April Goals

 WOW....March was a busy month!

-Lose 5 lbs (beginning 245)

-Get taxes prepared Check!  Getting refund from both!  Oh happy day:)

-Have fun at ICC (panelist) Check!  Had a blast!

-Do well at SI Con Sold 6:)

-Do well at BRC Sold 6:)

-Finish Ch 9 of Heart Song Check! Began Ch 10

-Read 6 books Read 5....3 print, 2 e-book

-Finish current e-book Check:)  Now onto the next one!

 Books Read:  5

            Print:  3

        E-book:  2

             DNF:  0

2025 Events:

April 3-4th:  GSH Vendor Fair ($50) Sold 6:)  3 each day:)

April 5th:  Bartholomew Co Comic Con (free!)

April 26th: Indy Author Event (volunteer)

June 13-15th:  Superman Celebration, Metropolis, Il ($100)

June 21st:  Farmer's Market ($15) and Pride (donation)

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

Aug:  Watermelon Fest ($60 due by 7/18)

Aug:  CCC ($25 due 6/15)

Aug:  Geek Con, Evansville Museum, Evansville, In ($40)

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

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

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

2026 Events:

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

April Goals:

-Lose 5 lbs (241)

-Do well at GSH Vendor Fair Sold 6:) 3 each day:)

-Do well at Columbus Comic Con

-Start getting Sara's room cleaned up 

-Buy new soap dish and toilet roll holder for MBa 

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

-Make appt with foot dr about my right leg 

-Finish Ch 10 of Heart Song

-Pay editor ($150) 

-Add words to new fairy story

-Buy BP machine 

-Pay for Geek Con ($40)

-Pay down CC and start pecking away at med bills

-Read 6 books Read 5....3 print, 2 e-book

-Finish current e-book Check:)  Now onto the next one!

April Reading Schedule:  

Wreck The Halls-Tessa Bailey

Loving Out Loud-Michael DeCamp

When My Heart Speaks-Steven Petty

Women of the Bible Speak-Shannon Bream

Yesterday's News-Katie Cawood

Someone Else's Shoes-Jojo Moyes

Moonshine Review-Barbara Evers, et al

Pieces of Her-Barbara Evers

The Chosen:  I Have Called You By Name-Jerry B. Jenkins

The Chosen:  Come and See-Jerry B. Jenkins

Same Time Next Summer-Annabel Monaghan

Inked-Rachel Rener

The Choice-Anne Greene (misplaced??)

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

-20

E-book:

Switched-Cassie Mills

His Brother's Baby-Blanche Merriott

Hunted-Jill Kaelin

Isn't She Lovely-Lauren Layne

Logan's Lessons-Tonya Ramagos

Enemies On Tap-Avery Flynn

The Fake Holdiay Romance-Tawdra Kandle

Fooling Around With Cinderella-Stacy Juba

A Game Of Gossip-Sandra Sookoo

Two-Bit Wizard-Keith Thompson

This Is Not The Story You Think It Is-Laura Munson

The Stanhope Challenge-Cerise Deland 

Dark Side of Disney-Leonard Kinsey

A Divided Heart-Alessandra Torra

Moonshot-Alessandra Torra

Trophy Wife-Alessandra Torra

TBB (on wish list-was tired of not finding them!)

The Marriage Bargain-Jennifer Probst (2013-$10)

The Marriage Trap-Jennifer Probst (2013-$15)

The Marriage Mistake-Jennifer Probst (2013-$10)

The Marriage Merger-Jennifer Probst (2013-$10)

Into Thin Air-Jon Krakauer (2013-$15)

The Cookbook Collection-Allegra Goodman (2013-$11)

The Girfriend-Abigail Barnett

The Summer Without Her (Men???)-Siri Hustvedt

Searching For Someday-Jennifer Probst (2014-$8)

Hard As You Can-Laura Kay (2014-$9)

The Year of Living Biblically-A.J. Jacobs (2014-$15)

Retaliation-Yasmin Shiraz (2014-$10)

