From The Stupid Files: Y8, W16

Day 75: Rain; 84 t/a

ASM:  Shannon

HC:  Levi

Loader:  DS Ian

1) Customer complained when I refused to let them use the dolly for their water heater; told them we had flat carts.

But we still need to lift it 6 inches!"

I called for a Code 3.

"Oh, never mind!"

Traci arrived and helped them!

2) Lumber associate Dan called in; the other person on the schedule had already quit two weeks prior.  Korbin came over to help, but all he could do was help customers, flat stack, and sweep.

3) Someone cut wire for a customer, but didn't know they had to write down the particulars.  Customer took a picture of the barcode.

4)  I ran out of steam around 8:30 and fought sleep for 2 hours.

Outfit:  Black Rebel Be Free tee, two button cut up capris, tiny silver hoops

Day 76: Rain at first, then sunny and humid; 69 t/a

ASM:  Shannon

HC:  Madi

Loaders:  Pro John, Korbin

1) Was still suffering from 'Con Hangover' until 6:30.

2) Had 'Chatty Cathy' customer around 4; I was trying not to pass out

3) Kem had called in; Olivia was on #1, I was on #2 until 5.

4) Saw Sam, Melanie, and Deb!

5) My fan quit around 8:45.

Outfit:  Blue LU, 1 button cut off capris, thin gold hoops

Madi took my picture; I posed with the Queen Bee tumbler very prominent!

Day 77:

Day 78:

Day 79:  Rare Sun Flag Day

From The Stupid Files: Y8, W15

Day 72: Warm, low 80s; 80 t/a

ASM:  Shannon

HC:  Riley

Loaders:  DS Charles, Daniel

1) Was late, due to a stopped train on 2nd St, then catching it AGAIN at 6th and St. Clair!  Olivia was in a mood.

2) Things slacked off around 5.

3) Went to lunch @6, and break @9:30.

4) POURED rain after 10:30, but stopped 15 mins later!

Outfit:  Dark blue LU Plank tee, 2-button cut off capris, small gold hoops

Day 73:  Warm, 80s; 86 t/a

ASM:  Shannon

HC:  Riley

Loader:  DS Charles

1) Register wouldn't show the numbers typed in for Cash; had to reboot it every time customer paid cash. It resolved itself after I returned from lunch!

2) The place died at 9:15

3) Coffee machine had overflowed; took 3 Clorox wipes to get the counter clean.

Outfit:  Journey tee, 2 button cut off capris, small zirconian hoops

Day 74:  Warm, low 80s; 70 t/a

ASM:  Daniel

HC:  Madi

Loaders:  DS Charles, Jax

1) For being in the middle of our '100 days of Hell', I've not been that busy!

2) Saw Izzaboo!!!  She was buying lollipops for her mom, who's got a temperamental tummy.

3) Forgot to grab my Clorox wipes; used the bleach water to clean the coffee counter.

4) Place died at 8:30.

5) St. Francis X had tax exempt, but couldn't find the correct phone #. Used the Catholic School one and worked!

6) Caved and bought the pink hammer and scissors.

Outfit:  Purple sneezin' tee, 2 button cut off capris, thin gold hoops

Off the next 4 days for Choir practice (Thurs) and ICC Fri-Sun!

This Set My Teeth On Edge.....

As several of you know, I watch a lot of YouTube videos.

Normally, I skip the ads, but one intrigued me.

"Make up to $2K per month and this is how I do it."

Okay, I'll bite. How?

"Join KDP (yup) and upload your word document. Amazon does everything for you. No website, no ads, no social media.." (ummm, what about promoting your work?)

"But I'm not a writer. How will this work?"

"Simple.  Use AI or have someone write a story for you."

*needle scratch*

WHAT?????????????

This ad is VERY misleading!!!

1) Serious authors use KDP to get their work into print or e-format.  Only IDIOTS think they can upload a bunch of AI-written CRAP and think they'll make tons of money.  Nuh-uh, no way Jose.

2) Readers can tell the difference between an author who has written every single word, sweated over every time a character tries to hijack a scenario, and put their blood, sweat, and tears into a finished product with an EDITOR and a COVER ARTIST.

3) Not every book will go viral.  I've been using KDP (and now D2D to go wide) for nearly 10 years.  Am I a millionaire?  No.  Does Amazon send me thousands of dollars every month for royalties?  I wish!

