Off on vacation

We are heading to meet our Missouri friends at the State Park, so more blather after Labor Day! Ciao!

Work ethic

In early afternoon, I decided to take a break. I had worked all day cleaning roses, waiting on customers. While on break, I heard the phone ring several times. One of the sales associate was showing her mother around the store at the time. When I came back from break, a designer was telling us that we needed to get the phone. Already aggravated BEFORE I came up because no one was getting the phone, I told her that I answered the phone all morning and that I was heading out to the store to buy fruit and gourmet for a gift basket. I felt her criticism unfair.

Back online

My daughter was helping her dad by trimming the hedge. ZZZZZT! The cable got between the trimmer blades. No TV, internet or phone for a day and a half. I loved it--so peaceful! Guess who I heard from? Online friend. Isn't that bizarre? Sent a quick email back so said friend wouldn't think I was in a snit. We're wondering if the hurricane will affect our daughter's flight on Sunday. All systems go for our trip north. Management has hired a new sales associate and is inviting my HKD friend to apply.

End of discussion

As my husband and I were "discussing" when the new cabana would arrive (him saying 1-3 weeks and me saying 5-7 business days), we heard a knock on the door, and the cabana was delivered. Still haven't seen it because my husband is afraid that once we take it out of the pouch, it will not be vacuum packed anymore and will not go back in. I am now working on the set up in the cabana--a cot to hold the suitcases/backpacks etc and a table/work area for cooking. I have made a long list of things to do before the trip.

I kept myself busy at work moving flowers into the display case. It took most of the day. I took the bus home and as I was crossing the light on green, a big utility truck made a turn and nearly ran me over.

In Process

Last night we ordered a cabana that attaches to the pop up. It is a "dometic cabana awning." It looks cool and will provide extra storage space and a guest room. The guest room will have electricity and heat if we bring along a room heater. It will provide relief from the winged vampires which are extremely bothersome this year.
I am very excited about the cabana!

I am "in process." The key word is "process." I am dealing with many losses. I heard that after the loss of his mother, my cousin has become a recluse. I understand how this happened. He became introspective. I am attempting to realize and internalize the best options to feel better. On the positive side, I enjoy my job at the floral shop and my coworkers (even if they do drive me to distraction). I zumba dance every Friday. Though I like HKD, I managed to take a nap during my class time last night. Not a good thing, and not something I want to continue. I do want to begin eating healthy foods and exercise, (sounds boring I know). I am keeping my eyes open for new experiences and opportunities.

This morning, my husband told me that our house has a ghost. Apparently the grandfather clock had stopped and then began to chime several minutes later. Perhaps it does. Things disappear and are never found.

"No good deed goes unpunished"

Our delivery man had gone home for the day. I got a call for a plant delivery to the funeral home and thought that I could take it over after work. I did some research, finding out where to drop it off. However when my friend and I arrived, we couldn't find the proper door. The director made it very clear that she was busy and didn't have time for me even though she offered to take the plant. My friend had driven me to the funeral home so the plant would have ample room. I closed her door too hard since I'm used to slamming our van doors.

Summer reading

I enjoy sitting in my lounge chair on the deck and reading a good book. I finished "She's Come Undone," by Wally Lamb and Pursuit by Karen Robards. Robard's book is a page turner, but I was disappointed with the premise of the book. I read the why and thought, "Really? That's it! How disappointing!" "She's Come Undone" is not a happy book, but it takes place from 1952-1985, so the music, toys, events etc. were familiar. I lived through that time period. Now summer is winding down and I have decided to read less and experience more. I am going to try new things and reach out.

Yesterday was a very sad day. My son's 11 year old chinchilla passed away. I remember him hopping on my son's shoulder, nibbling on papers, eating raisins as a special treat. We laid him to rest in the poppy garden with stones and small logs to mark the spot.

A bad virus is going around at the store. My coworker was alone 'til I came in and then I worked by myself 'til close, because two people were home sick. I am trying to avoid getting sick by washing my hands.

Sharing

The plastic on my daughter's laptop screen has split, so it is in the shop for repairs. There is really no telling when it will be back. So for the time being, she is using my laptop, which means that I have to use the desktop. Because the desktop just came back from the repair shop, I do not have my own login. I do not have a car either. There are 4 drivers and 3 cars. I hitch a ride with my husband to work and then take the big bus home. Today I had to drop off a fed ex package and mail a package and then hike to the bus stop. I suppose the upside of this is that I am getting exercise walking around the city.

So appreciative

I have a new little great nephew! Congratulations to my brother and his family.

I am so happy that some companies stand behind their products and go above and beyond to provide good customer service. It means a lot when defective components are replaced or the entire product is replaced.

After many days of consecutive working, though not acruing many hours, I have the day off today. Except for a sushi date with my son, I am reading, relaxing, taking it easy. I will take the day as it comes.

My friend is dealing with a mid-life crisis. She is still attempting to establish herself in a career. She has opted out of hapkido though she and her husband were to test for a first degree black belt in two months.

