Happy Easter

Worked overnight, worked on jello mold, made Easter Basket for cats and took photos for social media, and went to bed. Woke up four hours later to complete the final jello mold layer (4 favors:Lime, orange, Berry Blue, and Cherry). Went back to sleep. Woke up, got ready to go to brother's house for dinner with family. Came home, changed clothes, and went back to work. How was your Easter?

Annual Review

Had to read my annual review from the assistant general manager. I meet expectations and often surpass them (like driving through a snowstorm to get to work even after got stuck twice on unplowed streets). I know my job well (I should after 2 years). Hoping for a good raise. I need money.

Mom update

Mom update: She is getting discharged from the hospital. She is going into skilled care (rehab) part of her facility. She can't leave for Easter so we have to visit her. I planned to visit her my days off, but she then she was moved and didn't know her location. Have to visit next week.

Funny. Had guest complaint there was no microwave in the room which most hotels have. It was annoying to have to come downstairs to the gift shop to use a microwave.

Really, and if they mentioned to the front desk there was no microwave they would have given the guest another room or brought a microwave over from an out of order room.

Picked up roommate fromt he airport. He spent his vacation week drunk and high the whole time. He received my message about my Mom. Naturally he was sympathtic.

I'm depressed

Wahh. First it was Motley Crue at the Fair Grandstand I can't afford a ticket to see and now I can't afford to go see Pink. Motley Crue I've seen twice already so OK with that. But never seen Pink in concert so that is a bummer. Oh well, maybe I will hear the music from my hotel down the street.

Good news

Good news, Mom is out of the ICU. She was moved today to a regular hospital room. Since Mom has Covid, her assisted living place staff and residents need to be tested to follow protocol.

Drama tonight

Had some guy ask for 3 Busch beers from the bar. Explained the alcohol I serve is in the gift shop, the restaurant is closed, and any other alcohol available would be in ballroom event that was going on. I was given a vase of flowers from the ballroom party.

Always fun to explain to people that the shuttle service begins at 7 AM or whenever the driver arrives. When the driver fail to arrive, guests have to find new transportation.

Oh no, Mom is in hospital tonight, again. I swear this woman cannot stay out of the hospital. My Mom called my sister from feeling weak and took her to the ER. Good thing too cause around 4 AM, the staff found my Mom blue and unresponsive to be forced to resuscitate her. If she was sleeping in her assisted living home, she would have been found dead when she failed to come for breakfast. Sister called me at work and I can't just leave the hotel with only 2 security guards. Sister said if I want to see Mom alive before she does, then I need to get to the hospital. Sent a text maessage out to management and one had woken up to use the bathroom to see my message. He came over so I could leave early. Mom has Covid, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and a-fib. She was put on Covid medicine and antibiotics. When I got to the hospital expecting Mom to die soon and the presacher was there talking to the family. We are hoping for her recovery and preparing for the worst. I visited Mom and asked if she had any strange dreams of heaven, my Dad, or a spirit telling her "Not your time" when she crashed. She said no. That is a good sign. Had breakfast with niece #4 in hospital cafeteria. I had pancake with bacon. Sister and aunt from Nebraska came over.

Fun with customers

Had to stop guest from diving into a guest grocery order sitting on my counter when asking for their complimentary water. I told them that they get complimentary water from me and made them wait until I was done checking in a guest before grabbing their complimentary water. Excuse me, you don't just help yourself to the front desk counters and cupboards, you wait your turn like the gift shop purchasers behind you.

Oh my, leave work and it's snowing. The heavy kind that feels like ice rain dropping on your head. And I was wearing dress shoes. I expected rain not snow. We got 0.4 inches of slushy snow.

Roommate Gone

Took Roommate to the airport. He is visiting a high school friend in his hometown. It is the friends birthday so his parents bought roommate a return ticket to visit for a week. He originally planned to move there because friend was being kicked out for quitting college, but I guess parents changed their mind. So roommate has to return cause the mom wouldn't pay for a one way ticket. I will be fine without him.

