Molly's Musings
Monday, July 14, 2025
From The Stupid Files: Y7, W21
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
From The Stupid Files: Y7, W20
Day 74: Sunny, high 80s; 100 t/a
ASM: Alex
HC: Austin
Loader: Jax
1) Elderly man who only wears overalls with no underwear and no shirt was in. Fortunately, he smelled better this time!
2) Loader Fred complained about Jax not bringing in carts. I pissed off Jax by calling him up, then sending him out. Later, he retaliated by shoving a cart at me, which nearly hit me. I stopped it with my foot and nearly fell over.
Outfit: White Valspar tee, faded capris, blue sapphire hoops
Ended up calling in, due to my mom being sent to the hospital with sepsis and possible stroke. Will update soon.
Ended up spending the rest of the week with her.
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
July Goals
June just flew by! Is it just me, or am I so busy I lose track of days? We also celebrated Granddaughter Olivia's 3rd birthday, and made two trips to Lafayette (once for sinus dr and hair/dentist trip), in addition to having dinner with long-time friends Steve and Kristin, so I was able to relax a little:)
-Lose 5 lbs (241)
-Do well at First Friday Art Walk Rained out again
-Do well at Seymore event Sold 1, but met several new authors!
-Do well at Summer On Main Sold 3:)
-Do well at Pride Sold 10:)
-Finalize Playing With Time and set release date Not yet; cover model and artist had health issues, my computer crashed.
-Pay Editor ($50), Cover Art (funds in savings), Geek Con event,(Check!) and Lafayette Comic Con event (Check!)
-Start getting Sara's room cleaned up Carpet removed; walls sanded and painted; carpet pad removed; Alex's bed moved in
-Finish Ch 11 of Heart Song Check!
-Pay down CC Check, but am going to use it for my hotel fee at Imaginarium and start pecking away at med bills Paying down Comm Bank (hospital) and Maurices-let the daughter get clothes and I bought a few tees for me
-Read 6 books Only 3, but they were thick!
-Finish current e-book Check!
Health: Did not get my brochitis or sinus infection:)
Books Read: 4
Print: 3
E-book: 1
DNF: 0
2025 Events:
July 20-22nd: Imaginarium, Louisville, Ky (Pd 9/12)
July 25th: KCARC Craft Show ($25 Pd 7/10)
Aug: Geek Con, Evansville Museum, Evansville, In ($40 pd 6/13)
Sept 19-20th: Cil-Con, Effingham, Il (Pd 12/29)
Sept 27th: Book Nook Book Fair, Peoria, Il ($75 Pd 12/27)
Oct 11th: Lafayette Comic Con, Tippi County Fairgrounds ($50-Pd 6/13)
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 still owe $200)
July Goals:
-Lose 5lbs (start 241)
-Celebrate Sara's birthday 3rd: Her back was out. 5th: She still wasn't feeling well. 12th: I was out of town with Grandma. 18th: I was out of town at the Imaginarium Convention.
-Have fun at Imaginarium
-Publish Playing With Time Check! E-book pubbed 7/1; print pubbed 7/13! 5 copies ordered ($24 plus $21 S&H)
-Go to Food Trucks On The River (21st)
-Do well at KCARC event
-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 12 of Heart Song
-Buy BP machine
-Pay down CC and start pecking away at med bills
-Read 6 books
-Finish current e-book
July Reading Schedule:
From The Stupid Files: Y7, W19
Day 68: Cloudy, humid, 90s; 101???
ASM: Maria
HC: Austin
Loader: Joey
1) Was very busy until 6, then was able to do LU and AP4Me
2) DS Ian had ice pops in the ice bin, so ate a red one. 30 minutes later, I slurred, "That'll be $324.06.." then enunciated it, and asked what was in that Italian ice? The customer, Joey, and I had a good laugh over it.
3) Had a customer wanting a fan, but we didn't have any in box. Offered to check them out, but they went on their merry way. A little while later, they returned; I rang up the fan 'needs loaded', as well as their other purchases, then hilighted their fan on the receipt so CS/ASCO would know it was already paid for, and sent them back to aisle 25.
4) Apparently, Gracie, our new trainee, had a rough day. With only one day of shadowing (that I know of!), they put her in LG, then ASCO, with NO training, and she didn't know what to do. ASM Maria apologized to her. I showed her how I close down lumber, and she took some returns back for me.
