt, black l/s tee, black jeggings, Boos

Off tomorrow for choir practice!

Day 128:  Halloween Mid 50s; 76 t/a

ASM:  Keri

HC:  Isaac (last day...:()

Loaders:  Jax, Isaiah

1) Reg 1 refused to print at 3:30; rebooted it TWICE; hopped to #3 at 4:30, then on #2 after Karen left at 5.

2) Customer had me open the large door, even though they CLEARLY could fit through the regular doors (eye roll).

3) Played Balloon Volleyball with 3 y/o Isaac and 7 y/o Jonah, Pro DS Ian's kids.

Appliances, Plumbing, Millwork, and Pro all had toolboxes decorated for Halloween, and passed out candy to kids.  Everyone had a great time!

Outfit:  Fairy costume (pirate dress, black jeggings, flower headdress).

Off tomorrow; we're moving Sara and Angelo into their new house on the far west side of Evansville.

Day 129:  Rare Sun DST Fall begins :(

ASM:  Alex

HC:  Kaitlyn

Loaders:  Jax, Isaiah

1) Arrived and #1 and 2 both had lines; logged onto Pro K's and discovered NO RECEIPT PAPER!  Fortunately, customer wanted it emailed, and 2nd one didn't need one.

2) Had to be on #2 for 30 mins, due to #1 being out of $10s, $5s, and $1s.

3) D had to drive me to work; my van refused to start.  Fuel pump?  Fuel filter?

4) Customer left his phone in the cart; returned for it 30 mins later:)

5) Insulation machine hoses were either missing, or customer took them out of the container.

6) #3's bag was INSIDE the money tray!

7) Man was being arrested outside lumber doors (back of store) as we were closing.  Discovered he's the one who tried to steal items for past 3 days.

Outfit:  Maroon blouse, black l/s tee, dark jeggings, silver spirals

Amazing Race BB Week 5

Croatia:

Detour:  Deliver Fishnets or Skinning Fish?

Men:  Deliver

Tucker/Eric 1st out.

Women: Skinning!  

Rubina cuts herself, but is okay; Nat/Steph 1st out

Double U-Turn!

Jas/Jag U-turned Izzy/Paige

Joseph/Adam U-Turned Rubina/Kristine

Chadda team wanted to switch, but no one's phone's maps worked, so they returned to try again,even though they were last.  

Roadblock:  Racing downhill in 36 seconds:)

Tucker does it in one shot!

Jag loses his bolts on 1st attempt.

Chelsie, Simone, Paige, and Kristine all struggle to get down the hill in 36 seconds.  Most are 37 or 38, and fatigue sets in.

Pit Stop:

Tucker/Eric 1st

Kyland/Taylor 2nd

Jas/Jag 3rd

Joseph/Adam 4th

Nat/Steph 5th

Jack/Chelsie 6th

Izzy/Paige 7th

Rubina/Kristine 8th

Hannah/Simone:  Eliminated

Survivor 49: Week 5

 Journey:  Nate and MC

Task:  Move sandbags from Point A to Point B before the timer runs out.

TWIST:  There's an advantage in the jungle, but if one finds it, the other loses their vote. Nate realizes MC has a better chance of finding it, so he concocts the scheme to finish the bags all but one, then they go look.  When the timer's nearly empty, they simply move the final sand bag, thus securing both their votes, but neither has the advantage.

At Camp:

Shannon has been uber friendly with everyone except Sage, about creating a merge alliance, but she also tells Steven she wants to vote out Sage. Naturally, this gets back to Sage, who informs the others that Rizzo has an idol, and she feels Shannon is playing way too hard and needs to go. The others agree with her.

Meanwhile, over at Blue tribe, Jawan is driving Savannah nuts. First by using her bag to collect firewood, then by accidentally grabbing her water bottle.  3rd, he seems to try to be around every time she's having a conversation with others.

Challenge:

Reward:  Chickens!

Blue tribe pulls out the win:)  Alex and Steven managed to kill the rooster so they can eat, but the girls are traumatized by the killing.  Though everyone does eat it!  Not like in previous seasons where bleeding hearts either set them free or kept them alive the entire time.

Yellow going back to Tribal; Jason might be on the chopping block, along with Jawan.

Jason's voted out.

From The Stupid Files: Y7, W35

 Day 124:  Cool, high 60s; 87 t/a

ASM:  Daniel

HC:  Austin

Loader:  Jax

1) Had an intestinal issue 30 mins after I arrived.  Thank God Isaiah was there to cover for me!

