Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in shellster02's LiveJournal:

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Thursday, January 18th, 2007
8:32 pm	7 Years I'll Forever Cherish I will never forget January 16, 2007 as it was the day that my precious dog, Brooke, left this world to go to a better place. As you all know, Brooke has had her medical problems the last couple of months. We almost lost her in November to the immune disorder. Then in December, she was diagnosed with Diabetes and had to start having insulin shots. She overcame the immune disorder and was dealing with the Diabetes very well. Brooke had no problems with getting shots twice a day. In fact she didn't even notice when we gave her the shots. Even into Sunday, Brooke was her hyper, playful self. Then Monday morning, the right side of her eye above the eye started to swell and by Monday afternoon it was really swollen. So, mom and dad took her to the vet and the vet said it didn't look too good but to give it a day. She thought it could be a possible infection. The vet wanted to contact a specialist in Sturgis to get more info. Well, Monday night and into early Tuesday morning, Brooke started to get worse. She did not want to eat her food. Mom finally got her to eat some cereal so we could give her the insulin. Brooke could not move her face and she was weak and in a lot of pain. It was around 4:15am and I woke up and came into the living room. My parents and I started balling because we knew it was bad. In the midst of her pain, Brooke still had a heart of gold. She came up to mom, dad, and I and started licking us trying to make us feel better. Dad couldn't handle it so he said his goodbyes to Brooke and left to go to work. It was my day off from work and mom called in. Mom called the vet in the morning and said that Brooke is suffering and we can't let her suffer anymore. So, mom, Grandma, and I took Brooke to the vet, Kami, just shortly before 10am. Kami is an amazing vet. She has always been there for us and Brooke and always takes the extra mile. Kami said that she talked to the specialist and he said that more than likely it is a cancerous mass. However, before we put Brooke to sleep, Kami wanted to try one more thing. She thought it might possibly be an infection that has a lot of fluid in it. So, she put Brooke under anesthetic and put Brooke under a scope. Unfortunately, it wasn't an infection. It was a cancerous mass in her head that had started to spread. Kami never brought Brooke out of the anesthetic. Instead, she called us and mom, Grandma, and I came into the exam room and said our goodbyes. Then Kami injected the drug into Brooke, and in a matter of seconds, Brooke was gone. Our Brooke left this world at noon. We were all in tears. All day we were in tears. However, she was in pain and was suffering and we couldn't let her go on like that. It wouldn't of been fair to her. I tried to be strong for my family, as hard as it was. I held it together enough to drive us home. But when I got home, I just lost it. My dad came home from work soon after. He called himself a wuss for not being at the vet clinic with us, but we said no, he was not a wuss. It just hurt him so much that he couldn't be there. Now, over 2 days later, we are all still so heartbroken. I know, some people would say she was just a dog, but she was much more than that. She was a member of our family and we were all so close to her. The death of an animal has not affected me as much as it has with Brooke. Brooke and I had such a connection. She was so sweet and so smart. She was always so excited to see me when I cam home. She always greated me at the door. She loved everybody. She always went outside with Grandma to help her hang out clothes. She was Grandma's shadow and followed her everywhere. Brooke will always be a part of all of our hearts. My house feels so empty without her. There's no Brooke to great me at the door when I come home. There's no Brooke to comfort me when I'm sad. There's no Brooke to cuddle up with me in the evening. There's no Brooke begging me for food when I eat. There's no Brooke outside barking. It's just so empty. I remember the day my dad brought the 6 week old puppy home over 7 years ago. She was so small. She always bit my feet. I remember taking her for walks and she was the one who took me for the walk. I remember when we took her to the lake, and oh my, did she love to swim!! I know that Brooke is in a better place now. I know that she is no longer suffering. I know that she is running around and is still being her happy, playful self. I know that she is looking down at us and watching over us. She is telling us that it will be okay. I certainly will forever cherish the 7 years I had with Brooke. She will be a part of my heart forever. Current Mood: sad (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, November 25th, 2006
8:07 pm	Happy Thanksgiving!!! Happy Thanksgiving to everybody!! Yes, I know it is a couple days late. Did everybody have a good Thanksgiving? Mine went well. Of course, I ate way too much. I had to try a little bit of everything, ya know?!?! My family went up to my aunt and uncles house. It was fun. Also, it was nice to be able to take one day off from homework!!! HEHEHE!!! Then of course yesterday was the legendary "Black Friday." I had to work from 5am-1:30pm. That is the earliest I have ever been to work!! It was insane. I left my house about 4:35am and as I was driving to work, the interstate was busy and as I drove by Toys "R" Us, Sears, and finally JCPenney, the amount of people lined up at the doors to get in just floored me. I know if I did not have to work, I would not be there that early. No deal is worth that for me. Then when we opened our doors at 5am, the people just stormed in. We were instantly busy. There was even a customer who got a bitchy attitude with me within the first 10 minutes after we opened. She wanted to know of there was a place where she could have her stuff held while she continued shopping. I told her that there was no place, and she said, "Well I have at least 8 more things to get and you have no carts." She was getting really bitchy when she said that. I felt like saying, "Well, Merry Christmas to you too." But I behaved and kept my mouth shut. It was such a long day. When I got off from work, I headed straight home. There was going to be no shopping for me. I did manage to exercise for a while when I got home. Then I started to do homework. As I was reading a chapter in my Human Resource Management book, I began to fall asleep. I even laid my head down on the book. Well, luckilly, I was able to get this weekend off from work. So, today, I went Christmas shopping. I bought presents for my mom, dad, grandparents, and myself. Yes, I just found some really cute shirts and a sweater that I could not pass up. I also found a pair of dress pants that actually fit me. Yes, I know, shopping for myself is a bad addiction. Anyway, tonight I am defintely going out. I am going to the bar with Kim and Amber. It will prolly be the usual Murphy's and Teddy's. But I need it. It is hard to believe, there is under 3 weeks of school left until the semester is over. My last final is on December 14th and I don't start school again until the day after Martin Luther King day. So, I get just over a month off. Am I ever ready for that!!!! I will need that break because next semester will be crazy. But first, I need to make it through the rest of this semester. Finance has gotten so hard it is not even funny. I did manage to pull a 78% on the last test, but this new material we are covering just does not make sense. Oh, an update on my dog. She is doing much better. Brooke has some immune disorder that brings her blood platelets down. So, she is on steroids to help keep her blood platelets up. She was taking 2 steroids twice a day, but she went to to vet on Tuesday and is doing much better, so the vet was able to reduce her steroids. Eventually, Brooke may no longer need steroids. I am just so thankful that Brooke is doing so much better. Anyway, that is about all that is going on in my life. I hope that everybody is doing well. (Comment on this)
