From The Stupid Files: Y8, W27

Day 120:  Warm, low 80s; 49 t/a

ASM:  Charlie

HC:  Sarah

Loaders:  Jax, Justice, DS Ian

Shift was fairly quiet; my last official day to sit down.

Heard Cupid/I've Loved You For A Long Time by The Spinners TWICE!

Day 121: Warm, mid 80s; 64 t/a

ASM:  Keri

HC:  Sarah

Loaders:  DS Chad, Justice

1) Discovered Dolly Parton passed away today.

2) Customer was upset because I was unable to return the lumber that was wrongly delivered.  All I could do was email Crystal and explain the situation, and have her modify it. But customer got mad and said he'd bring in the boards himself, then left without paying for the correct ones he wanted delivered.

2) Customer asked if he could pay his MLRW card with his MLPRW.  Umm, no.

3) Customers arrived 9:20 and were still trying to get paint mixed at 9:50.  *eye roll* It was after 10 when they paid and left.

Outfit:  Gray Plank LU tee, long capris, small gold hoops

Day 122: Hot, high 80s; 69 t/a

ASM:  Daniel

HC:  Sarah

Loaders:  Jax, DS Chad

1) Tried to help ring up Pro K's large order, but gun quit working after 4th item and had to hand-key some of the larger items before K fixed it.

2) Customer argued with me over rewards vs card. "I don't have it with me, so don't worry about it."  I shut up and totalled him out.

3) Saw Wally!

4) Annoyed customer from yesterday returned, bringing back the wrong boards delivered. Returned them, then we set up a delivery for Friday with drywall and 2x12s.  He was in a MUCH better mood!

Outfit:  Black Mom tee, long capris, tiny silver hoops

Day 123:

Day 124:

Day 125:  Rare Sat

Day 126:  Rare Sun

From The Stupid Files: Y8, W26

Day 117: Cooler, 80s; 61 t/a

ASM:  Charlie

HC:  Riley

Loaders:  Steve, Korbin, DS Ian

1) Customer paid me $62,50 in rolled coins!

2) Nan and Mel arrived around 9 and left at close.

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

Day 118: Hot, high 80s; 66 t/a

ASM:  Charlie

HC:  Riley

Loaders:  Korbin, Justice

1) Was fairly quiet.

2) Went to break at 8:20.

Outfit:  Gray Purdue tee, 1 button capris, diamond posts

Day 119: Early rain, hot, low 80s; 108 t/a

ASM:  Dan

HC:  Madi

Loader:  Jax

1) First of all, I fell down in the back yard while going to the truck for lunch. Left shoulder hurts; was slightly light-headed, and the middle knuckle of my left hand is swollen.  Left big toe is also tender.

2) Had issues getting a Code 50 for concrete; finally after 30 mins, Pro Kath got their attention and it was loaded.

3) With 30 minutes til close, Jax flipped off a customer. He owned up to it, so not sure if he's fired or just severely reprimanded.  I didn't see it; I was calling for a spotter.

Outfit:  Teal blue blouse, 1 button cut off capris, gold 'squares'.

Off the next four days!!!

From The Stupid Files: Y8, W25

 Day 113: Hot, 90s; 75 t/a

ASM:  Charlie

HC:  Madi

Loaders:  Jax, Pro John

1) Grumpy customer:  "I've been here 20 mins and if I don't get my drain pipe in the next ten, I'm getting my $$ back".  Even gave him 10% off, but still didn't appease him.

2) Everyone needs Code 3, but my Zebra won't work and I sound HORRIBLE over the PA!

3) Was 40 mins late, due to reading the calendzr wrong!

4) New rule:  No one in Break Room after 8pm???  Mine was at 8:30; spent a extra minutes in the bathroom, then bought a candy bar to stave off the hunger.

Outfit:  Gray IN tee, 2 button cut off capris, small gold hoops

Day 114:  Hot, 90s; 67 t/a

ASM:  Charlie

HC:  Madi

Loaders:  Jax, Sam

1) Had ZERO engergy.

