Cute sayings

Hey there. I found some cute sayings in catalogs and thought to share them. If you like these check out my entries More cute sayings, Even more cute sayings, and Even better sayings in my blog.

My kid wants to be President. I told her to aim higher.

Be kind to your children, they pick your nursing home.

Organized people are too lazy to look for things.

Age and treachery will triumph over youth and skill.

Women who behave rarely make history.

Attention teenagers: "No" is a complete sentence.

If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?

I think...therefore, I'm single.

To err is human, to blame it on someone else shows management potential.

Marriage is finding that special someone you want to annoy the rest of your life.

If at first you don't succeed: do it the way your Mother told you to.

Maturity is overrated.

Growing old is Mandatory. Growing up is Optional.

Tell me again how lucky I am to work here. I keep forgetting.

It's better to loved and lost than live with the psycho the rest of your life.

Plus some graduation plaques:

Teen Challenge
Be mature enough to realize you still have much to learn.
Be wise enough to know respect is something you earn.
Be patient with your parents, with yourself, and others too.
Be the best you can be and the life will give its best to you.

Secrets of Success
Personality has the power to open many doors, character keeps them open.
Don't find fault, find a remedy.
Attitude is everything: It can make you a failure or make you a success.
Be yourself: an original is always better than a copy.
Six important words: I admit I made a mistake.
The only people who never fail are the ones who never try.

Post later. Happy April Fool's Day. I actually know someone who hates this holiday. Her name is April. Bye!

New bookshelf

Hello there. I got myself a new bookshelf yesterday. I went shopping for other things, but could not find crates I was looking for. So I browsed for an alternative. I like using plastic items for furniture as opposed to wood since it is lighter. But I could not lift the box for a wooden bookcase, 5 shelves. So I attempted to lift a media thing much like a bookshelve with 2 glass shelves. I discovered I could get it into the shopping cart. I heard women gasping and asking "What is she doing?", but I also noticed they were not helping me either. I squashed my box of nails (as in wall nails) and they spilled under the cart. I next strolled into the grocery part of the superstore. I wish manufactuers would also include pounds when printing the dimensions of an object so I don't have to hurt myself trying to lift something too heavy. The checkout cashier asked if I needed help with my large purchase. I said no. I figured if I managed to get it into the cart and soon up three flights of stairs, I can manage to get it inside the backseat. I probably spent a good 20 minutes moving the box up the stairs. The hardest part was sliding it over the raised threshold of the apartment building. This should teach me not to buy anymore furniture. With my hands, feet, and flipping the box in somersaults tearing the edge flaps to pieces by the top of the second flight of steps, I manage to get the box to the fire door. With an exhausted hard pull at the firedoor and sweat pouring down my forehead, I held the door with my foot as I slid the box to my door. I saw a call from Mom so I rested as I spoke to her. I told her my new adventures. She said she didn't want anything, just seeing what I was doing and if I need buy my volunteer clothes for the museum job, plus where would I get such clothes. Ya see, she did want something. My Mom only calls when she wants something. I told her she needs to drop by and see my new and improved apartment.
Then she asked if I knew how to look up a website on the internet. She can't figure it out. Even though she despises other sects of Christianity, she loves Mormons. They have tons of family history on the internet so she doesn't have to travel to tons of courthouses to look things up. She didn't say which family tree branch she needed info on, probably everybody. She mostly deals with my Dad's side because her side is already done for her. One family book she has is so old that her youngest sister is in Brownies. I told Mom she can use my computer to look up stuff, I have unlimited minute access. Next I hung up so I could start on my project spread out on the floor. In roughly 3 hours I screwed everything together. My favorite part was the directions saying "With a second person". I think these manufacturers assume too much. I used 3 large books for my second person. Then I spent another hour rearranging my living room. Going to bed I had a big mess over the apartment, five cuts on my hands, 2 bruises (knee and ankle), and a headache from the rocking chair swaying. I decided to clean up the next day.
Today I partially got out my summer clothing. The short-sleeved shirts are hung up while the shorts are still in storage. Next I cleaned my mess and dragged the beat up box and styrofoam to the dumpster. After the mess was cleaned, I heard a knock on the door. It was the things I ordered off the internet. I ordered movies, CD collections, and a book on Eleanor Roosevelt. I got the idea of reading a biography on Mrs. Roosevelt came about remembering a famous phrase she said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." I had to watch the Princess Diaries to hear who said that. I wondered what kind of woman would say something so wise. I tryto live by those words.
I missed the Oprah show today with the Presley Women speak in their first interview together. Yesterday I watched Lisa Marie's interview alone. Sorry I missed part 2. I was watching the movie "Finding Neverland". I might add Johhny depp to the list of stars I would dream of placing in a movie about my book, if that would happen of course. Though I am not sure which part he should play. Perhaps the hero Alaric based on my personality and experiences if my life was in a fairytale, with much exaggeration and things that never happened tossed in. In short, Alaric is the youngest child of a poor, but respected parents, who grows up to be a hero by gaining a royal ally to avenge the deaths of his family and ladylove after a traumatic battle destroying his world. In world flipped upside down and never the same, he carves a new life intertwined with the royal family who are full of adventure between wars. If I picked a director, that would Steven Spielburg. Next to Walt Disney and William Shakespeare, he is a great storyteller. I finished watching "The Sword in the Stone" and starting "Bambi". Post later. Bye!

Invasion Iowa

Hello again. I read in the paper today about a new reality show that took place in Iowa. Get this. William Shatner waltzes in claiming he is making a science fiction film. He goes to Riverside, Iowa where the future birthplace of Captain Kirk of the original Star Trek series is. The town has a Star Trek festival every year. By the 10th episode, the finished film is viewed by the townspeople and are told this is really a reality series. Some laugh while others were angry. I don't think I will watch it. The paper claims the producers said the townspeople were respectably shown without stereotypes of dumb hicks chewing hay, superfriendly and trusting people who count cows all day, and vast seas of cornfields between dinky towns 100 years behind in technology. I don't quite buy that, no matter what Hollywood says. The town of Riverside is only 40 more people than my hometown so they would be close in comparison if anyone wants to know what my hometown is like.
So anyway, Invasion Iowa airs on Spike TV Tuesday at 8 and 10 pm.

Church lady

Hello again. I flipped through channels before work today to find a church lady acting like a Bible Beater. My terminology for a deeply devoted Christian who is always right and opposition to their beliefs is wrong. Anyway, a question was asked of the church lady. Someone wrote in asking why a woman who had a feeding tube removed is not allowed to be let go and be with God. The church lady answered with a Bible verse about life and changed the subject, why I thought she was a Bible Beater. In other words, she ain't answering the question when challenged. I can answer it for her. Because she would have to admit defeat if this woman died. My brother says God answers every prayer, sometimes the answer is no. I give him that. Yes some people fear death, fear the unknown, fear defeat or failure, fear pain, fear being forgotten. But this church lady is forgetting something. We are not immortal. Someday, like it or not, we all die. Humans die, animals die, plants die, coral die, and there is nothing these pro-life people praying for a miracle can do about it. It is just a fact of life that people and objects we love perish. Nothing in this world is permanent. Even dreams die when we awake and forget them.
But the church lady probably would not understand that she does not hold power in the universe and would never admit she does not know everything, so I will fire back some Bible verses at her. In Genesis, after Adam and Eve tasted the forbidden fruit and banished from the Garden of Eden, God said to Adam that he was created from dust and dust he shall return. Want another one. In Ecclesiastes, it is said that there is a time for every purpose under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die...A time to mourn and a time to dance. Also at my grandma's funeral the preacher quoted from somewhere in the Bible that there are many mansions in heaven, if there were not I would have told you so.
I think I will say my own prayer for this family of the dying woman. I pray for love in their hearts, peace in their soul, forgiveness for all against them, and joy of naming a scholarship fund in memory of this woman they can't let go from clinging to false hope. Amen. That is not something I do often. Happy Easter. Post later. Bye!