Saturday, September 16th, 2006
4:37 pm	Time for update So, I am sitting here at the computer so I figured I would update since I don't have anything to do right at the moment. Although, there is not much to update since my life has been work and school. Let's see...I told Wendy last Monday that I did not want to take the pricing and signing position and she was totally nice about it and understanding. So, Amanda who works in men's got the position. Also, there have been some other changes at work. Sharon, who is the department supervisor in intimate's decided to resign as department supervisor. So, she is only going to be a floor associate. Sharon has just been so stressed out at work and also having to deal with Tom would drive anybody crazy. So, now Deb, who is the department supervisor in men's, is getting moved to intimates and Tye, who works in shoe's, is being promoted to department supervisor in men's. Tye is only a couple of months older than me!! So, it shall be interesting to see how everything plays out. On Wednesday, our store will be set for Christmas. That is scary. I do not even want to think about Christmas. School is hectic. It is never ending homework. It seems as if Business Finance and Production/Operations Management take up most of the time because of all the math involved. BLAH!!! I just want to be done with school!! It makes my life so boring. I finally got my civillian ID card on Thursday. Everybody finally got all their crap together!! Well, I am off from work this weekend, so I decided not to do homework today. I just needed one day with no work and no homework. So, I went into town and looked around the mall. I didn't buy anything, which is good because I hardly need any clothes. Then I met Amber, and 2-year old son, Hayden, for lunch at the Olive Garden. It was fun, though Hayden did make quite a mess out of his spaghetti!! Then I went to Wal-Mart to get my oil changed and bought some necessities there. I might be going to dinner with Kim this evening. Then around 10pm, I am going to the bar with Amber. It will prolly be Murphy's and Teddy's. I really need to get out!! Then tomorrow I have to do homework yet again. Atleast I was able to get one day off from it!! Well, that's about all folks, so take care everybody!! Current Mood: okay (Comment on this)
Saturday, September 9th, 2006
9:24 pm	The Last Week Well, it has definitely been a week!! Let's see...I did end up going out last Saturday with Kim and Amber. We went to Murphy's and Teddy's. It was fun, and I saw the guy I like, so that is always good!! Then Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday I did the wonderful world of homework. It never ends. And now that I have all upper-division classes, it is all the more worse. My Grandma came back from Tennessee Monday night. Her plane came in at around 9:40pm. So, I went with to pick her up. It was hard to go back to work on Wednesday after 4 days off. An interesting thing happened on Wednesday. Wendy asked me if I wanted to be in pricing and signing. I told her I would think about it and let her know Monday. I am not going to take that offer. For one thing, the signers come in at 6am during the week and I know that I would just get too burned out, especially with school. Also, there is no set schedule. Atleast in replenishment, I have every other weekend and Tuesday's off. Furthermore, the signers work on any Saturday that there is doorbusters and they also work on most Sunday's. Also, in November and December there are times where the signers come in earlier than 6am. So, I know I would get burned out in a hurry. So, I am going to tell Wendy no. Let's see..what else. On Wednesday, I got a new windshield put in my car. So, no more cracks. It cost around $155. On Thursday, I tried to get my civillian ID card renewed and that was a mess. I swear the worst thing that happened was the civillians taking over the visitors center. Let's just say, I still don't have my new ID card. The one I have expires on September 19th, so they had better get their crap organized. Yesterday, mom and dad went to Minnesota for a quick trip. They were getting a bunch of plants that my grandparents no longer want. So, it has just been Grandma and me. Mom and dad are coming back tomorrow though. Today was a long day at work. I had to work from 11:30am-8pm. It was 8:22pm by the time I clocked out though. I don't normally close on Saturdays. In fact the last time I closed on a Saturday was last October. However, I had to today because our "Lead Support" person, Kris, was gone. She had requested today off. So, Wendy decided that I got to be "Lead Support" today. So, pretty much I told all the Sales Support people where to go and I made sure that recovery went smoothly and it did. It was not that busy, thank God. However, it was still a long day. I was starved when I got off from work, so I stopped by Taco Bell and got a Fiesta Chicken Taco Salad. I came home, ate that and had a beer along with it!! I did not get to go out to the bar at all this weekend. Amber is out of town and Kim's been working messed up shifts at Lowe's. Oh well, though. Then tomorrow, I have to work from 9am-5pm. Then I get to come home and do more homework!! Fun fun!! Well, that is about all going on in my wonderfully busy life. Again, I am really sorry Katie that I will not be able to make the trip in October. Take care everybody!! Current Mood: busy (Comment on this)
Saturday, September 2nd, 2006
2:38 pm	It Has Begun Yes, I started school last Monday. It is hard to believe it is here already. I just can't believe that my 3 and a half month summer break went by so fast. Well, I have class Monday-Thursday evening this semester. Monday from 7-10pm, I have Human Resource Management. Tuesday from 4-7pm, I have Legal Environment of Business. Wednesday from 4-7pm, I have Business Finance. Lastly, on Thursday from 4-7pm, I have Production Operations Management. I think that my hardest class this semester will be Business Finance. Finance is hard enough as it is, but my professor for that class is Japanese and he can be really hard to understand. So, I think it is going to be a really hard one. Production Operations Management deals with a lot of math and statistics, but my professor for that class is a good professor who I have had the last 3 semesters of school. So, granted it will have its difficulty, but I'll be okay. One good thing about this semester is that I have no speeches to give. In Human Resource Management, I have a 7-10 page paper and in Legal Environment of Business, I have 2 5-7 page papers, but that is about it. I would much rather do papers than give speeches, that's for