My Weblog

The late shift

The left hand is still somewhat uncooperative. It WILL do what I want it to if I'm patient and focused. Makes doing a blog entry slow and cumbersome though. Saturday my new Keurig came. I was standing by the dining room table cutting the tape on the package and my left leg threatened again to collapse. I steadied myself by leaning on/hanging onto the table. So, weirdness continues...........

Sunday I happened to check my heart rate as I was getting ready to go to work. My resting pulse rate was 150% of what it usually is at that time of the morning. But, the Lord and I kind of have a deal. He sees to it that I'm scheduled to work and I do my utmost to do that. I headed out and then turned around about 2 miles down the road and came home. I take a daily pill to "support the heart". I know that there are far stronger doses than what has been prescribed for me in the past. So, I took an extra pill and then headed back up the hill. I now know why I'm supposed to take that pill at night. I felt like I was in slow motion all day.

Before my shift was over, several of us were hypothesizing that a full moon was upon us. I had one customer who got really angry because I had not told her ahead of time how to use her card to complete her transaction. I "waited til she screwed it up" before I said anything. Well, like I said, "slow motion". But, of course, in large letters, the instructions are printed and taped to the machine. I guess my drug-slowed brain made the incorrect assumption she could read..........

Then I had another customer who complained to the head cashier that I "just stood there and her husband had to do all the work". Well, to tell the truth, I'd have been happier if he'd gotten out of the way and stopped "helping". I move items from left to right as I scan them. He kept picking up new items from the cart and putting them down amongst those items I'd already scanned. Seconds (literally) he'd pick up those items and put them in a bag. I had to tell him twice "I haven't scanned that yet". I felt only a little better after I was told that other cashiers had had the same kinds of problems/comments. At least in my medication induced fog, the comments bothered me a lot less.

I've done 3 tax returns so far. One client is getting a jumbo-sized refund. This has little to do with anything I did. Rather, he had "jumbo" withholding. However, he laid down a good bit of money on the desk and refused to take it back. God finds ways to meet our needs.........He gambles a lot. I figure it was the equivalent in his mind of tipping the dealer on a big win...........

Wednesday morning:

I'm home today. Worked til close last night. Don't hold a lot of hope for today. My back is whacked today. I stood on concrete floors for 5.5 hours last night so I guess the backache is not unusual. It should have no place in my life (as a believer) but it's here and I have to deal with it as best I can.

I pulled a stupid trick last night. I locked my keys in my van. I called Geico road service. That was a challenge to my patience. Many questions answered over and over. They then sent the locksmith to the wrong address! I was allowed to handle all this while on the clock. I feel bad about that. I will call in and see if one of the honchos has the ability to dock me for the time. I know they allowed me to handle it on the clock because it was good for them. They were thinking about closing the store at night and leaving one old lady standing outside alone, waiting for a locksmith. That spells liability. And at the time I came in they had enough bodies to cover so I wasn't essential to operations at that moment. Still, I was handling personal business, not working for them and I doubt I should be paid for that.

I had planned to make some yummy barbecued pork sandwiches for "dinner" after work. I arrived home exhausted and ended up going to bed without dinner. I made a BIG batch of coleslaw (no mayo in the dressing) last week which I'd planned to can. I didn't can it. It was so yummy I knew I'd eat it quickly enough that it wouldn't spoil. I even managed to get some King's Hawaiian rolls at the store last week. It all sounds too good so I guess I'll have that for lunch.

I work again tomorrow so this is another of those single days off. I am finding I mind the every other day thing a whole lot less as I work it. I've learned to use those days off well and the time to allow this old body to recover is valuable as well. Sometimes, though, it's impossible to accomplish everything that needs to be done in the time available.

Well, that's it for now. Maybe more later.

 

 

Snow!

I've lived here for almost 40 years. Last night we had snow, the likes of which I've never seen here. I've seen it in the midwest, but not here. When I woke up this morning, the entire backyard was blanketed, but for a tiny bit under a tree. The raised bed is STILL covered completely. This morning I opened the front door and peered out. I could see that the street, driveway, sidewalk, etc., were wet, but because of a hedge I couldn't see the front yard. When we have had much lesser snows, it has melted away shortly after the sun has come up. Not so today. At least, not completely.

