Thursday, June 30, 2011

Day at the beach

Took niece and nephew to beach (nephew from China's first beach visit).Was worried they would hate it b/c  hot sand and cold, dirty water. They freak out getting dirty. We try to explain it is fun to get dirty, but they don't like the feel of anything touching them. So arrive and nephew is in long sleeve shirt and swim trunks.Tell him to change into short sleeve shirt. Sister is ready to give stuff for our adventure. I have everything ready, except sandbox toys. Anything else she gives me the kids will carry b/c hands were full packing my car. So we arrive and kids complain sand is in their sandals. Duh. Spread out blanket and open umbrellas. It is so windy almost everything flies away. Umbrellas came handy stopping stuff from blowing away.

Get into the water (dirty lake water) and kids are fine with sand between their toes. Nephew tries out the inner tube and kickboard. Niece loves inner tube too so they share. They make sand castles and holes right next to the blanket. I repeatedly tell them no sand toys on the blanket, but they keep tossing them on the blanket. I even shook blanket to get sand off. Blanket is refuge from sand, not a sandbox. Nephew whines the sand is hot and I say to put on his shoes. Guy near our set up played the ukelele and sang Over the Rainbow from 50 First Dates. Niece and nephew enjoyed the music. Niece got knocked over by a kid playing and thought she would start crying hysterically as she is prone to do. Nope, her crying face stopped after a few seconds. Kid apologized and she is not hurt so there is nothing to cry about. Then after a couple hours, go home.

But sister is not home. So we wait. Make kids change clothes and they play in their rooms. Nephew puts on again long sleeve shirt and this time, pants. I tell him to chnage into t-shirt and shorts, but he won't do it. Just b/c the A/C is running, we don't need winter clothes on. Sister comes home eventually and we chat before I leave.     

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Hot day

Spent several minutes at work as a cashier fanning myself with a senior discount sign b/c sticky fingers in Misses keep taking our motorized fans for their dressing rooms. Yes, there are people who come to the registers dripping in sweat from the dressing rooms being so hot. But that leaves us cashiers standing next to heat producing computers and the outside doors for hours. I actually felt light headed b4 fanning myself. Then a coworker went on break and later home so I got her register w/fan. Once we had a fan for each 15 registers and now down to 5.



Came home, did regular routine and cat Precious starts hiding from me. Yesterday, I did my coming home routine, shut the door, and grabbed Precious to drop him in the carrier for a vet visit. I have to ambush in new ways or face getting bit and scratched if they sense doom. After several minutes, he came out when realized he was not going to the vet again. Not til next year.



Gotta a date w/niece and nephew tomorrow. 1st time nephew will go to the beach. Bet they hate it. Hot sand, cold and dirty water, and everything is dirty. I call it being outside.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Work adventures

Today at work a lady asked my coworker and I if we check out jewelry or does she have to check out at the jewelry counter. Yes we check out anything you want to pay for. I see she is wearing a necklace with the sales tag sticking up so I include the tagline, though we like you to take off your jewelry first. She passes my register and goes to my coworker behind me. Coworker asks her to remove her necklace so she can scan it. She is dumbfounded, she's not wearing a necklace. She feels her neckline and finds a necklace. She says to me, That's what you meant. My coworker removes it cause she can't unhook it. Now, she doesn't want to buy the necklace she had around her neck. Ok, fine, weirdo.

Tell coworker my adventures of going to Aunt's birthday, amusement park, and how while at amusement park my sister cleaned her house with birthday aunt. Birthday aunt is a neat freak, OCD neat frea,k so sister's house is Spic and Span clean. Further explain the OCD part with a tale of aunt once thought the street in front of her house was dirty. So she grabs her broom and sweeps it. And she could not figure out why her neighbors told her that she was weird. The street was dirty.

Had customers apply for the store credit card. One couple my coworker had, the wife wanted to apply to get the discount but the husband did not. So they had to argue and then husband had to argue every step to apply for the store card. Yes we do a credit check for that. The customer I had said she felt sorry for my coworker. It's a rare thing when a customer feels sorry for a sales clerk, most of time they love to vent their bad days at us.

Then we had a debate whether or not a dress reeked of cigarette smoke. A manager gave my coworker a dress to damage out cause it stunk of cigarettes. My coworker could not smell a thing so she gave it me. One whiff and Yes, it stinks of smoke. I had college roommates who smoked and that's what my clothes smelled like. I can tell she smokes or someone in her house smokes for her not to sense that.

Came home to change clothes, trick the cats into coming in the bedroom, trapped them in the room so I can get Precious into a carrier for his annual vet visit. Poor baby meows all the way there. He knows where we are going. Weighs 19 lbs. My god every year I try to make him loose weight and every year he gains a pound. Someday he's going be 30 lbs. Get another weight loss recommendation. I tell vet his tummy has shrunk, how can he heavier? It's all muscle, he says. Precious is silent on the way home. Come home and give cats treats. Frodo is still under the table hiding from me. He comes out after I take off my shoes and turn on the TV. I'm not going anywhere.  