sure!! Well, today begins my 4 days off from work. This is my weekend off and then Monday is Labor Day, and they gave it to me off, so I should get paid for it. Then Tuesday is my normal day off. So, 4 days off. I am not going to want to return to work on Wednesday!! The insurance company did total my car. The book value of my car is at $3,500 and since it had over $3,100 worth of damage on it, it is considered totaled. So, the insurance company paid off my car loan, which was just over $2,000, and I no longer have a car payment. I am going to get a salvage title for my car and I am only going to have liability on my car. The car still runs great, it was just the body that got all that damage from the hail storm. Also, my car only has around 49,2000 miles on it, so if I take care of it, it will last a long time yet. The reason the book value on my car is so low is because my car is a Daewoo and Daewoo America went bankrupt like 2 or 3 years ago. But I am fine with not having a car payment. Since I do not work as much, it will be good. I am getting a new windshield in my car on Wednesday. It is going to cost around $150. I want to get it done now before winter. My Grandma comes back from Tennessee on Monday. Her plane is the last one to come in just after 9:30pm. I will admit, it has been a good break for mom, dad, and I. We really needed it, because although we love her very much, she can really get on our nerves. I am planning on going out tonight. I really need it, especially since I have started school!! Well, I suppose, that is about all going on in my life right now. Take care everybody!! Current Mood: okay (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, August 22nd, 2006
7:08 am	The Countdown Begins Yes, the countdown begins as it is only 6 days until I begin school. Where has the summer gone? It seems like yesterday it was May 11th and I was taking my last final which was for Accounting 2. And now it is already August 22nd. Hard to believe. Oh well, I guess the sooner I get started the sooner I will get done. I did just spend $504 on 4 books. 3 of them were even used. One of them there was a new edition so I had to get it new. It is so ridiculous how books are so expensive. I started working part-time at JCPenney yesterday. I am working around 29 hours a week. I decided to go part-time a week early so I could just have a break. I have been so stressed out and burned out at work, so I just really needed a break. I think working in women's has added to the stress. Tom treats me like a peon who does not know anything and Caroline can be a real drama queen. Also, the old ladies always expect me to do fitting rooms. It is not as laid back as it was in men's. I would still go back to men's in a heart beat. Well, in other news, our tomato plants are still alive. They look sad, but the tomatoes are still growing. We have done an unbelievable amount of canning in the last week. We have made green tomato salsa, regular salsa, green tomato jam, tomato juice, and spaghetti sauce. Also, we have canned peppers and made several jars of plum jam. So, it has been a busy week for us. Then today we are going to vacuum seal and freeze tomatoes. We already have a bunch of bags in the freezer that have been vacuum sealed. It has been fun doing it though!! My dad and I took our vehicles in yesterday to get estimated for hail damage. My dad has 1,816.58 worth of damage on his truck. My car, on the other hand, has $3,147.70 worth of damage. So, my car got hit worse than my dad's truck. Last Friday was Braydon's 2nd birthday. I went with Kim and her family to Chucke Cheese for some pizza and games and then we went to her house for cake, ice cream, and presents. It was fun!! It seems like just yesterday that I was in the delivery room with her. Then on Saturday I went with Kim and my parents to the fair. Of course, we went to the German tent and besides getting that delicious German food, Kim and I got our traditional large Sommerfest mugs that we have started collecting every year. These mugs hold the equivalent of 2 beers and I had 3 and a half of those mugs. Needless to say, I was pretty drunk. And of course, it was Shell's Dark Beer on top of it!! We had fun though!! Kim and I did the Chicken Dance and Hokey Pokey. I am planning on going back to the German tent on Thursday. Then tomorrow, Kim and I are planning on going on rides. It should be fun!! Well, I suppose that is about all for now. Take care everybody!! (Comment on this)
Tuesday, August 15th, 2006
7:27 am	Wonderful South Dakota I had a very interesting day yesterday. It started out normal. I went to work at 7am and got off at 3:30pm. Then my mom was getting a perm in her hair, so I picked her up at around 5:30pm. When we walked out of the Hair Force in Box Elder, we noticed a horrible thunderstorm. When we got home, warnings had been issued and the storm was supposed to have hail. So, I helped my parents bring in all the lawn ornaments and we cleared out the garage so mom could get her car in. While dad and I were standing outside, it instantly turned cold. We knew then that the hail was going to hit. And it did, about 45 minutes worth of hail. It started out small, but it got all the way up to golf ball size hail. After 45 minutes of constant hailing, it looked like we had just gotten a couple inches of snow. Also, there were wind gusts at least to 70 mph. I took some pictures on my digital. As soon as I get them uploaded, I will try to post them. All three of us were so pissed that we were laughing. It is funny, because yesterday afternoon, my parents picked 96 tomatoes bringing our grand total to around 240 tomatoes in just less than 2 weeks. And there is atleast that much more on the plants. We looked at the tomatoes last night and then I looked at them this morning and surprisingly enough, the tomato plants look like they could still be alive. Of course, they are bent over, but the stems don't look that broke and there are still a lot of tomatoes on the vines. I can only hope they are still alive. What works to our favor is that our tomato plants are very well developed and are strong. Some of them are as tall as me. So, we'll see. Also, my dad's truck and my car did not suffer much damage. I did hear my dad mentioning this morning that one of his windows had been left open a crack, so it was extremely wet in his truck, because we also got a lot of rain. But that can dry out. My car has a few dints in it, but it could have been much worse. Also, our swimming pool survived. Furthermore, my cat, Red, was out in the storm, but luckilly he must of taken cover, because other than being wet, he made it fine. Some of our bushes and other plants were not so lucky, but it could definitely have been worse. I just think it is so funny because we get a horrible thunderstorm on August 14th. Most severe thunderstorms are supposed to hit in May and June. Also, because of all the rain, the creek in front of our house was flooding over a little bit. I swear, it is either feast or famine. It certainly is wonderful South Dakota!! Well, I will go ahead and give a quick update on everything else going on. I survived my doctors appointment last Thursday. It was just good to get it done and overwith. Then Thursday evening, I met Katie and Melissa at TGIFriday's for dinner. We had fun!! Then Friday evening, I went with my parents out to dinner at Red Lobster and went to the movie "World Trade Center." It was a very well done movie. On Saturday, after work, I went with Kim, her dad, and Amber up to Sturgis. Drowning Pool was playing at the Full Throttle. It was fun, but the Full Throttle is expensive. I paid $11.50 for 2 Mike's Hard Lemonades. That's right, $5.75 a piece!! I can buy a 6 pack of that stuff for just over $6. Then I did end up having to work on Sunday. So, yesterday was day 6 at work. So, I am definitely ready for a day off today!! I am getting my hair done at 12:30pm today. Well, that is about all going on. Take care everybody!! Current Mood: okay (6 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, August 7th, 2006
