From The Stupid Files: Y8, W35

Day 165:  Warm, 70s, 84 t/a

ASM:  Charlie

HC:  Austin

Loaders:  DS Chad, Roque, DS Ian

1) 4/7 LU.  Down to #11.

2) Trainee Shane was on register 7-10; was able to take back the returns, he was doing such a good job!

3) Went to lunch 8:10-40

4) Saw Floyd, Austin, and Kenzie

5) Place died around 8:30.

6) Took Quanita home

Outfit:  Maroon blouse, new faded jeggings, skeleton danglies

Day 166: Warm, high 70s; 31 t/a

ASM:  Charlie

HC:  Elissa (1st time by herself)

Loader:  DS Chad

1) 6/7 LU.  Moved up to #10.

2) Shane took over register around 6:30.

3) Went to lunch @8:30

4) Place died around 7:30.

5) Was finally able to show Shane how to do a check and the LCA!

Outfit:  Black Haunted House tee, new dark jeggings, Trick or Treat danglies

Day 167: Warm, mid-70s; 80 t/a

ASM:  Daniel

HC:  Elissa

Loaders:  DS Chad, Roque

1) Customer at Pro asked me for 2 gallons of paint. Told him Paint Desk was Aisle 8.  Turned out he'd never set foot in the store before! 

My 1st thought was, 'does this look like the paint desk to you?'

2) Had to switch to #2 @4:45, due to being out of $1s

3) 6/7 LU....I'm up to #7, and 40 pts from Kem at #6.

4) Needed an o/r; took 15 mins.  Customer paid for GC with cash.  Rang up customers on #1 (card) and #3 (cash).  Shane walked in; I told him, "Welcome to Hell!"

5) Went to lunch at 7:10. Returned an hour later; place had died.

Outfit:  Black Skeleton tee, new dark jeggings, Halloween Hearts, Jack Skellington headband

Off tomorrow for choir!

Day 168: Warm, 70s, rain for about an hour; 47 t/a

ASM:  Keri

HC:  Sarah

Loaders:  DS Chad, Pro John

1) 4/7 LU.  Still #10, 3 pts from Chad!

2) Was able to go to lunch, leaving Shane solo for 30 mins.

3) Showed Shane how to do GC and discounted bagged items (concrete, mulch).

Outfit:  Orange/black Halloween shirt, black jeggings, Boo danglies, spider headband

Day 169:  Rare Sat Halloween

Day 170:  Rare Sun

From The Stupid Files: Y8, W34

Day 161: Warmer, mid-70s; 50 t/a

ASM:  Shannon

HC:  DS Katelyn

Loaders:  DS Chad, Pro John, DS Ian

1) 7/7 LU!!  Only 140 pts behind Pam:)

2) Customer bought me PB M&Ms!

3) No AP4Me until the 31st!

4) Cheryl bought SFL:)

5) Only one customer after break,

Outfit:  Blue Whitehorse light sweatshirt, dark jeggings, small gold hoops

Day 162: Warm, mid-70s; 57 t/a

ASM:  Charlie

HC:  Lisa

Loader:  Pro John

1) Woman claims she has rewards, but not under her phone #. When I offered to look it up under her email, she said she was in a hurry and left in a huff. 

"I give you guys my phone # and I don't care."

2) 6/7 LU....am still in 2nd, 150 pts behind Pam.

3) Had sneezing fit after break; not sure if it was the customer Lisa was finishing up with???

4) Mike Hill bought 3 Month Rule for $5:)

Outfit:  Burgandy LS shirt, new faded jeggings, earth tone danglies

Day 163: Warm, mid-70s; 69 t/a

ASM:  Dan

HC:  Lisa

Loader:  Roque, Steve Y

1) Customer nearly took my head off when I scanned the board twice; her hubby explained both boards were the same and she calmed down.

2) 7/7 LU!  Only 40 pts behind Pam:)

3) Had trainee Shane from 6-10; think he'll do fine...has construction AND retail background.

Outfit:  Gray/blue Shaun C tee, new faded jeggings, small gold hoops.

Off tomorrow for choir practice!

