Adventures getting quarters

Had an adventure getting quarters for laundry. Bank inside a grocery store gives me quarters. I get a few things I realize later I already bought a couple days before and forgot to cross off my list. But there are new things on the list. Go out to car, put groceries in car, drive home. At home, I can't find my purse. Not on floor nor trunk. Go back to grocery store. I hear clerk say, "Here she comes". I think they are talking about a clerk behind me. I ask if anyone found a purse. Yes. Oh thank God, I say, I was so scared someone stole it. Check purse to make sure all money and credit cards are there. Nothing misssing (Only in honest Iowa, right?). Go home, again. 3 car wreck by a stop light backing up the traffic. One car had front tires shredded. People from cars were on street talking so assume no one hurt. Then made it home. Still raining, but much less. Maybe I will have to put a coat over my laundry basket.

No sleep

Dripping ceiling last night and had hard time sleeping. In the morning, dumped the water and had to plunger the sink drain to get dirt and hair out of the pipe. Then I exercised. Yes, I exercied since my sore ankle needs stronger leg muscles to stay well. Did step aerobics and stretching. My heart started pounding so hard I had to stop and rest. Then continued my exercise until I was too tired to do any more. Next Precious had to nap with me with Frodo staring at us. Cats get jealous of each other and need their turn. Will do laundry when it stops raining. Have to go outside for laundry.

New tank and new fish

Had to get new tank for baby fish Dovey who kept attacking baby fish Snooki. While in the store, glanced at female Beta fish. Book said females do best in 3's. If have 2 then 1 fish dominates the other, and we can't have that. Named new female Demeter. Female Beta fish Athena approaches Demeter while Demeter remains still. Female Beta fish Aphrodite keeps swimming away when Demeter approaches her. Dovey got moved into a new tank. Snooki keeps looking for Dovey in tank next door. Dovey keeps hiding under the filter. Then the next day, Dovey's fins start to split into threads like Male Beta fish Posiedon's fins are. Maybe we have a boy. Must decide on new names. My fish have Greek Mythology gods and goddesses names. Perhaps: Zeus, Hermes, Hades, or Ares. The actor who played Ares in Xena: Warrior Princess was so HOT that I might pick Ares for Dovey's new name. I looked the actor up after the show ended to see if he had done anything since and found out he died falling off a wood scaffold/tower he climbed to watch a sunset. I was crushed. We shall see.

Memorial Day

Can't really say Happy Memorial Day since it is day of remembering the dead. Beginnging as Decoration Day honoring the dead Union Soldiers after the Civil War, in the 20th Century turning into a remembrance day of all the dead, vets and civilians. Though later in the 20th Century, it became a 3 day weekend full of frolic with barbeques and swimming at the beach. Some of us still leave flowers at gravestones of those we love. Today I took my Mom and sister to the cemeteries where my Dad, Grandparents, Great-grandparents, and Great-Great Grandparents are buried. The mysterious Peony Can Lady had not visited. We find someone (we assume an old lady) leaves peonies in coffee cans of water at the tombstones of my Great-grandparents and Grandparents on my mother's side every year. We don't know who does this so we call the person Peony Can Lady. Perhaps she will visit tomorrow. The cemeteries were full of flags and Mom thought too many (of course she dislikes anything in abundance). Yes, well, I explain, They are usually representing a soldier. Veterans from long forgotten wars die mixed in the recently war dead, that makes a lot of flags. Then brought Mom and sis to my Mom's place to chat. Women must always chat. Mom was embarassed to write a check for me in front of my sister. I asked my sister if it bothered her. She said she didn't care. I think the whole family knows my Mom supports. Pray I find a better job and maybe I'll stop borrowing. I'm trying the best I can. Mom dropped a big bombshell. A cousin of hers may or may not have cancer. Said cousin won't tell anyone, but Mom's sister (a nurse) helped her out after her surgeries and suspected it. I saw said cousin at my store in a wheelchair and she refused to explain why she was in it. Oh well, nothing we can do about it. Next went grocery shopping after depositing Mom's check. And finally, home where my cats and fish were so happy to see me. Now watching The Borgias. I don't know why I'm addicted to this show when have no religious inclinations. Must be the history part of it. I love history.

