ground zero
This is the best descriptive title I can come up with for yesterday morning. I was standing on the ground and zero happened. There was a small crowd of people waiting but nothing like years past. We were all so mentally ready for the best of the worse - it was really rather disappointing. Plus, we had the small fear of "what will this mean for sales?" in the back of our heads. Well, by lunch, sales were up nicely from projections. We weren't hit massively hard and heavy first thing, but we did stay very busy through out the day. I pretty much stayed in electronics to start, then switched to toys and seasonal. I also took a lot of calls in housewares, domestics, and hardware.
For little girls, the doll of the year seems to be any Disney Princess. Bigger girls, the Bratz dolls and all accessories. The only big Barbie request was for her new lap top computer toy.
For boys - the most sought after toy - Hulk Hands. We could not keep these on the shelf longer than a few minutes. The Hulk Hands really seem to appeal to the savage in the male of our species. At one point we had a tub about half filled with them (getting ready to refill our location again). A boy about age 8 walking by, saw them, grunted, punched the box and kept walking.
For kids of all ages we sold games. The old classic board games, by far, out-sold the newer variety. Boomers want to play again. "Toss Across" was probably our first sell out.
Today, I only work 5 hours. I'm just a bit peeved.

Thanksgiving
We had a great time. Always, as with either of our families, the food is fabulous, and the laughter non-stop. I must point out though, the men in my family - laugh just as hard as the women. Rolling, tear wiping, air-gasping. On Thanksgiving, we were surrounded by a wonderful group of men, best of the bunch - who seem to lack the fire of life. They love life, live fully, play and work hard. But can't truly let go in emotion.
Hey guys - we women - love guys who laugh and cry and love with a true passion.
Everybody got to meet the newest guys in the family. Ryan came with us of course. Angie brought home Nick. Nick was a blast! Wish we had gotten more time to share.

to clarify
I purposefully don't mention Ryan a lot here. Every time we really like a guy, that seems to blow it for Sandra - he goes away and we lose a friend. I must be brave here and now. Ryan is a great guy. He treats our daughter very well. He fits wonderfully into this family, even already feels like a "son". (He laughs like My side of the family)We're thinking our best strategy is to make something happen sooner than later. (Something being a wedding)

Thanksgiving quotes
Ryan: "The tattoo she can't show you is a playboy bunny." Mind you, he knew I was standing right behind him. I slugged him and mentioned he shouldn't know about that one yet. He did his best to come up with a cover story. It was so too late.
Heath: (Just walking in from the other room) "There they go again, just like last year. On the love seat, in front of the fire, in the dark, 'watching' the game. Pretty cozy." I peeked into the next room to see who he was speaking of. It was Rick and Russ.

SSDD
This week (or the next few) will have no real beginning or end. I worked Saturday and Randy didn't. He had to work Sunday - I didn't. We both worked yesterday. I have today off. We both work tomorrow - Rand is already guaranteed a very long day - at least 12 hours. We do both have Thanksgiving off. I then work Friday and Saturday (of course). Rand also has Friday off, but works Sat. and Sunday.

NSDD
The schedule for next week came out and I saw a little red. I'm only scheduled for 32 hours. The busiest season in retail and they cut all the plano team hours. We don't have a lot to do, most of our work is done until the end of the month. But all of us have been working in other areas. Really ticks me off when they hire part-time seasonal help and then cut the hours of people who have been there for years. Wage-wise they are not saving that much. Experience-wise the guest is the loser. Not to mention loyalty and urgency of the store's success. We long-termers really care about how well the store is doing, looking, keeping guests happy.... etc.
Seasonal help only cares about their paychecks and how soon can they quit.

she's a little nervous
Sandra will meet Ryan's mom today. She has already showered, done her hair, make-up, and changed outfits twice. Ryan is still asleep on the family room floor. They will both be joining us at the Glazebrook Thanksgiving dinner as will Rob and Megan.