Monday, June 27, 2011

Amusement park

Went to the amusement park with niece, nephew, and brother-in-law. Won niece a duck. Nephew rode the roller coasters, well not the upside down one since he needs more height. We saw the circus. Nephew didn't want to see it, but I said if he never seen one then how does he know he doesn't like it. Oh yeah, he enjoyed it. Niece dropped her duck between the bleachers and I assured her we get it when the show ends. I crawled wbetwen the seat to get the duck.

Then when done we came home to sister's house where homemade ice cream was waiting for us. Took Precious for a walk at my place and found the Siamese cat again. Precious wants to play so bad, but it keeps running away from him. Must be a girl cat. Now I'm ready for bed.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Good Morning Children

Wake up to noisy children hungry for breakfast. Nephew wants eggs b/c I don't put brown sugar in my oatmeal. I explain I got favored packets of oatmeal, so he gets oatmeal. So while they eat, I feed the cats and make the beds. Niece comes in complaining nephew called her an ugly girl. I don't care who farted, who said what, or who did what, go eat your breakfast. And call nephew an ugly boy. I repeatedly tell them to pipe down and eat, no talking at all. So after breakfast, they play making a big mess. I sense they found the play money and play shopped. Hear nephew repeatedly say "My husband had his credit card stolen". I did not have play credit cards so don't know where that came from.

Kids have to fight over toy. Nephew complains niece ain't sharing. I say nephew can play with another toy until niece is done playing with toy. And I will take it away so nobody plays with it if anymore arguing. Eventually we have to pick up the toys. Nephew asks why they have to pick up. Well, you don't have to come here and if you do, you pick up. They are too big to leave the mess to me, I'm not their maid. Then sister comes and say good-bye.   

Friday, June 24, 2011

Latest Escapade

I got my niece sleeping soundly, finally. After watching Cars 2 in the theater (niece claimed to not want to watch a "boy" movie though she loved Cars 1, but when I said I was vacuuming she was persuaded to watch the movie from her sensitivity to loud noises), they show up ready to have fun. No fun, we are eating dinner that is cooking in the microwave. Nephew is still getting used to the idea that "Auntie" is not "Mommy". He asks for milk, but doesn't touch it and to do their Superman prayer. Nephew does not like the chicken coating and refusing to eat bad chicken that has brown on it. I try to explain the brown is just the part touching the bone, it is not bad. Niece asked for the chicken legs and was full after eating the coating. Ok, I say, you are so full then you don't get dessert. Oh she is hungry now. Help both remove the chicken from the bones. Nephew asks about my missing salt and pepper shakers. They were snowman shakers and since it is summer w/out any snowman around, they are put away. Dessert follows and I drink the milk nephew neglected. Nephew is upset about sharing germs as I drink from his cup. Kiss his cheek and explain that we have now shared germs. We watch a movie as my nephew has to drag out all the games. Need a new rule that nephew is no longer allowed to touch the games. He keeps grabbing that are too old for him to play and leaves them all over the floor. I did finish my Marco Polo book.

Movie done so it is time for bed. They want Christmas stories and the Christmas themed blankets. It is the middle of summer and they obsess over Christmas things. Their parents packed the swimwear when I said it is too cold for swimming and forgot the toothbrushes. Kids just will have to have stinking breath until they get home. Set up night light and kiss good night. Call sister to ask when is she coming tomorrow. Now I need to get to bed.   

Cat tortured

At night, my Precious meows so intensely for a walk that I'm certain the neighbors think I'm torturing the cats. Today I did.

1st was the vacuum. My floors covered in hair and then dirt underneath need to be vacuumed about 3-4 times to get everything, then dump out the dirt/hair into a grocery sack. To to the delight of tormenting my kitties, I had to stop to clear the atachment tubes packed with hair and stop to remove hair twisted around the roller with a pair of scissors. Precious came in while clearing the roller believing I was done. Nope, continued on using my attachments on the whole fllor b/c my roller covered in hair doesn't want to work. I also have to stop to walk around on hands and knees picking up gobs of hair off the carpet the vacuum won't pick up. I work on my knees and finally sit down when bending over begins to hurt from excessive use of attachments on a large living room floor. Vacuum has to fall down on my back so I'm certain I will need a chiropractor next week. Finally, after 2 1/2 hours, I'm done (or rather I give up).

Next sweep the balcony covered in sunflower seeds and peanut shells from the squirrels and birds not using silverware. Broom scares the cats though it makes no noise.

Then, leave to grocery shop. Cats hate separating from me for any amount of time. And when I get home, I give them flea medicine.

And final torture, my niece and nephew are coming for an overnight visit. Pooooor kitties.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Visiting the zoo

Took niece and nephew to the zoo today. Zoo was doing construction for better exhibits so had to walk the long way around. Nephew wanted all the rides first. I explain this is not an amusement park, there is a camel ride and train ride, the end. There is a playground with slides and sandbox. Nephew wants to play instead of seeing the "stinky and gross" animals. Okay, next time we go to the park (It's free). Niece wants to see and feed animals so off we go. Niece feeds fish, I feed the goats. Now nephew wants to feed fish. Ok, one more cup please. At the bird feed, kids just want to watch me. I tell bird feed woman they are scaredy cats so now they want to do it too. Go in the cage, and when the birds fly up for the food, the kids cry and run away. So I end up feeding the birds that crawl up your arm waiting for the bird on your hand to finish. Told ya they were scaredy cats. From nephew's whining for a drink, we visit snack shops to find nobody there. Finally find one open we have ice cream treats and drinks. I'm sure they wanted a full meal, but too early for that. Find a new toy at the tiger cage, a half jeep w/fake luggage on top as if going on a safari. Kids jump right in. See all the exhibits, we leave discovering the gift shop is closed. Sorry, almost closing time.

