Happy St. Patrick's Day

Had a phone interview and praying hard I get the job. Then when chatting on my interview for five minutes, my landline phone rings, my cell phone rings, and the landline phone rings again. Thinking it was a scammer I look at the caller ID. It was a restaurant I applied at for Birthday Coordinator a long time ago. Perfect timing. Oh well, no message left so no return call.

Got the appointment made for my cats annual vaccinations. $134 each. Plus my accounting software and online store want money and my cards are maxed out. My pets are top priority I have to save for. So to raise funds I advertised green candles for St Patrick's Day as 10% off on my 2nd online shop since first one is suspended from non-payment. Next my accounting software suspended me for non-payment. Then after a week and still no sales, I shut down my 2nd online shop. The only way to get my candles, wax melts, and home decorations is directly speaking to me. One online shop has a free option subscription so will use that for the direct sales. The soy wax candles I made last year are turning white so have been burning them myself. Apparently soy wax only lasts a year or two. Great when I can't sell candles or wax melts.

Had a drunk hotel guest harrassing my female security guards by inviting them to his room when they keep rejecting him. I tried to intervene stating they are not allowed in his room cause it's against the rules and they will be fired. He brushed me off. One guard hid in the back office. He continued to go back upstairs and come back down to follow them around the hotel. I offered to call the police since employers can get sued if they do nothing to stop the sexual harrassment, even from guests. Eventually he stopped coming downstairs so didn't call the police.

Made a Leprechaun gnome to sell for St Patrick's Day. I use a toilet paper tube wrapped in yarn for the hat and attached the yarn beard and wood bead nose. I got black ribbon and jeweled gold ribbon for the buckle. I twisted a green pipe cleaner for a shamrock and attached a rose to the hat. It was so cute and hoped to sell at least one.

Had snow fall again. Probably the last until next winter. Found an ant in my kitchen, it went squish. Finally heard from a gym I interviewed at a month ago and got rejected. Received another rejection from a high school I applied at 2 months ago but never interviewed with.

Made payments for the accounting software and 1st online shop so was ready sell items for St. Patrick's Day offering 10% off all green, gold, and amber candle jars and tins. Then 3 days before the holiday and no orders for anything, I gave my Leprechaun gnome to my Mom. We visited her friend in the nursing home part of the same building Mom is in (she's in assisted living). She also needs hearing aids. Received the acceptance letter for a farmers market I applied at for this summer. I had to tell them that I entered credit counseling and can no longer afford to sell at their farmers market. That broke my heart. I was hoping a different farmers market would yield better results.

Set up a video interview. Started a Gofundme page for my Bilbo's teeth cleaning next month for gingivitis. I pray he doesn't need a tooth pulled, who knows what that will cost. I hate begging strangers for money, but I am desperate. At least Misty's teeth were okay. I know why this happened to these cats and not my other cats who never had their teeth pulled out. The teeth cleaner I put in their drinking water stopped being made during Covid and never returned. I tried other kinds but cats never liked them. Who thought up Green Tea flavor for cats? I finally found a tuna flavor one that they liked but the tarter built up too much trying to find one they liked. Sigh. At least I got the money I needed in 2 days from 2 donors. I think I'm going to cry.

The rain we were getting in the daytime turned into snow in the evening. Wild ride driving to work tonight.

Trying and trying to go nowhere

Rommate got tired of watching videos to learn virtual wholesaling (there's 80 hours). I told him to figure out what he does best and figure out a way to get paid for it. So he decides on woodworking and I bought some sandpaper for him. He grabbed some broken branches and works all day trying to carve out spoons to sell. He asked me to teach him how to make soap when I make candles. When I made a candle, he didn't pay attention so not really interested in that. Just wants easy money that he can do. He carves that wood with my tools until his hands get sore. He took a break and called his friend he worked with at a fast food place. He was a cook there before leaving to do the security guard thing. His friend said he could be a shift manager. Here's hoping.

Oh boy, why me

Spoke to roommate about paying rent since he is raising my water and electric bills. He agreed once he pays off the storage unit his things are in and pay back some friends, he can give me some money. Right after I get home, he calls me to pick him up. He was fired for using a racial slur that upset a biracial coworker who complained to human resources. He was more insulted the coworker called him white, when he is Mexican. Says his grandma is Guatemalan.

Now that roommate can't get a job from the way he was fired, he decided to be self employed. He wants to mow lawns for people using my lawn mower. I said he can use my printer to print some fliers to give my neighbors.

His girlfriend got him excited about virtual wholesaling. She did it for years before her divorce, but apparently it didn't stop her from falling for a rental house scam. Doesn't she not know how to look up property records online for free? Right now she works for a security firm as roommate suggested cause that's what he was doing at the time.

Happy Birthday Luthien

I finally bit the bullet and got credit counseling. I haven't sold a single candle since January and I bought supplies to make Easter decorations to sell. I hope I sell something soon or I will have to close my shop. I maxed out all my credit cards and can't pay minimum payments anymore. I told my family I didn't know what to do anymore. If I declare bankruptcy, who is going to hire me? I didn't sell any wreaths or gnomes for Valentine's Day. I have two interviews and pray for a better paying job I can't see to get either. I have been trying to get a new job for seven months now, plus run a business, and work a full time job. I am so stressed out and tired that I can't function. Then I have a roommate to take care of. Went to the grocery store and my credit card declined so couldn't get cupcakes for Luthien's birthday. I thought I had room on my card but a autopay took some money so didn't have enough left. My roommate ended up paying for the cupcakes when we went out shopping.

Celebrated Luthien's 7th Birthday. Old lady ferret. She and Boromir loved the frosting on the cupcakes. I shared a cupcake with my roommate. Cats got catnip.

More requests

Heard at work a new engineer is in jail for assault while intoxicated. He was fired. Too bad, he seemed so quiet. Plus the new sales coordinator they hired instead of promoting me is back in jail for violating their parole. Also fired. Then they hired a new sales coordinator. I have 2 interviews this week.

To be supervisor, roommate has to have a driver's license that he doesn't have. He asked me to teach him to drive. Nervous about him driving my fairly new SUV my Mom bought for me. She will not buy me a new one if he crashes it. Plus, what will that do to my car insurance to have a 19-year-old man added on. I said no. I suggested a driving school for adults.

Just another day in paradise

Installed my very first doorbell camera. I had a heck of a time figuring out the diretions. Received help from my roommate's girlfriend what to do to connect it to my phone. It snowed 5.6 inches and Boromir has stopped loving the snow so much. He walks around, digs around, and comes back inside. Guess he is getting old too. Still jumps on Bilbo that Bilbo dislikes and bumps him off. Boromir just wants to play.

Had nightmare guests at the hotel (high school athletic teams hear for a tournament) who pushed my acting skills to the limit. After destroying my hotel, making us run out of towels, blankets, and pillows, upsetting guests trying to sleep by running up an down the halls, treating my coworkers like garbage, drunk parents threatening to beat up my security guard when asked to control their kids, and crank calls from the emergency phones by the elevator: I smile, check them out, offer a receipt, and tell them to have a great day. Customer may always be right, but I hate the nasty ones and glad to see them leave.

Had an interview at a church for office manager that I would love do. I would do the bulletins and news letters, make event arrangements, count and deposit offerings, and welcome new members to the church. I haven't joined a church since moved away from my home church. Maybe I could join this one. Later I was told I was the only candiadate who showed up for their interview, but they still wouldn't give me the job. They have to interview more candiadates before making a decision. I take that as a rejection. If they wanted me, they would have hired me.

Got a security guard fired. Their coworker mentioned they were asleep in a chair at the restaurant. One thing my hotel does not tolerate is sleeping on the job. So I shook the chair they were in to wake them up. I announced I needed receipts delivered. I reported this misbehavior to my manager who complained to the contracted company who dismissed from working our hotel. Found out from the coworker they didn't want to work with another client so they were released from employment. Apparently, they were angry with me for reporting them. Excuse me, sleeping on the job and they expected not to report that. If I am not allowed to sleep then neither are they.

Came in work one day to find a plastic mouse in the office. Apparently the kitchen staff tried to prank the waitstaff. I was told it didn't end well.

Decided to do a reading of my Easter book in hope of more sales. Last year I sold one book to my coworker. I got it out in bookstores as an ebook, but nobody ever buys it. I try.

Interesting conversation

Roommate asked if his girlfriend could stay another night when she had been here for 2 nights. She was asleep at the moment. No, she wasn't. She was wide awake and I demanded she leave cause has been here long enough. My house is not a free hotel for his homeless friends. I received a lecture after I dropped her off downtown near a place one of her friends lives. Roommate was upset that his girlfriend believes I don't like her. Well, that would be accurate. I don't like her or trust her. She is ruled by her anxiety, plus using him and me. I am under no obligation to be friends with her. I think she is manipulative as well as this conversation. Even further he is upset I called his friends lowlife. They are people he cares about. If they are lowlife then so is he. From years of dealing with customers and nieces and nephew for years, I know when I am being played. If I don't kick her out, she will never leave. My kindness has limits and he finding this out. I care about my roommate without social connections to house him until he gets back onto his feet. This kindness doesn't include his girlfriend or friends. He said my judment of people effects how much I care about them. I call it self-preservation. I don't like being used.

His train wreck girlfriend full of bad decisions and unreliable friends is incapable of taking care of herself and he feels a need to take care of her to make up for her bad relationships. But he can't do that depending on my charity.

Naughty coworker

Coworker who claims to be homeless was caught in an out of order room by an engineer along with her boyfriend, daughter, and daughter's boyfriend. She was suspended 3 days and had a meeting to decide if she kept her job. At the meeting, she won them over and allowed to stay in a hotel room for a week.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day. I work as usual. Brought in heart cakes for my coworkers to eat. They seem to get demanding about them. Made some heart sugar cookies too. Gave cats some catnip and ferrets got pink cupcakes that were in Boromir's birthday box. Received my doorbell cameras. Will install my next day off.

Happy Birthday Boromir

My ferret Boromir turned 6 years old today. Got him cupcakes from the grocery store. He loves whipped frosting but doesn't like my version. Happy Birthday Baby! No presents other than a cup of cocoa. He has enough toys.

