Happy New Year

Took kids home after forcing them to help pick up. Nephew about lost all his toys refusing to pick up. I placed them on a high shelf and explained to sister that they can give them back when they choose.



I will be sleeping at midnight, was up all last night coughing so am very tired now. I have to get up early to go to work. Happy New Year Everybody.

Adventures in babysitting

Picked up niece and nephew and loaded the car. Took them grocery shopping and they were so well behaved I bought them doughnuts and new books. They both pushed the cart while I guided. Nephew wanted to push by himself crying endlessly, but I stated that they both push or I push. They packed their xmas toys and enjoyed playing with my collection of toys too. They watched a couple movies nephew hasn't seen before. One niece had not seen before. I worked on my xmas village houses and they watercolored. Niece thought they were going to help me with xmas houses, but I said they are not touching my houses. Nephew is better at drawing and writing his name. Niece did well writing with a paintbrush, until nephew knocked over the water and ruined her work. Bedtime was quiet with me sitting nearby telling them to shush. All is quiet.

Sister in hospital

Sister apparently caught a bug (virus or bacteria?) during her trip to China and its keeps inflaming her system. She is coming home today so will babysit the kids overnight to give her rest. I intended to go shopping on my day off so they will have to come along. Kids are so funny about packing. They pack a ton of toys, blanket, and pillows. I have a ton of toys, blankets, and pillows so all they need is clothes and toy they sleep with. Perhaps they can help bake my cookies and cream brownies for the big family xmas Sunday.

Night shifts

Started working night shifts this week. Usually I worked day shifts in the holiday rush. Very quiet at night while daytime is busy. I would have thought night would be busier with people getting off work. Guess they come on the weekends instead. Guess housewives, nightworkers, and retired people outumber dayworkers. Oh well, started putting xmas things away. Got to finish my xmas village houses before putting them away. I will get plenty of days off next week so here's hoping my cold goes away. It's been 2 weeks and still lingering on.

Had a Lovely Christmas

Spent Christmas day with Mom and my brother. Mom came early in the morning so answered the door in my robe and jeans. Mom made herself comfortable while I finished dressing. She turned the volume on the TV a little loud and I prayed the neighbors were not home to hear it. How do you explain to people that I have neighbors who might not like the high volume of my TV, is everybody in the family deaf? Then I had to toss the garbage and stop at Walgreens for more cold med. When will this cold end, it's been a week already. Next Mom helped me set a proper table and prepare the ham. Brother came as ham was done cooking and so we ate. Opened gifts next. Watched movies on TV until supper time and watched more TV. Quiet time I appreciate or we end up fighting. Then Mom went home so hugged good-bye (see I have manners). Brother and I watched more TV until bedtime. He slept on my guest bed with flannel snowman sheets and snowman blanket. He woke when I did and ate breakfast together. When Princess Bride was over on the TV he went home.    

Meowy Christmas

Meowy Christmas to one and all.

Important visitor

We had an important visitor at my store. The Governor wih his son. Many whispering to point him out.



And BTW, when a sales clerk asks a customer if they want gift receipts and customer says nothing: Does that mean yes or no? Some want them and others don't. How am I supose to know which.



I have the same problem with a family member. This person won't answer questions, just goes along with the flow of other people plans w/out a word from said person. And then said person complains later. Excuse me, do you not realize you have a voice. I really don't know what you are thinking, until you speak. Now do I buy cinnamon rolls or not? Pick one.



Later.

Ah-choo

Which is worse, a migraine, a cold, or both at the same time. I feel terrible. But nobody is going to do my laundry so have to do it myself. And have to go shopping for more cold medicine. Being single sucks. Medication gets me by.

Well managed to do laundry, paint on my xmas village high school and post office, shopped for xmas day dinner, and now cuddling with a cat in my lap. He wanted to play, but I was too dizzy after my adventures. I need rest.

Quite a day

Had the pleasure of being placed on the opposite side registers than I was scheduled so my breaks and departure time were not on the list of the managers in charge on the new side. Had to flag down a manager every time my break came up (good thing I had that memorized). 2nd break I was told I could not go because other people were taking their break. Ok, I'll wait. One gal was sent over to the other side to relieve someone and behold, she came back to me cause I was the person she was suppose relieve (I was just on the wrong side). So got my break anyway. Had a splurge of customers right when I'm suppose to leave (no overtime this week) and I'm in front so everyone lines up in front of me. Manager took over my register so I could go. And in 8 hours I get to do it all over again. I notice many customers wishing me a Merry Christmas after I say, Have a good day.

Bob Feller gone

Guess Bob Feller won't be renting cars from my old job anymore. I won't be missing him.

Customer comment

Ringing up a customer, I get the comment: (my store chain) is a store where they treat the customers like gold but treat the associates like crap. She must be judging another store in the chain because my coworkers who have been here for years do not share that opinion. I even asked them.

Question of the day

Am I just too senstive being horrified viewing a tied up dog outside alone at an apartment complex in the frigid cold jerking on the rope while the poor dog paced back and forth. Poor thing. TV said it was 7 degrees today.

Blizzard warning

Wake up while it's still dark to find a blizzard warning to the west of me on TV. Ok, I'll deal with that driving home. It is raining outside, light drizzle. No big deal. Then after the sun emerges, the rain turns into ice/sleet. I leave work to find my car is covered in ice and doors iced shut. I kick/hit doors and scrape ice away with keys for 25 minutes before I finally pry one open. It is quite the feat to kick a door several times and not slip on the ice while doing it. A manager comes out with his remote start key fob and starts scraping his windows. My de-icer is frozen in the can so I do my best to get the ice off. Manager comes around to help scrape my windows. How nice. My frozen face squeaks out a thank you. I'm ready for cocoa.

We had a corporate visitor come by very late than expected. I greeted him at the door and then ran into him again as I went on my break. Oh, hello again. I think some coworkers are testy about my constant joy at working. Who wants to deal with a grouchy sales clerk, I ask you. Besides I'm sure they don't really want to hear about my money struggles, my papercuts, my migraines, or my bad knee that never heals. Let's just say I'm always happy at work (especially after being unemployed 7 months) and leave it at that.    

Feed the birds

I once saw a plague or t-shirt that had a squirrel dressed as a bird w/sign that read Feed the Birds. Well in feeding the squirrels that enjoy scampering around my balcony, some of the sunflower seeds I left outside are going to the Chickadees who also discovered them. The squirrel ears have gotten fluffy the past 3 days. I call the smaller one Gizmo and the larger one Gremlin.

Kitty stories

My store captured the tabby stray cat meowing in the ceiling tiles for 2 days. The animal shelter came by last night to pick up the cat and their humane trap.

In other kitty news: Took Frodo for a ride when his claws got caught in my sweater. He was playing with a loose string as I was petting him, and then I suddenly moved away. He landed safely on the desk and I unhooked him.

Semi-official

It is semi-official, I am hosting the xmas day dinner at my apartment for my Mom and brother. Now I have to clean my apartment. I feel like Pieces of April.



Have to get confirmation from brother who hates my cats so much he is now saying he is allergic to them. Excuse me, he has been around my sister's and my cats for about 12 years and now he is allergic to them. Well my brother-in-law who takes allergy shots every year was allergic to cats that they owned and this year, the allergy test said he is no longer allergic to them. They say allergies are pyschsomatic. I noticed since I moved into this apartment that my alleriges virtually disappeared. Funny isn't it.

Arguing w/customers

Had several arguements w/customers today. One had stated he wanted to exchange a pink dress he had bought for a purple one of a larger size. I can only do even exchanges of the exact same item with no price difference at my register. He debates both dresses are the same, just different sizes. Pink and Purple are not the same, he must go to customer service for his exchange. He don't want to walk that far and wait in line. Too bad. Next customer please.




Then I get a guy who fails to understand the question, Do you need gift receipts? A yes or no is enough of an answer. He goes into an essay answer how he doesn't have any gift receipts because he is buying these items, not returning them. I am aware of that, Are his items gifts for other people? No, he is keeping them for himself. Fine no gift receipts, that is all I needed to know. What are gift receipts? They are separate receipts printed to give to gift receivers so they do not know what the giver has paid for it until they return it. Oh. He never heard of that.



Next I get into a debate over a price that is wrong. And lady tells me this after the transaction has taken place and I wait for her signature on the keypad. She refuses to sign it because the price is wrong, what's wrong with us, this is horrible customer service to have a wrong price in our computer. Well, if she mentioned this before I swiped her credit card, I could have gone backwards to alter the price. But explain instead she needs to sign to continue on and I will call for a manager to do a price adjustment after the fact. To do a void after the fact requires a manager also. While I wait for a manager to appear (this is not a video game where people appear in 2 seconds), I start ringing up the people behind her setting aside her receipt and sack. Lady keeps asking when this manager is showing up cause she is waiting and as I look for said person coming, a man almost walks out the door w/out paying for his merchandise I just rung up. Even better, he is a thick accent foreigner who doesn't speak English well. Sir, I holler out, your total is $$$. Oh, he has to pay for his stuff now in a bag in his hands (I can sick security onto you or you could just pay). He gives me the money and I give his change. Page for a manager for the 3rd time. After the 4th time, someone comes up behind me to explain said item is not on sale. Oh yes it is, lady argues to the death and will not leave until she gets her way. Lady and manager both go to the said signed display and oh, said item is not on sale. Now lady doesn't want said item and demands her money back. Manager gives an extra percentage off for her long wait, which pleases lady. Void transaction and rering her items she is willing to buy.



I think this is long enough. Sorry if I appear to be complaining as many family members think I am. Actually, I'm just telling stories and not looking for advice to change jobs. I like my job. I skipped the stories of people telling I'm suppose to smile when they come to check out or get mad when I ask for ID when they wrote See ID on the back of their credit cards. LAter.

Xmas shopping

While working it snowed for several minutes with us poor workers nervous about removing a ton of snow off our cars when we leave. No fear, it melted after a hour. It was just a sprinkle anyway.