2) Customer and I harassed each other about his cart:)

3) Customer's card declined; used another one. When I asked if he'd like to make a payment, he looked at me like I had 3 heads and said, "No." As if, "PAY?  You want me to PAY?"

4) Have a new way of doing the LCAs.  Now we log into Touchpoint, scan their IDs, THEN input the phone #.  Geez.....2nd time, it went a little faster.

Outfit:  Palm tree sweatshirt, faded jeggings, Boo danglies

Off tomorrow!

Day 125:  Cooler, low 60s; 87 t/a

ASM:  Keri

HC:  Austin

Loaders:  Jax, Isaiah

1) Learned we ZERO bags; went out and got some of mine from the tote in the car!

2) Hearing impaired customer had problems looking for the right battery/drill combo

3) Customer wanted 50 dog-eared pickets, but couldn't locate them; they were in LG.

4) Customer bought an air compressor and hose, but didn't know which couplings he needed.  Called Hardware; Taylor helped him!

5) Downloaded the new UKG Pro app for my phone, so I can clock in and out.  *eye roll*  This starts Friday.

6) Touchpoint refused to work; had to use 'trusted customer' and get an o/r.

Outfit:  Bless This Mess sweatshirt, faded jeggings, skeletons

Off tomorrow for choir practice, then I leave for Lafayette on Friday and Lafayette ComicCon on Sat:)

Day 126:  Rare Sunday Cool, rain, high 50s; 81 t/a

ASM:  Keri

HC:  Kaitlyn

Loaders:  Jax, Isaiah

1) Brenda H's son arrived and gave us an update on her:  NO CANCER!!!!  But she did fall recently and blackened her eye.

2) Tried to go to break, but one of my hispanic customers caught up with me at Aisle 17 and asked if I'd come back to check something.....then Isaiah asked me how to input the military discount.....and another customer (Brandon Littlejohn) was asking about S.  I finally went to break about 10 mins late!  "Is it okay with y'all if I go sit down for 15 mins?"  They laughed and said yes:)

Outfit:  Blue Whitehourse sweatshirt, faded jeggings.  No earrings; my right ear is complaining.

Amazing Race BB Week 4

 Budapest, Hungary!

Most of the teams took the early train, but little sleep, due to having to change trains 3 times.  The others left an hour later, but travel straight through, meaning they will be well rested when they arrive an hour later than the sleep-deprived ones:)

Fast-Forward:  Solving a Rubic's Cube:  Tucker And Eric Attempt It and GET IT!

J/J having an issue getting a taxi; they finally put up their hoods up to mask their Muslim headgear.

Roadblock:  Steering a coach around a figure 8 track.

N/S:  2 tries:)

I/P:  3 tries

J/J:  1st try:)

J/A:  8 tries:)

K/T:  2 tries:)

K/A:  5 tries:)

J/C:  4 tries:)

H/S:  10th time made it:)

R/K:  4th time:)

Detour:  Juggling or Dancing while balancing a bottle on your head?

N/S:  Dance; got it in 3 attempts:)

I/P:  Dance Got it on 1st try:)

J/J:  Dance 6 tries:)

K/T:  Juggle 3 tries:)

J/A:  Juggle 133 tries to get it!!!

J/C:  Dance  6th try:)

R/K:  Dance 3 tries:)

K/A:  Dance  9th try (and two meltdowns later!)

H/S:  Dance 2 tries:)

Pit Stop:

Tucker and Eric, 1st place

Eliminated:  Alex and Kat

Survivor 49: Week 4

 Tribe Switch!

Blue: Alex, Steven, Kristina, MC, Sophie, Shannon, and Sage

Yellow:  Rizzo, Jawan, Nate, Savannah, Sophi, Matt, and Jason

Challenge:  Blue wins for the 1st time!

Rizzo finds the rest of his Beware Idol and gets his vote back:)

Now the debate:  Jason, who admitted he's still loyal to his old tribe, or Matt, who revealed he was once a manager at a brokerage firm, and therefore, smarter than his hippie exterior belies?

Matt also tries to get Jawan to turn on Nate, but J TELLS Nate and the others. Meanwhile, Jason tells Sophi he's going to play his Shot In The Dark. 

Tribal:

LMAO....Jawan's face is like seeing Carnegie Hall for the 1st time!

Matt voted out, 4-2 (Jason)-1 (Nate)

Too bad; I liked him.

