Tuesday, May 20, 2025

From The Stupid Files: Y7, W13

Day 40:  Mostly sunny, low 80s, with late rain; 79 t/a

ASM:  Alex

HC:  Austin

Loader: Bright, Joe

1) Eric Moore was in, buying a LOT of clearance items; Kim J rang him up and it was after 5 before he left. Teased him about cleaning out the clearance aisle!

2) Bright thanked me for the GC and hugged me.

3) Saw TDS as I was going to lunch, and chatted for 5 mins.  Matt's getting married next month!  Still no mention of Gretchen's daughter....

4) Brayden knocked over my tumbler and BENT my straw.

5) Sold Brandon V the torn 10lb bag of concrete for $.50!

6) Discovered ASM Chris B is going to retire soon.

7) ASM Alex asked why I had a padlock on my lunchbox.....then was shocked when I told him WHY.

Outfit:  Blue MyLowesRewards tee, long capris, small gold textured hoops


Day 41:



Day 42:  Rare Sat



Day 43:  Rare Sun

Monday, May 12, 2025

From The Stupid Files: Y7, W12

Day 35: Rainy, high 60s; 96 t/a
ASM:  Alex
HC:  Kayla
Loaders: Joe, Peyton, Kaleb, Conrad

1) Customer licked his chip to clean it!
2) Customer's card wouldn't work; he finally answered the fraud alert, and then it worked.
3) Register went blank on me twice
4) Ran out of $1s and $5s
6) After lunch, I discovered someone had TP'd the handicapped stalls.

Outfit:  Red 'Sarcasm' tee, faded jeggings, thin gold hoops



Day 36: Rain, low 70s; 78 t/a
ASM: Chris
HC: Austin
Loaders: DS Charlie, Conrad

1) Eric Moore; heckled me while I rang him up. At one point, Pro Kath said we sounded like an old married couple!
2) Zebra wouldn't log me in
3) Zebra wouldn't load the Driver's License app; had to log out and log in on another device.
4) Ran out of $1s; would be on #2 for cash sales.
5) Customer reeked of pot
6) Had to explain the 40% discount for this week.

Outfit:  Blue LU tee, faded jeggings, thin gold hoops


Day 37: Sunny, low 80s; 84 t/a
ASM:  Alex
HC: Austin
Loaders: DS Charlie, Joe

1} Tate had a tax exempt that didn't take
2) Customer's card refused; I saved the invoice; he returned a few mins later and had taken some items off.
3) Associate (male) didn't turn on his light; I was sweeping the floor (light was on!); customer approached him instead.
4) Customer interrupted himself 5 times; 5 half-sentences.
5) Nearly asked a customer if I could 'introduce' him to the Scrub Daddy, instead of 'interest'.
6) Customer was looking for CLAY vinyl fence; noticed the GRAY was similar; I invented a new color....GLAY!
7) While I was at lunch, Bray had only 2 customers; when I returned, had 2 customers in 10 mins.

Outfit:  Spare parts tee, long capris, small gold textured hoops.

Off tomorrow, for a trip to Lafayette:)


Day 38: Hot, mid 80s; 73 t/a
ASM: Chris
HC: Austin, Katelyn
Loaders: Brighton, Kaleb

1) Due to an unforseen detour, I was half an hour late getting to work. The ramp to I-74 was closed, so had to turn around at the 1st Danville, IL exit.
2) Didn't get to go to lunch until 8:15.
3) Cesar logged me out of my Zebra right before I went to lunch.
Otherwise, the evening was pretty good. Never got any rain, though TH and Sullivan was hit with golfball-sized hail.

Outfit: Vancouver Aquarium tee, long capris, sea horses

Off tomorrow!



Day 39: Rare Sun, Sunny, 80s; 99 t/a
ASM:  Alex
HC:  Kayla
Loader:  Brighton

1) Customer told me he missed me; the other woman was sassy.  "I sass you all the time...."  "Yes, but you're sweet."  Awwwwweeeee....
2) Customer tried to look up her card, but the connection was bad.
3) Dawson never took his returns back last night; I returned everything.
4) Final customer left at 8:15.

