Chix Chat

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!

Today was strangely surreal.  I don’t even know where to begin.  I guess I’ll start from the beginning.

Danielle and I were just about to leave to go to the mall when the phone rang.  Danielle answered it and said "It’s Shelly."  Shelly was at work.  I thought she was calling me to ask if I wanted to go to the movies with her tonight.  No, she asked me if I could come into work ASAP.  She said to me "You can’t believe what’s going on here.  I’m here by myself with Susan."  Btw, Susan is the Supervisor for all the ***** Shops.  Anyway Shelly continued, "Nora went home early she couldn’t take it."  COULDN’T TAKE WHAT?! My mind screamed.  Then Shelly said, "Ed, Mary, Audrey and Sue were all fired." !!  Anne, I almost dropped the phone!  Shelly didn’t know any details beyond that and as you can imagine my mind was racing trying to think what they could have done!  I mean, I can understand AUdrey but Sue?  Ed?  and especially Mary?!  I reluctantly agreed to come in.  When I got there Susan and I went in the back  and she told me what happened.  Apparenttly, Bob Ritter (who is like the head honcho) hired "secret shoppers" to come into the store and you know, check us out.  THey came in over the course of two weeks in the morning and at night.  Well, some of the people got bad results and that’s who got canned.  I cannot believe this!  I mean, I feel as if I had dodged a bullet.  THat God truly is watching over me, because it could have been any one of us, but at the same time I feel horrible for my co-workers.  ANd Nora!  My God, she must be sick about this!  But you know what?  I think it has to do more than the whole "secret shopper" bit.  I mean. why don’t just give out warnings?   ANd this happens right before holiday open house!  We’re short staffed as it is and now we lost four people?  I know the store is losing money.  I think eventually all of us are going to be fired and all new people are going to come in.  I don’t know what the logic in that is, but I just have a really wierd feeling about it.  To think, two weeks ago I was on the verge of losing my job and now I’m probably the one person Nora needs the most (the other people who are left after this "massacare" are Dolly, Wendy, Shelly, Kristin, and Cindy).  Something fishy is going on here.  I can feel it.  You know, part of me wishes that the store would just close down so i can just find another job.  Oh, I know how they would get rid of me- because I’m going away next week and taking your vacation during holiday season is a big no no.  oh well.  That store isn’t my life.  I might lose my job after all!

you’re welcome about Angel.  Remember, I’ll be away next week so I can’t tape it.  I would just set up my vcr to tape it, but I’m planning on taping the entire week of Days Of Our Lives episodes, and I don’t think Angel would fit on that tape too.  Sorry!

Maybe I will stick with Yahoo after all.  I am getting used to it.  I hate Outlook Express!  It always gives me problems!  It must like you more!

Nice dream you had about Keanu Reeves.  As far as him stealing money from your check book, who gives a sh*^?  I don’t know what that could mean symbolically.  Maybe it’s a connection to your comments to him.  Maybe it’s your subconcious warning you not to compliment a man unless he does it first, because he might steal your heart.  I don’t know. Just my stupid analysis

I wear jeans most of the time too.  First of all my shorts always seem to ride up my butt!  And no, I don’t wear short shorts!  ALso my legs are pale also.  I don’t have the time or patience to go tanning.  I tried that sunless tanner lotion once and I ended up all orange and streaky!  I’m packing a few pairs of jeans and a few pairs of shorts.  I hope it’s cool enough to wear jeans!

Thank you for easing my mind about flying.  And I cannot thank you enough for your prayers.  I really do feel you praying for me!  I’m sure other people are praying that we have a safe flight as well.

Well, it’s getting late and I have to go to work early tomorrow.  THat is if I still have a job! (lol)

see you later!  Take care and GOd bless!

God bless the USA!

Michele

 Hi Anne!

Well, I taped Angel for you!  I tried to get the picture as best as I could.  It didn’t turn out too bad.  I will hold it for you, as you requested.  You didn’t have to send the postage out to me, but thank you anyway.

