Babysitting

Babysat the niece and nephew tonight. Took them to Dairy Queen. Nephew had to stuff his napkin in his mouth. I tickled him until spit it out. Taught new games to kiddies, Chinese Checkers and Clue Jr. I told them I loved playing Chinese Checkers with my Grandma when I was a kid. Not niece's Grandma, but MY Grandma who died when niece was a baby. Then we played Niece's present from her birthday, Bingo with Disney Princesses. Then Niece wanted to do her Valentines cause her teacher gave her the list of classmates. No list in Nephew's bag so his valentines will have to wait. But I found homework in her bag so made her do that first. I helped but not do it for her. Then we did her valentines. I made up altered names for her classmates that sent Niece into giggles. Ex: Ben. Benja, Benmin, Benjamimi, Benny and Jett. Ex: May. Mayday, Maymay, April May June, May I. Then had to help with Princess stickers and sang a song from the movie of the character I peel off. Then putting her homework in her bag, we found more. So made her do that before bedtime snack. Nephew got into Niece's bag to find a book. So eager to turn pages he nearly rippped them up and bent the edges. It was a library book so took it away since don't want that destroyed.

Sister came home and put them to bed. I hugged and kissed them good night. Then informed her of our good time. Gave her a birthday card and forbade the kids to open it cause it was their Mommy's, and not theirs, to open. Gonna help babysit Sunday. Maybe I'll remember to bring movies next time.

Masterpiece theater

Oh, Masterpiece Theater, How do I love thee. Upstairs, Downstairs, Downton Abbey, etc. Tempted to get them on DVD. Friends think I'm weird. I don't care.

ugh a cold

I have a cold, but need quarters for laundry, food, and stop by my store to get the new schedule. Ugh. Do the shopping, get the schedule, and go home. Frodo loves to get inside sacks so he snuggles in. Precious notices Frodo in the sack and jumps on him. That got Frodo out of the sack. Then had salmon patties and gave the salmon water from the can to the cats. All is well.

Gotta love...

Gotta love customers who let their kids take sale signs off displays, let kids play with the sign walking through the store, and tell kids they can keep the sign as a free toy. My coworker asked for the sale sign back.

Gotta love customers whose kids grab a handful of gift cards at the register and beg to keep them. Some customers say "No, put them back" while others wait for clerk to discipline their child with "Can we have our gift cards back please". I coined the phrase "You would be stealing a worthless piece of plastic" when explaining to kids I need money to make those cards work. Yes, I use the word stealing b/c gift cards are not free toys.

Gotta love customers who complain brand items for spring are not on sale or clearanced. In 3 months (or less) they will be clearanced out.

Woohoo

Got a call from work wanting me to come in. Woohoo. I need money. Good thing I was awake when they called.

Much better message than I got on a social networking site last night. Guy broke up with his woman and
I gave my standard: I'm so sorry and Hope you are alright. He replied: I'm fine, go cuddle your cats b/c we r busy.

Huh, what? Cuddle my cats? Who's we? Ok, fine, deleted his friendship. Didn't think much of him in high school and think less of him now. At least he is in another time zone so won't be running into each other.

Life with cats

Cats had to argue over my lap space. Precious sitting comfortably when Frodo had to jump onto my knees. Frodo nearly sat Precious's head, but with a Me-Row and nip with teeth, Frodo hiked his tushy up off Precious. Then I could smell the stinky cat fart. I'm certain it was Frodo cause I didn't smell it until he got up. Ok, let me rephrase: Frodo farted Precious's head. Then Precious moved over and Frodo took over my lap. Is that what is called stench warfare? Bad Frodo.

Ugh

Had migraine yesterday so laid down all day. Cats felt so neglected. Frodo puked on my bed comforter that morning. Can't blame all cat puke on Precious anymore.

Feeling better today. Prepared garbage to toss out. Frodo was a piggy wtih the breakfast salmon and gravy cat food. Tried to move plates so Precious could get some, but no, here comes Frodo's head blocking him. I trained them not to fight over food (or attack when one is on littebox) so Precious was a good boy. Think I'll get groceries I intended to get yesterday.

New schedule out

Check the new schedule and see I am not on it, again. Good thing I have coworkers willing to give me a shift. I don't need a 2 week unpaid vacation.

Newsletter

Saw a newsletter from the manager for the staff to read.

We are going to be the best by having less merchandise which will no longer be unloaded from the truck by the overnight staff.

We will have less hours available so underperformers will be cut from the schedule, and if there are issues with employees then we will not keep you employed here.

Goals are to be met every day so get out there and Sell, Sell, Sell.

My reply to newsletter: I guess I better find another job before I loose this one, right?