We had a sale I had to jump into the excitement shopping for xmas presents. I know I am broke and can't afford to buy food w/out borrowing from Mom, but I didn't buy gifts last year so want to buy something. Trust me, I'm spending more on sweaters, shirts, dress pants, and shoes for work. Now I have to start replacing make-up. My store doesn't have blue mascara so have to try another, less glamorous, store.

Now if my adult family members were not so picky I would enjoy this more. We were raised to say "Thank you" when our relatives gave us presents. As adults it is all: You got the wrong size/color/brand/style, your gifts are so cheap , why did you think I would like this it's so ugly, why do I have to buy you a gift in return, and my favorite, You don't know me to know what I like. Well whose fault is that. Complainers don't talk to me about anything other than my job, we don't do things together, and they don't read my emails cause I'm not interesting enough. And they can't figure out why I can't telepathically know what they want for xmas. And if you don't want to return the gift gesture, then don't. I don't have to buy you anything either, I just enjoy giving to people. I have no husband or children to spoil so you people get to be the objects of my affection. I cut out friend gifts this year and only buying for immediate family. Maybe next year I'll cut out family and mail packages to friends who say Thank you.

Xmas or Christmas letter 2010

Merry Christmas to all my family and friends. My year started badly with the sudden death of cousin Tammy after 2 ½ months of fighting pancreatic cancer. Then on to the family Christmas at Mom’s house (last one there) where Great Aunt Katie had sent a cd of old photos we watched on TV. Niece Annika loving the Barbie Swan Lake video I gave her decided she wanted dance classes and sister Sylvia found someone to start her at midterm. Soon sister Sylvia’s family cat Scout died from ingesting a toxic substance which lead to kidney failure. Perhaps I was still in shock when my company’s owner decided to sell out and we had to interview to keep our jobs. I was dismissed. I should have won an Emmy for my last day performance pretending nothing was wrong in front of customers I helped. The next day Sylvia took me out to dinner and I entered a drawing for a free week at a local gym to actually win. A couple days I exercised with my friend April explaining my routines based off high school dance lessons. While unemployed I babysat Annika, did sleepovers with her, and removed my things from Mom’s house. Next had Easter with Sylvia’s family and later visited Mom’s chosen retirement home.


After that my uncle Bob died after 2 years in a nursing home from having strokes. Before long Niece Abby graduated college with honors to become an English teacher and Niece Tory graduated high school as Salutatorian to major in Psychology. Cousin Brian and wife Kathryn got us excited when they blessed our family with their son Daniel Brooks. Then it was time to take Mom to the cemeteries, Annika’s dance recital, and Niece Alex’s dance recital. As expert former ballerina I was assigned to twist Annika’s short hair in a bun. It eventually fell out. Annika and I bonded more as her parents held a garage sale and I took her to the beach at Gray‘s Lake in Des Moines. The 4th of July brought a family reunion on Mom’s side where it rained all day. Had to wait for the next day to see fireworks. Soon found out a friend I knew from work, Jackie, had died after a 2 year battle with colon cancer. Next discovered my great aunt Katie died. Mom with her sisters conducted a cemetery ceremony since her funeral was in North Carolina and her casket shipped to Iowa. Better news came when Sylvia and husband Lance left for China to pick up their adopted son Lukas Grant Xinke. While they were away, we held the estate auction removing the last items from Mom’s house and settled her into her retirement home apartment.

Took Nephew Lukas to the zoo for his 6th birthday and he was eager to hold my hand. I had plenty of opportunities to baby-sit the kids taking them to the park and my apartment swimming pool. School started before we knew it and Lukas got accustomed to Kindergarten. Annika in 1st grade is a very good big sister and started dance lessons again, which Lukas enjoys watching. I received my last unemployment check making me dependent on Mom’s generosity to keep me from living in my car. Went to a pumpkin patch with Sylvia’s family and helped Mom list her house for sale with a realtor. My apartment got smoke from a grease fire downstairs causing me to hastily remove my wheezing cats just before a job interview that resulted in another rejection. But finally, after 7 ½ months of searching and interviewing, I got a temporary holiday job as a cashier at Kohl’s. Thanksgiving was eaten at Sylvia and Lance’s house with an extra honor of Annika’s birthday. Sylvia and kids made a Barbie cake together. Christmas soon upon us the family will celebrate it at Mom’s apartment community room. Next year Cousin Brent and wife Shiela are due to have a baby in February. So you all have a Merry Little Christmas and Happy New Year.

Seasons Greetings.
Jordan
Precious and Frodo say Meowy Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone. I am thankful for Mom supporting me so I didn't have to live in my car after losing my job. And thankful I found a new job to tqake the stress off Mom. Can't have HER go bankrupt before I get back on my feet.

Tis the time for the usual Christmas threat. Tell me what you want or you get scented soap/lotion/candle set. That always gets a response.

Who says cats are dumb

Who says cats are dumb never met mine. Tonight my Precious laid down on my signed xmas cards and placed a paw over my unsigned pile. Gave attention fest and go back to signing cards. Two paws get placed over my unsigned pile. Another attention fest was in order and I was not signing cards w/out a fight from Precious.

Happy Birthday Niece

Happy Birthday to my niece. Today I will give her gift after school and stay for supper. Big party with Barbie cake and family is at Thanksgiving.

Finally happened

It finally has happened. I get hit with an overdraft fee b/c Mom's checks didn't get deposited fast enough. Well, the bank can wait til payday on Friday to anymore money from me. I had to call Mom twice begging for money this weekend and not eager for a rerun so soon.

Prince Williamand Kate Middleton engaged

Congratulations to Prince William and Kate Middleton. Hope you will be very happy. If I thought they would receive any engagement gifts I would send, but I know they would be thrown away by their staff so I will write it here.

To Kate: Read America's Queen from Sarah Bradford about Jackie Kennedy Onassis. She was a classy lady who learned to deal with the press, public expectations, and yet followed her own heart. Read the book and learn from her.

To William: I remember you, a little fuzzy, but I do remember you as a lost boy after you mother's death and heartbroken when I picked up the phone and didn't know who you were. I still have your mother's 10 pence coin and visited England in 2002. Hampton Court had the most beautiful gardens I've ever seen. The most important words to say in your future marriage are as follows: I'm sorry, I'm scared, and You are the most beautiful woman in the world.

Again Congratulations to you both.

My feet hurt

God my feet hurt. I bet it is the new shoes.

Saw a visitor from corporate at the store this morning. The guy actually said Good Morning to my coworker and I. Most corporate people from past jobs never speak to the riffraff so this was nice. Past jobs the corpoarte visitors only speak to managers, talk about sales numbers, customer surveys, and presentation of things. You are lucky if they reply when you say a simple hello. Usually they just stare at you as if thinking "Why are speaking to me?".

Had a lady come in the store with an exchange. Ok, go get what she wants to exchange and I will do it for her. She returns with the exchange item w/out the original item. Oh, she thought you just switch items and walk out (on what planet does this occur?). No, I scan her receipt, scan the returned item, and scan exchange item to give her a receipt for new item (and not f*** up inventory numbers). Oh, that's how it's done (at every store I been in). She gets the return item and I do the exchange. 

Had another lady walk through the alarm panels with her arms full of stuff and set it off. I ring her up. Oh, she didn't know we had inside tags that resemble a clothing label. And yes, she was walking out the door if that alarm had not gone off. Thieves play stupid or really obnoxious when caught. We know better.

No walk for Precious. He hates rain.

1st 8 hour shift

Did my 1st 8 hr shift today complete with lunch break and 2 snack breaks. This retail job schedules your breaks to make sure you get them. We have a breaker come by when it is busy (new coupon came out in the newspaper so it WAS busy) to give us our breaks. I like this job. Other retail stores let you pick your break between customers. And when really busy or coworkers refuse to cover your area, you often don't get them at all. Or managers scream how you left your area unattended and I defend back I have to take breaks (they dock your pay for break times even if you didn't take them b/c it's illegal not to give employees breaks). I like my store. 

Precious walk

Guy stopped his car to ask to take a photo of Precious on his cell. He is the biggest cat he's ever seen. Yes Maine Coons are the biggest cat breed. He doesn't pose well, but hope he got his pic. People think it's hilarious to see a cat on a leash.

Prohibition on Fast Food

Is it just me or does anyone else think a prohibition on fast food is coming, after all America had it with alcoholic beverages and we all know how that turned out. French fries just might become a controlled substance under control of the FDA at this rate. These people already ruined McDonald's fries I use to love so much, now with the nutritional oil they tasate like garbage. Now they work on destroying the Happy Meal. How will explain to my niece and nephew they are not allowed to eat French Fries with their hamburger?

I want my French Fries. 

Call from sister

With Daylight Savings Time giving me an extra hour of sleep, I still sleep in late and missed my sister phone calls requesting babysitting. I did an overnight w/them on Friday night, give me a break. Neighbor can have a turn. I got my window open and heat off. Precious likes this weather.

Adventures in Babysiting

Got a call from sister asking to pick up the kids from daycare and feed them at my place.You mean like an overnight. Yes, that would be good. She is sick and got off work early to come home. Of couse, she can ready a bag for them and I'll swing by before picking them up. I have leave now so bump off Frodo napping on my lap (he is so cute when he sleeps I hate disturbing him). Sister is on the couch and had not packed anything. She tells me where everything is and gives me food to take. Pack tomorrow clothes and jammies with underwear and socks. Grabbed mac and cheese, vegetables, and snack. Pick kids up. Darn I forgot the sleeping bag. Kids stay in car w/ me taking their school bags inside and grabbed sleeping bag.

Got home and went straight to the Strawberry Shortcake dolls I said I got new. I have only one Shortcake doll and found a couple more only an extra inch taller so got them. Clothes were mostly interchangable. Old tights a little short on new dolls but exceptable. Showed my new kid movies and niece wanted to change her birthday gift to the Care Bear Movie instead of Princess and Frog. I said Grandma took me to this when I was little. I assured her any of my movies can be borrowed and only 1 movie for her birthday. She wondered why it was not wrapped and sitting with the other movies. It wasn't her birthday yet. Her secret gift is way up high in the closet so she will not be getting into it. Made them watch the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving specials to explain the holiday to nephew from China.




