Weekend adventures

Had a 3 day weekend before working 7 days in a row so made sure I enjoyed myself. Saturday was niece and I going to see a Pioneer Wedding at Living History museum. Niece complained about bad smells. That would be a horse smell, I explained. Told her as we passed a cow that, That is where hamburgers come from. Her eyes popped open. Where did she meat came from? Walking around the barns, I smelled a pig smell. Niece found the pigs. One hog shook its body and mud flew onto my hand. Niece thought that was hilarious. Saw exhibit of Women and Baseball w/photos of ladies wearing long and short skirts. Yes, women had to play in dresses I explained. Took a while before they wore pants like us. Later on, took sister and niece to a Star Party at a park sponsered by Science Center to see the late night meteor shower. Too many clouds to see any stars so watched Spaceballs on a big screen. Sunday was too cold to take niece to the zoo so stayed home with cats. Monday went to Iowa State Fair with niece, nephew, and brother-in-law. Parked for free at the State Capital and took the bus down to fair. Nephew was sour puss all day. He didn't want to do anything we picked, but didn't want to do anything available to do. I said we should leave him home with a babysitter next time. He rode an electric car, saw a bike trick show, and saw farm machines so he had a little fun. Niece had a blast play farming for a popicle, watchign cheerleading, looking at chick hatach from eggs and piglets born the night before, and digging in a haystack for a piggy football. Brother-in-law and I enjoyed an 80's concert and had to stand on the benches to see. VP candiadate Paul Ryan and Prez Obama came to visit the people. Iowa Troopers closed gates and blocked areas so it wasa pain in the butt for the rest of us. Then work began. 1st day of work found out cousin's wife had her baby. 8lb boy named Henry. 2nd day of work found out this weekend we got extra employee discount. I'm going shopping this weekend for baby stuff. I'm happy.

Action packed day

Last night watered plants. This morning it rains. Not just rain, pouring rain right as I am driving to work. Swim through parking lot with broken umbrella. 4 umbrella arms broken in the wind and couldn't raise the trigger to keep rest umbrella up. Walk in door soaked. Stood at my cash register for 2 hours b4 drying though socks inside my shoes remained wet. Then since it was boring, cashiers were sent around store. 20 mins later recalled back b/c deadline of early bird special was ending so customers rushed to registers. Upset a manager explaining I needed to relieve a coworker (I'm the breaker 2day) to take her break when thought I should help customers in line. Coworkers would not get any breaks if I didn't kick them off, customer can come to coworker's register. Another person suppose to give coworkers breaks exclaims to a manager she had no idea what she is suppose to be doing. Excuse me?, I went over the break schedule with her 30 mins ago and we decided who was covering which break and wrote it down on our break list. She never got off her register to give any breaks, even though they have scheduled 3-4 people taking breaks at the same time during the expiring sale time. Oh yeah, great genius planning these schedules (I think a computer actually does the schedule). Better day after that. After the mad rush, had better job getting coworkers their breaks. Some have to take excessive long breaks that irritates me waiting for them to return to relieve another coworker. Then as I am suppose to leave we get another mad rush so get an extra 15 mins of pay and had to turn away customers or I would never leave. Get home. Cat pooped on the carpet. Ceiling has leaked again. Then fall down in the kitchen, twisting my other ankle and hitting my head, slipping on a puddle of water. Another ceiling leak or dishwasher, I don't know. Have to call Monday. Why can't these roofers fix the damn roof, I want a new apartment. Got a swollen ankle and bruised toe.