I was concerned about trying to go uphill to the store. More than that, I really wanted to wrap myself in a soft blanket and drink cafe' mocha and read a book today. But I decided I HAD to go to work, if only because I was scheduled to be there and I was unwilling to let anyone down. As it turned out, the trip wasn't bad. I did have to stop for one traffic light and my wheels had a hard time getting traction when the light turned green. But, I made it. Not until afternoon did we have any wind. So the world was a "winter wonderland", it wasn't cold. Funny to see palm trees with fronds drooping because they were weighted down with snow--in the desert!

It was all so beautiful and I was sad that I did not have a camera battery charged up............

To my way of thinking, tomorrow the driving will be much more challenging. It warmed up to around 43 during the day today. So, things were wet from the melt off. Then it began to lightly rain. So, by morning, I'm thinking the streets will be quite icy and driving anywhere will be like going to the carnival and being in the bumper cars! SO glad I am not scheduled to work tomorrow! I may drag myself out to get a few groceries, but not til it's warm enough to de-ice the streets.

I am sad: my precious Keurig, I think, has given up the ghost. It is holding back water which might be fixed with a good application of vinegar to clear hard water sediment. But, it's also not heating properly. Lukewarm coffee is not much of a turn on for me! I have a Hamilton Beach coffee maker which can be used either with coffee pods or with grounds. However, the darn thing, I think, is poorly designed. It seems to get clogged very easily.  For example, it's clogged now. I'm estimating I may have made 6 cups of coffee since the Keurig died. The cup of coffee in front of me now--well I had to put the pot through 3 cycles to get a full cup. It was my intention to use this thing til it died. I'm not sure I have the patience for that!

I still owe you the printer story, but typing one handed is a pain. Maybe tomorrow.

 

I'd better post..........

before y'all think I've died and gone to heaven. I'm still here. When the time comes, I'm ready, but it hasn't happened yet.

There is just the slightest possibility that Dad has an open position for a "Crisis Manager" in heaven for which I am in training. Well, not really, but sometimes that's how it feels.

I guess the first thing to report on is my "flapping". I mentioned a couple of weeks ago where I really did not have good control of my left hand, my left arm, and my left leg. My hand tingled and I just could not hold onto things properly or use it the way I would normally. My left arm wasn't behaving "right" either. And I had 3 different instances where my left leg just crumpled under me, not while I was walking, but while I was standing at a register. I did not go down, just hung onto the counter or a register, or whatever I could grab. But my right leg just did not have enough strength for me to right myself. Well, the hand is doing better. For example, I have typed these 6 lines and only had to correct errors twice. During the worst of it, I would have had many, many typos to correct (which might give you a hint as to why I haven't posted for a few days.) Right now, my hand feels like I'm having a carpal tunnel flare up or maybe some arthritis in the wrist, but while it's still not what it should be, mostly, if my brain tells my hand to hold onto something, that actually happens!

I figured out that part of the arm thing (the flapping) is habit. Whenever I am home, I am hooked up to a 50 ft tube which is pushing oxygen at me. I might be in the kitchen, doing dishes, or out here at the desk, or in the bedroom trying to make the bed. And wherever I go, the cord trails along behind me if I'm lucky. But, the darn thing gets itself snared on things. It hangs up on the handlebars of the Total Gym. It hangs up on the base of the treadmill. It gets snagged by the base of an end table in the living room. Some times, as I try to leave my bedroom, it seems particularly hard. I look around to discover the tube is wrapped around a stray shoe or the trash can or whatever. I've developed the habit of grabbing that tube with my left hand, putting my hand/arm behind my back, and pulling the tube along behind me. This seems to limit the incidences of whiplash injuries (joke, it's a joke) that occur when the tube hangs up on something and I am brought to an unceremonious dead stop by the stupid tube which inserts into my nose and then wraps around my ears. My very badly behaved hand was grabbing for the cord, not managing to actually capture it and my arm would start around behind my back when I would sense I really hadn't grabbed that tube after all and go at it again. And I was doing this motion, even when I was at work, not using the oxygen..............

