The Big Storm

 I worked during a huge storm that darkened the sky, flooded the streets, and made the rain come down in sheets. It was intense. There was a clap of thunder that startled me .

We had extra people, which was nice. But only one of us, not me, got out early.

A Latino man came to my register, as he was putting a pad back in his pocket. He wanted to make sure he was buying the right thing. His anxiety was funny and kind of heartwarming.

I've been getting dizzy a lot today. At work.

A woman was wanting to buy formula that wasn't on her WIC check, and I rung her up for. Then I realized the price difference and then I noticed that I rung her up for the wrong formula. I already wrote the price in, and I had my manager white it out. She didn't want the  formula on her check, for some reason. Her boyfriend came in and fussed, but accomplished nothing.

It was raining lightly when we left.

Change Of Pace

I was in Cosmetics with the new 'girl'. (She is actually a full-grown woman).

I worked on ad tags, and faced, and covered breaks. And we got out early!

Dasani

An off-duty employee bought 8 cases of Dasani water. No coupons. I don't think Dasani is that good .

We were super-busy tonight. And my register was slow. So I called IC3 a lot.

At the beginning of my shift my store manager had a lot of questions regarding his duties surrounding my maternity leave. There are few. He was nice enough to show me where I could find benefits information. I have to remember to register at the hospital and to call my benefits people.

I told an older guy buying a card that I liked the card he chose. And I wished him a Happy Anniversary because that was the kind of card he was buying. He looked confused, then said,
"That's not a birthday card?"
 "No sir. It's an anniversary card."
"I have to find another card. It is her birthday, not our anniversary. She 'll think I'm not paying attention."
"Yeah. Right on. "

A guy bought a little over $100 worth of forever stamps. I wonder what he was mailing?

Overstock

Once again, I got stuck with a bunch of overstock. I think some of it was because the new manager cleared out a bunch of crap from behind the register.

Several men were purchasing 'feminine sanitary' products. So sweet!

A guy with a slightly waxed moustache came to my register. During our transaction, he asked how I was liking the foggy weather. I told him I like it, but it makes it hard for my clothes on the line to dry. He said he liked wet jeans, I said it reminded me of camping, especially if there is sand involved.
 " That's my jam." He said .

I Think I Might Be Getting Sick

A possibly Russian woman came and tried to use her Link card. She wanted cash back and her card didn't go through. I was trying to explain that to her and because she doesn't speak English, she didn't understand. The guy behind her swiped his card for her. She didn't get it, and she didn't thank him, and she only worried about getting her $20 cash back. The whole transaction really irritated me. Especially because she didn't speak English. I know it's not p.c for me to say that...

Did You Say 'Dishes' Or 'Douches'?

She said 'douche' so when she got to the register without cups and bowls, but with Summer's Eve products, I finally understood. I told her and her man what I thought she had said, and they got a good chuckle out of that.

Several people called me 'ma'am'. Which made me feel old. And it reminded me of my aunt.

Big Storm

The sky darkened much earlier than it should have, and the heavens opened up. The rain soaked my customers and got water in my basement. Our sales of batteries, candles, and flashlight went up slightly.

My friend came in, with her family, to scan in photos for a family event. I did not really get a chance to chat with her.

I told my co-workers about my suspicious customer...they were slightly worried for me.

I'm Tired

Some girl had the nerve to ask why my kids are so close together (in age).

A guy acting suspiciously while at the register was still in our parking lot when we came out. Forty minutes later. He saw what car I got into. Perhaps I should be worried?

I had my manager ring me up, which was good because he needed to total void it. Because my card didn't go through! Because my bank got bought out by another bank and I can't seem to get my card to work. Which makes me real mad.

My Photo regular came in and made me very tired. But while I was scanning her photos, I ordered 100 prints off my own. On our app!

Wednesday and Thursday

On Wednesday I covered the day shift . From 9 am to 4:45pm.
I complained about a co-worker to management, because my list of grievances was growing.
I did my PPL on money laundering.

Today we were really busy. And lots of people were buying condemns. I rung up an old man for some K-Y jelly. He wanted to use a store/manufacturer coupon plus a manufacturer coupon. He got his boxers in a bunch about that. He claimed that we needed better wording on the coupons, and/or lawyers.

Someone asked if we were hiring. Sometimes I'm glad I work there.

A kid was trying to purchase a whole bunch of junk food but had to put several items back. And my overstock grew from there.

A guy came in and bought $500 worth of $50 Visa gift cards. His first payment card didn't go through, but it did match his ID. The second card matched and went through. I think it was all legit, but it seemed suspicious. He came back later trying to buy more cards. Very suspicious.

20% Off Coupon

An employee came in and made two transactions. She purchased 3 packages of Charmin toilet paper. She had a coupon for $1.50 off 3. Despite the fact that she already used her manufacture coupon, she handed me a store/manufacturer coupon. I should not have taken it, by I did anyway. And it worked! Which is totally frustrating. Her second purchase was similar, but she used a coupon for a 12 pack. Even though she was buying a six pack, the coupon worked. I don't really like this woman, and I don't know why I took her wrong coupons. And I don't know why the register let me do that.