From The Stupid Files: Y7, W34

 Day 121:  Cooler, high 70s; 49 t/a

ASM:  Daniel

HC:  Austin

Loaders:  Jax, Isaiah

1) Slow; arrived 15 mins late, due to long P/T conference with Alex's teachers.

2) Customers leaving carts in the entryway.  One lined his up perfectly diagonally with the water; when I collected it, I noticed someone else had left their H cart in the same way next to the Blue Def!

3) Two customers had unruly kids. I was happy when they left.

4) Honestly wondered if I needed to be worried when an entire family arrived, ALL wearing masks! Think they either left while I was on my break or if they exited elsewhere.

5) Didn't wear my boot; it's bothering the back of my calf too much.

6) Had to gently escort two men out of the store when they tried to enter after we closed (only made it as far as the register).

Outfit:  Dark blue LU safety tee, long capris, Halloween hearts

Day 122:  Warmer, low 80s; 87 t/a

ASM:  Daniel, Alex

HC:  Austin

Loaders:  DS Charlie, Jax, Isaiah

1) Customer REALLY thrilled we had strawberry/banana drinks!

2) 1st customer after lunch had a door marked 10% off.  I didn't notice the computer glitched; HC Austin gave me my o/r, and I hit pay....the customer remarked, "Something's off about that total."

I looked; it said $23K.  Tabbed back; customer now had 110 doors!  Fixed it, then we joked about the 'new math' the computer was using.  "Must be Common Core!"

3) Went to lunch at 6:10, due to Olivia being busy.

Outfit:  Charlie Kirk Day, so red Sarcasm tee, long capris, thin gold hoops.

For Front End Appreciation, we got tumblers, a gym tote, a wireless speaker, and our patch:)  Plus, I noticed cookies and candy up front, so I ate 2 cookies, one mini-Kit-Kat, and 2 bags of mini cheese balls.  I THINK we're getting Jimmy Johns on Friday?????

Day 123: Cooler, high 70s; 79 t/a

ASM:  Alex

HC:  Isaac

Loaders:  DS Charlie, Isaiah

1) Was with new guy John til 4; the crowd arrived and I was waiting on an o/r, so I asked him if he'd stick around.  He left at 4:30, once everyone was taken care of.

2) ASM Alex was on my case; mainly teasing, but after I clocked in from lunch and was headed to the restroon, he stopped me.  "You've got 2 mins; this is becoming an issue; it throws everyone off."

"If you'll stop talking and just let me pee, I won't be late!"  Ended up being a minute late....then had to help a woman find an item (turned out to be a special order), then had to use Isaac's sales ID to ring up Granddaughter Alex's Monster!  She and D had brought me fettucini alfredo, but I'd already eaten.  Managers ordered in Jimmy Johns for Front End Appreciation.  We received tumblers, wireless speakers, patches, and candy.  I'm still waiting for the 'thank you ' note from all the managers!

3) After going up front, discovered the trash, so took it back to Receiving.

Outfit:  Happy People tee, faded jeggings, Halloween Candy danglies

Off the next 2 days, unless I get called in.

Amazing Race BB Week 3

 Czech Republic:  Jas/Jag, Jospeh/Adam, Natalie/Stephanie all working together to drive to the 1st leg, where a Driver's Seat is ahead.  Arrive 2 hours before it opens, they strategize about the Driver's Seat.

Roadblock:  Bottling Beer

3 crates:                                2 crates:                                            1 crate:

J/J  passed 2nd:)                    J/A 3rd! (found J/J's directions!      Izzy/Paige 5th:)          

E/T 4th!                                 N/S passed 1st!                                S/H 6th                                            

 J/Chels 8th!                           R/K 7th!

                                              Ky/Tay  9th

                                              Kat/Alex 10th

                                              Meg/Matt Last

Detour:  Ploughing the field to find the next clue!

Adam and Joseph lost their car keys...found it in the field:)

Roadblock:  Ice Hockey!

J/J got it on 2nd try:)

Nat gets it on 2nd try:)

Tucker:  12th try:)

Joseph:  20th try:)

Simone:  3rd try:)

Paige:  6th try:)

Kristine:  1st try!

Chels:  13th try:)

Tay: 1st try!

Alex:  25th try!

Matt and Megan never even got there; Phil met them at the Ploughing.