I laughed when you mentioned Nora putting down the crack pipe.  Now that’s all I can think about!  Once again last night I worked my ass off!  We had to take a whole card section down because we’re starting to put out our Christmas merchandise (gosh, so soon?).  I was sweating like a pig by the time everything was finished!  People get on my nerves so bad sometimes.  I mean, here I was, struggling with this big, heavy shelf, trying to put it up and trying to concentrate and everything and this lady walks up to me and goes "Where are your get well cards" (or whatever she asked me).  I wanted to say to her, "Hello?!  Can you not see that I’m a little busy here at the moment?  Why don’t you ask Cindy or Sue or why don’t you just try to find what you’re looking for yourself?  I mean, the store isn’t that freaking big!"  Of course I didn’t say that.  I just pointed to where she needed to go and grunted an answer.

I have a question for you.  Danielle and I were discussing this yesterday.  Ok, put your thinking  cap on.  Ok, say you live like in Alaska or somewhere that it gets really cold in the winter.  ANd you’re going on vacation to say Hawaii.  Ok, say the the day you leave for your trip it’s like 10 below zero where you live and it’s like in the nineties in Hawaii. So how do you dress.  I mean, you need to dress warm when you go to the airport but once you get to Hawaii, you’re going to be sweating your buns off!  Danielle suggested that someone would just wear their "Hawaii" clothes under their "Alaska" clothes and when they get to the airport, they just run into the bathroom and whip off their "ALaska" clothes and give it to the person who drove them to the airport.  That sounds like a pretty good solution.  ANy more ideas?

We’ve never really had that problem when we went to Disneyworld.  Last time I went I wore a short sleeved shirt and jeans and a long sleved jean shirt over the short sleeved shirt.  When we got to Fla, I just took the long sleeved shirt off and tied it around my waist.

Speaking of Fla, Did you hear on the news or something that there MIGHT be annother terrorist attack sometime over the next week?  Anne. I am VERY SCARED about this!  Please say a double prayer about our flight!  I mean, part of me is really calm, feeling God’s reassurance, and the other part of me is just freaking out!  And So many people I know have been flying these past few weeks and everything went okay, so why shouldn’t it be okay for me and Danielle?  As I keep thinking about September 11th, I angerily wonder "Why the FU*@ did that have to happen!"

I just got Jeff Foxworthy’s latest concert album- "Big Funny."  I love him.  He’s halarious!  Do you have any of his albums?

Well, I got to get going now.  Danielle and I are both off work today, and we’re off to the mall to get some last minute Disney things.  I haven’t even packed yet!  Yikes!!

see you soon.  Take care and God bless!

God bless the USA!

Michele

Hi Anne!

I don’t know if I like this yahoo mail so much. I might just get another hotmail account and use the same name, *****. Yes, I know I’m driving you crazy!! I’m just so used to hotmail and I’m not very good with change. What do you think I should do?

The CLD continues! Brian came over here a little bit tonight. I just felt so … well, left out. That’s the only way I can describe how I was feeling. THen my dad will unknowingly say things that really hurt me. For example- Brian bought danielle yet another stuffed animal ( our house looks like a toy store!) and my dad commented, "He better start saving his money for a wedding." I know my dad doesn’t mean to hurt me, but whenever he says things like that, it’s just a painful reminder that I don’t have anyone. I think according to my dad, I’m perfectly content with being single, and believe me, IM NOT! I mean, just because I’m a content person, it doesn’t mean I don’t long to find my soul mate and get married!

I get zits on my chin too right before my period! And I always get one right between my eyes too.

Okay, so I’ll tape Angel and I’ll send it out to you the next day. I’ll have to run out to the store before Monday and buy a blank tape. Or maybe I have one lying around here. I’m going to be pretty busy next week, getting ready for the trip. OUr flight is six am Saturday morning, which means we have to be there extra extra early! Yikes! A whole week of not e-mailing each other?! Well, if you still want to write to me every day, you can. You can just send short, one paragraph e-mails!

You should have said "you suck" in those e-mails you sent to that tapes site. The noive of them! XD

I chuckled at your "Angel acting like Ray" dream. Perish the thought! You probably wanted to find Ray afterwards and shake him and shout, "Stay away from my dreams, scumbag!!!" I can just see the question mark above his head and the puzzled look on his face!