6:14 pm	Finally, an update Hello to all!! I am not sure who the anonymous person is who made comments to my last post, but I am guessing it is Kim since the Boys II Men and Black Eyed Peas/Rihanna concerts were mentioned. Let me know so that I know for sure!!!! So, I went to gotmine.com to see exactly when the concerts are and they are on a Monday and a Wednesday. Stupid days to have concerts!! Unfortunately, I have school both of those nights. I will have to see once the semester starts if I will be able to miss a couple of classes or not. Okay, now for an update. Yes, I know it has been over a month since my last post. Yes, I know that I do not have a big excuse since I am not in school right now and I did finish my one summer class when I did my last post. I do have a little bit of an excuse though. I have been keeping busy with work and when I get home, I am usually outside. I want to enjoy the outdoors while I can!! So, I have been helping to take care of the garden and going in our swimming pool in the back yard. Speaking of our garden, between Thursday and Saturday, my parents and I picked 74 tomatoes in the garden. 74, and there are many more!!! This afternoon, we vacuum sealed a bunch of the tomatoes and made homemade salsa. After all, it would be a sin to let fresh tomatoes go to waste!! Work has been hectic. After all, it is the wonderful "Back to School" time!! Joy Joy!! So, of course, juniors is selling out of stuff left and right. Although sales have been down in the store, we are thinking because of the excessive gas prices. I still do not care for women's. Tom is still a total idiot. He treats me like a peon who does not know anything!! It drives me crazy!! I work every other weekend and of course the last 2 weekends I worked, we had the 110 degree temperatures. The air conditioner at JCPenney broke both of those weekends, so it was absolutely misearable!! In fact, I almost passed out! I have looked ahead at the forecast and it is only supposed to be in the 80s this upcoming weekend, which is my weekend to work. So, that will be good. It is so scary, because I have already gotten a lot of winter merchandise in. It makes me hot to even think about it!! Well this week is the wonderful Sturgis rally. I am planning on going up this next Saturday after I get off at work at 6pm. I am planning on going with Kim and Amber. I have to go to the Full Throttle again. I had so much fun there last year!! Let's see...what else...I have been going out practically every weekend. I have been going to Murphy's and Teddy's (the old Woody's.) It has been fun, though I realize that once school starts, I will not be able to afford going out every weekend. Although I did get a 32 cent raise at work, so I now make $8.39 an hour. It is kind of sad, in a way, because I have been at JCPenney for almost 5 years. But I guess it could always be worse. I already start school again in 3 weeks. Where has the summer gone?!? I am looking forward to it, yet I am not. I am looking forward to it because I will be in my final 2 years and I just want to get done. I am not looking forward to it because there will be all that added stress in my life. Also, this will be my first semester having all junior and senior level classes. So, it will be a tough 2 years. I am planning on going part time at work in 2 weeks so that I can atleast have a week break before school begins. Also, the fair will be in town that week before school starts. German tent, need I say more?!?! I am still single, but what is new there. I swear, I will prolly give everybody a heart attack when and if the day comes that I am not single!! Woohoo, I get to go to the doctor this Thursday at 4pm for that wonderful annual checkup. Let me tell you, that is something I am definitely not looking forward to!! Other than that, not much else going on. Anonymous person, let me know who you are. Melissa, let me know when you want to get together. I am available any evening this week. I would really like to see you before you go back to Madison, and I have not seen you the whole summer!! Well, take care everybody. Current Mood: calm (10 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, July 4th, 2006
11:23 am	Happy 4th to Everybody!! Well, I have not written in here in awhile, but it has been a crazy month. I just want to say Happy 4th of July to everybody!! And now it is time for my update. I'll try not to bore you too much. My brother, Kris, got married on June 3rd in Sioux Falls. It was a really nice wedding!! Then him and his wife, Michelle (we share the same name!!) went to Aruba on their honeymoon. On June 13th, my Grandma had major surgery on her leg. She had no circulation left in her left leg, so there had to be a tube put in the major vein of her right leg connecting to the vein in her left leg. It was a scary time for all of us, but now Grandma is doing great!! My Aunt Jean, and cousin, Scott, came out here from Georgia to be here for Grandma. Scott is 40 years old, and this was the first time I met him!! He's a really cool guy. Also, I have been working on my ENGL 241-American Lit 1 correspondence class. I finally finished it today!! I am not looking at another school book until I begin again on August 28th. It is so hard to get motivated in the summer!! Work at JCPenney has been hectic as usual. I really do not like working in the women's department. Women are pigs when it comes to trying on clothes and making messes!! Also, replenishing in women's is harder because they get so much different merchandise in all the time. Furthermore, the manager of women's, Tom, is an absolute idiot and Caroline, the dept supervisor, is too high strung for me. I liked working with Terri P and Deb much better. I miss men's!!! Let's see...what else have I done. Well, pretty much ever since school has been out, I have been going out to the bar one day every weekend. We all go to Murphy's now quite a bit. It is a much better place to go to than Phatty's. Still no love life, but what's new there!!! Well, that is about all. I'm going up to my aunt and uncle's for a barbecue. So, take care everybody and again, I hope you have a great holiday!! Current Mood: cheerful (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, March 20th, 2006