Go home to find sister not home. So teach skateboard techniques. Nephew wants TV or computer, not too hard skateboarding. That's why we practice, to get better at it. So teach them to stop on the carpet of the living room leaning on a clothes hamper. I twist around showing how to turn (harder on carpet). Next move to kitchen and grab the counters to practice movement. Enough lessons, we watch a movie. Sister comes home as I start supper. Show her photos off my camera. Nice dinosaur exhibit. Kids ready for a bath from playing in dirty sandbox. I go home.    

Sunday, June 19, 2011

I remember you

Worked with a guy tonight I haven't seen much lately. We keep working on opposite sides of the store. He is always half hour late so I'm surprised he is still here so they must need workers (most jobs fire you for being habitually late). Told him about training the intern , there is a new gal, and no, she is not his type. Talked about the dance recital and how I passed on my love for ballet to my niece. That probably explains why I'm single, guys think I'll drag them to the ballet. Oh, no, I wouldn't do that anymore than any guy would drag me to a football game that I find boring. He brought up The Black Swan. Oh yes, I have that movie. Love it. I said how in the special features the writer said he came up with the idea when he discovered that the White Swan and Black Swan are the same dancer. I commented how that had been common knowledge the past 100 years. He laughed. Mentioned the catsitting I've been doing while brother-in-law is running a faraway marathon. Then it was time for me go so said bye to him. I think I covered the important things.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Catsitting

Visited my sister's cat today. My cats always freaked out when I leave and don't eat their food, but after my catsitter's visit they calmed down and ate regularly. Uncertainity when the next meal will be is stressful on a cat.

Cat was happy to see me. Got the mail, added water, and did my laundry. I was worried about the dryer making a squealing sound and thumping as it tried to turn. Then everything is normal and clothes got dry. Man I have to stop shopping. I'm out of hangers.

Came home to happy cats and now have to go to bed so I can wake up extra early. Gotta pay the bills.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Dance recital

Enjoyed my niece's recital. The fun occurred before the show. Do my hair, put on fancy dress with matching make up, put on fancy shoes, and painted fingernails. I come to pick up my Mom when I unconsciously drive into the parking lot where I work that is on the way. Pull out and go to Mom's. Curled my hair with a curling iron so ask Mom how my hair. She replies it is a mess. Sister arrives with the ballerina and trouble maker. Sister replies to same question my hair with a It is fashionable. How very avoiding giving an opinion and stating fact. She must hate it too.

Get food at a fast food place to wait on a chair for my order to arrive. A group of guys and a mother with her kids keep staring at me. Must not have ever seen a girl in a dress before. Sister is disorganized as usual forgets the hair spray for ballerina. I brought my own, just in case. Sister says I don't need to go out and buy more, we can make do without it. I correct her misunderstanding. So fix ballerina's hair in a bun and hose her down with hair spray. Trouble maker is driving sister nuts wanting to watch movie they brought, but DVR is not set up to watch videos. Some guy fixing a connection messed with the cords the other day. So no movie.

Sister departs with ballerina. I take trouble maker who would be bored backstage (as I pointed out to sister) and Mom. Sister hasn't picked up ballereina's flowers so we do that on the way to the recital. Shopgirl was wondering if we were coming caused the note said we pick up 4 hours ago. I said we were delayed. Go to recital and watch The Sleeping Beauty. Ballerina played Kitten Who Lost Her Mitten during the wedding celebration. Intermission and we find brother-in-law.  Recital continues and kitten has a mane for a Lion King song. Then we leave, take pics, and drop Mom off. Go home to walk the cat.  

Thursday, June 09, 2011

Practicing

Have been practicing my skateboard this week. I plan to teach my niece and nephew how to skateboard so have to reteach myself. I loved skateboarding as a teenager (though not as good as say, Tony Hawk). Skateboards are different now. My old skateboard was flat with 2 sandpaper strips, now are concave with whole standing platform is sandpapered. Takes some time to get used to it. Hope niece and nephew like it too.

Today I practiced walking in 4" platforms to get blank stare from Frodo. He followed me around the apartment and ran away when I got close. Think can handle them when I wear them during my niece's dance recital. Sure I can wear flat shoes as guys like to point out, leading me to say "Ok, let's pretend I'm a woman and not a man like you, and women wear heels". Flat shoes kill my feet while heels give more arch support. If you stand still, your toes get a lot of pressure so always best to move around in them. Seriously, look at any women's shoe section and you will find a lot of heeled shoes. Women like heels (it's makes us taller to reach the lips of the men we love) and makes our legs look slimmer.