Day 164: Warm, mid-70s; 87 t/a

ASM:  Charlie

HC:  Sarah

Loaders:  DS Chad, Pro John, Cole

1) 4/7 LU. Dropped to 6th.

2) Didn't take my lunch until 8:20

3) Shane worked register 8-10 and did well!

4) Sweet-talked a customer into buying me PB M&Ms

5) Troy Pickel came in; turned out he knew the guy who set his house on fire.  SMH...

Outfit:  Brown ribbed shirt, new faded jeggings, earth tone danglies

Off for the weekend!

From The Stupid Files: Y8, W33

Day 158: Hot, 90s; 98 t/a

ASM:  Keri

HC:  Austin, Elissa

Loaders:  Jax, DS Ian

1) VERY busy 4-6pm

2) Olivia on vacation; 3-close this week=1 hour lunch break!!!

3) 5/5 LU....#2 behind Pam by 255 pts!

4) Brandon from Millwork helped me stock the soda coolers

Outfit:  Gray PU tee, 1 button capris, thin gold hoops

Day 159: Hot, humid, 90s; 59 t/a

ASM:  Keri

HC:  Elissa, DS Katelyn

Loader:  Jax

1) 5/5 LU!  Only 46 pts behind Pam!

2) No 15 min break

3) Place died around 7

4) Only had maybe 3-4 customers between 7-9pm

Outfit:  Gray Plank LU, 1 button capris, tiny silver hoops

Off the next two days!!!!

Day 160: Cool, low 50s; 105 t/a

ASM:  Shannon

HC:  Sarah

Loader:  Jax (final day)

1) 5/5 LU:)  Due to being off Wed-Thurs, I've dropped to #5.

2) Had 99 customers 2:30-7, and ZERO after 8:53.

3) Gave Jax $20 since I thought his last day was Sunday. Hugged him and told him 'It was a treat to work with you. Best wishes at Toyota."  He thanked me.

Outfit:  Ash gray Book Club sweatshirt, dark jeggings, large gold hoops

Am off the weekend!

From The Stupid Files: Y8, W32 Front End Appreciation Week

Day 153: Warm, 80s; 71 t/a 

ASM:  Dan

HC:  DS Kaitlyn

Loaders:  Jax, Steve

1) Forgot to email D Provines' receipt

2) 5/7 LU

3) Did AP4Me

4) Mgmnt bought Jimmy Johns for us today

5) Other than my back hurting, not a bad shift.

Outfit:  Black dog tee, 1 button capris, small gold textured hoops

Day 154: Warm, 80s; 52 t/a

ASM:  Keri

HC:  DS Kaitlyn

Loaders:  Jax, Steve

1) Customer returned 2 pallets w/o receipt, plus wanted 22 bags of concrete, then argued with me about taking the pallet charge from the total. Explained I couldn't, then tried to issue store credit, but needed an override. Called Keri down to explain WHY....then I dealt with another customer, and had issues ringing up their paint.  Meanwhile, Keri did the o/r and got the customer out of there,....I hopped back to #1 and finally got his paint rung up.  Customer A griped about the 'level of help' in the store while we waited for anyone answering the Code 50.

2) 5/7 LU!

3) Pen broke

4) Had to empty the coffee carafe

Outfit:  Black Eclipse tee, 1 button capris, eclipse danglies

Day 155: Warm, 80s; 64 t/a

ASM:  Keri

HC:  Sarah

Loaders:  Jax, Pro John

1) Customer needed 2 pallets loaded; had 4 people looking for the Star Wars and spotter to load.  Finally, Jax and Pro John got it loaded.

2) Customer arrived for cabinets; turned out they were NOT paid for; customer paid and sent on his way:)

3) 2/7 LU....bleh

4) Irate customer needed help in tools; paged 3 times; she went down and got HC Sarah.

5) Saw T briefly as I was putting things away in aisle 15!  He was getting light bulbs.  Text conversation ensued for the next hour.

6) Received our Front End Appreciation gifts,,,,red/blue LU bag, phone charger, candy, LU socks

7) Bought Halloween tee and 2 X-mas tees, plus scent sticks.