Full Moon

I knew there was a full moon out tonight. I have been getting weird customers. 1 Yesterday, I had a guy add on a reservation an hour before he came. His credit card declined and I think it was a debit card even though it did not directly say that. I concluded that from him saying that he will just go to an ATM to deposit enough money to rent the car. Sure, I close 4 hours from that time so that would be no problem. Well later I saw him picking up his person, but did not come over to pick up his car rental. Oh well, I did not feel like canceling his rental for him. Sometimes, I want to be a bitch and not do the nice thing.
2 Also yesterday, lady rents a car and I gave her easy directions to the interstate. Yeah, she calls and asks about missing a sign to the road she wanted and was headed to something else. She describes herself as the lady with the Sunbird when I gave her a Sunfire. She asks what does she do, she is in the boondocks. The way I sent her was through the city. She says she can pull over into a gas station to ask for directions since I can not figure out where she is located by her descriptions of road signs (she called Norwalk, Norfolk). I then ask her if she turned left when she exited the airport. No, she turned right. I must have a speech impediment. She figures out she needs to turn around back towards the airport. After she finally gets to her destination, she calls again. She wants to know how to get the window back up, how does she turn on the dashboard light so she can see how fast she is going, and then wants to know how to lock the door. While she is asking all these questions she figures it out on her own and hangs up.
3 3 minutes before I close at midnight, guy wants a spare set of keys since he locked his keys inside his car. And there is extremely loud music in the background. I find the spare set after digging through a bucket full of keys and explain his options. Option 1 would be I sending the spare set in a taxi and he pays for the cab fare. He asks how much it would cost. I don't know, especially since he never told me where he is. Also I drive a car, not ride in a taxi. Option 2 would be coming tomorrow morning to pick up the keys at the rental counter since I am closing, but I could wait for him if he needs them now. He asks his buddies what to do and he decides on coming the next morning. I come in to work today to discover he never came by to pick them up. Maybe he found them in his coat pocket after leaving the bar. About 8 tonight I place the spare set back believing he is never coming.
4 Today I had a lady add on a reservation using a coupon brand I hate. It's not the coupon itself I hate, it is the fact that these customers don't actually read the rules and stipulations. All the coupons of this brand must be used with a reservation only (no walk ups), on certain days, for certain time periods (like a weekend rental or rent for a week), and certain cars can these coupons be used with. All the customer reads is $15 off or free upgrade or free day. Customers who break those rules upon returning early void the coupon used (which they can't understand since we are suppose to kiss their ass) and they don't just get the coupon back once it is voided. And no we are not digging through mountains of paperwork to find their stupid coupon. Hopefully she won't be a problem. She acted a little dingy asking immediately what the price is. Did the reservation operator not give her the total? Then she got all confused over what she was signing. There is that speech impediment again. And where the car was located.
I also shopped tonight online but my stupid cell phone has problems going to pages within a website. So I reordered stuff on my computer. I got some books on fairies and elfs and um, spells for witches. Don't get me wrong I am researching for my fairytale book. I read books on gods and goddessess in cultures spanning the world. I studied Japan, Africa, France, Celts, and Native Americans before and after Columbus in college. I have yet to be converted to any religion despite my Mom's fears. I even took a summer class on the end of the world ending at the stroke of midnight of the year 2000. That was my favorite class, especially hearing stories of people of stockpiling supplies because the world is going to fall apart and only they will be saved.
Funny, it is now 2005 and I am still here. In fact, I went to work at Walmart on January 1st, 2000 and it was just another workday. What a shame. I was hoping the computers would crash and electricity would shut off so I could go back to bed. Oh yeah, also knowing I could stop paying my student loans because of Y2K. I'm just not that lucky. I also ordered a cute ring not in the catalog at work. They actually had my ring, 5. Walmart has very few size 5 rings. I know from experience. Anyhow, post later. Happy Easter. Bye!

Freaky

Hello again. I got freaked out toady. I heard someone I find irritating asked if we had job openings and for an application. And he is the new guy at a neighboring car rental. I emailed my boss in caps (all capital letters) not to hire this person. He creeps me out. My informer coworker said she would quit too if he was hired. She has enough stress from my dipshit coworker to handle this guy I nicknamed freak or what's his face.
Dipshit is in lots of trouble today. And he doesn't work until Saturday. Shucks, I have to miss the fireworks of anger coming toward him. A car renter was busted for transporting illegal drugs in the rental car, which means the car was impounded and his belongings of 3 suitcases were confiscated by the police. Fast forward to we get the car and the suitcases since we are nearest location to the police station. He rented the car from Tuscon, Arizona. Well my idiot coworker told him that it would be no problem mailing him the 3 suitcases and doesn't bother to look up the rental contract that says otherwise. Newsflash: 3 heavy suitcases cost a lot more to mail than something small like a cell phone. And the suitcase owner's name is not on the contract, he is an additional driver, which means if we charged the credit card on the contract we would be charging the wrong person for the postage. Well this guy calls later claiming his stuff has not shown up yet.
The coworker receiving this phone call is furious that the note on the suitcases was not read because we have already explained to the additional driver that he must either pick up the things himself with photo identification. We don't just hand over confiscated stuff to just anyone. The other alternative is to have a note written giving permission to mail the things and his credit card number to be charged that is notarized, which means a public official person verifies the note writer's identification. This guy gets into an argument over how somebody at our location informed him that everything is just fine mailing the objects to him sitting in jail. Does he expect us to mail his suitcases to the police station? He even dares to say that he is not a liar in the conversation. Yeah, transporting illegal drugs does not score brownie points in the honesty department. So in short, my coworker is grass and the furious coworker is a lawn mower.
In a prior posting I mentioned a former car rental person who was arrested over a year for dealing drugs and has been sitting in a holding cell all this time waiting for her sentence so this year does not count as time served. She finally got her sentence this week. 2 10-year sentences to be served at the same time so maybe with good behavior she will be out before her 60th birthday. She just celebrated her 50th birthday the week before she was arrested. I also found out she is being shipped to Kansas for her sentence. Guess nobody here is going that far to visit her. What a shame. Post later. Bye!