Happy Birthday Nephew

Today is my nephew's 8th birthday. Went to a pizza buffet place he likes. My sister gave each niece and nephew money for tokens to place the arcade games. Nephew gave his tokens to 2 boys who asked him for his tokens so he didn't get to play games. That was nice of him, but unnecessary, so my sister explained not to do that ever again. Next time they went to arcade I went with them to hold the tokens. We had the lunch buffet with cheesey bread, garlic breadsticks, pizza of all sorts brownies, and cinnamon rolls. We lit the candles to his Transformer cake and sang the Birthday song. Ate the cake. Then went to sister's house. Aunt from Omaha looked at my faraway niece's senior photos on sister's computer (aunt doesn't have computer). We labeled photos for albums and put together puzzles to discover whether we have all the pieces and labeled back of puzzle pieces in case they escape out of the box again. I put together a Hot Wheels ramp. Nephew and niece kept staring at me as I tried to figure it out. I finally told them to go do something while I work on the toy instead of just sitting there staring at me. When I am done, I'll tell them. Nephew worked his Transformer Lego set. I wish he would not pick the hardest project in the book that uses the whole box of pieces and hours to put together. You know he will just take it apart when it is finished and want something else. Nephew enjoyed his birthday toys and books. Then it was supper time so had to turn off the movie nephew was watching. Had sloppy joe's and cake with ice cream cake from brother-in-law's birthday a week ago. Then I left since the Olympics are going to be broadcasting the All Around Girls Gymnastics final tonight. Plus gotta get up early for work tomorrow. Aunt had to ask if I had anything planned for my birthday next month. No, I said. Nobody can remember my birthday so usually just out out for lunch with sister's family and Mom, after I remind my sister when my birthday is. I get cards, but no presents. Such as life as an adult.

Amusement park fun

I get ready for our amusement/water park adventure. Arrive at sister's house. Change of plans, they forgot about an appointment so I'm taking the kids alone (brother-in-law was planned to come and then leave for work). Issue, my niece's diabetic insulin shot needs to be done at lunchtime, so how do we do this. After appointment, the parents will arrive at McD's across the street to give shot. Ok. Explain to kids water park first, lunch, then amusement park, and home for dinner/supper. Get to water park. Ask kids who from past experience cry over hot cement if they need aqua socks or can handle walking barefoot. Nephew wants aqua socks. While in shop we get a beach towel for niece who grabbed a bath towel and that will not cover those beach chairs. Get in the pools and find out nephew is too short for the waterslide he insists on riding. On top of that, I grabbed the wrong inner tube for the slide so get scolded by lifeguards (sorry it's my first time here) and have to walk back down. We did get on one slide he was tall enough to ride and it knocked my sunglasses off, and water went up my nose. Have to leave for lunch and kids have to pout. Get to McD's and sister is upset about the beach towel when niece should have grabbed a beach towel, the aqua socks nephew didn't need, and the extra snack I got them when she gave me a snack to give them (which I did and they were still hungry). Plus niece lied about the pretzel I shared with her when they checked her blood sugar. Have lunch. When getting ready to do the amusement park, nephew hollers at me sitting in a bathroom stall realizing my period just started to demand I open the trunk so he can change clothes. I explain he can wait. Walking to the car, he informs me I should keep the trunk open all the time for him and I'm going do what he tells me to do. I give him the standard "Who do you think you are speaking to" scolding. I am the one with the keys, I drive the car, and he speaks to me like that again I will forget the amusement park and drive straight home. Didn't get anymore dispectful talk the rest of the day. Gave niece same warning. Any crying, whining, pouting, or dispectful talk and we go home. And yes, they are still small enough for me to carry them out. No problems at amusement park, we had a great time. Got some fish food and nephew had to forcefully grab nearly knocking the food out of my hand. I explain this is not a popcorn bowl so he can take only a few pieces at a time. Then had to leave. Last ride made the employee mad getting off too soon. Sorry the ride quit moving and we weren't the only ones getting out. Chat with my sister while they shucked corn cobs for supper/dinner. Then home. Then noticed my bright red sunburn while washing my swimsuit and short I bled over. No restroom I went into had any santiary napkin dispensers. Cats are so happy to see me.