Twelve competitors head to Sault Sainte Marie Canada this week. They will compete in demo, precision kicking, breaking, self-defense, forms, weapon forms and sparring. I opted to take a year off to work on belt requirements. I also considered the expense and lack of vacation time. I regret that I am not going. Ziplining and a day at the lake are planned. My master described my hapkido class as "old fuddy duddies. as none of the class is attending the competition.

Flying By

The month of August is zipping by. As colorful and beautiful as the fall months are, I can't enjoy them because I know what follows. Yesterday my daughter got her hair cut and highlighted as she has school registration in a couple weeks. Drat! The first back to school activity.

Work was so hectic that my coworker and I glanced at the clock and said, "We've only been here two hours!" The majority of orders that I took were for sympathy arrangements. After work, I finally made it to the dentist (after two cancellations--my husband's oblation and work). I then took the big bus home.

I have not been sleeping well. I wake up, my mind begins whirring, and I'm up for the duration.

My cousins wrote a wonderful obituary for their father. It helped to put closure on his passing. I wish they had organized an informal get together.

Good Point

Yesterday at work I got a strange call. I thought the caller was asking if he could pick up a donation at the branch store. I knew I was in trouble when the company president at no recollection of that particular donation. I star-six-nined the call to try to get more information, since I hadn't asked the caller's name or phone number. I then asked the president if he could take the call and help me out. After a few minutes I went and asked him if there was anything I needed to do. He said, "YOU NEED TO LISTEN BETTER! ALL HE WANTED WAS TO KNOW IF HE COULD DROP OFF A DONATION REQUEST TO THE WEST STORE!" Well, I was relieved that he had figured out the question, and hurt that the president said this to me, but I told myself that "it would serve no worthwhile purpose" to dissolve into a bowl of mush. Truth be told, it does pay to listen at home and work. When a customer comes in and inquires about "wilted roses" she might be asking about rose petals. Today a customer called with a laundry list of complaints, 1) she was not happy with the presentation of birds of paradise in an arrangement, 2) sales associates at the store argue with her, 3) a delivery driver dropped off a bouquet and left it on the porch when the recipient was home and would have answered the door if he had called and 4)is there a solution for late afternoon deliveries when the recipient is working. I tried to listen, rephrase her concerns and communicate. I am putting a new foot forward. I will listen carefully and try to understand.

Sad news

My father told me last night that my uncle, my mother's brother had passed away. There is no memorial service so my brother, sister and I are sending a card and a money gift to be used as my cousins wish.

I stopped by my parent's house to give my mother some carnations and to introduce myself to my mother's aide. I stayed a few minutes and then my dad drove me home.

A coworker and I worked hard to make sure the branch store was copacetic. However when the branch manager came back today she complained that the flowers in the cooler were dead. The cooler looked fine in the afternoon, so it appears that the temperature in the cooler went awry. The manager is going to monitor the cooler.

Miss Overtime is talking about going home early to take care of some personal business. I worked hard today setting the flowers in the cooler in the main store. Ironic, isn't it? It looked beautiful and the glads and lilies on the floor brightened the area.

Peaceful

I worked alone at the branch store yesterday and am working a morning shift today. My soul is peaceful. I helped a woman from Massachusetts and took several orders. I kept myself busy for nine hours. Time passed swiftly. You know, I think I needed a break from the idiosyncracies of my coworkers, a time when I didn't have to go along with snack and smoke breaks. "I need a smoke break, I need the extra hours, I need to go upstairs, I need to eat, Ay! Ay! Ay!" I have some autonomy here, orders aren't dropped in my lap at a whim.

I circuit trained with my sister and then took class. On the way home I noticed a traffic light out. As I neared home, I noticed all the lights were out. We had no power for several hours. I thought my husband, a former Scout, would have prepared the flashlights. No, he spent the lit hours watching a DVD on computer, so when it was time to go to bed, we were trying to put batteries in the flashlights in total darkness. I banged into the night stand as I was moving around the bedroom, knocked the lampshade silly askew and cracked my foot. I actually thought I was heading into the bathroom. I knew the electricity was restored when the filter,air pump and lights went on to the aquarium.

My mother and father are pleased with their aide. She changed the linens, cleaned the bathroom, visited with my mother, helped with hygiene. She likes my father's dog and drives a BMW. She decided to become an aide after taking care of her husband. I will stop by to meet her tomorrow.

My rocket

My daughter gave me a Rocket as a gift. So now I can have a smoothie every day.

My favorite recipe:

1. shave 6 ice cubes in my son's slushie maker
2. put it in the rocket cup
3. add plain yogurt and 1/2 banana and 6 strawberries
4. Rocket it!

Bottoms up! Delicious!

Overdue for a PO session

I am trying to schedule a time with my friend and coworker to have lunch and vent. One day we were venting and someone said, "Do you work at ?" She was the niece of the president of the company. Sheesh! Now we have scope the site and make sure no one is around. Many thoughts are swirling around in my head. Swirl! Swirl! I stopped by to see how my parents were getting along. You can imagine the dust from the tub remodel and the disorganization after a week's vacation. It's difficult to watch my mother struggle with memory issues, immobility and other health issues. At home, my husband is worried about his tiredness after exertion. No wonder, he put up shutters, took the dogs for a nail trim, went to the grocery store and mowed the back lawn!