A Full Plate

Hello..Let me introduce myself.  I'm the person who is supposed to be posting on this blog.   Let me tell you life has gotten crazy!  I mentioned the Cedar Creek store (which is actually in Mabank) getting a new space, well I have been traveling down there every week to help out with getting th store ready for the grand re-opening.  I'll try to take pics and post them (snicker).

Also, the oldest child is graduationg high school next weekend.  I know I'm going to blubber like an idiot and I'm totally dreading it.  He's headed off to college in the fall, and I will probably be a total mess.  You would think that I would be used to it by now since the child is never ever home anymore.  Plus, he has finally admitted to a girlfriend...and she's real, I actually met her.

All the family is coming in for the graduation and it should be complete and total chaos.  Maybe I should take a few days off to recuperate.  I need that anyway, I've been working 60+ hours as it is.  I absolutely love my job though, I never thought working at Goodwill would be so fun.  Everyday is a new adventure and even though some days are spent chasing my tail, it's never dull.  When it gets particularly crazy and I'm about to lose every shred of sanity, I just remind myself of the people I have met that Goodwill helps.  I know it sounds like I'm on a soapbox, but there are people out there who have turned their lives around with the help of Goodwill.

I've set my sights on a new building for my little store.  There aren't any suitable buildings in little 'ol Mineola so I'm making my pitch for a newly built store.  I've got a good chance as long as I keep sales up.  This month my store is #2 in sales, not too shabby.  I'm gunning for #1 next month.  I even found an awesome piece of property along the main highway in Mineola.  I can already see the building in my mind, and it's awesome!

I hope everyone has a great Memorial day!

Shut The Door!

I can't believe I made it to 44!  It really was an irrational fear that I would croak or get sriously ill at 43.  The McBride side of the family (AKA my Mom and her Dad) did not do well at that age.  Mom had her first heart attack, and apparently her Dad died of a heart attack at 43.  Something like that will totally screw with a head case like me.

Had a good day though, even though I spent the day in Cedar Creek Tx. at the Goodwill in that area.  That store is getting a new space and I think I turned ten shades of green with jealousy.  The store that was in that space previously was a Western Store and they left all their displays.  Interesting, no?

The powers that be at our Goodwill district have decided to go with all new displays that match the other stores that are getting renovated (Goodwill East Texas stores are getting facelifts).  I totally get that sentiment.   My store is not getting renovated yet...which means I drove my happy little ass down to Cedar Creek to plunder and scavenge.  I put in my dibs and I'm waiting to hear an answer.

Mr. Plantfreak and I have been planting seeds to get ready for Spring.  I'm so excited about that this year!  I think we have a hance to make some real money this year!  We are doing a ton of annual vines in addition to our regular crops.  Last year we did about 100 pots of vines and sold them all in 2 days.  I was totally flabbergasted at that!

The crew at work gave me a surprise lunch from my favorite little Italian lunch.  They are really a good group.  And I really love lasagna and the cheese tortellini soup they ordered.  Sneaky employees...they learned that the way to my heart is through food!

Back To The 80's

80's day at school.  He looks a little like the guy in Loverboy...well, more like the guy in Dire Straits.    I just can't get over that hair.

Homecoming Week

Yesterday was pajama day.

Today is Cowboy and Indian day.

I might be a little biased, but I think he's very handsome!

Special Time of Year

My favorite weekend of the year!  Highway....80...Garage...Sale!!!

 I got this Fab little shelf for $5!!  The little elf on the bottom and the milk glass bowl also came from this weekend.  I  made the skull last year.

I could not resist these little boxes.  Another $5

I did a little re-arranging and added some new finds.

I got more stuff but I haven't put it all out yet.

Welcome

Two Goodwill Aniversaries

The other day we had a luncheon for Chris and Andrea for their 14 year anniversay at Goodwill.  14 years!  I don't think I've ever lived in one place for 14 years, much less worked somewhere that long. 

 I think they were truly surprised.

We had S'mores cake, it was surprisingly good!