Working hard

Made a floral wreath to sell for Valentine's Day. Made two more Valentine gnomes. Got to stop teaching the new manager the night audit cause she stopped showing up for work. After no showing up 3 days in a row, she was terminated. Funny how the day before the general manager asked me if she was ready to do the night audit by herself. I said no because she doesn't listen to a word I say and texts on her phone all night. If she thinks she can do whatever she wants on the night audit, she will be getting emails from the accountant about every mistake she makes.

Interesting day

Roommate's girlfriend was woken up today by her new friend's ex girlfriend hitting her with a thrown phone. Ex girlfriend didn't like her being there though she slept on the couch. She left during their argument. Roommate asked me to pick her up and go look at an attic apartment she viewed online. She wanted to view it early in the morning. Roommate explained she was scammed when renting a house during Covid and given the code to get inside. The bank came by upset someone was squatting in their house for sale to kick her out. Since it was a bank employee and not a real estate agent I presume it was a house in foreclosure. Now, girlfriend is cautious about who to trust when renting apartments. He asked what I thought of her and I said she is a complete train wreck to which he agreed. He wants to help her trust men again cause she had so many bad experiences. I don't think he can help her. If she doesn't trust herself, then she will never trust him. Obviously she doesn't learn from these bad experiences if she keeps repeating them.

Well I find out later that they took an application from the landlord, but never filled it out nor return it to apply for the apartment. I naturally had to demand to know why he woke me up at 8 AM to go pick up his girlfriend, drive all over town to see some apartment if they don't have a security deposit to get the apartment. Plus she has an eviction on record so few landlords will be willing to rent to her so apartment has to go under his name. He explained girlfriend just wanted to know if the rental ad was real from her bad experience being scammed. I swear this woman will drive me crazy.

Dropped him off at his job and went to a job interview at a gym looking for a receptionist. Return home and my garage door lock is broken. I had to come in the front door and thought I saw movement, but thought it was the cat. I check the lock from the inside and 2 screws are missing and nowhere to be found. Had to make 2 trips to the home store for parts to change the lock straight away. I panic called my brother to help me when I couldn't remove a part. He put the locking system together for me. He used the bathroom and wonder if he saw the roommate's stuff in the guest room. I haven't told my family about my rommate cause they are overprotective of me. They would freak at strange man in my house. When roommate came home with his manager driving, I asked if his lowlife friends were responsible for this. He denied it, but don't fully believe him based on his facial expression when I told him what happened. Nothing was taken, but then I might have interrupted the burglery. Now I have to buy a camera and fear their return. I switched on the Onstar program so if they do return, the car can be track by GPS. My poor cats who normally greet me were hiding and shaking. Someone was here. Roommate is now upset I called his friends lowlife. I'm sorry, he calls them homeless and/or drug addicts. What am I supposed to call them?

Good news and bad news

Roommate announced his girlfriend was kicked out of whoever she was staying with and needs a place to to stay the night. I okayed 1 night only. My cats are getting accustomed to him being here and they will freak out at her presence. My cats are afraid of people.

Apparently girlfriend was living with her brother with her 2 kids and 2 cats. Brother kicked them all out to move in his new girlfriend. Her kids went to live with her ex husbands and her cats are still with her brother who treats them badly. She moved in with a friend with an elder relative. Well elder relative kicked them both out. She bounced around place to place for months now. After 1 night, she left. She met a new friend roommate has not met yet and staying with him tonight.

Good news is that roommate was hired at his interview at a donut shop. They want to eventually make him shift lead. He was so happy on the way home.

Bad news. Took keys to the store to make copies cause one got bent until it broke and I like having spare keys. Well, new keys didn't fit into the hole so had to return them. Went to another store and they didn't have the right size of blanks to make them. Ok, will have to wait to make new ones.

Meeting with Management on Groundhog Day

Since we have a front desk manager again, we have to have staff meetings. But my manager has stage fright so the General Manager ran the course of the meeting today. Assistant General Manager was surprised we have a uniform closet he didn't know about. My supervisor promised to show it to him after the meeting.

Cliff Notes of meeting: Do your job. Show up on time. Wear your uniform. Write down all guest complaints. Engage with the guests.

Naturally the main complaints from guests are being understaffed and bad housekeeping (like a maid remaking the bed without changing the sheets). Covid is over and we should be back to pre-Covid standards. A renovation for the hotel is planned for September.

Happy Groundhog Day

In other news, my roommate went to an interview and they hired him on the spot. Must be desperate for people. He is desperate for a job. He has personal items in a storage unit and that has to be paid or his unit with all his belongings not in my house get auctioned off. He is so happy it is so good to see him this way.

Tax Season 2023

With my candle business, I got to send in sales tax I owe to the states where I mailed or sold items. Most states have where package was received gets the sales tax while others have a where package was sent gets sales tax. Had to fill out sales tax forms for 2 states. Plus I had to apply for a Tax ID to send in theses forms. Then I to put my income and taxable expenses on my personal income tax forms. Such as life running a business. At least I got a nice refund.

Mom was moved into an assisted living place from her difficulty walking and decided not to eat and drink to avoid the going to the bathroom. Well, that sent her to the hospital dehydrated and weak, then got physical therapy at a nursing home, and finally been living with my sister for months. Nephew was happy to get his room back. Mom was worried I wouldn't do her taxes anymore since don't work at the tax place anymore. I said I would do her taxes on a different website.

New order

Hooray! Got a candle order, the first since the Christmas season. I also got a new mold for Valentine wax melts and created a new scent, Strawberry Rose for the new melts. I checked it online and someone thought of it before me. Oh well. Got my first candle sale of the year. New Year is looking bright.

Roommate thought he started a temp job today at a graphic design publishing company. It lasted an hour cause the office didn't know he was coming and I had to go back to get him right after I got home from dropping him off. He called the temp recruiter and got a "My bad, I forgot to tell the hiring manager you were coming". What? That was the end of that relationship with temp recruiter.

Disappointed

Well apparently, there is no landscaping job starting today in downtown as my roommate said he was starting today. I asked about onboarding paperwork every job has workers fill out. He said it was done online. Roommate tried to donate plasma for money today, but was rejected because he didn't have his social security card with him. He just has a photo on his phone of it. I swear this kid is going to wear out my patience like my nieces and nephew do. Plus, I am helping move my Mom into assisted living. She decided being so frail that she would stop eating and drinking to avoid walking to the bathroom. This landed her in the hospital from dehydration. She has been living with my sister's family once out of the nursing home for physical therapy. Nephew is glad to have his bed back. He has been sleeping in the basement.

More night audit training

Got to train my manager how to do the night audit. She was on her phone all night, walked around barefoot, and so passive when having a problem. One issue we had was the security guard calling the city to tow away a car parked in our loading zone at the entrance. I explained the general manager forbids us from calling tow trucks after an incident where one coworker told a guest they could park there for an event and the next coworker came in to have it towed. I asked the front desk manager if she approved the security guard calling for a tow truck that the hotel has to pay for cause the city won't pick it up and have angry guest at the front desk in the morning when they find their car is gone. Manager explained she was informed of the security guard's intentions, but neglected to disapprove of her intended action so the security guard believed she had permission. The front desk doesn't have a number for a tow truck we have a direct bill account with because we are not allowed to call tow trucks. I told my manager she better set the security guard straight and call off the tow truck cause the guard said it was on its way here. Well, manager decided a note on the windshield was a good warning and had guard call off the tow truck. Security guard was furious we were violating our own policies cause there is a sign outside that states TOW ZONE. There is also a thing called customer service that suggests sometimes it is best not to upset the customers paying to be here. Sent an email to front desk workers stating the license plate and the warning given with instructions to tow car away if they repeatedly park out front.

Also got to teach the manager how to sew. Don't they have home ecoonomics classes anymore or at least life skills classes? Gave a brief lesson in sewing a tear in my jacket I haven't had time to fix. Not that hard. Discovered our sewing kit needles are already threaded so skipped the threading a needle lesson.

My manager also took to giving away water bottles to anyone who asked for one. Supervisors were upset nobody is going to purchase of water in the gift shop if she is giving them away for free. General Manager obsessed with raising customer service scores okayed the giveaway. Even better, some people she was giving away bottles to were clearly not guests but homeless people. The backpack and asking to use the restroom then asking about room rates to walk out the door is a dead giveway they are homeless.

Next manager asked me if she moved to another hotel would I follow her. Hell to the no, I would not follow her. She left me weeks ago sitting at the front desk for 5 hours while human resources tried to get ahold of her. I am certainly not working for her at another hotel. I gave her a wimpy "Maybe" in reply.

Roommate requests

Well, I got asked to take in roommate's girlfriend's 2 cats. They currently live with her brother who is a jerk and 1 was let outside by itself. Luckily it was found nearby. In fact, she lived with her brother until he kicked her out to move in his new girlfirend.

I said no. I have an aggressive male cat and male ferret who will attack them. Bad idea.

Then the next day I drove him to a cheap motel to spend the evening with his friends who live there for now. His friends drove him back to my place and when I saw him when I returned from work in the morning, his eyes were bloodshot and he slept for two days so I know he took some drug. I don't know which one, but he was on something. He said he visited a former girlfriend/roommate who is a drug addict, but doesn't want to be an addict. He says she once traded sex for drugs. I replied, Thank you for sharing that with me.

Apparently, he has not applied for a job at my hotel. He is afraid to cause of what happened that caused him to get fired. He fears rejection. Plus my supervisors complained about him sleeping on the job and had a friend in one of the conference rooms while working. I never did complain. The restaurant staff adored him and ask about how he is doing.

Roommate has sensed my ghosts, especially at night. He says my demon keeps talking to him and once said "These are my children", then giving him night terrors. One ghost said "It's not your time".

Niece visit

My niece teaching children in South Korea how to speak English came home for a visit. She brought candy with Korean writing on the wrappers. We don't get these sweets in the states. Bummer. Had a good visit and gave her a candle for her future birthday (in 5 months). Got my first Valentine gnome finished. I hope people like it and sell at least one. Helped a coworker figure out why the printer didn't work. It was unplugged.

Roommate didn't get an apartment today so will be with me for a while. I told him Banquets and the Restaurant were always hiring. He has a girlfriend he has been with since last September. She bounces around friend's apartment to friend's apartment. I gather she is homeless. He said he met her while living in the hotel with with his coworker.