RIP Lovey

Lovey died last night and found this morning. I had it for 12 days. He was fine yesterday and the day before when I cleaned the female tank I set all the fish together and arranged an introduction for Dovey getting very close to adult size. Dovey is 1/4 inch shorter than the other females so we will wait to put her in the female tank. I started to wonder if all the babies were female and searched the internet how to tell juvenile fish apart. Lovey ate plenty when put back into home tank. I sensed nothing bad would happen. Sang Amazing Grace and let Frodo sniff the fish. Baby fish Lovey is buried in Pooky's pot with Sweet Peas and Forget Me Not's. Lovey will be missed.

Don't worry, be happy

As the song goes "Don't worry, be happy". Yeah, I'm happy my shift ended. All day, every single customer had to complain their original priced item was on sale. No correct price recited nor how much it should be off, they just know it was sale. Ok, call the section item is in and the clerk informs me item is not on sale. Now customers no longer want the item so I have a large pile of rejects. And the Most Annoying Customer Award goes to: The Immigrant Jerk who pretended not to speak English (Yeah, he knew what he was doing and what I saying) and refused to leave until he got his way. I wanted to push this a**wipe out the door. First he complains everything is wrongly priced when I scan them. First clue of a scam artist. Then I call back to item's department and the scanned price is correct. He argues further it is on sale. I repeat, "The clerk said the price is correct and I am not changing it". He goes back to the department and has a store clerk come up to the registers and force me to give me his desired price. Clerk tells me somewhere in the department there is a sign (not connected to the item he is buying) that says $12.99. Ok, fine, $12.99. Oh, wait, now he says its $9.99 and he wants it Buy One Get One Half Off from the new sale price. BOGO's are only done on original price, never from a sale price. But there is line building up behind him from all his arguing and this a**wipe is not leaving until he gets his way so break all the rules to get rid of him. Next he has a coupon too. Give him his receipt with a smile and help next person. I gave the lady behind him 10% off for her patience. And finally, help arrives to get rid of my long line. I bet you are happy not to work my job.

Today's adventures

This morning I fed the fish and 2 fish wanted to sleep. I tapped the tank to wake them up and they noticed the food floating on top. I got worried the other fish would eat all the food and sleeping fish get none. Went to work. My store caught a shoplifter. Person bought something from my coworker while I was on my break and then security ran out the door. A customer even mentioned "If they needed help, just ask for it". The person caught was middle aged so I think this poor soul does this for a living and sell their stash on Ebay. No sympathy is this heart for a professional thief. The person held their head down in shame so could see their face, but their hair seemed familiar. I wondered if this was a person who shoplifted from a store I used to work for 10 years ago. Guess I'll never know now. Then later on, a former boss of mine shopped at my store and came to my register with his wife. Always glad to see people I know. Next came home and fed fish again. All fish were happy to eat. Now have to clean a tank. My baby fish are getting so big, I'm guessing two are juvenile while one is still a child. They are nearly as big the adult female fish. Maybe a month or two they will be adult. Reading up on the difference between male and female to distinguish them. Still observing their behavior to be sure. Well, cats need attention. Later.

I'm popular today

Wow, I'm popular today. 2 phone calls, one last night and one this afternoon, to come into work today. I had physical therapy this morning and sprained ankle that is getting much better so it needs rest (not stand still at a cash register for 8 hrs). Searched on internet for an hour for beach chairs for the cats to relax in on the balcony (they like to be off the ground). I find plenty for $40, but that is too much for canvas and metal poles. I find a couple cheap ones, but they want more money for shipping than what I'm paying for the chair. Then one store said chairs could only be bought in their stores. There are no beach chairs in their stores, I checked 2. One clerk said to chck around Memorial Day, they should have them then. I'm sure I'll be working all weekend, which upsets my Mom wanting a ride to the cemeteries. I'm the only one in the family that visits cemeteries. Got a note on my door from apartment manager how people are complaining about the bird feeders people put out on their balconies. It creates a mess people don't like. Oh well. Fish are still alive. Haven't killed any more. Fish lke new tanks with filters. Filters creates a water current at top of the tank. I notice fish purposely swimming in the current like a treadmill exercise. It also circulates the food I drop in so they get exercise chasing the food. Even the smaller baby fish is determined to get its fair share of food, it can be on another side of the tank from larger baby and still food circulating around. Such as life. My exercise for today is combing matted fur out of long haired cat Precious. I keep feeling hard spots. I know by his reluctance to petting when he has matted fur (I feel it and it will be pulled out). I try to be gentle, but sometimesa harder pull is necessary. Been brushing to get excess loose hair off before they get matted. Ah, summer is here.