I have no explanation for the leg just buckling............But the Lord knows and He's in charge so I'm not going to worry about it. I've prayed over it and, from there, the ball is in His court.

It was cold and windy and overcast all day. Our forecast is for rain/snow and the weather channel says there's a warning for the period from 6PM tonight through Friday morning! One of my customers told me they brought in snow removal equipment and a de-icer to clear runways and freeways, so I guess they're really serious about this! I have a hunch it's overkill, but we'll see. So far, yes, there is rain, but no snow. Apparently, it's down now to 35 degrees, so if it's going to snow, it may happen before I head to bed.

Last week we had one VERY windy night. I worked til after dark that evening and when I went to leave the store, the strength of the wind was amazing. I wouldn't be surprised if someone told me the wind was gale force. I usually park pretty close to the building, because I have a handicapped permit. I had a wretched time trying to get to the van. In fact I made it to the side of the van and thought "maybe I should go back into the store and wait this thing out". I was honestly just a few feet from the driver side door, and I seriously thought I couldn't make it. Then I thought about it and realized it was a lot further to go back into the store than to forge ahead. I am not a petite person, about average, I'd say. And, I'm no featherweight,  again about average. But I was being tossed around pretty good! Do you know those fake things we've seen where the weather channel guys are trying to make it look like they are going to sail away in hurricane winds? Well, that was me, only it was for REAL!

If you think about it, I could use some prayer for my poor legs. I'm having LOTS of pain when I'm trying to walk................ But, no turning back, no surrender........... I'm gonna keep marching along as best I can. It may hurt, and it may be slow, but.............

Remind me to tell you about "printers" next post!

speaking of excitement...............

I drove home from work last night and parked the  van in the driveway. Tonight I went out to run an errand. Stuck the key in the ignition, turned it and it started right up. However, I was completely unable to get it out of "Park". I mean, the gear shift just wouldn't move. I'm not sure "gear shift" is the correct term--it is an automatic, but.............

Anyway, first I called Toyota. They were willing to send a tow, but only to tow to a Toyota dealership and only for a fee. However, the sweet young lady that was staffing the phones suggested I call a local dealership and see what they might be willing to tell me. For example, if this kind of thing happened frequently..............

So, yes, I did call a local dealership. I explained my situation to the young lady staffing their phones. She tracked down a service tech and, praise God, he gave her instructions for me. There was a "blank" button next to the "P" on the gear shift area. I was to pop that off and inside that I'd find a button to push. That "should" unlock the gear shift. If it didn't, then the car probably needed a "brake switch".

I went back outside, and tried to push the button. Well, I couldn't get the "blank" button out of the way. Back inside I came and gathered up a screwdriver and a steak knife. I'd decided to try to "pop" that "blank" button off, rather than push it, which is what I was supposed to do in the first place! The steak knife saved the day. I managed to "pop" the outer button off, pushed the inner button, and the gear shift moved.

 I ran the original errand I'd set out to run a couple of hours before (LOTS of "hold" time along the way--thank God that although my cell phone is VERY old, it does have a speaker phone option). Then I called the folks who worked on the van the last time. Yes, they know how to replace a "brake switch".

If the car will "go" tomorrow, I'm taking it in to get that switch replaced on Friday (I work tomorrow). If the car won't "go" tomorrow, I guess I'll have to tell the store I can't get there, and have it towed tomorrow to my friendly repair shop.

One thing for sure: you wouldn't have wanted to know my pulse rate in the middle of all this!

I'm still kickin'

You know how I complain that Parker lies in EVERY walkway--more or less precisely in the MIDDLE of EVERY walkway? Yeah, well........... You also know he is not petite or dainty, right? Yeah........

He has this thing that makes me crazy, to say the least. He will wait until you are about halfway into stepping over/around him and then he suddenly stands up. You may have told him 3 or 4 times to "move" and he didn't twitch a muscle. He is just waiting for an opportunity to get back at you for every perceived failure........... Do I need to tell you that does not such great things for your balance? Let's just say I am grateful to the store for all the walking I do there. It strengthens bones! Nevertheless a person's body is made up of more than bones, right? Yeah..........So, I'm home.