When done we watched Bolt, of course. Then Niece saw a human action Peter Pan and wanted that, but Nephew wanted Bolt so Bolt it was. I can put Peter Pan in the suitcase to borrow for the week or two. Nephew had to watch me make their meal though I didn't let him do anything. Baking chicken and mac cheese were not Nephw things. I heated veggies in the micro so he closed the door. Ate their food so Niece got brownie and Nephew gummy treats. Play in the living room with Barbies, keyboard, blocks, and Strawberry Shortcake. Last time they were here I said if they take out toys, they have to play with them so this time, they controlled the urge to drag everything out of the toy box and dresser drawers I keep doll clothes in.



I got on the computer to write on facebook I got the kids overnight and ended up looking at my photo albums until they got bored. Nephew wanted to work the strange mouse and both touched the screen so worked on not doing that. Auntie does the mouse and don't want fingerprints on screen. When movie finished, got ready for bed w/dragging feet. I have a cup and said no throwing water b/c I don't have extra clothes. Nephew said he won't throw water. Read 2 stories and then had to sit on the floor to keep Nephew from laughing, fake snoring, and talking to Niece making her reply. After 30 minutes of my presence and bathroom break, they settled down. Cats came in to eat and rub against me. Nephew petted Precious and remained quiet. Niece thought I should get a bed for Nephew. Sure I can get a bigger one and both can sleep together. She wasn't sure about that. I said Niece can sleep in the sleeping bag and Nephew can have the bed. She wasn't sure about that either. Now all is quiet. Well better go to bed.

Happy Election

Happy Election Day. Go vote b/c the outcome will be determined only by the people who actually do. Polls mean nothing when people never cast a ballot.


I'm so good at telling people what they want to hear. I won't be voting today. I see neither political party with a plan to solve problems, I see a power struggle to win control. Whoever wins or loses will have no effect on me. I will still be broke and working a job that pays about half to where I was before I was let go from my job. I will still be begging Mom for money to just get by. And like last year I will very unlikely buy Christmas presents b/c I'm broke with no savings and no hope of this suffering to end. Every time an economist says the recession will end this or last year, a company discards hundreds of workers and economy just gets worse.

Happy Halloween

Have a great Halloween. Saw a witch and Superman pass by as I walked Precious last night.

I hate my clothes

Tried on clothes I bought yesterday before washing. I know I should do this after washing but was eager to try them to see if they fit. I don't try on thngs at the store anymore from invading security cameras. Jeans are a little tight (how tight will they get after washing), but at least I could squeeze into them.  I know supertight is the thing so get use it. Shirts were horrible. Hard to get on and off from being so tight. Then even worse if I'm wearing a lace bra, everybody can see the pattern on the lace. I guess the prostitute fad of sheer and supertight fabrics is still in fashion. Shame on me for having a job that demands I look professional, like a lady instead of the mistress. The long shirt I got to go under Ms Britney Spears for Candies crochet shirt was a nightmare. Sheer, except the line wear the buttons were, the pockets that stood out, and I guessing military stripe on the shoulder could be seen. Went online to fine a better shirt to go underneath. I do like this crochet shirt that much. Had to get shoes too so here's hoping this is the end of my shopping for work clothes. The only positive thing is the shirts are longer and tuckable. I have waited years for this to appear. My boss never liked my midriff revealed every time I reached for a pen, but had justify my short waist shirts as being the only thing in the store. Now boss can complain my bra is showing.   

Born to shop

To use gift card and coupons, I went shopping for clothes and other things. I ended up in the Junior's Section b/c clothes were just prettier and guess the new fashion is long sweaters that cover my butt. I despise showing people my underwear when bending down. I bought a Britney Spears by Candies crochet sweater. Too bad it didn't come with a long shirt underneath so had to search for one. Found tapered jeans. I was so happy. Guess destructed jeans are going out of fashion or they were bought up. Found nice gray suits, but not in my size or they had pants instead of my desired skirt. Every jacket I saw had open sleeve cuff and despise cold drafts up my arm. Made somebody excessively honk their horn, but I found a close to the door parking space and not about to lose it. Somebody can honk all they want.



Saw shoes I liked but none in my size of course. One store had shoes thrown all over I ran over them with my shopping cart. I heard one lady whine had rude it is to make such a mess. And I bet she is one of those ladies who leave right shoes all the same size in a straight line marking the path they tried on shoes. Complainers are always the worst offenders. Nice people who put shoes back where they found them, pick up shoes in their way. Which I found myself doing when got tired of running over them at the risk of people thinking I work here and call me a bitch when I explain I don't.



Stopped at a grocery store I hadn't visited before. Gave myself a tour while looking for things. Gir asked if I needed help and asked for crackers. Told her, Oh good haven't passed by them. Then I leave a sack behind and the cashier chases me down as I am driving away. I need to pay more attention. Another grocery store, bagger put the little things in first and separate bag for large things. Who teaches these people? Big items go first, so small things go in the cracks. Plus eggs go on top.

Babysitting adventures

Went over to sister's house for laundry as usual. Except we have a pumpkin to carve after supper. Niece drew the face and then got back on her YouTube videos. Nephew and I removed the gunk and seeds. I carved the face and then placed it outside. Niece got off the YouTube grudgenly to see the lighted jack-o-latern. Then back to YouTube. Sister made her get off to color in her book while nephew works on his writing homework. The reason for so much homework is b/c he refuses to do it at school. Sister reminds herself niece neds new winter things so she goes shopping and I babysit. We sang songs as they watched me color in the book. Taught them new ones. Nephew made up his own words following the same tune. I was so proud. All was wonderful, until I checked laundry.



Nephew and niece had to help me fold my clothes. "I" fold my clothes. Nephew gets on a stool and turns on the washer. I shut it off and scold him that we do not turn on the washer when there are no clothes inside. Then they watch me finish folding my clothes and nephew takes out my socks. Niece requests a movie. No, it's time for bed.



Get their snack and he finishes first. He locks niece out of the bathrom and I threatened no stories. He opens the door. Then while brushing their teeth, nephew tosses a cup full of water at niece. No stories for nephew. Niece picks 2 stories to read and nephew sits on my lap. Sister comes home with new coat and scarf for niece to try on. Couldn't find the right size for snowpants. Explain nephew gets no stories and later w/ kids in bed tell sister why. In front of kids just said we sang songs together.



Then after babysit report, went home.

Amusing

I find it amusing that some people refuse to celebrate Halloween for being a pagan holiday and there many Christian churches that have Halloween parties. Ironic, don't ya think?




In other news start 1st day of the cash register. I did quite well despite confusing the order the steps. A computer prompt is always helps.

Quite a day

Heard the smoke detector from the neighbor. I knew those suckers were loud.


Got a call to babysit tonight so sister can get work done (I missed her email). This time I get to buy a pumpkin and carve it for them. Hope there are some left at the grocery store.



Later sister came home to discover her husband is there tonight. So don't need me for babysitting. Oh well, carve pumpkin later when I come for laundry Wednesday.


Tonight Precious chased a rabbit which crossed the street and I screamed as P approached the road. He stopped on the sidewalk and looked a me. Whew. Frodo got hungry for my chicken lunchmeat I nuked in the microwave and grabbed a few pieces for himself. Yes he had to share with P who also smelled meat. Now F is chasing his tail. He is so cute, I have to play with him.

Now off to bed.

Newsflash

The people who started the grease fire a couple weeks or so ago are out. Saw a new guy move in, college age I guess. Hope this doesn't mean insane loud music in the middle of the night. Cats don't like loud noises, it hurts their supersonic ears.

Interesting sister

Get a message yesterday on my email from my sister stating she needs babysitting last night because she is attending a show with a friend. Ok, she didn't know before now that she was going to a show. Sister never plans ahead driving me crazy stopping my life to help her constantly. I even developed the habit of yelling "no more babysitting" everytime the phone rings. I visited my niece and nephew 4 times last week, they wore my welcome mat out. Just because I'm not busy doesn't mean I want to babysit and run errands for her at the drop of a hat.

Ok, enough complaining. So I email her back saying sure I can babysit and tell her when I will come by. Go out shopping and come back to 2 mesages on my machine. Sister didn't bother to check her email and wants to know if I am coming or not. Call her back and she is not going to the event because she couldn't get anyone to go with her. Alright.

Continue talking how I saw a child laptop with games to teach computers to children, but held back getting an early xmas gift because they watch so much TV and play on the family computer I doubted if they would play on it much. We get into a discussion how her children are dysfunctional when not watching TV or YouTube videos. I don't recall us acting like this and we had TV in color then later a VCR. I know my other nieces were dysfunctional at a house w/out cable and we had to force teach them to play. I will always remember a niece asking what does she do with a doll. They see toys on these videos and want them, but they don't play with the toys they have already. Niece and nephew interrupt the conversation so we end the call.

I have plenty time for xmas shopping.

2nd day

Went through the computer training episodes. The ear phones were murder. One ear worked and if move the cord around the other ear will sorta work. Plus I had ear damage when the airport replaced their speaker system and PA's came out booming so very sensitive to high volumes. I got the volume down as low as I could, but still a little loud for my ears. But got through it. Saftey, loss prevention, smile at customers and how great this store is were the topics. My Mom can't comprehend people stealing, but from my retail experience I say people will steal anything not nailed to the floor. A manager said they had a lady who tried to walk out with a cart full of stuff this week and luckily she was stopped.




Then afterwards my fellow trainee and I went to the cash registers in training. Had to tell everyone who wanted rung up that we were training. Then I had to stop to help my fellow trainee not as used to cash registers (modern computerized ones). Yes, she is much older than me. I zipped right through it until time to go.



Next week get to follow a fellow employee learning my section of the store training.