Lovely evening

Spent the evening w/niece and nephew playing Chutes and Ladders and Candyland so sister could get stuff done. She spent some of it talking on the phone wi/relatives. But she did it w/out 2 clinging children begging 4 attention. They also got their Valentine cards and present: bubblegum. At suppertime nephew naturally wanted food off my plate and had to direct him to eat his own food. When time came to select new movies for their loan, nephew couldn't decide so niece picked 2. Nephew wanted to keep old movies, but sister said 4 viewings since xmas was enough. Back home now.

Car fixed

Called the mechanic about my car that won't start. Had to get it towed, since it ain't moving. They have a backload from not being open on the weekend so who knows when they will get done. They assure me they will get to me today. Good, but I have to work. SO, arrange my sister to take me work today and Mom to take me to car tomorrow if they don't call before I leave for work. My sister is on her way here when I get the call the mechanic is done. Great, so sister can take me to the mechanic right down the street. On top that, my monthly visitor suddenly shows up so change underwear. Annoying when you have shoes on. Sister arrives. Grab my car and head to work. Oh yeah,I get to tell coworkers, I had a great weekend trapped in my apartment cause I can't go anywhere and there was a fire in the apartment complex (not mine, another building). And even better, I'm not on the schedule next week. I say to coworkers, I hope that doesn't mean I'm getting fired like the guy Milton in Office Space (Milton is laid off but nobody tells him so he keeps showing up for work). No, no, managers and coworkers tell me, I'm not fired. They just don't have enough hours for everybody. 4 people asked about not being on the schedule too. Crying pays off, get to cover a coworker for a shift next week. I don't need unpaid vacation. Reach the end of my shift and go home to watch TV. Hey Ashton Kutcher has a new hair do. Gotta see that ya know.   

Still car doesn't work

It is said that what you are is what you attract. I am the type to be first in helping anyone in need and when I am the one in need, everybody runs away. Nobody wants to be my hero today. Groceries will have to wait until the car gets fixed. At least I have time to work on my novel. Right?

My adventure today

My adventure today: Got all dressed up and beautified to go to work. Pet the cats good-bye. Then suddenly, my car won't start so surprise the cats returning so soon after they settled down to take a nap. Call the boss, and say I can't come in. Sorry, sister is sick and would to pack the kids in her car to drive me to work and 4 hours later pack up kids to drive me home. Won't be calling her.  Then my Mom would be at the dining hall at that moment and wouldn't be back for a while, plus she hates driving at night.  Won't be calling her. I have nobody to drive me to work, all known coworkers live too far away and dont have their phone numbers.  Sure there is a bus stop here, but don't know the schedule for it. I know nothing about cars and my usual mechanic is closed for the weekend. I don't know what to do. My Dad (gone almost 3 years) always took care of stuff like this and (for almost 2 years) disconnected from my car rental job with plenty of coworkers who knew all about cars. Plus that car rental boss would pick you up if you had car trouble and rent you a car until it was fixed. No such luck with this boss. And where are all my friends you ask, at home glad they are not me. I ask everyone I know for help and most people say "Sucks to be you" instead of helping me. We shall see what tomorrow brings. 

Phone call

Get a message from my sister, but her voice is so soft I can't understand her. So call her up. I know my Mom and sister get upset when I tell people they only call me when they want something, but seriously, they only call me when they want something from me. So now you ask what does sister want. She is sick this week and needs help with the kids. They are incapable of entertaining themselves and need someone to give them ideas what to do. If left up to them they would rest on top of my sick sister or watch the same Youtube video of a kid going down a waterslide for hours. No creativity. Oh sure I can come over, but can't be today I'm working. Sister offers to let me do my laundry at her place. I did it yesterday. Oh well, I can exchange movies then. I find it amazing my sister offers to do laundry at her place and then when I actually brought my laundry she wanted me to do my laundry at myhome. My laundry is such a burden on her water bill, electric bill, water heater, washer, and dryer. After a while I get tired of the game Come, Come, Come, No, Go, Go, Go. My niece is the same way with cats, she calls them to her and when they come to her, she freaks and orders them away. If you don't want me to come over, then please do not invite me.  

Received email from a ghost

Received an email from a dead person, which was not the same email address they had b4 they died. Email was sent to several relatives. Naturally I'm curious. There is a link, ok stupidly clink on link thinking it is a message/photos from her husband. No it is a virus. And I fell for this trickery. Ok, unplugged the cord to the internet and immediately clean computer. Put cord back in computer once cleaned. As my family would, How could u be so stupid to fall for an email from a dead person. Not stupid, just curious. How's ur day?

Knock, knock

Knock, knock.
Who's there.
Winter.
Winter who?
Winter is coming to town. I'm sorry I'm late.
About time. Think I'll drink a cup of cocoa.

Adventure today

Today's adventure was a security alarm at the front door kept going off, without anyone near it to set it off. I was helping a customer at the time and told them it must be a ghost. After 3 times, I announced that will get on my nerves if I have to hear that all day. Customer laughed. So gave the customer her receipt and called a manager. Problem will be fixed.

