June the Fourth Be With You

Today's Rowan's birthday. Their little card is sitting here waiting for them to show up. 

Life has been great here so far. The coffee is good, the biscuit is good, the waves at Lincoln City are good. No sightings of ... anyone yet. I miss Kyle, but Damaris is here with his anime books and we're both content to chill out and have funny conversations here and there.

This is my first regular four-hour shift I've had since leaving on vacation, and I'm happy to be here for exactly that long today. My work agenda includes the usual paperwork and finishing the monthly Foundation receipts, which ran into a few snags yesterday and needed some extra help. 

Taylor and I went to dinner and our favorite antiques store last night, and they bought a new possum t-shirt - can't wait to hear the feedback about that. There's usually a comment from... someone. 

WELP we made it to 9:09 before the first sighting. Back to my desk I zipped, silently. She doesn't like us making noise or having, you know, happiness. 

Predictable

Today I'm wearing my purple Smokey the Bear "Resist" T-shirt and when I put it on this morning, I just had a feeling Stupid Monica would make a comment about it. 

Kyle saw it and said he liked it. I said, "I bet Monica says something about it," and he said, "WHY would she?" 

Ten minutes later, she saw me with my arms folded across my chest, and after a second or two of peering at my shirt, trying to read it, she asked, "What does your shirt say?" I uncrossed my arms, she read it, and gave me a meaningful look that I think was supposed to be conspirator-ish, like she's all in on the anti-fascist thing, or she's cool and I can trust her, or whatever. NOT HAVING IT, lady. 

Anyway, my instinct was on point and I wanted to make a note of it. I've seen enough of her stupid behavior to notice patterns, and that makes her easier to dodge, and I'm happy about that. KNOW THINE ENEMY. 

EYEBROWS UPDATE: Chris, Head of Security, visited us and let us know that we have the authority to bar Eyebrows from entering the store. We should tell her that she's not allowed to be here, and immediately call Security. 

We have screenshots of her walking into the bookstore printed out, and I gave a copy of several of them to the Security receptionists (Jeannie's back!! We love Jeannie and were sad when she left). When I did so, I learned that Eyebrows has NOT been trespassed from campus after being thrown off campus yesterday, but she is no longer allowed to enter the bookstore. Jeannie had never seen her, and Tara didn't know who we were talking about, so hopefully the printed screenshot will be helpful. We here in the cashier department had fun imagining having to throw her out.

Also: Kyle's spouse's surgery is happening Friday. Today was his last day with us for a month or so. He will be missed. 

I don't really love that this is turning into the "gripe about work" blog

...but let's just call it what it is. 

We had a theft, again, by a woman who has stolen from us twice before that we know of, and who will forever be known around the bookstore as "Eyebrows" because of her crazy makeup habits. 

Kyle and I watched Eyebrows walk out of the store with a bottle of coffee without stopping to pay for it. I called "Ma'am" as she walked away into the main hall, but she was wearing headphones and very clearly ignoring us. I called Security at 8:41 AM and then went back to the staff area to tell Heidi what happened. I saw Dan in the doorway of Receiving and said, apparently too loudly, "She did it again!" 

At the end of the hallway, Heidi and Stupid Monica immediately popped out of their offices, confirmed that the thief had stolen again, and Stupid Monica said, "If this happens again, let's be a little more discreet about it instead of announcing it into the hallway." 

sigh. LIKE THAT IS IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW. Hence Stupid Monica's nickname, "Stupid Monica". What the hell is wrong with the way I said it? Nothing - she's just neurotic and annoying as hell. I was gone for two weeks and already my level of rage with her has risen up to where it was before I left - in less than 24 hours! Way to go, Stupid Monica!

UPDATE: Before 1:00, one of our Security folks came through my line to buy snacks, and said that Eyebrows was trespassed from campus, and that she RESISTED. My stars and garters!!

I texted Dan, Ryan, and Kyle about this in our group chat, and Dan called her a "smelly pirate hooker" (he's an Anchorman fan). Cody and Damaris, to whom I showed Dan's response, had no clue this was an Anchorman quote. 

UPDATE 2: Later in the day, we learned from Dan that the nickname "Eyebrows" did not fly well with Stupid Monica, who found it offensive that we would assign a slur to a CRIMINAL WHO IS HABITUALLY ROBBING HER STORE. She launched into a lecture about RESPECT, directed at Dan and Ryan, right there in their monthly meeting. The control-freakiness is strong with this one.