Employee Orientation

Went to employee orientation tonight. 5 of us filled out paperwork, got the dress code, and got a tour of offices and stockroom. We met the store manager who on vacation when we interviewed last week. I get to do 4 hour Train on a computer this week and then 4 hours Shadow Training where we follow an employee in our duties next week. Then week after that we get more of a schedule. It's a start.

To the park

Sister calls me up at the last minute (sister never plans in advance) to babysit her kids so she can get her house clean. She can't clean well with them there. Gee, did my Fall Cleaning announcements rub off onto others. Well, I was intending to finish my cleaning with the master bedroom and bath today, but it wait til tomorrow (I'm in no hurry to clean). So say yes. This will be the 4th visit this week.




So they arrive and nephew wants to go to the park. Later. Play with toys first. He don't want to play, he wants to turn on all the lights. It's daytime so don't need lights. He wants to push all the buttons and open every drawer he finds in the apartment. No, play with toys in the guest room. Niece has a ball changing doll clothes and see what I grabbed from Grandma's house. Niece asks which grandma's house. Which one do you think? My mother, her grandma. I didn't grow up in my brother-in-law's house so nothing of mine there.



After play, when nephew is getting antsy about the park. We take Precious for his walk outside. Nephew is bored and so is niece. They take turns holding P's leash. Then nephew starts trying to open car doors, open trunks, and gas tank covers. I yelled at him for releasing a truck door on the back and what does he do after standing terrified of me. He tries to open car doors, trunk doors, and gas tank covers. I keep yelling at him through the whole walk not to touch other people's cars. He recognizes my car and tries to open it so he can go to park. Door is locked. Then Nephew gets the idea to drop a pile of leaves on niece's head. So when she does the same to him, he cries and runs to me. If he gets to toss leaves at niece, then she can do the same to him. They both drop leaves on me holding P and I return the favor to both. P gets tired of leaves being dropped on him and goes inside. Nephew cries he don't want to go inside. Too bad.



Have a snack and off to the park. Drive around trying to find it and when we get there, nephew wants to go home, eat supper, and Mom will come back. Mom ain't coming for hours so go play. He bugged me to death to come here so we are playing. He clings to me as niece runs amok. Slides, swings, and steps/ ladders we clown around until I need to go fix our supper. Nephew throws a fit the whole time wanting to go home to Mommy, wants a snack, wants water, just because he is bored from not playing. Not yet. So it gets late and we return to my place to eat. I refused to let them watch any TV until they started playing. They got exercise so they have a movie while I get theire meal cooked.

I gave niece more ice cream because she ate more supper. Eat, put away toys, and call Mommy to see when she is coming. She just said after supper.



So sister comes and picks them up. Niece and nephew couldn't wait to tell her what we did.

Errands with Mom

Went out with Mom to the realtor to fill out paperwork to finalize listing my childhood home up for sale. The signs will be in the yard by tomorrow. Sure it is sad to say good-bye, but got plenty of pictures to show future children what it looked like. Then off to inspect the paint job and house cleanimg service. We noticed they took out the master bedroom rug, there is space between the trim and floor to show it was there.




Then off to bank, insurance company, post office, charity, and grocery store. Then took Mom to her apartment.



Later.

Pumpkin party

Had sister, niece, and nephew here to help carve pumpkins. It is Nephew's 1st Halloween. We ate supper of KFC 1st and had to ask not to drop food all over the floor cause I just vacuumed recently. Nephew is learning manners like not to open every drawer and door in someone else's home. I had the place dark to show off my Halloween tree lights and light up witch crashing in the wall decoration. Nephew had to turn all the lights on. I'm getting use to saying "Paws off" and "No" when ruining his exploration. Nephew loves pointing out my cats. He calls cats Sammie, which is their cat's name. Big cat meowing to go out is Precious and one running away under the couch is Frodo. In the bathroom, Nephew keeps dropping my hand towels on the floor when he is down with them.




After table cleared, I ask Niece to get a towel since sister forgot the newspaper. She gets my bath towel from the bathroom. I meant my makeshift linen closet of open shelves in the hallway. Niece draws a face on one pumpkin and I do the other. I do jig-jag design at the top to their amazement. I'm not Daddy who does a straight circle. Daddy also carves 1st, scoop out later. I scoop first and carve later. I explain again that I'm not Daddy and sister explains people do things their own way, just differently. That's okay. Then the kids don't want to get their hands dirty and icky. Niece wants to draw all over the pumpkins cause she's bored, and wants to watch a movie instead of this. My sister says she did not drive clear across town to watch movies. Nephew enjoys the scoop and shares with Niece. We try to say It's fun to get dirty and messy. Nephew wants to carve instead of scoop. I sharply say no. We get most of them done when time to go. Bedtime is soon. I finish up and stand proud of my pumpkins.

New job

Got a new job at a retail store. Yippee! It's pays 50 cents above minimum wage, but better than starving. Provided nothing goes wrong I start week.

Pumpkin patch

Sister called today to announce they are going to a pumpking patch and I am welcome to come along. I have never seen children so terrified of hay bales, vines on the ground, or getting dirty.I told my niece, next time wear pants when walking through a prickly pumpking patch. We got a large pumpkin and some squash. After sitting on a hay bale dressed up to resemble a horse, niece got on to pose for a picture. They had another hay bale dressed as a catepillar. The barn had a big hay pile and a loft the kids could jump off into the hay. Niece refused to jump down with the rest of the kids. She just stood there in terror watching the other kids having fun. We saw goats with a mini horse. The baby goat was held back from approaching us by the mother goat. They had toddler yard toys niece and nephew enjoyed though they were too big for them. They had battery cars w/out the batteries so brother-in-law and I pushed them until we became tired. Then it was time to go home.

Adventure day

Wake up, feed the cats, and call the store again to set up my interview to find the guy is in a meeting. Lady will give him a message when he comes out. Minutes later the phone rings and it is a company I never heard of who pulled my name off the internet. Set up an phone interview for a job lacking a description. Take a shower with the handset on the toliet so I don't to miss Mr Interview's call. Reading email, I get a horrible smell in my apartment and can't find the source. It is like plastic burning. I live near railroad tracks so maybe there is a chemical fire. Look out the windows and step on the balcony to find nothing. Now my cat Frodo is wheezing. He never wheezes. I'm choking with a rag over my face from the smell that has filled my apartment. The spray air freshner is not working. Thinking maybe something outside is burning so close the windows as I hear neighbors doing and turn on the A/C to recycle the air.



Sirens are wailing outside. Aha there is something going on. Then they park in my parking lot. I see people outside so shout down if they are here for that awful smell. The fire department tells me to get out of my apartment. I explain I have cats. Chase Frodo from behind the couch, under the cat tower, and outside to the balcony. Frodo then jumps through the railing, lands on the roof above the door, and jumps downs to run up a tree. I manage to get Precious into his carrier and carry him outside into the fresh air. Fire apartment set up fans to get rid of the smoke. Ask a few people to help me get Frodo out of the tree. Later, their concern is the grease fire they just put out. Funny, I don't recall a smoke detector going off. Oh, they were smoking a cigarette when cooking so they probably had the batteries removed from the smoke detectors. Ok, we will wait. Ask again as a truck leaves about help with my cat. Guy is afraid he will climb higher if they try so leave me to coax him down myself. Frodo can climb down, he just refuses to. And he is like handling a tiger.



All this time, I am holding my handset making sure it works at this distance. Mr Interview never calls. I ask if it is safe to return to my apartment. Bring in Precious and put carrier away so Frodo will come down. He won't come down and turns around to place his butt towards me. I have to get to an interview. SO get ready and hope I don't stink. Frodo still won't come down and now a lawn mower is making the rounds so he won't come with all that noise. Call the store again and get my interview scheduled. Finally.



Go to interview and do an assessment test. Do 2 interviews and hope for the best. I swear more and more companies demand drug tests as a condition of employment along with the threat of a background check. Excuse me, but wouldn't a background check show drug use better than a drug test. Drugs leave the system after so many hours. I gues they don't want anyone with an ounce of self respect who would refuse one even she has never taken drugs beyond Advil and Benedryl. Why? It is a bad sign of a rotten employer with high turn over rate. I'll be jobless forever.



So come home and Frodo is out of the tree, but where is he. He answers me with his squeak, but I can't see him. Finally find him on the ground by a tree trunk. Pet him and he rubs against me. Then runs away. He is not escaping me again. Grab him and carry him to the door. He runs upstairs and jumps into the apartment. Precious doesn't want his daily walk even though I got the harness on him. Oh well. My eyes and nose still burn.



How is your day?

Another call

Call back the store back to hear Mr Interview is not at the store today. Will call tomorrow. Receive a call from another store and set up interview tomorrow. Have to do a personality test first before the interview. Is this a test to see if I answer the test the same as I did before. Or maybe a more lengthy one. Here's hoping good things.

Yippee!

Went to sister's to have her vent frustration at my lack of progress getting a job and now have no more unemployment benefits. She gets on the internet looking for career advice on my behalf. I have read many job advice columns and call them "Worthless babble from rich people who have never been fired, broke, or homeless". The mental breakdown from shock and then deep depression that follows making you numb to all the trauma around you is never addressed in these get a job you lazy bum articles.



She concludes these internet articles from company consultants are no help at all. She checks in to get me food stamps. I didn't qualify to get them with unemployment so why should I think I would receive them now. Too many rules so she gives up. She even went so far as to ask advice from her facebook friends (I know because I'm on her friend list). I think my sister is breaking under the strain of my failure to get another job. Shame on me for walking around like a zombie with a negative attitude when I relay my struggles to her. I shall keep things to myself from now on.



Now for the Yippee in my entry title. I come home to a message on the machine from a store I applied to last night. That was fast. Will call tomorrow to make my interview for Friday. I have hope again. It's all I have but I will take it.