It was another good day at work for me, Thank God. Nora said to me, "You’ve been doing so much better, Michele." Now mind you this is only one week since the "incident" and frankly, I’m just doing my job like I always do. I think that might have been Nora’s way of apologizing to me. I know some people can’t just come out and say "I’m sorry" (it’s difficult for me to sometimes!). If that was her way of apologizing, then I accept. But believe me, if if happen again, this time I’ll be ready!

—

Hi again!

It is now Saturday morning. I have to go to work at 2. After work me, Shelly and Kristin (and maybe Danielle) are going to the movies (AGAIN?!). We’re either going to see From Hell or Thirteen Ghosts. Either one I’m still going to sleep with the lights on tonight!

I can’t believe a week from now I’ll be in Disneyworld. There is so much I need to do. Knowing me, I’ll wait till the last minute! I’m not too worried if I forget something. I mean it’s not like I’m going to another planet. There are stores down in Floridia that sell basically everything I need. I think the most important thing to pack is a lot of extra clean underwear. And believe me, I have enough bra and panty sets that I can open my own lingere store

Oh yeah, I forgot one more movie when I was giving you that list: Don’t Say A Word=

So that’s what, eighteen movies I’ve seen this year? and it’s only October. That’s about an average of two movies a month. It just seems like I’ve been to the movies a lot more than that.

How’s the weather there? It is fuc*$#@ freezing here!! I can’t believe that not even three days ago it was warm enough that I wore a short sleeved shirt, and last night I wore my winter pj’s! I dont like it when it’s too hot, but I don’t like it when it’s too cold, either. And this isn’t even cold cold yet. BBBRRRRRR!!!!!

—

Hi once again! It is now Sunday. I got my period! Hooray!!! Normally I wouldn’t be so estatic to have my period, but I know I’m be safe for my trip. WHEW! Now all I have to worry about is having a safe flight!

Well, Shelly and I did see Thirteen Ghosts last night. It was VERY WIERD! Yes, I slept with the lights on last night! I don’t know why I torture myself like that. I still say The Exorcist is the scariest movie of all time.

Audrey screwed up on the registers again today! She just really gets on my nerves. I mean, first of all she’s ALWAYS smiling! You know, like "Love that Joker?" What’s up with that? and it also gets on my nerves the way she says "oh my gosh". She says it like Goofy "Oh my gorsh!" I just want to slap her when she says it, and she says it all the time. THen while Shelly and I were trying to fix Audrey’s mistakes, Audrey acts all innocent, like she wasn’t the one who made them! I just wish Nora would let her go! FYI- I had to call Nora last night and then this morning because I was having trouble closing out one of the credit card machines and she acted fine with me. Another WHEW! to add to the list.

Oh! My rating for 13 Ghosts is .

I don’t think I’ll be able to make it to the movies again until after I get home from Floridia. THen I’ll have a ton I want to see!

I was meaning to ask you, do you belong to the Crossings book club? It’s a christian book club. I belong to it and I really like it. I think their website is www.crossings.com Check it out sometime.

well, that’s it for now! I hope you had a good weekend. Til next time take care and God bless!

GOD BLESS THE USA!

Hi, Michele!

I’m sorry to see that you’re having a CLD. I was having one of those myself a day or two ago! "I’m fat! I hate my face! WHY don’t I have a man?" To elaborate on that face thing, sometimes I’ll see my reflection and think, "Whoa, I am gorgeous!!" But sometimes I’ll see myself at a certain angle or in a certain light or in a photograph and think, "Egads! Is *that* what people see?!" Anyway, I think I’m also experience the joys of PMS - I have a bumper crop of zits on my chin. Yep, it’s pretty charming. You wrote a while back that it seems life is generally better with someone to love - that is so true! Even while I just had my big crush on Randy - it was so nice to feel like I had someone that I was really crazy about.