This was my 3rd day this week, scheduled for a 6AM start. Someone goes in earlier than that and turns on the lights, etc. But, they don't answer the phone. I tried to call from 5:15 on and did not get an answer til after 6AM. I guess that makes sense since that is official opening time. However, I was trying to give them as much warning as possible that I just couldn't do it. I thought that way they could call someone else in.............

Yesterday was horrendous. Really stressful. I thought I had pulled off purchasing my software for taxes back on January 28th. But I never found/got a link to download it. I finally gave up and called tech support yesterday. Surprisingly I got right through. Well, apparently I bought the wrong thing. They sell 3 tax packages for small fry. One requires you to pay $37 every time you want to print a return, but nothing upfront. I figure I'll prepare about 20 returns so 20 x $37 is $740. Another is for someone who will do about 50 returns. It is purchased up front, but there is no later cost to print. It runs $700 plus sales tax. Finally, there is a pay-up-front package for 20 returns. It costs right at $400. In that I do numbers, which package do you think I chose? Yeah, the one for $400. Well, apparently I did two things "wrong". First I am not entitled to buy that one. It is only for new customers, not someone who has been buying this company's software for 29 years. Secondly, I did not follow proper procedure when I purchased it. Hey, the option to purchase was right there on the opening page of their site. There were no red flags, no threats of bodily harm.

Anyway, I was on the phone with tech support for around 3 hours. In addition, the guy from tech support was working behind the scenes for about an hour. We took a "break" for that hour so he could do whatever he did and I didn't have to sit there on hold. Anyway, I can now do 2018 returns. However, I cannot (right now) access prior year's programs. Supposedly, we're going to fix that when he calls me at 1PM today.........We shall see.

By the time all that was over, I was ready to go lie down in a dark room with a cold wet cloth on my forehead.............He couldn't know the ins and outs of my machine. In addition, he had a slight accent (from the Philippines). So communication was a bit difficult. Finally I gave him access to my machine. He pointed, I clicked where he pointed, and that made things go better.

I can't explain it, but in the middle of all that, I ended up having to set up a gmail account. So, I suppose the way is now paved to me getting rid of AOL. That will save me about $12 a month. I can't do it for a while. In the meantime, I have to try and figure out ALL the places that have that AOL e-mail address and start changing those to reflect the gmail address.

I met with a client last night. First, he is 82 of the 11th of this month. So, a bit tottery and wobbly. Being subject to a degree of wobbliness myself, courtesy of peripheral nerve problems, I was very alert to the difficulties of having him walk in from his vehicle. Then I was VERY thankful that Parker is getting old and getting more socialized and no longer jumps up on people. A load like Parker could easily knock a wobbly older gent off his feet........... Anyway, this guy has been a gambler for decades. And, as he's become less well, and as he's lost his wife along the way, he's gambled more and more. In 2016, he received a LOT of information documents on bigger wins from the casinos. Truth be told, he almost certainly lost everything he won and more, but........... Anyway, he owed the IRS. he's been making payments since 2017. Of course, he doesn't like making those payments--no one does. He told me last night it was the IRS who caused his financial ruin. I thought that was pretty funny on several levels. First, the IRS did not force him to go to the casinos, nor did they commit any kind of an armed robbery. Secondly, his Social Security is $200 a month more than mine and he is paying $115 less a month than I am. Further, he lives with his daughter. Knowing him, I am sure he kicks into the household expenses there, but he doesn't "have" to do that. I just can't help but wonder at people who are SO MUCH better off than I am and still complaining to me about how poor they are!

Gotta go. I'm feeling the strain of sitting in this chair. Later...........

Grateful for God's provision

I've been hungry, but try as I might, I just could not come up with the idea of something I wanted to eat. Then it struck me. I had seen some Stove Top in the back of my pantry the other day. I went and looked and sure enough, there was some turkey stuffing mix. Well, I happen to have canned turkey meat on my shelf as well as canned turkey broth--all canned by me with my own little hands!

