Had adventure yesterday but not the one I planned. Sister explained further that today we load up the cars with books to get rid of and go to bookstore next week. Problem for my side is that my sister intended to leave for 8 in the morning on that day. I get off at midnight so that will be too hard for me to do. I thought we were loading at Mom's and then bookstore from there. No.

So started packing up boxes we brought from sister's house and niece watched movies. I got choked up from the dust (bad Daddy) so sister cleaned them off and I help separated. We separated historical and political for the history book store and then popular themes for the half price book store, and then books for Planned Parenthood book sales. I tossed the college books I told them to toss when they were cleaning out the garages, but they were still there. My college books are 13 years old so I presume nobody will want them for their classes and I'm never going to need/read them again. Why Mom clings on worthless junk nobody wants and yet tosses/sells away Dad's collectibles worth something without a care is beyond me.

We saw kitchen addition and work on the patio. I knew they added a stoop for the new pretty kitchen door, but didn't know they didn't remove the cement steps we had before. It looks a little weird. Even more strange is the outside is done and looks strange against the rest of the house with paint peeling. The new inside has the windows removed so unsure how much more now interior wall they will remove. Showed Niece the square nails in the old wall. Those we made by a black smith, round nails that came later were mass produced by rods that are cut into nails so those are round. Dad mentioned that once.

Had supper and Niece got upset she didn't get dessert. New rule is when she looses her glasses, she doesn't get dessert until they are found. I guess she whips them off and places them where she can't remember. Which makes sense since she couldn't remember I went to Adventureland with them last week. Sister couldn't remember that either. It was last Friday. So I loaded books into the cars. I get the half price store job. Niece was sad we had to leave, but I will see her today. They got 4 tickets for the Iowa Cubs game tonight. I never been there before.

Praise the Lord

They finally got the return lot signs up. Took them long enough. Though some parking stalls have no company sign on them. I guess that means anyone can park there. I can stop telling people to follow other company signs to find our stalls in the same lot.

Helped a gal with her crossword puzzle. It took me an hour to remember the allies conference in WWII, but I remembered the place. Yalta. A history major should know the answer to that.

Only one person bit my head off over a fee she didn't wish to pay. Sorry, can't remove fees just because the customer doesn't like them. (Tip: Sexy or sweet smiles with coy sweet talk only work on the opposite sex, though not always) Talk to the manager. Later.

Usual day

Brother came over to put together my dresser, relaxed on the couch, and then went home. I thought he at least spend the night, he lives 2 hours away. Poor Frodo hid under the bed the whole time. He is terrified of anything bigger than him.Had a usual day at work making people mad at me. It goes with the territory when everybody is sold out of cars. Lots going on from car races, Junior Olympics, State Fair, and balloon races occuring about the same time. Heard people screaming at other counters. One lady actually screeched "You people don't know anything!" We know we will call security if you don't leave. Had a few people tell me they had a reservation and demanded I honor it but had no reservation number and their name did not appear in the computer. Sorry, I technically owe them nothing when I have no cars to give them.
I have not heard the result of the Michael Jackson figure in butter controversy at the Iowa State Fair. Oh well.
Well, nothing else to report.

Weekend update

Yesterday had a lovely time at Adventureland and today I am 10 minutes late for work trying to figure out where I'm suppose to park. The airport people changing have been working on it for 3 days now and still are not finished, and work weekends. Lazy bums. On a better note, there a few new janitors and one is a little cute. I know I have a pathetic love life that goes no place.

I heard something amusing the other day on a talk show. The host gets a lot of mail on customer service is so bad nowadays. Yeah, I bet these are the same people who think they know how to do my job better than me and expect me to magical produce anything they want. Bad customer service? How about, I'm not a genie and don't get paid enough to deal with your garbage talk.

Took Precious today and now he wants another. I swear he would an outdoor cat if I owned a house. Earlier he got spooked by 2 dogs barking at him.

Later.

Got my dresser

Got my dresser in my apartment finally. Now have to wait for brother to put it back together since he took it apart.

Uncle and cousin brought over the pieces in 3 trips. Had to lock up Precious to keep from escaping and Frodo hid under the bed. The middle mirror I couldn't even lift so had to measure to see if I need to move a picture from the wall. I think it will fit without moving my picture. They put it right where I wanted it and inserted the drawers.