Pizza Day

Hello again. I must be finally getting over my cold. My appetite is back and I have been eating like a little piggy. I ordered a pizza with cheesesticks. I was hungry but didn't feel like cooking. A manager once told me she would eat pizza with orange juice when she was single and grossed out her mom. I tried it once, not bad at all. The weird things single people eat before they become parents. My sister last night warned me to be careful about gaining too much weight. At 105 pounds, I think I'm safe from getting fat. My niece is eating chopped plums now and crawls more on the floor. She still goes after the cats who shy away from her. I think I stepped on one of them. I was trying to go around it with my big laundry basket and heard a loud, Meow! I screamed and jumped back to find the cats chasing each other. The one I think I hurt let me pet her once the laundry was in the washer, so I am forgiven. I shared my pizza with my sister, the crust has a bad habit of drying out after a while in the fridge.

We watched the Bridget Jones movies last night. Very funny. Next the baby fussed and cried fighting sleep. I told my sister that her daughter is going to be like me and another niece when she grows up. Our bodies fight sleep too leaving us to having a hard time waking up. That is why I work at night, I would be in misery working a day job. Then when I got home I discovered I left my cell phone and wallet behind by the washer and dryer. No one answered the phone so I guess I will pick it up tomorrow. Will definitely obey the speed limit so I don't get pulled over by the police today.

The drivers going down the street I use to get to work can be strange. Once I was 10 miles over the speed limit and someone zoomed passed me just before a hill, very dangerous. Besides that, the whole street is a no passing zone from all the hills and curves. Other times a car will tailgate behind me when no cars are coming and he has room to pass, he will not move until a car appears before zooming around me nearly hitting the oncoming car by a foot (making me hit the brakes so he can get around me without killing anyone). Sometimes I see a police cruiser on that rode. Since there are no stop signs or stop lights, some people treat it like a highway or race track. Once in a while deer cross the road. It is raining today so hopefully nothing will happen on my way to work. The one day out of the year I don't have my license with me will likely be the day I get into wreck. I drive more carefully in bad weather while I see many driving like maniacs. Those are the ones that end up in ditches when they discover that nature's laws also apply to them. Post later. Bye!

Easter plans

The same thing happens every year. People are asking my Easter plans again. They are simple: working. At my job, Easter is not a paid holiday which means I must work my entire shift without extra pay (9 1/2 hours). The boss's excuse for it is because Easter is a religious holiday. My argument is always the same: And Christmas is not a religious holiday. We not only get a Christmas gift from the boss, a Christmas bonus from the company, and a paid holdiay for Christmas, Christmas Day's hours are so short only one coworker is there. A paid holiday means the employees get paid whether we are there or not. Holiday pay is equal to overtime pay. Last time I checked, Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of the founder of the Christianity religion. I'm sure many Christians can disagree on my explanation saying it's celebrating the birth of Christ and I should know that. I think many devoted Christians forget that Christianity is a religion too. To a person who is not a Christian, Christmas is solely a Christian holiday plain and simple. I was amused at a newspaper opinion section where a reader was disgusted at atheists celebrating Christmas and said only true Christians should be celebrating the birth of Christ. Why does this person care who celebrates Christmas? Where is this person's Christian love?
I know the real reason we have to miss having Easter dinner with our families. Only one person can ask for any given day off at a time. Ya see on Christmas Day, few people rent cars. We are busy renting cars before and after Christmas with people visiting their families, but not Christmas Day. Easter is busy with business traveler's coming for Monday morning meetings, so it is a money decision, not because of religion. So my Easter dinner will be whatever I buy from the airport cafeteria. Post later. Bye!

Stuck between a rock and a hard place

Easter is fast approaching. Which means Easter baskets for children full of stuffed animals, jelly beans, chocolate bunnies, colored eggs, peeps, and toys. Last week, I was listening to my sister talking on the phone to someone how she won't be buying anything for her duaghter for Easter and hoping her aunts will buy the baby Easter presents, but no candy since she is too young. Guess that means I am obligated to buy an Easter bunny for my baby niece now. Problem: I have 3 nieces in another state who will not be getting any aunt presents for their Easter baskets. I can hear them already asking why the baby get presents (attention) from me and they get nothing. I rarely bought my older nieces things for Easter because they get huge packages from their parents. A few times I have mailed with their Easter card coloring books or small objects, but not so much that they expect a gift.
I hate my sister for placing me between a rock and a hard place. I hope she is not truly expecting me to show up with a huge stuffed bunny for her daughter this week. Sure she is polite to my face, but can cut my image to pieces behind my back (according to my Mom and my nieces). Once at the Thanksgiving table she accused me of being the worst roommate she every had, setting off a fight in front of the entire family. Today she heartily denies every saying that and tells me I'm making stuff up. I say she is just a bitch sometimes like Mom. I don't know what to do. I want to get her something, but have to consider my other nieces' feelings too. Oh the troubles of being an adult realizing what you do effects others. Post later on my decision. Bye!

Gas price hike

It has finally happened. The gas price is now $2.05 as of the past 3 hours. And was feeling sad that I got gas a few days ago at $1.96 and it went down to $1.94 the next day. I am happy now my gas tank is full. The gas station across the street is still $1.94. I am sure that will change when I get up tomorrow. Is it not amazing how gas prices jump up 10 cents, but come down a cent at a time? I am gaining second thoughts on volunteering with the gas price surges, but that is only once a week. I even looked up home delivery of groceries to save on trips. They charge $10 to deliver so will not save much there. I even thought of doing my laundry at my apartment instead of my sister's house, but the dryer here does not get heavy fabrics dry well. Plus I would not be saving all that much in gas compared to laundry cost. Guess there is no ways to save money on gas after all. Just won't be leaving the apartment unless I must. Post later. Bye!

Management secrets

Hey there. I had an ugly confrontation the other day with a customer demanding a privaledge I had no authority to give. I explained she would have to speak to management about getting this privaledge. When she came the next day, I heard that she did not take the denied request well and stated that it was not what she was told by me. Actually, I never guarenteed that management would grant her request. I simply meant that she would have to convince higher authority than me to get her wish granted. She failed. Though I am unsure which part of NO she did not understand the first time I said it.
Management Secret: There are hierarchies of management in every company I have worked for. Often the one who is said is a manager may actually be the person with most experience at the company physically present. I call myself a manager when I have the most experience or by myself. At this job and my prior job, the official manager gave permission to say that to whining customers since I am in charge for the moment. We noticed people suddenly shift from bitch to sweety real fast when they think they are talking to a manager. People who have the title supervisor or manager do not work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so we underneath them have to fill in so they can have a life outside work. In emergencies, we can call them at home. At one car rental every employee is offically titled as a manager. So anyway, I just hope I am in the cafeteria or restroom when this bitchy customer returns her car. I am sure she wants to scream at me for lying to her. And I am not allowed to say that it is not my fault she's stupid and won't take no for an answer. I hopes she does rent someplace else next time, she threatened that when she rented the car. Post later. Bye!