I work a part-time job, plus am a busy wife, mom, and grandma.  I PROMOTE my work on social media and at many in person events to get my name out there.  I waste a lot of time watching TV to deal with the stress of my job and the stress of being at home (kid issues). It helps me relax and keeps me from other destructive habits that I would really rather not develop.  I blow off steam once a week at karaoke and at choir practice.

4) If someone writes a story for you, that's called a GHOSTWRITER, and it may or may not be the story lodged in your imagination.

"It's going to take some work, and several months, but just follow my instructions and soon you'll be receiving monthly royalties..."

I pity the person who sees this ad and uploads a document full of AI CRAP, then expects the almighty 'Zon to start depositing thousands of dollars into their account within 3 months.

It ain't gonna happen.

Period.

I also had the misfortune of uploading my latest book to D2D and was proudly promoting the fact it went live on B&N first......the day B&N 's CEO went on the morning news and said he didn't have a problem putting AI-generated 'books' for sale in his stores.

"As long as they clearly state it was AI-generated."

*needle scratch*

Do you really think anyone's going to actively crow, "I used AI for the creation of this beautiful work that took me maybe one day to create"?

For the first time, I put a disclaimer in my book.

"NO AI WAS USED IN THE CREATION OF THIS BOOK.  EVERY WORD CAME OUT OF MY FINGERTIPS AND I PAID AN EDITOR AND COVER ARTIST FOR THEIR WORK"

Okay, I didn't use shouty caps and it was worded a little different, but you get the point.

For another perspective on this subject, go here.  Warning, he gets a little grumpy.  But yeah, it's a red-hot issue right now.

So if you see any of my posts concerning Aiden Kross, I've used the Smashwords, Kobo, and as soon as it's live on Amazon (I uploaded the print version yesterday), I'll promote that link.

Will I still buy books from B&N?  Since it's the only brick and mortar bookstore within driving distance (okay, Books A Million is also, but haven't been there in YEARS!), yes.  In fact, I celebrated Release Day last week by buying two more books that were NOT 'next on the list'.  Impulse buys which grabbed my eye next to the door.  Okay, at least one was.  I'd gone looking for Dial A For Aunties and couldn't find it.  Turned out I was looking in the wrong section, and the nice associate found it for me. Then, while waiting for the spouse to finish what he was doing, the cover and title Summer In The City grabbed my eye, so bought it also.

(It was really his fault for leaving me in the store unsupervised for ten minutes, LMAO!)

Anyway, go have a good day.  I hope to have physical copies of Aiden Kross:  Tales From The Road by June 13th.  I also have plenty of Heart Song, which released January 3rd!

June Goals

Apparently, I was more productive last month than I thought!

-Pay Editor Check!

-Pay Cover Art 5/1:  $50; 5/15:  $200

-Enjoy anniversary Check!  Nice, quiet day, and dinner at Yamoto

-Pay for ICC parking (park whiz) Check!  $120 Pd 5/29

-Enjoy Mother's Day Check!  Received a wooden rose and candy from Mgmt

-Publish Aiden Check! and buy copies 5/27 Check!

Health:  My leg wound is completely healed, and I no longer have to shower while wearing a plastic sleeve on my right leg!  I do, however, still need to be careful about how much I stand.  It's for this reason I've arranged for a scooter at Indpls Comic Con for my long day.

Books Read:  4

            Print:  3

        E-book:  1

             DNF:  0

2026 Events:

June 5-7:  Indy Comic Con (Panelist) Very enjoyable!

June 13:  Pride, French Commons, Vincennes, In 4-9pm

June 26th:  Summer On Main, downtown Vincennes, 5-8pm

July 10-12:  InConJunction Convention, Wyndham West, Indpls

July 17-19:  Imaginarium, Louisville, KY 

Aug 8th:  Indy Author Event 

Aug 22nd:  Lafayette Comic Con, Tippecanoe Co Fairgrounds, Lafayette, IN ($40)

Sept 12th:  StompCon, Fowler, IN

Nov 11-15:  ICGAHS

Nov 28th:  Creative Holiday Market, 1972 KCARC

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

May Goals:  

-Lose 5 pounds (start:  240)

-Have fun at Comic Con Check!

-Do well at Pride

-Move daughter and grandson back home???

-Do well at Summer On Main

-Buy one more pkg Book Sleeves from Temu

-Buy one more pkg sarcasm notepads from Temu

-Buy 5 more pkgs whisk charms from Etsy 

-Buy 1 more pkg guitar charms from Etsy (June??)