Monday, May 5, 2025

From The Stupid Files: Y7, W11

Day 31:  Rain, high 50s; 100 t/a

ASM:  Maria

HC:  Austin

Loaders: Jax, Conrad, Joe

1) We were very short-staffed; all the CS called in, as did our Garden cashier.  Joked Shelby and I hadn't gotten the memo!

2) Customer wanted to do a phone sale, but couldn't get the person on the phone.  Ended up saving the invoice while he kept trying to make contact, and rang up the others. Finally the person answered the phone, and it was taken care of.

Outfit: Ash gray IN sweatshirt, fuzzy sweater tee, new dark jeggings, small gold hoops.


Day 32: Warmer, high 70s; 65 t/a

ASM:  Chris

HC: Austin

Loaders:  Jax, Bright, Joe, Conrad

1) Was called in to help cover breaks; Switched places with Dawson.

2) Had 4 loaders????  WOW!

3) Customer returned insulation, but the return tab showed a different screen. Finally, Emma figured it out.

4) D came in just as Dawson sent me to break.

5) Customer had over $2K in purchases; said he was a Pro, but no phone #. Couldn't run it through VSP.

Outfit: Blue sequined tee, new dark jeggings, crystal 'tear' danglies



Day 33: Warmer, sunny, mid-70s; 85 t/a

ASM: Chris

HC:  Austin

Loaders:  Jax, Joe

1) Plywood had no tag; customer brought me another tag.

2) Shingles: Barcode was faded; had to search for several mins for right color.

3) Customer kept insisting she had a 'business account', then I figured out it was tax exempt. She kept telling me to look under the business name; finally found it under advanced search; the phone # wasn't the correct one. Then she wanted a pick up later, and was able to use her own phone # for that.

4) Irate customer b/c we paged 5 times for someone to help him in plumbing, but no one came. Loader Joe went with him to help out, and he was happier. ASM Chris was covering 4 departments, plus helping Fulfillment.

Outfit: Gray 3/4 sleeve hooded sweatshirt, faded jeggings, diamond flowers,

Off tomorrow, for Creative Market:)


Day 34:  Warmer, high 60s

ASM:  Alex

HC: Kaitlyn

Worked at ASCO from 3-9

1) Little old lady wanted me to check her out AND put her $$ in for her.

2) Customer had wire, then moved their cart; turned out they had a LOT more!  HC Sonia helped out at ASCO, since Halle was in Garden.

3) At 9pm. I went out with Brayden to get carts.....and there was a lot of 'em. Made at least 3 trips with regular carts; made 2 trips with the Lumber carts, and one with a Garden cart.  Went to the training room and did my LU, then clocked out around 9:45.

Outfit:  Brown blouse, faded jeggings, neutral danglies

Came home and pissed off the spouse when I informed him Nan and I were off to Branson in the morning.  Threw everything in the past 30 years in my face, calling me a selfish, manipulative b**ch and forget about giving me any help toward my medical bill; if I could afford a $200 trip to Branson, then I could catch up the $300 payment myself. Fine. Nobody's complaining, and I ASKED HIM if he wanted to go FIRST!

Yes, I have ZERO guilt about this trip. It's something I've always wanted to do, and I've saved my $$ to do this.  I'm sorry if that makes me selfish.  I've NEVER talked HIM out of doing anything he wanted to do. But by all means, call me selfish for taking a 24-36 hour trip out of town.  It's Mother's Day weekend; be happy I'm not asking you to take me out to eat or get me flowers!

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

May Goals

 -Lose 5 lbs (241)

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

-Do well at Columbus Comic Con Sold 6:)

-Enjoy the Indy Author Event Check!  Had a blast!

-Buy toilet roll holder! for MBa Check!

-Finish Ch 10 of Heart Song Check:)  Now onto Ch 11...