Long day

Hey there. I had a long day today. So long that I forgot my groceries in the trunk of my car. The milk will keep in this cold weather. I don't want to go out in my pajamas. I am at the tail end of my cold, if it ever goes away. I still don't have my appetite back. Today we experienced the end of spring break and the airlines overbooked their flights 150%. Which means flights got cancelled and we got bitchy attitudes when we told people that we are out of one way cars, all car rentals were out. One lady said to my coworker, "What are we suppose to do, they cancelled our flight?" After the lady left my coworker said to the car cleaners that the lady can take her bitchy attitude to the airline counters 50 feet away who sold her the ticket. We are not allowed to say things like, "You think I care because..." But that is what we are most likely thinking. I had one lady explain how she will pay big money to get a car. Sorry, still no cars that can go one way. I was disappointed the media was not at the airport, but then I am in the baggage area. We like reporters. Our lives are so boring that they provide entertainment for us. You have no idea the challenges they face trying to interview people walking by. Once a reporter kept saying the same line over and over in front of the camera. A car rental person door next heckled her and the reporter shouted back, "You try this". She never did say her line correctly. I even watched that station to see if she did her line. She did at the news station desk. I suppose we were too distracting. I better go to bed now. More work tomorrow. Post later. Bye!

Coworkers

Hey there. My coworkers won't dress up for Halloween, don't wear Christmas jewelry, but they go all out for St. Patrick's Day. Shamrock stickers on their faces, green mardi gras beads, and decorate the window with frogs and shamrocks are present for the beer holiday. One coworker said a girl in her college course wore a green toga to class. That is a bit much. Also another coworker called in sick. The boss is gone for a week and a beer holiday is here. We all know he's hungover. Since the boss is gone the outdoor people are getting lax in the job. Don't worry, we will lodge any complaints when he gets back from his vacation. My coworkers are really celebrating beer this year. At least we had lovely weather in the 70's today. We are suppose to get snow this weekend. Water freezes at 32 degrees. Better go to bed now. Post later. Bye!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Hello again. Today is St. Patrick's Day. Few know it even is a holiday. I suppose they missed the green beer at the bar or the Shamrock shakes at McDonald's (green minty milkshakes). Then there is the St. Paddy's Parade in downtown Des Moines today. The weatherman said it will be a lovely lamb day for the celebration. I get to work. But at least I wear green for the holiday. My boss allows little decorations and such on our professional uniforms, unlike other car rentals. Other people simply state that they are not Irish and don't wear green on St. Patrick's Day. That's Ok. I am part-Irish. My Irish side came from Londonderry in Northern Ireland in the 1760's I think, maybe earlier, and settled in Kentucky. I know before the French and Indian War that immigrant ancestor was here. Back then that was the wild frontier. A branch of the family moved north to Illinois in the 1800's sometime and later my ancestors moved west to Iowa, I think great-great grandparents. And here I am. Anyway, Happy St. Patrick's Day to all. Post later. Bye!

Drilling for oil

I just heard that our Congress just passed the green light to drill for oil in an animal refuge in Alaska to save us from these high gas prices. What drug is Congress and Mr. Bush smoking? I want some fairy dust so I can live in this fantasy world too. But, I live in reality here on earth. I guess invading Iraq to improve our last oil price crisis did not work.
I would like to know who died and made Bush Junior God. I want to know why he is not giving the guy who can make oil from garbage any money so we can make landfills disappear. I want to know why he is not incresing funds for renewable gasolines like ethanol used in Iowa. We have plenty of ethanol to share. I wrote a prior entry on a gasoline made from 90% ethanol that is cheap to buy. The only problem is the car manufacturers refused to change their engines to accept it. And I want to know why we must invade countries and destroy the environment to relieve us of our oil problems today.
Does Mr. Bush have a plan for the next gasoline price crisis? He sure don't have a social security plan approved by his fellow Republicans. I guess Bush thinks his charming personality and smile works on everybody. I can see why when all his speeches to the public occur in places filled with Bush supporters cheering him and every heckler is removed by the secret service. And we reelected this bozo for his leadership qualities. I fear 4 years from now and look forward to it at the same time. Post later. Bye!

Story of a blanket

Last Sunday I visited my aunt's house to see pieces of a blanket yet still unmade. My Grandma on my Mom's side died over 20 years ago. She made my cousin and I similar things. We both have the exact same doll with a pink dress made out of safety pins and small beads. She also gave us flower children pictures she painted. At the time my friends asked if they were Charmkins. No. Today they would be like the photos of babies dressed as flowers. My cousin receive one yellow flower child picture from Grandma. I received red flower child and blue flower child pictures for my wall. They still are on my walls in my apartment. To me they are sacred because Grandma made them for me.
When my Grandpa died on my Mom side 12 years ago, we discovered in the house unmade quilts Grandma started. The 40+ flower child pictures were painted completely for our quilts. My quilt was pieced together and just needed to be finished. My cousin's quilt was still in pieces with fabric cut to border around the pictures. 12 years later it is still untouched. My sister examined the pictures looking for stains. Only one had a rust or bug stain. That could be made into a pillow. My sister said she would find time this summer to sew together the 19 flower children into a quilt. My sister suggested buying fabric soon because Grandma matched things too much and she will piece the quilt together not as Grandma would have, but how my sister thinks it should look. I'm glad my quilt was mostly put together so I know what Grandma intended it to appear. The bottom square says To me From Grandma. I have had my finished quilt since I finished college 5 years. When I cam home from college and saw it on my bed, I asked where this came from. I never knew before my dead Grandma made a quilt for me. I had a quilt from my other Grandma for years who died last Christmas. A family secret revealed. Post later. Bye!

Doctor's Visit

Hey there. I broke down and went to the doctor today. I babysat my niece last week and got her cold and ear infection. I have had my cold for a week and just got tired of my sore throat that won't go away. No insurance means to me going to the doctor when I absolutley have to. The sore throat medicine papers just weren't effective enough, they last 15 minutes. Then again I needed a refill on asthma inhaler so I eventually needed a doctor's visit. I got an appointment early in the morning, 10:00. I usually get up around noon to 1:00. I corrected old information with the receptionist. The address they had I had not lived in for over 2 years. I complained to the nurse about my cold, sore throat, sore ears, and included that I stopped taking decongestants on Sunday after a horrible sinus headache. Horrible meaning my teeth hurt and eyes felt ready to pop out in addition to my sinuses hurting. I even burnt a wash rag in the microwave trying to get relief. I had to resort to apirin to rid my sinus headache. They asked if I was my mother's daughter. Yeah, I am. Mom needs regular tests from the medicines she takes for her arthitis. Dad needs regular visits for his diabetes. Both have high blood pressure too.
The nurse took me into the back rooms to weigh me, take my temperature, test my blood pressure, listen to my heart, and ask my problems. She told me my blood pressure number but I didn't pay attention since I didn't know if that was good or bad. Mom always said it is very low so that is why I feel tired all the time. I always thought it was my allergies making me tired. The doctor I saw said I look like my mother. I told her that's what people tell me. Mom doesn't think we look that much alike. Strangers notice a resemblence. The doctor checked my ears, my throat, my nose, and my lungs. Standard check ups.
Anyway, the doctor was concerned over my asthma being effected by my cold and coughing. I didn't think of that. She said my sore throat was due to drainage of my sinuses. She wrote a refill prescription for my inhaler and an antibiotic to rid the infection (I bet from my niece's ear infection). She said to come back if I didn't feel better in a few days.
I get to the reception desk to pay my doctor's visit. $96. That is why I only come to the doctor when I have to. That is almost a day's pay at work. Now I have to buy my prescriptions somewhere else. I get to the pharmacist and she informs me that my inhaler is expensive, $60. I tell her that I already know that. I buy one every year. I make it last by taking it when I need it, usually when I excerise. The antibiotic is cheaper, $10. Anyone robbing my medicine cabinet won't get rich by it. Once a coworker wanted to borrow my inhaler to get high off of it. I informed him that it is not a stimulant and he would feel nothing using it. All it does is open air ways so I can breathe when my asthma acts up.
Then after I start to leave I have to take back the antibiotic. It's caplets. I can't swallow pills. They stick to the roof of my mouth so I can't get them down. In my life I have tried water, juice, pudding, cookies, bread, soda pop, and even no food trying get a pill down my throat. Nothing works. I noticed the medicine paper strips for sore throats stick to the roof of my mouth too and force them to melt by rubbing my tongue against them. My disinegrating allergy pills stick also and force them to melt the same way. From experience, gel caplets stick worse than regular pills, though watching commercials for them they are suppose to be easier to swallow. Not for me. So I get a liquid medicine exchanged and go home finally. I need a nap. I am drinking warm milk to calm my hungry tummy as I write this. Post later. Bye!