Back into the swing of things

Taylor was here about 30 minutes before Monica saw their new haircut and made an insulting comment about it. The dipshittery continues. 

In other work news, it's great to be among my coworkers again. It's cap and gown season, which is always fun. 

We interrupt this fun bout of trip planning

...to bring you a most severe whine-fest, so I can stop carrying all these feelings around. 

- R had surgery last Wednesday to repair her knee, and the aftercare SUCKED. Thank you, stupid Kaiser, and the stupid American health care/medical insurance system. YOU ALL SUCK. I'm sure she'll be fine once she's out of pain and can resume normal activities, but this whole experience has been awful and stressful and terrible and PAINFUL for her, and I don't know how we can fix this, but it needs to be fixed.

- I deactivated Facebook last night, for the second time in two months. "Death by a thousand cuts" is a good way to describe that situation. Maybe I'm in a highly emotional state because of R's situation, but I can't handle anything or anyone right now. It's good that Hubby and I are traveling tomorrow and I can be distracted from the shit show that is my social media experience. Do we even really need social media? I'm keeping IG because H and C and R are there, and my Hedda Lettiss account, and Reddit and TikTok, of course (for educational purposes). But people I know in real life, family members, hurting my feelings and pissing me off via FB, is nothing I need, right now or ever again.

- Bright side: Monica isn't working today. 

To Do Before Trip

- Wash travel dishes/utensils in dishwasher: DONE

- Open bag of summer clothes & choose what to take: DONE

- New swimsuit (Big 5): Decided to use green tank/black bike shorts instead - DONE

- Iron flannel shirt & t-shirts: DONE

- Check weather for trip destinations: DONE

- Laundry - fold darks, wash/dry/fold lights: DONE

- Unpack from Olympia trip; set aside items to pack for Big Tuesday trip: DONE

- Check toiletries bag for missing or extra items: DONE

- FRONT YARD: Move logs, yard debris box, remaining yard debris, pots/sod so the yard folks can mow on Monday: DONE

- Pack exercise gear: New swimsuit, black flip flops, swim coverup, Keen sneakers, black yoga capris, jog bras, T-shirts, gym socks. EXERCISE - you'll be sitting in the car for hours every day!

- Pack birthday/anniversary cards & stamps to send while we're gone: DONE

- Check travel kitchen bag; take out unnecessary items: DONE

- Shopping list: Water, masks, sunscreen, green dishcloths/towels: DONE till Monday

- Finish washing French press - DONE

- Locate coolers, 1 large, 1 small - wash & dry: DONE

- Pack activities: Sewing machine/fabric/supplies, crochet project, cross stitch projects, laptop/charger, deck of cards, Phase 10, Uno, Yahtzee, puzzle book, postcards/stamps/pen

- Put together sewing/quilting projects; cut out if time permits

- Pack cemetery stuff: whisk broom, scrub brush, bucket for water/debris, good clippers, scissors

- Learn how to do the French press

- Create road menu: sandwiches, fruits/veggies, drinks, snacks

- Foods to pack: Coffee grounds, creamer, apples, peanut butter

MONDAY (Last day before trip)

- SHOP if you haven't yet: Ice, bottled water, boxed chips, lunchmeat, bread, sliced cheese, small mayo & mustard, butter, snacks (chocolate pretzels), fresh ground coffee, Frisbee

- Last load of laundry

- Last check of weather

- Make sandwiches & prep other foods

TUESDAY

- Change sheets

The Marvelous Weekend

It really was a good one.

FRIDAY: Did some housework, sat down to play Sims, and after a while I found myself DEPRESSED. Decided not to sit for prolonged periods of time anymore; my body likes activity and productivity. Sitting playing computer games is different from sitting and crocheting or cross stitching: with those I'm using my hands and creating. Drove the girls up to L's and spent a cozy evening at home. H and A and C came over for dinner, birthday cake (H's birthday) and gifts, and we had a wonderful time. I took C home by way of Walgreens - he had a scab on his leg that he was worrying about. It was nice to spend some extra time with him. Our kids are so cute. 