Outfit:  Blue floral blouse (Hawaiian Day), 1 button capris, sapphire hoops

Day 156:  Rare Sat Cooler, mid 70s; 68 t/a

ASM:  Shannon

HC:  Shannon (Sarah called in; family emergency with her hubby)

Loaders:  Jax, Pro John

1) Arrived at 2

2) 4/7 LU...better!

3) Steady 2-4:30

4) Lunch 4:40-5:10

5) Ran out of $5s and 1s around 3:30, so was on #2 rest of evening.

6) Steady after lunch til around 7pm

7) Karen relieved me @8pm; showed her how to return an insulation machine, then told her about the trash hopper, which she didn't know about.

8) Walked away when she began tying off the trash bags (I HATE that!)

9) Talked to Madi for maybe 20 mins; found out yesterday a woman soiled herself, then stripped down and washed her underwear and pants IN THE BATHROOM SINK!  Cleaning guy was called in to sanitize it; apparently there was poo on the floor, stall, toilet, and sink.  Ugh.

10) Finally clocked out at 8:50.

Outfit:  Black Skeleton tee, 1 button capris, Boo danglies

Day 157:  Rare Sun Warm, high 70s; 84 t/a

ASM:  Shannon

HC:  Shannon (see above)

Loader:  Pro John

1) 5/5 LU!

2) Saw Kevin Snider!

3) Saw Diana (former loader) and family:)

4) Emma covered me 6-6:15.

5) Fairly steady all shift

Outfit:  Teal blue blouse, 1 button capris, H-candy danglies

October Goals

Wake me up when September ends.....Oh, it did!  I was fairly productive this month!

-Finish Antho story!!!!!  9/12:  Check! 

-Have enjoyable visit with Uncle Ed Check!

-Sing well at Grouseland Check!

-Pay For Imaginarium Check!

-Lock in Hotel Room Check!

-Pay for StompCon Check!

-Do well at StompCom Check!  Sold 11!!!!!

-Lock in hotel room for November (SC concert) Check!

-Order copies of TP, WHH, and WAH for Oct event Check!

-Order copies of PWT, AK, HS, and DD Check!

Books Read:  12

            Print:  11

        E-book:  1

             DNF:  2

Karaoke Songs Added To Good List:  5.

2026 Events:

Oct 3rd:  Autumn On Main, Downtown Vincennes, In 5-9pm CANCELLED, but Art Walk is still on.  Depends on weather. Sold 6!!!  Thank you Marci and Sara!!

Oct 25th:  Romance and Roses Lit Con, Embassy Suites Indpls Airport, Plainfield, In $50 paid 6/5 Still owe $40 (1/2 table) Pd 6/12 Upgraded to Full Table 9/28 ($50 pd) Sold 9!!!

Nov 11-15:  ICGAHS

Nov 17th:  Shaun Cassidy X-mas show, Murat Shrine

Nov 28th:  Creative Holiday Market, 1972 KCARC???

Dec 2-3rd:  GSH Christmas Vendor Event ($50) 

Dec 22nd:  TSO concert, Gainsbridge Colosseum, Downtown Indpls 3pm

October Goals:

-Lost 5 pounds (start: 234) Gained a pound. Blaming the Halloween candy, lol....

-Do well at Autumn on Main Cancelled, due to weather, but Art Walk is still on; depends on weather. Sold 6!!!  Friend Marci bought 5, and fellow author Sara bought 1:)

-Have a good Dr. visit Check!  Am down 6 lbs and kidney disease scare was overturned:)  Labs drawn Mon showed kidney function down, but a retest showed normal!

-Get new book released and copies ordered Check!  20 copies 10/3

-Do well at Rose Lit Con Sold 9:)

-Send Daughter's MS to editor

-Republish Rex Nancy working on it

-Fill out passport paperwork and turn it in

-Find out about passport photo Staples???  CVS???

-Add words to Dragon story stalled 

-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 

October Reading Schedule:

As We Wander The Stars-Todd Black Interesting story:)

Surviving Lily-M. Black Very good!  Figured out one 'mystery' by the 3rd chapter, and thought I knew the killer, but did NOT see the twist!