Talk to sister and we are going to an amusement park tomorrow. She didn't say if brother-in-law would be coming or not so if he doesn't we have to take turns with the roller coasters. Can't leave a 5 year old alone and she is too short to ride. Tell ya all about tomorrow. When we come back I'll do laundry at her house. Niece is excited to start Kindergarten in the Fall. She thought she should start on her 5th birthday last Fall and sad when told she has to wait. She is tenting with Daddy tonight in the backyard while Mommy stays in the warm house. I wish it would quit raining so we can keep wearing our shorts instead dragging out the sweatpants and jeans tucked away in our winter storage. It was 74 today and I'm wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt. It is too warm for a heater and too cold for A/C. I want to go swimming but every day off is too cold. Darn Mother Nature.

While walking Precious today I had 2 girls and 1 boy so excited to pet a cat and ready to move in with me. I said they pet Precious while we are outside. After 15 minutes their father was calling for them and ran back to their apartment.
Nothing else to report.

Quick on the draw

Today I come in to discover our return lot stalls have another company name on them or no company on them, but the sign directing customers to the correct return lots has not been changed. Whereas, our customers can't figure out where to park their cars. I tell them all day to park anywhere. They are to change the stall signs on Saturday when the lease runs out and stall assignments change, but they want to be quick on the draw and not complete the job in one day.

Another trifle to deal today with was people calling in sick and my single coworker working the counter is my car washer as well. I actually asked him to wait before returning outside once so I could use the rest room. Flights keep landing so was afraid to leave.

My aunt called at work to tell me they are bringing my dresser tomorrow, 5:30. Hooray!

First walk

Frodo had his first walk in the new apartment. I didn't think was going to make it all the way to the door from a dog barking but he did and I had to run upstairs to grab his harness when he stepped outside. Then it was either twisted or Frodo put on weight cuz I had to loosen it. It was twisted. We spent our hour laying in the grass and Precious wandered a little but came back to Frodo who was completely petrified. Then time to go in and Precious wanted to explore the whole courtyard. Too late. Then had to drag Frodo back in (good thing he was harnessed cuz I was scratched picking him up). Once inside he was ready to go home. Later.

The Happenings

Today I talked to Mom. She is has ordered their tombstone. They are suppose to be sending a picture of what it will look like. Slowly but surely they are tossing the garbage and deciding what to do with hazardous waste in grandpa's basement, like 15 year old turpentine in a peanut butter jar, etc.

Saw the Harry Potter #6 with my sister. My niece from Nebraska babysitted my local niece while we were gone. My local niece told me my Nebraska niece is her cousin. Yes she is, I said. New word for her. A while ago she discovered her mom has sisters and a brother and once we were little like her. Though she still can't understand why she is not in pictures taken before she was born.

Well, nothing else to report.

Knock on the door

Had a knock on the door just now loud enough to wake the dead. There is man asking if I was playing loud music. No. I was watching a nature show on Yellowstone and thought I turned the volume down enough not to disturb the neighbors, I can barely hear it standing at the door. Then Precious has to investigate and I try to hold him back. Man asks if I heard music below me. No, didn't hear any loud music tonight and Precious escapes. Man goes back to his apartment and catch Precious.

I only play loud music in my car, except when cats or nieces are in the car. Cats can't handle loud noises and freak every time the garbage truck comes by. Later.

Family picnic

Had our Mom's sisters and cousins family picnic at my sister' house. They got the picnic tables my Dad made when my parents hosted the annual picnic, and it rains so spent the day inside in the A/C. I brought my portable badmitten set and never took it out. Had a full house. I made macaroni and cheese. Mom got a cake for her 70th birthday. I thought it strange my aunt didn't get one since her birthday is the same day (7 years apart). But it is Mom's 70th that is more special.

Left to see Public Enemies (love that Johnny Depp though Christian Bale was cute too). Johnny Depp is John Dillinger and Christian Bale is the lawman sent to catch him. I thought it equal to Mark Harmon's Dillinger. I showed up during the previews and the theater was full so had to sit in the 2nd row, my neck stills hurts. I was so close that I could see their make-up, pores, and missed hairs when shaving that morning. How often do I get the opportunity to get that close to a star?

Came home and discovering Precious is quiet the escape artist. He wants his daily walk and I keep carrying large objects making me open the door wider. Bad cat. Well, better go. Later.

Zoo trip

Took my nieces to the zoo yesterday. I was the evil aunt allowing one niece to drink pop on more than one occasion. Other niece had pop and lemonade. One niece fed the goats while the other fed the fish. We saw part of the bird show and watched river otters get fed. River otters had a fishicicle with fish frozen in a large ice cube to make them work for their food. One niece enjoyed watching the otters swimming for so long that we finally had to say "Bye" and walk away to make her come.The train was derailed so we couldn't do that. I had money for one person to do the camel ride so younger niece was it. Got a pic on my cell. After the zoo we visited the gift shop and let them have 1 large item or 2 small items (depending on the price). I grabbed 2 stuffed animals and older niece cried foul. Yeah, it is my money so I'll get whatever I want. Harsh reality, but true. Each got a stuffed animal. Next we went to Dairy Queen for ice cream. Finally we went home and tried to beat the rain cuz my back seat in booster seat niece wouldn't be able to shut the window I opened. My sister was displeased I let my niece have yet another stuffed animal and let her drink a bottle of pop. She just donated a bunch of stuffed animals to charity and hates it when I let her drink pop.

