So the question is . . . . Again. Where have you been?

Had the tests done, got the x-rays, pre-op completed, doctors consulted, poked , prodded and what have you.

Had my left knee replaced on Tuesday February 18th, 2014. All went well and was dismissed on Saturday the 21st. Then re-admitted on Wednesday February 26th when I came down with a massive infection in that leg. I was in rough shape. I ended up having a Pic line inserted which takes the antibiotics right into the heart for faster dispersal.

I was only going to be on the device originally for 6 weeks. Ended up carrying around a pump and having to have a nurse come to the house for almost 3 months ! ! ! !

But in spite of everything I survived. I was in danger of having to have the device removed, being packed with antibiotics right on the bone, then another joint put in. And if that didn't work I was in danger of losing my leg.

Work hard at recovery? You Betcha ! ! ! ! ! !

My first day back at work was July 29th. A total of 23 weeks off work. Most of it dealing with that infection. I still have not got the ALL clear, but where I was seeing him every other week to check up on it and weekly blood tests etc., it has now been since the end of August that I saw the surgeon and still don't see him until the 4th of March.

WOO HOO

* * * * *

Work has been work. I came back to a new computer system which although probably good I still have some misgivings about it. It seems to me to be better for the store but not the cashier or the customer. What used to take two or three keystrokes can now take as many as eight to do the same thing. Plus the scales can't seem to keep up with our keying in.

Also have had several suggestions from customers that they would like to see a cash only lane, especially, an express one. Good idea and I'll try to bring it up to someone at the store, but its like talking to a wall sometimes. They are big whigs and what could a lowly cashier know about running a store?

I firmly believe we have got to start putting our efforts into customer service. The large store near us is more expensive and doesn't seem to treat their customers very well. WE can fill that niche of excellent service by treating them better and most importantly getting them out of the store fast when they are done shopping.

We are always told that the cashier is the last person they see. And to abide by the ten foot rule (customer within 10', greet and smile). That's all well and good but if they stand in line forever because we don't have enough cashiers or because the ones we do have working are wandering around somewhere and not at their registers.

There is far too much of that going on in my opinion. Especially on express. That lane is to be kept open at all times! You can wander a little way away but you must be there for a customer.

And then I heard the other day that this new (again) boss thinks that there are too many hours on the front end ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ? ? ? ? ?

What's new at the store

This post was originally to be published in mid December of 2013. Due to various tests etc in preparation for my second knee replacement, it got missed.


So yesterday I show up for work and there are about five buggies lined up at the customer service desk and they're full of bread and crackers and all kinds stuff. Turns out that there's a show going on at one of the centres near us and they chose our store to buy supplies. They had been in the night before two or three times, morning and in the afternoon. And last night when I was there they came in one more time and thus ended up spending over $9000 on groceries in two days.

They bought napkins as well as water, several cases of pop, several bags of chips, fruit trays, vegetable trays; all kinds stuff to host a party. I'm not sure who they were feeding but they had morning stuff and they had afternoon stuff and they had nighttime stuff.

I heard that that pretty well-made our sales for the whole week so I hope that bodes well for the store.

The rumors going around are still unclear. We're still not sure what's going to happen to us. The other stores in the area don't know what's happening, it would be nice to hear what the results will be when all is said and done. By other stores I do mean ones in our chain and not the enemy.

No one knows whether our store is going to be one of the ones to close or to be converted to another type of store. The good news is according to the scuttlebutt, the property our store sits on is owned by the company. It's a rather large piece of property so it's valuable and it can probably hold a couple of apartments, or a row of town homes, or a strip mall. It doesn't make any sense for them to sell the property just yet or to get rid of the store.

We'll find out what happens. But it seems like everything else that happens in the industry will probably be the last second, and we'll be the last to know AND it will be a surprise to us.

* * * * *

I'm finding it increasingly difficult to go into the store with any kind of enthusiasm. Some of the people that I work with can be kind of a pain. That's to be expected at almost any place you work though it is always harder working with women. For some reason they think they have to shoot somebody down, or be catty or whatever it is that women think they should do. They are such a pain to work with at times.

* * * * *

This part is written September 29, 2014: 

What does any one gain by putting someone down?

What does someone gain, by yelling at you in front of your peers AND customers about something inconsequential or even worse something important?

I walked into work on a Monday morning to be told: "You took a U.S. $50.00 bill on Saturday!"

WTF ? ? ? ? 

First off, I know that what was meant was that I took it in as payment, but to any of the customers standing nearby, it would sound like I stole it.

What really pissed me off was the fact that, not only did I NOT take a foreign bill of that amount, (as we are not to take anything over a $20.00), but that I was accused of it and then when confronted, told "I didn't accuse you of it."

Did you EVER think of asking me? Did you ever think that because someone wrote a 'note' saying I did it that it must be true?

I mean, shit, I've worked there for seven years!!! I think I've learned one or two things along the way.

And if nothing else, at least some respect.

Why I hate Rutabagas

Its only fair to keep your workplace clean. I mean people are buying food that they plan on consuming. And, yes, its theirs and how they handle it is their business. But, technically, its ours until they pay. That being said, we should always maintain as clean a surface as possible if for no other reason than it makes the belt and your immediate area look like you give a damn.

I, personally, think it disgusting when I go to buy my groceries and the work space, conveyer belt especially, is messy looking. And heaven only knows what stains those are!?

Spots on the belt and the scale drive me nuts. Milk is bad most meat and fish liquid should be wiped up ASAP. Luckily those are easy to clean up. But rutabagas. Some one had the bright idea to apply wax to those things.