New roommate

Got a call from a former coworker while I was doing the laundry begging to stay with me for a while. After they were fired from my job site, they stayed with friends to eventually be kicked out. He asked a coworker of mine for a place to stay and they suggested a shelter. He slept at his apartment once. I once offered my place to crash if he needed it when I found out he was living in a hotel with a coworker (before then he was living in a tent under a bridge). I picked him up from my work and offered my guest room. Hopefully he will get a new job soon, save for an apartment, and be out of my house back on his feet again. He is a sweet kid with a good heart. I wouldn't trust just anybody around my cats and ferrets.

He said it is just until Monday when he gets an apartment. He has a job application in progress. Even better the Banquets Manager offered him a job. When he worked at my job he was a security guard and a good one too until he took liberties hanging out in the Presidential Suite and was caught by the guests still in their wedding clothes complaining someone was having a party in their room. I had to downgrade them to a Governor Suite with humblest aologies. Hence, he ceased to work at my hotel and fired from the security company.

It snowed

It snowed last night so let the ferrets out to play. Saw neighbor with their snow blower doing our street, which is nice since I have to work. City snow plows usually arrive 24 hours after the snow stops. Getting advertisement photos ready to post on social media to show off my products for Valentine's Day. Working on a ribbon wreath. I hope people like it, it is taking a lot of time to tie all these ribbons. Then made the ribbon strands too long so had to cut them in half to make it look better. Got heart wreath frames online and hope a sell at least one.

Training new coworker

Oh boy, got to train someone on the night audit. I am officially an expert. Don't know how to do a lot of things, but who cares. Even better they were on their phone all night, but at least paid attention when doing the night audit. Better than last summer's night auditor who kept falling asleep and never paid attention to anything I said.

Love late coworkers

Waiting for late coworkers is always fun. This time it was my manager who was late, 5 hours late. I was ready to collapse on the floor from exhaustion and back office people refused to take over the front desk so I could go home. Apparently their kid is sick and they were up half the night them so when they fell asleep, they stayed asleep until rested, then received all the messages asking if they were coming to work today. Crashed when I got home.

Happy New Year 2023

Our new manager said she has puppies to give away. I can't afford a new puppy plus I have a blind ferret so have to consider her safety with a new pet. Looked up on internet about mixing scented oils to make Ocean Breeze and Sugar Plum scents. Next time I go to an event I will make scent jars for them. They smell real nice. Getting ready for Valentine's Day at my candle shop inside my head. I want to make some wreaths and gnomes to sell too.

Spent my New Year's Eve with family having our holiday get together after waking up from working the overnight shift. Watched great-nieces open gifts and chatted with the out of state family members. Then went to work and knew it was midnight when people in the lobby started screaming. I was busy with paperowrk for the night audit. I told the security guard they can relax cause I won't try to kiss them (they're gay and wouldn't appreciated anyway). Security guards had to deal with a lot of drunk people who vomited, peed, and bled on the restroom floor. They refused to clean up broken glass, vomit, or urine, but did clean up the blood. They have their limits. Housekeeping can clean up the other mess in the morning. Returned home to nap before returning to work. Don't get holiday pay but do get a floating holiday, better than nothing at all. Finally caught a cat in the cat tent I got for Christmas. Both cats are too big for it. But perfect for ferrets.

Looking forward for more business from my candle shop without all the start up costs weighing me down this year. Hope for more sales. Maybe make enough profit to pay off these credit cards I used like crazy when I lost a job in 2019. Been looking for a new job since last summer, but nobody will hire me. My family is getting tired of me working the overnight shift cause they never see me when I sleep most of the day. I need to make more money to pay my living expenses and all this debt off. Happy New Year to Me.

Merry Christmas 2022

Merry Christmas Everybody!

Spent Christmas Eve at work and security tried for hours to get a kitten in our garage inside. Animal Control refused to come out and set a live trap for it cause it seemed feral when hissed at my coworker. I am certain it is just scared. They recommended a feral cat shelter for it. 2 coworkers wanted the kitten climbing up car engines for warmth. We never caught it.

Cats and ferrets informed me off their adventures of trying to trap Santa Claus as I came home. Santa Trap got sprung when a cat drank the milk so welcomed Santa like well behaved furbabies. We began the day opening presents Santa. Balls and fuzzy mice were received, but I got the best Santa gift, a new purse. Lit the last candle of my Advent Wreath that I couldn't sell and watched my church service program on my computer. After I woke up, went over to brother's house for dinner and received a cat tent that my ferrets love. Just their size. Also received a salt lamp. Then came home to change and back to work.

Christmas Story 2022

Twas the night before Christmas and I could hardly bare it

Not a creature was stirring not even a ferret

The stockings were hung on the bookcase with care

In hopes that St. Nicholas would bring toys to share

The ferrets were nestled all snug in their bedspreads

While visions of red balls and feathers danced in their heads

I Bilbo was curled up on Mama’s pillow

With Misty on her feet like a fluffy marshmellow

When out on the lawn I heard a dog bark

I sprang from the bed after viewing a bright spark

Away to the window we pounced in a flurry

The ferrets jumped out of the sheets in a hurry

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow

Covered up the leaves where raccoons like to go

When what to my wandering cat eyes should appear

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer

With a little old driver so bright red and quick

I so badly wanted to give that toy a lick

More rapid than ferret bites his coursers they came

And he whistled and shouted and called them by name

Now Sparkle, Now Snowball, Now Ivy and Holly

On Mittens, On Tinsel, On Jingles and Jolly

To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall

Now dash away, dash away, dash away all

As dry leaves that before the snowy hurricane whirl

We kitties danced and the ferrets twirled

The Santa trap had sprung when Misty drank the milk

And the ferrets licked the cookies in a shady bilk

Then, in a twinkling we heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof

As I drew in my head and jumped over a ball

St. Nicholas tripped over the light cord to fall

He crashed to release out a loud yell

And the decorations shook on the wall like a bell

I took the opportunity to explore his sack

And Santa got up to see Misty getting him an untouched snack

His eyes twinkled as Boromir got more milk in a wag

Luthien gave him a napkin, then Santa pulled me out of the bag

His droll little mouth shouted Ho, Ho, Ho

And the hair on his chin was as white as the snow

The stump of his pipe he held in his teeth like a charm

And the smoke encircled up to set off the smoke alarm

Away to remove the battery he swiftly rushed

Then looked at us and rightly blushed

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf

And I squeaked when he petted me in spite of myself

We rubbed our fur on his boots with a purr

Then we heard Mama beginning to stir

He finished his milk and cookies

Then filled all the stockings next to the ferret dookies

Then laying a finger on the side of his nose

And giving a nod, out the door he rose

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a holler

And away they all flew as we furbabies got taller

But I heard exclaim as he drove out of sight

Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night

Christmas Letter 2022

Happy Holidays to all my Friends and Family.

The New Year started with me at my hotel job with a coworker answering phone calls for the hotel shuttle to drive them back from the bar. Next day started putting decorations away. Started a candle business trying to earn extra money and busy making heart shaped candles for Valentine’s Day thinking any leftovers can be sold for weddings the rest of the year. Got all my Covid boosters so I could continue working. We got pounded with 14.3 inches of snow that my front wheel drive SUV didn’t like making turns in and got stuck pulling into my driveway. Neighbor came over to help shovel my tires out to get the SUV into the garage. My dead-end street is always plowed last in the city, usually 24 hours after the snow ends. Watched the Olympics on TV. Celebrated ferret Boromir’s 5th Birthday. Visited Mom for Valentine’s Day and gifted some candles. Celebrated sister’s birthday at her home with her family. Wrote a children’s book for Easter about the ferrets teaching the kittens how to trap the Easter Bunny. I got an Ebook distributed through Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Google Play, some Dutch bookstore, and a British bookstore. I sold 1 printed to a coworker all together. No royalty check for me from the publisher this year. Donated 4 candles for an online charity auction and 2 of them sold. I told the pet page holding the auction they can do whatever they want with my donated items that failed to sell.

Applied to 3 farmer’s market for the summer. 2 accepted me but had to turn down 1 explaining with 1 farmer’s market already set was all I could physically handle without any help. Held a fundraiser for a pet page in Ukraine promising $1 for every candle sold until Easter. I sent the pet Patreon account (Youtube thing) a total of $35. They still post updates so still alive. Celebrated ferret Luthien’s 6th Birthday. Went the “The Magic Flute” at the Des Moines Civic Center. Went to the eye doctor for new glasses and they said, “Congratulations, you need bifocals”. It sucks getting old, even worse, getting old alone and few people care about you. After 3 years waiting, I finally took my nephew to the Elton John concert at Wells Fargo arena. Who’s a good aunt? We ended up purchasing the same rock t-shirt. I swear this kid is my twin (it always feels great to rub off my nieces and nephew). Spent Easter at brother’s house with family and it snowed. Was mother nature intoxicated?

Had the return of a Red-Tailed Hawk to my yard’s bird feeder in the spring (they migrate down south during the fall). Had to guard the ferrets when they went out to prevent them becoming lunch. Celebrated Mother’s Day lunch with Mom and siblings. I received a “From the Cat” Mother’s Day card from my sister. Viewed a lunar eclipse at work and made my coworker go outside to see it too. Went to my niece’s high school graduation. She is going to college to learn business management. I told her that if I ever open my own gift shop, she can work for me. IF I ever get there with my new candle drop shipping business. For the farmer’s market I decided to add wax melts which are candles without wicks. Missed my brother’s birthday party due to blocked streets for some marathon competition through downtown and around Gray’s Lake. Won a contest to win new sample fragrance oils from the candle making company I buy my oils from. I bought larger versions of all the samples cause smell so nice. Visited Dad at the cemetery with family. Come into work for the 4th of July to find 2 coworkers quit. Great. 1 quit 3 times so unsure why they keep rehiring them. Missed the fireworks but did see a parade with family. Made a wreath for Mom’s birthday gift and took her to the store to choose flowers. Store was changing locations so everything was 90% off. There is a God.

