From The Stupid Files: Y7, W27

 Day 99: Cool, mid-70s; 83 t/a

ASM:  Maria

HC:  Austin

Loaders:  Kaleb, Jack (called in); Conrad

1) Jack was MIA, due to injury last night

2) Kaleb went home around 6:30, due to family issues

3) Had a new LU....did half of it.

4) My feet hurt while standing

5) Got to see former loader Vince!  He got taller over the summer, ha ha....

Outfit:  Blue LU tee, long capris, small gold hoops

Day 100: Cool, mid-70s; 87 t/a

ASM:  Daniel

HC:  Austin

Loaders:  Kaleb (left early); Isaiah, Conrad

1) Customer didn't understand the tool special and kept insisting the tool 'was free'. It SPLITS THE COST, YOU MORON!

2) Wire's barcode was damaged, and couldn't find it in item look up. Fortunately, Josh was there and was able to go get the item #.

3) Kaleb left early, this time due to dropping concrete off forklift tines, and running into a pallet of lumber.

4) Called and paged tools twice and still had to call ASM Dan to unlock the cage.

Outfit:  Dept of having fun tee, long capris, small textured hoops

Off the next two days, to go to Lafayette!

Day 101:  Warmer, low 80s; 90 t/a

ASM:  Alex

HC:  Kaitlyn

Loaders:  Jaxon, Kaleb (called in??), Conrad

1) Kaleb was a no-show

2) Customer bought 30 sheets of plywood, then was horrified by the cost ($30/sheet)...."They were $10 earlier this year!", so returned them. But since he'd paid with a check, was given the $$ on a merch card. He wasn't happy about it.

3) Forgot to take my pain meds at lunch, and by 9, my feet were throbbing!

4) Went to put trash in hopper, but Jax had just left with it.  Conrad said he'd take care of it.

Outfit:  Kind People tee, long capris, brace, sapphire hoops

Off tomorrow; hoping to attend Kenny Stevenson's Celebration of Life.

Day 102:  Rare Sun warmer, low 80s; 110 t/a

ASM:  Daniel

HC: Isaac

Loaders:  Jax, Isaiah

1) My feet were killing me, so secured permission to wear my slippers.  I'll wear my shoe on the left, since that's the one which bothered me the most.

2) Customer arrived at close with the wrong battery. Isaac found the correct one.

3) Ran out of $5s and $10s, and low on $1s, but fortunately didn't have to jump to #2.

4) Think loader Kaleb qut....

Outfit:  Gold tee, long capris, brace, small diamond flower posts

BB27: Week 6

 HOH:  Party Slasher!  Clues to which 'rooms' are safe.

Rachel wins!

*gag* WHY did we have to see Rachel in the tub, shaving her legs and armpits??

WTH is up with that red/white dress and that god-awful thing that goes from shoulder to shoulder? Rachel, you look as if you're wearing a cardboard stole.  It's unflattering.

Nominations:  Vince, Morgan, and Mickey!

POV:  OTEV is back!  Rachel, Mickey, Vince, Morgan, Will, and Lauren

Round 1:  Will is eliminated

Round 2:  Vince is eliminated

Round 3:  Only Lauren got it right!  Wins POV:)

Veto Meeting:  

Lauren takes Vince off; Rachel puts up Riley.

Rachel, WTH are you wearing??? 

It looks as if you took your red dress and slashed it....

BB Blockbuster:  Mickey wins!  Riley, you did NOT check her score 1st; you checked MORGAN's!  I think you just sent yourself bye-bye....

What IS it with these backless tanks and dresses?  Kat, I like you, but you're showing back fat....

Rachel, grow up!  You're a mom....*eye roll*

WTH are you wearing, Ava?

Eviction:  Riley is evicted 5-4.  Who knew Vince would be the swing vote???  Shame on you!!!

BB Unlocked:  Ugh.....Taylor, get over yourself. What is up with those shoes?

Mystery Guest:  Boston Rob! Wow....he's definitely aged....and put on a few pounds??

Now THERE'S a great idea....bring back some former Survivor winners and put them in the BB house!!

Rupert, Boston Rob, Ozzie....to name a few:)

BB Unlocked:

Boston Rob is Mystery Guest:)

*gag* He likes Janelle and Rachel....bleh....