2) Talked to SM Maria:  8pm rule only applies to salespeople, NOT cashiers!

3) Customer did not set his items on the counter and had to dig for them.

4) Customer didn't count his corner beads (27!) and went off to get something else while I counted, then rang everything else up.

Outfit:  Black AK highway tee, 2 button cut off capris, thin gold hoops

Day 115:  Rare Sat Hot, 90s; 97 t/a

ASM:  Shannon

HC:  Riley

Loaders:  Jax, Korbin

1) Customer and I were talking high schools, and forgot to give him his $1 change.

2) Saw Alex!

3) Had Amy fix my schedule for tomorrow; not 4-close; 3-close!

4) Spanish-speaking customers with a list had a translation, but a bad one. After 30 mins of trying to 'decode' their list, they decided to return on Monday and speak to the pros....which is what I tried to get them to do after the 1st 5 minutes!

5) Customer rode the cart out the door, then left it in front of the concrete. WTH???

6) Riley didn't realize I got an hour lunch today.

Outfit:  Blue spare parts tee, 2 button cut off capris, white spiral danglies.

Day 116:  Rare Sun Hot, 90s; 79 t/a

ASM:  Shannon

HC:  Riley

Loaders:  Jax, Kolton

1) Time DRAGGED!!!!

2) Saw Dr. Dentist Herman with his left leg in a boot and on a wheeled scooter! Didn't get to talk to him, as I was sent on break shortly after.

3) Had 3 customers descend on me at 7:59!

Outfit:  Black USA Dog tee; 2 button capris, gold crescents with 3 diamonds

August Goals

Was more productive than I thought last month!  July went waaaaayyy too fast!

-Be able to sing with Choir July 3rd Check!  Was able to leave work at 7:30!

-Be able to sing with Choir July 5th @Westminster Presby. Check!  Hubby let me drive the truck:)

-Get van fixed!!! 7/6: Fixed!  7/9:  Picked it up, but the left front brake caliper needs replaced. Worked on it, but gave D and W a hard time.  Will resume in the morning.

-Do well at InConJunction Bleh....only sold 1, but had a BLAST catching up with friends and buying Honey Bunch/Dana Girl books!!!

-Pay for Erica's pass to Imaginarium ($75) Check!

-Do well and have fun at Imaginarium Check!  Had a blast; Erica had fun; and sold 7!!!  5 on Sunday!!!

-Get jump rings on charms for IAE 400 Check!

-Move daughter and grandson back home Check!

-Add words to Hallmark story Finished it 7/30!!!

Books Read:  

            Print:  6

        E-book:  2

             DNF:  1

Karaoke Songs Added To Good List:  12

2026 Events:

Aug 8th:  Indy Author Event  Sold 6, bartered 1:)

Aug 21st:  Singing at RSPAC (opening act for Freedom Band) Many people complimented us!

Aug 22nd:  Lafayette Comic Con, Tippecanoe Co Fairgrounds, Lafayette, IN Sold 3, then went to Hu Hot with BKM, Cookie, and Paul B from Chicago.  TL and Paul had to head for home.

Sept 11th:  Singing at Grouseland

Sept 19th:  Stomp/StoryCon, Fowler, IN ($50)

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

Nov 11-15:  ICGAHS

Nov 28th:  Creative Holiday Market, 1972 KCARC

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

August Goals:  

-Lose 5 pounds (start:  240)

-WRITE ANTHO STORY!!!!

-Do well at Indy Author Event Check!  Sold 6, bartered 1:)

-Have enjoyable visit with sister Check!

-Do well at Lafayette Comic Con Sold 3:)

-Buy one more pkg Book Sleeves from Temu

-Buy one more pkg sarcasm notepads from Temu

-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 and turn in short story for antho

-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 

August Reading Schedule: 

Sand, Sea, and Shenanigans-Donna R. Madden DRR!  Loved this novella!!!!