Pit Stop:

Jas/Jag gave it to Nat/Steph since it's Nat's birthday the next day.....$2500 ea:)

Tucker/Eric:  3rd:)

Eliminated:  Matt and Megan

Survivor 49: Week 3

 Oh no....Mr. Beefcake Jake got bitten by a venomous sea snake!  Goes to Medical....even though it's a 'dry' bite (no venom), he gets pulled from the game for his own health.

Challenge:  Water Obstacle Course and Turtle Puzzle

Yellow wins, Red 2nd, and now Blue has to go to Tribal again.

Yellow finds their Beware Advantage.

Red finds their Beware Advantage

UPDATE:  Jake is healthy and made it home for the birth of his son:)  Hopefully he'll apply and get a 2nd chance.

Tribal Council:  Have I mentioned how Jeremiah looks like Peanut (Jeff Dunham's puppet)? Sofi wants to vote out Alex.

Alex plays his idol; Jeremiah voted out 2-1.

From The Stupid Files: Y7, W33

 Day 119: Rain, low 70s; 87 t/a

ASM:  Alex

HC:  Austin (back from his cruise!)

Loaders:  Jax, Isaiah

1) 1st Zebra refused to log me in; had to use Pro Zach's 4 times!  At my break, swapped it out for one that would log me in.  Didn't have to use it.

2) Customer griped about his inconsiderate kids not helping him, but left his cart in front of my counter AND other customers.  Irony....

3) Customer's card refused to work, so I looked up his account.  "Not found".

Outfit:  Gray Plank LU tee, faded capris, 'Boo' danglies

Off tomorrow!

Day 120:  Cooler, low 70s; 108 t/a

ASM:  Maria

HC:  Isaac

Loaders:  DS Charlie, Conrad, Isaiah

1) Customer's weed fell out when he pulled out his wallet.  "oops.....It's legal in Ill'

   "Just be careful going home."

2) Went to lunch at 8.

3) Successfully signed up for my health insurance.

4) Saw Jeff Cardinal:)

Outfit:  Blue USA tee, faded cut off capris, skeletons

Off tomorrow, then leaving for Lafayette on Fri:)

October Goals

 Did August seem to go on and on?  It did for me!

-Lose 5 lbs Lost a pound!

-Get foot checked out 9/4:  Cultures taken 9/11:  Tested positive for staph infection; am on antibiotic silver lotion.  Insurance refused Wound Center and further tests.  Grrr....

-Mammogram Check!  LOVE the new 3D one!

-Do well at First Friday Art Walk Bleh....it rained.

-Do well at Cil-Con  Sold 4; paid for my gas.

-Do well at Peoria event Sold 3, bartered 1:)  Paid for my gas...

-Finish writing Heart Song Not yet

-Add words to Aiden Kross and Dragon stories Check!

 Health:  My right foot developed two wounds Labor Day weekend, which podiatrist said tested positive for staph infection. Began putting antibiotic lotion and wearing compression wrap. At first, I tried wearing a sneaker and a house slipper, then discovered my dress China flat worked better. But PAIN shooting up the calf is what has frustrated me the most.  I'm taking waaaaaay too much Aleve, but 4 capsules twelve hours apart is what is keeping it manageable. About once a week, the pain gets so bad it wakes me up (stabbing pain in calf wound), and had to take an extra dose at 3:30 am just to get to sleep at 5.  At least it no longer itches! And I discovered this week (Oct 2nd) that maybe I need to stop putting the sterile gauze dressing on the calf one?  Pain returned to 'normal' on the 2nd.

 Books Read:  7

            Print:  5

        E-book:  2

             DNF:  1

2025 Events:

Oct 3rd:  Fall Creative Market Sold 1

Oct 11th:  LibraryCon, Benton Co Public Library, Fowler, In 0 sales

Oct 11th:  Lafayette Comic Con, Tippi County Fairgrounds ($50-Pd 6/13) Sold 5:)

Nov 12-16th:  ICGAHS ($700-making payments)

Dec 3-4th, Good Sam Christmas Craft Show, GSH Hedde Center, Vincennes, In

2026 Events:

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

Aug 8th:  Indy Author Event ($250; Pd $50 5/16 still owe $200)

Aug 22nd:  Geek Con, Evansville Museum ($40)

October Goals:

-Lose 5 lbs (start:  245) Lost 1!

-Get Teacher's Pet released Check!

-Order TP copies Check!  10/17 ordered 10

-Order PWT copies Check!

-Order New Antho copies Check! Ordered 15

-Do well at Creative Market Only sold 1, but Marcia sold 8!