Yesterday, I checked my Angel email and there was a letter from a person in my same predicament: their Fox station that used to show Angel has stopped showing it. I wondered if she lives in this area. She was asking me to tape it for her or let her know where to find them. I wrote back and said that I am in the exact same boat and that I was still trying to obtain the eps for myself. I told her that I’d let her know what I find. The next email that I opened was from "ScoopMe" which sends out a generic email to me when they add a new Angel article. At the bottom of that email there was a link to their "tapes" site. I checked it out; it’s where members can post what tapes/episodes of various shows they have available for other viewers to "borrow." I found one with the episode I missed last week. Great! I’m "coordinating" with the owner of that tape to "borrow" it. I don’t want to do that for the rest of the season, but it’s a great short-term solution. If you could still tape the ep next week, I’d be ever so grateful! I’ll send the postage for you, and I will remind you on Monday as you requested. If you could mail that one ep to me during that week, that will be perfect. I really, really hope to find a local source in the next week or two.

After I joined that tapes site yesterday for free - today they sent out an email announcing that there is now a $12/year fee to use the tape service. This is crazy! I used to see the show for free! I have sent two "you suck" emails and a snail mail letter to our local Fox station. (blech!) No, I didn’t use the exact phrase "you suck" but I really wanted to! I may even call them to complain as well. I don’t think it will accomplish anything, but I will feel better for making my voice heard.

Look at how I go on about this situation. I told my sister, "Yes, I know that if this is the biggest problem I have in the world then I am doing very well." If I didn’t have the website, I probably wouldn’t be as anxious to see the shows, although I would miss them. I really hate this; I had been doing so well at keeping the reviews up to date!

As a side Angel note, this morning I dreamed for the second time that Angel was acting like Ray - that is like a huge jerk! When I wake up from those dreams I like Angel a lot less until I realize it was just a dream. In this dream, I think I was begging him to stay but he still left me for that Playboy bunny. I seem to recall an announcement from the WB to the effect of "We’re canceling the show, but thanks for watching." I wonder where that thought is coming from. (Sarcasm there.)

ANYWAY! In other news …. I’m trying to think of some other news. Oh! I have an inventory gig tomorrow at the grocery store where my mother works and she is working tomorrow evening as well. She’ll get to see me do my counting thang. Tomorrow morning I need to go get the oil changed on my car. This is my second gig for the month of October; I am raking in the mega-bucks now! (lol) It’s also the only gig I have on my schedule.

Since I worked over, my boss said yesterday that maybe I can leave a bit early today. That would be great! But I’ll believe it when I see it. Sometime this weekend I must finish up the HW that is due on Monday.

So is everything still going okay with Nora? I’m curious, has she ever said anything like that to anyone else that you know of?

I enjoyed reading your movie reviews! I was trying to recall one I wanted to see .. oh yes, Keanu’s "Hardball." (Talk about things that sound dirty but aren’t. Giggle! Blush!) Do you know if that’s still playing? I’ve seen Castaway; yes, Mr. Hanks’ performance was excellent. He is one of those actors that consistently does a very high quality of work.

That’s it for today. Have a great weekend! God bless!
Anne
God bless the USA!

Hi Anne!

I’m still trying to get used to this yahoo account.  Yes, it’s me!  Moi!  It is I!  I was having a crappy day.  Well, a CLD.  I’m thinking "I’m Fat!  I’m Lonely!  What have I accomplished in my life?"  Blah blah blah.  Don’t mind me.  I get like this sometimes.  I know I should be grateful for all my blessings, but sometimes, I don’t wanna!  I think I’m due for my period.  I just hope I get it before my trip.  Then again, the most important thing is that we have a safe flight.

Sounds like you had a pretty rough two days.  My sympathies.    You know, if I won the lottery, the first thing I would do is quit my job!  People would say to me, "Wouldn’t you get bored just sitting around the house all day?"  And I’d say "NO!"  That’s why I want to marry a rich man so I can stay home and be a housewife and take care of our kids (whenever we have any)

Yes, it seems like it was The Twilight Zone *****.  Nora hasn’t mentioned the e-mail that I sent her.  I’m hoping that she did read it, since she’s acting ok with me and all.  Thanks for keeping this situation in my prayers.

