There’s a reason they call it work

It’s just around the corner… (Photo credit: ecstaticist)

It sure felt like work today (and yesterday and the day before…).  On what was a day off work for a lot of folks, it was another busy day for us.  People rushing through the doors as soon as we unlocked them.  I know we had some good bargains and a lot of people have already started their Christmas shopping, but I’m just not into it yet.

Unfortunately for us, we had a huge delivery today (I know, I know…you might think they wouldn’t send a shipment on a holiday when they know it’s going to be crazy busy.  But, if you happened to think that, you’d be wrong…way wrong.).  The store did not look its best.  It really bothers me when our customers have to run an obstacle course to get to what they want.  I know I hate it when I go into a store and it looks like that.  But that’s another story for another time.

With everything going on, I was exhausted by the time I left.  And, uh, yeah…in more than a little pain as well.  I’ve taken some meds for my pain, but am still fighting it.  I think the weather may be contributing to my increased pain levels too.  They’re talking a little snow tonight.  NO!!  I don’t want snow.  But not a lot I can do about that, is there?  I guess I need to go to bed and try to get a good night’s sleep, but I’m still wide awake.  I’ve got one more day to work before I get a day off.

I know I need to take care of myself, but oh my!  I have so much that needs to be done at work.  It just seems like a lot of, oh you know, work.  I guess they really do call it that for a reason.

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In the mood to brood

Depression (Photo credit: GEEKSTATS)

I’ve been feeling, oh I don’t know, not so perky and bright of late.  I’ve been feeling moody, like I’m trying to fight off depression.  I’ve been down that road and I’d just as soon not take it again, thank you very much.  I know battling physical pain every day doesn’t help.  Then add not being able to get enough sleep to the mix and you have a not-so-appealing recipe for broodiness.

I had to go to work today.  I typically like my job, but things are more than a little rough these days.  It seems like there’s a lot of inter-departmental fighting about who isn’t doing what correctly, who is slacking, who is making things difficult for others, etc.  You know, we all go through those periods at any job.  I was off yesterday so when I walked in to the office this morning, I just stood there looking at the mess, asking myself how anyone could possibly work in a pit like this and why I invariably have to clean up after the other managers (all of whom are men, by the way).  Feeling a little put upon, you think?

I already had a lot to do without adding more to my list.  Then I started working on the deposit for the previous day’s sales…oh great!  The office specialist didn’t get enough fives for the holiday weekend after I specifically told her the banks would be closed Monday because of Columbus Day.  As the only manager working, I couldn’t even leave the store to go to the bank.  So I guess we’ll just have to try to make due.

Oh, and then the call-ins started.  That’s my favorite part about working on the weekends, so many people call in.  Of course, you can’t get anyone else to come in and cover on the weekend.  Most of the time, they don’t even answer their phones.  Goody!  Now I’m in a bad mood and running the store short-handed, which seems to be how we operate every single weekend.

As I was looking through the ad signs (we set our ads early Sunday morning), I noticed there were only about half of the signs I needed.  None at all for two entire departments.  Sheesh…seriously?  I got as many printed and ready to put out as I could, but I’m not even close to having them all ready to post.  What do you think that says about how tomorrow will start?

Anyhow, I know dwelling on these kinds of feelings just makes it worse.  I did manage to thank one of the girls who came in (the first opening cashier to show up on my weekend in probably three weekends) despite not feeling well.  And one of my framers told me she could work a little extra since my closing framer called in.  I truly appreciate both of them going the extra mile to help their co-workers.  I also spent some time joking around with the closing manager about work and how it’s making us feel a little (?) down lately.  See, it’s not just me.  But I am attempting the whole attitude of gratitude thing…you just couldn’t tell it by my earlier rantings.

 

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What do you do when you finally get a day off work?

bah, humbug: take two (Photo credit: PrincessFroglips)

First, let me say this, I have been working six days a week for around 12 hours a day.  So…tired?  You bet.  The only way I could drag myself out of bed yesterday was to keep reminding myself that I had today off.

I woke up this morning at 5…yes, you heard that right…5 am!  I got up, fed the cats and called in to work to make sure they understood my notes about what they needed to be doing.  Then I went back upstairs and climbed back into my soft, cozy bed with Kindle in hand.  I read for a while, then turned the light back off and slept until 9.  Got up and piddled around for a while, climbed back into bed around 11:30 and fell into a deep sleep for another couple of hours.  Felt oh so much better when I woke up.

