Absolutely nothing

"May I help you?" the store clerk asked politely. 

"I need some crack". 

"Oh, that's right over here, ma'am."  He indicated the proper aisle.  "What are you looking for?" 

"Catnip" I told him.  I measured a large bag with my hands "In the 'enabler' size." 

He started laughing. 

Thursday night: I "need" to get to sleep around 6.  I couldn't.  I finally began dropping off around 8.  Then #2 began weed-whacking, and did his whole yard between 8-10 PM. 

I had to get up at 1:30.  I hit the snooze, twice, and decided my hair was OK.  I did a quick wash at the sink and did my God Time. 

I think a lot of my faith, if you see it as a good or strong thing, is based on simple choices like that. 

We went to work.  We got the delivery.  Dozens of cases.  Most of them strewn on the floor of the truck due to a bad packing job.  Amazingly, all my merchandise was fine. 

The other vendor has 3 "employees", his wife (we are friendly and help each other out when we can), his brother (we are very friendly and help each other out when we can), and his employee (who's gone out of his way to be helpful to us lately). 

The employee helped pick up 20 cases of water off the floor of the truck and stack them on the pallet.  Then he "drove" the pallet back to my area.  I appreciated the help, and asked the boss' wife if I could give "Fred" a tip. 

"You don't have to do that" she replied.  "I know, but Ron would be upset if I didn't."  I was telling the truth. 

"Sure, if you want"

So I gave Fred $10.  Times are tight, he has 5 kids, I figured he could use it. 

The next time I saw the other vendor he was apoplectic that I had given his employee money.  Ron tried to reason, and the guy yelled at him and ran him off.  Said we were stabbing him in the back. 

We don't want to hire him!  I just wanted to say thank you!  Your wife said it was OK!  I didn't respond other than to say, mildly, I was sorry. 

Ugh.  We avoided the stockroom area as long as possible.  I still had to put up 15 cases of water, though.  I loaded them on the cart and pushed it over.  Ron decided he would "help" me lift the cases and smashed my hand, after I had asked him to stop. 

Ron figured my request was emasculating (his words).  I asked if he would rather lose a little pride or injure me.  We had an argument in front of the other vendor, who started laughing (maybe he isn't mad at us, anymore). 

I don't get the thinking, among others, that physical labor is worse than fire ants.  To be avoided at all cost. 

I like doing hard work.  I like knowing I can do it.  [shrug]  I told Ron and he agreed he would leave me alone unless I asked for help. 

I also realized, importantly I think, Ron was just as sleep deprived - and just as fragile, as me.   I had to give us both a lot of slack, knowing that sleep deprived Ron and rested Ron are two very different men, just like I'm two different women. 

It does confirm my decision not to bear children.  We don't do well with disruptions. 

The machines stocked, (and I had a lot of stocking!), we left.  We went to the warehouse.  I have been wanting to sell some chicken club sandwiches, which happened to be on sale. I bought those, and  another box of burritos.  Sam's Club crushes our wholesaler on cold food prices. 

I also got another case of Nature Valley Breakfast Biscuits.  I had been selling Belvita, but when I actually ate one I thought they were awful. The Nature Valley is a million times better.  I began stocking Nature Valley instead, and the customers love it.  I bought a case each for me, and the customers. 

A little note: it would be easy to spend the company's money on personal.  I don't do that.  If anything, you'll probably find me spending my money on company product.   I bought my food with my money. 

We went back to work and stocked.  I had bought a huge sack of wrapped peppermints with my money.  I thought it would be nice to have them available.  I put them in a drawer, right next to the sporks (we supply sporks).  I hope the customers enjoy them.  Thinking about it, every restaurant provides mints.  Why not us? 

Indian restaurants provide candied fennel seeds.  :) 

I find it interesting, with profits improving, I want to make sure the customers are getting the best quality products, the best prices, and little touches that make them feel special.   Ron teases me, but I think he's secretly proud of my passion. 

We also put up some notes about refunds.  Right now, they stalk us, catch us, and we pay up.  We've decided to post Ron's number, they can call and arrange a refund.  We work all 3 shifts (we sure did yesterday), so it won't be hard. 

The old system had them walking to the office, filling out a form, and then waiting for us to repay it. Then they had to go back to the office and get the money.  The office had made it clear they weren't interested in continuing the policy. 

This ought to work fine.  We feel awful when we find a machine has eaten someone's money.  Not only are they hungry, but they don't have their money.  We want to make that right ASAP. 

One reason I love working for Ron. 

So, we finally finished.  We crawled out to paratransit. 

Ron had made a trip to go home.  They rode us around for an hour and then dropped us.  We had another hour before they picked us up to go to the pet store. 

We went to Starbucks and I went to the pet store, where I had the "crack" discussion. They didn't have what I wanted in treats. 

They were, however, having a sale on the Simply Nourish brand.  The girls love the salmon flavor. 

Ron bought a large bag of Blue Wildnerness Duck, and the SN Salmon.  I bought a bag of Rabbit, and Duck, SN brand.  It was on sale and I like to try new (grain free) foods on the girls now and then. 

I plan to save "my" duck for the disaster kit.  I had planned to get a 3.5 pound bag of salmon, but they didn't have it in stock (on sale), so I bought the rabbit instead. 

I have wanted to try rabbit cat food.  They - someone - ate a whole bowl overnight.  Someone likes it.  I hope it's one of our cats.  I left the bowl on the floor near the cat door. 

For a while, I had a problem with a stray cat coming in to eat our cat food.  Until Frosty (white cat in photos) kicked his butt. 

I went to bed around 7-8 last night - I was impressed I'd stayed up that long.  I'd consumed very little caffeine, considering. 

I slept 12 hours straight.  Got up, shower, God Time.  I tried one of the Nighthawk frozen breakfasts.  It has pancakes, sausage, and eggs.  It was very good. 

Now, today, praise God, a day off doing absolutely nothing.