7:57 am	Snowed In I also got a snow day today, from work though. I was supposed to work from 6am-1pm today, but there was no way I was going anywhere, so I called in. I figure my life is more important than JCPenney. Also, my little Daewoo would not of made it into Rapid City. It's funny because today is inventory, so I am sure they are not thrilled with me for calling in. Oh well, I am sure I'm not the only one who called in. I get an extended weekend also. It was my weekend off from work, I had to call in today, and tomorrow is my normal day off from work, so 4 days in a row. It will be hard to go back on Wednesday. Normally I have my Organizational Behavior class Monday evenings on base, but my professor is out of town on business in California, so I don't have to go to class. Heck, they will probably cancel base classes anyway. My grandparents came here from Minnesota on Friday. They were going to stay until today, but they ended up leaving Saturday morning because of the impending bad weather. We wish we would have called them on Friday morning and told them not to even bother coming. It sucks because we had really good plans for the weekend. We were going to go to Deadwood on Saturday and then yesterday we were going to go shopping and eat at the Olive Garden. Friday evening we did go to the Pirate's Table for dinner which was good. Saturday morning before my grandparents left, we ate breakfast at the 4U Restaurant in Box Elder. I am glad my grandparents left and got to avoid all this mess. After all, my Grandpa just turned 77 years old yesterday and does not need to drive in this mess. On Saturday, my granparents made it to Sioux Falls and stayed with my aunt and uncle there. Then Sunday morning they went home to St. James. Probably a good thing because when they got home they realized their heat was not working. If they would have stayed here, the earliest they would of made it home would be tomorrow and the pipes in their house would have been frozen. I guess everything happens for a reason. It is funny because since all our plans were ruined for the weekend, on Saturday I ended up typing up my whole speech/research paper for Organizational Behavior. Then yesterday, I read two chapters in Accounting and did my homework for that class. So, I guess I am a little ahead on homework (*knocks on wood*)!! What a shocker!! Well, everybody, enjoy your snow day!! Current Mood: good (Comment on this)
Thursday, March 9th, 2006
4:07 pm	Life Happenings Well, the last week and a half has been so fun!!! Let's see.....last Wednesday I got a formal write-up for the incident at work. It said, "This is a written corrective on Michelle's hours. Michelle is not following her scheduled hours. She needs to stick to the hours she is scheduled for." I just thought it was so hilarious. I have been at JCPenney for over four years and the first write-up I get is over something as stupid and petty as this!! This write-up just reinforced the fact that I will not put in any extra hours for them. I will never clock in early again. I don't care if it is in the middle of December!! Amanda and Danelle received the same write-up also. Anyway, something else funny, yesterday Wendy told me that she can give me an extra couple of hours next week and that I needed to write down my availability for her. So, I did. I said that I can work an 8 hour shift on Sunday. The weekends have always been an easy way for me to make up hours. So, I pulled up my schedule for next week today, and yet again, I only have 33 hours next week. That is the same amount of hours I have this week. So, why did she bother even talking to me?!?! On Sunday, I only work from 10am-5pm, which is a 6 and a half hour shift. I had wanted to come in at 8:30am, but oh well I guess. I am not going to stress too much about it. I will lose my insurance eligibility because I am not averaging full time, but I don't have insurance there anyway. I am covered under my mom's insurance as long as I am in school. I will still earn vacation based on how many hours I work each month. I won't earn quite as much, but no big deal. Also, eventually I may lose my paid holiday's, but there are only 6 paid holiday's at JCPenney, so again no big loss. I know you are supposed to average full time to get paid holiday's, but when I was part time I got paid holiday's, so who knows. I guess I will take what I can. In an odd sort of way it is kind of a relief, because now I don't have to worry about getting 35 hours a week. If I get 33 hours a week, my paychecks will not be that much less. So, there is the wonderful world of work. I am on spring break this week from college. It has been nice. Though on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and just a few minutes yesterday I was doing homework still. But now I am all caught up on homework, so I can take a break. Next week will be crazy though. Monday in Organizational Behavior we will get a take-home test and we will also get the guidelines for a paper/speech we have to do. In my online Marketing class, we will be starting this big Marketing Plan we have to do. And then there's Management Information Systems and Accounting, so who knows!!! Next weekend (as long as the weather's good) my grandparents will be here from Minnesota. So, I don't want to have a lot of homework to do while they are here. I would of taken an extra day off from work, but it is blocked off because inventory is one week from this Monday, and since it is Wendy doing all the scheduling, she will not give anybody time off during blocked off times. Tomorrow I am going to a Party Lite candle party at Stacy's house. I don't really have money to spend, but it'll be fun to see. Then Saturday I work from 10am-6pm. Then Saturday night I am planning on going to Phatty's with Danelle and her sister, Deidre. It is Deidre's 25th birthday. Deidre also works at JCPenney. So, there you have it, my wonderful life!!! Hope I didn't bore you too much!! Current Mood: peaceful (Comment on this)
Tuesday, February 28th, 2006
8:37 pm	The Last Week Well, the last week was a typical week for me. Of course, I had that upset on last Monday with work. As far as I know, Wendy never talked to Danelle about her schedule. I ended up getting scheduled for 33.5 hours this week, which is good. Terry Thalacker mentioned to Laurel on Monday that Mr. Morrison got mad at her for not watching our hours during the last few months. It is funny because up until January, it was Wendy who told us to clock in early, so who knows. That place is just so messed up. From what Wendy told me, hours are supposed to be cut more as of next week, so we will see if mine get cut anymore or not. But I do not stress out about it anymore. All I ask is that I get atleast 30 hours a week. Any less than that and I would be hurting. So, we'll see.... As far as school goes, I finally took that Management Information Systems test last Wednesday that had been postponed due to weather the week before. I will find out tomorrow how I did. Last Thursday, I drove all the way to School of Mines for my Accounting class and then class got cancelled because my professor had Influenza A. In a way, it kind of sucks because I have an Accounting test this Thursday and I am not too sure about it. Usually the week before the test, he goes over exactly what is going to be on it, but obviously that did not get to happen this time. So, lets just say I made a very extensive cheat sheet for the test. Luckilly we get to have those. I really don't think I could memorize how to do a corporate income statement, stockholders equity, statement of cash flows, among other things. BLAH!!!! Anyway, last Friday I had a Marketing test and I got a 94% A on it, so I was happy with that. My professor is going to put us in groups for this stupid marketing plan we have to do. So, I'm not looking forward to that. Then yesterday, I went to Organizational Behavior and I found out that the last week of class we have to give a 3-4 minute speech. BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!!!! I cannot emphasize enough how much I hate giving speeches. But anyway, just the same old usual crap going on in my life. I know, it is quite boring. Time to watch "Days of our Lives" and get ready for bed. Take care everybody!!!! Current Mood: okay (Comment on this)