Outfit: Blue LU tee, dark capris, small gold hoops
Day 69: Sunny, less humid, upper 80s; 93 t/a
Ended up calling in on Tues, due to intestinal issues which hit at 2pm and didn't let up until 5:30.
ASM: Daniel
HC: Kaitlyn
Loader: No-show Joe
1) It was apparently 'Call-In Day', which I didn't get the memo and called in a day early, lmao! Kim, who worked my shift yesterday; Adrianne; and Joe. Izzy covered the CS desk; Yancy came in and covered ASCO; Robin and I did our thing. Fortunately, NO ONE needed wood cut, or massive amounts of wood or drywall requiring a forklift! I had one customer with a pallet of cedar pickets, but those are in LG.
2) Pro customer had me get in Pro K's files to ring him up. Only took me 2 tries to punch in the CC number.
3) Had to call Libby at 7:40 for a quick pit stop; as I was returning, I saw Raven coming to send me to lunch an hour earlier than the flow chart said!
Outfit: Sage green 'flower' tee, dark capris, small textured hoops
Day 70: 4th of July; hot. muggy, 90s; 73 t/a
ASM: Alex
HC: Austin
Loaders: Joey, Charlie, Kaleb
1) Discovered my intestinal issues are most likely caused by my meds being taken on an empty stomach! I'm suspecting the vitamin or Mucinex....
2) Had a contest to see which dept could sell the most fly swatters, bug bracelets, or American Flags. Front end is in 2nd place!
3) Other than being extremely hot (drank 2 bottles of water in 2 hours), shift was fairly good.
Outfit: Blue 4th of July tee, dark capris, 4th of July earrings and scrunchie
Day 72: Rare Sat; sunny, hot, mid-90s; 151 t/a
ASM: Shannon
HC: Isaac
Loader: Kaleb
1) Was asked to come in due to Yancy calling in. Our plans had changed (was supposed to go to E'ville to take the daughter to dinner, but her back's out. Doing it next Sat instead.), so agreed. Went in at 2, and barely even had time to grab a drink of water! Solid until nearly 6!
2) Was able to 'boss' Alex....I needed a forklift, but Charlie had left and Kaleb wasn't in yet. He told me to page....I asked if he would do it; I had a line clear back to aisle 19. I went back to ringing up; he made the page!
3) Traffic slowed down around 6, and was able to start the closing duties.
4) Kait swapped shifts with me; I'll take her Sunday (13th) and she'll take my Friday (11th). She's trying to arrange a way to take my Wed, so I can do the IG interview.
5) Passed out free ice cream and freezer pops:)
6) Had a Haitian man come up with road marker flags and an American Flag, and asked if that was okay to put in the back of his truck, so he was street legal! Showed him where the FREE red flags are!
Outfit: Spare parts tee, long capris (unrolled), small gold hoops
Day 73: Rare Sun; cloudy; low 90s; 71 t/a
ASM: Shannon
HC: Isaac
Loader: Jax
1) Clocked in early; thought my shift was 3-8; turned out to be 3;30-8!
2) Once Yancy left at 5, I was slammed for an hour!
3) Customer Marco thought I said $29 when it was $39!
4) Jax ignored my pages for customer assistance.
5) CFH was not understanding how much $$ was in her account. Had to hop over to #2 while she 1st retrieved her wallet....then her phone to call her daughter....and FINALLY be rung up!
6) CFH #2 walked in at 7:58, then couldn't find what he was looking for in tools, then bi***ed about the fact Bill had left at 7:55! He finally settled for two items after griping he'd driven an hour to get there, and checked out at 8:15.
Outfit: Blue flowered tee, dark capris (unrolled); thin gold hoops
Monday, June 23, 2025
From The Stupid Files: Y7, W 18
Day 64: Hot, mid 90s; 86 t/a
ASM: Shannon
HC: Austin
Loader: Jax (recovering from surgery, so not allowed to lift)
1) B**chy lady thought flooring was 56 cents per box; it's actually $56 a box. Said forget it; she only brought $100 with her. Rang up the rest, then told her she was sitting on $27, and did she want at least one box? No....then griped when I totaled her and "the price went up"...informed her it was due to sales tax. She calmed down and handed me the $$. *eye roll*
2) Customer came at close and questioned why it asked for his phone # after paying with a merch card?
"B/c it acts like cash, and if you return it, then it helps to add your phone# in case you lose your receipt." Again, *eye roll*
3) Had to call for an approval code right before I went to lunch for a $1600 LCA account.