 Chris "Sargent" Largent, Andrea "Doodlebug" Gilbreath, and Jeanette "Cheeseball" Jones

 Now Chris is "Admiral" Largent

Someone has a tiger in their pants!  I wonder who?!

Gypsy Girls

Last Saturday was the Gypsy Market festival and it was a blast!  We had a Goodwill booth and it was surprising how many people would say "There is a Goodwill in Mineola?" OMG!!!!

We all dressed like Gypsies.  This is LIZard.  That's what I call her anyway.

We had some fabulously shabby chic stuff.  This rooster sold in abouty 20 minutes of unpacking.

I'm having so much fun at Goodwill!  I think LIZard did too, but she hates taking pictures.

This is Jeanette.  Without her, I would have run screaming from this job in the first two weeks!

Everything on top of this cabinet sold right away.  The cabinet is still at the store and I think I need it.  Where I'll put it in the house is a whole 'nother story.  Someone come in and buy it to save me from myself!

Real Thing

Anyone that knows me knows that I have been addicted to Diet Coke for, Oh, about 25 years.  I have also used artficial sweeteners for forever.

About two months ago I ran out of my sweetener and when we went to the store (WM of course), they were out...for weeks.  So I used sugar.  Then one day, one of my employees got regular Coke by accident, so I traded with her and lied about drinking reg. coke.  It sat there for days and I drank it out of despaeration one day.  I could swear it is the nectar of the gods!

I have now given up the sweeteners, diet coke, and ugghh, margarine.  We only use the real thing now.  Believe it or not, I have lost weight (lost sleep too, but that's another matter)  I only allow myself one coke a day, and I'm very sparing with the sugar.  Butter, is another story.  Butter is awesome on everything!

Still Kicking

Rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated. I've been stinkin' busy! We are at the end of the quarter at Goodwill and it's looking fab for the Mineola store. Check out the Facebook page for Goodwill East Texas. We've posted a few pics on there.

Oldest child is off restriction...finally. He has been on the go ever since. He's running out of gas so he's been mooching rides. A group of them went yesterday to a concert and proceeded to get rear ended on the way. everyone was ok but I think it shocked the crap out of Cody. The airbag stopped about a millimeter from his handsome little face. They still went to the concert.

The plants in the greenhouse are starting to show signs of life now that the heat has subsided. The plants that actually survived that is. We're hoping to have a few plants to put in Canton next weekend.

Youngest child and I are headed to Tyler today so he can trade in video games in order to afford some new games. The Mommy money train has dried up.

Mr. Plantfreak is the same old fart as last time. Except that he has turned into an uber garage sale hound. It's like we exchanged places completely. He even went to Hobby Lobby without me while I was at work. HOBBY LOBBY for pete's sake. That's grounds for divorce in my world.

I have had Halloweenie time rolling around in my head for about a week now. We are going to decorate the store (YAY!) and most everyone is going to dress up. I'm hoping to get everyone to find their costumes at Goodwill. I think that would be cool.

I will try to post pics of the Halloween decorations next week. We put out all the Halloween stuff next Saturday and I can't wait!

Already

Oldest child is grounded for a month.

A. He took his friend home at 10 pm, which is past the legal curfew for drivers under 18.

B. He decided to go to another friends house without telling me and didn't come home until 3am.

C. He didn't take his cell, and therefore, didn't get the twelve frantic calls and several texts from
me. Which sent me out at 2 am in case he had an accident.

And now, even though I'm dog tired...I get to go to work.

BTW, I survived the manager's meeting, and I survived work drama. I think I can survive this teenager.

Number 4

What difference a month makes! My store has gone from No. 15 in sales to No. 4! I'm hoping to keep that trend. I keep pumping up the employees and they understand what needs to be done....I guess I'll just keep the cheerleader routine going.

Today is my first Manager's Meeting and I'm actually nervous. All of the other manager's have been there awhile or at least had actual training. I feel like I'm going in as the Goodwill Doofus.

I've managed to irritate the transportation manager to no end and I meet him today, yikes!

I'll update you when I get back!