Interesting app

From the impending Christmas season hiring more employees in stores, I started applying at different stores' websites hoping for something to turn up. One store app hit me with 10 advertisements and asked me if I already had life insurance. Another store signed me up for a job search site. I thought I hit skip, but I guess that is not allowed. Naturally every store threatens a drug test as a requirement for store and asked at least 3 times if I am a convicted felon. Plus the more then once question asking if I am in this country legally and be able to prove if hired that I can work in this country legally. Are they trying to tell me that their company sucks so bad that only drug addicts, convicted felons, and illegal immigrants would want this job.



Yesterday I get a call from sister asking to pick up her kids and take to McDonald's so she can get things done. No problem. Picked them up, take to get their supper with ice cream, and allowed extra time in the playroom. There was a boy there tossing his Happy Meal skateboard up the tunnel slide to the displeasure of my niece getting hit with it. Next they wanted to toss down their toys down the slide. No, they will break or lose it. They had a good time. When we made it home, nephew pouted cause we were not going to the park. They spent about 30 mins in the playroom, we are not going to the park. We watched my Halloween special loans until my sister came home. It was bathtime for kids so I came home.

Add more

I can add 2 more companies to the list of Can't apply to. I get email after email stating from one company how my app is still unfinished and need to finish it in 3 days if I want a job with them. After the 4th email and 3 attempts of finishing my app I said to hell with it. Is it my fault their stupid program refuses to remember the 2nd half of my app after 3 times of typing it in.



Then I get a company who demands my Social Security# and agree to a background check before I even get to the work history part of the app. Even better, I have to complete a quiz on taxes and must remove the pop up blocker to complete it. And BTW if the pop up blocker blocks it, you are tossed back to the beginning of the app process. I don't know how to remove the pop up blocker until it blocks something, so I get tossed back to the beginning. I click to allow pop ups temporarily to have it disappear by the time I log back in and get back to where I was and pop temp allow is gone and tossed back to the beginning. Though I question all this trying to apply for the 3rd time why I have to provide my SS#. I always read to NEVER give out your SS# until their is a job offer on the table in the interview. 3rd time is not a charm since the pop up has been blocked once, I'm not allowed to continue to education, work history, and references. So elect to quit to take a survey on why I gave up. Any bets I get a nasty email demanding I finish my app today or won't be considered to be hired. If I don't know how to remove my pop up blcokers before it blocks their tax quiz, then I guess I'm too stupid to work for their company.



It is amazing how Mom has to tell everybody how much I love computers and play on it all day long. Anyone who hears has to ask why I don't get a job working with computers. Doing what? I have used a computer at every job I've had. Oh secretary, they mean. I don't type 90 words per minute so that will not be happening. Actually, I hate computers and wish they were more resistant to the pounding frustration of my mouse not working after the computer has been on more than 15 minutes. Actually when I say play on the computer, I mean getting on the internet to read email, jot in my blogs, check the want ads, apply for jobs, and read articles on weather, world events, and celebrities. Plus any apply for job interview I can find which is never helpful when actually interviewing for jobs.But how do you explain that to people over 60 who never explored the internet.

Staking claims

Y is there 8 places the cats like to nap in the living room and they have to fight over the same one. They are like children fighting over the red game piece.



Cats are staking their claims on the new cat tower rubbing their cheeks on their chosen platform. They like to scratch their claws on the fake fur (Thank goodness they like it) though only once did Precious scratch his claws on the rope. They love the view out the window.

Lovely evening

Had a lovely supper at sister's house with aunt and Mom. Had to explain again how nephew fell out of his swing and smashed his fnger in a car door yesterday. Nephew says, All better. Niece showed her cowgirl costume and then got back on the computer watching Thomas the Train amusement park in Japan. She can't understand why we want to talk to her. Nephew watched a Halloween cartoon to learn what this holiday is all about. They showed off the Halloween cards I made for them. Then went home when bedtime came. They will never go bed if exciting people are there.

Lost the battle with Paypal

Get email from Paypal saying more or less, Screw you for being stupid and purchasing an expensive item from a company you never dealt with before. Thanks for the money and we will keep your complaint on file for future reference. I bet I missed the deadline from writing 5 emails over the span of a week. Stupid me.

I cancelled my account with Paypal that didn't want in the first place.

Excitement of the day

Went shopping with 2 aunts and Mom. One aunt bought most of the things for her lake cabin. One aunt ran into a friend and friend asked if other aunt was her mother. Aunt explained that is her sister not her mother.

Then took niece and nephew to park so sister could get work done. Nephew asked for a big push. I give big push and he fell out of the swing landing on his tummy with face scratches on left side. We cuddled until felt better. Then returning home, nephew smashed his finger in the car door. Carried him in and got cold rag and another cuddle. Then he cuddled with my sister with his tiger and some Motrin. His finger has a purple bruise. Poor kid.

Now cuddling with cats. They miss me so much. 

Battle with Paypal continues

I emailed my complaint for the 3rd time about my issue with paying Paypal for a cat tower I failed to receive from My Pet Island. Jumping through hoops like a circus poodle to get a refund. Made myself a member as commanded by Paypal just to lodge a complaint (they do not communicate with nonmembers). My 2nd complaint received a copy and pasted list of rules on how to lodge my complaint. If that worked, I would not be using the Contact Us feature. Now with my 3rd email we shall see what happens. I will be sure not to buy anything that demands I pay through Paypal only again. Protect consumers from scam artists my ass. Screw You is more like their policy.

Headache I don't need Part II

Heard from Paypal about My Pet Island dispute. They do not communicate with nonmembers who do not have confirmed email accounts. In other words, I'm just out of luck until I have an account. So set up account hoping there is no monthly member fee I don't want just so these people will look into my dispute. I have to type in a credit card as my first payment and then must type in a bank account number to set up an account with them. Now I pray my bank account doesn't get hit with unknown charges cause there is only $15 in it and dislike bounced check fees from both the charger and the bank.

All of this just to demand my money back. I hate Paypal.

Viola!

Went shopping for a bracket to hold piece of cat tower still. I resisted the Halloween decorations. It is weird shopping this time of year with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas next to each other. Then viewed the $5 movies and couldn't resist the temptation. Got a Benji and Care Bear movies thought niece might like, when she detaches herself from Utube. I will be sure to tell niece the Care Bear movie is one my Mom took me to as a kid (one of the few she let me see and complained how silly it was though she was not 9 years old like me who loved it). Got The Tudors 1st season on sale. This stuff is better than porn with a plot. My sister despised it from the violence in the first few episodes. Though can't say it is more violent than the murder mysteries she loves so much. My sister is full of contradictions.

Got a metal bracket meant to hang a mirror and attached it to the cat tower. It stop wiggling so all is good. Sad I buy a cat tower and then have to fix it. Then on top of all that, my shirt has 3 holes in it. I hate tissue fabric, I need clothes that last a few years. I'm broke and can't replace clothes regularly.

Precious still won't go outside. Every time a dog barks he runs to the bedrooms. Can't say I blame him. He had a good scare being chased up a tree.

Fixed cat tower

Tried to fix the cat tower to allow more cat butt space. Why does Precious have to be so huge. I hate fake fur getting caught and twisted in the screws. Need a buy a brace or something to stop one part from wiggling. I set cats on it and poor Frodo shook on the loose part so have to fix that.



Aunt called to tell me that she is coming to visit next week. Great, just what I need. I feel like Selena Kyle in Batman Returns where she destroys her apartment and becomes Catwoman.



I'm getting so sick of telling people I"m Still Unemployed to get nonstop useless advice. Let's see: Go be a substitute teacher, be a secretary, work for a daycare center, and my favorite, start your own dog walking/petcare business. Degrees and/or experience I don't have are required for teacher, secretary, or daycare center. I have no money to start any business. Plus I'm allergic to dogs.



What does it take to get a pathetic paying, no benefits, exhausting, miserable job? Apparently I'm not good enough to get one.

Poor Precious

Had a time outside after a pause in the rain and then, as we just get to the door a dog comes out. Let P down to rush to other side. Dog comes out loose and chases P up a tree. I called him 25 mins before he meowed back. He was 10 feet above my head. Then get him to door and the dog is barking so he runs across the parking lot as a car is trying to park. He wiggled out of harness after I stepped on leash. Grab him and carry him back with legs hanging to avoid being scratched. Get mail and toss garbage to hear the dog lady complaining I talked sh** to her. What did she do wrong when she tries so hard to get along with me. OK, I said "It's alright, don't worry about, we were coming in when I saw her coming, and it's okay." Do you call that sh**?"



Poor Precious had to wait all day to take this walk to.

Headache I don't need

Since I can't find a replacement cat tower at the pet store I originally bought it from (ceiling dripped over it and ruined it), I am forced to find a replacement online. First company My Pet Island had exactly what I wanted, but they never send it. No email saying they sent it. After 2 1/2 months, I order another one from another company All Pet Furniture. After a week, I get it, put it together, and think whoever makes cat furniture doesn't have grown up cats, or cats period.



This stuff is for tiny kittens, my cats' fat butts are not going to fit in these holes. All selections for cat furniture have rope my cats don't like and covered in fake fur I don't know how my cats will react so I have to buy something whether it works or not. Is there something wrong with carpet covered furniture with big holes. Hopefully it won't fall over when one jumps on it. What I want is no longer made.



Since I paid my credit card bill to Paypal, I wonder how am I going to get a refund from the first company. I get a message stating their email is not set up correctly and their phone number is a voicemail box only and box is always full. Paypal automated answer is ask the merchant for the refund. Can't contact them. I finally got a Contact Us email so hopefully I get a response. Automated answer is not helping me.

Playing with nephew

Played games with new nephew last night. Candyland, HiHo Cheerio, and Chutes and Ladders. He knows how to count and knows colors.



Had the weirdest dream as I was trying to go back to sleep at 4 AM. I dreamed I was opening presents and out came black lingere. I look around to be surrounded by excited family and deduce I'm having a bridal shower. I had big diamond and gold band on my finger. Too bad I can't get a guy to make this dream come true.