Had adventures driving the hotel shuttle when drivers decided not to show up for work and not call either. We have flight crews who need to leave for the airport on time or the airline get fined for late departure flights, which screws up their flights the rest of their day. I can’t get last minute cabs so have security watch the counter while I take the flight crews to the airport (2 round trips). One airline contract we lost at the end of November and then the drivers suddenly become more responsible about showing up. Nice. Celebrated Nephew’s 18th birthday. Celebrated my 47th birthday at my hotel restaurant with family (I'm a night auditor). Had my last farmer’s market at Valley Junction. Won’t be doing that market next year, didn’t sell very much to make up the expense. For some reason people keep asking if I am selling soap. My ferret Eowyn died a few weeks short of her 8th birthday. She died while I was holding her. Buried her in the backyard with the other pets. Got fall scented candles ready for the Beaverdale Fall Festival since I missed their farmer’s market. It rained early in the morning so had to bow out. At 1 Valley Junction farmer’s market day, a rainstorm arrived and soaked my stall, so I had to replace 17 paper boxes.

Our new front desk manager quit without telling anyone, so I got 16 hours of overtime that week. Hotel had a Halloween Carnival and I dressed up to run a game booth. It was popular and ran out of toys. Beggar’s Night was great with about 30 kids, usually I get 9. Celebrated cats Bilbo and Misty’s 4th birthday. Participated in an Etsy Cyber Sale offering 20% my merchandise. I received 0 orders. Celebrated niece’s 19th birthday. She loves my candles so much I gave a gift card for $50. Took ferret Luthien to the vet for a swollen 3rd eye. They thought she has lymphoma like Eowyn did. My poor baby. Celebrated Thanksgiving at sister’s house. Had a great sale at my hometown Milo’s craft show during their town-wide Christmas celebration. Sold more there than any suburb farmer’s market day. Good to come home. Strange how I lived in Des Moines and West Des Moines for over 20 years and Milo still feels like home. Got my Christmas decorations up during my extra day off. Then soon after, caught a fever and had to stay home from work for 2 days. Boring! Once the fever broke got work on Christmas chores like putting ornaments and wreaths online to sell and writing cards and letters. Next chore is baking. Christmas will soon be here. Probably be working and visiting brother’s house for dinner later in the afternoon.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Jordan

Bilbo, Misty (cats)

Luthien, Boromir (ferrets)

Good to come home

Applied to be the secretary for the Sales Department and got rejected. Either I wanted too much money or they couldn't give me up as night auditor. Have to look elsewhere for a new job. Had a great at the hoetown Christmas craft show. Met people from school and sold more here than any day at the farmer's market. Go figure. Soon after I got sick with a fever for a couple days.

Happy Thanksgiving

Skunk tried to get into the hotel revolvig door that has been closed for over a year. Luckily it gave up and wandered away.Worked on ornaments for the Christmas craft show in December in my hometown. Celebrated cats 4th birthday (they are littermates). Participated in a Cyber Sale and received 0 orders. Hotel hired a new front desk manager. Hopefully they are better than the last one. Celebrated niece's 19th Birthday. I gave her a gift card for my candle shop. She loves my candles. Took Luthien ferret to the vet with swollen 3rd eye. Possible lymphoma so given steroids. Will see how long she lasts. Worked Thanksgiving so spent a few hours at sister's house talking to the family.

Happy Halloween

Mom got sick at my birthday celebration and rushed to the ER. Had to take my 1st Covid test cause Mom tested positive. My test was negative. Had to wear a mask to work for 10 days as a precaution. Had my last farmer's market days and sold 1 box of tapers. Not doing this farmer's market again next year. Had 2 dogs follow a coworker inside and got them corraled into an office to wait for animal control. They were friendly, but no tags to call an owner. Lost my ferret Eowyn. She had lymphoma for over a year so it was amazing she lived with it for so long. I buried next to her buddy ferret Faramir in the backyard. She died in my arms.

Got fall scent candles and wax melts made for a loval fall festival. Packed the car up the night before. Watched the news and they predicted a rainstorm in the morning so had to cancel. Festival people understood. Bummer. Had niece come over to take photos for ads for my fall scent candles. She loves dressing up in costumes. Applied for another fall vendor sale and was rejected. Our new front desk manager decided not to show up for 3 days in a row so got terminated. I got to work my day off. My supervisor had to work 16 hour shift cause they didn't show up and nobody would answer their phoen to ask to come in. Good riddens to her. Oh, I got 16 hours of overtime that week because the manager decided to quit without telling anybody.

Finally finished my candle catalog. I move at a glacier pace since I have little spare time to get things done. Got my driver's license renewed. Hotel had a Halloween carnival and I won the costume contest. I create a carnival game tossing balls into witch hats kids loved. Scared the cats when I returned home in my costume. They had to sniff my hand before lettign me touch them. Had a good Beggar's Night with about 30 kids. Usually I get 9 kids so this was a happy evening.

Happy Birthday to Me

Got the day off to celebrate my borthday with my family at my hotel restaurant. Family liked my fancy hotel, though menu was a little short with only a few items listed. Have to get a new driver's license to discover Covid rules are still in effect and made permanent. Have to make an appointment to renew my license. Earliest appointment was in October. Sigh. At least I had a good birthday party.

Summer fun

Taking bets every day a certain coworker who is always late will show up. If they are less than 2 hours late, then I am happy. Human Resources is fuming I am still there when they come in to work when I should have left by then, but what can I do? More farmer's markets to sell my candles and wax melts. Had someone tell me that my display candles smelled so good. My display candles are unscented. For some reason people keep asking if I'm selling soap. OK. Celebrated Mom's birthday by making a wreath for her. I took her to a fabric store that was changing locations so got a good deal. She loved her wreath. Had a school supplies drive at work. Began driving the hotel shuttle van cause drivers can't be bothered to show up for work. I'll take the tips. Had a driver quit 3 times. WHy they kept rehiring them, I don't know.

Quit my job in the middle of the night after receiving an email from the unreliable manager who left my cash drawer empty of $5 bills that they want to discuss my negative emails after our meeting today with a supervisor. Excuse me. I am driving the shuttle van repeatedly cause drivers don't come in and don't call. I am practically the only one restocking the gift shop. I am burned out working 10 days in a row. I am staying 2 extra hours longer when my coworker is late. I'm left without $5 bills in a cash drawer with no way to find more at 11 PM. And when I complain about I am told my email is unprofessional and disrespectful to my coworkers. I had enough of this crap. I spent the night restocking everything and got a call early in the morning asking me not to quit. No apology, just don't quit. Well, my quitting cancelled the meeting. Supervisor arrived to work from lack sleep cause my quitting cause people to call them to try to talk me out of quitting. He didn't say anything, just stared at me. I didn't have it in me to tell him off (he's not the problem) so I said I would stay. If I had a new job in line, I would be leaving.

Mom went to the hospital for dehydration so no longer can be left alone. Great. Working 6 days workweeks indefinately and Mom gets upset I don't visit her. I'm a night auditor so sleep all day. When do I have time to visit anyone? I did get in 1 visit when she was recovering in a nursing home. Applied for a front desk job at a hotel and was rejected. Funny, I have a former coworker working there. Had to call the cops on a birthday party from noise complaints. Then security convinced me to let the registed guests stay, but everyone else leave. I think there was some fraternizing with the guests that is forbidden. Had a rainstorm hit the farmer's market and everything at my stand got soaked. Had to buy new boxes to replace those that fell apart.

Happy 4th of July

Busy doing farmer's markets and I have way too many candles to put up every day. Wish I could sell more. Had 3 interviews for bank teller jobs and every one rejected me for whatever reason. I have customer service and cash office experience so how I am not qualified because I don't have bank experience. Missed my brother's birthday party from a marathon competition blocking the streets and then had trouble gettign to work from another event blocking more streets. Sigh.

Got accused by the accountant of being a thief. Explained there are 2 security cameras at the front desk if they wish to know who the real is. Coworker thinks it's the new manager who's stealing money. But we don't have access to the cameras. Won a contest and sample fragrance oils from this company I buy fragrance oils from. Visited my Dad at the cemetery.

Come into work on the 4th of July to find 2 coworkers quit. Great.

Memorial Day Weekend

This month witnessed a lunar eclispe at work. I made my coworker go look at it since it was a beautiful red color. Doing farmer's markets the first two weeks each month. I couldn't afford to do the whole season. Got a phone interview and in person interview for a auto repair shop. They didn't hire me cause I don't love cars. Alirighty then. Went to my niece's high school graduation. We got a new front desk manager for my hotel job. She is both unreliable and full of excuses. Promised a coworker money to help move them from another city. They never got paid. Will see have long they last. Donated candles for a charity auction. Half of them sold. Hope they don't return the unsold ones.

Visited cememteries with family.

Happy Mother's Day

Had a wonderful lunch with Mom and my siblings. I gave her a necklace a friend made. Sister gave me a Mother's Day card from the cat. How sweet. Last week I did my first Farmer's Market selling my candles and newly made wax melts. Sold a few and received a lecture from some old woman how burning candles is toxic for animals. I looked it up online and it says parrafin wax or essential oils can harm pets. Mine have neither.

Happy May Day

Once I completed my Easter Sunday candles order, I totaled my candles solde between St Pat's Day and Easter to donate $1 for every candle sold that time period to a hedgehog owner in Ukraine. I donated $35 to their Patreon account. Hedghog owner is still posting photos and videos so they are still alive. Safe is a relative term being safe one moment and then have to rush to shelter when air raid sirens go off. I hope this war ends soon. Supervisor had surgery and a coworker quit, but waited until supervisor returned before leaving.

Received notice that I was accepted to a 2nd farmers market and asked for stall fees to be paid. I spent so much already for 1 farmers market and have little time to make candles for 2 farmers markets. I barely have time to do my yardwork. I had to decline. Cut 12 inches off my hair for the warmer spring that finally arrived after a tons of rain.

Had an interview that was a disaster. Owner wanted a manager to run 5 pet projects while I was applying for entry level accountant. Had a visit from a red tailed hawk I think was here last year. Pets rushed inside when it screeched and soared over a neighbr's yard. Don't want them to become lunch. Decided to make wax melts in addition to candles. Someone who sold Scentsy was interested in my wax melt selection. We will see if they actually buy some. I decided to cease applying for jobs for a while. I need to focus on my farmers market candles. Who would hire me with a side gig commitment until September? I checked the sales on my Easter book and so far, no reported sales of my ebook on the publisher site. I want to cry. I try so hard to make money and I just get more debt.

Post later.