-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???

-Add words to Dragon story stalled and Hallmark-inspired story Check

-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 

May Reading Schedule: 

Awakening-Dana Fuller Ross Was actually a little disappointed in how this series ended.  It spanned 30-40 years, mainly about India, Frank, and Sally.  I thought Toby and Alexandria perished on the Titanic, only to discover they both die 'off camera'....Toby from a heart attack and Alex from old age.  Eulalia also dies 'off camera', which is a shame.  In the end, Sally ends up staying on the Madrona to keep it in the family. The Great Depression affects everyone, and Sally's husband escapes Nazi Germany.  Now I want to reread the series.  Whip and Cathy die in a rockslide; Sam dies 'off camera', but we visit his funeral. Not sure when Claudia passes....or Dr. Martin and Toni.  Edward and Rasheda die 'off camera'.  What about Hank and Cindy?  Why do we not get to say goodbye to them?

The One and Only-Emily Giffin 

Tales From The Sailor Man-Brian Morris, et al (Popeye book)

Love Song-Elle Kennedy

I Choose Me-Jennie Garth

I Survived This-Sheady Kyle

Mindtalk-A. Alex Come'

Survivor:  Forged In Fire-Jeff Probst

Raised On Radio-Paul Rees

The Return-Nicholas Sparks

Dance With Me-:Luanne Rice

Dial A For Aunties-Jesse Q Sutanto

Summer In the City-Alex Aster

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

-24

E-book:

Happy Holidates-Kasey Kennedy

Karaoke Songs:

6/11

The Look of Love-ABC

Show Me The Meaning of Being Lonely-Backstreet Boys????

Rumor Has It-Adele

6/18

The Lord's Prayer-Sister Janet Mead

The Lucky Ones-Loverboy

Shut Up And Dance-Walk The Moon????

Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours-Stevie Wonder????

Falling Out of Love-Reba McEntire

6/25

The Man In The Mirror-Michael Jackson???

Silly Love Songs-Paul McCartney and Wings

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

You Will Never Be Me-JQS (print)

I'm Not Done With You Yet-JQS (print)

Vera Wang's Unsolicited Advice For Murderers-JQS (print)

Stranger Than Fiction-Chris Colfer (print)

A Wake of Starlight-Tina Murray (print)

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 ($5)

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

Love Realized-Melanie Codina

Love Resisted-Melanie Codina

Assumptions-Melanie Codina

One The Run-Jade C. Jamison

Decker-AD Ellis

Sawyer-AD Ellis

Monster Among The Rose-Linda Kage ($6)

Flower of Heaven-Julien Ayotta

Dangerous Bloodlines-Julien Ayotta

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

Hopeful In Yellow-Sandra Sookoo

Magic In Mayflowers-Sandra Sookoo

Zero Chance-Linda Kage (want entire series in print)

Paging Dr, Breakup-Jillian David

The Girl Vanished-Jessica Ann (Jessie Clever)

The Lost Summers-Jessica Ann (Jessie Clever)

Ballad of Us-Sasha Marshall

Naughty, Nice, Never Been Kissed-Cassidy Hudspeth

A Party To Die for-Kerry Schafer

From The Stupid Files: Y8, W14

Day 67:  Memorial Day Sunny, warm, 80; 87 t/a

ASM:  Shannon

HC:  Madi

Loaders:  Jax, Dan

1) Mgmt cooked us hamburgers and hot dogs

2) Customer got snippy when his CC wanted a PIN.

3) Customer asked where the Raised Garden Beds were.....LG, duh....THEN returned and asked about patio pavers!  Same place!

Outfit:  Gray 250 tee, long capris, double heart danglies

Day 68: Cloudy, sprinkles, 70s; 91 t/a

ASM:  Shannon

HC:  Madi

Loaders:  DS Charles, Dan

1) Olivia left at 4:)

2) Customer asked for $6 in quarters

3) Customer gave $20 for $16.03. Rang up $20.03; register wanted to give back $4.03???

4) Cust told me they picked up their order, but needed one more dog-eared fence picket, then said no, he'd already paid. Turned out Riley had told him to go to the CANOPY.  He'd been waiting for 5 mins!