Monday, February 20th, 2006
8:57 pm	What A Day It was a bad day at work. Well, actually the last hour was really bad. So, I went to work at 7am as usual. We got a lot of freight in today, so we were not done with it until just after 1pm. Then at around 1:30pm, I had my jean cart in front of the Arizona jeans and Wendy comes up to me and tells me that I have to work exactly what I am scheduled and I cannot work anymore than that because they are so short on hours. You see, the reason I was working longer is because in order to maintain my full-time status, I need to have 35 hours per week and Wendy has only been scheduling me 30-31 hours per week. I told Wendy this, and she said I might just have to lose my full-time status because they are so short on hours. She said Mr. Morrison is pushing her to do this. Also, she said he wants hours cut more as of March 1st. So, we will see. She also said she does not want to do this to me because I am a great worker and she said this is the part of her job she does not like. But one repetitive thing she kept saying is, "You cannot set your own schedule." Wendy went on to say that Danelle, who works in women's replenishment and who is also in college, will probably lose her full-time status. You see, Danelle was making up hours just like me. But with Danelle it is more important to have 35 hours than me because she has medical insurance, and in order to keep her medical insurance she must keep full-time status. Of course, after Wendy left, I got exteremely emotional about it and started balling. Lanny and Amber in men's dept came up to me and asked me what was wrong. Also, customers saw me balling and were wandering what was wrong. I didn't mean to do it, but I was just so upset. Well, Wendy saw this and she came up to me and told me to take a few minutes and leave the floor. So, I did. Though it was hard to get myself back together. I made it till 2:30pm, but barely. Everybody in the stock room noticed I was upset. So, I told them what happened. Danelle called me this evening and we talked more about it. Wendy never talked to her today, but I am guessing she will on Wednesday. Danelle said she is glad Wendy did not talk to her about it today, because it is her daughter's 10th birthday today and she didn't want anything to spoil it. Danelle also said if she does lose her medical insurance, she will send all of her medical bills in the future to Wendy. Anyway, by the time I came home from work, I had cried about all the tears I could. It was bad because I wear contacts and I had makeup on today, so my makeup got in my eyes and my eyes were burning and blood shot. So, I immediately took my contacts out when I got home and put my glasses on. I guess what upsets me so much is that it is like Mr. Morrison does not care about anybody but himself. Also, I think it is very unethical for the company to do this to me. It's not like I'm not good at my job. After all, I never call in and I work my ass off when I am at work. But anyway, I sat down, thought about it, and tried to figure things out. I should be able to pay all my bills okay, but I won't have that extra money. I most likely will not be able to put any money in my savings account. Also, thank God, I have my medical insurance through my mom (since I am in college),so I do not have to worry about that. As far as vacation goes, as long as I average 25 hours per week or more, I will still earn some vacation (called MTO) each month, it just will not be as much as I would earn if I was full-time status. So, although I am still really upset, I am not going to cry any more tears about it anymore. Like my mom said, it is not worth it. I will go to work, and when my scheduled time is up, I will clock out and leave. It will not matter how much stuff is left undone, because it will not be my problem. So, there you have it, what a day it has been. On a side note, Melissa, I am so sorry I was unable to see you when you were here this past weekend. When you called me, I was at Boston's with Kim and I did not hear my cell phone go off. I did not notice you had called till much later. Current Mood: blah (Comment on this)
Saturday, February 18th, 2006
9:47 am	It's Cold!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, did everybody enjoy yesterdays high temperature as a negative number?!?!?! It was just bitter cold. I could barely tolerate to be outside!!!! I really don't know how those people in Alaska and Siberia do it all the time!! The only good thing is that is was not windy. If it would of beem windy, it would of been a million times worse. Anyway, last night Kim and I went to Phatty's. Luckilly Phatty's has a place where you can check your coat in by paying $2. So, I definitely paid the $2!! When Kim's dad picked us up around 1:30am, it was -19. It was freeeezzzzzzzzzing!!!! Then when I got home, I literally ran in my house, and went to bed as fast as I could get ready!!! It is still a negative number right now, but only -3. We are actually supposed to hit positive today!!!! YAY!!!! But anyway, I am off today, so that is a good thing. It was a long week and it is going to be another long week ahead. On Monday, we are getting a really big truck at work, and we are so short handed that it is not even funny. Oh well, I guess it is job security! Then on Wednesday, I will have that Management Information Systems test. Then on Friday I have a Marketing test. I took next Friday off from work so I have time to study and get the test done. But anyway, I suppose it is time to get motivated and get ready. I am going into town with my parents and we are going to stop at Boston's for lunch. Pizza, yummy!! Take care everybody!!!! (Comment on this)
Thursday, February 16th, 2006
9:06 pm	First of all, I want to paste this article about the incident that happened at work last Friday. Man charged for assaulting officer RAPID CITY -- A man accused of kneeing a Rapid City Police officer in the groin now faces an aggravated assault charge. Ivel T. Ricketts, 37, Belle Fourche, was arrested at 4 p.m. last Friday at Rushmore Mall after struggling with mall and store security officers and a police officer. According to the police report, police were called to J.C. Penney after Ricketts became angry and threatened employees who would not let him exchange a coat. When the officer arrived, mall and store security had Ricketts pinned to the floor in men's wear, according to the report. At some point during his arrest, Ricketts kneed the officer in the groin. He made his initial appearance in magistrate court Monday on charges of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, entering or refusing to leave and disorderly conduct. The assault charge is punishable by as much as 15 years in prison and a $15,000 fine upon conviction. The other charges are misdemeanors. YAY!! JCPenney got some publicity!!! HEHEHE!!! Anyway, now that I got that done, I'll tell you about my wonderful week thus far. I took Grandma to her luncheon at Applebees on Tuesday. It was YUMMY!!! I had a grilled steak fajita roll-up. Then Tuesday afternoon