Happy Easter

Reading my month end report of my candle web page, I noticed I didn't sell one single candle the entire month of March. I went to my social media begging people to buy a candle. I had Easter egg candles, an Easter book, and was tryign to raise money for a Ukraine pet page. Being poor sucks when you have no power to make the world a better place. You want to help someone, but can't cause I have nothing to give. I have debt, not riches. I work my butt off to barely get by let alone pay back loans and rising credit card bills due to my candle business. It costs money to make money. Nothing is free. My farmers market wanted a deposit to hold my spot. I have to buy wax, candles jars and tins, boxes, and labels. I have to supply my own stand buying a canopy, table, display, signs, and shelf labels. Several social media friends bought candles to help me out. They said they loved their candles, but won't write a product review so strangers finding my page know I am a real business who delivers their product.

Took cats to the vet for their annual shots. Bilbo is fat at 22 lbs. and Misty is 15 lbs. Have to cut down on the food. Once I got my Easter book on my website for sale, I discovered my ebooks was available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Google Play. I'm an author, in a bookstore. Hope I sell lots of ebooks to pay off my debts. Sold one print copy to a coworker for their granddaughter and even signed it for them. Having difficulty seeing small print the past couple years, I got my eyes checked. The eye doctor said, "Congratulations, you need bifocals". So got new glasses and bifocals aren;t that bad. I just to hold my paper a certain way to read it. "Received great news. After 3 years waiting for the Elton John concert, I got an email tellign it was on in a few days. Told my nephew who had to change shifts with someone to go. We had a great time close to the stage. I parked in my hotel's parking garage and took the shuttle back and forth. Who's a good aunt?

My hotel got so desperate for workers they held a hiring event in the ballroom. No new front desk people, but hired a new shuttle driver who lasted 1 day. Got to work on Easter cakes for my family and coworkers, which means I had to take a break from making candles. Had a good Easter eating lunch with my family since I have the weekend off. Even better, it started snowing. Nautrally had to take photos and videos. Then I receive an email alert how I have a new candle order that wasn't there the day before.

This year's Easter Bunny Trap story is:

Scuffle in the darkness: Umph, get off me naughty animals!

Luthien: Hurry Eowyn before he gets loose.

Eowyn: Oh no, I hear ferretmom's footsteps.

Ferretmom: What is going on here?

Untie Easter Bunny who hops out the door.

Ferrets and Cats trying to act innocent: Happy Easter.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Celebrated sister's birthday at home. Wrote a children's books about the ferrets teaching the cats how to trap the Easter Bunny and self-published it. I chose the Ebook distribution option so other bookstores can sell it in their shops. I hope someboy picks it up. Won't receive author royalties immediately cause the bookstore has to report the sales to the publisher first, which they do monthly or quarterly. Sigh. Donated some candles for a charity auction comign in the spring. Hopefully I can get my business name out there. People don't buy when they don't know you exist.

Hotel manager came up a way to increase customer satisfaction sorces: A game room for the athletes arriving for the wrestling tournament. This led to a trashed room, broken chandliers, and torn open ping pong balls. If manager wanted to help customer satisfaction scores, they could have spent the money they did on the game room fixing the heat customers keep complaining about, or fixing the housekeeping who leave guets room doors open and don't clean them properly (dirty carpet, trash in waste basket, dirty vents, missing tolietries, unmade beds). Engineers replaced thermostats on one floor, but not other floors.

Working hard to complete my candle collection to be considered for a farmers market. I applied for 3 in local area so hope someone accepts me. I have to get my business name out. Started a funraiser to help a pet page I follow based in Ukraine. I pledged $1 for every candle I sell between now and Easter. I got cartons to do 6 Easter Egg candles. I hope people want Easter egg candles. Celebrated Luthien's 5th birthday with cupcakes. Cats got some catnip. Wet to the local production of a 1920's version of "The Magic Flute" by Mozart. It was in German with English subtitles. I enjoyed myself.

We got a thunderstorm in early March complete with tornado that killed 7 people in the next county. The next day we had snow. Mother Nature must be on drugs. Coworker told me I could take my yard pinecones and make fire starters to sell. I never heard of a fire starter pine cone. Had to look that up to do those this summer. Received my acceptance letter to sell at a local farmers market. Now have to make candles to sell, but how many do I make? Got my 5 copies of my Easter book in the mail to post them on my web page. Hopefully somebody wants a print copy of my book and not just the Ebook avaialble at book stores. Happy St. Patrick's Day. May you find a McD's with a working Shamrock Shake machine.

Letter to the Newspaper Editor

I was told my whole life to work hard and good things will come. Yeah, that's a lie. I graduated college with a Bachelor's Degree in History to find managers more concerned that I fit into their work environment than if I was qualified to do the job. Studying in school, I never realized I had to win a personality contest to obtain a job. Then lacking actual experience in the world, I find entry level positions wanting 2-3 years experience. Even better, you have to be pretty to be offered a position by a male manager. Let's just say most of my managers have been female. I worked retail and a car rental to be regarded as uneducated and stupid by many customers. Had a customer ask if I wished I would have gotten an education to work a better paying job now. I answered back that I have a Bachelor's Degree and have nice day. I was even told by another customer I would never succeed in life because they didn't like my store's return policy. Whatever.

Been through the unemployment office four times when my business owner sold their company, my company needed to slash expenses, and my seasonal job reached the end of the season. I don't have a kid, own a car, and own a retirement account (and now own a house) so I cannot receive any public assistance when the unemployment benefits run out. Being unemployed I'm told I'm lazy because I refuse to get a job at McDonald's or as a waitress. I have torn tendons in my ankle and cannot stand up for eight hours. And food service jobs don't pay my rent let alone my groceries. Tried my hand at tax preparing to earn extra money, but seasonal work is not much of a career builder. Returned to collage at age 39 to receive an Associate degree in accounting at age 41, complete with honors. Found an office job to lose it when company needs to slash expenses. 44 and dismissed yet again, I'm told I'm unemployable because I was dismissed so I must be damaged goods, I want too much money, and too old to work even though I cannot withdraw social security for another twenty years. Ended up taking a hotel front desk job because due to Covid, the manager was desperate to hire anyone who showed up for their shift.

In my quest to pay off debt accumulated by returning to college and paying bills without income, I recently began a side gig selling homemade candles. I even been approved to sell my wares at a farmer's market. Who's laughing now remembering being told they are lazy, stupid, and unemployable? Now I dare dream of running my own gift shop someday.

Employers are creating their own worker shortage with their snobbery, unemployment bias, ageism, hair bias, algorithms, and making candidates jump through hoops with never-ending tests and interviews. They would reject an industrious, creative, smart, and persistent candidate and now maybe they will buy candles at a farmer's market from her. Employers, you never know what you might find looking behind the resume sitting in a chair across from you. I am in charge of my destiny so I will make my own money because I'm not going to get it from an employer. I hope this piece inspires others.

Happy Valentine's Day

My hotel announced they were to restart serving lunch and room service again. That will make a lot of hotel guests happy. Human Resources keeps advertising through our email the referral bounus if one of our friends works here for over a month. Yeah, I'm sorry but the people I could refer have better paying careers. Put away Christmas decorations to get Valentine's day stuff. Then got to work researching a candle making supplies and upcoming craft shows/farmers markets this summer to make my brand be known. Got sample candles done and put up on a craft website to apply for farmers markets who made their decisions in March. Wish me luck. Got a Paypal account connected to my new farret page I made promoting my ferret adventures and market my new merchandise. Got several jars, tins, and tea lights to launch my candle business with a Valanetine theme on January 15th. I figured what heart stuff I don't sell for Valentine's Day, I can sell for summer weddings. Discovered farmers markets require not only a sales tax permit, but also liability insurance so had to get both.

Got my Covid booster for maximum protection (for a while anyway). Skipped do taxes for the tax preparation site this year. Last year my manager got upset from me working there cause I have coworkers who can't show up and I was needed. Plus, I had to keep calling in to the tax place from not being able to work from the other job needing me. I will focus on selling candles for extra money. This hotel has a skeleton force so often work 6 days a week when someone calls in sick.

Had an axiety attack at work after reading one of the many "you made an error" emails from the accountant. Accountant demanded I must do the night audit absolutely correct every time for their figures balance correctly. I explained in an email to my supervisor and HR that I am ready to start looking for another job cause way too much is expected from someone barely trained. I am not a genius and need time to learn to do everything correctly every time I do it. HR talked to me the next morning and calmed me down. They will speak to the accountant to lower the emails to one email a day with all my errors. I explained it would help if it was explained how to do it correctly. Some things the accountant complains about, I have not been trained on or haven't done often enough to know what to do.

Had a snowstorm with 14.3 inches of snow. Got stuck turning into my driveway (car didn't like turning in 14.3 inches of snow) with my front wheel drive SUV while navigating my unplowed residential streets. Eventually I made it to the garage and went straight to bed. Ferrets loved digging snow tunnels and swimming in the snow. Ferrets love snow. Cats hate it. Due to the snowfall, my food scale to measure candle wax arrived late. Researched candle label laws (yes, they exist). I have to label my candles in ounces and grams, what wax was used, and have a fire warning label. Made my first sample candles following directions on the wax melting pot. Directions said to cool wax faster by placing in freezer or fridge. Yeah, later I read online that freezer will make glass candle jars break and refrigerator fast cool gets cracks in the wax. Must cool candles at room temperature and soy wax needs cooled overnight. Beeswax in molds must be taken out after 2-3 hours or they get stuck (learned the hard way) and silicone molds are easier to remove candles. Also fragrance oil needs a certain temperature to bind to the wax. Great, now need a wax thermometer. Live and learn.

Got my first customer to make candles for, my Mom's cousin. Took some photos for my web sales page. Created a new logo and ordered labels. Set some jars aside to make sample jars so people can smell the scented wax before purchasing in case I a farmers market or presentation to a potential gift shop buyer.

Discovered a politician was visiting my hotel for a conference there to make a sppech. And it was my day off. Bummer. There are rules against fraternizing with guests and no photos/autographs of celebrities if you want to keep your job so wouldn't be able to talk to them anyway beyond "Have a good day". Eowyn ferret went missing for a couple days. Got her to come out with a bag of Cheetos in the basement. Took her upstairs and gave food and water. Poor dear was in downstairs basement without food or water for 2 days and she was hungry and thristy. Viewed an ad for a credit card reader to take credit card payments. I signed up for a free one to use at potential farmers markets/craft shows. I connected to the new credit card reader website to my ferret page so fans can buy candles through the webpage. tried to do my expenses and sales on spreadsheets to get overwhelmed to get a subscription to accounting software. This candle business set up in a pain in the tushy.

