(no subject)

[rachg82]

Because I'm an idiot, I stayed up entirely way too late last night, and then slept in entirely way too late this afternoon. Then lied around, feeling lazier than Hell, long enough for there to be no time to really go shopping before work. And I didn't send out the cards and everything like I wanted today, either. But I don't feel bad about having not gone shopping now, because guess what I found out when I got to work? The whole mall had a black-out for about three or four hours, right at the time when I would've probably gone. The stores had to close down and everything. So my lazy ass basically saved the day! Heh. Because otherwise I would've gotten there, just to find that out, and have to go right back home. Which would've pissed me right off.

Another way that the day nearly veered downhill was that we were short-staffed; Tyler who was supposed to open called in sick, and Lindsey no-showed again. Also, the schedule was really weird for today, because originally they made a mistake and didn't have enough openers, so some closing people got switched around to morning shifts, and some people--like Beth--got odd little shifts where they weren't opening or closing. So, we were okay till around nine or so, when Beth left, but after that it was just the three of us. Then Honey had to leave at eleven, so she didn't go into overtime.

So there were just two of us, and even though we didn't have any more put-backs to work on, the folding tables were a mess, and we were just pretty behind, because it had been a busy night. We could've handled it though, but it would've meant staying a bit longer, which I was fine with. But Peppy was all "I think we're ready to go" at like midnight, and I turned, all "jigga wha?" and she was like "We're almost done, don't you think, Rachael?" and I was like "Uhhh, well, there's still some folding, and probably purses and yeah. But um, we're making progress. . .", like in my head thinking "Dude, look around you, we're not done. Should I just go along with it and say we are?" But she was all "okay" and a minute or two later got on the intercom, and was like "Thanks everyone for all your hard work, the store looks great. Finish your tasks, and I think we can get out of here in about five minutes." We hadn't even gone through the jackets yet! The sweaters were all hanging off the sides of tables, in Covington. Right in plain sight. I mean, this was tight-ass Peppy saying this, too. Which is what really got me. Then she came around in person, after turning off some of the lights, and the other manager was telling her that people were still putting things away in men's, and she was like "Well, I'm kicking these guys out. You're all little worker beavers! Get out of here! Have a good Christmas!" Hee! It was funny because we were all standing there, like all lost and confused. "But. . .but, we aren't done. . ." and she's all "Leave!", when normally it's the other way around. Heh. I got a kick out of it, anyway.

So, yeah, we were behind and all, but got out early. I'm not mad at that. I'm glad I was in a good mood today too, because it was so busy and there was just so much noise and ugh-ness that I know it could've easily irritated me, on a day when I was in a worse mood. But I was able to just sort of go with the flow. People were kind of bitchy, because there were lines, and they were all "Is that the only register?" and I'd say "There's another cashwrap in men's" and they'd be all "Sigh!" Dude, it's two days before Christmas, what do you expect? Sigh away, but it ain't going to make the lines any shorter. Deal with it. Not everyone was like that, though. I got quite a few people who were sweet and friendly, and wished me a Merry Christmas and everything.

The lines were so bad in fine jewelry at one point, that the guy paged for an MCA, and I got there at the same time as Toni, so he was all (to her) "You have experience with fine jewelry, could you help me out here?" I'm glad Toni was there, because I don't know what I would've done, otherwise. I suppose I would've just said something like "I can't be behind the register, I'm not a cashier. I don't feel comfortable with it, anyway, it's been too long. Page a manager." But, still. Anyway though, just the implication that I could've been asked to do it frazzled me. They asked Cindy to ring people up last week, once, too. I know it's not something that normally would happen, but ugh.

The last thing that almost brought the day down was realizing that a lot of the seasonal people might be leaving in the next couple weeks. I hope some of them get hired on permanently, like EvilJenna and Sara. I know Beth wants to also, but the other two are around my age, and I like having young people to work with and talk to. When I was up in Intimates last year, I was always working with older women. Which is fine, but I don't really have young people to talk to in person, anywhere else right now. So I like it when there's lots of people my age working there. That, and Sara is a total sweetheart, plus a good worker. And I'm finally getting EvilJenna to open up and talk more, and I like her, so it would be a shame to never see either of them again. But I guess that's the way life goes.