Had a neighbor walking her dog as I was walking Precious. She sat down on the grass and wailed. I'm sure the whole apartment complex heard her. I tried to ask what was wrong but couldn't understand her very well. I'm guessing she is accused of something and possible eviction. Maybe having 2 apartments??? Anyway gave her a hug with an "I'm sorry" and let her pet Precious. Petting a cat always makes me feel better. Then someone came out to tell her she needs to be inside. I saw her later walking her dog and went back in.



Cats had a screeching contest on the balcony last night and crashed into the screen door. Precious wanted to play and Frodo didn't hiding behind th couch. I intervened with my voice. After cooling off separately, they calmed down enough to rest on the carpet together.

Recession was over

Some economists of a company say the 18 month recession ended last year so we are in a recovery. Really? So are we in the next recession period or simply a jobless recovery with rising unemployment rate?

My one joy

Baked brownies, toothpick clean in center, so take out brownies to let cool. Cut into a corner to find chocolate soup. Put back brownies in the oven to recheck with toothpick in the chocolate soup. Toothpick clean so take out again to cool. Delicious brownie coming my way.

Paperwork

Helped sister with more paperwork for school's basic skills tests.  Why kids take these yearly tests at the beginning of the school instead of the end is beyond. Niece and nephew were ready to play, but I was there to work.

Precious tried to take a nap on Frodo objecting to being squished. Frodo argued he was there first (w/ a swipe of his paw and loud yowl) and Precious jumped down from the cat tower, eventually.

Had the furnace inspected by the apartment people. Everything is in working order and filter changed. I was half asleep when the guy knocked and cats didn't rush to the door, so maybe it was the wind. He knocked again before getting the key and I went to open the door. He asked if I had gotten the notice. Yes, I did. I just didn't want Precious to escape when he opened the door. He is a regular Harry Houdini.

No more movies

I go to sister's house and find out my niece and nephew are not watching my movie loans. They play Utube all day and night. Alright, no more movie loans. If they request one, then yes I will bring it. Nephew is doing well in school and Niece is loving dance lessons. They went to the park while I tended my laundry. Sister thought rain clouds were coming in, but no rain came.

Heart to heart

Had a lengthy conversation with someone who reads about my life online. My blogs and updates are quite negative. This person thinks I should be more careful what I say online cause people will think I'm a negative person.



Let's see: I'm jobless, I'm out of unemployment benefits, I'm broke, and I'm dependent on my family's generosity to keep me from living on the streets. I think I have earned the privaledge to be negative.



Forgive me if I don't wish to pretend everything is ok when I'm drowning. If a friend thinks I should be the phony person they are, perhaps we should not be friends. Their fantasies do not help me get through my reality in hell.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!

I hate applying online. I get a message saying I didn't finish my app. I hit the link and there is half my app already saved while other half is not saved. I already did all this before and finished my app correctly the 1st time. I can't help it their system erases what I type in.

Last check

Received a notice I got my last unemployment check delivered. I will receive a notice for Emergency Unemployment Compensation Benefits. Oh God please help me find a job.



In better news, I almost was jumped on by a neighbor's dog. I was getting my mail while dog outside came in the door to attack my groceries on the floor. Owner shut the door. I yell "Sorry" and locked the mailbox to dash upstairs. Owner watched from the window and came back in as I reached the top of the stairs. Groceries and plastic baggies remained unharmed. And yes, I had meat and gravy cat food packets that I'm sure made the dog crazy. Or it was my kitty smelling pants.

Laundry day

Took Mom to her house to have the realtor check it out. She agreed with me that house needs painting. The wood siding is revealed in some places which a mortage company might refuse a loan for all the peeling paint. Mom agreed to an amount she would be willing to pay for painting and if too much then sell the house "as is". Paint doesn't add that much to the house value, just makes it look nice when you sell it. We pointed out the assets: lots of storage, finished basement, large yard, shed/playhouse and everything is in working order. I pointed out the water heater and furnace, and the doghouse which is the A/C fan cover.



Then after taking Mom to the bank, grocery store, and back to her apartment, I went over to sister's house for laundry. Sister was on the sidewalk with the kids so I honk my horn to scare my nephew. Niece came running to my trunk where she knows my laundry basket holding her movie loan is. Sister checked my backseat for a lost stuffed animal. Nope, not there. We also lost a movie disk. Got the cover, movie was never watched, and I always check my movie covers to make sure the disks are there before taking them home. Think movies need to be placed up high if little fingers can't stop playing with them like toys. Taught nephew a new phrase, "Get your paws off". Niece giggled at the word paws.

Another day

Another day, another application and personality test filled out. Sorry my unemployed life is boring. Today I get to go to Mom's house so the realtor can view it. Then later go to sister's house to do laundry. Have to ask Mom for more money. I hope I find a job soon, I'm getting exhausted asking Mom for money all the time. I want to stand on my own 2 feet and take care of myself. Is that asking for too much?

Birthday party

Had a great birthday with Mom and sister's family at a pizza place. Despite the factsister couldn't find my musical birthday card. Then nephew almost opened his door while I was driving 70 on the interstate. Then nephew asked for chocolate when we cut the cake (it was vanilla). And niece had a tummyache and many trips to the restroom. Other than that we had a great time.

Happy Birthday to me

A Very Happy Birthday to me, to me.
A Very Merry Birthday to me, to me.
Now I'll blow the candle out and make my wish come true.
A Very Happy Birthday to meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Darn, I didn't win the lottery.

Top this day

Today, picked up Mom up for errands (house to remove items, lawyer, 3 banks, realtor, and groceries). Realtor actually read my book I paid to print and sent to local libraries. She liked it and asked for the next one. I don't have any money to publish another book so it is on the internet. She asked how I make money off the internet. I don't. It is just there for anyone reading the 1st book to read.



Then took niece and nephew to park while sister worked on things. I got wore out doing underdogs for niece and holding both for monkey bars. I had to say No More. Niece and I got Wet Butt going down the slides since it has been raining all day. Nephew only went down once with his shoes under him. He got on the swing that he has never done before. He said "Little push". Then came home to walk Precious and now bed.

Laundry day

Took laundry over to sister's house as usual and sister arrived home first. She needed a few minutes of quiet time before getting the kids at the babysitter down the street. Read a letter from my aunt during quiet time and asked sister how the kids like school. Nephew still doesn't like getting left behind, but enjoys the babysitter's noisy toys. Niece is happy as a clam making new friends. One girl played with her 3 recesses in a row.



Aunt letter was full of her Fall cleaning b/c her gym was being cleaned and she had nothing better to do. She washed the car, trimmed a bush, got out Fall decorations, cleaned upstairs, and went through her husband's things (he died last winter). Then she complains my Mom doesn't always answer the phone when she calls her. Yes, Mom plays cards in the rec room, eats dinner in the dining room, and shops for groceries for breakfast and lunch. She says as Football returns they will have the theater playing games for the residents. Mom said she was unsure if she should go cause most game people are men. Oh yes, I said, go watch the games on a big screen, she might meet a new boyfriend. She probably have better luck than me. Mom laughed at that.



So after a quick rest, my sister is restored and goes to pick up the kids. Immediately they fight over the computer. I think both have YouTube addiction. It was niece's turn so nephew has to lay on the floor and kick her chair. This greatly disturbs niece and when threaten with a time out, he pouts in the hallway rolling up the entry way rug. As things calm down, I hug niece hello and announce this week's movie loan. Now she has to watch a movie she requested last week. Nephew gets on the computer. Niece disagrees with this, but as my sister pointed she is watching a movie so it becomes HIS turn.



Get laundry done and hug good-bye. It is was time for baths and go to bed for the kids.

Interesting article

Read an article about people getting fired over things posted on the internet. Here's an idea, on social sites change your privacy settings so not just anybody can read it. On web journals, use a fake name and avoid indentifying words that tells strangers who you are. (A friend I met online was concerned about people identifying me and had to explain I'm not completely honest on my blog trying to remain anonymous) And even better advice: If you don't want the world to know your business then do not post it on the internet. And always remember that most people carry camera phones.

Poor niece

Heard from my niece that she received her insurance card last Friday to go with her first teaching job. Today she received a letter from the insurance company refusing any coverage until August of next year b/c of her preexisting condition. What? She has diabetes needing insulin shots 3 times a day and blood sugar testing strips used 3 times a day, she can't go without coverage for a full year. What if she ended up in a hospital?, she can't afford that on what she gets paid. I swear insurance is the worse curse bestowed on mankind.



She concludes she will speak to her people tomorrow about it. I hope everything works out for her.

Frodo's vet visit

Chased Frodo all over the apartment once he saw the cat carrier. Moved the couch, end table, climbed under 2 beds to discover cat vomit under the guest bed, and finally when he crawled under the cat hamock, I picked it up and grabbed him. Held him in the middle with both arms with his legs hanging down so he can't grab my shirt for leverage to jump off. He bit me under the guest bed and after my harsh "Frodo" next time he pawed at me instead of scratching. We had a magic moment of petting as I tried to brush off the cobwebs off his whiskers. Then it was back grabbing and hissing.



Into the carrier and now Precious is hiding from me behind a chair. Clean up the cat vomit from under the guest bed and put my shoes on. Vet office is under construction from their expansion (at least somebody in this economy is expanding). Little girl asks what is wrong with my cat panting like crazy. He is terrified cause he knows what is about to happen. Pet inspection says he is in good health at 13.1 lbs. Good, same as last year. Pay our bill and go home. Cats hide for about an hour and then come out to eat their treats I laid out for them. Back to normal until next year's vet visit.

WoooooHooooo

Hooray!!! After years of trying and finally giving up, Snap!, my cousin's wfe is pregnant and due in Feb. Not the one who had a baby last spring, a different cousin's wife. I wish I could Snap! and get a job. They say the Lord works in mysterious ways.

Interview done

Interview done for a job helping adults with disabilities live independently. I can do that.



Got a note on the door from the apartment that the guy who unclogged my sink said the problem was kitty litter. That probably explains why the Drano didn't work. It is the sink I was my hands after scooping the poop out. And if it happens again I will be charged for the service. OK, will be using Wet Wipes to clean my hands.