Latest stories

Hello again. Sorry it has been so long since I journaled. I have been busy getting sick again. My nose was so runny at work that I brought a box of tissues, the lotion kind. I like those better than ordinary tissues that fall apart up wetness. I read a newspaper on Saturday. I got the impression that my neck of the woods is the perfect place for a crime.
The main heading on the front page was Overcrowded Jails. Currently overflow is sent to surrounding states' jails. Now taxpayers have to vote on a new jail proposed to house all the current offenders. Problem is the number of methamphetamine makers and smokers keeps going up, not down. The cost of this new jail is more than I will ever make in my lifetime. It would include a special area for drug rehab offenders. Though there was concern about the beds for the rehab would end up in the general population. Another story on the front page explained how many drug offenders are released before they under go treatment for their addictions because the waiting list is so long to get into the program. These drug addicts usually end up back in jail within a week and are put back on the list. One man whose family was victimized said criminals should be locked up forever so they don't commit more crimes. Well sir, these criminals are required to have food, shelter, clothing, medical services, and excerise at the taxpayer expense. So that philosophy does not work in the judicial system.
Yet another story I found most amusing on the same front page had Bush declaring budget cuts on crime because the crime rate is not rising, or something like that. The next page had a whole page story about the rising population of the suburbs and the rising crime that goes with it. In fact the police departments share officers with other suburbs and Des Moines. It said a murdered couple in a suburb was being investigated by one detective, the murderer has not been found and the department is waiting for more evidence to appear. TV shows have more than one person investigating a crime. Guess they don't simulate real life here. Even worse is the pile of cases that are not even looked at because murders and robberies are most important.
That I believe. A few months ago my coworker's truck along with 3 others were broken into and everything stolen, even the owner's manuel and insurance card. My coworker was the only one who had fingerprints on his truck. The police refused to dust the prints because they are so backed up with murders and robberies that they won't even be looking for the people who did this. My coworker said that his mother was a cop back home, he will get the prints himself and mail them to the police. I would not tell my coworker the crime rate is down.
I guess this means the ones who are stupid enough to get caught along with meth makers will be shipped to Missouri. Though not all. A former car rental person next door was arrested for dealing drugs (her husband is a drug dealer with a good lawyer who got him off scott free). My coworkers and fellow people next door believe in her innocence. And they are upset at her public defender attorney she has had before with drug selling charges (this time is her 3rd offense). This woman has been sitting in a holding cell in the county courthouse for over a year waiting for her sentence to be declared, so this year does not count as time served. She was found guilty a year ago. Maybe she is not in a prison because there is no more room. Just a guess.
Even funnier still was a small article of a town in Iowa advertising a $20 incentive off their utility bill if they move their family in that town and enroll their children in the town's school to raise the town's small population. After what I just read about rising populations bring rising crime occurances, I would not go paying people to move to my town. I read last summer how many people from Chicago are moving to smaller Iowa communities because the welfare, public assistance, and public housing lists are shorter. I think the governor needs to rethink his strategies in encouraging people to move here. We have enough welfare recipients and criminals already.
He needs to import business. Though that has not gone well since I read about businesses taking money from a fund to pay businesses to bulid companies here and employ Iowa workers and then when the new building is complete, the company moves its people and Iowa taxpayers' money out into another state leaving the new empty building behind in Iowa. In my opinion, desperate times call for better ideas, not desperate measures. Post later. Bye!

Work drama

Hello again. I missed out on drama this week. A coworker's stepdaughter heard a negative comment about the stepdaughter's mother at a shower and repeated the comment to her mother. The mother calls up my coworker's husband complaining about the comment. His response was close to "What do you expect me to do about, I wasn't there?" He hates his ex-girlfriend so he was not about to defend her to to his family member who made the negative comment. My coworker says now she will have a talk with her stepdaughter about handling things differently, like speaking to the person who made the comment that it upset her or have an adult speak for her at the time of the comment and not days after. Lesson here is: Be careful what you say in front of children because it will be repeated.
Then I heard more drama about her friend's husband breaking his leg, like bones sticking out of the skin broken, and is living off unemployment for a while until he is healed. Well after this friend comes home after a full time job, he yells at her for not getting everything done around the house and screams at her in front of their 2 children. One night she did not feel like cooking, so she ordered a pizza. He freaks over the $20 she spent on the pizza. This friend can't wait for this husband to get back to work. I'm surprised no one is helping her out. I guess everybody is too busy with their own lives.
Next came a simple question that sparked a fury in my coworker to the point she called the manager to tattle. The other coworker I work with asked about a mistake another coworker made and asked who was right, him or the other guy. Somebody used the wrong reservation and when the other one was looking for it they realized what happened. Instead of asking someone in higher authority what to do, the errored coworker tried to cover up his mistake so there won't be evidence of his screw up. Yeah sure, computer records everything you do on it. Problem is the fixed contract is not signed by the customer, nor does she know about the mix up. My coworker is steaming while I'm laughing as she calls the manager to complain about this coworker's mishaps he won't admit to. Things are easier to fix sooner than later when everyhting is said and done. She made a note on the contract so the returning customer will be informed of what happened. She was furious that this guy won't admit to mistakes or ask for help when he should. I think he's scared to call the manager because he don't want to get into trouble. OK, the best way to avoid getting into real bad trouble is to admit you screwed up, apologize for your bad judgment, don't make the same mistake twice, and ask for a second opinion if you are not sure. I have no fear of calling my manager over trivial things, then I know what to do next time. Post later. Bye!

IRA investments

Hello again. I have receive much literature on lately informing me of maximum contributions for IRAs has changed to $4000 from $3000. These pamphets strongly urge investing the maximum to reap maximum benfits of your investments for your retirement years. Yeah, if I had a spare $4000 in any given year I would be flying to Australia instead of investing in my retirement fund. I have my priorities. Post later. Bye!