5) Got to interact with Tillie the skittish blue heeler and give her treats:)

6) Nan and Mel arrived at 9:55 for a 5 gal bucket of paint.  She'd texted me earlier about if I was working that day.  When I didn't see them, assumed they'd come in while on my hour lunch.

Outfit:  Blue USA tee, long capris, large zirconians

Am off the next two days!!!!

Day 69: Sunny, warm, 80s; 100 t/a

ASM:  Alex

HC:  Madi

Loaders:  DS Charles, Jax, Daniel

1) When asked, customer replied he'd spent a lot of $$ several years ago and missed the Rewards. I told him we just began the Rewards 3 years ago and sent the link to his phone. He left, still complaining about it!

2) Cheryl bought BA for $15!

3) Misunderstood my clock out time for lunch. Thought I'd clocked out at 7:15; nope, it was 7:12! Clocked back in at 8:14/

4) Apparently, Alex complained Lumber was messy. DS Charles replied, "Do you want us to clean Lumber or keep counting?"  Alex decided to let them keep counting!

5) Best news of the night:  Alex begins his vacation tomorrow!  9 days w/o him!!!!

6) Saw Dawson!!!

Day 70:  Rare Sat Sunny, low 80s; 73 t/a

ASM:  Shannon

HC:  Levi

Loader:  Jax

1) Was told Granddaughter A bullied Kait's sister Mallory at the pool today, AND is the reason M is doing online school.

2) Pro John thought I was 49-52!!!

3) More customers not understanding the difference between the MLR CREDIT Card and MLR LOYALTY program.

4) Received prickly email from Keri about the 19th; Skye agreed to take my shift that day.

Outfit:  Black blouse, long jeggings, black danglies

Day 71:  Rare Sun Sunny, low 80s; 86 t/a

ASM:  Keri

HC:  Levi

Loaders:  Jax, Daniel

1) Got to see Mr. Mize's 1959 hard top Ford Convertable, and he demonstrated how the top retracts and expands:)

2) 3 customers needed pallets of concrete, blocks, and sand all at the same time after Yancy left!

3) Took 3 tries to get someone to unlock the tools gate for customer

4) Needed a Code 50 while Daniel was at lunch and Jax was on the forklift assisting another customer.  Finally had another customer help unload the woman's flooring from her car.

5) I'd forgotten my phone, so called Kyle to call his dad and let him know I needed it.

Outfit:  Black lace tee, long capris, silver crosses

Survivor 50: In The Hands of the Fans Finale

 What will the final 4 challenge be?

Will there be a fire-making challenge?

Will they read the final votes at Tribal, or force everyone to wait until the live show?

Episode:

Tiffany is PISSED! Takes it out on Aubrey when she offers comfort.

Joe, Jon, and Rizzo are locked in

Back at Finale:  Jeff gives Cirie the 'fire in your soul' award for inspiring others:)

Immunity Challenge #1: Obstacle and Puzzle

Jon gets his machete, followed by Tiff, Joe, Rizzo, and Aubrey

Jon releases his ramp and off to the net

Jon through the net and gets his keys

Jon now on the ladder....

Aubrey finally through the net

Joe and Tiff on the ladder puzzle

Jon to the puzzle, followed by Joe and Tiff

Aubrey up the ladder; everyone on the puzzle

Jon wins at the same time Tiff trying to get her last piece in!  VERY tight finish!!

Back to Finale:  Jeff gives Devins the Mr. Beast coin he flipped:)  Also reminisces about the TC where Christian 'falls' and Devins plants the fake idol.  Calls them Laurel and Hardy:)

Back at camp, Tiff pitches the boys hard against Aubrey, and it seems to be working.  Jon and Joe are truly conflicted. Rizzo, however, is very clear he's voting for Tiff/

LMAO...Corona ad with Cirie and Savannah!

Tribal Council #1:  Tiff or Aubrey?

Rizzo plays his idol

Tiff voted out, 4-1 (Aubrey)

Immunity Challenge #2:  Mousetrap!!!

Back at Finale:  Jeff gives Ozzy a T-shirt that says, 'We love you Ozzy....PLAY YOUR IDOL!!'

Jon drops with 4 balls

Rizzo drops

Joe drops with 5 balls

Aubrey wins!!!!

Tribal Council: Aubrey chooses Joe to sit next to her; Jon and Rizzo to make fire.

Back At Finale:  Jeff jumped the gun and revealed Rizzo LOST!