I made the stuffing. Then I opened a jar of turkey meat. That happens to be canned in broth, but not much broth. So I went ahead and opened a jar of broth. I got all that heating on the stove. I mixed up a corn starch slurry and added it straight into the pot of turkey and broth. When it had thickened, I ladled the broth and meat combination over the top of a serving of the stuffing and ate. It was delicious. I suppose I should have had a veggie. Oh, well, I have some garnet yams I intended to bake off tomorrow. I'll eat some of those and I'll call it a "destination party".

Do you remember those parties from the 70's? You would have an appetizer and maybe drinks of some sort at one house. Then you'd go somewhere else and have an entree made by the hostess and side dishes brought in by some of the guests. Finally, you'd end up at still another house for dessert, coffee, and, if so inclined, more drinks. Okay, so I'm not going from house to house, just room to room and day to day. Hey, I literally just finished making this stuff and eating it. I just was NOT going to do anything more tonight! So, the veggie will come tomorrow...........

Headed to bed. Did manage a good bit, considering it was the night of a work day. I come home so spent most days, doing ANYTHING is a struggle. So, yay me for what I got done. Master Bedroom dusted-- it REALLY needed it. Roomie is on the loose somewhere in the house (I guess I'd better go hunt her down before I give up for the night). Laundry folded and put away, more laundry hung to dry. Trash at the curb. Dishwasher loaded and dishes washed. So, I won't even bother to say I should have done more. I'm just going to celebrate what I DID get done. G'night.

I have my own personal circle in Dante's hell............

It's called working the opening shift. I had to be at work at 6AM. This is SO difficult for me.

I tried to go to bed around 8 last night. That was useless. I gave up and got back up again. I tried again around 10:30 and I did eventually get to sleep, only to be awakened over and over with needed trips to the bathroom. When the alarm went off a 2AM, I reset it for 3AM and got another hour of sleep. So, all in all, if you don't count the time I was in the bathroom, I ended up, despite my best efforts, having to go to work on about 4 hours. My only saving grace was the idea that I could come home and take a nap..........

Oddly, I started in Lumber for about an hour. Once the sun rose, I noticed that the sky was FILLED with dark clouds. However, by the time I got my break, around 8AM, there was actually blue sky and sunshine. By 10am, it was dark clouds and sprinkles. It had dried up by the time I got off work, but during my much awaited nap, it started again! Oddly, my feet are "sore". Not hurting as in "ooh, there's a pain" but rather, just plain sore. I wore the same good shoes I wear everyday............. So many mysteries, so little time!

The ground is wet. That wet ground makes wheeling the trash cans to the curb somewhat challenging, LOL. Nevertheless, it seems I am the first one as far as the eye can see, in both the southern direction and the eastern, to have the trash cans out. Imagine that, Ms. Efficiency. It HAS to be a fluke (or the Lord's answer to my "please motivate me" prayer).

So, not too much accomplished yet tonight. Kitchen has been worked on--dishwasher loaded, hand washing of dishes well underway. Trash at the curb. I have a load of laundry to get onto the drying rack, and then, on to the master bedroom. I have no clue what I'm going to eat for dinner tonight. Yesterday, for lunch, I made some pasta with clam sauce. Unfortunately, I actually made too many noodles, so it's not as good as usual, but I had it for lunch yesterday, dinner last night, and lunch today. I may just decide to save what's left for tomorrow's lunch.......... It IS one of my favorite foods, but even pasta with clam sauce gets a little old after 3 servings in a row!

Got my groceries yesterday. I managed to stay pretty well under budget. Sadly, though, I think I am going to need more dog food before next payday, and that will blow the budget, again.......

Well, I'm going to go forage for food. I hope you had a BLESSED day. I at least managed to arrive at work with all my meds taken and all the appropriate items of clothing draped on my body--that alone HAS to be viewed as a blessing. Anything more is just gravy!

 

 

Sippin' my smoothie..........

I'm having a hard time getting back into the smoothie thing. Sad because I know I need the vitamins and minerals.......... It's a bit like taking cough medicine. Maybe when I use up what I have, I can do a different-tasting fruit. That may help..........