Outfit: Dark blue LU tee, long capris, large zirconians
Off tomorrow, to take Mom to the dentist:)
Day 65: Hot, 90s
ASM: Daniel
HC: Austin
Loaders: Kaleb, Joey
1) Had trainee Gracie for 1st 30 mins, but was so busy, didn't get a chance to talk to her!
2) Returned SOS item, but it had me print a label.....turns out we don't need it!
3) Seti called; I couldn't answer the phone, then he called me on the Zebra. I could hear him, but apparently he couldn't hear ME! Paged him when things finally slowed, but he didn't call.
4) At 6:30, Seti came down and sent me to ASCO; I turned on #6's light and rang up customers there, in addition to helping anyone at the SCO. HC Austin came down and told me I was supposed to be on ASCO; told him I didn't care.
5) After lunch, returned to Lumber and discovered either Seti or HC Austin had 'broken' the receipt machine. Izzy fixed it.
Outfit: Black Mom tee, long capris, silver, blue, and pink hoops
As of now, off tomorrow:)
Day 66: Hot, 98; 77 t.a
ASM: Alex
HC: Isaac
Loader: DS Charlie
1) Learned some ageism is ocurring; Nancy told me she, Diana, and Don are being 'phased out'....switched shifts, departments, whatever.....in order they quit, be fired 'for not being able to do their job', or forced to retire. Nancy was told BY SM MATT that she's not to work in plants, but to learn to work the ballymore, in order to downstock in Seasonal. N is 69, and has worked OSLG for 9 years. D just celebrated her 26th anniversary with the company, and was told last month to work the occasional evening shift. She's a caregiver to her aging parents, and cooks them dinner every night. So far, she's adjusting, but N told me D plans to retire soon. I don't know Don that well, but Brent quit due to them not scheduling him the hours he wants, and I fear Bob may be soon behind.
2) Had a male customer push a cart with a cabinet up, then complained it was the wrong price. I first asked if he could go take a picture, and he told me he had 5 busted vertebrae in his back, and was NOT about to walk all the way back there. I tried calling OSLG....then ISLG....then HW....and was about to call CS when he told me to forget it; he'd go to Harbor Freight and get it for $150 with less hassle. Fine and dandy.
3) Had a family want 23/32 plywood, only they had 19/32. DS Charlie had just left for lunch; Bayden was out getting carts. Finally B showed up, as the hubby dropped an F bomb. I walked away, and eventually they decided on the right plywood.
Outfit: Blue Dept of Having A Good Time tee, long capris, tiny sapphire hoops
Off tomorrow for Olivia's 3rd birthday party!
Day 67: Rare Sun; sunny, 89; 93 t/a
ASM: Shannon
HC: Austin
Loader: Jax
Fairly decent shift; the only thing that went wrong was I was asked to restock soda and chips, and didn't get anything swept except the mats at #2 and #3, and nothing was sanitized. Jax didn't even tick me off, even though I had to call him to the front twice.
Outfit: Blue/white striped tee, long capris, sapphire hoops
Monday, June 16, 2025
From the Stupid Files: Y7, W17
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
From The Stupid Files: Y7, W16
Day 54: Warm, 80s; 104 t/a
ASM: Shannon
HC: Kayla
Loader: Peyton
1) We were BUSY! Also discovered Diana, our new Pro CSA, is my former customer, D Hercules:)
2) Needed Code 50, but P was busy loading a pallet of concrete. No one else showed up (Brent, where are you?????); finally a customer did it!
3) Needed an o/r; hopped to #1 (out of $1s, but could do CCs) until DS Keri arrived; she helped bust the line.
4) Was being lazy with the MLR status, until a customer whose ph # revealed the OLD ML, asked me about her points. I 'fessed up at that point, explained the difference, then sent the link to her phone. She was appreciative, but also pissed....apparently NO ONE ELSE had ever explained it!
Outfit: Black dog tee, dark capris, gold squares
Off tomorrow to take Mom to an appt!
Day 55: Sunny, hot, low 80s; 103 t/a
ASM: Alex
HC: Austin
Loaders: Joe, Jax
1) Ran out of $1s on #1
2) Was told to refund the insulation machine deposit, even though they'd had it since the 8th.
3) Conrad was fired due to family emergency; he'd not told them???