Today is just another day

Last night I had to return my fish tank so I missed the season finale of NCIS. Tonight I was not missing season finale of Criminal Minds. Got fish into new tanks. They are discovering the water current from the filter. I think they like the more space of their new tanks. And I like the filter. Tomorrow I have off so need to get to store for beach chairs and put together a shelf thing for fish tanks. News of Southwest Airlines coming to Des Moines. I hope that means the Great Recession is over. I need a better job. I'm tired asking mama for money every month. Found lecture notes at work how to do our jobs better. The theme was "We are a business, not a charity". Our "Make Customers Happy" policy has turned into "License to Abuse" by the customers (who could have guessed that was going to happen besides the lowly cashiers). Now we are to follow the rules which conflicts with "Break all rules to make customers happy" policy. Of course, if a customer get upset then do whatever they say. Hello?, of course every customer will throw a fit to get their way, what fantasy world do these people live in? How do these people think "License to Abuse" got started. Anyway, to bed. I need to rest my sore ankle.

Day off drama

Got to do 3 loads of laundry cause ankle too sore to walk down to the laundry room. When that done, had to wait for rush hour to finish so I can leave my apartment complex parking lot. Made it to the pet store to buy a new fish tank or two with filters so don't have to clean the fish tanks so often. But then use much more electric power too. Then go to another store to look for beach chairs so cats can sit on balcony in comfort. No beach chairs, just patio furniture. Looked online at other stores to find more expensive chairs but the ones I want aren't available and shipping was way too much, so get them tomorrow at another store who has them listed. Get home from shopping and the fish tank is missing a piece and I bought the wrong of light bulb for the ceiling fan that I just noticed burned out. So return tank and light bulb. Prepare new fish tank and insert correct size light bulb. Next played with Frodo who needs attention so badly. Then time for bed and have to work early tomorrow. Move fish tomorrow. Set up fish tank stand tomorrow. Get beach chairs tomorrow. Gotta get to bed. What a day off. Didn't do ankle exercises today from all that walking. Good night.

What I learned form my mother

Since it is Mother's Day I thought to share all things I learned from my mother. Oh dear mother how brave and true You always taught me to be dependent on you I learned I'm just like my father, lazy and have too much stuff I learned nothing I do is ever good enough You taught me to play solitaire and pack a car and I am never to travel very far I learned to make your fruit salad and tuna with noodles I learned to hide my ugly doodles I learned I'm too stupid to hold a job I enjoy and will never be loved by any boy I learned Mommy is never happy and rarely smiles I learned not to follow the latest styles I learned to keep on dancing when make a mistake because no one will know if never quake I learned I can't take care of living things flowers die and cats get flea stings Yes, I learned a lot from my mother like the difference between love and smother She makes sure I know how dirty my home is and that I stay away from friends in show biz Have a great Mother's Day Mother, with my sister

Waching Baby Fish

New baby fish Lovey and Dovey investigated their new home. Resident Snooki investigated the newcomers. First it whacked the newcomers with its tail. Then the newcomers whacked back. Next, Snooki was backed into a corner of the aquarium by both newcomers whacking Snooki with their tails. Well buddy, you started it. Now fish have calmed and decided who's boss of the tank. Saw Snooki sniffing or cleaning the newcomers. So far I haven't killed anymore fish.