Had a customer buy magic markers you can use on windows. I said, Now this will give naughty ideas to naughty children. Customer replied, I intend to give them to my naughty daughter to freak out her dad. We laugh. Her friend pointed out not to get them mixed up with "real" markers. That would difficult clean off.

Tabatha's Salon Takeover addiction

Watched several hours of Tabatha's Salon Takeover today. So addicting.

One show Tabatha says to a salon manager today that her 40 promotions (coupons, discounts) she has out looks cheap and desperate. T says that marketing strategy only attracts people looking for a discount, not the people who love your products and service. I believe that. My store constantly have coupons out and every (ok, almost every) customer I ring up on my register asks if there is a coupon out. A few threw a fit this past week we haven't had any coupons out and I end up apologizing for that.

Next advice from T is this. Rules must be followed. The salon manager forbids flip flops b/c it's a health and saftey hazard. One of her employees is wearing flip flops and nothing is done or said. And guess what the manager is wearing, flip flops. How is any employee suppose to know what is expected from them and know what is standard policy, if their manager is breaking the rules on a daily basis? Tip: These hair stylists actually asked for a rule book from their manager in the staff meeting. Rules are a good thing, less confusion. I know the standard policy for my cash register, break all rules to make a customer happy. Easy.

Side note from Tabatha. Never experienced this, but this manager had 5 employees break into her office, steal the client cards, and quit their jobs. Ok, with mutiny like that, the problem may not be just within the employees, the problem just might lie within the salon owner/manager. I once told a store manager (not the one I'm working for) I turned in my 2 week notice stating, I don't like it here. And all the coworkers who heard me were like, Finally someone is saying out loud what everyone else is thinking.

After 9 days, this store manager asked me what is wrong. I'm sorry, it takes 9 days to address what I blurted out without thinking (excuse me I was leaving so didn't feel a need to play nice). Then when I explained my issues about being lied to, working overtime w/out overtime pay, training myself how to do my job, weekends always understaffed, expecting me to watch the sales floor and clean up the backroom in my winter coat (backrooms are not insulated) at the same time, and having my part time worker taken away leaving me alone to help all customers (I left out the part where my section manager yelled at me after 2 days off how I failed to take my job seriously b/c I was not fulfilling standards of her section, and yes I was cleaning up the huge 2 day mess my coworkers left for me at the time she yelled at me). This store manager got defensive, explained the managers can do whatever they want (then they can be that way with someone else), and had the nerve to ask me to return to the store so this was not a productive conversation. Naturally, I refused stating I am returning to my old job and not be staying there. Store manager got mad and yelled in my face how lucky I am to have a new job when so many don't have one. Wow is all I can say about that. 

Wow

I noticed I was unfollowed by someone I follow on a social networking site. I saw this on their comments: I unfollow people who bore me.

I'm sorry whoever you are that my poverty, my part-time job, my lack of friends, my cats, and my emotional distant family bore you.

Maybe whoever you are mistook me for someone with always has something to say and full of exciting activity to cure your boring life. And I have to say all this person does is eat, sleep, work, spend time with the family, watch movies and listen to music, which on daily basis reading their page is in fact a bit boring too. But who really has an interesting life anyway. Even celebrity pages are from day to day are not all that exciting to read. Interviews,cover shoots, movie premieres, and award shows don't happen every day.

So good luck to whoever thought I was boring and good luck finding more interesting people. My excitement this month will be applying for food stamps. Shall I take pictures at the grocery store of all the food I buy and swiping my food stamps card?

Bad morning

Bad morning: Ice all over my car, then everyone ahead of me goes below the speed limit, and spot a cop car while slowing down for a stop sign. I prayed cop didn't realize I was going 10 mph over the speed limit before hitting my brakes for the stop sign. And make it to work w/manager all worried cuz I late. Sorry it took 15 mins to get that ice off my windows, otherwise I probably been there on time.

Then later:
I hate it when customers demand to speak to the store manager w/out any indication why I'm making this person drop whatever project she is working on to walk across the store to get to my register. Customer looked like she was ready to rip somebody's head off so thought she wanted lodge a sales clerk complaint. No, she saw her photo frame was Buy 1, Get 1 Free, but wanted discount for just getting 1. I could have taken care of that. Would've called a manager in charge, manager answers, and I do as commanded. No need for them to walk over here for that. I suspect customer was on a power trip.

Good to work

Good to work in a large store. I needed help eating all the leftover goodies from xmas plus the goodies coworker gave me from her new diet. I'm sorry to inform you that I prefer not to gain 10 lbs in one day. And help I got on the cupcakes and chocolate cake, not much left. Only 1 piece of pumpkin pie was eaten so I asked a coworker if she wanted it, even included the canned whipped cream and sack I brought it in. She was so happy to get it.

Enjoying my xmas gifts

Spent New Year's Day, today, and part of tomorrow watching my xmas gifts The Tudors. And spent part New Year's Day downloading and uploading old photos.