Double Take-Lynette Eason DRR!  I loved this book and didn't see the twist coming:)

Honey Bunch Books: LMAO.....I definitely would have enjoyed these better 50 years ago.  Reading them as an adult, I found myself rolling my eyes at the antics of the kids.

     -1st Garden Fun!

     -1st Trip West Didn't really care for this one too much....not sure why.

    -1st Airplane *eye roll* Who lets two little girls wander around a hotel BY THEMSELVES??? Esp one that's accident prone.....geez.  

     -1st Zoo LOL....Stub is definitely someone who marches to her own drum and should NEVER be left alone!

     -1st Big Adventure Interesting....HB gets lost, so woman takes her to orphanage instead of police station???

     -1st Parade HB finds a lost child and takes it home....Mom isn't found until the parade???

     -1st Mystery  Someone steals the washing and HB and friends suspect junk dealer, then find a trunk that has been missing for a while.

      -1st Club HB and friends help a young woman who's left the Gypsies and find a job.

     -1st Twin Playmates Twin girls who want to escape their stern nanny enlist HB and Norman for help     

     -1st Costume Party HB meets an Indian girl and takes her to cousin's farm, and organizes costume party

     -1st Pet Show HB decides to have pet show to raise funds for poor kids to go to camp   

Dana Girls:  Carolyn Keene Again, was more enjoyable 50 years ago!  Now I notice head-hopping and 'purple prose.'

     -Study Lamp Good:)

     -Tower Good:)

     -Locked Room Good; am tired of Lettie's attitude!

The Great Landlocked Sea-E. Davis Best story was the one about the angular fish!

Reach Up For The Sunrise-Jen Selinsky Very informative!  Had no idea the band was still around:)

Chicken Pulp-Hericja R. Raymer Interesting

The Luck of the Ogre-Annette Miller RR!  Enjoyed this story very much:)

Where Shadows Sleep-Lawrence Weill Strange; reminded me somewhat of Prayer For Owen Meany...about a kid who likes to wander around at night, until finally as an adult, he is questioned about what he's seen, and his purpose suddenly falls into place.

Tracer-David E Graham Good story:)

Karaoke Songs:

10/1: Went early (8:15-ish) and was the only one for 3 hours!

The River of Dreams-Billy Joel Not too bad!

Sledgehammer-Peter Gabriel Ugh.

Every Time I Think of You-Babys Good!

Blaze of Glory-Jon Bon Jovi Nailed it!

Winning-Santana Nailed it!

Breathe-Anna Nalik Nailed it!

Magic-Olivia Newton-John Did well:)

The Rose-Bette Midler Good; sang all 3 parts.  Want to resing and do just the melody.

Birmingham-Amanda Marshall DNH

The Search Is Over-Survivor Did well!

Borderline-Madonna Did well!

Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer-K. Rogers/K. Carnes Did well!

Slow Hand-Pointer Sisters Did well, but forgot to turn camera on until 2nd verse.

Smuggler's Blues-Glenn Frey Not too bad!

Call Me When You're Sober-Evanescence Nailed it!

10/2:

Rolling In The Deep-Adele Good:)

The Rose-Bette Midler Good:)  Sang it straight this time!

Slow Hand-Pointer Sisters Keep forgetting the key change at the end!

Dead Ringer For Love-Meat Loaf/Cher LOL...made it through it!

10/8:

The Shoop Shoop song-Cher Good:)

Slide-Goo-Goo Dolls Bleh.....slightly too low

Blue Bayou-Linda Ronstadt Nailed it:)

10/15:

Slow Goodbye-Lesley Roy DNH

The Sign-Ace of Base Fairly good:)

Slip Slidin' Away-Paul Simon Bleh...too low.  Sang octave higher

Bleeding Love-Leona Lewis Good:)

The Power of Love-Celine Dion Good!

Call Me When You're Sober-Evanescence Good!

10/22:

The Sound of Silence-Disturbed Tried this version, since last week showed me S&G were too low.  Some parts were still too low, but made it through.