Accused-Yasmin Shiraz (2014-$10) 

Romulus-Marilyn Campbell ($5)

Gaslight Chronicles-Cindy Spencer Pape ($8)

So Far Away-Dakota Madison, et al

Defending Devon-Shannon West

Love Realized-Melanie Codina

Love Resisted-Melanie Codina

Assumptions-Melanie Codina

One The Run-Jade C. Jamison

Decker-AD Ellis

Sawyer-AD Ellis

Twins-RG Miller

Saving Sarah-Nan Reinhart

Monster Among The Rose-Linda Kage

A Life Before-Julien Ayotta

Flower of Heaven-Julien Ayotta

Dangerous Bloodlines-Julien Ayotta

Dare To Love-Sandy Sullivan

If I Fall-Lydia Michaels ($5)

If You Want Me-Tara Mills

Tomorrow-Samantha Kane

Backdoor Billionaire's Bride-Roz Lee (2019-$5)

The Play-Tawdra Kandle

Party Planning Can Be Murder-Kerry Schafer

Hopeful In Yellow-Sandra Sookoo

Magic In Mayflowers-Sandra Sookoo

From The Stupid Files: Y7, W6

 Day 13: Chilly, high 40s, cloudy; 69 t/a

ASM:  Shannon, Ian

HC:  Sonja

Loader:  Brighton, Joey

1) The T/A would only show me up until 8pm; I had transactions up until 9:40!

2) We can use #1 again!!!!!

3) Fingers couldn't spell or type all night.

4) Had a trainee for an hour, and customer couldn't find his LAR/LCA account under ANYTHING, so ended up paying it himself. Then Pro Kathy told me not to enter city/state.....and found it.

5) Customer's phone # began 734; kept typing 735. *head slap*

Outfit:  Blue hooded Cabela's sweatshirt, dark jeggings.

Off tomorrow for choir practice:)

Day 14: cloudy; rain around 7:30; 87 t/a

ASM: Shannon

HC: Austin

Loaders:  Brighton, Joey

1) Had to take a phone order from Wagler Construction for Jax, who didn't know how to do it. Kudos to him for answering the phone, though!

2) It began raining as I went to lunch; returned an hour later and NO CUSTOMERS!!!  Rain flooded parts of aisles 50-52, nearly all the way to the center aisle!

3) Was filming the storm at 9:30 when Shannon told me to put down my phone and close the door.  :(

4) I'm STILL only scheduled for 13 hours per week.  WTH????  Sent a polite email to Holly and Kari to schedule me 25-30 hours per week please.  I CAN'T PAY MY BILLS ON 13 HOURS A WEEK!!!!  I NEED TO PAY MY EDITOR AND COVER ARTIST!!!!!

(ahem) Okay, got myself back under control.

Outfit:  B/w checked shirt; dark jeggings, red 'wavy' posts

From The Stupid Files: Y7, W5

 Day 11: Chilly, windy, high 50s; 104 t/a

ASM: Chris, Keri

HC:  Kayla

Loader:  Jax

1) Customer needed help getting some OSB; had to have Matt get it, due to Jax not answering page

2) Customer chose to sign up for the rewards before he paid and held up the line.

3) Customer needed 44 sheets of drywall; Jax had gone to lunch; paged for forklift driver for 15 mins before Brent and Izzy arrived.  Then customer went MIA for 10 mins; they couldn't load it until they arrived!

4) Customer was impatient as I was finishing up with a customer; I could only go as fast as the machine or customer was!

5) Customer tried to load GC with $2; it takes a minimum of $5. Said his buddy was sending him $$; then asked if he could take the GCs out to the parking lot while he waited!  Umm, no......they're worthless until they're activated and paid for....

Outfit:  Red l/s tee, faded jeggings, thin gold hoops.

Off tomorrow, unless I get called in!

Day 12: Sunny, high 60s; 108 t/a

ASM:  Alex, Keri

HC: Austin

Loader: Vincent, Brighton (Joe called in)

1) Good news!  Getting a $.25 raise, effective this next pay!  

