Meeting Day

In order to cover for our leadership team's monthly meeting, Kyle and I have been pressed into service for an extra two, two and a half hours and we both resent the HECK out of it! How dare Ryan use us like this! (Actually it's been a pretty fun day.) Kyle said he's fine working as long as he doesn't have to help people. I said, there must be a job like that here, isn't there? He responded yeah, Monica's job.

Angie and I are meeting for coffee after work. Angie has been getting into genealogy and it's one of our favorite things to chat about. I can't wait to show her the weird thing I added to my journal: a list of my ancestors with their ages at time of death. I worked on it all last weekend like a major geek. So far, at the tender age of 56, I'm doing pretty well at outliving folks - of course, the younger die-ers died from now-treatable or preventable stuff, like smallpox and tuberculosis and Spanish influenza. Science is a good thing. No one's getting near Neenaw, who is our clear winner at 101 years old. Frankly, I'll be fine not achieving 101. 

Tomorrow is my dad's birthday, so after work, WHICH ENDS AT 11:30 AM, SQUEEEEEEEE, my plan is to buy flowers for his grave and head down to the cemetery. Then I'll head up to Shmick's Shmorting Shmoods and pick up my new bike. Woooooot! Here comes the bike portion of my life! I should probably find my helmet and bike lock and clear out the back of the car tonight. 

Also, I need to check on the college's baseball and softball teams' schedule for this upcoming season, so I can start attending games! Woot again! Life is getting exciting.

HOME.

Why is today different from any other day? It just feels different, I guess. I feel like I finally get to settle in and be a human being with a home. Working full time was messing with my head, apparently. So strange!

Last One.

Whew. Sitting here at my desk enjoying coffee and the Seaside webcam - somehow the weather is even more boisterous than yesterday's.

I keep thinking I should de-personalize my workspace, now that I'm going back to Retail 2. It feels like a time to calm down and make things simple. We'll see what happens. 

I'm looking forward to the new schedule, spending more time at home and with M and the little girls, and pursuing more of my own interests (like cleaning the house).

Hubby and I have a busy February coming up, so I'm glad the job will be taking a major backseat to everything else. I love the workplace, but less time spent here will be a good thing. 

9:02: Ugh, so sick of that woman. Can't wait till I'm only here four hours at a time.

12:49: So happy for not having to stay past 11:30 (most times). I think I'm still getting over this cold and I'm just tired and goopy in the head today. A nap sounds outstanding, but I'm here till 3:00. GROSS

1:19 I mean, seriously, this afternoon could not drag on longer, could it? Maybe I shouldn't ask.

Stormy Seaside

...is catching my eye as I perform the paperwork tasks here at the work computer. The Seaside webcam is showing prolific rain falling along the prom, smearing up the orange-yellow light from the street lamps, making it look like the prom is on fire. 

As must be obvious by now, I'm back at work, and I'm happy that today is my second-to-last day as the interim Cashier 4. Nothing could be finer than leaving this chapter behind(er) in less than 48 HOURS. 

Though I spent the day recuperating, I had a good time yesterday, preparing for upcoming travel. Salt Lake City and Atlanta are looming large for next month, and the Alaskan cruise in August, with inevitable little trips here and there in between as well. Flipping through our national parks passport book (thanks, Lori C!), I noticed that I added the wrong sticker for the Golden Spike NHS - there's a national sticker and a regional sticker - so I ordered a new national sticker for it, as well as a pouch for the passport book. Squeeeeee!!! :::geeks out in Map and Journal and Office Supplies:::

Also, I spent some time checking out our hotel in Atlanta, and was disappointed to find it's one from the hotel chains that have been housing Shmice, those lawless freaks who have been murdering folks and wreaking havoc on Minneapolis. I don't say this a lot, but shmuck them. 

Still, it's a mostly free trip to Atlanta, I have absolutely no control over where we're staying, and I have little room to complain. 

My supervisor texted me close to 8:00 and let me know that my cashier called in sick today, so here I am up front, just blogging away between customers. Business is quite slow, but I'm loving the cozy alone time. 