Watched the Olympics on TV. Figure Skating and Snowboarding are my favorites. Celebrated Boromir ferret's 4th birthday with cupcakes. Ferrets love frosting. Spent Valentine's Day visiting Mom to deliver a candle gift and setting up my new candle mold smaples up on my business website. I made a heart cake of popular Pink Moscato flavor for my coworkers. Have a great Valentine's Day.

Dear Mr. President

As the anniversary of the Jan 6 protest/insurrection refusing the results of the Presidential Election Congress was set to certify approaches tomorrow, I'm sure many politicians and TV show personalities will make speeches or comments about it. It was a day we almost lost our American democracy. Many countries across the world have lost their democracies to small groups of militants claiming to be saviors setting up dictatorships to end up murdering their own people to maintain control. Many ask why democracy is collapsing so easily when it is such a strong political system. I beg to differ. It is the American people who make our democracy strong.

Dear Mr. President,

The violence on January 6, 2021 at the Washington D.C. capitol building proved to the world that Democracy is Fragile. It would be very easy for that group of people to take over the government like the Russian Revolution or French Revolution. But we have a united military who drove out the protesters from the capitol building and protected the politicians who hid in the basement as they certified the election results in peace. My Republican governor who endorsed former President Trump sent national guard troops to help preserve the peace in Washington DC. We cherish our democracy because the Americans in the past fought for it. America continues to have a democracy because the American people demand it. We choose peaceful ways to make change: We vote, We petition our legislators, We sue in court, and We protest. Yes, protests can turn violent and the violence quickly ends when the national guard gets deployed to help the overwhelmed police. Heaven forbid if our military took over the government, I have no doubt the American people would be protesting in the streets demanding our democracy back. We were educated to believe "All men are created equal" as it says in the Declaration of Independence and "We the People of the United States of America" as it says in the US Constitution determine our own destiny. Will the American people as a whole accept a charismatic dictator. Certainly not, we are not only a nation of immigrants, but also a nation of rebels. We delcared our independence in 1776 and fought a 7 year long war to secure that freedom won 1783. You seriously believe the American people would tolerate giving up their freedom and control over their destiny without a fight. If you believe we Americans would tolerate someone crowning themselves King of America or President for Life, you don't know the American people at all. Our ancestors fought for freedom and democracy and Americans will fight again to keep it that way.

Thank you for reading this.

Happy New Year

After a delightful day with family during Christmas Day, I had a nightmare Christmas Evening of Eowyn taking a trip to heaven. For days I was consumed with anxiety to the point I felt like vomiting. I pinpoined my fear: Not being there when poor sick Eowyn with lymphome dies. I don't wish her to die alone, I want her to be surrounded by her loving family. More days go by and she is still with us. I don't know why I had that nightmare if it wasn't coming true soon. Such a cliffhanger in the Story of Life.

Launched a social media page for my ferrets so people can read our ferret stories without having to apply to our friend. In 2 days we gained 20 followers. I plan to start selling scented candles, Easter children's book on the feret Bunny Trap stories, and at the end of the year sell calendars. Busy buying candle making supplies and writing the Easter Bunny Trap story. Hopefully I can make more money cause I need it to pay off debt. Perhaps I can get some time off to attend farmer's markets or trade shows once this Covid business evaporates to a seasonal thing like the common flu.

Had our first winter snowfall 4 days after Christmas and the pets refused to go outside. Worked New Year's Eve with a coworker. At midnight I was either tallking on the phone with hotel guests wanting the shuttle that ran until 1 AM or was reading online stories about other countries celebrating New Year's before us. New Year's Day I put the Christmas decorations away to leave out the angels and winter decorations.

I pray for a better year. Candle making should be arriving any day now.

Merry Christmas to Me

Interesting. Had a coworker who trained me on the night audit duties arrive to inform me I'm no longer doing the night audit cause I made too many mistakes. The accountant, front desk supervisor, and the night auditor held a meeting behind my back to discuss the new arrangement. Apparently I was expected to master in 4 weeks what took my coworker 3 months to master, then had my support taken away when the general manager didn't want to pay for 2 night auditors in the same evening because hotel guest numbers were declining. What mistakes was I making, I have no idea but apparently I po'ed the accountant enough to conduct a meeting behind my back to remove me from my duties without telling me how to do my job correctly. I see how things work around here. Guess I better look for another job cause I can't afford my paychecks being slashed. Merry Christmas to Me.

Happy Festivus

December was all preparing for Christmas. Put up my Mom's decorations and then my own. Her decorations take a few hours, mine took 15 hours. Then began the baking of cookies, cakes. pies, fudge, toffee, and almond bark pretzels. Need the whole month to complete those. Delivered treats to my chiropractor, vet, mechanic, postal carrier, and Mom's retirement apartment receptionists. Brother and wife had a small dinner in their house with our siblings plus Mom's cousin. Aunt from Omaha is coming over for Christmas Day at Mom's place. With Mom's brain capacity diminished, aunt is doing all the dinner planning. I get Xmas Eve and Day off so will finish my French Silk pie on Eve to spend Day with my sister's family. aunt, and Mom. Sister's cat Sammie died last week from kidney failure so still mourning that loss.

Post later.

Christmas Story

Twas the night before Christmas and I could hardly bare it

Not a creature was stirring not even a ferret

The stockings were hung on the bookcase with care

In hopes that St. Nicholas would bring toys to share

The ferrets were nestled all snug in their bedspreads

While visions of red balls and feathers danced in their heads

I Bilbo was curled up on Mama’s pillow

With Misty on her feet like a fluffy marshmellow

When out on the lawn I heard a dog bark

I sprang from the bed after viewing a bright spark

Away to the window we pounced in a flurry

The ferrets jumped out of the sheets in a hurry

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow

Covered up the leaves where raccoons like to go

When what to my wandering cat eyes should appear

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer

With a little old driver so bright red and quick

I so badly wanted to give that toy a lick

More rapid than ferret bites his coursers they came

And he whistled and shouted and called them by name

Now Sparkle, Now Snowball, Now Ivy and Holly

On Mittens, On Tinsel, On Jingles and Jolly

To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall

Now dash away, dash away, dash away all

As dry leaves that before the snowy hurricane whirl

We kitties danced and the ferrets twirled

The Santa trap had sprung when Misty drank the milk

And the ferrets licked the cookies in a shady bilk

Then, in a twinkling we heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof

As I drew in my head and jumped over a ball

St. Nicholas tripped over the light cord to fall

He crashed to release out a loud yell

And the decorations shook on the wall like a bell

I took the opportunity to explore his sack

And Santa got up to see Misty getting him an untouched snack

His eyes twinkled as Eowyn got more milk in a wag

Luthien gave him a napkin, then Boromir pulled me out of the bag

His droll little mouth shouted Ho, Ho, Ho

And the hair on his chin was as white as the snow

The stump of his pipe he held in his teeth like a charm

And the smoke encircled up to set off the smoke alarm

Away to remove the battery he swiftly rushed

Then looked at us and rightly blushed

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf

And I squeaked when he petted me in spite of myself

We rubbed our fur on his boots with a purr

Then we heard Mama beginning to stir

He finished his milk and cookies

Then filled all the stockings next to the ferret dookies

Then laying a finger on the side of his nose

And giving a nod, out the door he rose

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a holler

And away they all flew as we furbabies got taller

But I heard exclaim as he drove out of sight

Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night

Christmas Letter 2021

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my family and friends.

Worked the overnight shift at my hotel job New Year's Eve. I worked on snack shop inventory so at my midnight I was either counting the Cheetos bags in the snack shop or in the storage closet. New Year's Day I slept at the hotel for 8 hours and then worked the afternoon shift. The day before New Year’s Eve we had 9.6 inches of snow delivered by Mother Nature and snowplows were still moving it out of the way on New Year’s Day. Then the next day I got called into work because a coworker got into a car accident. I explained that I had spent the past 24 hours at the hotel and completely exhausted. Poor manager had to work a double shift (overnight and morning shifts). Later, I realized I didn't even have clean uniforms to wear if I had said yes. Happy New Year to Me.

Worked the tax office again to the dismay of my hotel manager who needed me to work due to a 2nd coworker getting into a car wreck. I got to pick up the slack and tell the tax office I couldn’t come in on multiple occasions until injured coworkers quit and new people were hired. Drove through a snowstorm to get to work though the news was saying to stay home. I had to go to work, or my lone able-bodied coworker would have to work 16 hours. We endured a polar vortex so cold the animals refused to go outside, and ants entered the kitchen. Plus, the hotel's furnace broke so I brought a space heater from home to keep warm. I ordered a heart shaped pizza for Mom to be delivered on Valentine's Day. That day I worked the overnight shift and then went to bed when got home. After waking up, I went to my brother's house to help celebrate my sister's birthday (which is two days later). Celebrated ferret Boromir's 4th Birthday, then Luthien’s 5th Birthday with cupcakes. Lost male Beta fish Ares.

My hotel job began serving their hot breakfast again. Hotel guests were happy until the cinnamon rolls stopped being delivered by the manufacturer, then our guest satisfaction scores took a hit. Mom got her Covid vaccine so her senior living place released some restrictions. She was happy to start exercising and playing cards with the others again. She was finally allowed to grocery shop with my sister instead of her bags being dropped off at the front desk. Worked the overnight shift during Daylight Savings Time. It was fun watching the clock on the computer announce 1:57, 1:58, 1:59, then poof, it's 3:00. Didn't have a St. Patrick's Day parade in my city again cause of Covid. Oh well, had to work anyway. Visited with family during Easter at my brother’s house. Had the last day at the tax office and considered stopping doing taxes period. When I first started doing taxes, I was working retail and needed the money since got fewer hours after Christmas sales ended until Easter when sales picked up again. It kept me afloat between jobs and going back to college years. But now, I’m working full-time again and not likely to be abruptly unemployed anytime soon (I’ve been vaccinated). I believe it is time to move onto other things.