2) Finally was able to ask SM Matt about hopping to #1 at 5.  "I don't care, but I'm just trying to follow what Corporate tells me."  So?????

3) Customer told me 3 times "I hope I don't see you again tonight.", but came back 5 times!  

4) Waited for an o/r for 5 mins before Kait arrived.  Joked the discount would increase the longer it took.

5) HC A was going to send me to break at 4:30, and give me a 15 min break at 7:30.  I told him NO, and to send me to lunch at 7:30.  Finally went at 8:15.

6) ASM Scott put in his 2 weeks, then was escorted out 'for giving people too many chances'.  Later found out he's taken a job with United Way.  Also, Fmr ASM Maria's returning, and Alex is taking over Lumber. Yay!

Begged Alex to call me in tomorrow after 5....I need the hours!!!

Outfit:  L/s black/gray tee, white mock turtleneck, black vest, faded jeggings, blue sapphire hoops.

From The Stupid Files: Y7, W4

 Day 8: Cool, high 40s; 68 t/a

ASM:  Alex and Shannon

HC:  Austin, Keri

Loaders:  Jax, Jared, Joe

1) Arrived to take over for Dawson, who informed me SM Matt has designated #2 as THE register to use, so the Pros don't have to move over to #2 or 3.  Asked ASM Scott if that applied to after 5, when the Pros leave, and he nodded.  I'm going to clarify this with SM Matt; I have a love/hate relationship with #1!

2) Also, the Pro Event is going on, and the table is set up BEHIND #2 and #3, with the carts now parked in front of the ice maker.  WTH?????

3) Thought new hire Cesar was just a Very Helpful Customer, who kept bringing carts in.  After the 3rd time I'd thanked him, I asked if he worked her, and he confirmed it.  Had a laugh over me thinking he was a customer!

4) Loader Jared is now in Lumber, but informed us he's quitting next week.  :(

Outfit:  St. P's day tee, l/s black tee, new dark jeggings, Leprochan hats

Day 9: Warm, low 70s; 110 t/a

ASM:  Alex

HC:  Austin

Loader:  Jax

1) Customer ordered drywall and 8 buckets of mud, plus some lumber and plumbing. Truck's back tires were definitely sagging, but they managed to drive away!

2) Needed o/r on 3 cabinets; Alex was busy at Pro desk.  Called HC Austin just as Alex walked away.  HC is covering a lunch, so called a code 99....just as Alex returns!

"I'm right here!"

"You were busy!"

"I'm always busy!" (pulls out his o/r card)

3) Jax took trash and forgot mine....but took it down after he brought in the concrete.

Outfit:  Brown blouse, new dark jeggings, brown dreamcatchers

Day 10: Chilly, windy, high 60s

ASM:  Alex

HC:  Kayla

Loader:  Vincent, Jared

1) Customer's card kept declining, so we had a misunderstanding on what to charge.  Tried to fix it by refund/rebill, but the funds didn't immediately return to his card, so he only got drinks and said he'd be back tomorrow.  Felt so bad about it I gave all of them Hershey Kisses!

2) The stupid wind kept blowing things around, even after I closed the large door!

3) Customer thought pipe was $10 cheaper and asked him if he could get proof.

"You mean, like take a picture? Sure." (leaves)

(to myself): "No....send it via telepathy" (Can you tell I was feeling a little snarky at this time?"

Then he returns, saying he'd looked at the wrong pipe, and called my 'honey' after giving him his change and receipt.  Ugh.  "I'm NOT your honey."

4) Helped Loader Vince write up a cull cart, and discovered my instructions are for the old Genesis system.  When it came time to save it, my instructions were to put 222-222-1610, but the system said 'invalid' (duh!).  So tried putting in the store's #, and a LONG list came up.  Ended up using one that DIDN'T have the Rewards attached.

Outfit:  B/S l/s tee, new dark jeggings, thin gold hoops

Off tomorrow for D's 71st b-day, and if they don't call me in on Friday, then I'm off for the weekend too, for SI Con on Sat and K's baptism on Sunday.