I have a brand new, high tech, ultra sensitive scale for weighing produce on. Rutabagas always behave very nicely on the belt, but put one of those creatures on the scale and if it moves in the slightest, you have a wax mark on the glass. I know what it is, but the customer doesn't. So it becomes my mission to get that wax off there. It looks terrible from my side, and hopefully not as bad from their angle. But wax doesn't come off well with the types of cleaners provided for us to use.

We need Elbow Grease. It takes a lot of it, but it will still work.

Eventually. (thus the title)

Man, I have GOT to get it together . . . .

Lots been happening, both to your Unknown Cashier and around the store itself.

Where we left off:

"I'm getting ready to go and also getting pissed and grab my things to throw in a bag; and put a knitting needle right between the first and second finger of my right hand. It only went in a half inch or so, and it hurt but didn't bleed. That sort of had me concerned but what the heck and besides the cab is here."

I try to make it bleed on the way there and at various times throughout the evening. I kept wiping it with the antiseptic sheets we have at each register.

I get home from a harrowing day and go to bed dead tired. The next morning as I am getting dressed I notice this line up my arm. But also I see a wide red line heading towards the elbow. I know what it is so off to emergency with my hand having little spider lines of red radiating away from the hand, and the one large one heading to the north.

THAT one concerns me. I was taken in my Mr. Unknown Cashier, and I told him it best to go to work and I'd call him if anything untoward happens. I waited around a little while but when they do come in to see me, I'm told right off the bat that its blood poisoning. Rather then keep me there they hook me up to an IV line. This is controlled by a pump that delivers the correct dosage over a few days. I had to change the bags myself when they were empty, but that wasn't too bad. That went on for three days and then I had to switch to oral antibiotics for another ten days.

* * * * * 

So, as to the store:

Not sure what they are up to there. The cashiers get trained and then stay for a couple of months or so. When the young ones find out that it is work they seem to want nothing to do with it. No, this does not, by any means, include everyone nor all young people.

Too many of them stand at the register for only a few minutes at a time. Then they go wandering off somewhere, sometimes to return items, other times to socialize. I don't know how many times I have looked up to find myself the only cashier there. It really is annoying when they crouch down so they don't get seen. Sorry, they may fall for it but I don't. I'll just send you a customer.

Other times I see them texting and drinking various fluids (which were NOT supposed to be  allowed).

I really feel like this store is on its last legs. They don't seem to care. I mean really care. The mood in the store seems to be more forlorn than anything. Like waiting for the other shoe to drop. Something's in the air but no one knows what. Now, this is MY opinion but that's what it feels like. Customers are having to wait longer, we have lost a lot of loyal customers. I'm sure that is because of the waiting in line when you are on your way home from work.

More later.....

So, once again, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN???

I apologize for anyone reading who may have missed my unique form of writing. Its been a hectic fall.

It was decently busy at the store and then things happened. On September 15th, I finally got an early Sunday morning shift. I was happy with that because you've got a shift in by noon and still have the rest of the day to do stuff.

Well I was only there about 90 minutes when I started to feel pretty lousy. I honestly thought I may be having a heart attack. I felt like I wanted to throw up so asked to have someone cover while I went to the washroom. Nothing.

I get back to the register, am there for maybe 20 minutes when I start to feel lousy again. I asked if they could get someone to cover for me. (Which sucks, you finally get what you wanted and you can't keep it.)

Anyway, I headed for home and then asked my hubby to take me to the hospital. Long story short, it was a kidney stone. NEVER had symptoms like THAT before. So they decide to admit me on a short stay. That means you're there for 72 hours and you get better or they fling you into a ward.

So off to my room I go about 11:30 at night. They keep checking on me because, as it turns out, my pulse rate is running at 42. Which is fantastic, if you compete in Triathlons.

They determine, after 71 hours, that that must be normal for me and no blood tests indicate a heart attack. So on September 18th, off home I go.

The following Wednesday, I get a call at 3:10 asking why I'm not there.
"Because I'm not scheduled."
   "Yes you are."
"No. I'm not."
   "Well, I'm looking at the schedule right now and it says you are."
"Well, I'm looking at the schedule right now and it says I'm not."
   "Well, you must have seen it before it was ready."
"Uh, no."
  "Well, we're stuck, its busy, and I have no one here."
"Well, its going to take me an hour to get there."
  "Okay, then get here as soon as you can."

So, I am thinking about the buses and decide to call a cab, seeing as its important that I get there. I'm getting ready to go and also getting pissed and grab my things to throw in a bag; and put a knitting needle right between the first and second finger of my right hand. It only went in a half inch or so, and it hurt but didn't bleed. That sort of had me concerned but what the heck and besides the cab is here.

I try to make it bleed on the way there and at various times through the evening. I kept wiping it with the antiseptic sheets we have at each register.

Later on they come to me to tell me because I was 'called in' I have the right to work the 4 hours.
An emphatic 'no' to that one.

LONG ENOUGH. CONTINUED LATER TODAY

Don't let your shopping end like this

Someone sent this to me and I had to pass it on.

Did you REALLY need that salt?

Its upsetting, but we need to pay attention. And don't be afraid to do something.

Any Ninja's looking for a part time job?

Saw this the other day and asked permission to use it. The artist actually wrote me back personally and said yes.









He only asked that I add a link to his page. I love his humour. Lots of stuff to do with cats too.

http://www.savagechickens.com

I have the next two days off as well as yesterday, which sucks in this kind of heat. I'd gladly work on these days. Only have an air conditioner in the bedroom and reading gets tiresome after a few hours.

Oh well, its supposed to get nicer by the weekend. RAIN ! ! ! ! !

It'll get rid of the humidity and pollution.

We will return to your normal channel the next time I'm here.

And this was post number 

200 ! ! ! ! ! ! !