my stupid thing
Yesterday, when I got home from work, I took my usual after work treat of a pain pill with a side of tylenol. I thought. I then got busy throwing a soup together in the crockpot, and then making a pie. By the time I was starting the pie, I realized things were so not right. I was reeling. My guess - instead of tylenol, I took a prescription sleeping pill. They are the same color and shape. I don't pay much attention to the bottles. Let's face it - I take lots of pills. I slept until supper and this morning re-arranged my bottles to hopefully prevent such fun in the future.

today goal's
My list of stuff to-do today includes buy groceries for the dishes I'm taking to Rick and Linda's. I need to refill a couple of prescriptions, bathe the dogs, cut my hair and Willie's. I hope to deep clean the fridge, clean bathrooms, and hopefully some other "house readyings" for the holidays.

it's safe to WOO-HOO now!
Jeff and Tina are having a baby! WOO-HOO! Yipee! Due date is early June. This should put them in traveling condition for the Stowers family vacation.

speaking of the 1st Anuual Stowers Family Vacation....
This is scheduled the week beginning Sunday, July 11 and ending Saturday, July 17. (We could possibly go one week later, but no earlier - for the new mom and baby's sake) Speak now - or - forever quit your complaining. Randy has already requested his week off. Within a very few weeks he will not be able to change that.
Since this 1st Annual Stowers Vacation is a celebration of Mom's retirement, (and this is all she wants for a gift everyone) she gets to have final say on the spot.
Mom has chosen the Onawa / Blue Lake KOA. Everyone is responsible for they're own reservations. They do have tent sites and Kamping Kabins. I'm sure the cabins go fast. Reserve as soon as possible. You may chose your own day to arrive and leave. Mom and Dad will probably get there sooner and stay longer, for example. We will coordinate our camp site with the folks to make sure we can all be together for meals and such. We need the extra picnic table, ease of cooking and room to spread.
I am going to get more info (okay - add that to my to-do list today). I'm hoping for brochures, maps, and reservation guidelines.
update
They are closed for the season and will not accept reservations until April 1. I emailed them anyway to see if we can get more details about their sites, Kabins, and such.

what a week
Working last Saturday has thrown off my whole schedule. I no longer can remember what day it is. This will continue. I work the next few Saturdays as well.
It's all about Christmas. I'm doing a lot more on the sales floor - mostly readying the seasonal and toy departments. Making sure everything is set correctly, filled to the max, and zoned correctly.
The Friday after Thanksgiving I am scheduled to work in the electronics department as sales floor. That will be a very busy place - second only to toys.

this time - it's really true love
Did Sandra's name pop in everybody's heads? His name is Ryan and he is from Ames. They met at a Halloween party. She was smitten instantly, as was he. She talked about him non-stop after returning home from the party. Ryan was the cop with the freaky eyes. Going as a cop to a Halloween party - interesting. Having contacts that glow in black light - really cool! He did call right away - lots.
They now are inseparable. Literally. We think we might need to search for the Velcro. Ryan seems like a nice kid. He fits in well around here, loves to laugh, and can't wait to meet the extended family. Nothing I say seems to scare him off. He even helped me re-arrange the family room. (Randy was very grateful for that.) I've roped him into other chores as well. Ryan even cleans up after himself and her.
Ryan has been a cook/chef in various restaurants as well as a stint in the service. His goal is to one day own his own restaurant. When - what this all this meant finally hit home - it popped right out of my mouth. "You can cater your own wedding!", I joyfully realized.
He didn't even flinch!
They are speaking of marriage already. I've got to admit it is soon, but Sandra is so relaxed around him. He gets to see her hair messy and no make up. She eats in front of him - real servings! If this sticks - it will be sooner than later. Getting Rod back to perform the ceremony will be the tricky part.