-Pay editor ($150) Sent $50

-Read 6 books Check:) Read 8

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


Books Read:  8

            Print:  5

        E-book:  3

             DNF:  0


2025 Events:

May 8th:  Creative Market, KCARC 1972, 4-7pm ($10) Sold 3:)

June 6th: Seymore Comic Con, Seymore, IN ($60-pd 5/16)

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

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)

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


May Goals:

-Lose 5 lbs (241)

-Do well at Creative Market Sold 3:)

-Enjoy anniversary Check!  Dinner at Yamoto

-Enjoy Tropicon Branson Check!  Surprised friend Ava and had a GREAT time!

-Finalize Playing With Time and set release date

-Pay Editor, Cover Art (funds in savings), Geek Con, and Seymore Check! event

-Start getting Sara's room cleaned up 

-Buy new soap dish for MBa 

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

-Make appt with foot dr about my right leg 

-Finish Ch 11 of Heart Song

-Pay editor ($150) Pd $100

-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 

-Finish current e-book Check!


April Reading Schedule:  

Women of the Bible Speak-Shannon Bream Very good! Had forgotten about a few in the Old Testament.
Someone Else's Shoes-Jojo Moyes DRR!  Really enjoyed this!!!
Yesterday's News-Katie Cawood
Moonshine Review-Barbara Evers, et al Really enjoyed a lot of these stories, including Barbara's!
Pieces of Her-Barbara Evers
The Chosen:  I Have Called You By Name-Jerry B. Jenkins
The Chosen:  Come and See-Jerry B. Jenkins
Inked-Rachel Rener
The Love Scribe-Amy Meyerson
Leota's Garden-Francine Rivers
The Matzah Ball-Jean Meltzer
Once Upon A Platypus 2-Ron Braun
The Shrieking Gun Cafe-YW Lumaris
The Bears of Blue River-Charles Major
Home To Holly Springs-Jan Karon
Cleaning Homes in Scottsdale, AZ-Rick Smith
Secret Stories of Disney World-Jim Korkis
The Scarlet Thread-Francine Rivers
And The Shofar Blew-Francine Rivers
Redeeming Love-Francine Rivers
Finding Home-Sutton Bishop
Becoming His-KI Lynn
Tangled In Lavandar-Sandra Sookoo
This Is Us-April Decton
The Lady's Mine-Francine Rivers
Texas Bombshell-Cynthia D'Alba
Innocence Taken-Victoria M. Patton
Fish Tank-Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra
The Trouble With Angels-Maggie Adams
Just One Summer-Lynn Stevens
She Who Frees The Selkie-K. Malady
Double D Ranch-Rochelle Bradley
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
-38

E-book:
Isn't She Lovely-Lauren Layne RR!  REALLY enjoyed this 'Pretty Woman'-like story!
Logan's Lessons-Tonya Ramagos DNF....skimmed it. Not really interested
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
Promised To The Worst Duke In England-Sandra Sookoo

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



Tuesday, April 29, 2025

From The Stupid Files: Y7, W10

 Day 28: Rain, mid 60s; 3 t/a

ASM:  Shannon

HC:  Austin

Worked in Self Check Out for 4 hours; very bored.

What is it with people who push their carts to the 2nd door and pull everything out to take it to the car? Why not just do it at the register and let me move it?

My three T/As:

1) Customer had paving stones

2) Woman wanted to write a check

3) Customer wanted a pallet of mulch.  Just realized I forgot to charge him for the pallet.  Oops!

Had to take out all the doubleshots out of the lumber cooler, b/c HC A didn't realize they were curdled.

Outfit:  New dark blue Safety tee; long capris, thin gold hoops

Off tomorrow to go to Lafayette:)


Day 29: Overcast; low 70s

ASM:  Alex

HC: Austin

Loaders: Bright, Tate, Peyton

1) I needed an o/r and SM Matt was in Pro, but he didn't have his card on him, so he found Alex to do it. If Matt hadn't been there, I would have used the cheat sheet for the 10% off.