Sorry roommate

Uh, oh. I think I passed my cold to my roommate. Well, better go change the food/water bowls and litterboxes. I neglected to do my cat chores yesterday.

Someone at work made a comment how we keep running out of pens at the front desk. I'm sure they are located all over the hotel from staff and guests taking them. Guests are always asking to take one of our hotel pens with printed the logo at the front desk. I tell them to help themselves. We order a ton of them cause they are so cheaply made they break after a week. Staff don't ask and just take one.

Met a celebrity

Apparently we have a singer famous in back the 1970's staying at the hotel as part of a musical cast playing down the street. My supervisor asked if I knew who he just helped. I missed it gathering paperwork. When he said who and I asked who that was. He told me a couple of their songs and I remembered hearing them when I was a kid. He started playing their music on his smartphone to start singing and even dancing around. I told him I have never seen him so happy before. I decided to give them a couple of my beaded items as a thank you for viewing a grouchy old man singing and dancing. Though on the note, I just wished them a wonderful Easter. Then I looked them up online to discover they were Jewish. Changed the note to "Thank you for being a guest and hope you enjoyed your stay". When they checked out I asked if they received their package and they thanked me for the gift. I wished them a great day.

Well, temperature went up to 99.5 after I got home and I feel like garbage. Thankfully I have my 2 days off to recover. Just feel bad about the cats cause I am slow changing their food/water bowls. Bilbo was happy sleeping with me until about 4 PM. I kept waking up to blow my nose so not a peaceful sleep.

Happy St Patricks Day

Ugh. I caught a cold. Runny nose started last night and this morning I got the yellow muscus. At least no fever. 97.3 degrees. Eating an orange now. Most people did their St Patrick's Day partying yesterday with the parade and Irish Pub celebrations. They never hold celebrations or parades on Sunday.

Took roommate to the store to get a suitcase. He paid for it. He folded up his clothes and started packing his suitcase. He is anxious and making plans with his friend. He doesn't want to end up homeless again. I assured him that he has his friend to help him, he is not alone. And I will come get him if necessary. I hope that relieved some of his fears. He sees what a burden he is on me and wants to help, but can't get and hold down jobs at fast food places.

Tonight's crank call

Had a new crank call tonight.

Caller: We have bed bugs. They are crawling around everywhere.

Me: I'm so sorry. What room are you in?

Caller: You need to get up here and see this now.

Me: What room are you in?

Caller: I'm in 145.

Me: You’re in room 145?

Caller: Yeah, room 145. Bitch.

Me: We don't have a room 145.

Caller: Yes you do Bitch.

Hung up. And nobody came down to complain that I hung up on them.Had a new crank call tonight.

My manager asked if I heard about the accounting position I applied for. Not a word. Doubt I will get it since the accountant walks by me with her head down avoiding eye contact to the point I stopped saying Good Morning (she never answered me). He asked what I wanted. Sit at a desk for $20 an hour. Then again I was tempted to apply for games dealer at a casino advertising $20 an hour until I read the fine print where it was $12 an hour plus tips. I really loved that accounting manager job last summer. I was so happy working with different departments and meeting new people. But whose going to hire me as a manager of anything with 4 months of manager experience.

Old ex girlfriend of roommate was in the house last night with one of her men. She was supposed to be collecting her cat and stuff. She brought magic mushrooms, meth, and Marijuana. Roommate was completely out of it last night when I was getting ready for work. I was doing laundry and smelled smoke on the basement stairs. Roommate admitted to smoking a tobacco cigarette in his room and apologized. He was out of it this afternoon and said he was so high last night he cleaned most of the house. Ex and her man spent the night. Roommate was upset she didn't take her cat and left a bag of her stuff he packed for her. I said I could take care the cat. She is a sweet cat even if my cats keep attacking her. Later he said she grabbed one of my pillowcases and stuffed it with mine and his stuff, to which he stopped her. She even asked who the guitar she found belonged to and roommate ordered her to put it back (it was mine inherited from my grandmother). Then she helped herself to my packages of spaghetti I bought as if she owned the place which mad him mad again. He didn't get his hook up he was hoping for, but he got his magic mushrooms he was expecting.