Heres a link for info about the movie Joyride: http://www.focusonthefamily.org/pplace/pi/films/a0017971.html   Its from the focus on the family website.  Like I said it was a really good movie.

yes, I too often wondered how a nice guy could have such a bitch for a girlfriend.  One of these days I’m just going to ask them, "Excuse me, I’m just wondering why in the world a friendly, sweet man like you has such a bitch for a girlfriend?"  Yeah, and watch my ass get kicked!

I like these new emotions!  Lets see what would I use when I’m thinking about Arnold Vosloo?     (Lol)

Ok, so I’ll tape Angel next week.  I’m going to miss the week after, though, but when I come back, I’ll tape the week after. How many episodes should I tape before I mail the tape out to you?  Just remind me the day before it’s on.  I think its on Mondays, right?  Well, its on Mondays here in Pittsburgh.

If I were you I’d give that network what for!!  The noive of them!!

just for fun, and also since I really can’t think of anything else to say right now, heres a list of all the movies I’ve seen this year and my ratinngs for them:

Notice how I didn’t use the  rating for any of the movies?  I just don’t want to think that I’ve wasted my money on any of them!

Well, I guess that’s all for now.  Til next time, take care and God bless!

God Bless The USA!

Michele

Hi, Michele!

Yep, it is the birthday of both Darrell and Ray. They are a study in opposites: Ray is a physically attractive jerk (pretty much) and Darrell is less attractive physically but a super-great guy. Take a guess which one I would rather have! I secretly love the thought of Ray hoping that I’ll call him today and yet the whole day will go buy without even a word from me. Sometimes silence says more than words ever could. Actually, I doubt that he’s thinking of me; he isn’t the type to sit and pine for someone to call. He is, after all, a man.

Anyway, that is great that it went better for you at work. I was praying and generally sending good thoughts your way and wondering how it was going.

You said that you try to picture the worst thing that could happen in a given scenario; I heard that was a very good mental exercise for calming fears. I heard a radio interview with a Christian singer and she said that same thing, "If you’re going to play the "what if" game, take it all the way."

That Jeff guy you mentioned sounds like a Joewiel wannabe! I’ve known plenty of people like that; I can just imagine the look that you’re talking about. It burns me up that people do think that just because you’re not married and don’t have kids that you’re some naive child.

Definitely, guy bosses are usually easier to get along with than lady bosses. It is a sorry double standard, but more times than not, a lady boss can ask me to do something and she will come across as more of a bitc? than sounding managerial and authoritative. Do you find that to be true or am I just difficult? I’m trying to recall if any of my bosses has been younger than me; I can’t think of any but I know some that were very close to my age. I can think of one -Tommy - that is like that Jeff guy - he was only two months older than me, but he thought he was so professional and so grand. (I get ill now just thinking of him.)

Today, at work, the part-time guy Rocky is in for the first time in a long time. He’s "helping" us put together stuff for the booth tomorrow. Sometimes I don’t know why KA (my other boss) asks for his opinion; they never seem to take any of his ideas! Plus, they are stressing me out with all this last minute crap. "Here, Anne, make these changes and print this." I have such a stack of crap on my desk to do. WHY DO THEY ALWAYS WAIT TIL THE LAST MINUTE?

Adding to my stress level is the fact that I must soon register for the spring semester and I am still undecided over what classes to take. I need to take two and a lab, and I should probably take another one. I seriously wonder if I will have the time to take three extra-tough senior level classes and work. If I don’t take that third class this spring, I’ll have to take it next Spring (2003!) and I will have four tough senior level classes then! However if I am looking at the schedule right, that will be the last semester that I have to take. But what if I fail a class between now and then? These classes are only offered once a year. That’s how I’m in this mess, because I failed the class I have now last time and it’s only offered in the fall.