Nicole and Vic are expecting!!!!  Whoot!

The girls can dance:)

From The Stupid Files: Y7, W26

Day 95: Hot, humid, mid-90s; 72 t/a

ASM:  Daniel

HC:  Raven

Loaders:  DS Charlie, Jax

1) No one did returns while I was gone; took most of them back before lunch.

2) Man came to get order; left just before it was brought forward. He told us he was told to come to Pro desk; turned how he'd NOT been to CS yet!

3) I'd opened the large door for a large order, then kept it open for another customer; #1 decided to CLOSE it just as #2 was about to exit!

4) Customer gave me his phone # for tax exempt, but it didn't take off the tax. Then we were unable to refund the tax!

5) I was nearly finished with my final 3 returns at close, when ASM Daniel decided to let everyone go!  He said he'd take back the final return for me, and let me clock out.

Outfit:  Blue LU safety tee, faded cut off capris (rolled down); tiny silver hoops

You never appreciate a moment until it becomes a memory (I think was the quote I just heard)

Day 96: Cooler, high 70s; 71 t/a

ASM:  Daniel

HC:  Isaac

Loaders:  Kaleb, Jack (called in)

1) Customer had 'starter strip'; turned out to be undersill.

2) Customer wanted 50 lb concrete, so rang it up. But when her companion showed up, he had the fast-set. Had to refund/rebill

3) Reeses PB sticks wouldn't ring up, so charged him for 2 Kit-Kats

4) Discovered my light had been off since maybe 8pm, when I returned from lunch???

5) Kaleb was handed some signage to put up at 9:45; apparently CORPORATE's coming tomorrow?  Both Star Wars order pickers are down....he has 8 pallets in aisle 21 he can't put up until they're working....oooooh boyyyyy.....

Outfit:  Black cap sleeve blouse, faded cut off capris (rolled down); sapphire hoops

Day 97: Cooler, high 70s; 59 t/a

ASM:  Daniel

HC:  Austin

Loaders:  Kaleb, Conrad

1) Conrad's back!!!!!

2) Was 90 mins late, due to D's urology appt in Evansville.

Outfit:  Black Mom tee, dark cut off capris (rolled down), large zirnonians

Off the next two days for Geek Con on Sat!

Day 98:  Rare Sun Cooler, mid-70s; 89 t/a

ASM:  Daniel

HC:  Kaitlyn, Isaac

Loaders:  Jack, Isaiah

1) Cust told me no PO, then AFTER I hit 'no', told me to put Petersburg.

2) Customer gave me his phone #, then had me scan his QR code.

3) Fri-Sat closer left coffee carafe, AND didn't put any trash liners in the Pro can or the large one behind the Coke pallet.  Grrrr....

4) My dustpan was MIA.  Had Yancy help me sweep it into a snow shovel, so I could get rid of the spilled concrete in front of my register.

5) Customer saran-wrapped his boards to the vinyl siding, obscuring the bar code. Had to look it up.

Was just in a 'mood' from the get-go; was VERY happy when we closed!

Outfit:  Black lace tee, faded cut-off capris (rolled down), silver chains

BB27: Week 5

HOH:  Ava!  

It was the classic, head-to-head challenge, and Ava wasn't picked until LAST, and beat Rylie!

Nominations: Keanu, Vince, and Zach

POV: Ava, Keanu, Vince, Zach, Will, and Katherine

Comp:  Where rewards and punishments are won!

Ava: Eliminated 4th; gets $5K 

Keanu:  Eliminated 2nd; gets BUTT-ler did it; dressed as a Butler, with a tray BUTT!  And has to make and serve Pigs in a Blanket:)

Vince:  Eliminated 5th; gets Hard Boiled Detective; dressed as an egg, ala Detective Gadget!

Zach: Eliminated 3rd; gets Partner In Crime and chooses Rachel as his PIC:) They end up having to 'steal' bags from a 'vault', and if they pick the wrong ones, they get hit with blue dye.

Will: Eliminated 1st; gets London Vacation

Katherine: Winner!  Takes Veto:)

POV Meeting:

Kat (WTH is she wearing, btw??) decides NOT to use it, even though she and Ava were talking about taking one of them down, and putting up Morgan, due to the fact she had a fight with Rachel AND was heard saying the 'showmance' needed to be broken up.