missing them already
Rod, Angie, and the boys are on their way to Ohio. We went to visit Sunday and spent some quality time together. They very generously gave us their loveseat. Their goal is to get all new furniture in Ohio. I am very awed by their generosity. And I have been secretly, deeply in love with this loveseat since the day they bought it! Wondering what I would do with my futon, I asked Ryan if he needed one. Yes - he did need one. Turns out the poor kid doesn't have a bed. He has been sleeping on the floor. So our futon is now in Ames. It is interesting the way a blessing can spread. Thanks to Rod and Angie!

time to get started
If I can get Sandra detached from Ryan, my goal is to get her to organize her life and pursue DMACC hard this week. Being fire (laid-off it turns out is more accurate) can be a blessing, but you need to make it one. In further thinking, I will have Ryan do that. She will do anything for him and he is all about keeping the folks happy. Smart boy.

Happy Birthday to Eric

prayers needed
Tina lost her Grandma Mills this past Monday after a lengthy illness. Our family is keeping all the Mills family lifted in prayer.

*good news - bad news*
Bad news: It was a drop dead gorgeous day and I didn't get to take my jeep out. Good news: Our Christmas lights are up (and currently - on).

yeah - right
Cheryl, one of the execs who adores me, :) found me long after I should've been gone yesterday. She wanted me to fix some stuff for her, before today's walk. I had to quit cleaning the fixture room to look up paperwork to make sure all was do-able (it was). I told her to leave Ray an email and I could get on it first thing this morning.
Ray handled that today by fuming at me.
He explained I was supposed to be working flow this week - not plano. I mentioned that hadn't happened yet. He also wasn't happy with the hours I spent on the fixture room. (the execs were very pleased and that's all I really worry about) I mentioned to the execs that in the future any carts of crap left in the fixture room by team leads, could be moved to the teamlead in question's desk. On their desk - not beside it. They didn't say no.
After I got Cheryl's project done, Ray did make me work one pallet, but then had to pull me back to do other plano things at the request of execs. They really love me!
It's already a guarantee I will be plano, not flow, on Friday. Tomorrow is a day off!

a Willie quote
I had forgot about this at the time of my original post, but thought you would all enjoy this.
To set the scene, it was discovered at Willie's sports physical last year that he needed glasses. At Willie's physical this year, Doc asked Willie if the new glasses helped him.
"Yes," Will replied. "They make me look smarter."

this sucks
I had a feeling and I was right. My ortho "released" me. He says I should do fine on my own now. blah, blah blah,..... I ain't signing nothing.

this sucks too
Sandra was fired yesterday. They didn't have enough work to support the current staff, so they lightened the number of staff. She will get unemployment and I did tell her this would be a very good time to go to DMACC.

just call me lonely
Rand and boss, Dan, left for northern Minnestota this morning. They are at a manufacturer checking out all the fine details of a new machine Pepsi is going to put in.

raindeer run is tomorrow!
This is the biggest and baddest of all the inspections Target can get. Happens every year just before the holidays to all the stores nationwide. Tomorrow is our day to get walked (Target's word for inspections). I worked 12 hours today getting everything ready for tomorrow. Ray had today off.
I have Thursday off this week. Since we pretty well have our holiday sets done, plano hours are a little light. I will get to work in other areas this week such as price changers and flow team. Most of this week will be getting the plano team caught up on last week. Next week I even get to be regular sales floor. I'm looking forward to that - I have missed it some. I do have to work a few Saturdays, but I'm still getting 40 hrs/week. January will hit big plano again. All the Christmas that is up - must come down.

he's a Willie
I get home after working a very hard, very physical 12 hour day. It was dark when I went to work. It was dark when I came home. I walked in the door to be met by Sandra. I asked what she made me for supper. She gave me a blank stare. Kenny came up the stairs. I asked him what he made me for supper (hey - he calls me Mom). He gave me a blank stare. Willie came up the stairs. He wanted to know if I would cook him pizza for supper. Right.
Willie just told me my pizza is ready! :)

work
Work went fine today. I don't know what if anything was said today by whom or to whom. All I know is my day was fine and I won't argue with or try to change that. I had a very productive day - got a lot done in a lot of areas.