Slow Hand-Pointer Sisters Finally got it right, but not sure about the sound quality. Couldn't hear myself.

Snowbird-Anne Murray Ugh. Too low.

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do-Neil Sedaka Too low in some spots

10/29:

Remember Me This Way-Jordan Hill Nailed it!

Breakaway-Kelly Clarkson Good:)

Because Of You-Kelly Clarkson Verses too low

Foolin' Yourself-Styx Good:)

Without You-Hinder Verses slightly too low

The Streak-Ray Stevens Fun, but bleh

10/30:

Leave A Light On-Papa Roach Nailed it, and was applauded:)

I Don't Want To Fight-Tina Turner Nailed it, and had a cheering section behind me, ha ha!

From The Stupid Files: Y8, W31

Day 148:  Warm, 80; 52 t/a ( 47 3-5:15; 6:45-8 on Austin's; 5 8-9)

ASM:  Keri

HC:  Austin

Loaders:  DS Ian and Chad

1) Right off the bat, Keri told me to do AP and LU; told her I ALWAYS do them on Monday!

2) Things were light 3-4:30

3) Was steady 7-8pm

4) Had to move to #2 after lunch; was out of $1s and $10s

5) Chad had to get receipt paper for me

6) Had complicated order @close; HC Austin fixed it.

Outfit:  Purple Sneezin' tee (in honor of Pickel family), 2 button capris, large zirconians.

Day 149:  Warm, 80; 91 t/a

ASM:  Charlie

HC:  DS Kaitlyn

Loaders:  Jax, DS Chad

1) Ran out of $10s, $5s, and $1s around 3:30; sent all cash transactions to Olivia, and when she left at 4, moved over to #2.

2) Was busy 4-5:30!

3) 4/5 on LU

4) Went to lunch at 7:05

5) Customer bought me PB M&Ms!

6) Customer brought shower head, and by the time I got the turtle removed (5 tries!), they changed their mind so had to put it back on.

7) Ran out of $1s and $10s on #2, so fired up #3 for any cash transactions!

8) Jax leaving 10/18 for Toyota!!!

Outfit:  Gray IN tee, 2 button capris, zirconian hoops

*happy dance* I was so worried about how much that 'does not meet expectations' on my review was going to affect my raise?  I got the largest one (outside the cost of living raise 2 years ago) since I've been there!  I wanted 22 cents, to bump me up to a full $17, but they gave me 30 cents!!  Whoot!  Previous raises have been around fifteen cents to a quarter.  Take THAT Keri....

Day 150: Warmer, high 80s; 63 t/a

ASM:  Daniel

HC:  Lisa

Loaders:  Jax, DS Chad

1) Scored 5/5 on LU!

2) Customer kept trying his debit card when it kept declining; after 3rd time, decided to check his balance.  Came back 10 mins later and everything went through:)

3) Place died around 5

4) Went to lunch @7:30

5) Had 2 customers at close...."I thought you were open until 10?"

"That's next week.  Scheduling issue."

Outfit:  Blue spare parts tee, 2 button capris, tiny silver hoops

Off until Saturday; just finished 10 days in a row! (Record:  12)

Day 151:  Rare Sat Warmer, early 70s; 70 t/a

ASM:  Charlie

HC:  Sarah

Loaders:  Jax, Pro John

1) Foreign customers were confused about the price of flooring, cost per square foot vs cost of box.

2) Wore too many clothes; was hot until sun went down.

3) Break at 7:20

4) Felt faint from 5-7:30, then back hurt.

5) Someone either made coffee or forgot to clean it out last night.

6) 6/7 LU

7) Hugged Austin, kicked Floyd at least 5 times in the butt, over recent choices.

Outfit:  Blue Whitehorse sweatshirt, faded jeggings, Halloween Hearts.

Day 152:  Rare Sun Warm, 80; 77 t/a

ASM:  Charlie

HC:  Sarah

Loaders:  Jax, Pro John

1) Julie walked out this morning when she learned she would be in Lumber

2) Ran out of $1s and 10s by 3:30; couldn't get HC to the phone; ended up bouncing back and forth fron #1 to #2 until 5:30.