In other news, I sat down last night ready to watch my tape of Angel and "King of the Hill" started playing. After I stopped shrieking, "What the &^%#^??" I realized that I did indeed set the timer correctly, but the show didn’t come on! Darn it! I guess there’ll be no review next week. I checked the channel’s website and now they’re only showing the WB programming on their cable affiliate! Darn it! Is there any way that you could tape the next few Angel episodes mail them to me? You could put them on one tape and send it in a couple of weeks. I can send you a lot of postage to use. Or if you have any other ideas, please let me know. I’m going to have to come up with another plan. This really sucks! Either we can pay an extra $40 a month for cable or I must inconvenience other people to tape it for me. I wrote to that channel and expressed my extreme dissatisfaction over that situation: like they care. I was thinking that I’ll probably have to f*&^#@! buy cable but they don’t f*&^#@! offer the "digital" cable that carries it in my area! Aaargh! I guess I’ll have to rent an apartment in this area so I can get it. Or maybe I should get the business package at work; that won’t cost more than $100 a month. (Sarcasm there.) I hate this!

I am so peeved that I just want to go home! And of course *this* is the day that we’re really busy.

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

Per your request, I did indeed stop and pray for you today as you’re at work. Well, don’t keep me hangin’ - how did it go?

I am the same way as you: even when I’m right, I do not like to be at odds with people and I don’t like for them to think that I’m wrong. I know you can’t help what people think, but it is upsetting to say the least when they’re giving you a hard time for stuff that isn’t true!

I agree that God doesn’t want us to stay at jobs where people act that way. I liked your plan: to be the best employee there so that even Nora can see it, and then to leave.

I was wondering if you’d told your parents and what they said. It’s probably best not to mention it if you think that they will hurry over there and tell her where to go. I think that would be the worst possible thing to happen; it would definitely hurt more than help. I mean, if she won’t believe you, she surely won’t believe your family. She’d say, "Well of course they’d take her side."

I still can hardly believe that Nora is the same woman that you’ve told me about before. I remember your concern the time she had to come back so soon after her surgery that she didn’t get a chance to recuperate. And then she springs something like this on you.

Her recent tirade reminds me very much of a boss I used to have: Joewiel. (Pronounced "Joe-well".) He was the manager at the ***** where I worked for about a year. I believe I’ve already mentioned him before under worst job ever or worst boss ever. Yep, those are him! I could give mucho examples, but I’ll just give one. I was by myself in the store one day, until I was joined by one of our roving sales representatives, whose name I forget, so I’ll call him Greg. A customer came in looking for a paint sprayer, and Greg was talking to him. I figured that would be the best, because Greg knew more than I did about the sprayers. Eventually, Greg sent the guy to the commercial products store. Several days later, Joewiel called me into the office; he was literally fuming because the customer said that I sent him to the commercial store. I said, "*Greg* told him to go there." Joewiel obviously didn’t believe me, and he obviously wasn’t interested in hearing my side. As I recall this was about the time he came to me out of the blue saying that I wasn’t performing up to snuff, that I wasn’t learning all I could about the business. I was going to college at that time too, and I did not sign up there as an intern! I was a salesperson for Pete’s sake. About the time he became really impossible like that, I turned in my notice.

I remember the other guy that worked there was telling me not to let Joewiel make me quit that job. I thought, "I’m not planning to retire from here, so what exactly do I gain by staying? I am not working every day with that dictator."

Joewiel differed from Nora in that he was pretty much always a jerk, but some days he wasn’t as bad as others. It wasn’t like with you where everything was fine and then BLAM!

I just remembered another of Joewiel’s quirks: there were three employees in that store including him, yet whenever he’d tell us something it was always, "You and .. the other one" and he’d say "the other one" as if the name truly escaped him. Or perhaps he didn’t want to waste his precious time saying our insignificant names.

Anyway, here I am pretty busy.  We are having a booth in a local business exhibition, so I get to print the brochures, etc. I hope that I don’t have to stay too long at the booth during the actual exhibit, because I cannot speak intelligently about whatever business these people do. I would just hand them a brochure and the bosses’ card and say, "They’ll be happy to talk to you." I’m sure the receiver of the card is thinking, "Then why aren’t they *here* to talk to me?"

Did I tell you that my bosses’ daughter had her baby Friday night? It was a boy - seven pounds and some-odd ounces. Mother and baby are doing well. I do not know what they named him. My sister asked, "Did they give him some weird name?" I thought, "No, I’m sure they gave him the name they wanted him to have."

That’s it for today. Talk to you soon! GOD BLESS!