Last night while walking Precious outside, 2 Mormons approach and petted my kitty. Then they want to talk about their beliefs. I was polite and declined. They gave a pamphet and I tossed it in the garbage when I got back inside.



Today is babysitting while sister does somethng at her school. Kids met their teacher the other day and all excited to go to school. Ah youth, in a few years they will hate school.



Update: Got reject email from interview person saying they wanted more experience. Had adventures in babysitting with nephew running around turning on lights, then quietly played niece's Leapster. When I was in the bathrom he began drinking from my soda pop bottle. I had to wrestle it from him with niece helping me. Niece definately has Youtube addiction. She explores videos and watches them nonstop. I played her favorite movie and she paid no attention to it. Tonight was ballet recitals and girls playing with new toys.

Bad Drano

Had to call maintence for a clogged sink. I poured in Drano the night before and night before that, and day before that, and yet it is still clogged. Lady said she hates it when renters use Drano cause it ruins the pipes and burns the maintence crews. Sorry, the bottles say safe on pipes. So anyway, guy shows up to inspect the Drano still in the sink and will call Rotor Reuter people to vacuum the pipe. Another guy shows and runs his machine, cute too. Unclogged for now. We shall see how long it stays that way.

Adventures in Laundry

Go to sister's house for laundry as usual. Hugs and kisses for the kids. Niece wants to watch a movie loan I brought over, but can't separate from the computer's YouTube of a lady making cakes in different shapes. Nephew wants to watch last week's loan he likes. He needs exposure to other movies. So watch niece's choice and nephew goes back and forth helping husk corn and watching the movie. Time for dinner and niece's cries she wasn't done with her YouTube program. She can pause and watch it later. I sense an addiction to YouTube programs.



Pork Chops and corn on the cob eaten on the picnic table since it was beautiful day. I hear all about their visit to State Fair yesterday and all things they did. Strawberry Shortcake for dessert and I introduced nephew to a milkshake I made. Niece wants some but I explain she knows what milkshakes taste like.



Niece wants back on the computer, but Daddy is on it for work (newspaper man who often writes articles from home). She freaks out and yells at her Daddy to get off HER computer. Sister scolds her for yelling at her father and not allowed anymore computer tonight since she had been on it for 4 hours during the day. Sister gets out flashcards for niece and nephew and Daddy continues whatever he was doing. I get my laundry folded and ready to go. Sister asks if I'm trying to Disney-fy her son. Of course, Disney is everywhere in clothing and toys so better off knowing what the pictures are from. Kids will think he is an alien from outer space.



Came home. Walked the cat. Now off to bed.

Drip, drip, nothing

Had my water turned off in the middle of my shower while rinsing my hiar. Dripped all over the bathroom with shampoo burning my eyes. Used the water in the toliet tank to finish my hair.

What a day

Stupid question: Is it just me or is Mom getting ash trays for coasters weird? Worse yet, she can't figure out that they are ash trays. I thought the rim with places for cigarettes would be a clue. I bought her real coasters after her protest she doesn't need to buy coasters, but needs new coasters to set her drinks on.





Drove Mom to her house, finished sister project, helped fill dumpster, made a charity run, checked all turned off, and drove Mom to her apartment. Then waited looking at old photos until time to eat a free supper at a bar and grill. Then went home to walk cat, pulled him off a tree limb cubby hole, carried him home, and now ready for bed. How was your day?

Pool time

Spent about 3 hours in the pool. The snack jello I packed melted and nephew drank it like juice. Niece eventually got all the way into the pool (once I refused any requests like singing the Jaws theme or do a somersault). The water reached her chest so she was assured she will not drown. She clung to the edge in fear and eventually let go. She wished Mom who left for a massage was there, this was her first time standing in the pool instead of sitting on the steps in fear. We took a picture. Nephew enjoyed tossing the beach ball and niece mastered hitting it back like a volleyball (like I was doing). Then I checked the watch and thought we better leave. Sister took us out for dinner as a thank you for babysitting (and nephew tearing my apartment to pieces which I had to put back). We had a good time. Sister liked my hair. I bet she really hates it b/c I cut it myself, but learned to tell any woman her hair looks nice or she will get upset. Anyway, walked Precious in the dark when it got cooler and now it is starting to rain again. Time for bed.

Adventures in babysitting

Babysat niece and nephew so their parents could enjoy an Anniversary dinner. 12 years. Wore the kids out outside playing baseball, tennis, soccer, and frisbee. Then watched TV and played with new toys from birthday party. Then it was time for bed. Kids did good job dressing themselves and running around naked. They brushed their teeth without fuss. Storytime was more difficult. Nephew had to test niece's boundaries in her room (spitting on her and hitting her with an electrical cord) leading me to do a timeout. Next parents came home so they took it from there. No tiger toy in bed, no Mommy laying by him, and no good-bye hug from Auntie as his punishment. Next walked Precious until it started raining. Poor kitty.



Today I chopped 7 inches off my hair. I got tired of a ponytail. Then sister wants to take the kids swimming in my apartment pool so she can see what I did. I think I'll go to a hairdresser later on to give my hair layers I like so much, that I have trouble doing on myself.

Birthday party

Went grocery shopping today and pick up a gift and card for my Mom to give for new nephew's birthday party. Mom didn't know if she should bring a gift and didn't know how to sign the card. I think the summer heat fried her brain: You sign the card as Grandma since your daughter's son is your grandson. All the grocery store toys were movie themed and I didn't know if he had seen all these movies, so got bath toys for Mom to give. I had gotten books for him earlier in the week. Got home, wrapped gift, gathered a selection of cards for Mom to choose from, and enjoyed the begginning of a Julia Roberts marathon on TV. Drove over to pick her up, dropped off copies of photos I had ordered for her, and she picked a card. Went to sister's house for dinner, cake, and all the kids opened gifts. Then it was bedtime for the little ones. Tried to navigate the construction to Mom's place and then home. It was a good day.

Activity today

Went over sister's to do laundry. Nephew was playing with Play-doh and Niece was watching TV. Brother-in-law signed a bill from the plumber and Sister was at an appointment. Ate my lunch and grabbed a piece of Nephew's birthday cake. Niece can't find her daddy to ask permission to eat cake too. I tell her to yell his name real loud, it always worked for me. He says no so nephew tries to swipe the frosting to have me pull it away. My cake. Play with Nephew so Niece has to be involved. So play with both and stop to fold laundry. Nephew starts handing me my clothes out of the basket and then starts tossing them all over the couch. I call my niece and ask her to play with him so I can get my clothes folded and put in the basket. Back to Play-doh. Laundry done, it's time for me to leave.



Off to hang up pictures my aunt insisted I do at Mom's apartment. Aunt neglected to inform Mom I was coming. She just got back with groceries and her new TV stand. Uncle, aunt, and brother are there too. TV stand set up and pizza eaten, it is time to hang pictures. This is an overwhelming task for Mom to decide where 10 picture frames go. Aunt offers suggestions. I pound the nails. Ask if she is bringing up the large picture frame Dad had made with our childhood portraits in it. Oh no, it is too heavy to carry. Not if someone else is doing the carrying. OK, we can get it next time we go to her house. Remind Mom when doing her dishes to use dishwasher soap in her washer after the England incident (Mom put in regular dish soap in the resort kitchenette's dishwasher and suds leaked out onto the floor b/c she didn't know there was a difference).



Off to home to walk Precious. Frodo sneaked out when I came in the door. I shut the door and reopened it to encourage his fear to come back in. He is slowly brave enough to walk passed the threshold, but when I shut the door he wants back in. Poor Frodo. Off to bed.

School shopping

Took niece school shopping. My aunt bored at my Mom's apartment wanted to come along and meet nephew. I was expecting a teacher school supply list to go shopping. What I got was 2 envelopes of coupons with her lists written on all four sides for a discount store and grocery store. I said School Shopping, not Everything in the House Shopping. Even better I got a phone interview scheduled for this afternoon that I made last night. We are pressed for time. Aunt thought we were clothes shopping and recommended the cheapest kids clothes she ever found store, but have to go to the sales rack. I think the sales rack in any stores are fairly equal in price, but we are not clothes shopping. Aunt was confused what we were going to do. School supplies, notebooks, pencils, glue, etc. Oh, now she gets it. Sister says my niece and nephew have clothes for school. She buys clothes as needed not only when school starts. I said most of clothes come from garage sales anyway.




So off we go and it would be nice if sister did not organize her list by On Sale, Coupon, and Not On Sale. I like Health, School, Bath, Toys sections on a list when hunting for these things. We dropped off prescription for sister and aunt had to question the number of bottles. The 2nd bottle was if they didn't have the 1st med, we are not getting both. Then had to upset niece b/c coupon picture didn't match what she picked out. We have to get the item on the coupon to use it.



School was easier than health and cleaning sections. Niece picked out a backpack for herself and brother. I selected the crayons and glue sticks. I wonder if my sister is also buying for herself, she is a school librarian. Had trouble with markers and scissors. Markers were to be Bold colored. There are no Bold markers, they have Bright and Classic. Scissors were not the right size. 6 inch is on the list, but can only find 5 inch and 7 inch. There no pencil boxes my niece liked, she wanted a glitter pencil pouch. I don't know if that is what the teacher had in mind.



Then pick up prescription and worried aunt is going to give the clerk a clue I'm not the person on the bottle and using sister's credit card. She can't stop talking while clerk is explaining the important info on the med. We luck out until the 10% reward coupon doesn't scan. Aunt is impatient b/c we need to go. She even bagged the supplies in my sister's canvas bags we brought to speed things up. Explain the pharmacy person did something to get it through so clerk had to call them to find out what they did. Problem solved, carried supplies to sister's house and I went home to await my phone interview. Aunt was worried I wasn't going to make it.



Phone interview done, return to sister's to finish the shopping. I'm jobless so have nothing better to do. Aunt went with brother-in-law to do the grocery store shopping. Niece wanted to watch TV instead of hanging out with me. I try to return the wrong items, but sister forgot to put the receipt with it so can't return items w/out an ID. Ok, put items back in the car so I don't get accused of shoplifting. Finish shopping and call sister to double check what I'm suppose to get. Visit another store for items 1st store didn't have. Back to sister's.