Sick Days

On my birthday, I thought it might be happening, but thank goodness it didn't materialize until the next day: THE FAMILY COLD. Seems like we've been passing this thing around since before Christmas, and finally it was my turn. 

I went to work yesterday, opened the store, and was waiting around for Ryan so we could do a last bit of training, but my coworkers told me to go home, so I did. Hubby (working from home) picked me up, and we grabbed more Shmadvil Cold & Sinus from Shmalgreen's and came home. I spent the rest of the day in bed.

I figured I wasn't going to be much better this morning, so last night I told Ryan I'd be taking today off as well. And now you're all caught up. 

I must say, for a week I was NOT looking forward to working (just because I knew it would drag out and be the longest week in existence), this is turning out rather well. Too bad it took a virus to make it bearable, but isn't that just the way sometimes? 

By the way, my birthday on Sunday was epic. I demanded a beach day including Fultano's pizza - the chicken pesto is my favorite - and was not disappointed. Hubby, M, the little girls and I visited two beaches, our favorite pizza place, our favorite arcade, and our favorite antiques mall (bought a new-to-me Fiestaware cup and saucer for drinking coffee and being fancy at home), and enjoyed time in the sand and fine weather. Brother E drove down from Astoria and joined us, which was so fun. 

Summary: #56 was a great time. 

So many email addresses

 I need to pare some down, I think

gutted, but alive

Yesterday's therapy session was quite thorough. I'm still digesting things my dear shrink said.

Today is going well and I'm grateful to be here with these nice people. I'm also very grateful for my sweet husband, children, and grandchildren. 

Life continues.

THEY DONE BIRTHDAYED ME

When I figure out how to add pictures from my phone to this blog, we'll be in business. But yesterday, my coworkers decorated the hell out of my little desk for my upcoming birthday, and it was the best surprise this morning. I love these people - they're the best. 

My shrink rescheduled my appointment from MLK Day, when it was originally scheduled. 

STUPID WORK

 is what we're calling it for the next SEVEN SHIFTS, including today. wooooooo

Yesterday was MLK Day, and it was especially great this year. Hubby and I had the day off. Our hired handyman Josh started working on installing our new garbage disposal (Day 2, which is today: DISHWASHER) and rebuilding our cabinet and counter. I washed dishes until he arrived, then played Sims all the live-long day. Had Wendy's for lunch. 

After Josh left, Hubby and B brought in the new dishwasher from the garage. We can hardly believe that we'll be like "normal people who own a working dishwasher" again! We've lived in this house for over seven years and it feels good to be able to do something substantial to it - not as substantial as a new kitchen wing or entryway or front porch, but we'll work with this for now.

My birthday is in five days and I feel like we'll probably be too kitchen-poor (and happily so) to do much of anything. Maybe I'll have people bring me food and play Mad Libs and we'll watch movies. We could also run up to the river and goof off - my kingdom for a dry suit and a bike. I guess there's always the Neenaw money I've been squirreling away. Doesn't Neenaw want me to have a dry suit? I think so, but it's probably better that she's not here to wear it in front of - she wasn't a fan of skintight clothing items. Oh, Neenaw.

I'd love to go to the beach even if just for the day, but again, money. Silly old money! Hence... stupid work.

9:09 AM: Yawn. I'm so glad I won't have to think much after this. Also, mocha doesn't count as coffee.

9:27 AM: Kyle is listing off the Super Bowl team possibilities, for Jello-making purposes. Looks like the colors/flavors might be: 

1. Seahawks - blue/green

2. Rams - blue/yellow

3. Broncos - orange/blue

4. Patriots - red/blue

10:56 AM: Due to an email argument, the legitimate work thing I could be doing to keep myself busy right now, i.e. web refunds, is unavailable as a possible task because the bosses can't agree on who should perform it/them. I did one, and then was asked if there was anything I could possibly do instead, because we're all trying to make a point that the web department should be doing web refunds (I guess - I'd rather be busy, but that's just the kind of worker bee I am). 