Misty cat chased her first baby rabbit (relax, bunny escaped into the neighbors' yard). Nephew got a job at a fast-food place so left to do my own yard mowing. Planted some flower seeds and got a few flowers to bloom. Unsure if it’s the soil or my work-exhausted, lack of care that prevents more flowers from spouting up. I often worked 6 days a week thanks to the labor shortage. Then the hotel manager quit to go work at a dry cleaner’s shop. You know it’s bad at work when the top manager quits to work for a dry cleaner. We had revolving managers until a new manager was hired. Missed out on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorial Day, and my sister’s family adventures at an amusement park because I was always working. Did manage to attend my brother’s birthday party and visit some family during a reunion celebrating my aunt’s birthday.

Poor Eowyn ferret had one of eyes begin swelling outward. Received ointment and antibiotics to give her in hope that it was just an eye ulcer. Eowyn did not get better and had surgery to remove her eyeball along with a brain tumor pushing her eye out. Vet said she has lymphoma that probably had spread to other parts of the body. No ferret expert in Iowa for radiation treatments, plus she is old lady, so thought it best to make her comfortable her last months of life. She resembles a pirate with one eye. Managed to finish my latest novel “Southern Belle”. Check it out at https://southernbellenovel.blogspot.com. Enjoyed a 4th of July parade on Saturday night before working so missed the fireworks, but got a good show at home from my neighbors’ yards. Niece was happy to see me since haven’t seen me all summer. Celebrated Mom's birthday, then nephew’s birthday at restaurants. I found a new job at a different hotel. Same job title, more money. I have to go where the money is. Between hotel jobs, I celebrated my birthday with my family eating pizza and cake at my sister's house. I fed their dog pieces of sausage. Yes, I am one of THOSE people. Started my new job after my birthday weekend, which was Labor Day. The shuttle drivers kept getting surprised I kept showing up to work. Um, is this new hotel that awful to work for that nobody in their right mind would WANT to be here? I’ve worked 16 years in customer service, so it takes a lot to shake me up to quit. I quit the old hotel from exhaustion. I realized I never went swimming or enjoyed my charcoal grill all summer. I even got scheduled to work 12 days in a row and after Day 9, my brain turned into mush. I broke under the strain like my top manager did before me. In fact, new hotel has less responsibilities for me (no laundry, no pool room/exercise room cleaning, no lobby cleaning, and no kitchen duties) though added bistro and banquet room rentals added to the night audit paperwork. Can’t complain. Celebrated Eowyn’s 6th birthday and will probably be her last. She’s eating and walking around so not on death’s doorstep just yet. Hopefully she will be here through Christmas.

Found an orange striped ribbon snake in my yard and grabbed my ferret Boromir before he became lunch (they can grow up to 30 inches). Lost my Beta female Andromeda and then Beta male Poseidon right after purchasing a new female I named Pandora for him to watch. Then Pandora died a week later. I think I will give up on fish for a while. Had deer eating my grass and bushes in my front yard at night. Scared my cats right off my lap. During Beggar's Night, had several groups of kids come by and then a homeless man knocked on my door for candy. Celebrated my sister-in-law's birthday with cake and ice cream at their home. Celebrated niece's 18th birthday at a restaurant with cake and ice cream at their home. Celebrated cats Bilbo and Misty's 3rd Birthday with some catnip (and cake for me with ferrets licking some of the frosting). Had to rake my own yard again cause nephew still works at the fast-food place. I worked on my yard until too sore to move. Will just have to finish next spring. Spent Thanksgiving at sister's house and took nephew to the newly released ”House of Gucci” movie. Took sister, niece and nephew Black Friday Shopping at the malls. Viewed the lunar eclipse at work and thought it was so pretty I had my coworker go outside to observe it. My brother will host the extended family gathering before Christmas and Mom with my aunt will hostess Christmas Day. Most likely be working New Year’s Eve again. Have to kiss the pets when I get home New Year’s Day.

Love Always,

Jordan

Bilbo, Misty (cats)

Eowyn, Luthien, Boromir (ferrets)

Preparing for Christmas

Sent a card for great-niece's 6th Birthday. I told the clerk to place $15 on her gift card. Well, clerk typed in $50 so wrote a note my niece can use the rest of the amount to buy her daughters Christmas presents. Got all the Christmas decorations up in 15 hours over 2 days. Had my exercise for the month. Put up my Mom's decorations too, Checked on my weight loss prgress and 5 pounds lighter on scale. Can't complain. Started watching holiday movies. Don't have cable or satellite so my 25 Days of Christmas movies are on DVD. Been doing the night audit mostly by myself, but still have the babysitter to train on new things that come up. Got my Christmas cards done so have to prepare the letter to add to the package. My borher will host the extended family gathering and Mom will hostess Christmas Day. Went shopping for ingredients for my goodies and will get started on them soon. Well better start my Christmas letter now.

Happy Thanksgiving

November started with getting my phone and internet fixed. Got out the heavy winter sweaters from storage while I waited. Celebrated my sister-in-law's birthday with cake and ice cream. The hotel head housekeeper quit and maids began leaving the guest rooms they cleaned wide open with lights on so wondered if it was a protest. Until a new head housekeeper was hired, the maids didn't want to do their jobs. Celebrated niece's birthday at an Italian restaurant with cake and ice cream at their home. Celebrated cats Bilbo and Misty's 3rd Birthday with some catnip. Had to rake my own yard cause nephew was still working at a fast food place and can't come. I worked on my yard until too sore to move. Will just have to finish next spring. Made some goodies for the front desk staff to enjoy on Thanksgiving to find out on arriving to work on Black Friday that they didn't eat any of it. Spent Thanksgiving at sister's house and then took niece and nephew Black Friday Shopping at the mall. Sa the new Gucci movie with nephew (loved it). Discovering common interests with a coworker, but we can't be friends cause they are a supervisor and thus, have some authority over me like the schedules (not a manager so probaly couldn't fire me without general manager approval). It's getting to be a pleasure and torture to work with them.

Viewed the lunar eclipse and thought so pretty I had my coworker go outide to observe it. Another shift, had a birthday party in a hotel room escalate into violence where a party guest in the room had to be taken to the hospital. Blood trail in view of guests were coming down for breakfast. My supervisor left their phone behind so couldn't call them for assistance on procedures when kicking a guest out of the hotel. First was noise complaints, then poor security guy had to break up a fist fight in front of the airline flight crew in the lobby preparing to leave for the airport. Supervisor arrived wondering why there were a bunch of cop cars out front and the birthday guest complained the cops ordered them to leave the hotel to request a refund (even though they were there all night long). Supervisor explained no refunds when cops force people to leave.

Happy Halloween

Started my new job at the new hotel after my birthdy weekend. No holiday pay for Labor Day at this hotel either. Drat. Had to do online trainign for nearly 2 weeks before reaching the front desk first day. I work with great people and a few handsome guys so no complaints here. (And please control your excitement of marrying every guy I meet cause I'm not their type). One gal got married and I met the other bride who checked into the hotel (employees can't stay at the hotel unless there is a great snowstorm that prevents us from driving home). I discovered my main purpose was to get the accountant off the front desk since they were developing a backlog in the accounting department. The shuttle drivers keep getting surprised I keep coming back to work. Um, is this new hotel that awful to work for that nobody in their right mind would WANT to be here? Heard they had to furlough 95% of the staff due to Covid and then discovered during the Black Lives Matter downtown riots, the hotel windows were smashed in. The pool was closed for a month cleaning up glass, replacing the windows, and refilling the pool water. The people I work with have been here 5-28 years so I guess I'm with good company who know what they are doing.

New hotel leaves leftover breakfast items for the staff to eat in the breakroom. In fact, any event leftover is placed in the breakroom. They cook good food here. They only serve dinner in the bistro cause of staff shortages. In fact, they got staff shortages in the maid department that they got the restaurant manager stripping beds to help housekeeping. No room service and no lunch service due to staffing shortages.

Overheard the event say to a potential they were unsure if the Head Chef was skilled in decoarting cakes. I blurted out after they hung up that I can do cakes so made a jack o'lanteran cake to show off my skills. I said no more treats until Christmas. It costs money I'm not getting back and working overnights 5 days a week doesn't leave me with much time to do much for free. Everybody loved my cakes and cookies I presented in the break room. Made my first ermine/whipped frosting for Eowyn's birthday red velvet cupcakes.

Found a orange striped ribbon snake in my yard and grabbed my ferret Boromir before he became lunch. New hotel in the downtown area has an issue of homeless people trying to sleep in the lobby and eating the free breakfast. We have security people who keep kicking them out. One said they caught someone sleeping on the restroom floor once. Hotel guests don't really like them hanging around, but can only order them to leave the hotel. Got an interview offer from another hotel that is further away from my current hotel that I applied for 3 months ago. Sorry, I'm taken.

After finishing up my front desk traiing, I was placed in the AM shift to work by myself. Celebrated ferret Eowyn's 6th Birthday. She has lymphoma so probably be her last birthday. Will see if she makes it to Christmas. He good eye has turned bad and unusre if I want to pay another $300 for eye removal making her completely blind when she sick with cancer. She has been avoiding me since her last eye removal surgery.

Lost my Beta male Posidian right after purchasing a new female I named Pandora for him to watch. Then Pandora died a week later. I think I will give up on fish for a while. Covered a shift for a sick coworker and then I believe I caught their bug. I haven't earned PTO yet so can't afford not to work. Lost my electricity for a day and internet access along with no landline phone service for nearly a month. When was fixed, I still didn't have internet/phone so had to wait to get that fixed. Turned out some cables in the downtown area were to blame. After a month of no phone, a relative text messaged my cell explaining my phone didn't work. Yeah, I knew that. Had someone at the hotel try to get me to give them to garage code. They actually came by 3 times in one hour. Sorry guests of the hotel who pay the fee get the code. Days later some truck hit the guard rail to the parking garage. I wondered if it was the same person I refused to give the code to.

Had my last day as the AM person since we hired new people and I told my supervisor I was on the edge of a nervous breakdown. Nonstop phone calls and limited access in the system didn't help my stress. I barely know what I am doing and get little help from upper management supposed to help me. Began learning the night audit process that is more complicated that the old hotel hotel with events and bistro figures added.

Had deer eating my grass and bushes in my front yard at night. Scared my cat right off my lap. During Beggar's Night, had several groups of kids come by and then a homeless man knocked on my door for candy.

