Wow...how time flies

It actually has almost been a full two weeks since I last blogged. What have I been doing? Well, I've been figuring out all of the finer details of Facebook. It is amazing how much I've learned about friends and family in just two weeks. I guess stuff I wanted to know...and other stuff I wish I could delete from my visual memories.

We also had visitors from Tennessee, worked quite a bit, had another interview (postponed) and now are fighting a cold...well, JMS has a full blown cold and the rest of us are deflecting minor symptoms.

In regard to the visitors from Tennessee...a huge thank you to Kim and her little troopers for making the trip...in the dark...and cold...and staying with us for a few days. JMS is still talking about Joshua and Baby Zoe. When it was time for them to leave, Kim's car battery was dead, so we had to tap into our old survival skills...these two ole girls jump started a car and headed to Auto zone. :) No one said we had to be creative.

As far as working...'tis the season...from now until Christmas I will be at the store every single weekend. This past Wednesday I worked until 2am getting the store filled for today's big sales. Hopefully it is going well...I don't go in until later today to clean up the mess.

I was scheduled to interview for promotion this past Tuesday, but it was postponed due to two funerals in our region that the Vice President wanted to attend. The interviews are now scheduled for Dec. 11. Sometimes I feel like this process will never end. I'm sure my loyal readers feel the same way...I've lost count of how many times I've interviewed now. And, all of them have been progressive. Can you imagine if I had to repeat rounds due to something not going my way? Yikes.

Lastly...JMS is sick. He's been home from "work"(a.k.a. the babysitters) all week. He calls it work because he gets to "pick toys." Hopefully he can get through this without a trip to the doctor's office.

Displays are displays

So...for all of you holiday shoppers...leave the displays alone. They are not for sale and most of them do not function. Please leave the displays alone...ask for help if you don't see the item you absolutely must have for the holidays. Please do not touch. :)

I was walking by the crockpots today and a customer was taking my display. Then she says..."hey lady, I'd prefer one in a box if you've got it." I said, "well, let me get someone to help you since that one doesn't work and ISN'T for sale." Was that rude? Me or her?

Facebook Commentary

Have you ever run into someone you work with in a different setting...say, at the ballpark or at the bank...and you think...this person shouldn't be in this "scene." It just doesn' t feel right because it isn't your normal location for personal interaction with this person. Well, this is how I feel about Facebook. So, you are telling me that I can get re-acquainted with my preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school, and college classmates...oh, work and family too?!? This just goes beyond my normal comfort level. What if I didn't want to re-acquaint...and why now that I'm on Facebook do you want to be my friend...we weren't friends in the past-life...and really...did you try find me before Facebook? Ok...so I'm getting used to all of this. I'm sure I'll have more to comment on.

Our day off together...

We had the day off...and joined Facebook. I figure this might be one of the few ways to stay in touch with my brother while he is overseas. I'm sure I'll be able to comment on the fad...b/c I'm a critic. :)

Stop Rushing Me

As I was driving JMS to the babysitter today, we went through downtown. And, on the street lights I noticed the community has fall flags/banners hanging on one side (ok, maybe for Thanksgiving), the American flag on the other side (ok, maybe for Veteran's Day), and they were wrapping the poles in evergreen and red ribbons from top to bottom today (ok, for Christmas...really?). STOP RUSHING ME!!!! I love the season of Fall. I love the leaves changing colors, the switching from the summer wardrobe to the winter wardrobe, the sunny days that never quite feel too warm....why do we as a society feel compelled to propel at warp speed from Back-To-School to Christmas. How do we let those in charge know we want to slow down again?

And...as I posted this I was greeted by a sidebar on the blog website telling me that I can actually speed up my blog...NO! STOP RUSHING ME!

JMS 2 years ago

Can you believe we moved to our current abode when JMS was just this big...

and now...he is this big....

The Blu Shot

Yesterday JMS went to the doctor's office for the seasonal flu shot. He was such a little man about it. He hugged on his dada and took it. He cried a little bit because it hurt, and he told everyone on the way out of the office that it hurt. The nurses gave him extra stickers and a sucker. The rest of the day he talked about his Blu Shot. This drove his dad crazy and his dada insisted on arguing with him everytime that it was a FLU shot and not a BLU shot.

On a culinary note: we had breaded pork chops last night for dinner. And, this gravy type topping - take 2 Tbsps chicken broth, 2 Tbsps milk, and an 8 oz container of onion/chive cream cheese. It was delicious! I served it with black eyed peas and pasta. Probably a little heavy on the carbs, but it was great.

Retail...

I've had customers ask for my name (in a not so nice way) several times this week so that they could complain to our Headquarters about something that didn't make them happy in our store. The first one happened last Sunday. Our Halloween merchandise marked down and we placed all of the Halloween stuff in one place with a percent off sign hanging over it. The customer found (I'm sure she put it there herself - what?!?, you don't think a customer would do that?....really, they do...and they outright steal stuff too.) ...ok, back tot he story, the customer found a scrabble game siting on the shelf that said, "50% off." When she brought the game to the front registers we told her what the actual price was and she pitched a fit. Then she demanded to see a manager. The department manager was near the location of the Halloween merchandise and agreed to meet her back where she found the game to confirm her claim. He offered her the dillusional price for the game and she bought the game. However, she insisted on (again) pitching a fit at the customer service counter because we didn't initially believe her claim and made her walk all the way to the back of the store. (ARE YOU KIDDING ME?) Then, she asked for my name. Did I mention this was at 8:30 A.M. on a SUNDAY? In my opinion, she needed to get some Church.
The second one happened on Tuesday around lunchtime. Our company policy for a return without a receipt is that you will receive the lowest sale price in last the 90 days as your money back on the transaction. Initially, you say why...I paid full price? Oh...but because you don't have a receipt, how are we to know this? This customer was attempting to return some blue jeans using this same situation. She wouldn't even let me explain the reason why...told me I was being mean, asked for my name, and then told us she wouldn't ever shop in our store again. Um..okay. Have a nice day?
I hope these aren't signs of the coming fourth quarter.

Smoked Sausage Recipe (ready in 20 minutes)

Ingredients:

small chopped onion
1 Tbsp canola oil
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tbsp honey
1 tsp ground mustard
1 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp sugar
1/8 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp Texas Pete Hot Sauce
1 lb smoked sausage

Saute the onion in the oil. While this is cooking, put the other ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk. Poor the sauce into the pan with the cooked onion and oil. Add slices of sausage. Bring this to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes uncovered. Serve over white rice with a side of steamed vegetables. It was "lick the bottom of the bowl" good!

Sorry no pictures.