2) Discovered customers can no longer turn around and pay off their purchases; they have to wait 24 hrs.

3) Final customer of the day created an online quote, and wanted to pay for it. Problem was, I couldn't find it, and since we don't price-match our own website, I had to call Alex to work his magic.

Outfit:  Indy Author tee, long capris, small textured gold hoops


Day 30:  Rare Sun; Rain, low 50s; 30+ t/a

ASM: Maria

HC: Austin

Loaders:  Brighton, Joe, Peyton

1) There were 3 of us until 5. I took back returns and swept Aisle 20; Marilyn cleaned the counters. Basically, we tripped over each other for 2 hours, then when Marilyn and Sydney left, I got slammed.

2) None of the trash had been gathered Sat night.

3) I forgot to log out Marilyn, and when the register froze in the middle of a transaction, had to rescan EVERYTHING. Then it froze up again, but since I was logged in, the cart was recovered.

Outfit:  Star Wars tee, black l/s tee, new dark jeggings, small gold hoops


Tuesday, April 22, 2025

From The Stupid Files: Y7, W9

 Day 24: Warm, 70s; 84 t/a

ASM: Alex

HC: Austin

Loaders:  Joe, Jax

1) We're forced to be on #2 again. Neither Kem nor I are happy.

2) Beginning on the 24th (tomorrow), we have to enter our PIN to access Workday "for extra security"

3) At 5, I hopped back on #1, only to discover it was out of $5s and $10s.

4) Final customer left at 9:45.

Outfit:  Maroon blouse, dark jeggings, silver spirals


Day 25: Warm, high 70s; 87 t/a

ASM:  Maria

HC: Austin

Loaders:  ASM Charlie, Bright, Jax, Vince

1) Had to fill the soda cooler

2) Wasn't able to process a return; had to send them to CS

3) Rang up the wrong concrete; had to refund/rebill

4) Lunch was at 5, due to Ivree quitting (got another job) and Aven being fired (attitude or attendance, we don't know).

5) Customer did a return, then tried to buy more, but card declined. Ended up doing phone sale with his father.

6) Customer bought a nail gun, only to discover a USED one inside. Had him get another

7) Couldn't figure out how to print a loading ticket.

8) Final customer decided not to get 3-4 tools after all.

Outfit:  Black v-neck tunic, dark jeggings, thin gold hoops


Day 26:  Sunny, 80s; 81 t/a

ASM:  Alex

HC:  Austin

Loaders: Bright, Jax, Peyton

1) Was called in, so arrived at 4.

2) 1st customer:  2 boards wouldn't scan; one I could read, the other I couldn't. Meanwhile, former loader Tim heckled me, ha ha!

3) Thought a child belonged to another parent

4) Customer brought in roof tar; I thought it was paint. We laughed about it at check-out!

5) Had a trainee, so was able to clean and take back the returns before she left at 9:)

Outfit: Vegas tee, long capris, large gold hoops

Off the next two days, due to volunteering at the Indy Author Event in Carmel.


Day 27:  Rare Sun Sunny, high 60s; 90 t/a

ASM:  Alex

HC: Sonia, Keri

Loader: Jax, Peyton, Joe

1) We were busy!

2) Discovered I can return several items at once on the same card, even if they're different transactions.

3) Alex has a 'super power'....since CV, he's had no sense of smell, but his nose recognized Jean's cologne, and he could find him, even though J was trying to hide!

4) Thought TDS was in line; 2nd look, wasn't him.

5) Joe brought up wrong battery for customer; found the correct one.

6) Customer thought he was going to have $2K for VSP, but the $1K vanity was out of stock, and so was the $500 ceiling fan.  Total was $491.

Monday, April 14, 2025

From The Stupid Files: Y7, W8

 Day 19:  Warm, sunny, low 70s; 94 t/a

ASM:  Maria

DS:  Kari

HC:  Austin

Loaders:  Charlie, Joe, Bright

1) Had trainee for the 1st hour:)

2) Ran out of $1s at 3:30; was on #2 until 9.