Big thanks

Went to the break room and a manager was commending us cashiers for a great job yesterday when the computers went down. We were calm packing up holds and customer service gave an extra percent off for the inconveinence. No customers called to complain, they took the extra pecent off and went home happy. Oh sure there were unhappy people (yeah sure a few complained this episode is an inconveincence to their shopping and do they really think I'm not inconveinenced by all this?). Manager was so thankful we were wonderful. I said, You're Welcome. Had a guy buy 5 items and said he intended to buy 1 thing, but a good coupon in his pocket made him see others things he liked. I told im he now knows how it's like to be a woman. Took Precious outside to meet the neighbors. He got petted, a rare thing.

Fun times

Today the computers in my store were slow, then shut down completely. PA announced this to the customers. Sure customers complained, even to the manager walking by. But manager could do nothing about our system, all stores in the area were down. Corporate office had to reboot the system for all the stores, then someone had to reboot the individual computers, one at a time. Had customers put their things on hold promising all coupons will be honored. And eventaully, they went back to normal. Good thing too, Saturdays are busy.

Week in review

Week started with my Mom's 73rd birthday. I closed the store the night before and then opened the store early in the morning so got about 6 hours sleep. Towards end of shift I told coworkers not to give me deep thought questions. A customer asked where a store across the street was located and I had to think about it. When I got home I was too exhausted to do anything with Mom. Mom got lunch with sister's family and supper with her friends at retirement home. She had a good day. I called her at night to wish her a happy birthday. When I got home the night before, sitting on my couch, cats enjoying the cool night air, and Frodo brings in a squealing animal in his mouth. It tries to escape and Frodo pounces. It hit the window so I open the door wider to remove it. Realize it is a bat. It gets up and flies around the room, then lands on a large ceramic doll. I take doll outside and gently shake it off (my grandma made this doll). It returned to nature. So yes, bats squeal when pounced, like a mouse. Don't worry about Frodo, he had his rabies shot. This week I developed the habit of giving kids grabbing our gift cards a survey printed at the end of receipts to keep their hands off the gift cards. It is effective, I never seen kids so excited at holding a piece of paper. Parents make the kids say thank you for the gift. One evening there was a loud roar shaking the store. I asked if that was thunder or fireworks since I didn't bring an umbrella. Had a friend inform me she hates her job, company disrespects her and doesn't listen to her ideas, works her butt off for nothing, and she is going to get a new job where the company respects its employees. I said Good luck with that. Really, seriously, good luck with that. Employees are disposable and that will not change. Another day rear view mirror falls off, I googled to find a fix, buy repair kit, glue button holding the mirror the window, and realize later placing mirror back on that it is upside down. I was hoping to avoid labor charges, but now have little choice, new glue ain't coming off easily. Oh well, need oil change anyway. I think I covered everything.

Newest adventure

Rear view mirror falls off, I googled to find a fix, buy repair kit, glue button holding the mirror the window, and realize later placing mirror back on that it is upside down. I was hoping to avoid labor charges, but now have little choice, new glue ain't coming off easily. Oh well, need oil change anyway.

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July Everybody. If u don't know what that is, It's the day American Colonies signed the Declaration of Independence. John Hancock signed his name so big so British king George III was sure to read it without his glasses gave the experession "sign your John Hancock" meaning signature.