Fire Making Challenge:  Jon vs Rizzo

Jon off to a quick start; Rizzo has a couple of tiny flames, but nothing lasts.

Jon's flame burns through the rope!  Jon wins!

Final 3:  Joe, Aubrey, Jon

Jon's brother, Joe's wife, and Aubrey's mom show up for the Survivor Breakfast:)

Jury grills them on everything!

Vote:  

Ozzy:  Aubrey

Steph:  Jon

Cirie:  Aubrey

Chrissy:  Jon

Vote is a live reveal at the Finale!

Winner:  Aubrey, 8-3 (Jon) AND she wins a Toyota Land Cruiser!

Cirie wins the SIA award, $100K!

I'm disappointed they didn't talk to everyone, esp Kyle about his injury.

51 looks AMAZING!  Open Era....where everything will happen at some point:)

From The Stupid Files: Y8, W13

Day 61: Rain, 70s; 61 t/a

ASM:  Alex

HC:  Riley

Loaders:  Jax, Levi

1) Olivia called in; Theresa with there until 4.

2) Rained until 6pm

3) Fairly steady until 7.

4) Sold Cheryl Forbidden Love:)

Outfit:  Gray Plank LU tee, cut off capris, large zirconians

Day 62: Cloudy, 70s; 84 t/a

ASM:  Alex

HC: Levi

Loaders:  Jax, Juan

1) Inhaled something, just as Olivia took her break.  Coughed for 5-10 mins until it settled down.  Joked I was trying NOT to have an asthma attack!

2) Observed a woman hitting her cart with another, then saying 'I'm sorry' to the cart! Later, she appeared in my line.

3) Had a rain shower around 6:30. Very  brief.

4) Saw Lee and Rochelle!  Rochelle wants to come back.

5) Brandon V returned two pallets of shingles 5 minutes until we closed.

Outfit:  Black Mom tee, cut off capris, tiny silver hoops

Day 63: Rain, 60s; 85 t/a

ASM:  Dan

HC:  Riley

Loaders:  Jax, Juan,Steve

1) Arrived at 4; called Madi 'Madison', lmao!

2) Forgot to empty coffee carafe on my lunch

3) Rain quit around 6!

Outfit:  LV Indian Motorcycle tee, black PU sweatshirt, cut off capris, gold 'tear drop' danglies

Off tomorrow for choir practice! Good news:  Dr says leg wound is now a 'dot'!

Day 64: Rain, mid-60s; 74 t/a

ASM:  Keri

HC:  Levi

Loaders:  DS Charles, Jax, Dan

1) Pro customer either had card stolen or unauthorized use; definitely had the points! Kept paying $800/month, and at least once, no record of it.

2) Forgot my fan.

3) Had to clean out the coffee carafe

4) Had to chase down my broom

5) Alex left at 3:30!!!

6) Got a credit app!

7) Woman came down asking about a trellis; told her it was LG aisle 2; she said the LG associate sent her to lumber!

8) Called three times for Code 50; no one came, even though I could SEE! DS Charles and Jax!  Josh paged from Tools; they came up to help.  Was I not speaking English over the PA???

Outfit:  Yellow Fla tee, faded jeggings, sea horses.

Day 65:  Rare Sat Rendezvous Cloudy, low 70s; 112 t/a

ASM:  Keri.

HC:  Madi

Loaders:  Sam, Daniel

1) Kept flipping my earring out of my ear!

2) Kyle brought me chicken and dumplings, but no fork, lol!  Ate it on my 1st break, then had an intestinal issue an hour later!

3) Was in such a hurry, due to needing to use the restroon, missed 4 boards b/c I didn't trust myself to bend over!

4) Went non-stop from 5-6:30, then again from 9:30-close

5) Tried to sign a customer up for a Pro Credit, but the system glitched and wouldn't let me past the 1st page.

Outfit:  Blue floral tee, faded jeggings, large copper hoops.

Day 66:  Rare Sun Indy 500 Day

ASM:  Alex

HC:  Madi

Loader:  Jax

1) Arrived; there were 3 of us (me, Bryan, and Yancy), so we tag-teamed during breaks and doing returns.

2) I didn't actually log in until 4:15.

3) Had 8 customers from 7:10-7:30!

4) Fan began dying around 7.  I was VERY hot all shift.

5) Had to tell a family of 3 we were closed at 8pm

Outfit:  Teal blue Rendezvous outfit, cut off capris, teal Indian danglies, white cap