After supper, we headed for grandma's house to empty out stuff for the furniture and junk pick up, Saturday I think. People were driving around in trucks looking for free stuff. One took the mattress and another took a rusty cart, but later brought the cart back. I showed everyone where I carved my name in a tree, it is still there after 21 years. Grabbed grandma'a sheets, pillows, and blankets for my bed. Had brother inspect the dresser, it is in 2 pieces, the mirrors are one piece with the outer ones on hinges and the dresser is another piece. There is a date on the mirror, Mar 1922. Not officially antique (100 years) but still old. Brother says rusty screws come out real easy. Now we need a 2nd person for lifting. I tried to lift my end of a couch and not strong enough so older niece had to help me. Proof I am not as strong as sister thinks. Then older niece wanted a picture she saw and then had to show it to younger niece. Huge crying fit from younger niece over wanting the picture. Older niece saw it first so it is hers. Mom let younger niece have a picture in her house, one my grandma painted.

Back home and took Precious for an hour walk in the dark and later rain, dragging him back inside. We only ran into 1 dog so that was good.

Heart broken

My friends at work are heart broken that the new guy at work is engaged. I think they get too excited about any new guy in the airport. I just PO'ed he lied to me. I asked him directly if he had a girlfriend, wife, woman and he said he had no woman in his life. Then he tells 2 others he is engaged. That bastard. It wasn't like I was asking him out, I was just getting to know the new guy. He had no cause to lie to me like that.
Anyway, I'm too excited getting my bed and dresser from grandma's house and taking my niece to the zoo this week. Now I have to schedule in Public Enemies and Half Blood Prince into my busy life. My only sad note. Later.

Have a fun filled 4th of July, I'll be working which I get to deal with the highly stressed and demanding customers. I think I'll watch Independence Day on my DVD player.

Had a good overnight with my niece last night introducing the root beer float to her. She jumped off the couch everytime the cats jumped on, even though she begs to pet them. My sister picked her up this morning.

Got to work and got a surprise. A car rental is closing and trying to pawn off their reservations after the close date on us. Now all the workers are finding new jobs and the airport is taking bids on their lot spaces. I take it a new company is not coming in to fill their counter space.

Well, off to bed. I need my sleep.

Vet visit

Precious had adventure at the vet, he was surrounded by dogs in a confined space of the waiting room. He was growling and claws came out of the carrier and dogs were barking at him trying to get into the carrier. A couple had their dogs outside. I heard two dogs had a case of rat poison. He was okay when in the office with the vets petting him fussing how beautiful he is. One said he is Maine Coon. He could be but not a pure breed, he has unknown father. Teeth good, ears good, heartbeat rapid with some panting in fear, and beautiful soft coat. I worked hard to keep it that way. Excellent health, But he is 3 lbs overweight at 18 lbs. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. He was loosing weight since last visit. I cut his food last summer, he fluffed up over winter from less exercise, and finally getting rid of his pudgy belly walking outside. Plus Frodo grabs his fair share of food so Precious can't be overeating. I cut back on the treats since moving. He is the dominant cat so this battle of the bulge will continue. And no, I won't give up, he is my baby. Later.

Am I being punked?

Is there a competition out there to win the Worst Customer I Ever Had trophy? Sorry but that goes to the lady who threw shoes at me cuz she failed at twitching tags to pay a lower price. She was banned from the store, and yet she returned harassing my coworkers for my personal info so she could sue me for this. She was escorted from the store and hit with trespassing.

Tonight I get to argue with a guy on the phone about 4 times cuz he won't stop calling about our prices he didn't like, the car selection he didn't like, and I'm being unhelpful. Whatever. Then he comes to the counter with a brand new reservation he made over his phone while driving here and I can't rent him a car cuz we don't take debit cards. Don't take credit cards over the phone either. I'm so unhelpful and difficult with work with. Then I'm accused of racism even though we are both white. Guess that means he is running out of insults from not getting his way. Calls up the reservation line to complain and they can do nothing for him. Now he wants my manager who made up these rules. It is 10 at night and I refuse to wake him up. He has to call the manager tomorrow. Now I am leaving him stranded stiting on the street corner all night cuz his ride just left, and how cruel I am by not caring. He never flies anywhere cuz he has a dog and needs this car right now. He hopes I sleep well tonight leaving him in this trouble. And yet I shed no tears.