SATURDAY: After yesterday's lesson, it was Busy City. We turned on a movie and I ironed my way through the square basket of clothes and newly washed fabric scraps - excited to get going with those, and my closet is now full again. During commercials, I did dishes and folded clothes. Then, Hubby and I tackled the back deck, scrubbed a few dirty things, peeled off the cushion covers and washed them, rearranged everything and got it ready for tomorrow. It felt amazing.

SUNDAY (Mother's Day): Hubby, B, and the little girls made waffles, eggs and sausage for all of us. I goofed around a lot, slept some, cross stitched, played Sims (but not for too long). Later Hubby grilled chicken and he and B made mashed potatoes and corn on the cob and brownies. H and C came over for dinner and Maya and I were given many fun gifts. Afterward, we chilled out on the front lawn and the little girls played with the pups. Life is good.

Recovery Day

Yeah, it's already a much better day (9:42 AM) than yesterday. Two happy things have happened so far:

1) I've been watching the webcam pointed at the beach at Lincoln City, Oregon (I used to watch Seaside, but for some reason the cam isn't working right now). Today, I SAW WHALES. Their spray was visible several times and there were a couple of breaches as well. It was magical!

2) A campus coworker, Renn, recently had top surgery. We bonded a couple years ago over being in the LGBTQ+ and allies community AND from conservative religious backgrounds. I saw Renn at the Take Your Child To Work Day event here, and they mentioned that they had leftover supplies from their surgery, and asked if I knew anyone who was undergoing top surgery anytime soon. I happen to know two, here at the bookstore. Today Renn brought in their bag of supplies, and handed them to my coworker here, whose spouse will be going through it next month. It was very touching. Spouse couldn't believe that someone they don't know would be so kind to them. I love this community. 

In surgery news, Kid #5 will have surgery on her damaged knee next Wednesday. The plan for Hubby and me is to go to Olympia that morning, be with her and H during surgery and after, then check in to a hotel and spend the night with them, so we can help take care of #5 and her poor little after-surgery self. Reaching their dorm room involves descending a long flight of stairs into the basement, and she wanted her first night to be comfortable and happy. So we're taking next Wednesday and Thursday off (I'll be working two days that week). 

Swim lessons went extremely well. The girls enjoyed the whole thing, except that Little C was not a fan of being separated from her sister (they ended up in different classes). Looks like we have a couple of little swimmers on our hands. I couldn't be more excited. Hubby is excited too about possibly getting a membership to the community center. I'd be up for that.

Today's events include coffee with Angie after work, and dinner with Taylor tonight. #3's birthday is tomorrow, and we'll be celebrating that with him and A on Friday. Life is good.

VENT POST: Heavy is the Head

...that sees the ugly mug who called her "Hittler*" last year, back in the bookstore. PUKE. Go away, lady. Why haven't you graduated yet? 

Just like last time, she spent her entire time here talking on the phone to someone, and Ryan said that this time, she and her phone partner were planning some church event. All of us employees: "YOU go to CHURCH???"

Also, Kid #5 told us this morning that she is having surgery on her dead knee next week. THANKS, CENTRALIA. YOU ALL SUCK.

Aside from that, things are fine. The grandchildren will begin their swim training today. Yesterday we shopped for suits at stupid Wallmart*, and unlike last time, I did not leave the store enraged. Is it just me? Like, why am I mad at everything?

I promise, I really am having a wonderful life, but today has been kind of sucky. Ryan had to deal with a rude customer who vowed never to shop here again. (Promise?) It's just been that type of day, when you're told to expect nice weather and wear sandals to work and GUESS WHAT STARTS FALLING FROM THE SKY ON THE WAY HERE.

It's a good thing I love being here so much, and have dear coworkers who joke around with me until I feel better. That is a huge win, especially for someone who depended so heavily on her former religion for friends and community. Having friends here has been everything. I'm so grateful for my work family.

Now, back to griping: 

Kyle went home sick and I had to cashier by myself until Ryan showed up (okay, Dan and Heidi had Hannika come up and help me and she was very helpful). 

Two weeks till the Big Trip and I'm so ready for it. Like, right now. I'm ready NOW. Think I'll go home and start packing immediately. 

*purposeful misspelling

Happy Birthday to Kid #2

When someone becomes a parent, they can only hope that their kid will turn out to be an awesome human being, but like so many other things in life, it's a big ole crapshoot. 