Going to work today. It rained last night, so we are transitioning from super dry air to moist air. Can you guess how my sinuses feel? I've taken half a benedryl and it has helped some. Don't want to take too much or I may fall asleep right here in my chair. That would make me VERY unpopular at work!

I'm grateful to have a "mid" shift today. With the dampness of the air and the sun hidden by clouds, I think being out and about tonight would be pretty uncomfortable.

I don't think I have a single dime to devote to this, but if you'd like some really NICE clothes for amazingly low prices, try this: search Ann Taylor Factory on Google. $70/$80 tops for beautiful tops and sweaters selling on clearance for $10-$15. I'd love to order " just one" but then I'd have to choose between all that gorgeousness and then I'd be unable to choose and then I'd order 43 new tops and sweaters. No, I don't think I can afford "just one".

Well, I've got to be on the road shortly, so, I won't hang around. Maybe I'll still be able to form complete sentences after work............

Prayer changes things...........

I was supposed to have a 3-day weekend, courtesy of some hoarded vacation and holiday time. That sounded very good, but I've been concerned about the miniature paychecks. I DID speak to the supervisor of the front end. She says corporate has not yet authorized increased hours. I also gleaned from her that it is not just our store but ALL stores that have had this cutback in hours. However, we were told that "as soon as we get to the new fiscal year, we'll have more hours". Well, that has not proven to be true. Yesterday I got my schedule for the 3rd week of February (new fiscal year begins tomorrow) and once again I have only 3 shifts. So, for the first 3 weeks of the new fiscal year, we are no better off than we have been. One way or another, I am skinnying by. However, it certainly is not fun. It basically means I pay what I HAVE to pay and I'm done. If I need to spend anything extra, it has to come out of my "sock". Well, of course, the Lord and I have had conversations about this. And, it has been a habit of mine for a LONG time now to quote His promises every day  to "supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" and to give me "all sufficiency in all things" so that I can "abound to every good work". Today, the phone rang. I missed the call but I heard it ring and I called back immediately because it was the store. Oh, glory be, I get an extra shift tomorrow. Someone notified the store they couldn't come in tomorrow and they needed coverage. Honestly, in that it's the weekend, there's a very good chance I will spend some, if not all, of the day in Lumber where I can sit. I am overjoyed. This next paycheck should be "normal", maybe even a little bit extra.

I was inclined to believe it when I was told "corporate" was to blame. However, I worked day before yesterday and we were wall-to-wall bodies. (It seemed the head cashiers were confused, trying to find places to put people). Turns out "corporate" was supposed to tour the store. People were scurrying in all directions, making sure inventory was stocked, floors were clean, etc. Last week, they were actually painting the wood that makes up our counters. Aha, no wonder. They were trying to dress up the place, keep the lines short, make things look all hunky dory. Now, I am confused. IF "corporate" is responsible for the cut in hours, nationwide, does it make sense that when "corporate" comes to call, things should look all spiffy AND we should have enough bodies to make things flow properly? OR should things look a little ragged with longer lines to indicate to "corporate" that we NEED our bodies back? I'm pretty confused here............

I desperately need a haircut. It is dry here and, of course, I have some heat on. I have gas forced air heat. I went to get ready for work yesterday and my hair was crazy enough to make me laugh out loud at the image in the mirror, and then despair, LOL. I finally used the curling iron on it and sprayed it into a curly helmet and it passed. But, if I could even just get it evened up, it would help. Styling it is becoming too labor intensive for my way of thinking. But, given the budget situation, I haven't wanted to spend the money, not even to go to Supercuts!

Someone suggested yesterday that perhaps hours would break loose in March. That sounded good except that, as a whole, the company experiences a good spring. Our average last frost date is February 15 and desert gardeners have already got seed starts growing on window sills and heat mats inside their homes. So, for us, yes, March is "spring". However, not so much for other parts of the country. I am thinking March 1 is maybe too optimistic. So, I think I will just continue to rely on the Good Lord..........

So, I am home today. I can't say I've done much of value today YET. I was counting on that 3-day weekend. Well, now I figure I'd better get a hustle on, LOL.