Zach did NOT use his BB Buyout power.

LOL....Vince said he really does NOT want to meet Julie dressed like an egg!

Mickey:  Acting like a dictator toward Ash.

Zach:  TOLD Morgan about his power, told her she was his #1 person....but Vince is HERS!  So?????

BB Blockbuster:  Keanu wins!

Eviction:  

WTH are Mickey and Ash wearing?  M looks like she's wearing a bubble sack, and A looks as if she's wearing a flowey scarf! Rachel looks halfway decent, with her sparkly blue dress. Did Kat forget part of her green dress????  

Even Julie's wearing a flowery blouse, faded denim capris, and 3 in silver heels???

Zach is evicted, 8-2

Amazing Race is featuring past BB players!!

From The Stupid Files: Y7, W25

Day 91: Hot, mid 90s; 75 t/a

ASM:  Alex

HC:  Austin

Loaders:  Kaleb, Jax

1) After I went to break at 5:15, Austin sent me to lunch at 6,

2)  *grinding my teeth* Alex asked me to clock in and out at the Pro desk, b/c 'it throws everything off'...nevermind the fact i was stopped by a customer at PLYWOOD! 

Asked Keri about it; it was b/c 'we're short-staffed'. WE'RE ALWAYS SHORT-STAFFED!!!

In hindsight, I *should* have told Austin to go help the customer, instead of returning to him when I asked him to give me the price of the 5 black-striped plywood.  It was the one the customer was looking for.  Oops, I'm sorry; I felt it important that I tell him. Not, 'I'm sorry, I need to get back to my register.'  Talk about VOC....'I needed help, but she was too busy/in a hurry to help'.....*eye roll*

Outfit:  Gray Plank LU, dark cut off capris, thin gold hoops

Thank god I'm off the next two days.  I need to cool off.

Day 92: Hot, humid; 76 t/a

ASM:  Maria

HC:  Austin

Loaders:  Kaleb, Jax, Isaiah

1) 2 customers left their return carts by my register *eye roll*  What, they think they'll magically roll themselves back to where they belong, or out of the way?

2) Discovered whomever closed while I was off never gathered up the trash. Plus the floor was filthy.

3) Zach's birthday, so Kem had made a lemon cake.  Delicious; I ate 2 pieces:)

4) Spun the prize wheel and won the Shark board:)

Outfit:  Indian motorcycle tee, dark cut off capris, double heart danglies

Day 93:  Hot, mid 90s; 85 t/a

ASM:  Alex

HC:  Austin

Loaders:  Jax, Isaiah

1) Man wanted to return boards; I charged him instead!  Fortunately he returned and was able to straighten everything out.

2) Opened the large door for customer with 3 carts; they went through the side door instead. WTH???

3) Alex talked to me about the 'constant' paging....told him apparently I cannot judge time-lapse; thought I was doing it every 2-3 mins, not every 30 seconds!

4) Had a shadow from 8-close, Talon.  He's in conservation at the university, in his 1st year.  He wants to do cave rescues.

Outfit:  Star Wars tee, dark cut off capris, r/w/b stars

Day 94:  Rare Sat Hot, mid-90s; 58 t/a

ASM:  Alex

HC:  Austin

Loaders:  Kaleb, Isaiah

1) Kaleb threw a sack of concrete over his shoulder; it split, dusting him from head to toe in concrete!

2) I told Kaleb there were still cupcakes on the shelf; he asked, "Did you just call me 'Cupcake'??

NO, I did NOT!  LMAO!

Outfit:  Lt blue USA tee, dark cut off capris, thin gold hoops

Off tomorrow for Belle and Olivia's baptism!

BB27: Week 4

 HOH:  BB Killer Carnival:)

Kelley has to sit out.

Rd 1:  Zach, Morgan, and Keanu are up 1st.  Keanu wins!  Eliminates Will and Ashley, Morgan and Mickey

Rd 2:  Zach, Jimmy, and Riley win!  Everyone else is eliminated.

Rd 3:  Riley wins!!!

Mickey activates her HOH Interrogator Power!