But I still couldn’t get up the motivation to actually do anything worthwhile.  I did a load of laundry and the dishes, then fooled around on Facebook and Pinterest…now that’s a good way to waste some time, pinning things you’d like to do instead of actually doing them…but hey, when you’re mentally and physically exhausted…

Twenty days ’till Christmas…falalalala lalalala…bah humbug!!

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Christmas is coming…

English: Image of an Appalachian Bewildered Cat dressed for Christmas (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

…and I’ll sure be glad to see it get here.  I’m exhausted!  This weekend was a nightmare…super busy (okay, that wasn’t the nightmare part…being busy is a good thing) and I had so many call-ins…and today was just more of the same as far as call-ins are concerned.  I don’t know if there’s something going around or if the wonderful weather we’ve had lately (70 degrees today…what? In December?) might play into some of the call-ins.  I know, I know…I’m so cynical.

I went to work at 4 this morning and left at just a few minutes before 4 this afternoon…did get a lot done, but still have a lot left to do.  I’m going in at 5 tomorrow morning, hopefully I’ll get everything done so I can take Wednesday off.

I tried talking myself out of stopping at PetSmart after work, but finally convinced myself to just do it.  And I bought some new toys for the kitties for Christmas…well, that was the plan.  I ended up giving them their gift early.  Why do I have to be such a softie???

I really am going to try to go to bed early tonight…my body is tired and my muscles are aching…sleep…it does a body good…

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NaNo, Day 27…so close, so very close…

Bits of Me… Stacked (Photo credit: smittenkittenorig)

Ahh…yes, less than 5,000 words to go!  This has been a challenge, more so because of the time of year the challenge has taken place than the actual writing itself.  Not that I’m saying the writing has always been easy, but sitting down to write after working 12 hours adds another layer of difficulty to it.  But I’m just about there.  So close…Tomorrow is going to be the day, I can feel it in my bones…or maybe that’s just exhaustion I’m feeling in my bones, my muscles, my brain…nope, nope…it’s the approach to the finish line I’m experiencing!

And for anyone who was curious, concerned, or just plain interested…the zone vice president didn’t stop by our store for a visit after all.  And the thing is, we were looking really good…and at this time of year, that doesn’t last long.  One day is all it takes to sell out an entire side counter and then have to figure out what to fill it with…So yeah, I was maybe a little disappointed and a little relieved…but there’s always the next time~~

Now, who’s ready for some Hoosiers basketball???

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NaNo, day 26 and corporate visitors

hold-a-meeting (Photo credit: bettyx1138)

I’d only been home from work for a short period of time when the closing manager called me to tell me that our district manager had called him and said that he was picking up our zone vice president at the airport tomorrow morning and that they would most definitely be coming to our store…yikes!  Wish me luck, I need a good visit.

I was pacing back and forth, nervous…then decided to sit down and write anyhow.  I’m glad I did.  I somehow managed to write enough to get me over 44000 words!

I don’t really have a lot to say, very nervous about the visit tomorrow, ready to be finished with my NaNo challenge…going to try to get a little sleep tonight.  Hopefully I won’t be awake tossing and turning all night tonight.

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NaNo, Day 25…the end is in sight

IMG_0859 (Photo credit: OkayCityNate)

After working another long day today, I came home, did a few things around the house, then sat down to watch my Indiana Hoosiers play a little bball  (yes, they did win…not even close).  I had already started writing before the game came on, did a little more during halftime, then finished it up after the game ended.  Finished the day with over 2000 words.  I’m starting to think I’ll be able to finish on Wednesday, my one day off work.  (Hmm…unless we get a visit from one of the bigwigs, then I may not get a day off work…oh well, I’ll deal with that if and when it happens…no need to obsess about something that may not even happen, right?)

The writing was pretty easy again today, maybe because this is a scene I’ve played over and over in my mind.  Anyhow, I’m definitely going to hit that magical 50,000 word count mark in the next few days.  Ahh…and then I think I’ll sleep for a day or two!

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Just about made it through the Thanksgiving weekend and NaNo day 24

English: DC USA, Target, Black Friday (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today was another wild and crazy day at work…ya just gotta love retail the weekend after Thanksgiving!!  But we’ve almost made it through the busiest weekend of the year.  Of course, next weekend will be busy too.  And the weekend after that…But I’m starting to get a glimpse of that light at the end of the tunnel…The district manager stopped by for a visit again today.  Thankfully, he said we looked good, everything is full and things are going well.  So, maybe just maybe, this will be a good thing for my future with the company.  Keep your fingers crossed, okay?

