Pit Bull

Am I the only woman who hates stainless appliances?  Some of the worst years of my life were spent working around stainless steel commercial food service units.  I find stainless - depressing.  Profoundly depressing, as if my worst memories have followed me home to stay. 

I prefer black, red, or white (in that order).  I look at ads for new washing machines and vow I'll only repair mine - a wonderful older agitator.  Then I wonder who could do it, but I know there're plenty of appliance repairmen.  In this economy, it's a smart line of work. 

Then I was watching one of those home renovation shows.  It featured a couple working together to remodel their home.  He kept yelling at her and calling her names, she kept backtalking. 

Now, when our friend fixed the bathroom enclosure, he did bark a little, but it was done absently.  He wasn't ever unkind or cruel - just the opposite.  Only a very kind person would spend so much time repairing a stranger's home.  For free. 

He didn't have anything nice to say about my builder, though. 

It made me glad, Ron and I aren't like that.  This is about as bad as it gets:
We went to the bank this morning.  Ron "owed" me $100 in pay, which I'd forgotten.  [Properly medicated and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome].  He handed it to me and I was very startled.  He teased me gently.  About 15 minutes later, he said, very briskly "Oh, Heather, remember that hundred dollars?  I need it back."  I had already reached into my pocket when he started laughing. 

I TOTALLY would have fallen for it!  Like I said, that's about as bad as it gets these days. 

Ron's also teasing me by introducing me as his pit bull, because I'm "overprotective".  Ha!  We were headed down the hall today when a construction worker came out, carrying a ladder, sticking out into the hall.  Ron would have walked right into it. 

Blood everywhere.  Both of them.  Ladder on the floor.  Accident reports.  Nope.  I'll continue as the pit bull, thank you very much. 

Sodas continue to do well.  All machines are working.  I added some new items to the product lineup.  I found yet more mislabeled prices in the other vendor's machines - things priced at 80 cents, but really a dollar, things like that.  When I went to pay refunds they had a huge stack.  I had two. 

I also saw some angry comments written on their refund slips (given to me by accident).  [raised eyebrows]  They need to be careful - 3 other vendors in Houston want that location.  I can think of 3 more who'd love to have it.  If management says "Get rid of them" they are gone.  No appeal. 

I can't say anything to them, they are in hostility mode and won't receive anything, even a friendly warning.  I do pray they get "it" together. 

Ron is worried; if we did get another vendor, would they be an ally?  They might end up to be very good friends.   I'm just monitoring. 

This is all speculation but to me it's a good reminder to mind my business, make sure things are properly stocked and priced.  To make sure I greet every customer with a smile and clean the fronts on the machines.  Nothing is more disgusting than a dirty snack machine.  I keep a bottle of window cleaner in snack #1.  I take my job very seriously and never take a nickel for granted.  They don't have to give me that money. 

It was a long day for us: we went to the bank.  Metrolift left us waiting at the bank for an hour after we finished, and I saw a lot of sick people.  I always seem to find the sickest people at the bank, including the teller.  I'm seriously wondering if I can microwave that money Ron gave me.  Maybe if I wet it down first. 

We went to the warehouse, and bought drinks and snacks.  Then we went to work, and stocked.  Yay.  Got it all done.  Looks good.  2 different shifts saw us working. 

I want my customers to pick me out of a lineup.