Today I'm looking at this 30 year old person and thinking back over the years, and feeling like Hubby and I really got it right. (high fives with Hubby)

Kid #2, you're wonderful and amazing, and I've had the thought many times that it's a privilege just to know you - but I have the absolute honor of being your mom. What a lucky girl I am. 

We love you so much. Happy Birthday!

Smooth Brain Day

I had a pretty massive therapy session yesterday and am feeling delightfully drained today. Nothing is happening inside my head. It's so nice and quiet. 

Work is going well, too - before work, I ran into Dan (not literally) at a new coffee place we talked about a week or so ago, that we both learned about on Tick of the Tock. I was behind him in line - he was riding his bike. The mocha was so great and I will definitely be back again soon. 

Someone left a cute note on my desk that has a drawing of a little man and says, "HI N, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY". I suspect Rowan of this. P.S. It's Halloween, because it's the most unselfish holiday, and it's just fun as hell to dress up, carve pumpkins, eat and give out candy, see the costumes, etc. I love the community-ness of it. 

Also, someone here posted a poll for the students and staff, asking whether folks liked Dutch Bros or Starbucks. I added the new coffee spot and added votes for Dan and myself. 

THREE WEEKS TILL THE BIG TRIP AND I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!

The M Word

She's not allowed to take up any more of my time, or my words. We're just done. 

Except to say this: she said something to Heidi today that alluded to the idea that she thinks no one in the store likes her. The irony is, if she just treated us politely and professionally, she wouldn't have to worry about it. Instead, she bitches about us to our supervisors - which gets back to us - and then acts fake-nice to us when she's with us in person. 

But I'm not making great choices about her, either, as long as I keep talking about her. I've decided to stop spreading toxicity, and just be done with her.  She doesn't deserve any more than that.

IN A WEST END TOWN, THE DEAD END WORLD

... currently the song on the PA and I am happy about it.

Kyle's been sick for two days and I'm sick of THAT. Hurry up and get better, Kyle! Dammit!

Workplace pranks abound. On Friday, Ryan hid my computer mouse, and yesterday, I had to text him to find out where it was, since I couldn't use my computer to do any work. Didn't matter that much, because of KYLE. With him gone, I had to assume the cashier position and actually ring people up at the register. GEEZ, KYLE.

Anyway, to get back at Ryan, I found a file folder, placed a stupid picture of Dan's head inside, and put it on his desk with a sticky note from "Monica" saying "Please review this and see me ASAP". Apparently it did the job - he was pretty freaked out. It mostly made up for being alone for TWO DAMN DAYS (THANKS KYLE). 

(Next song was Ballroom Blitz)

We just counted all the Dan pictures we have hiding around the Clubhouse (Monica literally called our cashier department this, not in a complimentary way) and we're up to eight. EIGHT. 

The Very Small Friday

Due to R's spring soccer schedule, her last, I asked Ryan if I could work a 7:30-9:00 shift today so Hubby and I could catch her game in Centralia. Originally it was scheduled for 11:00 AM, but now is happening at 7:00 PM. I didn't tell Ryan, though. I'm fine leaving at 9 and going home early.

It's been a tiring week - not only because of the longer hours of rush week, but also because Hubby's had some weird little things going on that have required him to take the car to work most of the days, which has resulted in my walking to bus stops, the library, etc. All the unexpected physical activity took its toll - I just collapsed into bed yesterday afternoon. I'm looking forward to a mostly restful weekend with some free time to work on the house. The poor little storage unit must be missing me. It'll be nice to have energy and free time at the same time. 

The next check will be great, though. 

THIS PLACE IS CURSED

It's starting to remind me of that episode of The Love Boat when they held a vow renewal ceremony for a couple who'd sailed on the Titanic (and were jinxing the crew).  All the cast members attended this couple's wedding wearing various medical aids (eye patch, neck brace, etc). 

We have the broken ID computer, the non-working Pepsi cooler that ELECTROCUTED DAN (he's okay, just had to go get an EKG test), and then Register 2's computer decided to be a poop. And NOW, Register 4's scanner is refusing to work! I'd wonder what's about to break next, but I'm afraid to hear the answer!

Yikes.

 We had a spicy customer earlier in the morning and it kind of messed with my mood. 