And I was having such a good day

Having a good day at work (cashier at a retail store), keeping busy so my long day goes by quicker. 9 hours is a long time to stand on my feet, but next week I'm getting a nice paycheck so feet will just have to get use to it. Then a note appears and I'm the first to read it. A customer had emailed the corporate office a complaint that a cashier was rude. So with lots of notes in margins from management on how badly they are horrifed such a person would say these things about "us". Then later another note was added of a list of complaints against us cashiers. My real opinion would get me fired so I have to resort to apply for other jobs in the hope of an interview. At least businesses are expanding instead of closing so I have hope. So I will just state facts here. Fact #1: Management did their math wrong but then people don't like their math (or grammar) corrected. Fact #2: Rude is open to interpretation and often used when customers have a temper tantrum and don't get their way. No cashier enjoys being bullied and sometimes that causes our "nice and friendly" disposition to drop suddenly. And another fact: This rude cashier could have been anybody simply following the rules given to them. Management wants us to follow rules and even thought of reward system to encourage this, and then they get mad when we do follow them because a customer got mad (oh my goodness, how could anyone predict that was going to happen!). Fact #3: Customers who say they will never shop our store again will always and mean "always" show up a week later to shop. Blackmail never works on me but management always cave in, with horror, at the implication and reward the complainer with coupons. A perfect example how corporations only see with the customer point of view only and ignore the point of view of employees. And then they act surprised when people quit on them. (From A Christmas Carol: I would love to give that Mr. Scrooge a piece of my mind and I bet he would choke on it). Fact#4: I make people mad at me every day and I refuse to hang my head in shame over it: Today I made several customers mad because our new system will not allow us to take coupons early as we did before; one person got mad because I was calling to look up a store card for the customer ahead of her and stormed to another register; another got mad because an item was not on clearance and I made it worse because it was too late to remove the item and she didn't want to wait in line at customer service to return item; and finally I made someone mad because I left the counter to straighten when she wanted to check out and yelled at me to come back. I won't go into the list of complaints and only say "They want us to call for help and then get mad when we do" and "I don't being treated like a child and be demanded of me to ask permission to use the bathroom". OK, alright, I got it off my chest. Going to bed.

Taken for granted

I just love being taken for granted. We get a video from the corporate office to describe the changes coming in new computer system. Complete waste of time if you ask me (nobody ever does). So it is installed 2 days late so I, customer service, and jewelry counter are first to explore it. Asking a manager what to do is useless becasue they know less than we do (rarely do they touch the cash registers). All alone with nobody to help me, I figure things out (always taken for granted by corporate that everyone can do things without directions and considered stupid if we fail). I apologize for learning a new system when taking too long with a customer. Takes about 2 hours to get use to it and tell my incoming coworker the basics. I take a break as incoming coworker arrives. She panics at firts customer calling for the manager to help her. At the sight of anything new throws anyone over 50 into a panic. She slowly figures things out with my help. Coworkers and cashier manager compare notes on experiences. That always helps. Today older than 50 coworker looks over my shoulder as I explain the system while ringing up customers. Line of customers builds and she gets on her own register. Goes into a panic at the first step (scan merchandise). Then get additional cashier help from the floor sale clerks. Both need help so I leave my customer 4 times in order to help them. I apologize and give her a coupon for her patience (sometimes it pays to be patient). Floor clerk leaves so I leave my next customer twice to help my coworker. Give another coupon for her patience. A manager shows up to help my coworker so I rush through my customers so the line doesn't build up again. Manager leaves to give someone a break so have to continue helping my coworker, but less frequently and my answers become verbal commands what button to push so don't need to leave my customers. After couple hours, she is gettign the hang of it, but full of questions. I never such surprise or complaints about how fast I rang up customers. I'm much faster than their brain could follow and astonished the transaction was done and I was just waiting for their signature.

We have a girl

Tonight changed the baby fish tank water and set the baby fish next to adult tanks. Baby Beta fish Dovey changed color and set off vertical horny female stripes viewing the male Beta fish. Male fish strutted for her turning bright red. So renamed the adolescent girl Thalia.

Day at the pool

Took niece and nephew to the pool at my apartment complex. Went over to pick up kids and nephew has appointment so went there first w/brother-in-law. Walked niece over to the river bridge and looked at the ducks swimming in built up garbage on edge of the dam. Then brother-in-law left for work and kids went with me to my apartment. It was snacktime. Ate some freezer pops and juice. Sprayed on the suntan lotion. Nephew didn't want to swim, but once we got there he did. I brought life jackets in case they wanted to swim on the deep end. They freaked a little when couldn't touch the bottom. I couldn't touch it either, but I could swim so I didn't need a life jacket. I swam with the kids across the pool to calm them down. Auntie would never let them drown. Sister was suppose to join us for swimming after her errands, but took so long she just picked them up. We all went out to eat at a pizza place. Nephew told the clerk he liked another pizza place better to my sister's embarassment. He seems obsesed over this place and always wants to go there. I think it is the soft serve ice cream they have. When returned home (w/out kids), cats were ready to play. I had to clean a fish tank. When done, went to bed. Cats had to wake me up early this morning.