Progress

Caught Bilbo eating the kibble today. Yesterday he sniffed it, but didn't chow down it. Safe to say he back to normal.

Drama at work

Funny, call someone out for being unfair and harsh to the staff in a public manner and all they can complain about in return is the tone of my email. You don't like the tone of my emails then treat my fellow co-workers with respect and I will give it to you in return. A manager who treats people badly is the type who makes people quit.

Apparently (per the bartender I spoke to) the general manager didn't like people complaining not being able to order food and many left to eat elsewhere when the food ordering system went down. The hotel restaurant was severely understaffed with one cook and one bartender. Somone had to be on the phone to get the food order system back online, which took an hour and a half. They couldn't cook food and bartend with one person so they closed the food ordering. General Manager discussed his displeasure with the restaurnat closing when the staff could have used paper and pens to stay open. Even Banquet Manager added they could have used paper napkins and pencils to take orders. And this was done in an email that was viewed by 43 people (most of the hotel staff). I replied they could have discussed what happened with the restaurant staff and decided on a gameplan for future system outages privately without involving the whole hotel staff. General Manager thanked for the feedback, however (which means forget what he just said), this hotel has gotten lazy not following policies from prior management and it is their job to us back on track. Nevermind the prior general manager had to deal with Covid and firing 98% of the hotel staff that never came back and had to start over training people. Banquet Manager complained about my tone in my email. I forwared my reply to the Banquet Manager to HR and the restaurant bartender (who is head supervisor). Restaurant staff were happy I stood to the general manager and gave me some of their tips for my vet bill I am still paying back to my sister.

Good news

Bilbo ate most of his can food today and it's the last day for his medication. He is feeling better and coming out of the bedroom for attention. He is also drooling less so mouth is healing.

Roommate said his now ex-girlfriend got a new job so apparently talkiing to him again after he said he was moving to his hometown. He tried to call car buddy to come get his stuff and he won't answer, but sent a message to now ex-girlfriend who shared it with roommate saying he was sorry about the things they fought about. He doesn't want me to tell car buddy he is leaving cause he would follow him. Strange how he said the other day he was going to ask him to come back to use his car for transportation so I didn't have to drive him around. I asked if he was sure the car buddy wanted to come back after what happened. He contacted his old ex-girlfriend to come get her stuff and cat cause he can't take the cat with him. Apparently she gave away the kittens he put in her care and unsure if she got them back or not. Unfair to me to care for her cat or kittens when I am broke. I said I would take care of the cat if she doesn't get her.

Well now, he may be coming back. The friend's parents he will stay with said he can stay a week. They are talking about getting jobs on an oil rig or getting an apartment together. Unsure if he is just sayig that so I won't be so depressed about him leaving. I'm stressed out over my finances with this vet bill I have to pay. My therapist sent a bill and my job hasn't been putting money on my HSA account so I will have to stop seeing him cause I can no longer afford him cause this bill wipes out my HSA money. Roommate doens't have a job and little money to get to his hometown so will wait and see what happens.

Grocery shopping

Bilbo is coming out to hallway to demand food. He is eating more of his can food. 2 days more of his medication. Went grocery shopping and spent $142. Then roommate complains about the food choices I made. Too many carbohydrates. I had to buy what was on sale and not enough money to get everything I wanted to get. Sorry, no soda pop or his ramen packets. I got hot dogs, bacon, hamburger for his Hamburger Helper, and chicken wings plus sauce for his Buffalo Wings. $40 right there for that. Took him along to deposit his paycheck cash to a prepaid card, but he stayed in the car when I shopped. He fried his wings and complained I got too many. They didn't have smaller packages or I would have gotten one. I got toilet paper and Kleenex so I could stop swiping it from the hotel job. I made brownies testing out my own created recipe. They were delicious. Looking forward to making cooking videos to promote dessert mixes I want to sell online. I need to make more money any way I can.