Soaring gas prices

I just heard on the news about the average gas price is now $1.99. That is what it just jumped to in the past 2 days. And over $2 prices are to stay until November. I have heard that one before and prices when down instead of up. The future is so hard to predict anymore. We can no longer rely on what has happened before to help us with foreseeing the future. Once books said it was impossible for a high unemployment and high inflation to occur at the same time. It happened when I was in high school. So much for impossible.
I heard advice on the news of keeping up with maintainence, drive defensively, and empty your trunk to increase your miles per gallon number. There is also another soluton educated experts often don't mention. Renewable Alternative Fuels. Eeek. Becoming less dependent on nonrenewable crude oil from countries who hate us seems impossible for experts to bring up to politicians who have power to fund alternative fuels. I would to know why.
I saw on TV a few years ago a report how there is a gasoline made from 90% corn. Problem was that the car manufacturers refuse to change how they make cars, even though cars that are hybrids or accept alternative fuels would fly off the car lots. Then there is also low demand for this CHEAP gas causing only 3 gas stations in the state of Iowa selling this fuel. If I knew a nearby station carried this corn gas, I would be buying a new car that took this fuel. As it is I'm sure my engine would be ruined by it. Though it does accept 10% ethanol (corn gas) even though the owner's manuel says not to use it. I think we do see our negative future concerning more soaring gas prices. The problem is the people in power don't want adapt to changing circumstances. Societies that can adapt to changing times tend to survive and the unadaptable disappear like dinosaurs, mammoths, great auks, dodos, Russian Czars, Roman Empire, or Spartan dominance of Greek armies. The question is not Can we adapt to a changing world, but Will we? Post later. Bye!

Phone War Over

My war with the phone company is over I hope this time. I received a phone call from the service I never ordered nor accepted stating my account was cancelled with them last month, but somebody neglected to remove the charges. They are removing them. I guess my last email to them pointing out how a complete stranger ordering things on my phone number is considered fraud on this stranger's part worked. Hopefully my phone bill will be correct next month. I looked up my bill online to see the charges still there. I recieved an email from the phone company afterwards stating these charges will be removed from my bill. That should take care of everything. My score: 3. Phone company:0.
Oh sure I may have gotten a little nasty in my complaining emails and phone calls in this war, but sometimes it is necessary to get nasty to get things done. I am a sales clerk so I know angry customers are quickly helped and often get what they want, even if we bend rules to do it (only with manager approval can you break rules). Though, teed off customers will receive assistance with their complaints provided they don't start cussing or call me a f***ing idiot. In those cases, they are warned the conversation will be over if they continue speaking to me that way. I do have limits to verbal abuse from customers. If I can't help them, I inform them who they can contact and promise to leave a note (sometimes writing it in front of them) for my manager to view the problem. That usually calms down so they will leave. Though a word of advice for those wishing to try my angry strategy to get their way: Don't ever threaten to call my manager to complain about my unhelpfulness or rudeness. I can contact her faster than you can, I have her home phone number and email address that we never give out to customers. And don't think I'm worried about losing my job over making a customer angry with me. I won't be fired for simply following the rules the company writes. Besides that, I make somebody ticked at me nearly every day. I'm used to it. Post later. Bye!

Poor baby

Hello again. I woked the baby up when I rang the doorbell. My sister was there taking off the morning and working the afternoon. Well, the baby had been puking much of the night and took a trip to the doctor. Now she has an ear infection with her cold/flu. She got her fever back last night. She cried much of the day and was very sleepy and did not fall asleep. When my sister left the room she cried, Mama, Mama. Poor baby. Then Daddy left kissing her good bye and said to the baby that she was in good hands. I certainly hope so. She did get happy for a few moments reading books and playing with the see and say. Then she wails and won't stop. I rocked and sung and played lullaby music to have her wake up when I place her in the crib. I sung again to put her back to sleep. She slept for 3 hours and my sister came home. Baby fought her medicine and got some on her cheeks and nose. I held the baby while my sister administered it. I played with the cats since my sister rocked the baby. One cat jumped on my knees when I was rocking the baby earlier and got her fur pulled by the baby. Cat jumped down disappointed I couldn't pet her at that moment. Later, with the baby placed on the floor so my sister could do something on the computer I read more books. Then I waved a book to create a breeze resulting in the baby laughing and kicking her feet. Then the wailing came back and the baby started crawling to my sister, then laid down. I found myself saying Mama, pick up your baby. When parents are present, Auntie is not good enough of a calmer. My sister asked if I was sure I did not want a baby. Not by myself. She said they are hardly organized with 2 people. Hopefully I am not sick tomorrow. Tomorrow I shop for printer ink on sale and anything else I can think up to buy. I hope my cell phone gets back the internet connection. It has been out for 3 days now. I don't want to miss important emails. Better go to bed. Post later. Bye!

Babysitting a sick baby

Hello again. I babysat my sick niece today and will tomorrow. She is sorta over the flu and has a bad cold. Today she was a happy girl who imitated animals on her see and say. I even took her picture with my camera. I read the same books to her. She giggled at the cat pictures in a book. I hunted down her cold medicine all over the house. My sister keeps things in weird places sometimes. I read the directions when I finally found it, in the baking cupboard next to spices, measuring cups, and bags of nuts. Then I found the syringe in the silverware drawer. The baby saw the syringe and made a face. She waved her hands to stop me from giving her the medicine, then after a cough and sneeze she let me push it into her mouth. I tried not to push it in too fast and gag her. Before syringes with markings for dosages they used eye droppers, same concept. Poor baby. She was happy when Mom came home and kicked her feet, though after yogurt she puked on my sister. Too much yogurt. Then she fussed and cried, which made my sister keep asking me to do things for her. After I asked if Her Highness needed anything else, she slowed down her demands. We watched a movie, Gosford Park. My sister loves murder mysteries. They are not my favorite thing to watch, too confusing. I am very bad at guessing games.
I helped my sister put away her groceries and told the latest stories from work. One was a coworker was looking at houses and receiving advice from another coworker where not to live. She said at this one playground the children use fouler language than my coworkers. I never heard of such a thing. This couple is strange. He wants to live in a barn and she wants a spooky Addams Family house. He is an avid hunter and she is a vegetarian. He moved up here from Arkansas to be close to her family. According to him, she spends all their money on junk they don't need and he has no idea what she spends because they have everything set up to directly pay from their bank account, instead of writing out checks. Then she is taking fertility treatments so they can have a baby, and they think they are going to have the money to buy a house. My sister said fertitlity treatments are very expensive. So are babies.
Another story was about a man who came to my counter with a reservation number. I poked it in and it said the reservation date was October 14, 2004. No longer vaild. Well I poke in his driver's license number and a note popped up saying DO NOT RENT. I had to inform the man that my computer says not to rent him a car and gave his stuff back. He asks why. I explain it does not say why, but look up a set of keys to push to pop up the 800# he can dial to find out. He thanks me and informs me he will rent elsewhere. Yes, he will have to rent somewhere else.
My last tale is informing my sister that a coworker had a cold last weekend, so I could have it too. And I'm dealing with a sick baby. Better drink up on Vitamin C. It is strange my allergies were not acting up today and barely took any allergy medicine. That only occurs when I'm sick. When I start healing, the itchy nose returns. I was so bored at work Saturday I actually cleaned just about everything. Big mistake. The hands itched like crazy until my medicine kicked in. And people complain almost every week and informing me the counters must be cleaned every weekend. I simply state that they are fully capable of cleaning the counters themselves if the dirt upsets them on a good day. On bad days I get sacarstic saying in case they have not noticed my sneezing every day, I am allergic to dust. And that is not something that just goes away to never return like the chicken pox. Post later. Bye!