3) Military discount now working on Lumber???

4) Was short-staffed, so had to cut my lunch short by 10 mins.

5) Needed o/r, so hopped to 1 for 3 customers until ASM Shan arrived.

6) At 9pm, #2 was out of $10s,$5s, and $1s.  Went back to #1, where I stayed the rest of the night.

7) Final customer left at 9:10.

Outfit:  Palm tree sweatshirt, faded jeggings, sea horses

Off tomorrow for eye appointment, take Ned's SA box to him, and Behind The Brians at 7pm:)


Day 20:  Cold, windy, high 50s

ASM:  Maria

HC:  Austin

Loaders:  Joe, Bright, Vince

1) Was called in to work Garden 4-8, but ended up in Lumber til close

2) Was insanely busy for 1st hour!

3) Customer had 4 carts, but needed something else, so ended up on #2 until they found it.

4) Needed an o/r for discounted cabinets, so hopped to #2

5) Final customer wanted bulk gravel and sand; had issues finding it. Then found it, and did a refund/rebill.....but refunded the wrong item.  Oops!

6) Was putting away hangers, but couldn't find them. Dumped them in an almost empty box.

Outfit:  Mama Bear sweatshirt, faded jeggings, small diamond flowers


Day 21:  Sunny, mid-60s; 83 t/a

ASM:  Maria

HC:  Sonia

Loaders: Conrad, ASM Charlie

1) T showed up at 4, and I lost my mind; can't talk and make change at the same time.  Called me 'old friend'; he's lost 20 pounds and looks GREAT! Told me 'talk soon' and left.  Le sigh.....

2) Threw caulk, paintbrush, and $1 at people.

3) Did return, only the card was different than the one the customer used; consulted HC Sonia, who gave him cash, but the register never printed out a return slip.

4) Andrea was in a bad mood, b/c she'd been called in and "Adrianne took an hour and 10 min lunch'....I ended up getting back 5 minutes later.  She'd already logged off and left the minute she saw me.

5) I'd just locked the doors and opened the big door when a customer ran in, saying he only needed to get 2 boards.  He was in and out in 2 mins, before HC Sonia cleaned me out.

Outfit: Red hanky hem turtleneck, faded jeggings, tiny diamond and sapphire hoops


Day 22:  Warmer, low 70s; Floater duty 11-4; 36 t/a

ASM:  Alex

HC:  Kayla

Loaders:  Charles, Tate, Jax

1) Worked Lumber while Kem took her lunch break, and the new scanning the IDs for LCA have begun.  Had to do it twice.

2) Worked LG while Robin took her break, and BOY have things changed! Had issues finding the mulch and pavers.  Rain showed up for about 10 mins, which thankfully drove everyone out of LG!  Had to learn to use the Zebra to page, instead of the phone. Bleh.

3) Took my 15 min break, then worked Self-check out for 15 mins until Andrea returned.  Had issues helping a customer insert his $$; forgot to press 'cash' 1st.  Geez.....

4) Went to lunch, then an intestinal attack hit as I was clocking back in.  Had to clock out at 4 and go home after cleaning out the coffee pot and spotting Jax in aisle 20.

Outfit:  Blue Whitehorse sweatshirt, faded jeggings, tiny sapphire hoops


Day 23:  Sunny, mid-70s; 90 t/a

ASM:  Chris

HC:  Austin

Loader: Jax, Vince

1) Was called in around 12:30, to work 3-close; Halle called in.

2) My dustpan was MIA; found it as I was leaving at Fashion Bath desk.

3) Had to return SOS order; wasn't sure I'd done it correctly.

4) Thai truck was there, but didn't have any expendable $$.  THOUGHT about it though!

Outfit:  Brown gauze blouse, faded jeggings, sapphire hoops

Will I get called in again tomorrow????