12:01 PM: Started journaling about this telephone conversation but had to come back from lunch. Unsatisfying! In other news, Hubby says that we'll be getting a butcher block countertop over the new dishwasher, since Josh was unable to find any laminate resembling the stuff on our counters. I suppose at some point I'll care what they're covered with, but today is not that day, as long as I don't have to do dishes by hand anymore. 

12:55 PM: The countdown toward the end of this shift begins (like, literally - I set a timer on my phone). Hubby has sent me a couple of photos of the progress at home. I warmed up an onion/butternut squash tart from the bakery and had it for lunch - it smelled heavenly. Tasted good, too.

2:26 PM: Zzzzzzzzzz. Ready to go home.

The Last Friday

 Every Last Thing In This Role Will Receive Its Own Designation and/or Post.

(Not really, but if it comes to mind, oh hell yeah.)

As was stated yesterday, I have three full-time days of work next week, and four, the week after that - again, who's counting? 

I must begin making plans for my future free afternoons. 

9:53 AM: I'm so tired and there's no reason for me to be here. I've done all the tills, deposits, paperwork, filing, mailing, and now I'm watching the Lincoln City webcam and wishing we could all be there. It's a beautiful clear day - probably cold, but who cares. 

Maybe I'll take my 2024(?) Mad Libs page-a-day calendar and go bug B. He's sitting at the security desk probably also with nothing to do. Culinary is closed on Fridays and that's as good a reason as any to call it a day and go home.

10:24 AM: We had a nice little mid-morning rush of Culinary students, coming in to buy their caffeine, and now we're bored again. I've taken on a new habit of doing ten squats every 45 minutes, so that helps break up the time. It's so funny how, on the first day of a new quarter, we're shocked by how busy the first couple of days are. Then it slows down, to... nothing. We have weeks of this pace, and then BOOM it's a new quarter again. 

10:47 AM: Played a few Mad Libs with Ryan and Dan. Lizbetta is on her break. Life is pretty relaxed.

11:45 AM: Dan and I headed down to H@nn@ Hall for refreshments. I was hoping for a pastry type item but had to settle for coffee #2 of the day. How long before I occupy the ceiling tiles? 

January is the month

 ... that will cement in fire, crazy glue, brick mortar, salt water taffy, peanut brittle, and every other sticky/inextricable thing, my decision to not apply for this job. 

It's been one thing after another with HR and Payroll, not to mention some of the students and one coworker. 

Again, I DODGED A BULLET. Yikes!

I have one more Friday left (tomorrow), then three days next week because of MLK Day, and four days left the week after that. My last full time day is January 29. That's eight (8) full time days left. I can do this!

Everyone cross their fingers for me.

"Perfect Until Proven Otherwise"

This is my motto from now on. My coworkers are absolutely perfect and I'm grateful for them. Until I learn otherwise, I'm going to assume they're the most fantastic people in the world and never, ever speak of them any other way. (See previous post - there will never be speaking of any kind ever again, hee hee.)

In other news: Had a phone call at work from Brother B. He doesn't call often so I hopped on that phone, thinking someone must have died. Nope! It was good news. Someone is moving out of our mom's house and we couldn't be happier about it. She's probably not happy, but now we can visit her, so that will be a much better situation for everyone. 

GRRRRR

 A thing happened between me and a coworker, multiple times (harmless but unnecessary and after a while, annoying, and then concerning). 

Other coworkers have noticed this coworker's "thing" happening, with me and with other people. They pulled me aside to ask me about my experiences.

I stated my experiences.

I was encouraged by a coworker with authority to tell this coworker's department head, as the department head has supposedly been keeping track of incidents with this coworker and their "thing". 

I met with the department head. I made sure to state that I was there because the coworker with authority had encouraged me to, not because I wanted to get anyone in trouble.

The department head acted as though this was a one-time occurrence, and rather than document my experiences as I was told they would, they decided instead to handle it right then with this coworker. An email was emailed. 

Then another email, saying, "See, this has been handled," from the department head. 

GREAT. Now things are gonna be weird. Instead of adding to the information this department head was "keeping track of," I've been thrown under the bus, it feels like. I know this was not the department head's intent, but it STILL SUCKS.