OMG.....Rachel, just because Katherine made an OBSERVATION about Ashley's demeanor (smiling and giggling after being interrogated by Riley) does NOT make her a bully!!  LMAO....Rachel told Kat to 'sit down', even though she already was!

Riley thinks it Ash......but it's MICKEY!  Riley has been de-throned:)

Mickey Nominates Keanu, Kelley, and Riley

POV: Mickey, Kelley, Keanu, Rachel, and Morgan

Keanu vs Mickey:  Keanu wins!

Morgan vs Rachel:  Rachel wins!

Kelley vs Rylie:  Rylie wins!

Keanu vs Rylie:  Keanu wins!

Rachel vs Keanu:  Keanu wins.....and immediately insults Ava, the host.  WTH????

Keanu takes himself off; Mickey puts up Jimmy!

Advice:  Next week, back-door the guy???

   

BB Blockbuster:  Rylie wins!!!

Eviction:  Jimmy, 9-2!  (Ash and Rachel on the wrong side; Ash's 1st vote for Kelly stands.  No revotes allowed)

Jimmy hugs only Rachel and Ash, then walks out the door.

Might watch BB unlocked, just to hear what they have to say about Ash's indecision!

Mystery Guest:  1986 and Football.....Jim Kelly?  The Refrigerator?  Jerry O'Connell!

Who to goo? (worst fashion sense)  RACHEL!!!!!  Whoot!

August Goals

Where did July go?  One minute we're celebrating the birth of our Independence, then I spend 5 days with my mom in the hospital, go off to Imaginarium, and BOOM! It's over????

-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 Check!  Only sold 2 books, but hung out with several friends!

-Publish Playing With Time Check! E-book pubbed 7/1; print pubbed 7/13!   5 copies ordered ($24 plus $21 S&H); interior fixed 7/28; 5 more copies ordered 8/3 ($50)

-Go to Food Trucks On The River (21st) Too hot and out of funds.

-Do well at KCARC event Sold 2:)

-Finish Ch 12 of Heart Song Check!  Now onto 13....

-Read 6 books Check!

-Finish current book Check!

Health:  Mine's fine, and Mom is getting out of rehab August 13th:)  Her PT is paying off; I only have to support her when she's getting out of the car, instead of helping her stand!

 Books Read:  6

            Print:  5

        E-book:  1

             DNF:  3

2025 Events:

Aug:  Geek Con, Evansville Museum, Evansville, In ($40 pd 6/13) Sold 3!

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 $120 still owe $60)

Aug 8th:  Indy Author Event ($250; Pd $50 5/16 still owe $200)

August Goals:

-Lose 5 lbs (starting 241)

-Get print copy TP ready Check!

-Double-check PWT copies Check; just need to put TOC in final ones

-Pay for Matoon Motel Check!

-Do well at Geek Con Sold 3, which was two more than last year!

-Keep up with BB27 Check!

-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 Check!  Sept 4th.

-Finish Ch 13 of Heart Song

-Buy BP machine 

-Pay down CC and start pecking away at med bills

-Read 6 books

-Finish current e-book Check!

Aug Reading Schedule:  

Secret Stories of Disney World-Jim Korkis DRR!  Now I want to go back to WDW!!!!!!

The Scarlet Thread-Francine Rivers DRR!  This was a reread, and found it very enjoyable!

And The Shofar Blew-Francine Rivers DRR!  A glowing account of what NOT to do when building a church....

Redeeming Love-Francine Rivers

Becoming His-K.I. Lynn

Finding Home-Sutton Bishop

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 Restless Few-James Watjen

How To Raise Viking Children-Troy Maynard

Trick of the Tale:  Genesis-Jen Selinsky

Echoes of Vengeance-Stephanie Lanham

Memoirs of an Angel-Brian Rodman

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

-36

E-book:

This Is Not The Story You Think It Is-Laura Munson Good reminder of how, instead of reacting to bad news, ride it out; marriage can be worked out, not simply throw in the towel and walk away.  Love and patience will prevail.

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

Abigail's Journey-Jean Joachim

Dr. Alaska-Jillian David

Prancing Around With Sleeping Beauty-Stacy Juba

Trimmed In Blue-Sandra Sookoo

Party Planning Can Be Murder-Kerry Schafer

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

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)