More fish

I sensed baby fish Snooki was lonely w/out Pooky so I ran out and I got 2 new baby fish called Lovey and Dovey (until the grow up and know their gender). I also cleaned my first fish tank, Snooki's. All ready for the new fish.

RIP Pooky

We lost Pooky today. Survived 2 days in the aquarium. Thought it strange when I got it that it didn't eat like the others and then just floated instead of swimming around. Once in aquarium it started eating and chased the other baby fish Snooki. They both hid in the plastic leaf plant. So I thought Pooky was feeling better. Nope. Sang Amazing Grace and buried Pooky in the forget me not and catnip flower pot. Couldn't bear tossing in garbage or flushing down the toliet. Baby fish will be missed.

I'm bad, bad, bad

Went to the doctor for my twisted ankle (I promised my coworkers) and had xrays. Good news, no fractures. Better news, she wants physical therapy to strengthen my ankle. Ligaments in the front got torn. Since doctor wanted exercise, I went shopping. I was bad. Getting treats and catnip for the cats I glanced at the fish (I wanted fish for a long time). I decided to get some Beta fish since they say it is a low maintainence. Got a male, 2 female, and 2 babies. Frodo the cat was most interested in the new roommates. I placed a chair by the tank so he can watch them. Precious ignores them. Ankle geeting better, though still hurts. Doc recommended what I have been doing, elevation, Advil, and keept it wrapped. Fish survived the night so everything is good. Now have to keep fish a secret from mama for as long as possible. She would throw a fit of me spending money on unnecessary things. I borrow money to survive so I can see her point of view. I lack humans in my life so I make up for it with animals. The adventures of being me.

Woe is me

Week and half ago, my foot found a hole in the grass just outside my job and my body went down, thus twisting my ankle. Ankle swelled, but feels better at home and then hurts worse standing 4-6 hours at work. I was a trooper trying to hide my pain cause I need to work since I don't get paid if I do not work. I always need money so I worked. Then last night, I was straighening some shopping carts and put too pressure on my sore spot and made ankle worse. It was weird feeling the rush of fuid swelling my ankle the size of a toad, almost a cool sensation. Then the pain the hit, then the numbness hit making me barely feel my foot. I used a cart to help walk to the breakroom and later time clock. Iced it when got home. This morning it was not much better and painful to feed the cats. Scooping the poop out of the litterbox was agony. Now, have to rest. I hate resting. I want to work and ask for less money from Mom at the end of the month. Why me?

Letter to my 25 year old self

Just finished my Oprah Magazine. Thought I should before the next one arrives. Why does my sister need to buy new subscriptions for this magazine since I lost my job and had to let all magazines I read expire? I know why, she obsesses over 1 thing I like ignoring all other interests (just like Mom does). This month is writing letters to your 25 year old self. Not very insightful or thought provoking, but interesting. So I shall write a note to my 25 year old self based on things I know now. Flashback: Age 25 was 2000-2001. 9/11 had not occured nor war on terror. Stocks sucked as internet businesses that flourished were being bought out or disbanding. I was living with my sister and her cat in an apartment, being her Cinderella. I was working full time at a shoe store with a coworker I nicknamed The Wicked Witch of the West, my sister called her lazy girl. My Christmas decorations and summer sandals were stolen and everyone laughed assuming I was joking. I wasn't. My best friend was my sister's cat I would take outside for walks. My Grandpa died leaving my Alzheimer's stricken Grandma for my Dad and Aunts to care for. I just bought my first cell phone at the mall where I worked. My sister and I separated on bad terms (she kept packing my stuff as her own). I moved into a former hotel studio apartment without an oven horrifying my Mom. I started collecting Barbie dolls. My sisters dreamed of England and insisted I come to so tried to save for that. I finally got a new job at an airport car rental that was part time stating I was saving for England, but really got tired of dealing with the Wicked Witch. And went on a vacation to Tennessee to visit my great-aunt with my Mom before turning 26. Based on what I know now I would tell this person: Get ready to be disappointed. Follow your instincts instead of other people's dreams. Guess I haven't learned much I didn't already know since then.