therapy
Jim, my therapist, doesn't think I'll be back after my ortho appt. on Monday. He figures I'll be told to just continue at home. I'm a bit peeved. I'm still having considerable pain in my left knee; not to mention my right shoulder which everybody has refused to treat. It might be time for another battle. I do get tired of the battles (yeah - I know this fact surprises a few). But I'm tired and sore and willing to make somebody else as miserable as I am. Somebody has to fight somewhere if medical care in this country will ever change.
*climbs onto soapbox*
Our politicians need to become fighters for us as well. The number one reason why drugs are cheaper for the consumers in Canada than they are here? Their politicians refuse to let the big drug companies hold the citizens hostage. In fact there are drugs that are manaufactured in the USA, shipped to Canada, and they are sold cheaper there. Our government will talk endlessly about FDA standards and such - But they prefer getting their pockets lined by big drug companies over doing what is right and good the majority of the time.
Something that makes this stand out for me is generic drugs. One prescription I have taken on and off over the years cost me over $3 a pill (3 - 4 a day would be needed) with insurance. A generic wasn't available. Last year the generic finally was allowed. The cost now is $5 for the month. It's not right for drug companies to prosper beyond imagination from human suffering. It should be considered a form of torture for some to have to choose when the cost of medications are life altering.
*steps off soap box*

the very end
Rand and I finally got up to winterize the camper. He winterized - I don't do cold.

crap, crap, crap, crap, crap........OH CRAP!
I have many other adjectives going on in my head
Busy as all get out today. We were setting several aisles mini seasonal. Only two aisles of Halloween clearance left. Our team lead, Ray, left before the last 3 of us did. (We had several flow team members helping stock this) He is really going to wish he stayed. Or never shows up again. I was hauling stuff to the stockroom. When I came back to the floor, everyone else was had left as well. The many aisles we had set needed to be researched, obviously I had won the privilege by default.
Research is one area I disagree with Ray on. He refuses to let us zero out floor counts on a new set. Basically this means if it is stocked in a backroom location - it will not get pulled. I don't see the point of doing research if we are not pulling. The entire plano team has been yelled at for trying to do so. So, we just quietly do what we are told.
Except for today.
First one of the execs called over the radio and asked me about two pallets left in the back. I had been told all pallets had been worked, if not these were an oversight. She called for Ray and I also got to explain I was the only one left. Then she came to the floor and asked why I was rearranging the product on thre shelves. I had found some product incorrectly stocked, and no, I don't know by who; and in other areas labels were incorrectly set - again I didn't know by who. I explained about the aisles I had done. We had a 24' planogram that needed to fit in a 19' space; and a 24' planogram that needed to fit in a 20' space. She asked why the proper footage palnogram wasn't ordered. I said i was handed these this moring, to make it work and I did. She then asked a direct question about the research I was doing. I then had to explain the what and whys. The *crap* hit the fan. I explained in full detail - We all had disagreed with him before on this and had been reprimanded for doing so - by Ray. The exec in question was so livid, she had to walk away. Then she grabbed another exec for a conference (It doesn't help the the first exec in question is very pregnant. We are all tiptoeing around her at most times anyway!)
I quickly closed the batch I was doing - it had pulled nothing anyway - and opened a new batch doing exactly what I always wanted to do. Over 85 items were pulled. The system does work if you use it correctly.
Now, my stomach hurts. And my head hurts. Ray will be in big trouble when he gets in first thing in the morning. In the past he has used me as a scapegoat. In the past I have let it "happen". Not this time. This is big and it is something I have felt strongly about. Ray can be a very angry person - and tomorrow will be a big bad one for him. And I will be at the root of it. My gut says he will blame us, saying he had *no idea* we were researching wrong. I won't stand still or keep quiet for that. I wonder if I shouldn't talk to another exec yet tonight and express my concerns.
Tomorrow is going to be a very big sucky day. TGIF

the good part of today
I got to work with Preacher Tony all day. We shared a lot of testomonies and faith - it was very good.
Willie finally admits his arm hurts too.