Anne

Before I begin, could you stop what you’re doing right now and please say a prayer that Nora will act okay with me today?  I have to go into work at 1 and I don’t know how she is going to act with me.  I know I’m in the right, still I can’t help from worrying!

I’m still trying to understand what happened.  Do you know what really makes me upset and angry?  She must have some kind of sick twisted power trip doing that to me.  You know those kind of people who let other people push them around so they get thier power by pushing around people who are weaker than them?  That’s Nora.  God, I feel so terrible writing this, but I’m just so hurt and angry.  That would be like you e-mailing me and saying "I don’t want to be your friend anymore.  You’re a jerk, Michele."  Or if I said something like that to you.  You would probably be flabbergasted, hurt and angry.  Well, that’s how I feel.  I know one thing, if Nora brings it up again, this time I will defend myself.  What’s the worst that can happen?  I lose my job?  Well, big deal!  I’m sure God doesn’t want me to take any kind of abuse from anyone!

I know my time there is limited.  Not even because of that.  I’ve been toying with the idea of leaving for several months now.  Lets just say that I’m overworked and underpaid.  About trying to get a job at the bank, do you know anyone who’s ever worked at one?  If you do, do you know exactly what being a teller entails?  I just would like some info because as you know, "knowing is half the battle."  I have a plan.  To make it look like I’m leaving on good terms, so it doesn’t look like I was "driven" out.  I want to get back on Nora’s good graces, and make her see that I’m one of the best employess she’s ever had!  And then I’ll quit.  I’m serious!  I need to move on.  I was stuck at ***** for five years because I was so afraid to move on.  I’m not going to make the same mistake at *****.

When I was thinking of Imhotep making all hell break loose, I was thinking of him in his oh-so-sexy human form.  Sure, it’s not as scary as his decayed, decrepit form, but it’s a bonus treat for me.  I imagine him lifting his hand and Nora rising to the ceiling, freaking out and he demands, "Now, apologize to Michele"  Nora chokes out "I’m sorry Michele!  I didn’t know what I was saying!  You are the best employee this store has ever had."  I smile wickedly and say, "And you’re going to give me a ten dollar raise, right?"  "Y…yes, ten dollars!" "And give me every other weekend off, right?"  Nora pauses but when she meets Imhotep’s evil glare she nodds and says "Yes, you can have every other weekend off!"  With that, Imhotep lowers his arm and Nora crashes to the ground, panting and crying.  Imhotep turns to me and we kiss passionately.  I turn to Nora and sweetly say, "I’m taking the day off.  Of course I’ll get paid for it."  Imhotep and I walk out to find a place to be alone and ….. well, what would you do if you were alone with Imhotep? (wicked grin)

Am I such a terrible person to be thinking such things?  I mean, here I am a Christian.  I’m supposed to be loving and kind and forgiving but I can’t help but think these little "revenge" fantasies when I think about the people who have hurt me, Nora being the most recent.  I’m truly hoping that tomorrow Nora will apologize saying that she was too hard on me.  I’m not holding my breath, though.  And besides, the damage is already done.

I started crying tonight and I wrote in my prayer journal and I also wrote in my journal to my future husband, I just kept on writing over and over "Where are you?  I really need you right now!  Pray for me!  I’m going through such a tough time right now!"

I haven’t told my parents about this.  I don’t know why but I haven’t.  I don’t think they need to know.  I know they would most likely (especially my mom) want to march right over to the store and give Nora what for and I don’t need that.  I need to fight my own battles. However if my boyfriend or husband came to my defense, that would be a different story all together!

Thank God about how you act around the guys you have crushes on.  I thought I was the only one!  Anne, sometimes I feel like such a freak for my lack of expirence with the opposite sex!  I mean, in my fantasies I’m this great expirenced lover, but In real life I’m this stuttering, bulshing idiot!  You know how unnatural it is for twelve year olds to go out and get pregnant?  Well sometimes I feel that being twenty eight and never been kissed is just as unatural.  These are times when I really need my future husband’s prayers.  I need to know that saving everything I have for one man isn’t just a waste of time!

