It was a really long and exhausting day. I was also horribly depressed and got a pretty fair headache as well. I will endeavor to be positive, though.
I got up, took my shower, got us both ready. Ron got his own tshirt today. Fed the cats, etc.
We got picked up on time, and there were 2 other clients sleeping in the vehicle. It was 8 AM. I had to wonder what kind of medication they were on to render them so exhausted at 8 in the morning.
People objected to me using "slow" so I will say they were "mentally limited". In Houston we have various programs for that people group, all of it is basically daycare but it has different names. Sometimes a parent will say "He goes to work every day!" No, he doesn't, he goes to daycare, they call it "work", and they pay him 25 cents an hour so they can get "back to work" funding from the government. But it's all daycare and paratransit does a LOT of shuffling them back and forth.
Yes, some higher functioning ones have "real" part time, minimum wage jobs. These guys were not it.
We apparently got stuck on their route and the router decided it was more important for them to go to their daycare, which is open all day and has no deadline for attendance - if someone wants to come 2 hours late no big deal - was more important than 2 people trying to get to work and meet a repairman. The driver was unfamiliar with the area and the GPS steered her wrong, so we wasted half an hour.
The whole time the repairman is sitting in his truck waiting for us calling Ron. We got to their destination but of course he driver has to leave us, take them upstairs, sign them in because one time someone wandered off before they got to their daycare. Then come back down.
Happily she, unlike a LOT of the drivers, did not stand around and have "social hour" with the staff and the other driver also dropping off. She came back as quick as she could and got us to work (she heard Ron on the phone).
We met the man, took him in the building. The machine was emitting a strong burnt plastic/electrical aroma on Monday. It was very disturbing, attracted the attention of maintenance (they couldn't track it to the machine), etc. It was very alarming.
I however remembered the power outlet in the machine for times like this and pulled it so it had no electricity. It was fine after that, until today. It wasn't working of course.
The repairman went to work, pulled out a half melted light socket "Just what I thought! It's always these when it has a burnt smell." He replaced everything and plugged it back in. It came on. He did a test, it needed a new bill acceptor. I walked him out to get that and he replaced that. Good. Nothing worse than it won't take the money.
Ron had done his best with the trip, yesterday he had worked on the report all day and called in the ride at the last minute, but we did not have enough time. I asked him to postpone the pickup, he did. We only get 5 favors a month but we both felt it was merited.
Good, now I had time to help him and stock. The repairman ate up a lot of time, it is a secure federal building and I must escort him every trip to the truck to get a new part/tool. Needless to say I got all my steps today.
On a side note, I feel sorry for personnel. I am not sure how all that works on the postal end but they had a huge sign in visitor parking with an arrow and the word "Interviews". And it seemed everyone was coming to the wrong door (in the opposite direction of the arrow) and asking "Where is my interview?"
I didn't find it encouraging. When Ron and I were hiring we used to rate the candidates by how well they followed our directions on how to get to visitor parking.
That said our mail is running really well considering half the building is in ruins.
Now I could help Ron stock - which I did. Now I could do my stock - which I did. They looked good when I left.
Done. Good. I hate it when the machines are empty and customers want a snack.
We went out and the ride was already there waiting for us, and it was Ellen. I like her. Ron rode in the back again (better than falling, trying to move to/from the seat), and the driver apologized and said she was sorry but she had another pickup.
She wasn't kidding, she drove well over 25 miles, one way, to pick up the other client from "Senior adult day care". What is it with us and the day care programs today? We live in the suburbs and I could see the downtown skyline very clearly at this pickup.
I did also see the thrift shop where I bought my wedding dress, at Jensen and Tidwell in NE Houston. That was fun. I have however found it is virtually impossible to find "big woman clothes" at the thrift shop, at least the ones in Houston. The places I've been at any rate.
And the other client wasn't bad. She was nice enough and chatted with Ellen. We got home, unloaded Ron.
I got him in the house and checked the mail, got the electric bill. $122. Ron was pretty wiped out and just wanted to lie down. I took a nap, that worked pretty well (after feeding the cats of course).
BUT I woke up with a headache. It is mostly gone after 2 caffeine drinks. Very cold seems to be the key there. Ron and I made our trips for tomorrow.
I did the inventory today so I don't have to go in to work tomorrow. And I get to sleep in (8 am) tomorrow.
The cats are good. Spotty has been particularly adorable today, he loves petting and is just so very sweet. Cleo licked Ron's hand again this morning while he pet her and she let me get a pet (away from Ron). Mom is good, the older girls are good and Biscuit is lying by my foot right now. He is super cuddly with me.
I like to think he remembers I saved him from the woman kicking him in the head, all those years ago. He has a good life now because I make sacrifices and he is worth all of it and more. They all are.
I just need to get Spotty neutered.
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