Roommate's friend is so excited to see him again. They haven't been together for 4 years. Communication was cut when sent to reform school up here and once he turned 18 and out of school, they reconnected. His friend works at a grocery store in the meat department. They are planning to get jobs on an oil rig. If not, roommate can work at the grocery store. I feel a better letting go. I might be mailing his stuff he leaves behind instead of him coming back in a car for it. I will miss him.

Relief. Court fines paid off today. Now wait to be declared off probation. Ok. Now friend's parents whose house he lives in say roommate can stay a week so he may be returning after his visit. Why they are sending a plane ticket for a week visit is beyond me.

Shocker

Well, it's happening. roommate plans to leave March 21. Probation payments deadline is March 22. His high school friend is sending money for a plane ticket. He lives with his parents, sister, and brother. They gave permission for roommate to live there. Apparently when roommate ran away from home once, they let him stay there for a while. He called his ex to pick up her cat and rest of her stuff. She replied, Keep in touch. He is leaving much of his stuff since can't put everything on the plane. So he will come back someday to pick it up. The new girlfriend he just broke up with he messaged he was leaving the state. She hasn't answered. I will miss him so much. But it is what is best for him. It was the plan to be a temporary home until he got back onto his feet. Didn't realize it would take so long to get him back on his feet or what having a constant companion would do to me. I have lived alone for 25 years which is why I got so many pets. He has nobody here worth staying. His new girlfriend would keep him here, but she breaks communication so long, he gave up on her to break up with her. All his friends I called lowlifes aren't really friends worth keeping. Oh well, I will survive. I have plans to sell dessert mixes on my online shop and make videos to advertise them. Just got to get this bankruptcy done first and start saving money again.

Sold some merchandise

Hooray. Coworker made her large purchase at last. I have money for groceries. Tomorrow HyVee is having a sale so hanging on for one more day. I made social media reels advertising my Easter book and candles. No sales. I think I ran out of coworkers to sell to. Had one say they wanted something for their daughter's birthday, but never have the money. I know that feeling. Had a relative interested in my beaded items for their family as Easter gifts. I hope they pay up. I checked my Gofundme fundraiser and $55 has been donated. I need $1200 to pay back my sister and mom for my vet bills.

Plans being made

He said he wants to go back to hsi hometown in another state and live with his high school friend he talks to every day once he is off probation. Will see what happens.

I think he might be leaving soon. I asked if he was getting his mall security job back once off probation. His friend in his hometown is going to send him a plane ticket. He got a job on an oil rig sweeping floors for $20 an hour and helping roommate get a job there too. He lives with his grandmother so roommate will live with them too. Friend said he can bring the cat. He said he can't get a job here and all his new friends he made here were just using him. Besides me, there is nothing for him here to stay here. I said I will miss him. Last time I thought he leaving I cried for 3 days, cats came out more, and got used to being alone again. Then he came back and I was so happy. I know I should stop being selfish.

Strike another job

Roommate lost another job. This one is weird cause he put in his 2 weeks notice cause he figured his next paycheck would pay off his court fines. So manager moved his shifts to the afternoon starting tomorrow. Well he goes in to collect his paycheck today and he gets fired. I am like, why didn't they just let you quit. Well he is $100 short on his fines so I am giving it to him do he can pay them and be free.

He plans to get the security guard job back at the mall. He couldn't get a guard card with his pending case last summer so he will have to reapply once probation is over.

Now he plans to bring back his car buddy to use his car to get to the mall (if he is hired back) so I have less stress. Excuse me, he kicked him out twice in one week and said he didn't want to be his friend. I thought we agreed he could get his stuff but not stay overnight. He replied he would not stay for days, that his mistake. He was a good friend and did have good times. I asked if he was certain his friend would come back after what happened. He said in texts he wasn't in the city and going to therapy.