Gift

Hello again. A janitor has come back from visiting his son in Japan. His son is a college foreign exchange student there. The janitor gave me a doll. My coworker was standing next to me so he explained that I had asked for a doll before he left. He said he got it at a fleamarket and paid $5 for it. I said it was pretty and he is so sweet, I love it. He is sweet. He later showed me photo prints taken with his digital camera he found in the trash, so there is no instruction book for it, which means some are bad photos. He is as bad as my brother about taking pictures. Every nook and cranny, door, roof beam, drainage ditch, and pathway had to be photographed. He goes on about their hotel and dorm stay, the places they ate, the subway and bullet train, and the Japanese toliet. He talked about his son buying $28 chocolates for a girl he likes, but she says he is like a brother not a boyfriend type. Yeah, I would not spend any money on someone who rejected me. The janitor thought his son was still trying to get her to date him. He must be one of the people who feel the need to be treated like dirt and only love those who reject his affections. I am more the Ava Gardner character in The Aviator: I don't want any diamonds or sapphires, You can't buy me like you buy everything else. That is my personality. The janitor said I am the only one who neatly put the pictures back in the folder. I am respectful and considerate of others. That is probably why I don't have a boyfriend. The guys I know want free maid service or a snobby bitch. I am neither. Post later. Bye!

Spooked

Hello again. I checked over my bank statement versuses my checkbook to make sure everything is even. Well I usually get all my written checks with the statement. Well this time I got all but 2. When I first saw 2 of my credit cards charging my account on the statement I thought someone maybe used my credit card checks to make a withdrawal, but I shred those checks when I get them. I realized 2 of the checks missing and figured the statement was putting down who cash the check I wrote next to the check number. I hate it when businesses change the rules and not bother to tell you. Like changing rules in the middle of a game with children, it is hard to keep up.
Speaking of change, What is the deal with the US Mint repeatedly changing the currency designs? I would like to know how we retailers are suppose to know a fake bill from the real when they keep changing the design, especially when the older styles remain legal tender. And they have to change the coin designs too. Are they just trying to make money from coin collectors? It makes me curious. Post later.

Bullies

Hello again. My last posting made me think about the past bullies in my life. Most recent was a coworker who purposely tried get a rise out of me with pranks and lies, if that is bullying. I called him a compulsive liar who is just mean to everybody. I never figured out what his wife saw in him. I guess she is the mothering type because he was definately the child in that relationship.
I had night manager who believed he knew better than me how to do my job. I told him off plenty of times. He even threatened to call my principal to complain about me. I had just finished college, the last I knew my principal worked at another school. I gained the teens who worked at that store's admiration because none would dare speak to HIM that way, he was also an English teacher at the city's high school, where my former principal worked. I simply stated he had no right to treat me like a child. Besides that, he had no authority over me so what could he possibly do to me. The weird part he was so nice and friendly to me after I quit and started working someplace else.
A coworker at the same store was very similar. She was called bossy by another coworker. She thought she was holier that art and in meetings she did 90% of the talking. She was so bitchy when we worked together that I avoided contact if I could. Two days after I even started the job, my manager informs me that this coworker demanded I be fired with no explanation. A coworker explained to me that this lady didn't like my seizures and thought I need to be institutionalized. She once told me that I need to finish high school before getting a job. I finished college that year. After I changed sections, she was sweet as sugar to me. I was friendly, but kept my distance.
Before that was a former roommate's former roommate. People told me she was just mad because her former roommate and her had conflicts, and this person was dropped at my doorstep to take in. I still write to this former roommate today. Anyway, at a few arguments she claimed I called her racial epitaphs when my mouth full of toothpaste and could not say anything. I once was straightening my hair in a mirror and she accused me of making faces at her. She even complained to the hall director of my cruel behavior demanding I be kicked out. I explained that I heartily avoid this person and asked if I am calling her names, then why can no one else hear me? Once during a get together, I got up to use the restroom. I was accused of hating her her black skin because she was speaking when I got up. Um, no, I had to use the restroom. At a carnival I said, in front of her friends, that she needs to get a new hobby because I don't really care what she thinks of me. I thought that put an end to it. No, she just bitched behind my back instead of confronting me. Some fights are not worth fighting. She was one of them.
Before then would be high school. One guy followed me around in a foods class ordering me around. And he knew nothing about cooking. I did. Our worst argument was over cookies. The cookies took extra time than the recipe said and he declared them done ripping them out of the oven. He was so stupid he actually complained the cookies were soft and HOT. Duh, they just came from the oven. Then he tried placing frosting on them. The cookies crumbled in his hand and the frosting melted upon contact. Did you not hear me say they must cool off first?, I asked. I saw the teacher smile at that. Then on top of that, he blamed the faulty cookies on me and why our group got a C for our cookies. Well, the teacher gave me an A for doing most of the work and instructing and my partners C's. The worst part of the experience was my Mom getting all excited about him liking me. That 's why he is so bossy. No, I said, he is just a jerk. The principal got involved in observing from afar and held a meeting with the bully's mother. She exploded in anger because her darling angel is not capable of doing anything wrong and everything was my fault. This is why bully's parents are not sought after in bully control. They are part of the problem. Anyway, this lady went around town petitioning to have the principal fired for saying her sweet boy did something wrong. He did not attend school the following semester. Fine with me. I can't even remember his name.
The only other real bully I can think of that could not be stopped with sassy remarks or a slap back grew an obsession of conquering me and tried to kill me. When he failed, he hurt someone else with a pick up truck. And I was blamed for it by the victim's friends telling me I should have let him kill me and their friend would not have gotten hurt. Excuse me?, I asked. I have no control over the jerk. Worse than that was the media frenzy arriving at the trial that reached me. It was a spotlight I hated every moment of. Every talk show rep and reporter badly wanted an interview. One reporter paid a neighbor to park his van across the street. Mom got mad when she figured out that these reporters did not want to interview her and was ready to sell my soul to the devil. Getting money would only be a reminder of why I got it. The reporter stalking me across the street had to settle finally for a phone interview, which made it to the trial. It just hurt too much to talk with cameras in my face. I said it all started with a little kicking because I refused to give him test answers, then evolved to shoving me through double doors and me laying on the ground unconscious. Then obssession of dating me and my stupid Mom told his mother to keep on me and he would win me over. Next he said if he stabbed me to death that I would finally love him. PYSCHO. After the trial, his mother showed up and gave me a hug. I assured her that I don't blame her for what happened. I heard years later when he was paroled he commited another crime and went back to jail. At least he is not around me. The only good part about my trauma was talking to celebrities on the phone. My Mom did not want me to meet famous people because she was scared I would get addicted to drugs. Whatever Mom. That is the reason I'm shaky about becoming famous from my novel. I felt better when people stopped regonizing me and the phone calls from reporters ceased. Invisible is not so bad after all. I don't need attention to be happy. I get enough love. I think I bored you enough. Post later. Bye!