and evening, I studied and studied for that Management Information Systems test that I was supposed to have yesterday. Well, yesterday I got off from work at 2:30pm and I called the inclement weather line for the base and they said classes were still being held, so I stopped at Loaf 'n' Jug by the base, got my cappuccino, and made it to base just fine. I go in and as I am about to head into the classroom I see a sign that class has been cancelled. I was a little irritated, but I do understand that my professor for that class lives in Spearfish. So, now I have to wait till next Wednesday to take the test. I guess what really was irritating is that I was so prepared for the test, but oh well, I guess, such is life in South Dakota. You have to love the weather!! Anyway, my professor had emailed us yesterday afternoon about cancelling class, but obviously I did not check my email because as soon as I get off from work, I head for school. Luckilly I live in Box Elder, so it wasn't too far out of the way. It's funny because the base actually cancelled all the 7-10pm classes, but not the 4-7pm classes. Although a lot of professors individually cancelled classes. So, needless to say, yesterday I was home at 3:30pm. Then there is today. I got off from work at noon and came home. When my dad came home from work later this afternoon, he said the roads were getting bad again, so I decided to skip my Accounting 2 class. My Accounting 2 class is at School of Mines from 6-9pm. So, I figured it would be hell to drive in. I emailed my professor, so I am sure he will understand. So, ultimately, this week, I only went to one class. Fun fun!!!! Anyway, I suppose it is my time to head for bed, I have to get up at 5am and it is going to be freezing! Have a good night everybody and attempt to stay warm!! Current Mood: okay (Comment on this)
Saturday, February 11th, 2006
10:27 pm	A Long Week Ahead Well, you'll have to forgive me if this is the last time I post for several days because I have a long week ahead of me. Tomorrow, I have to work from 10am-5pm. I am going to have so much stuff to do at work tomorrow that it is not even funny. I was unable to get anything done today because 2 people called in sick in Men's dept alone. So, I was helping doing recovery, fitting rooms, and even the cash register all day. Then I have homework to do. Monday I have to work from 7-2:30pm, then I'll work on more homework. Then I'll go to class at 7pm. My professor for Organizational Behavior already said he will be giving us a take home test Monday night. Then Tuesday, I am off from work, but I have to take my Grandma to her luncheon and the rest of the time I will be studying for a big test I have on Wednesday in Management Information Systems. So, on Wednesday I work from 7am-2:30pm and then I have to go take this big test. Then on Thursday I have to work yet again and go to Accounting class. So, definitely a long week. I might get to post either on Wednesday or Thursday, but we'll see. On another note, there was a lot of drama at work yesterday. I got off from work at 3pm, and I guess it happened right after I left. Here's the story. There was this wierd guy roaming around in the shoe stock room. Barry caught him there and this guy claimed he was looking for a bathroom, but he was carrying a box of shoes. So, Barry took the shoes away from him and told him where the bathroom was. Barry also announed on the walkie talkies to the other managers that there was this wierd guy. Well, this guy went over to men's department and tried to return a jacket that we have not carried for over a year. Deb would not take the jacket back and the guy got in her face and started chewing her out and swearing at her. Linda was also there to witness this. Well, our loss prevention manager, Mike, came over and the guy started a physical fight with Mike. Then Mr. Morrison came over and the guy started a physical fight with him also. Mr. Morrison was able to get the guy pinned on the ground. Then mall security and the Rapid City police came and they took the guy into Mike's office. The guy tried to resist arrest, get away, and started a physical fight with the cops. Well, they finally caught and arrested him. It turns out the guy had just gotten out of jail one month ago, so he's definitely going back to jail now. I guess Deb and Linda were extremely shaken up. They both had to be taken to the break room to sit down. I worry about Deb because she just had a heart attack a month ago, and something like this could set another one off. Thank God, she's okay and Linda's okay. Nobody was seriously injured, but definitely a scary situation. But anyway, I am going to go get ready for bed. It has been a long few days, and it's not over yet. Atleast tomorrow I can sleep in until 8am. That really is sleeping in for me!!! Take care everybody!! Current Mood: tired (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, February 9th, 2006
5:02 pm	Daily Happenings So, I checked my schdedule for next week this morning and Wendy finally got it right. I am off at 5pm on Sunday as I had requested. I am actually really surprised she got it right. Today was my short day at work. I worked from 7am-noon. I actually did not have much homework to do, but I left at noon anyway. I battled the gusts of wind and got gas at Sam's Club. After all, gas in any car is a necessity. Then I came home, ate lunch, and worked out on my elliptical. Then I tried to call Kim, but Catherine had Kim's phone so I talked to her. Then I decided to read ahead in my Management Information Systems book. We have a test over chapters 1-4 next Wednesday, but I looked ahead on the syllabus and I read chapter 5 yesterday and started to read chapter 6 today. It is a chapter on Telecommunications and Networking. Talk about boring. I was constantly falling asleep, so needless to say, I did not read much. Now I am just sitting here, typing in my journal. I have Accounting 2 class at 6pm at School of Mines, so I'm just waiting to leave to go to that. I'll leave around 5:20pm so I can stop and get a 20 ounce cappaccino on the way!! I need caffeine for to survive the dull and boring Accounting 2, plus it'll satisfy my hunger until after class. So, there you go, the wonderful daily happenings in my life. Time to go start my car so it'll be nice and toasty when I leave. Current Mood: bored (Comment on this)
Wednesday, February 8th, 2006