Poor Bilbo in Pain

Sigh. Bilbo licked his food a few times and he was done. Did his capsule in water and not all of it dissolved. Took roommate to work and when got home redid the capsule in warm water. Not all of dissolved, but most of it was so gave up. Sucked pain medicine water into his antibiotic syringe and squirted into his mouth.

I'm trying but can't stop drowning

Counted up all my cash, balanced the checkbook, and checked the balance on my prepaid card. I cried petting Bilbo laid on top of my bed pillows. Bilbo didn't eat his food last night so tried to spoon feed it to him. He won't take it. His pain medicine is in the food so next dose I put in water and used the antibiotic syringe to get it in his mouth. He was thirsty and drank some water. He can move around and used the litterbox. Got fresh can food and he still won't eat it. I even put crush catnip on it and still he won't eat it. I don't know what to do. I adveritsed my beaded items and egg candles to have 0 orders. I broke down and started a Gofundme fundraiser. I'm desperate for cash to pay my relative back for Bilbo's surgery and pay for their shots on Thursday.

Plus roommate been asking since last weekend for some booty, but I am too stressed out to have fun. I keep having panic attacks so bad I feel I am having a stroke or heart attack. Now is not time for fooling around.

Interesting Day

Interesting. Someone actually tried to purchase snacks at my hotel gift shop with food stamps Our system is not set up to accept food stamps.

Missed a major cat fight last night between Bilbo and Misty last night. Got home and Bilbo was under the covers getting blood on my sheets. Have to wash the sheets and comforter now. Go to sleep. Wake up later in the afternoon and Bilbo is panting, pupils dilated, and he wet himself. My mattress cover is covered with blood stains and pee now. Instincts say something else is wrong besides the scratch on his face from the cat fight. Misty was missing since the cat fight. Take Bilbo to emergency vet, on a Sunday with the banks closed so have little money to pay for services demanded upfront. I have some money on my card for their vaccinations on Thursday. He jumped down from the bed when I got the carrier, but let me pick him up and didn't put up a fight getting him in the carrier. He didn't meow during the drive until I took him out of the car. Roommate found Misty while I was driving to the vet.

I knew something was wrong and vet found the problem. He has a huge gash inside yhe roof of his mouth and needs patching up. They think he chewed something hard and sharp. I noticed a cross I hang on a doorknob was broken and pendant was missing. Which means $1000 vet bill paid upfront before anesthesia is given for surgery. Don't have it on me with the bank closed until tomorrow (plus mortgage payment will take all my bank account money tomorrow). Had to call a relative to use their debit card to pay for it. I promised to write a check to them. I didn't need this to happen (Need money to repair car, keep my car during bankruptcy, pay income taxes, and cat annual shots). How am I going to pay my relative back. That $1000 is almost an entire paycheck to me.

After surgery is done and Bilbo is cleared to go home which makes me late for work. I call to let them know. Next, vet wants another $100 to release Bilbo. I had to call someone to use their debit card to pay for the surgery and now want more money they know I don't have. And I have to get work to pay for all this. The vet was in surgery so had to wait half an hour for them to look at the charges. Vet decides to release Bilbo and I can bring a check in tomorrow. Get Bilbo settled in at home and off to work. Met a bartender walking to her car in the parking garage. She gave me $25 to help pay the vet bill. I want to cry. I left a keychain behind for her.

New uniform policy

Nice. Since corporate is changing our uniform standard, we are forced to buy our own dress suits to work and later get reimbursed. Good thing I have suits already (wrinkled from being in the dryer but they are suits) cause I barely have money pay for food let alone have money to buy clothes and wait for reimbursement.

Oh, and I never got to meet the Director of Finance via Zoom Call. No time was set up to interview with them. Just as well, the accountant hates me. Or I just come to that conclusion give the fact she puts her head down and refuses to look at me every time she walks by (been doing that for a month).