Just keeping my mouth shut from now on. Pretty soon I won't even be working at the same time as this concerning coworker, thank gerd.

Detoxing - does blogging count?

Happy end-of-holidays. I enjoyed the holiday season for the most part, more so than I have in a long time, and I find myself looking forward to next Christmas. This is unheard of, so you know it was pretty good. 

Some updates:

Ryan was hired for Cashier 4 - hallelujah. I'm almost done with this damn gig. May HR rot in hell. (Obviously this experience has caused a few feelings.)

We enjoyed our late-November trip to Utah. I could've done without the Temple Square immersion experience, but the rest was great - especially the time at the genealogy library. Driving with Hubby is always fun, and we did our usual postcard-a-day journal thing. Did you know Nevada doesn't sell postcards? We think it's because Nevada is illiterate.

Utah Trip #2 is coming up next month, to help move MIL out of her apartment and into a long-term care facility. She is still in the rehab center at the moment.

Plans for the Atlanta trip are solidifying - we now have plane tickets. SWEET. Now it's all about what to pack for winter there. I'm excited to go, especially for the food, and wondering what national parks we'll be close to. More stamps in our national parks passport!

Also, it's been decided that Hubby and I are going on an Alaskan cruise at the end of August. As much as I love the water, I've never had a desire to go on a cruise. Who knows? Maybe I'll love it. We'll be sailing from Vancouver, BC, and I can only remember being in Canada one other time, so even the preliminaries will be fun. Hubby is beyond excited to bring his camera. 

With these upcoming trips, in the space of twelve months, I will have added three new states to my travel history: New York last August, then Georgia, then Alaska. Thanks, Hubby's job, for the opportunity! I get to add those states' stickers to my bullet journal, which is giving me an unbelievable amount of satisfaction. 

In the interest of travel shopping - and since I've been awake since 3 AM and have decided to stop soothing myself to sleep with social media - I just online-bought a pair of swim shorts. When they get here, I'll take them out to look for cute swim tops. 

(This is important to mention because 1) I'm cheap; 2) I've gained weight and am not a huge fan of my appearance, yet here I am planning to swim, and that makes me happy; 3) I've finally discovered a swimsuit style I like and that also makes me happy; 4) it's exciting to get things for upcoming travel; 5) it feels like self care. I'm becoming the person I needed when I was younger, and it feels good.)

We bought a new dishwasher and garbage disposal, which will be installed next weekend. Finally we can be like regular dish people. We bought this house seven years ago (this is the longest amount of time I've ever lived in the same house!) and our tiny dishwasher has worked well maybe a handful of times. We're beyond relieved and grateful that the end of hand-washing dishes is in sight! 

Yes, I'm trying to be good and stay away from most social media apps. Tick of the Tock is especially damaging to my mental health, and of course, the most addictive. So here I am, blogging again. I feel safer here, anyway. Reddit and Pinterest are allowed, since the information and inspiration are definitely worthwhile.

That's it for now - wishing a happy Sunday to us all.

Smoothy Smootherson

 A week has passed since I received the terrible text and man, it took a minute to recover from seeing it. Things are great now, but wow, that was a blow. 

Life continues, with tighter boundaries for some people. 

In other news, we hired a new supervisor to replace me, someone from the bookstore, and I'm relieved that my time as interim supervisor is almost at an end. 

Also, Hubby and I have a trip to Salt Lake City planned for the week after Thanksgiving, and I'm excited to head down there and have some chill time at MIL's home (she is currently recovering at a rehabilitation center from a broken leg) and see everything again. 

Then, at the end of February, Hubby's third (of three) work leadership conference is happening in Atlanta, and we'll be flying there and spending almost a week. We also have a trip planned to Seattle, by train, to see a musical we've been told is great - Come From Away - and it's showing during my birthday weekend, so that'll be fun. 

Looking forward to the holidays, as well as being done with this lovely position. I've learned a lot and feel more competent in quite a few areas of the bookstore, but I have no desire to ever supervise anyone ever again. It's just not something I care about doing. 