Daily routine

We are making progress on the cat harness. Precious put his face in the loop and promptly took it out before I slid it down his neck. Stinker. Got to be called a mean lady by a customer the other day. Her daughter grabbed gift cards to play with and I ever so nicely asked for them back now please (since they were leaving). Oh no, her daughter is going to play with them if that's alright with me. I want the cards back (hey nice didn't work). Lady gives me the cards and as they leave she tells her daughter I was a mean lady. Well, that little girl will become a shoplifter in the future since her mother teaches her that stealing okay. And customer called the store to complain I was rude for not letting her daughter keep the gift cards. I know we aren't suppose to make customers angry, but sometimes we have to. I guess a new person has been complaining how the store is not just like the store person came from. Cashiers should always be busy and never stand around waiting for customers to come (customers don't know we are available to check them out when not standing at the cash registers and floor people tell us don't bother straightening cause it will get messy again). In addition we are no longer allowed to lean on the counters between customers. I asked how are we stand for an hour without moving. The announcement person had no idea how this person thought we should be standing. Besides that, this person is not in charge of the cashiers so what difference does it make to this person. Had a customer watch me as I was helping a customer as she was leaving (I'm sensitive to people watching me cause it means shoplifter). At the door, she stared at me as if she was waiting for me to do something. I said my usual, Have a good day (customer I was helping was leaving). She relaxed and smiled saying Thank you and calmly walked out the door. I wondered if she was a shoplifter, but have to let it go since I didn't see her take anything. I opened my too friendly mouth to a customer with a sunburn. I said, "Somebody had fun in the sun". No, she said, she had chemo and that makes her skin red. I quickly apologized. She didn't seem offended, but can't always tell. People are often nice to your face and then complain to the manager.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there. Got to be called a mean lady by a customer today. Her daughter grabbed gift cards to play with and I ever so nicely asked for them back now please (since they were leaving). Oh no, her daughter is going to play with if that's alright with me. I want the cards back (hey nice didn't work). Lady gives me cards and as they leave she tells her daughter I was a mean lady. Well, that little girl will become a shoplifter in the future since her mother teaches her that stealing okay. And customer called the store to complain I was rude for not letting her daughter keep the gift cards. I know we aren't suppose to make customers angry, but sometimes we have to. I guess a new person has been complaining how the store is not just like the store person came from. Cashiers should always be busy and never stand around waiting for customers to come (customers don't know we are available to check them out when not standing at the cash registers and floor people tell us don't bother straightening cause it will get messy again). In addition we are no longer allowed to lean on the counters between customers. I asked how are we stand for an hour without moving. The announcement person had no idea how this person thought we should be standing. I opened my too friendly mouth to a customer with a sunburn. I said, "Somebody had fun in the sun". No, she said, she had chemo and that makes her skin red. I quickly apologized. She didn't seem offended, but can't always tell. Had a customer watch me as I was helping a customer as she was leaving (I'm sensitive to people watching me cause it means shoplifter). At the door, she stared at me as if she was waiting for me to do something. I said my usual, Have a good day (customer I was helping was leaving). She relaxed and smiled saying Thank you and calmly walked out the door. I wondered if she was a shoplifter, but have to let it go since I didn't see her take anything. And finally, I wore my new dog tags with my Dad's info on them. After work I stopped by a florist to pick up a long stem red rose and black ribbon. Florist was confused when I said I was copying Phantom of the Opera. Guess florist doesn't watch many musicals. Ribbon got torn when florist stapled the paper around the rose closed. I took the rose out of the paper and placed it on my Dad's grave. My Mom's and sister's plastic flowers were still there, but my real ones with patriotic decoration were gone. I kissed the stone and left. I know it will seem crazy to my family to drive 30 minutes to spend 2 seconds at a grave when it is not Memorial Day. So I keep that myself and few people who read this blog. Then on my way home I stop to get a bite to eat and as I'm leaving, I run into a familiar face. Person didn't say anything so maybe it wasn't who I thought it was. Last thing I need right now is discussing this person's celebrating father's day with husband and kids while I am visiting my father's grave cause I have neither. God must have a sense of humor I don't appreciate.