4) LOUD customer recognized me as 'the romance author', and as he left, told me he loved me....*eye roll*
5) Customer used LAME jokes on me at 9:30.....geez.
6) Little girl pretended some drywall cardboard strip was a snake; I played along and she was entertained:)
Outfit: Gray America tee, dark capris, white danglies
Day 56: Sunny, low 80s; 95 t/a
HC: Alex
HC: Austin
Loader: Jax
1) Had to call for Jax 4 times in 90 mins to help with loading or plywood, or to the saw!
2) Customer wanted trex delivered.
-They had called earlier and was told if their order was over $2K, delivery fee was only $29. Oops, that's just for PRO customers; they have no such account. Delivery is $79. That's fine....
-Card declined, then the register 'lost' the order. Had to re-input it again. Card declined a 2nd time; woman simply wrote a check, all the while muttering about changing banks.
3) HC A pulled #2 and found an EMPTY CHECK made out to LU. Time was 7:42; I was on break. HC A knew who it belonged to.
4) Shift began with ASM Shannon telling everyone to check their schedules. At first, I thought they'd scheduled me for this weekend, but then realized it was for NEXT weekend, which I cannot do. Sent her an email, and volunteered to work this weekend. ASM Alex said I could work Fri and Sun; he had Sat covered.
Day 57: Rain, low 80s; humid; 83 t/a
ASM: Alex
HC: Austin
Loaders: Jax, Joey
1) It was a fairly decent shift for being Friday the 13th!
2) Rained; Lumber was humid! HC A said he liked my fan!
3) Forgot to mention earlier, a woman saw our Ice item # note and thought it was ICE! "Yes, we have ICE on speed-dial...."
4) I get to be on CS desk tomorrow! Told them I'd be happy to handle the returns, if someone else answered the phone. Alex said he'd rotate me and Kate if we got too stressed!
Outfit: New blue floral tee, dark capris, pearl necklace and danglies
Day 58: Rare Sat, Flag Day, humid, low 80s; 99 t/a
ASM: Alex
HC: Austin
Loaders: Jax, Bayden
1) As I was clocking in, a woman asked me to call for help in Flooring.
2) When I arrived at the CS desk, was told to go to Lumber and give Emma her break.
3) SM Matt hijacked me and told me to take over for Seti..."MST should NOT be on a register!" Finished his t/a, logged him out, logged in, rang up 1 customer, and logged off.
4) Arrived at lumber and took over for Emma, then a woman showed up. Finished Cust #1, then asked the woman if she needed help. Turned out she wanted to order a drop ceiling, but we didn't have anyone in Pro (Tate was scheduled, but he'd quit). I looked it up, but it looked complicated. Called ASM Maria, but no answer. Called SM Matt and explained the issue; he sent Maria to help.
5) Turned out SM Matt had Matty T and Emma clean the pro area thoroughly...."anything you think doesn't belong, toss it".
6) Did a PU later order, but when they came in an hour later, they changed their minds about the boards, and couldn't refund it. Tried everything I could think of, then called Emma. Turned out she had to 'Pick' the order before a refund could be given!
7) Things didn't slow down until 6:30.
8) From 5-6:30, was calling Jax every 15 mins or so. He copped an attitude on the last one, when I needed a forklift driver..."I need people!" and went back to doing what he was doing. I called for a forklift driver; Steve Y came down, looking puzzled...."Alex said Jax is here...."
"Yeah, I basically got an FU' from him."
Steve called Alex, who came down and ran the forklift.
Outfit: Gray flower 'flag' tee, dark capris, gold teardrop danglies
Day 59: Rare Sun Hot, humid, mid 80s; 69 t/a
ASM: Alex
HC: Sonia
Loader: Jax
1) It was 'call-in day'....I walked in, expecting to have a nice afternoon, trading customers with Robin, and Sonia said, "Thank God you're here!" HC Kay had called in; Robin had called in.
2) Marilyn and I had been tripping over each other from 3-4:30; Sonia had told me there was no one to cover my break, so I decided to get a pit stop in before she left at 5. I left her alone for 10 mins and returned to find Mari with a large order and getting an o/r; Kaleb on #2 with a large order, and a 3rd customer behind him!
3) Had 3 people walk up just as we were closing. Sonia was copping an attitude about it.
4) After we closed, I saw a woman pull in and try to go to the front door.
5) Sonia was VERY grumpy as we clocked out!
Outfit: Black blouse, dark capris, silver spirals