long day's night
I chose to stay up yesterday to try to adjust my schedule back to normal. To keep myself occupied I, after blogging and showering, I went to visit neighbor Angela. She does daycare and is usually very happy to talk to another grown-up. I really enjoy the kids. Angela's daughter Gabby was born exactly one week after nephew Wyatt. (speaking of nephews - Derrick turned 12 this past Monday! One more year to teen!)
Other kids in Angelea's care are Weston, also 3; Weston's very new litle sister - Lauren Belle - who we like to call Belle, and yesterday my buddy Alec (he's two). Alec has been my buddy from the very beginning. He and I took a real liking to each other when he was just a babe. Now he is a sturdy little person quickly learning the gift of gab! I was already there when Big Al arrived yesterday. As soon as he saw me he ran over and gave me a hug! Also at Angela's are Sam and Zac. Sam is a very quiet two year old and Zac, 3, is the youngest of a bunch of big brothers and a real bruiser
Nothing like that much young excitement to keep a person awake! Angela is an excellent daycare provider. The parents of these children couldn't have made a better choice.
I finally joined AOL Instant messenger. I have one "buddy" so far. Old friend and classmate Jack. I've got to admit - chating in the moment is nice.
I took an afternoon nap. And I made it to bed by 9pm and we slept right through the 10pm time to pick Willie up from work!

currently cleaner
I made up for lost time around here today - cleaning and organizing. I did an archeological dig and discovered the top to the desk and filing cabinet. I bathed both dogs and cleaned the bathroom. Cleaned the kitchen a bit and read my newspaper! I then picked up Will at school for his sports physical.

a new form of torture
Spending an hour and a half trapped in a exam room with Willie. I got even. After Doc promised Will no shots were neccesary today - I suggested we go ahead and get our flu shots. :)
He's fine. My arm is very hot, sore, and extremely itchy. I can't win.

some like it hot
Girlfriend's teeth were still chattering from her bath a little bit ago, so I went to light the woodstove. When I opened the doors something rolled to the front. Odd I thought. Everything was down to a very fine ash. Then what rolled sat up and looked at me. It was a sparrow. I grabbed for him and he flew off closely pursued by the dogs and cat. Rand had jsut got home and I hollared for his help. The sparrow had flew to the other half of the basement. Rand shut the doors and we chased the bird from one end to the other - repeatedly. We still had the help of our animals. I finally got smart and made them go into the other room where Will and Kenny were taunting us. We finally caught the poor bird and Randy went to let it outside. That's when we discovered Will and Kenny's unnatural aversion to birds. They about fell down the stairs trying to run up so quickly!

senior moment
Rand had left to go to Aunt Harriet's to winterize our trailer finally. He just called. He forgot the trailer key and it was locked. Neither one of us remembers locking it.

just checking
Looks like Will made it to school today.

never as planned
I just got home from a very long night of....finishing the Christmas trees. I got very little uninterupted sleep today. Tonight was a serious long haul. Of course, the very last tree was the largest, heaviest, and most detail of all to do. Not planned. I hauled them off the pallet as they came amd put them together. It is the most realistic artificial tree I have ever seen. I swear - it even smelled like a real tree! I didn't check, but I'm sure it will be our most expensive model as well. It took me over two hours just on that one tree. I was properly rewarded with my arms being twice as scratched up as they were last night.
Tonight it seemed everything was just long and uncomfortable.
Early on, as I was wrestling my first tree of the evening, one of my underwires chose to snap in two. I have had them go in the dryer, but not in two pieces like that while wearing it! It was an instant, demanding, stabbing pain. I tried to get it adjusted so I could survive until morning, but I was pretty sure I was drawing blood before the first hour was up. When I knew for sure I would be alone in the back for a short period; I did a "magic trick" and pulled the wires out - of me and the bra. I just hope I didn't appear too lopsided for the rest of the night.
I am scheduled to have Wednesday off. If our top exec will approve hours I may be going to work instead. I still have softlines planograms to do. And we have revisions. We worry a bit when we have over 25 to do in a week. We panic if we recieve over 40 revisions for the week. This week? We have 87 revisons. Not looking good.
As mad as the past few and next week will be trying to get ready for the holidays - it will really lighten up after that. Once everything is done, very little will change until after Christams. We will be lucky to get 40 hours/week.