I have to be back to work at 9 tomorrow, so I'm going to bed.

Canvas Prints

I have a lot of hostility towards my workplace and co-workers and customers. It was hard to stay calm today; and in fact, I yelled at my manager because he wanted to know why I couldn't find the 'wet floor' sign. I have a lot of hostility towards my co-worker because he holds up the operation. He is kind of a dick and asks too many questions. I have a lot of hostility towards customers who have a Link card but can't speak English.

 My new schedule has me working six days in a row. I anticipate sleep deprivation.

Two older customers correctly guessed that I am carrying a boy and that I am 7 months. It was alarming.

I was moved to Photo because the guys don't trust the other guy coming in. I took the opportunity to order a canvas print. And I assembled it myself. I spent way too much time on my phone. So weird.

Friday The 13th

Today is Friday the 13th and possibly a full moon, which would explain a lot.

The guy in Photo had jury duty, so he wasn't there.

A few days ago the woman in Cosmetics was saying that she always faces like we have a visit coming. I can personally attest to the fact that this is not true.

Deadly Flip-Flops

While I was facing I saw a warning label on the children's flip-flops. (The Hot Wheels and Barbie ones). The warning said that this product contains substances known to then State of California to cause birth defects and cancer. How would get contaminated? By wearing them? Or eating them? A little disturbing.

 A woman I was ringing up said I was "totally adorable" which I thought was very sweet. She asked if I liked working here. I said,
"Well, I'm a mom and wife first, and I have this job because it's a job. And we get health insurance . But it's an ok job. Sometimes I like it."
"Good for you!"

My Kids Won't Be Like That

The first customer I had was one of my least favorite regulars. She always takes a long time at the register because she has to argue and fuss and do the math really slow. She leans on the counter and asks about things that are none of her business. She  gets into loud and stupid arguments with her whiny daughter. Today was no different.

One of the youngish, hipster girls I see regularly asked,
"Do people always tell you their pregnancy stories?"
"Yes, thank you for noticing! There is something about pregnancy that makes people get crazy. Even I have trouble not saying stuff to ladies I think are pregnant. Because God forbid she is just chunky."
"Yeah, that happened to my friend. She cried a lot."
"That is exactly the kind of thing I'm trying to avoid."

You Go, Honey

I had an awkward interaction with two (high school?) boys. One boy started chatting with me about how they look. They were both wearing black t-shirts and khakis. The chatty one asked if they looked like brothers. They did not, which I said. But I did let then know they were matchies. And the tall one said,
"But I'm the cute one. , right?"
I guess I made a face that said he was the cute one, and he yelled ,
"Ooooohhhh!" And laughed. Which I felt really bad about. But he was, to me anyway. So awkward.

I rung up a gay/flamboyant guy; during the transaction my register kind of froze. He was fussing about it tying into the kind of day he was having. He and I had some funny, bitchy dialogue.

I was 37 minutes late because my husband's workday lasted too long. I called ahead to let them know. And then I got a chance to talk to a co-worker I haven't seen in awhile.

The pharmacy is leaving their overstock in the aisles. Let the fights begin.

A Mix-Up

My crazy regular came in to print her photos. She called ahead to see if I could help her. I asked my manager to talk to her. I ended up helping her for almost two hours. We chatted and I chose her photos. It was exhausting.

"Did You Start Lactating Yet?"

A customer actually asked me that. While he grabbed his man-boob . Awkward.

A couponer and I revealed ourselves to each other. She used a coupon, and I said that I need to get that coupon out of my binder. There was a brief pause and she started to say
"Are you one too?"
"I am. I have the Trapper-Keeper with the baseball card holders. "
We talked about past and current deals and I told her what cashiers to a avoid. We had some giggles. It's always nice to meet another.

The women's bathroom smelled like a mix between a vet's office and what I think an outdoor crime scene in July would smell like. When I investigated. I saw that someone had gotten poop splatter on the outside of the toilet bowl. And on the floor. And the wall. It smelled so bad I had to pull my shirt over my nose.

The new manager was here.

On My Smartphone

Something terrible happened to my laptop. So now I'm on my smartphone.

I rung up a guy who was on his phone and he was saying that "the Kings were on his ass". Not his ass, his friend's. I didn't know the Kings were up this far.

My crazy-ass co-worker got Employee Of The Month! I'm kind of surprised but also a little proud of him. He really wanted it.

The oldest pharmacist ever was leaving the store when he turned around and said
"You're a very pretty girl."
"Oh, thank you. Thank you."

My personal transaction was really long today. Because my co-worker accidentally pressed the wrong button. And then my coupon didn't go through and he had already pressed 'payment'. We had to void it twice! But I saved 65% so it was worth it.

Two people asked if we were hiring. I work in a very desirable location.