On a better note, I talked to a cute guy tonight. I feel better. Later.

Cats will be cats

Cats are jumping at every noise they hear. Precious is terrified of my shoes and socks on the bathroom floor where he likes to nap. Frodo has been under the bed most of the day but sometimes will jump up on the dining room table and place his paws on the chairs when he wants attention.

My new stove is so hot my cookie sheets are getting ruined and the burners are not so hot and have to pump up the heat. Weird.

Got some wheat grass for the cats to nibble since they never go out anymore. No harness, no walk outside. They enjoy the snack.

Getting so many phone calls at work I think I'm going deaf straining to hear the customer (but then the PA system is booming constantly). Doesn't anyone eat or sleep. I gets calls at midnight wanting to make reservations or need car exchanges when I am suppose to be leaving. On a better note, the A/C is not so cold I no longer need a space heater to keep warm.

I keep getting people wanting verification of what someone told them on the phone. Our conversations are not recorded (it is illegal to tape phone calls w/out the other party's knowledge so there will be an announcement before an operator picks up the call if they are recorded), the person is question is not present at the counter, and taped conversations of the reservation line are not in my possession. I can verify nothing of the conversation you had with whoever you spoke to. Most of the time they don't now who they spoke to or what number they called to receive this conversation, and they expect me to verify what ever word that was spoken to them.

I keep getting people who think they shouldn't have to pay any fees or taxes cuz they are ridiculous. I don't like paying income taxes either but I go to jail if I evade them, so you will receive no sympathy from me. You don't like the huge concession recoupment fee for the extra security outside that every car rental at an airport in the country charges, take your whining to the FAA who demands we have that security in place. Yelling at me will gain nothing.

Well, better go. Later.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all those fathers out there. Hope you are chillin with a remote in your hand surrounded by your loving family wearing a weird tie that gives you character.

Another day in hell

Just another cold day in...well you get the picture. Today at work we were overbooked by 8 cars and we will be overbooked the rest of the month. I asked permission to shoot the demon sent by the devil who overbooked us. Are there that many cars in the shop cuz we rent them until they break (no usual maintence being done) when we need every car for all the reservations. No, my manager says, it is because of the privaledged accounts that can and do overbook forcing us to send the little people to other companies and pay the difference in price cuz we don't match prices anymore. If anyone knows how to pull a car out of their you what let me know.

Then fog drifts in delaying flights past closing time and the company who has been handling our customers is leaving. Wonderful, now what am I going to do, sneak out when I rent my last car since they will have to rent elsewhere anyways. Let the manager deal with it in the morning. Well one guy comes in early that was broadcasted late so I'm good. One person walking by complained about our fog. Well, it was raining this morning, but that is okay cuz my cats needed a bath. Even after midnight I can make jokes. Then my last customer has a cane and the car is in the far lot. I want to go home so I drive the car up to the corner for her to pick up to speed things up. I can't leave until she is okay. Plus, last thing I want is an lady with a cane wandering around the airport figuring out where this car is at 1:30 AM. So come in after dropping off the car and there a police guy there. Say hello and he replies he was waiting for me to return. Oh, don't have to worry about anyone stealing my purse on the counter in plain view.

Go grocery shopping next and the fog is so thick going home I can barely see. I felt like driving home in a white out (snowstorm where it is so windy all you see is snow hitting your windshield).
Home again, jiggety jog.

All in a day's work

Finished putting away stuff tossed around by my laziness. Babysat niece today bringing my new movies. Bolt and Bedtime Stories. She loves that Bolt dog. Gave cats flea medicine so now are avoiding me. Got busy changing addresses on the cats' microchips and pet licenses. Moving is such a pain. I measured my daybed to guess at the size of the double bed in grandma's house and then measured floor space of the master bedroom. I might have to place the dresser in the daybed room. Well, better go. Later.

Sorry for the hiatus

Sorry for the week long hiatus, I had not internet access from moving. It took me 3 days to move and my internet was set to be hooked up the first day I planned to move, but nobody showed up to help me so nobody was present to let the phone guy in. I moved the first 2 days by myself, with a guy dropping by to move the big furniture and then left. Last day I got my family finished from helping my Mom with her auction to help. Cleaned up the apartment and gave the grand tour. My leg got injured from too much work and took days to get back to normal. Cats freaked out about changing homes, but now they are back to normal too. I have much more room now and a 2nd bedroom for visitors, when I get I get my 2nd bed from grandma's house. Now I'm relaxing and slowly putting everything away. Later.