Now, that all being said, on to the good parts of the day. When I first got to work, I went up to the stock room, to see where I was scheduled for the night (it's posted on boards, up there), and did a little mental happy dance when I saw it was women's. Heh. They had cookies out for everyone too, and free ornaments. Plus a card for each employee. Mine says "Thank you, Rachael, for all your hard work, we notice it. Enjoy! --[Peppy], Shelley, [Frowney Face]" (Poor Shelley, all nickname-less. Hee) Aww. Tear! Heh.

Then I was walking back downstairs, to put my stuff in my locker, and Peppy stopped me on the way there, and hugged me! She was like "Rachael, I wanted to thank you for all your hard work lately up in kid's. It looks so good. You can really see the difference." and then wished me a Happy Holidays. I was so knocked on my ass by that one. Heh. Especially since it was all sincere. Made me feel so fucking good. I wonder if they were talking about me in the meeting or something (the MCA one, I mean. I missed it, because they had it earlier on in the day), because when I first saw Honey and was talking to her, it somehow (don't remember, really, what we were discussing before it) led to her being all "Mona appreciates you, hon'! She saw upstairs today, and was wondering about it, because it was so bad before, you know. And I said to her, 'It's Rachael, hon'! She been up there. She always like that, make everything beautiful!" I was all blushing and shit, by this point. Hee. Because, while I'm used to Honey giving me sweet compliments, it felt good to have someone saying things like that to managers (especially since she did it before, too), and even more so because they really did notice the floor looked good up there. Not just today, after what I did last night, but in other places I guess, from me working up there lately in general. So, the whole thing just put me in such a good mood. It's nice to have your work acknowledged and appreciated. Well, that, and I'm a total praise-whore. I won't even lie. Hee.

Something else that was kind of nice, was that I saw an old friend of mine when I was at lunch. I saw her once at Target, about a year and a half ago, with Amy. She had her daughter with her then too, but she was only a few months old, then. Cute then, but she was just painfully adorable, now. Curly hair and big eyes. I gave her a little wave and said hi, and she just stared at me, but then was like "Hi!" when they were walking away after we'd talked for a sec. Hee! Better late than never, I guess. God. So cute. My ovaries wanted to leap from my body and kidnap her. Hee.

All the employees at work were acting really cheerful to me, too. When we were leaving, there was this festive vibe that kind of reminded me of the way kids act before summer break or whatever. Heh. Henara and Margarita cracked me up out in the parking lot, all running toward each other and hugging, like "Merry Christmas!" I was like "That would've been even better in slow motion, damn." Hee, you know, like the slow-motion love run? I think it's because a lot of us aren't working tomorrow, and then obviously not on Christmas either (the store will be closed). So we were all "Yay! Holiday break!" I heard too that we get paid for Christmas, even though no one works it. TIGHT.

EvilJenna gave me a ride home again; like I said, I hope she stays on permanently, because I'm just now starting to get friendly with her. That's always what happens at PCC too, I'll start being friendly with someone, and then class ends or something, and I never see them again. People need to stay put more often! Or at least longer. I'm like so starved for friendship in real life at this point, if I sense the possibility of friendship with someone, I want to like drop to the ground, and throw my arms around their legs, all "Don't leave me!" as they try to walk away. Heh. Anyway, though. She further proved today that she is indeed dosidella's doppelganger, too. We were talking about what we do when we get home from work (I sit my ass down with my three chocolate chip cookies from McDonalds. Hee), and she was like "I go straight to the kitchen, and then the bath. If it's the right time, I get my Jerry Springer. But shh. Heh. Don't tell anyone!" Hee! With the "shh"! I wanted to yell "Oh my God, stop being Jenna!" but she wouldn't have known what I meant. It was funny, though. I like how I've totally stolen the "shh" thing, too. I use it all the time, now.

I can't believe I have to do all the rest of my Christmas shopping tomorrow. Oh, man. I hope there isn't too much drama tomorrow night, at Nanny's. God, I can't believe it'll be Christmas Eve. I mean, I get that it's Christmas time, yeah. But it just feels like it snuck up on me, still. I didn't get my hair done yet, but whatever. So I'm not as perfect and beautiful as the rest of them. It's not like that's anything new. I hope Christmas in general this year is nice. We'll see. Whatever happens, at least I've got the bean-dip to look forward to. Hee. See, my aunt makes this bean-dip every year that's actually from my Mom's recipe (even though Mom never makes it, herself anymore), and it's seriously the best fucking bean-dip EVER. So good. Oooh, and I have the rest of the week off, at least till Sunday at the earliest. Whoo! And? Hoo!