Remembering September 11

The 20th Anniversary of the Terror Attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, plus a plane crash in Pennsylvania is soon here. I remember that day as if it were yesterday much like people remember Pearl Harbor or the JFK Assassination.

On September 11, 2001, I was 26 years old and lived in a studio apartment. I worked at Payless ShoeSource at Southridge Mall (no longer there)and National Car Rental at the airport. I just started the car rental job the month before so I was still in training with the manager. No pets yet.

I woke up exhausted from working 2 jobs at the same time. I didn't turn on the TV and just ate my breakfast to take off for work. On my way to work, none of the radio stations were playing music. All the stations were talking about some plane crash in Pennsylvania. I arrived at work and asked my manager what the heck was going on. She replied I missed the excitement that morning of every plane in the country landing at once and hundreds of people wanting cars cause they couldn't wait for the buses to be provided. She then said to go watch the TV in the airport bar. I go and see the twin towers on fire, the Pentagon was damaged, and the plane crash in Pennsylvania was from the passengers rebelling against the hijackers so they crashed the plane. Nobody ever figured out the destination of that plane. While I was watching TV, the first tower collapsed and I went back to my manager to tell her the one tower had fallen. She went to the bar and came back later announcing the 2nd tower had fallen. The only connection to the terror attack victims/survivors was the car rental gal next door (I think her name was Lolly) had a son who worked at the World Trade Center and she was worried all day if he were alive or dead. We heard the next day that he had called her that evening cause it took him all day to get home. He was at his desk when the first plane hit the other tower. He thought, That's it I'm outta here. It turned out the 2nd plane hit his floor so his desk was incenerated.

So I spent most of September 11 sitting in a corner of the car rental while my manager explained to people we had no cars to rent out. I got home to watch the news. The news people said that the terrorists committed this attack over Israel. I sat in shock. OK, let me wrap my mind around this: Over 2000 people died today over freaking Israel? What does Israel have to do with us? Unless a bomb goes off and people are killed, the news people never mention Israel. I watch the news on TV, read newspapers and magazines, I watch movies and TV shows, Israel isn't there. I know politicians will "Stand With Israel" and give foreign aid (which they apparently give a lot of countries). Don't ask me why cause I couldn't even tell you where Tel Aviv is located that keeps getting hit with suicide bombers. In fact, I couldn't tell you the name of any of their Presidents, or Prime Ministers, or whatever their leaders are called. Beyond being the holy land of 3 religions, Israel doesn't mean much to Americans. To most Americans, Israel is just a foreign country on the other side of the world. If devout people have access to holy sites, they don't really care where Jews, Christians, and Muslims live in Israel or who gets elected to office. What the heck did Israel do to justify this mass murder of these innocent people going about their lives?

As the days went on, security at the airport got more strict. At the shoe store, we collected donations for the American Red Cross. American flags suddenly popped up everywhere, even on jewelry and clothing. I got a set of flag pins at a retail store. 1 I still have and wear on September 11. I heard of tourists visiting at the time were surprised at all these American flags appearing from nowhere. That didn't suprise me at all. Americans are very patriotic on Independence Day. Soon Halloween came a month later and the most popular costumes were first responders. Horror movies were also popular and articles were written to explain this popularity of horror movies after witnessing a real life horrific event. The conclusion was horror in movies is fake and people walk away unscarred. Many people joined the military after the terror attacks. Then the War of Terror began in Iraq and Afghanistan. I know a few people from school I found on social media who went to Afghanistan. Every time a terror attack occured in the world, the airport made all the employees get new badges and criminal background checks. The cops at the airport were always tense after an atttack somewhere in the world. They got real upset when people parked their cars in front of the airport. A year later I went to England with my family with extra security policies. These were the days before digital cameras and I prayed my disposable film cameras I was forced to put through X-Ray machines didn't ruin my photos of my trip.

Time went on and people began to move on from September 11. Child were born who only viewed September 11 in the history books and documentaries. But for a time, we learned to tell people we love them and cherish our time on earth.

Now American troops have left Iraq and Afghanistan. Iraq next battled ISIS or ISIL and Afghanistan was retaken by the Taliban with a rival ISIS-K group waiting to overthrow them. Who knows what will happen in the future cause it has not been written yet.

I'm sure many Americans wondered why other countries hate us so much. Is it our freedom they don't have? We are the polar opposite of a absolute power dictatorship. Is it our prosperity and influence over the world as a superpower? I know they love our technology such as weapons, computers, internet, TV, and cell phones. I can tell them how to get prosperity like us. Prosperity needs a stable economy where businesses can assume they will be in business next year. A stable economy needs a stable political system where leaders change without bloodsheed (Revolution, Military Coup d'etat, or Civil War). A stable political system needs a strong army (I say strong army instead strong military cause bombs are nice but you need ground troops to occupy the land) that can withstand invasion from the outside and rebellion from the inside. A strong army/military needs cultural unity. America is a unified culture where we all call ourselves Americans. Of the victims of September 11, Americans don't care what race they were, what religion they followed, who they voted for in the last election, or how much money they had. We know they were Americans who didn't deserve this fate and therefore, we mourn them even if we never met them.

Are these people we give democracy to on a silver platter unifed cultures? Democracy won't survive places where people are shooting their neighbors. I think sometimes politicians forget that.

We Americans cherish our freedom and democracy so much because we fought for it. Well, not me personally but my ancestors did. General George Washington fought an 8-year war to secure our independence from Great Britain, with French help. Then when the 1st government under the Articles of Confederation wasn't working out so good, the miliary planned a military coup d'etat and intended to crown George Washington as king, or emperor cause he could have had his choice. General Washington was invited to speak at a meeting plannning to overthrow the fledgling government. He joked how he was old and needed his spectacles (glasses) to read his speech. He explained (I'm summarizing here) that his soldiers did not fight and die to overthrow a king to replace him with another, there will be no King of America, not him and not anyone else. So instead of King George we got President George under the US Constitution. Then, after 8 years, 2 terms, he left office to pass the torch to someone else. Which is why after President Roosevelt was elected to 3 terms that the Constitution was changed to prevent anyone from holding office indefinately. Americans will not tolerate a absolute monarchy. George Washington fought for the idea that all men are created equal, not to crown himself king. Americans don't fight for power, they fight for equality (generally speaking).

I read how foreignors stated that if Americans lost their freedom, they have nowhere to go. I can say with absolute certainty, if that day came, Americans would fight to take their freedom back. Nobody handed our freedom, our rights, or our privledges on a silver platter. Americans past and present fought marching down the street, fought in the courts, and fought lobbying politicians. We have unions, voting rights, end to segregation, and sexual harassment laws because they were fought for. People died fighting our rights. People were thrown in jail and beaten fighting for our rights. It wasn't fun and it wasn't easy fighting for the rights we have today. I think politicans forget that. What are the people in other countries we give democracy to fighting for? Are they going to fight to keep the democracy they just received? Do they fight for equality or do they fight for power? Only time will tell.

Happy Birthday to Me

It's the one day a year I admit my true age. Funny how that happens when hitting 46 (according to teenagers I'm ancient). I celebrated with my family eating pizza at my sister's house. I fed the dog pieces of sausage. I opened my Mom's gift which was cat socks she thought were cute. The problems with owning a cat is that every cat object people see they must buy for me. I have ferrets too.

Got a foot bath for my aching feet and enjoyed it immensely. Pets were curious of the blowing bubbles. Gave myself a pedicure complete with pumice stone rub. I needed pretty feet and fingers to go on 2 interviews in one week. Then got another interview after accepting a job offer. Didn't get the job I wanted (sit at a desk and not talk to any customers), but work the same job at a different hotel for more money. Can't complain. Naturally old boss desired me to stay with them. I would only stay to be an accountant at their hotel. That job will never happen so out I go (Manager does the bookkeeping at small hotels).

I told my new coworkers about my old hotel: I'm tired of working 6 days a week cause management can't get new people hired and the ones they have don't want to work. Yeah, I understand you hate your job, but I don't appreciate doing my job plus everyone else's jobs too. I'm tired of missing every famiy gathering and holiday dinners cause I'm always working. I'm tired of a broken marketplace freezer so guests don't know all summer we have ice cream in the kitchen because someobody didn't like the sign I made explaining this to them (it's been broken for months). I'm tired of doing laundry cause a coworker can't grab the pool towels and we don't have enough laundry workers so the backroom is a huge mess. I'm tired of being the only one who helps with breakfast (guests complain the cook needs help, but when I go help her they complain nobody is at the front desk). A coworker is tired stripping beds to help housekeeping cause temp agency maids won't show up. I'm tired of complaints how my hotel stopped servign cinnamon rolls for breakfast so our guest satisfaction scores are going down (when the manufacuter sends us more rolls, we will put them out). I'm tired of opening boxes of moldy oranges cause I'm the only one who scrubs them under hot water and places them into another container when they arrive. My new hotel coworkers are stuck with me.

Started a new diet program and took a before picture. The new HIIT exercises makde my muscles ache for a week and migraines hit me to make me stop exercising until they stop (sometimes they last a week) so increase in exercising doesn't always happen. Trying the Keto diet with less carbs and more protein. That is very hard diet to follow. Meat prices skyrocketed over the summer and I'm not crazy over protein nuts so eating more carb than protein that is the only food available. Got some protein bars to eat at work. Program meals are ridiculousL Seriously they expect me to eat 1 cup of food for a meal? Do you have any idea how hungry that will make my body? Though I fail to see why they suggest rice over bread. Do they realize rice has more calories? I understand the whole wheat bread suggestion since white bread doesn't have the fiber content to make one feel fuller even if the two breads have the same starchy calories. Program also suggested a lot of salads (people cannot live on lettuce alone).

Took my sister's dog out for a walk while they were at the amusement park. Pup was terrified of me and we didn't go very far. The 2nd walk we never made it past the driveway. Brother-in-law said the pup pooped a lot when he took them for a walk when they returned home.

Had the adventure of a house finch in my house. Little bird flew in the open door when taking my cats outside. It tried so hard to escape out the window and fell like a rock to the floor. I scooped it up and took it outside by the lilies for cover so it could rest while. It fluttered off my hand so it is okay. Refilled the bird feeders and came back inside.

Old hotel hired a new night auditor and I was eager to train them, but they never showed up for their first day so management has to train the next hired one, whichever actually shows up. Oh well. I know old management will miss me every night they cover my shift.