From The Stupid Files: Y7, W3

Day 7: Warmer, sunny, high 60s; 112 t/a

ASM:  Alex, Shannon

HC:  Austin

Loader:  Jax

1) Pro Jer was arrested over the weekend, for supposed theft. We were too busy to quietly question anyone.

2) Holly noticed my vest and told me she'd get me a new one, then informed me we're no longer carrying the Pro one.  :(  I tucked my old one in my purse to bring home.

3) SM Matt arrived as I was ringing up a complicated order; told Ian to call for a Code 3.  Matt arrived; rang up 2 customers before the line ended.

4) Loader Joe called in, leaving me alone with Jax.

5) Jax went to lunch, and needed both a loader and a forklift driver.  Brent helped with both.

6) Customer arrived with 4 bolts/nuts/washers, and had no idea what dimensions or even what they were.  *eye roll*

7) When I returned from lunch (9pm), customer had large order and 2 items for delivery, plus a phone order.  Took me 30 mins to get him rung up, and did manage to get the closing duties done by 10.

Outfit:  Blue sparkly shirt, dark jeggings, blue sapphire hoops

Off tomorrow; getting taxes done.

Had to call off two days, due to Mom having severe pain in her knees and needing to go to ER Wed night.  Thankfully, she only strained it during PT, and as of Sunday March 16th, the predizone has done its job and the swelling is down and she can move the leg independently again.  

From The Stupid Files: Y7, W2

Day 3: Rain, mid-60s; 60t/a

ASM:  Shannon

HC:  Austin

Loaders:  Vince and Jax 

1) Customer asked where the hand soap and Kleenex was; told her it was Aisle 1, where she'd obviously already been, having paper towels and cleaning supplies in her cart.

2) I set up a delivery for Wed, w/o consulting the Delivery email.....no deliveries tomorrow....OOPS!

3) Recognized one of my last customers from the mug shot I'd seen on FB. Thought privately, maybe he'd made bail?

4) There was a turtle that refused to release.  Cut it off the box, then finally it gave way.

Outfit:  Lavander sweater, black vest, faded jeggings, silver spirals 

Day 4: Rain/snow mix, 30s 56 t/a

ASM:  Shannon

HC:  Austin

Loaders:  Vince and Joe

1) Customer pretended not to understand English; then I couldn't speak!  He also returned two more times.  Once to return items, then realized he needed to buy them back.

2) Despite the cold, rain/snow mix, I saw a woman wearing flip-flops....geez....

3) Customer left an item, said he needed to go get more $$.  Never returned.

4) T was 'fairly certain' she let 2 cabinets walk out....I also discounted paint when customer complained.

5) Asked ASM Shan how the walk through went; turns out it's tomorrow.

6) Accidentally left my phone on the charger.  HC Austin called Shan to let me back in the store.

Outfit:  Red hooded sweater, white turtleneck, faded jeggings, fair isle leggings, blue fingerless gloves, red crochet headband, silver chains.

Am off the next 2 days:)  Mom has appointments both Thurs and Fri.

Day 5:  Rare Sat Sunny, warmer, 50s; 49 t/a

ASM:  Alex, Keri

HC:  Austin

Loader:  Jax

Was 90 mins late, due to popping in to see friends in Fowler.

1) Syd and I were together until 6, and alternated customers, plus I did my LU and returned a few items.  As soon as she left at 6, I had a 'rush'.

2) Brent told me at 8:30 we were closing at 9; I hurried up and finished pulling the trash and doing a hasty sweep of the area.....then learned that nope, closing at 10!  Helped HC Austin fill the coolers, then did a more thorough sweep of the area.

3) Loader Jax forgot to take my trash, so had to take it to receiving.

Bought D's gang box/jobsite box, and clocked out at 10:30.

Outfit:  L/S teal shirt, black vest, faded jeggings, red plaid leggings, thin gold hoops

Day 6:  Rare Sun Warm, near 60s; 86 t/a

ASM:  Alex, Keri

HC:  Kayla

Loader:  Joey

1) Joe was an hour late, so he stayed until 8 to bring in the concrete and take the hopper around.