Survived the weekend

Finally a day off tomorrow. I'm exhausted. I know you think a cashier standing still for 8 hours is easy, but if it was then everybody would be doing it. I walk around straightening, greet people walking in the door, saying "Have a nice day" to people leaving, tell people with returns where service desk is, and hope the person to aid in carrying heavy objects to customer's cars shows up cause I don't like lifting heavy objects with my bad back and knees. And of course, check out people, argue with prices cause people can't read signs, try to sell our store credit card, and today stopped a couple from leaving with unpaid merchandise. Lady got defensive that they were not thieves and I never said they were, I just noticed pillows deep in the basket (when moved away from the counter) that I did not scan before that's all. Another lady got her coupons and credit card read and asked what else I needed, "Merchandise would be good" I told her. Got to be on my toes cause customers are certainly not. This weekend they had a bunch torture devices, I mean coupons. It makes it very hard to sell our store credit card when customers have a fist full of coupons making their purchase next to nothing. Who would sign up for a credit card when they can get the same store card discounts mailed to their house, in the newspaper, off the internet, or from a friend/relative with a store card willing to their coupons? Not very many. We try to entice and ensnare, but most people already have one or get oodles of coupons in the newspaper. Make people pay for their purchases and our store credit card discounts will looking intoxicating. Not that I make much money from those store cards, it just looks good when bosslady decides on raises and hours (best sellers get more hours). I just hope I can find a new job soon. I see little future here at this company. I recently found out I'm working the past 2 years below the starting wage. Nice, right?

Dance recital

Made it to dance recital just before it began. No dinner for me since the line was to long at McD's They did ballet Giselle and then all the tap, lyrical, modern, etc. Aunt was confused by the ballet story, "It was just a bunch of dancing to me", she said. Yeah, that is what ballet is: a bunch of dancing. I told her to familiarize herself with ballets beyond The Nutcracker.

Zoo was closed

Feeding the cats this morning, I get a call to babysit the niece and nephew. So drive them to the zoo to find the gate closed. So go the mall that has a bowling alley. Niece got 59, Nephew 65, and I 103, w/bumpers. Very last bowl for me was a strike, they were so proud of me. Walked to Food Court for our snack and played in play area. When they announced to leave so they could clean the play area, we went home. They played w/toys until my sister came home. Nephew took apart his Lego jet and wanted me to put back together following the instructions. I wanted a nap so said no.

New order

I ordered some dog tags todqay with my Dad's name on them. He told me once he had dog tags (he was in the Air National Guard during Vietnam Era, but never served in combat), but he never showed them to me and after he died we couldn't find them cleaning out the house. So I looked the proper format of militry tags and ordered them. I plan to wear them during special events, under my shirt of course.

Good deed

Did my good deed of the day. Mother told me to hide a toy from her son. Son comes and I asked if he was having a good day. Mother said it was his birthday today. Oh, it IS a good day. So sang Happy Birthday song to him. He wouldn't tell me his name so I sang "dear little boy". Mother laughed. And Wow, I have an amazing coworker. It was the end of her shift and she was so concerned about leaving me alone that she waited 15 mins for the next coworker to arrive. Turns out next person wasn't coming in today so she made sure everything was in order before she left. Geez people, this ain't first time I worked by myself. Even better, they let me go home 15 mins early.