Chix Chat

My back feels much better today, thank God!  It didn’t hurt nearly as much as it did when I hurt it that one time last year.  I would just like to know what the heck I did to it. Its still a little sore but I’m sure it will be almost back to normal by tomorrow. (I hope!)

Anne, have you received my package yet?  I’m sure you did but I don’t think you mentioned it at all.  I know you mentioned "Like one of the quotes in the book you sent….." I’m assuming that was the book in my "care package".

I went to that Christian messageboard and I found what you wrote.  Everyone who responded to you is giving you solid advice.  Yes, the devil tries to make us doubt our salvation.  There are some days, my CLD’s when I can almost hear the devil whispering in my ear, "How can you think God could love a loser like you?  You are not good enough.  You’ll never be good enough!"  And I get scared. But then, I feel God’s peace and I feel Him saying "Michele, I love you just as you are."

Since we were talking about Chaz (well since I was talking about Chaz) I was thinking about him.  Actually, I was thinking about a lot of the people in my old neighborhood.  I wish I could see someone, it doesn’t necessicarily (sp?) be a man a had a crush on… anyone… so when he/she asks "How are you? ANything exciting happening?"  I can smile and say "I met someone."

WHat did you get at Taco Bell the other day?  As I recall, doesn’t most of their stuff have meat in it?  Do they have a special vegatarian menu?  I can’t remember what I ate when I got sick.  I suppose I could eat Taco Bell again, but there is just that mental block in me.

Have you ever tried Subway?  Do they have Subways in Huntsville?  They sell hoagies.  Soo good!  There is a seafood & crab sandwich that is to die for!  The bread is so soft and fresh, the tomatos are so juicy…. mmmm…. I better stop or I’ll start drooling all over my keyboard!

well, thats it for today! Until next time, take care and God Bless!

God Bless THe USA!

Hi, Michele!

No problem about not writing on Friday, although I was a little surprised. I do understand though.

It sounds like the weekend at the store was horrendous! I’m not surprised that people waited til the last minute to get their cards, but I’m sorry to see that it was taking such a toll on you! I’m very glad that you made it through okay. What did you do for your dad to celebrate Father’s Day?

This weekend I worked double shifts both days! Four stores in two days = zoiks! Plus I have another store tonight, one on Wednesday, and one on Friday. Not to mention two stores on both Saturday and Sunday of the next weekend. Man.

Ron worked both stores on Saturday and ran the first store yesterday, so that was kind of interesting. On Saturday, en route to the second store, he was telling us how he got a ticket three years in a row on his birthday. Curious, I ventured to ask, "So, when is your birthday?" He asked, "Why do you want to know?" I said, "Just curious." (I wish I’d said sarcastically, "I’m writing a book.") Someone else mentioned that I knew it was another ***** person’s birthday, then Ron casually changed the subject. Now I’m curious why he’s so protective of that info! I heard he was a private person, but sheesh! Maybe he thought I wanted to know the year - which I do - but I was just wanting the month and day. Apparently it’s classified!

Also on Saturday, I was wondering aloud if we’d stop and get a bite to eat - you know, since we’d probably be gone about 12 hours working both of those stores and traveling. The others told me to ask Ron. I did: he replied that he accepts bribes. En route to Taco Bell, he mentioned again that he accepted bribes, to which I responded, "I’ll buy you a burrito…?" He said, "Y’all do not want me to eat a burrito." (Talk about too much information.) Another employee was really surprised that Ron agreed to stop somewhere; they were, like, "How did you get him to do that?" I told them, "I asked him."

As we left Sunday’s store, one lady in the van told Ron, "Well you’re six years older than I am, but …" and then whatever else she was talking about. I was intrigued; Sara whispered that Ava - the lady who said that - was either 42 or 43. So Ron is either 48 or 49!! Whoa! Sara also managed to ask yesterday, "Ron, do you have any kids?" to which he replied, "H*ll no." Sure, *that* he’ll share.

Mood-wise - I was down a lot of the weekend. This morning I woke up okay then got to work and was down a bit. It’s a veritable roller coaster ride. (Hopefully I’ll soon learn from that not to trust my feelings, but to go by faith!) I *know* I think about it too much; I’m really trying to trust God and not worry so much. As I keep saying, the Bible tells us over and over to not worry/be anxious. Still it’s tough to do sometimes. I don’t mind at all that you told Bob; I need all the prayers that I can get! You asked about that Christian message board - it’s the "community" link at the www.wayfm.com site, which is a local Christian radio station’s site. That was the one that did have a lot of great forums, but they deleted most of them and left only three basic ones.

I had forgotten all about the test until you mentioned it! With all of that work this weekend, I was so glad to not have any homework. I plan to read the next chapter this evening before the gig, so maybe I’ll be ready.