LATER: Damaris has learned about the ID computer situation and he's throwing an epic (and hilarious) fit. Some quotes: 

- "God gives the toughest battles to the stupidest soldiers" 

- "When I'm running races, you know what I like? More hurdles"

- "This is reaching Mr. Krabs level of stinginess"

I'm patting myself on the back for hiring him last summer. YES. Go me!

In other news, Hubby is off to the dentist's office again for his ouchy mouth. Poor Hubby, I hope he can find some answers and relief from the pain today. It's been getting pretty bad. 

"Boy, are you dumb."

Monica strikes again, acting like a TOTAL GENIUS about this ID computer debacle. 

Since she couldn't see paying for a new computer or new software or a new camera for the ID room, in which we job-description-ingly create IDs for the students, she decided to partner with Security to create IDs with their computer, camera, and software. Since the bookstore makes money from each ID made, she doesn't want to let them handle the whole thing completely. 

So this is her stupid solution (there's no other word for it):

When a student comes in to the bookstore and requests an ID, we have to check the student's enrollment status here on our computer.

Then we fill out a ticket and take it to Tara in Security (who only works Monday through Wednesday). 

On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, Tara will create the ID. On Thursdays and Fridays, it will be done by one of our cashiers. Damaris and Rowan will train on the software first, along with Ryan. 

If they want a bus pass (provided free by C-Tran for the college), they have to come back to the bookstore and have us set that up for them with their new ID.

It's beyond dumb and as I was just saying to Rowan, she is the thorn on the rose that is this workplace. WITHOUT FAIL, she always chooses the stupidest possible solution to any situation. 

I've worked with people who were obtuse and heartless before, but no one has ever been this dumb.

NOT MUCH LATER:

She is universally mocked at each of our homes. Rowan says her name has become a verb at their house. 

Spring Rush 2026

I can tell my legs will be tired tomorrow. It's nice to have lines of people, though. Also, the ID computer situation has been addressed (somewhat) and will hopefully be resolved sometime in the near future. 

Doughnuts!

Rowan the Rock Star brought doughnuts to work today, like an absolute HERO. So good. I'm so glad I started drinking coffee early enough in life that I can enjoy it with a doughnut, and late enough that I remember the days when coffee was absolutely wicked, and I would go straight to Hell if I ever drank it. Coffee is that much more enjoyable now.

I normally don't work on Fridays, but Spring Quarter starts on Monday, and apparently they decided my presence was necessary, so here I am. No complaints out of me, though - there's doughnuts!

Later, I'll be swinging by home to pick up M and the little girls for a trip up to L's house. The girls are spending the night and having Easter Saturday with L. We'll be picking them up tomorrow. Tonight, Hubby and M and I will be at Costco, buying big poofy Easter dresses, a ham, and other delights. 

HAIR UPDATE: It still looks fine from the curlers. I just brushed it and came to work. Probably tomorrow I'll wash it again with the purple shampoo, and roll it up. We're gonna un-yellow the HECK out of these strands!

Why does it feel like Tuesday today?

Weird.

I have a long day of work today, with an extra hour tacked on to the end of my shift, AND a training here on campus. No playing for me today (not sure what that would look like, anyway, but it would probably have involved a storage unit). Kyle is out with a migraine and he is missed. 

Hubby has been battling a sore mouth for a long time and is going to see the dentist this afternoon. We'll see if he feels up to coaching at practice tonight. 

11:03 AM: On break. Quietly, the front end staff have acknowledged that Monica likes to pile on the Receiving work without asking, or paying us Receiving wages, and my feeling is that no one should voluntarily take on projects (Rowan was being sweet and restocking for Kayla today). If Monica wants to physically bring a project up here and ask us to perform a task, that's one thing, but no more of this taking stuff on out of the goodness of our hearts, or our boredom. She has SERIOUS problems with boundaries, and commandeering our cashiers is a huge issue for her. 

12:02 PM: Hubby visited and grabbed the insurance card for his appointment. Here's hoping it goes well. Poor guy has really been hurting lately. 

I have 28 minutes left in my shift and it's been a pretty fun one, minus the usual irritation someone (see above) always brings. Quite the thorn on the rose, she is. 

HAIR UPDATE: The rollers worked well, as did the purple shampoo, mostly. There's still a big yellow streak in my bangs, but maybe several shampoo applications will take care of it, as long as I continue to avoid the curling iron.