2) Had several customers buying quantities of 17!

3) Didn't get my break, but made 2 pit stops, once when Syd could cover and once with Joe.

4) Couldn't find the rebar the customer insisted in the book, so searched for it and found it the same time Joe did!

5) When I went up front, a customer was still in the store buying paint. He finally left around 8:20, and had bought $2K's worth.

Outfit:  Gray hooded sweatshirt, faded jeggings, blue sapphire hoops.

March Goals

For a short month, February seemed to drag.  Anyone else feel that way?  Didn't get a lot accomplished, due to the fact I only worked 12/28 days, and spent the others on the couch, curled up with the dogs and a good book, or watching TV.

-Lose 5 lbs (beginning 245)

-Do well at Creative Market  Sold 3:)

-Take record player back to Brown House Check:)

-Do well at Saluki Con Sold 2.....rainy day

-Start getting Sara's room cleaned up Not yet

-Buy new soap dish and toilet roll holder for MBa Not yet

-Finish trim, lights, medicine cabinet, and shower guard in MBa Waiting for warmer weather

-Make appt with foot dr about my right leg Not yet

-Add words to Heart Song Check!  Halfway through Ch 9

-Pay editor ($150) Not yet

-Add words to new fairy story Check!  Got backstory accomplished

-Buy BP machine Not yet

-Pay for SI Con Talked to organizers; I can pay day of:)

-Pay down CC and start pecking away at med bills CC, yes.

-Read 6 books Check:)  Read 13

-Finish current e-book Check:)

 Books Read:  13

            Print:  8

        E-book:  5

             DNF:  6

2025 Events:

March 14-15th:  Indy Comic Con, panelist Awesome time!

March 22nd:  SI Con, Benton, Il Sold 6:)

March 29th:  Big River Comic Con, Hannibal, MO (Pd 1/15) Sold 6:)

April 3-4th:  GSH Vendor Fair ($50) Sold 6:)  3 each day:)

April 5th:  Bartholomew Co Comic Con (free!)

April 26th: Indy Author Event (volunteer???) Local Craft Fair???? ($25)

June 13-15th:  Superman Celebration, Metropolis, Il ($100)

June 21st:  Farmer's Market ($15) and Pride (donation)

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

Aug:  Watermelon Fest ($60 due by 7/18)

Aug:  CCC ($25 due 6/15)

Aug:  Geek Con, Evansville Museum, Evansville, In ($40)

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

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

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

2026 Events:

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

March Goals:

-Lose 5 lbs (beginning 245)

-Get taxes prepared Check!  Getting refund from both!  Oh happy day:)

-Have fun at ICC (panelist) Check!  Had a blast!

-Do well at SI Con Sold 6:)

-Do well at BRC Sold 6:)

-Start getting Sara's room cleaned up 

-Buy new soap dish and toilet roll holder for MBa 

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

-Make appt with foot dr about my right leg 

-Finish Ch 9 of Heart Song Check! Began Ch 10

-Pay editor ($150) 

-Add words to new fairy story

-Buy BP machine 

-Pay for Geek Con ($40)

-Pay down CC and start pecking away at med bills

-Read 6 books Read 5....3 print, 2 e-book

-Finish current e-book Check:)  Now onto the next one!

March Reading Schedule:

Ms Demeanor-Eleanor Lipton RR!  Enjoyed this book:)  Funny story!

Spare-Prince Harry Excellent!  Always good to read something from a different perspective, other than what we've seen via social media or the news, or in entertainment magazines.

Down the Rabbit Hole of Narcissism-Natalie Mosely Klenotic DRR!  Especially if you're in an emotionally abusive relationship.  

E-book:

Fisher Of Men-Phoebe Alexander Interesting story:)  Enjoyed the way she 'eased' into the lifestyle.

Sharing You-Molly McAdams Interesting story.....mirrors my Brian and Randi story