Phone war continues

My war with the phone company rages on. For readers not familiar with my war, I'll sum up. I see a charge from a company I have never heard of before, and under the Better Business Bureau website does not exist. Phone company says this charge came from another company billing through my phone service, therefore I must convince these scammers to remove the charge and cease billing me. Why would a scammer do that? I can not call these scammers because all I get a voicemail. When I emailed them I was told a complete stranger ordered it online, and since it is still on my bill this time they refuse my demand to cancel the service, which is a service I don't even receive. I am familiar with this stranger's name(s) because I hear many phone messages for this person. Employers, video stores with overdo rentals, and collection agencies have left many messages on my answering machine trying to contact this person.
I had to resort to threaten to cancel my phone service if this continues, which prompted the phone company to remove the charges from my bill. This month I requested a new phone number. I just had enough of this person with different last names with the same first name using my number. I had to call the water company so they would stop calling to inform them they had the wrong number for this person. I know this number change would only make this problem someone else's, but I can not take it anymore. I also asked if it was necessary to close my account and start another to permanently remove the scammers from my bill. Hopefully I can just get a new number and end this 3rd month war with the phone company. I know I am exhausted fighting, but have some tiger left.
One phone operator during the 1st month war actually told me to just pay the charges because this scammer I can't contact will keep billing me for this service. I am the wrong person to say that to. I will not be intimidated by anyone. Bullies in school and now bully customers find this out quickly. I am very sweet and shy among strangers, but do fight like a tiger when pushed around. In junor high, I chased a boy all around the gym after he whacked me with a towel. I was exhausted when I caught up to him and did not hit back very hard (my best friend said good girl), but made my point across that I am not bully bait, even if my shy nature gives that impression. I'll wait and see what the phone company has to say about my email. Post later. Bye!

Missed excitement

Hello again. I missed excitement last night. A customer from the the car rental next door tried to enter a car from my company. Of course the key did not work to open the door. Instead of calling her rental company's roadside assistance number for help, she called her own AAA people to tow the car claiming the engine didn't start. Naturally, AAA does not inform the rental company next door of the problem. My coworkers get confronted with the towing company, who we happen to use a lot and get special treatment from, where do we want this car to be taken for repairs? We did not call for any towing.
In the meantime, our customer calls to complain his car is missing from the hotel lot. My coworker drove it back explaining it was towed by mistake. Then the customer could not find the car and demanded a free rental for the incoveinence of searching for in car in the hotel lot. Um, No. I am not sure if anyone helped the lady find the correct car for her keys. Elder people do occassionally call complaining the keys won't work and demand a new car. They get very defensive if you ask if they are trying to open the right car. I wonder how long it took for my coworkers to figure all this out.
My coworker also took a trip into a curb and came in limping covered in mud and scrapes from falling. He showed his battle scars with curb today. Poor coworker. Post later. Bye!

Truths Children Have Learned

I read this somewhere and had to share.

No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.
When Mom is mad at Dad, don't let her brush your hair.
You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
Puppies still have bad breath after eating Tic-Tacs.

Post later. Bye!

Michael Jackson trial

By this entry, I mean no disrespect for Michael Jackson or his plight to prove himself innocent of molestation charges.
I hope the Michael Jackson trial does not go into the out of control coverge where that is all we see on TV every day like the OJ Simpson trial. During the OJ Simpson trial, people were being hacked to death by machetes in Rwanda and we did nothing. No barage of military support to help innocent lives escape. No celebrities rushed to Rwanda crowing how we need need to help these people. No public outpour wanting to adopt the orphans created by the carnage. No telethons to raise money to rebuild this country, not even after it was over. We did nothing because we were clinging to the trial coverage.
Did you know over a 100 people died yesterday from a suicide bomber so strong it vaporized the bomber's car? The news said it was the worst suicide bombe in history. Do you even care?
Post later. Bye!

Museum

Hello again. I am a new volunteer at a local museum. I just got the call telling me about the orientation for new volunteers. I'm so excited. I might even take classes before the season starts. They like you to be ready to handle the public questions and demonstrations before the season begins. I'm sure like my car rental and retail jobs, wise asses who love to interupt when you are speaking and try to stump you in their pop quizzes claiming your suppose to know everything are inevitable at this job too. My Dad is one of them.
Out of nowhere my Dad will ask a history question he already knows the answer to just to see if I know the answer. He has everything about Word War I and World War II memorized, along with gangster and outlaw facts. I really don't care if Butch Cassidy and the Sundace Kid were truly killed in Bolivia or not. Nor do I care to know the real name of famous The Red Baron. I graduated college over 5 years ago, OK? A lot of historical facts have evapoarted from my brain by now. If I'm ever curious, I can look this up in a dictionary or encyclopedia. Post Later. Bye!

Car rental commercials

Hello again. It must be spring because I'm seeing more car rental commercials. I hate car rental commercials. Ya see what the commercials don't tell you is that there are corporate locations where the advertisements apply and there are privately-owned licensee locations where the advertisements do not apply, unless the owner agrees to it. All but one of the companies at my airport are licensees. Besides that, another reason I hate these commercials is because customers get confused on which company is advertising what they want. No we are not all the same.
Which means to me: I get customers demanding the advertised special, which is not provided by my company. Therefore, I am accused of false advertising when I try to explain the special belongs to another company. Next, I am told to make better commercials when I explain again another company has that special. And then, I am told that yes, it was my company that advertised the special and they demand the special now with a "Don't you know how to do your job?". Next, when it finally sinks in that they are at the wrong company, they ask me to match the special. Hell No, especially not after the profanity I just heard while explaining this advertisement belongs to another company, I am not offering any specials or discounts from my company. I do not fight for assholes, they can yell at somebody else. Finally, I hear from these customers, "Then why am I talking to you for?" That's what I would like to know. Sometimes these customers return because the special advertisement company is sold out of cars. Gee I wonder how that happened. Even then they say something like,"Give me a damn car. I want the cheapest one you got." You're Welcome. Have a good day. Post later. Bye!

Credit report

Hello again. Today we Midwest people can request a free annual credit report. I think east coast people had the privaledge of asking for them first. I heard there were troubles from all the requests coming at once and many complained how the credit people refused to correct mistakes. I would like to know the point of these free reports if nobody is willing to fix problems. It's like receiving coupons for signing up for a membership that expired 6 months ago. Or better yet, like receiving sick days on your paycheck to be told they are for show because of state mandates and they have no intention of letting employees use these sick days. I was deeply insulted when some group declared this company the best place to work in America because of the high average salary and wonderful benefits. My coworkers were insulted too.
I think I will wait a week before asking for mine. After the rush of requests and bugs worked out, I should not as many difficulties, I hope, as others did before me. Post later. Bye!