3) Jax MIA @4pm; John calls me to tell me Jax is asleep in the back, and can't find ASM. I call Charlie and tell him, just as Jax came around the corner. Thought he heard me, but maybe he didn't.

4) Got 7/7 on LU!

Outfit:  Black AK Hway tee, faded jeggings, skeleton danglies

Off Mon and Tues for dr appts!

From The Stupid Files: Y8, W30

Day 141: Cool, 70s; 42 t/a

ASM:  Shannon

HC:  Austin

Loader:  Jax

1) No help from Paged Code 50-TWICE!

2) Cust left asphalt sealant on cart, causing it to leak; said it wasn't thick enough. Got Roof sealant instead.

3) Customer bought me PB M&Ms!

4) Kid's sucker exploded all over the floor; told his mom to just get another one.

5) Got 7/7 on LU!

Outfit:  Blue LU tee, 2 button capris, gold/silver squares

Day 142: Cool, high 60s; 60 t/a

ASM:  Keri

HC:  Austin

Loader:  Jax

1) Frank's drywall order was sent to Beech Grove; he wants to be able to pick it up closer. We're sold out of ours.

2) Customer asked if it was okay to take the cart out of the store. Clearly he's never looked at the cart corrals....

3) Set up a PUL for tomorrow, then the person picking it up showed up within 30 mins.

4) Called Code 50 twice; no one showed up.

5) Got 7/7 on LU!

6) Had to wear jeans and light sweatshirt

7) Customer bought me M&Ms!

Outfit:  Palm tree sweatshirt, faded jeggings, double pearls

Day 143: Cool, mid-60s; 56 t/a

ASM:  Daniel

HC:  Austin

Loader:  Jax

1) Customer bought me M&Ms!

2) Jeff N was in and out in 10 mins!  Asked if he was feeling okay;

"Yeah, why?"

"It's not 5 mins to closing time and you're not putting in a huge delivery order!"

We both laughed!

3) Got 6/7 on LU

Outfit:  Blue Whitehorse sweatshirt, faded jeggings, thin gold hoops

Day 144: Cool, mid-60s; 63 t/a

ASM:  Charlie

HC:  Austin

Loaders:  Jax, DS Chad

1) Got 7/7 on LU!!!

2) Had to put the soda away....sat on 4 buckets to do it; not very comfortable.

3) Fairly easy night

4) Had to eat lunch at Pro, due to putting away items in Tools and Plumbing.

Outfit:  Bless This Mess sweatshirt, faded jeggings, tiny silver hoops

Day 145: Homecoming Friday Warmer, mid-70s; 48 t/a

ASM:  Keri

HC:  Sarah

Loaders:  Sam, DS Chad

1) Scored 5/7 on LU

2) Pop count is back, this time with a laminated sheet and special pen.

3) Spent 5 mins helping a customer untangle the twist ties for the rachet straps to get them out of the box. Had to cut the last one.

Outfit:  Blue Vancouver Aquarium tee, l/s white tunic, faded jeggings, sea horses

Day 146:  Rare Sat Warmer, 80; 52 t/a

ASM:  Charlie

HC:  Sarah

Loader:  DS Chad

1) Was called in at 4:30; closing @9, due to 'no staff'

2) 5/7 on LU

3) Madi shared her beef and broccoli from Hibachi with me...yuuuummm!

4) Was busy 5-6pm after Miranda left!

Outfit:  Kind People tee, faded jeggings, treble clefs

Day 147:  Rare Sun Warm, 80; 67 t/a

ASM:  Charlie

HC:  Sarah

Loader:  Jax

1) Tripped in appliances; did NOT fall!

2) Keri reminded me I was a minute late *eye roll* We have 5 minutes to get to our station; I arrived at 4:04!

3) Accidentally threw the scanning gun at a customer; it rolled off the counter!

4) Was 5/5 for LU!

5) Had customer put 3 items on my counter and ask to hold them......then never returned!

6) Guy in red van went through ASCO, then stayed in van until 10:17 before leaving. WTH???

Outfit:  Blue flowered tee, 2 button capris, pearl danglies, gold and pearl necklace