I was so tired when I got home last night that I couldn’t write one single word.  But I think I kind of made it up tonight…almost 3000 words…and some decent stuff, I think.  The  stomach-churning kind of good, if you know what I mean.  What I’m writing right now is really one of the biggest, most emotionally draining scenes in the entire book…I’ve thought about this for quite some time so it’s nice to actually get it underway.  It’s not finished, not by a long shot, but I’ve got it sounding the way I’ve imagined it…and that has put a smile on my face.

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.  Started your shopping yet???

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Happy Thanksgiving on this 22nd day of NaNo

Thanksgiving Day Greetings (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Thanksgiving is here.  I hope everyone is enjoying a peaceful day with family and friends, good food, maybe some football and parades.  As for me, I’ll be going in to work pretty soon…boo!  One good thing about it, the day will be so busy that it goes by quickly and I’ve got just the best crew working with me today, so that makes it much nicer…sure does help to be the one making out the schedule..heehee!!

I went in to work yesterday morning at 5 am, worked until 2:30.  Then I went home to try to get a little rest before going back in at 6 pm to help set the ad, at least I thought I was going to go in to help…kinda worked out a little differently than I’d planned…oh well, after Christmas we’ll be doing some major training of our associates so more people are capable of doing what needs to be done.  Just a little side note there…

Anyhow, after finishing the ad set and getting out the doorbusters for today, I finally made it out of the joint around 11:30ish…a 15 hour work day…wow!  That’s…I…oh my…that’s way too many hours for this old body to be working.  Now, I’ll be going in at 3 this afternoon.  As much as I hate to do it, I have to stop at Kroger to pick up bread and ice for my associates…can’t forget to take in the ham I baked…someone might like a nice juicy ham sandwich on their break tonight.  I know I will!

I wonder if customers will be lined up on the sidewalk when I get to work…there were a few out there last year when I went in…funny what people will do to get a bargain or two…Hey, I did do some shopping today…on Amazon!  Got a lightening deal watch for myself…I think that’ll be my Christmas present to myself.

I am so glad I did all of that extra writing earlier in the month.  My cushion has all but evaporated, but at least I’m still on schedule to finish on time.  I did sit down and write a little over 1000 words today.  I was actually on a roll when Chris called.  He was driving to the store where he’s filling in as manager so we chatted while he drove (I know, I know…distractions aren’t good while driving…).  So, as far as NaNo goes, I’m at 37,600 words now with a little over a week to go.  I’m going to have to force myself to sit down every evening for a while since I’ll only have one more day off work between now and the end of the month.  But I’ll get there…it may not be early, but I will reach 50,000 words by the end of November!

Hey, Happy Thanksgiving!!  Gobble, gobble!

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I’m thankful for day 20 of NaNo

nanowrimo, goal day 20 (Photo credit: paloetic)

Seriously, I had a good day of writing today.  It was one of those days when the writing is easy, words form without a lot of effort, you don’t have to give it a lot of thought.  And I ended up with a little over 2000 words, still have that little cushion to help me as I continue working toward that 50,000 word count.

Once I finally got out of bed today, I forced myself to make the trek to Kroger to purchase a few more things for our Thanksgiving work feast…bottled water, bottled tea, soda, chips, candy, snack cakes and crackers, and a big old spiral sliced ham (which I did bake this evening…the house sure smells good).  I dropped everything off at work where young Chris told me the district manager had called for me.  So I meandered toward the office, talking with customers on the way.  When I called Steve, he told me we had a conference call scheduled for this afternoon and wanted to know how things were going.  We chatted for a few minutes then parted ways, he to make the trip to Illinois, me to check on the schedule…another call-in to try to find a replacement for.  I got all of that taken care of, added a few more shifts to use up the hours that I had left over, gathered all of the requests-off and schedule info so I could work on the schedule at home later in the day.

Then I went back to Kroger, the one closest to where I live, to pick up a few things I needed for home.  I finally made my way home with half an hour to spare before the conference call got underway.  After participating in the 40 minute conference call, I got the ham in the oven, laundry in the washer, dish water run, and finally sat down to eat something.  After working on the schedule for a while, I did a couple more things around the house then decided to get down to the business of writing.

Whew! One of my work buddies told me I looked tired…hmm…I wonder why?!  What a great day off!  What did you do today?

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