I can relate to your feelings about Kristin; heck, who couldn’t? It is annoying bordering on infuriating when someone gets special treatment at work just because of friendship with the boss, especially when they’re not carrying their weight and getting away with it.

Well, I’m receiving email on my work computer now, but it’s still acting weird. For one thing - the monitor isn’t working right: pictures aren’t clear and everything on the screen is much bigger than I’m used to. Plus, it takes a looooooong time for the thing to boot up.

So Bob is going to visit in August? I’d say it’s very normal for you to be nervous about meeting him. I hope that you will both have an open mind and be optimistic about meeting; if you do that I don’t think you’ll have to worry about disappointing each other. About his "expectations" - I really hope he doesn’t expect anything during his *first* visit, for sure!! Still, I know what you mean about having those feelings and worrying that you’ll give in. But don’t sell yourself short! I will definitely pray about this for you.

That’s all for today. Talk to you soon! God bless!

Anne

Hi Anne!

I absoultly did not want to go into work today.  It doesn’t even feel like the same place anymore.  Nora came in at one and she and I were in the back, both crying and hugging.  She was sobbing.  She told me that she would just quit, but she needs the money.  I want to just quit but I wouldn’t do that to Nora.  How sadly ironic that now I will prove to Nora just how much of a hard worker I really am.  Whatever happened two weeks ago is forgotton.  I’m mature enough to let it go.

Okay, I’ve got some more info as to why Mary, Ed, Sue and Audrey were fired.  One night it was Mary, SUe and Audrey who worked.  Mary locked the doors at 8:55.  We always lock the doors five minutes til closing time.  Anyway, about 8:57 or 8:58 this lady started banging on the door.  Mary said, "I’m sorry, but we’re closed"  and this lady was screaming at Mary, "All I want to buy is a fu*^ing card!"  And she kept on banging on the door.  Now, tell me, Anne, would you let someone in who was banging and kicking on the door and screaming at you?  As it turns out, this person was one of those "secret" shoppers and she reported this to Bob Ritter.  So even though Mary was the one who locked the door, all three of them were fired.  So basically they lost their jobs over probably a $1.99 card.

And how Ed was fired?  You’re never going to believe this one.  Before I tell you why I have to this.  Ed collects the state quarters, so sometimes he’ll open the drawers  and fish through the quarters and when he finds some state quarters, he’ll take them out and he’ll exchange them with money from his wallet.  He always does this when someone else is up front with him and he shows what he’s putting in and what he’s taking out.  And I know Ed would never take a penny from that stupid store.  So one day, after he waited on a customer and the drawer popped open he did one of his "money exchanges" and that customer just happened to be one of those "secret shoppers" and she (or he) saw this and reported it to BR.  So that’s why Ed was fired.  Is that fuc*ing ridiculous or what?!

Mary called me tonight and we talked for about half an hour.  SHe just wanted to tell me goodbye and it was nice working with me.  I started crying.  I mean, I have worked with these people for over two years (except for Audrey) and now just like that it’s done.  Over without warning.  And Mary and Nora said exactly what I was thinking: something else is going on.

I’m not worried, Anne.  Like I said before I’ve been toying with the idea of quitting for months now.  I’d quit now, but I’m not going to do that to Nora.  I just wish the store would close down so we all would have to find other jobs.

And through it all, it makes me realize more now than ever how God is constant.  That peace in my heart is always there.  I know as long as I have GOd, my health, my family and myself, I can handle just about anything that comes my way.

I hope you have a better day at work!  Yeah, I know how it feels having a busy day and trying to get everything done on time.  It’s like you can’t wait until it’s time to go home!

I started packing.  Whoo-hoo!  Danielle and I finally made it to the mall today and I got all my last minute Disney things.  I have a horrible feeling that I’ll forget something, but as long as it isn’t my money or i.d.  I won’t be too worried about it.

My period is winding down and I know I’ll be finished with it by Saturday.  Praise God!   Can you believe only two days left?!

Did you pass out candy tonight?  Me and Danielle did.  We didn’t get too many kids this year.  Maybe because of what’s going on in the world today.  What a shame that kids can’t be kids and enjoy themselves.  We just bought our halloween candy today.  That’s the best time to buy it- it’s all on sale! Olivia (my kitty) is so funny.  She just stood at the door and meowed at everyone who came up on the porch.  I didn’t see any outstanding costumes but the baby next door (Maizey who’s about three or four months) was dressed as an elephant and she was adorable!

Well, that’s about it for now.  Tomorrow will probably be the last time we’ll get a chance to write to each other!    Till next time, take care and God bless!

God bless the USA!

Michele

Hi Anne!