Gobsmacked

This afternoon, while on the commute home with Hubby, I was sent a text by a family member that they received from another family member, regarding my horrible brother. You know the one. 

It was shockingly cruel. I couldn't breathe, and almost started hyperventilating right there on Interstate 84. I don't know that I will ever forget that experience as long as I live. I'll remember right where we were, when I first read that horrible thing.

Canceled dinner with Taylor. Put myself to bed as soon as we arrived home. Had Hubby bring me KFC for dinner in bed. 

I know there are people going through experiences worse than this one - I just don't know them personally. Not that we're comparing, but it's just so bad. 

That sentencing judge was spot on - this brother dropped a bomb on our family. We'll never be the same.

I HATE HIM. I HATE HIM.

My brother is a piece of garbage who ruined our family. 

The Wire-Haired Man Goblin

 ...was the nickname our friend Charles had for his second wife (he's now on Wife #3), and I feel it fits perfectly here. 

Today WHMG2 (aka Tamponica) threw a fit because the holiday postage stamps hadn't been ordered by now. I pushed back, nicely, as I've found that this is the way to deal with her. She had no clue that this is the usual time of year that they're ordered - actually, it's closer to Veterans Day, which is on the 11th - and asked me when they were ordered last year, like I would know. Last year, and every year since I've worked here, it's been Dan's job.

It's just more proof that for the most part, she has absolutely no clue how to do anything in this bookstore. It's also another sign that 

I DODGED A MAJOR BLONDE BULLET

and I continue to have absolutely zero regret for not applying for this position. Because PUKE.

Meanwhile, Dan ventured up and vented that wow, she is really on one today - she caught him chatting with Ryan, for all of 30 seconds, and he was rewarded with a nice crusty dirty look from her. You know it's bad when Dan adds to the complaints. Normally he gives everyone a pass. 

Otherwise, it's been a great day. Kyle and I continue to wonder who will soon be our new supervisor. Earlier today I had some intel that forty-one folks applied for the position, and nineteen were selected for interviewing. That number will hopefully bump up to twenty, as one of our bookstore coworkers was originally sifted out due to his perceived lack of leadership experience. We know he would be great, but the almighty HR didn't agree, so Heidi was hoping to change their minds. Here's hoping.

Back to the old shift

Thank goodness, I get to go back to my old routine. 

The plan is to hire a new Cashier 4 (Dan's old job), and I will go back to opening in the mornings and doing all the old stuff. So relieved, but sad for Kyle, who was really hoping they would allow us to share the Cashier 4 position. 

2:23 PM: So stressed out, finishing the November and December schedules. May my coworkers forgive me for the hours I had to cut. I have to remind myself that a dearth of shifts is normal for a seasonal cashier during the slow months. Also, everything feels completely messed up now that I'm not going to be the Cashier 4. It's like now we have to worry about when I'll work. But this is exactly the reason why I couldn't do the Cashier 4 job - the stress of disappointing people is really painful. 

Ugh. I really can't stand when The Manager is up here.

HOW DO YA LIKE THEM APPLES??

 Today I told my immediate supervisor that I won't be applying for Dan's job. 

Mostly, it's health related. On the third Monday of the quarter, I got sick, and it's almost like my body was watching the calendar, just waiting for the first day of work that I didn't absolutely have to be there (i.e. after Rush). B had a weird virus the week before where he just slept all the time, and I caught it while he and Hubby were in Montana. Then, yesterday, I found out I have a UTI. 

In the meantime, during my dental appointment on October 3rd, my teeth decided to become high maintenance as well. I now have two more appointments on the 21st and 28th of this month. Basically, I'm falling apart, and I blame the stress of this job. 

Back when I was working at the bonnet shop, I discovered that people can work all kinds of horrible, menial, disgusting jobs if the folks they work with are halfway nice. When they are not, that's when people jump ship. 

I'm jumping (full-time) ship. The Manager and HR have decreed that they must be the most annoying, irritating, micromanaging entities on the planet, and I'm going crazy. Once again, people don't quit work. They quit co-workers.