8:44 pm	Back to Work After 4 Days Off...... and it was insanely busy!!!! Today was the half-day clearaway sale where we opened at 11am and let me tell you, people just swarmed in. I really wonder, do any of these people work?!?! It felt like a busy Saturday in December....that's how busy it was!!! Luckilly, I went into work at 7am, so I didn't have to put up with the insane madness the first 4 hours of my shift!! But the last 3 and a half hours more than made up for it! Wendy nor Terry Thalacker ever talked to me about that note I left them, so I guess I will find out tomorrow how my schedule for Sunday will be. Wendy was scarilly nice to me today!!! Wendy is really sick, so Laurel and I decided she was nice to me because she is sick. She also defended me today, which is even more scary. So, Wendy said we might have to help with fitting rooms and straightening today, but she also wanted us to keep filling in clearance. It was a few minutes before noon and I had a cart out and was filling in clearance and Mr. Morrison said I needed to pull the cart off the floor and help the floor associates because it was busy. Okay, so I could not help at the registers because they were all occupied, the fitting rooms were totally clean, and it was straightened on the floor. Made no sense to me, but whatever. So, I just told him that I was going to lunch. Well, apparently, Mr. Morrison went to Wendy and told her I had a cart out on the floor and Wendy came up to me and asked me. I told her I was just putting out clearance. And she said that she thought that was all I was doing and she went on to say that is what she wants me to do. She just told me to ignore what Mr. Morrison said. So, I did. Another point I made, the clearance is not going to sell in the stock room unless we let the customers go back there (and that would be a disaster!!!!) Wendy also agreed with me when I said that the men's fitting rooms were fine. After all, men don't try on clothes as much as women. But anyway, I thought that was a wierd occurence, Wendy defending me for once. I better knock on wood!!! Anyway, I just hope she gets my schedule right next week. I guess I will find out tomorrow morning. I'm crossing my fingers!!!!!!! Well, yesterday, for me, I ended up buying 4 long-sleeve shirts, 2 pairs of pajamas, 2 pairs of sleep pants, one sleep shirt, and one pair of corduroy pants. I did not buy any sweaters because I hardly wear the sweaters I own now. I bought my Grandma a fleece sweater from men's dept that she wanted and I just gave it to her now. For my Grandpa, for next Christmas, I bought him 2 flannel shirts and one sweater. I did not buy my parents anything because they said they have too many clothes. Today, after work, I stopped at Loaf 'n' Jug by the base and they had my White Chocolate Caramel Cappucino, so I got a 20 ounce and then went to my Management Information Systems class. Talk about boring. I almost fell asleep. Thank God, we got out of class early at 5:45pm. So, then I came home and mom made delicious beef stew and homemade bread, so I stuffed my face and had a beer too. Well, I suppose, time to watch Days of our Lives and head for bed. I'm tired!!!! Current Mood: tired (Comment on this)
Monday, February 6th, 2006
10:16 pm	Odds and Ends Well, today is day 3 of my 4 days off from work. I have one more day off tomorrow, and then back to work on Wednesday and the six day stretch begins. Well, here's how the rest of my weekend went. On Saturday, I ate lunch at Schlotzky's and went to Wal-Mart. I managed to spend $79 there. It is so easy to spend money. Then I went to JCPenney and left Wendy and Terry T my notes. Wendy's office was locked, but I just left her a note in her mail box. We will see on Wednesday if she gets irritated at me or not, but like my mom said, I told her my availability and she needs to get it right. If I just talk to her about it, she forgets. So, I had to put it in writing. Anyway, Saturday evening I went to dinner with Kim and Braydon at Perkins. Braydon was really fussy, but oh well, he is only 18 months old, I'll forgive him! HEHE!! I can't help but love that little guy to death!! Then I just came home and chilled. It is wierd, Friday night, I started feeling all congested in my throat and it still hasn't fully gone away, so my voice is wierd, but I don't feel bad or anything. Who knows?!?! Anyway, On Sunday I read two chapers in my Marketing book. Then Sunday evening I went over to Danelle's so she could use my laptop. She had a practice test to take for her computer class. Her and Preston are waiting to get their computer from Dell. They would of had it already, but Dell messed up and sent the wrong one, so now they have to wait until Feb 10th to get the right one. Anyway, we could not get the internet to work on my laptop at her house. I could not get a wireless connection and even when I hooked up my laptop to her internet connection, it still would not work. Darn computers!! After that, I went to Terri's party. It was fun. It was Terri, Bruce, Sandy, Sandy's husband, Mike, Kristin, Deb, Laura, Andrea, and myself. It was not a big turn out because it was Superbowl Sunday, but oh well, we had fun! I ate too much too!!!! Way too much!!! I also brought Mike's Hard Lime which was good too! Anyway, today I read another two chapters in Marketing and then I had enough of reading. Then I did my FAFSA so I can get financial aid next year. I went to my Organizational Behavior class at 7pm and we got out my 7:05pm. Short class!!! My professor is fighting the flu and he said he still felt horrible. I'm sorry he is so sick, but I was okay with getting out of class in 5 minutes! Then there is tomorrow, I actually do not have ton's of homework to do. I will read another chapter in Marketing. That will be 5 chapters in 3 days!!! But atleast it will be done. Then if I feel motivated enough, I may work on my year long ENGL 241 correspondence course. I have until the end of August to complete it, but if I have nothing else to do, I might as well. It is scary, for once I am caught up on all my classes!!! Then tomorrow afternoon, I must go shopping at JCPenney. All the final clearance should be marked in the store. I don't need any clothes, but at final clearance prices, I can always use more!! Plus I will buy a few Christmas presents for next year, atleast for my grandparents. My parents don't want anymore clothes!! Darn, no more cheap Christmas presents for them!! But anyway, on that absolutely wonderful note, I am going to head to bed because I am tired. I am going to take advantage of getting a full 8 hours of sleep while I can! Good night everybody!!!! Current Mood: tired (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, February 4th, 2006
9:18 am	Last Night Well, Kim and I went out last night to Phatty's and of course, we had a blast!!! We drank and danced, drank, and danced some more!!! One interesting thing is we met a major league baseball player. His name is Jason Christiansen and plays for the San Francisco Giants. He told us we probably wouldn't believe him, but I just got done looking it up online, and sure enough, he was telling the truth!!!! He said he was up in North Dakota buying land. He was driving through and the only place he could find a motel room was at Motel 6 because of the stock show. But anyway, I thought that was kewl. The highlight of my evening. I'm actually not that hungover today, granted I am a little bit, but not too horribly bad, so that is good. I have to head into town in awhile and tackle Wal-Mart. There is stuff I need and with my insane work and school schedule, I never have time to go unless it is my weekend off. Then I need to stop at JCPenney and leave Wendy a note. I want to remind her of my availability on Sunday's. I'm not sure if I will be able to get in her office or not because her office is in the conference room and she usually locks it when she is not here. But I guess I can try. I figure that since I will not be back to work until Wednesday I had better leave the note today so she gets it on Monday. Hopefully she gets it right, but considering it is Wendy, nothing surprises me. I guess what really irritates me is that on the weekend that Laurel and Danelle work, they all get off earlier on Sunday's, and they haven't even requested it, but is seems as if I get screwed. Well, I suppose, time to go shower and get something accomplished today. Current Mood: good (2 Comments |Comment on this)