You know, I could feel your prayers when I walked into work today.  Danielle was praying for me as well.  And I like to think my future husband was too (although he wouldn’t known specifically why).  Nora was fine with me.  It was almost as if Friday never happened.  She asked me to go to the bank to do the deposit and I did (I’m the one who usually does- I do the least amount of work-HA!) and she thanked me.  Before she left she told me to have a nice day and I returned it.  Wierd, huh?  Well, it was me Kristin and Shelly again tonight and we didn’t have anything to price, but Nora told us to dust and we went over the store with a fine-toothed comb!  Danielle drove me to work and I said to her, "I wish Anne was here right now!"  I’m sure you would have walked in with me for moral support.  ANd once again I have to point out how much it totally sucks that we don’t live close to each other!

I did mention to my mom that I was thinking about trying to get a job at the bank in a few months.  When she asked why I just replied that I needed a change.  I think God will give me some kind of sign when the time is right.  I think what happened on Friday was God’s way of preparing me.  I’m honestly not scared to move on.  In every situation I’m in, I always ask myself "What’s the worst that could happen?"  That way I don’t freak out so much.

Forgive my language, but that Joewiel sounds like a total prick!  And usually guy bosses are so much eaiser to get along with than girl bosses.  They’re not as catty and irritable.  Was he much older than you?  That’s another thing that makes me see red.  A "boss" who is only a few years older than me, and looks down at me.  When I worked at *****, Dana was one of the office managers (this was before I became one) and she was only about three years older than me and she tried to act all high and mighty.  Of course I was too quiet then to fight back.  Now I would be like, "Whatever".  Then Jeff was one of the floor managers.  He was about my age (about 21 at the time) and he was married with two kids.  Anyway, he and Monica (another office manager she was in her late 30’s at the time) were talking about his kids.  Well, I was standing right there and I just asked nicely "How old are your kids. Jeff?"  Jeff turns to me and looks at me like "Excuse me, child, but you just inturrupted an important, adult conversation," and he says really snottily, "Two and six months" (or whatever he said).  And I was thinking to myself, "Fuc*^% ass#@!(!!"  Its like HELLO?!  I am not a child!  Why does society think you’re an "adult" if you’re married and/or have kids?  Meanwhile Jeff had to get married because he knocked up his girlfriend (and she was only 16 at the time!)  Yeah, I call that a mature, responsible adult!

See, now I’m thinking at how they treated me like a child at ***** and I’m starting to get mad!!  Well, maybe this is good in a way, it’s keeping my mind off the current situation.

Oh!  Another time that made me pissed.  Ok, first of all, why do people assume that just because you’re a virgin, you know nothing about sex?  That you’re completely innocent and naive?  This story involves me, Monica (manager),  Dotty (real name Dorothy.  She worked back in the deli and she was in her 40’s at the time) and Missy (cashier who was in her early 20’s at the time).  FYI I was about 25 or so.  Okay, Dotty was standing by the office, talking to Monica and Missy and I walked over to the office the same time.  I think she was getting change and I was getting a phone card for a customer.  Well, whatever Monica and Dotty were talking about, they hushed up as soon as Missy and I walked over.  Then Monica said something like, "Well, Missy’s probably been there and done that"  Missy was a wild girl, to say the least.  She drank, smoked and I know she lost her virginity when whe was about sixteen or so.  Anyway, I got the phone card and walked away, but Missy stood there and Monica and Dotty started talking again.  I don’t know if it was what they were talking about before or maybe they started a new conversation, but I took "been there and done that " as something referring to sex.  So of course they would have continued with Melissa around because they didn’t want to damage my virginal ears.  OOOHHH!!!  That made me so mad!!  I wanted to say, "Hey!  Just because I haven’t had 20 dic&% shoved up me, doesn’t mean I don’t know anything about sex!"  Then a few times Monica said to me regarding Chaz: "He’s way over your head."  Excuse me?!  I know he drinks!  I know he messes around with girls!  There is nothing anyone could say about him that would shock me!  Why do people just assume I’m this innocent, wide eyed child who lives in her own little world?  Ok, maybe I do sometimes, but I can face reality just like anyone else!

side note- Missy has a kid now.  A boy, I think. I don’t think she married the father.  She was always friendly with me, but she was your typical "white trailer trash".  I know it isn’t right to judge, but that’s the only way to describe her.

and lets just say that she did marry the baby’s father.  Compare her wedding night  with mine  !

Anne, I’m going to end this letter now.  It’s raining and I’m afraid the power will go out!  And I don’t feel like retyping this letter!!
OH!  I’m glad everything went well with your bosses daughter!  New babies are always so exciting!
 
catch ya later!  Take care and God bless!
 
Michele