Mindtalk-A. Alex Come' Lost interest around Ch 13 and skimmed to the end.  Good premise; just not my style.

Survivor:  Forged In Fire-Jeff Probst DRR!  Esp for Survivor fans.....very fun to look back and see who you recognize!  Wish they'd done the photos by season though, and had pics of all players.

Raised On Radio-Paul Rees DRR/MUST READ for ANY fan of music who grew up in 70s and 80s!

The Women-Kristin Hannah DRR!  Esp for anyone who knows a Vietnam Vet!  Loved this; I am currently taking care of a Vietnam Navy vet, and saw the Memorial in 1983 when it was still new.  I was too young to remember the war, and certainly never knew anyone who'd been in it until college.

Dance With Me-:Luanne Rice

The Return-Nicholas Sparks

Dial A For Aunties-Jesse Q Sutanto

Summer In the City-Alex Aster

Dr. Alaska-Jillian David

Paging Dr. Breakup-JD

Shelter From The Cold-A. Weber and C.A. Wolff

The Takedown-Lily Chu

House of Deceit-N.E. Butcher

As We Wander The Stars-Todd Black

Dear Hades-Hope Bolinger and Alyssa Roat

Mistress Giselle-JR Froemling

The Spies Down The Street-Ryan O'Connell

8 Billion Genies-Charles Soule

Surviving Lily-M. Black

Double Take-Lynette Eason

Honey Bunch Books:

     -Just A Little Girl Loved this!  Always funny to see 4 year olds doing things we'd NEVER allow today's kids do!

     -1st Garden

     -1st Camp

     -1st Circus

     -1st Trip West

     -1st Airplane

     -1st Zoo

     -1st Big Adventure

     -1st Parade

     -1st Club

     -1st Costume Party

     -1st Pet Show

     -1st Mystery

     -1st Twin Playmates

Dana Girls:  Carolyn Keene

     -Locked Room

     -Study Lamp

     -Tower

The Great Landlocked Sea-E. Davis

Reach Up For The Sunrise-Jen Selinsky

Chicken Pulp-Hericja R. Raymer

The Luck of the Ogre-Annette Miller

Where Shadows Sleep-Lawrence Weill

Tracer-David E Graham

The Girl In The Window-S. Lee Davis

The Watchers of Moniah-Barbara V. Evers

The Lemon Sisters-Jill Shalvis

Kiki-Tommy B. Smith

Chains In The Sky-Carl R. Moore

Legend of Ardmire Castle-Sianyn (Shannon) Leigh

Five Alarm Love-Jillian David

Cruise, Coctails, and Chaos-Donna R. Madden

Deadly Vicious Lies-Emma Lynn Ellis

Tempting Lies-Sara Whitney

The Last Juror-John Grisham

Ten Minutes From Normal-Karen Hughes

Fiction Faves:

-Rage-Linda Castillo

-It's A Love Story-Annabel Monighan

-Shipwreck Fiji-Nilima Rao

-The Memory Gardner-Meg Donojue

Physicians Untold Stories-Scott. J. Kolbaba

The Joy of Disciplint-E. Stanley Ott

Funny Story-Emily Henry

5 Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos-Melissa De La Cruz

The Lonely Hearts Book Club-Lucy Gilmore

Beneath The Stars-Emily McIntire

Follow Your Dreams-Conway Stone

Dream High-Conway Stone

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

-75

E-book:

The Girlfriend-Abigail Barnett RR!  Some BDSM, but excellent story!

The Summer Without Men-Siri Hustvedt

Leaving Woodvale-Katie Cawood

Karaoke Songs:

8/6

The Old Apartment-Barenaked Ladies Fun to sing, but too low

The Old Man Down The Road-John Fogarty ugh...too low

Sir Duke-Stevie Wonder Took me back to 4th grade, but too low

Sister Christian-Night Ranger Better, but still too low

Heaven Is A Four-Letter Word-Bad English DNH....sigh, remains on the 'searching' list.