Danielle and I saw the movie Riding In Cars With Boys tonight.  It was pretty good.  I tried to concentrate on the movie but I just have so much on my mind right now (gee, can you guess what?) I was only half interested.  Thank God we werein a dark, nearly empty theatre because I started crying, as quietly as I could, so as to not to draw attention to myself.  Damn her for doing this to me!  And Damn me for letting her get to me!

Parisian sounds like our Kaufmanns and Lazuraus department stores.  I haven’t been in a store like that for awhile.  I usually go to the cheapo places or order my clothes by mail.  I really like BLAIR because their medium sizes are 12-14 which is perfect for me.  Usually the size is 10-12, which is too small or 14-16 which is too big!  I feel like Goldilocks trying out the Three Bears beds before finding the one that’s "just right!"

Well, on that note I’ll say goodbye for now.  Til next time, take care and God bless!  God bless the USA!

PRAY FOR ME!!

Michele

Hi, Michele!

I absolutely could not believe what I was reading about the experience with Nora! I had to re-read it several times and I am just so angry!! I know just from what you’ve written in previous letters that you worry about that store, and that you do indeed do your work! The nerve of her!! And to top it all, she ambushes you with those accusations right before the store opens; yeah, there’s the way to insure that you’ll be providing customer satisfaction. (Mean-spirited sarcasm here!) Every sentence I read about the incident made me gasp out loud all over again. I was glad to read that your co-workers were backing you up; they’re the ones who really see what’s going on! And how nice was Brian to give you a Sylvester? (Sufferin’ succotash!)

And I can so relate to not being able to do anything but cry then thinking of the ideal thing to say days later. That would especially be the case if someone was accusing me like Nora did you, and is totally disregarding what you’re saying. Don’t be hard on yourself for not having anything to say; it seems she wouldn’t have listened anyway! I think you have the right attitude: try to forgive and forget, but if it happens again: bye bye bye! Like you said, it *could* be the health problems that are making her smoke crack .. er .. be irritable. Seriously that is a real possibility. But if that isn’t it, I’ve had bosses before that were impossible like that and, like the song says, "Don’t try to change ‘em, just leave ‘em! Leave ‘em!" You know that I’m a big believer in anyone can do anything - job wise. So, if/when you feel like you need to leave there, go with confidence that God will guide you to the right job! I will definitely pray for you in this situation!

How cool would it have been for Imhotep to be there - in his decrepit form so it’s scarier - to kick Nora’s a$$ and say, in that charming accent, "Look, you smoker of toxic-waste-contaminated crack, my darling Michele works harder than anyone in this store, and you will never, ever say anything to the contrary or I will remove your tongue and eyes." Or maybe he’d just do that cool thing that he does and she would disappear forever into a sandstorm. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (Wicked maniacal laugh there.)

Looking at the previous paragraph, I think "decomposed" would have been the word to use, but I like the word "decrepit" and I hardly ever have the chance to work it into every day conversation, so I’m leaving it in.

In happier news - November 7th is our six-month epal anniversary? I forget, is that the Paper or the Plastic anniversary? I think I already used that "joke" but it’s the only one I have for anniversaries.

Ahh, Dr. Tutanji … went and got his hair cut short, think buzzcut but not exactly. You asked if I can barely talk to him; I don’t think I’ve said a direct word to him since my crush surfaced, but I know if I tried that I’d be blushing because I’d feel like he’d know about my silly crush. With the Big Recent Crush on Randy, I behaved as I usually do under the influence of "love," I can’t even hardly look at the guy - forget about trying to form an actual sentence. It’s like I unintentionally(?) do that coy glance-at-them-then-glance-away thing. Note: that has never worked for me to attract a guy.

Anyway. Parisian is a department store - obviously a Southern department store. They sell products like Guess, Tommy Hilfiger, Chanel, etc. (Not that I shop there much, I’m just saying …)

That was an encouraging story about the mystery guy-on-the-street that you’ve seen while walking. You never know what’ll develop from something like that; it’s what makes life so interesting. And, yes, it is fun to imagine where those good feelings will lead!

On that happy note, I’ll say goodbye for now. Talk to you soon! God bless!

Anne

God bless the USA!