Relocating

It was One Hundred and freakin' Ten Degrees (officially) yesterday. Mr. Plantfreak, who has always claimed that he "would prefer to be hot rather than cold", now is ready to move somewhere that snows every winter...and a heat wave is maybe 90 degrees.

Vermont, Oregon, Maine...maybe even Fargo at this point! No offense Fargonians ;)

Monkey Crepe!

Mr. Plantfreak and I went to Canton Trade Days this weekend to pay for our booth for next month. John the camo guy actually rents our space and we sublet from him. Since other people want to rent from him we decided it was better to pay every month and keep our spot than to chance someone else moving in. Although John is super nice and would probably hold the spot anyway.

I think it was literally hotter than Hell out there! I felt bad for the vendors, because it was a ghost town out there.

We were starving when we got there and decided to eat at the food court area. The Monkey Crepe Cafe was the choice for the day and it was a great one! I had a Greek gyro, and Mr. Plantfreak had a Club sandwich. He claims it is the perfect meal because you get everything stuffed in a sandwich. But the crepes...OMG the crepes! Strawberry crepes with bavarian cream and whipped cream. You just cannot imagine. Last time I had the Chocolate banana crepe, and it was just friggin' insane! And they are huge too! One person cannot eat the whole thing and feel good about themselves. So, if you get one, You must share with a friend! Just thinking about it makes me hungry for one!

Pray for Me

My oldest child just got his drivers license. My hair is turning white as I write.

I'm going to my Happy Place right now...

Tide Rollers

I was talking to one of my regular customers about the fact that I moved to Texas from Alabama, then we talked about tornadoes in Tuscaloosa, and on to University of Alabama.

We ended up with 3 other customers who either went to Alabama or had close family that went there or just loved the football team.

Tide Rollers, you just never know where you might find them.

Parched

It is so hot and dry here that my grass is crunchy, we gave up on the veggie garden, and the lake is disappearing. It's sad that Mr. Plantfreak and I got really excited about the Tropical Disturbance out by Cuba.

And Oklahoma is getting drenched...dammit.

Let's Talk About...

...donating to Goodwill.

When we get donations we sort through the items to see what is worth selling and what is not. Electronic items that don't work get sent to the mother ship (main branch in Tyler) to be broken down by special needs workers for recycling. Clothing that has stains, fuzzballs, tears, or pulled seams also get sent to the mothership for a special needs crew to box up for recycling. Shoes that are too worn and gross (and most of them are!) get paired up and sent to a company that recycles them, and, in case of disasters sends them out for people who need them. Also, the cardboard boxes that donations come in get sent to the mothership to be recycled. That my friends is a great thing!

Other items that are broken, overly dirty, stinky, or wet...get thrown away! You would not believe how many people dump "donations" that are really just garbage. Because they are too cheap to take it to the dump.

I don't get too upset with the unusable clothing, although stained underwear (really?!) makes me gag. My first day at work I sorted clothes and opened a bag of nasty shoes...those who know me, know that I don't like feet and I almost threw up when the smell hit my nose.

It breaks my heart to see what gets thrown out. Even though we recycle the majority of what gets rejected, we still have to have 2 large dumpsters emptied every other day. That's a lot of garbage that Goodwill pays to have hauled away.

I'm not complaining, it's a necessary part of running a Goodwill store, but I could do without the obvious garbage, dirty underwear, and disgustingly stinky shoes.

Still, everyday is a treasure hunt!

Christmas in July

We met Grandpa Sute and Page in New Orleans this past Christmas and I just got a few more pics of the trip. These were taken in a restaurant called the Acme Oyster House...and no Wile E. Coyote wasn't there, but the oysters were awesome!

Cody doesn't believe me when I say he is going to look like Grandpa Sute when he gets older...except for the hair.

Not sure what this was all about.


Dad and Page make such a cute couple!

Aj has a beautiful smile.

Unfortunately, he's usually making faces like this!

Mr. Plantfreak might lose the mustache, but never the LSU hat!

We love the Big Easy.

It's Official

I've finally gotten word that I'm the manager at my little Goodwill. Why do I feel like there is a bullseye firmly planted on my back?