-Do well at LibraryCon No one showed, but enjoyed hanging out with BKM and the Tockerts:)

-Do well at Lafayette ComicCon Sold 5:)

-Get promo together for Christmas show Check:)

-Finish current chapter of Heart Song 10/20:  FINISHED!!!!

-Add new words to dragon/fairy story Check:)

-Add new words to Aiden Kross story Check and FINISHED it 10/15

-Buy BP machine Finally got one 10/17!!

-Buy new soap dish for MBa 

-Finish trim, lights, medicine cabinet, and shower guard in MBa 

-Pay down CC and start pecking away at med bills

-Read 6 books

-Finish current e-book Check:)

Oct Reading Schedule:  

The Lady's Mine-Francine Rivers Probably my favorite of hers!  Very good!  

Dream Girl Drama-Tessa Bailey (Library book):  Good, but not my fave.   Guess I don't understand the whole 'but she's my STEPBROTHER' issue....duh....they're not related by BLOOD; get over it.  Spoiler Alert:  At the end, Sig learns his 'father' is not his biological, and everything's okay.

Fix Her Up-Tessa Bailey (Library book) RR! Good story; loved the humor! And the sex *fans self* WOW!

Innocence Taken-Victoria M. Patton Thought I had the plot figured out, but was only half right. Still, not a bad read.  Just tedious in spots.

Fish Tank-Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra RR!  Some very good stories in there!  Didn't completely understand some of the Cuban ones, but then again, I'm not familiar with the culture.

The Trouble With Angels-Maggie Adams Good story up until final 2 chapters....

E-book:

The Stanhope Challenge-Cerise Deland 3rd one, okay; 4th one better:)

Dark Side of Disney-Leonard Kinsey Interesting.....not sure I would do any of these.

A Divided Heart-Alessandra Torra Meh....skimmed most of it. Was surprised by the twist:)

Moonshot-Alessandra Torra Good story; skimmed a lot

Trophy Wife-Alessandra Torra Meh.....skimmed a lot

Amazing Race: BB Week 2

 Prague:

1) Everyone had transportation issues.  The 1st 8 got off on the wrong train; 5 of them hopped on another train; the other 3 found a train getting them there an hour earlier.  Three more teams arrived at Franfurt to discover their connection was cancelled.  Megan and Matt are on a third train.

Megan and Matt catch up to the 2nd group of 3:)

Roadblock:  Walking out on a plank high above the city to retrieve a clue.

Jas, Adam, and Stephanie make it:)

Tucker, Paige, Jack, Rubina, and Simone make it:)

Kyland, Kat, Lexi, and Matt make it:)

  

Detour:  Knowing villages crests or Deliver glass:)

J/J, A/J, N/S deliver glass

The others do Remember The Chair

Chaddah get the Chair 1st!

K/T do the glass

Kat/Alex, M/M, and A/L do the Chair

Pit Stop:  Jas/Jag get there 1st!

Eliminated:  Angela and Lexi:)

Survivor 49: Week 2

 Alliances are beginning to form:

Blue Tribe:  Annie's on the outs, b/c she's trying to dictate to people about the coconuts, and throwing Jake (hunky beefcake) under the bus, by saying if he makes it to the merge, then his strength is going to steamroll over everyone.

Yellow Tribe:  Matt thinks he has a solid 4, but MC isn't buying what he's selling, and told Sofia about the foursome.

Red Tribe:  Nate is learning a new vocabulary!  'Rizz', 'Cinema', 'fire', and 'vibe':) Nate, Savannah, Shannon, and Rizzo.  Jawan just upset Savannah, who caught a crab earlier, by accidentally using her bag to collect firewood.

Journey:  MC, Jawan, and Jake:)  Jake and Matt are out; Jawan wins!  Chooses to give one of the other tribes a disadvantage at the next immunity challenge.

Alex and Jake find the Beware Advantage, but can't do anything further until they lose an immunity challenge

Immunity Challenge:

Jawan chooses Yellow to run the challenge with 20 pounds of coconuts on their backs AND 10 keys to unlock the rope gate, b/c 'Blue has already been through so much'.

Naturally, Yellow sees it as a hit.

Yellow and Red win!!!  Blue can't do the puzzle, despite a HUGE lead!

Alex finds the hidden immunity idol, and TELLS Annie, WELL AWARE the others want to vote Annie out!  He tells A they'll vote Sophi out.

Tribal Council:  Annie voted out.