Aunt and brother-in-law are there. Aunt said she wanted to see my apartment, but my sister calls it a culture shock b/c aunt is a neat freak. I'm the opposite. Now aunt doesn't want to come. So sister's family will drive Aunt back to Mom's, return items after sister found receipt in the wrong bag, and get silverware for Mom I forgot to get for her. Sister's list was too long to remember things not written. So now Aunt and Mom get to meet nephew. I went home, took Precious for a walk, and got ready for bed.



Tomorrow Aunt insisted I put Mom's photo frames b/c she will never get around to it.

Busy week

Saw cousin's baby and wife yesterday with my nieces, sister, Mom, and aunt. I remembered to take pictures this time. Showed nephew pictures on my camera. Ordered graduation and confirmation pcitures from last year for Mom and aunt.

Today I celebrated my nephew's appointed birthday today at the zoo (his birthday is unknown so it was appointed based on the estimation of age when dropped off at the orphanage). Sister paid my way to say thank you for all my help. Nephew is camera shy while niece is a born model. He liked to get in my lap and hold my hold my hand. At the bird show I donated $1 bills to give birds that place them in a slot for Condor Conservation. We had a good day.

My aunt had to call to complain about dragging her feet at every step she must do. That's Mom, won't do anything until the last minute and then has a panic attack making the smallest decision. She has to be pushed to get anything done.

Tomorrow is school shopping with niece and later a phone interview for yet another job. Crossing my fingers. I just wonder if I have to be living in a cardboard box down by the river with no hope at all before an employer feels sorry enough for me to give me a job. I'm broke, I will take any job I am capable of doing no matter what it pays. I just want it before I'm homeless.

Auction down

Mom's auction done in 3 hours. More hours taking unsold stuff into the garage, packing kitchen and bathroom stuff into our cars, and transporting Mom's things to apartment. We forced Mom into the apartment by taking away her bed so no excuse to stay in her house. Though we couldn't pry an awful rug from her grip, so someone tossed it in the dumpster at the apartment. Oops, it disappeared Mom.

Got niece

Got my niece today. I went over to Mom's pack up my car of things she wants to take to her apartment. She knew for over a week I was coming for this and is she ready for me to pack up, of course not. We have force Mom to decide what she is taking and what goes into the auction. Fill up my car and take niece to my place when a couch is blocked by boxes. Empty the back so neighbors don't get the idea to break my window to steal her things. A cart my sister bought for Mom came in real handy. Auction is tomorrow and Mom better be ready. Sister with nephew is staying home with the kids so other sister and I will be pushing her.

Got nephew

Picked up my niece from sisters house. My older nieces had cheese sandwiches made for lunch. Came home with some flowers and balloons for our Welcom Home Party. Then unpacked my niece and chilled out at my place. My niece was astonished that I was driving her Mommy's car. I took my sister and brother-in-law to the airport and we agreed 2 car seats and an adult is a very a tight squeeze in my backseat. So when I started the car I said, Let's see if I can back up this puppy without hitting the house (they have a narrow and long driveway). My niece got excited and asked where the puppy was. I had to explain the car was the puppy. SO get to my place and take my cat for a walk. She gets upset about getting dirty and to take a bath and change clothes. She will get more dirty and later nearly slipped on some mud.



We arrive at the airport early and chat with my old friends. Their flight is an hour in half late. Niece can not understand this and not something I can just fix. She will have to wait. Even better, a storm starting coming in when we arrived and by the time their plane landed, it was a full blown storm complete with tornado near a town 12 miles south of the airport (my friends there got some good shots they posted on facebook). B/C the airport does not want anyone struck by lightening, they have to wait to unboard. 2 and half hours we wait for them to get off the plane. Sister calls from the plane and I assure her that I am not going home, we will wait. Niece predicts doom that they are coming out tomorrow or worse, they are never coming off the plane and we will never see them again. They are right outside on the tarmac, we will see them again. When they finally come, we wait for baggage, 4 flights worth of bags came before our turn. Take a bathroom break with the kids while I guard the bags. Off to the car and drive home.



Home niece was readya nd willing to show every object to her new brother. But it was time for bed. I petted their cat nephew was terrified of good bye, hugged and kissed niece good-bye, and by this time nephew was getting use to me and let me hug him good-bye. Today is my brother-in-law's birthday. My niece has a theory that older people are taller. Yes in childhood, but adulthood it does not apply. She can't understand how her cat is older than her with a tiny 8 lbs body. Age doesn't judge height.

Somebody shoot me

I am getting so sick of applying for jobs. Today's adventure was receiving a message for mail clerk with a threat that jobs are going fast and when I call human resources back, I get voicemail. Now I sit and wait for this person to call back instead of feeding my sister's cat and doing laundry. I have to be next to the phone to set up an interview time or somebody else gets hired.
Then I go into the want ads to find a job I can do and can't apply for it b/c my computer files are in the wrong format. I copied and pasted my resume in provided square. But no, you have to upload your resume to apply for the job and my computer will not do it. Scratch that company off the list. (It is just like the personality test pop up window my computer refused to allow and then later get an email complaining I didn't finish my application so I can't be hired.)
Even better, I go through the ads viewing the same ones I applied at before. Why don't these people stop being so picky and just hire somebody. 2 months of advertising should be sufficient.
And better yet, my Mom accuses me of not trying and need to try harder, much harder to find a job. Excuse me, there are homeless families around b/c their unemployment benefits and savings ran out. Please do not assume failure is NOT TRYING. Banging my head against a wall only gives me a headache, not a job.
Update: I left 4 messages for the person who called me, waited by the phone all day, and the b*tch doesn't call me back. I'm leaving to feed my sister's cat and then take my cat for a walk. This experience will teach me not to take a shower when the phone rings.

Mom moved

Got most of Mom moved, her couch and things are on order so she will do a final move later. Her bedroom set, chairs, desks, and tables got moved in with some boxes of photo albums, sewing machine, computers, and clothes. My sister went out shopping for a new shower curtain and bedroom rugs (we agreed the falling apart rugs she had needed to be tossed). I saw a chair that was just a frame with cushions tied on with rubber bands and cover for it somewhere that I said to toss, but at that Mom refused.




15 people were fed my ordered pizza, breadsticks, cheesesticks, and pop. I had variety and everyone found something to eat. There was a few pieces and part of a 2 liter left. My aunt went around cleaning up, even the inside of the washer. My niece went with my sister to her in-laws house to go home tomorrow. Niece wasn't thrilled about picking up my apartment, but I made her help me. Now I sit in my apartment alone with my cats. Very hot day today. I'm ready to relax in the A/C.

Adventures with niece

Woke up and fed niece oatmeal, then went back to bed. Got up again to feed the cats and took cat Precious for his walk. Came back to eat lunch and off to feed my sister's cat. Arrived to find my older nieces relaxing in front of the TV after yesterday's fun at an amusement park. Little niece saw her parents' cars in the driveway and thought they should be there. No, they are in China with her new brother. Where did she think these cars should be, I asked. In China with her parents, she answered. Nope, cars won't fit on the airplane. We are picking them up at the airport when they come back. Fed the cat, changed the water, and scooped the poop from the litterbox. Brought in mail to find a package. Niece wanted to open package, but I said no b/c it had her Daddy's name on it. So got orders from nieces on pop and pizzas for Mom's big move tomorrow, have to feed the movers. Next went to the grocery store and back to my place. Not hot enough to go swimming, but then niece won't go into the water anyway b/c it's cold. Relaxed the rest of the day. Taught niece a new card game. At first she told me she didn't care if I liked a certain card game I got out, she wanted to play a board game with marbles. I told her that, I DO CARE, and I will play my card games. She play whatever she wants. Eventually she came around and played with me. At bedtime, she go ready for bed w/out any stuffed animals. Usually she needs 10. Tomorrow will be a busy day.

RIP Jackie

I got my niece in my clutches and we are having a great time when a friend from my last job calls to tell me his coworker died from her 2 1/2 year battle with cancer. She was 54. She died last week and her service was today. A few coworkers and airport friends attended the service. RIP Jackie.

I met Jackie many years ago when I started working at my last job at a car rental. She was very funny and got along with everybody. She babysat her grandchildren and enjoyed casinoes. She wasn't allowed to read magazines at her counter so she read them in front of ours. One night when Alice Cooper came to play at the Iowa State Fair, she had him autograph her work shirt as she handed over his car rental keys. Jackie was the queen of smutty jokes and the airport seemed empty when she had a day off. Then one day she hurt her back at work from falling off something and went to the doctor for worker's compensation to discover she also had colon cancer. My coworker went with her to her chemo and tie dyed a bunch of shirts for her grandchildren. I was told not a single one of the her company's managers sent her flowers or visited her in the hospital and she worked there for nearly 20 years. I donated money to my coworker to buy flowers for her and signed her Get Well card. I got updates on her progress from her coworkers. And now I got the last update. She will be missed by many. 

Sister update

Heard from my sister they have their newly aopted son in China renamed Lukas Grant. And he vomits when they reach their hotel room. He is eager to push buttons in the room (remote, telphone, lights).

And I was having a bad day with my cat tree soaked from a leaking ceiling and have to replace it. On top of that my knee snaps again while sitting down with leg elevated petting my cat Precious. Now I'm in terrible pain I can barely walk. But all that is washed away at hearing about my new nephew. One more week and I will have a nephew to spoil rotten.

Fed the cat

Went over to feed my sister's cat. She was not happy to see me. She hissed and growled as I pet her and then later tried to play with her. OK, whatever. The food bowl and water dish were empty so filled those. I gave her another water dish so she doesn't get dehydrated. Cleaned the litterbox and took out the garbage. I presented food and she sniffed it, but didn't eat any. No messages on the answering machine to report so went home. Everything is right were they left it.