I'm feeling creative
I finally made a t-shirt transfers on my printer. It worked beautifully. I bought a couple of very nice t-shirts on clearance dirt cheap. Making the transfer was only a couple of dollars per sheet. I had to buy an iron. 'Somebody', in the course of moving in and out and in and out, lost my iron.
My first project?
A shirt that reads:
"If they accused you of being a Christian......could they prove it?"
On overnights we don't have to wear red and khaki. The first night I wanted to make a serious non-verbal statement regarding our religious wars - all night long!
Last night I wore: "Be the moon....reflect the Son."

*yawn*.....
I just got home from my second night of "over-night". Last night we set and filled five aisles and six end caps. It was a lot of little stuff, (mostly ornaments) so it seemed to go slow. You would pull a large box off the pallet. You would cut the tape, liift the flap, - to discover this box held anywhere from two to six boxes. You would open up a smaller box to find it held a few boxes as well. Opening up one of those boxes, you would be rewarded with one to twelve ornaments. After you removed the bubble wrap, took it out of the plastic bag, remove the tissue paper - and TA-DA! - an actual ornament to hang on the peg. A real arthritis buster it was.
This past night was tree night. It ended up with two of us doing the honors. (friend Sandy and I) We were told we had 8 hours to set 19 Christmas trees. After 20 trees, we decided they must not have counted right. Every display tree was 'assembly required'. When you set up your traditional artificial tree in your own home, you can spend quite a bit of time adjusting (we referred to it as "fluffing") each branch and tips for the perfect uniform look. Some were the "set a large section in and all the branches fall right down into place", but, what the manufacturers don't mention is that they are not fluffly right out of the box - you still need to adjust each tip. Others were have to put in each color coded branch seperately. And then you still needed to adjust each tip. We look like we survived a cat fight. Our arms and hands are all scratched up, and once again - a lot lot of detail work for the hands. We didn't get all done, but we only have a couple a piece to do. This morning we either had to leave at 6am, or face being there until 7:30. Our alarm system only goes down at times certain crews are expected.
Normally, I would've stayed behind to finish, but it was a very long night. Exec Deb helped put us in the mood for our task and supplied Christmas CD's for our listening entertainment. It did help our motivation. Team lead Ray was in a real bad mood. All night. He seemed to think we were taking too long. At our mid-point I had to finally pointed out that we were exactly where we needed to be in numbers, but we had also been mis-informed about the number. We will have over 30 trees when all is said and done. Even the smallest ones still have to be fluffed. We were doing a very good job. Never before have trees all been finished in one shift and this year had more trees than ever.
Tomorrow I'm going overnight again. I'm going to be setting the jewelry and cosmetics Christmas planograms. I don't know when we are to finish trees. I also need to finish housewares displays. The product is finally in, but once again, ny time allotment is always running forward. I'm not given time to back up and finish loose ends.
cleaning madness
I'm on another one of my kicks again. I've cleaned all the closets upstairs and Sandra's room. I would like to get the dogs bathed soon and need to shampoo carpets. I would prefer to rip the carpets out. I'm very sure there are hardwood floors down there. Rand prefers carpet. Seems fair to me then - he shoud be the one shampooing them. I also need to get the screen porch ready for winter and plant some flower bulbs. All while working full time and doing physical therapy 3x's a week. (and add in - feeling like crap most of the time)
correction
Correct spelling is on Will's girl is Tosha.
he's late again
I just realized Will was in his room. He's late for school. Time to run!