I'll Fall In Love Again-Sammy Hagar A keeper, though I'll do it again when voice isn't shot!

8/13: DNG, was exhausted!

NOTE:  Need To Resing Morning After, Siver Threads, and Perform This Way, as well as Moment of Truth and First Night!!!

8/20:  Voice was slightly off.

Re-sang Morning After, Silver Threads, and Moment of Truth. Decided NOT to re-sing Perform This Way, since I'd not done that well on it. 

8/27:

Might sing a tribute to Dolly Parton:

-9 to 5

-Jolene

-Islands In The Stream

-I Will Always Love You

The One That You Love-Air Supply

Sister Golden Hair-America

Abacab-Genesis

First Night-Survivor

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

Someone Like You-Jean Joachim ($6)

You Will Never Be Me-Jesse Q Santanto (print)

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

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

All We Ever Wanted-Emily Giffen (print)

Try Again Baby-Julia Wolf (print)

I've Got A Crush On You-Lauren Blakely (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)

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

The Paris Predicament-Lexi Haddock

Elle Kennedy books

The Girlfriend Zone-Lauren Blakely

From The Stupid Files: Y8, W24

Day 109:  Warm, 80s; 61 t/a

ASM:  Shannon

HC:  Riley

Loader:  Jax, DS Ian

1) Arrived and the parking lot was EMPTY!

2) Just after I closed the large garage door, the customer who'd just walked in asked, "Were we not supposed to come in that way?"

"I was just closing it to keep the cool air inside."

3) Customer asked if he could take a cart outside, load up the dog-eared fence pickets, then bring them back inside so I could ring it up. I said, "Or, I just input the item number, you pay, then load them directly into your truck."

Outfit:  Black Rebel Be Free tee, long capris, black danglies

Day 110: Warm, 80s; 92 t/a

ASM:  Shannon

HC:  Levi

Loaders:  Jax, Pro John

1) Was asked to come in at 4 instead of 5

2) O went to take a pit stop and do the coffee; I was instantly slammed.

3) Customer was upset b/c the lawnmower's return policy is 48 hours instead of 90 days.

4) Around 4:30, a customer was upset the Pros had left; he wanted to add to his quote.  O left Pro Kathy a note.

5) Around 5, couldn't get ANYONE to answer a page or even their phone! Felt like I was in the Twilight Zone....

6) Only got a 15 min break.

7) A $20 bill was hiding in the $10s; reopened my drawer to give the $10 change, then forgot to put the $20 back in the drawer!

8) Levi had a family emergency and left; Karen made the closing announcements.

Outfit:  Original Blue LU tee, long capris, small flower diamonds

Day 111: Warm, high 80s; 39 t/a

ASM:  Daniel

HC:  Madi

Loaders:  Jax, Pro John

1) Found out Ted Hazel passed July 27th.  He was one of my sweeter customers and will be missed.

2) Did my Harassment, Credit, and SMART customer service training without the sound, and scored 100% on all.

3) Had no customers after 9:10. Dusted the top of the Monster and Red Bull coolers.

Outfit:  Blue flowered blouse, long capris, thin gold hoops

Day 112:  Cooler, rain in morning, upper 70s; 74 t/a

ASM:  Keri

HC:  Madi

Loaders:  Jax, Justice

1) Keri was on the warpath b/c people needed help in flooring; Matt was at lunch and both Shadley and Emma were at the pro desk, helping a customer!

2) Keri caught me outside getting a cart; thought I'd be getting 'the talk', but no....(whew!)

3) Was very busy 4-6:30!  42 customers

4) Final customers were at 8:51 and 9:23.

5) Day began with truck needing a new battery!

Outfit:  Kind People tee, long capris, thin gold hoops

Off until next Wednesday!!!!  Whoot!