This summer, I'm at my sister's house babysittng her 7-year-old. The things I do there include making him a snack, playing a game with him, or even simply keeping him company.
When I'm not busy with him or he's not around (such as a couple of hours during the past three afternoons when he was attending a cooking class), I'll try to help out in other ways such as loading/unloading the dishwasher, folding the blankets in the living room, freshening up the pets' water bowls, and walking the dogs.
Something that my dad believed in and expected out of me and my sister was to be as helpful as possible when over at a family member's house, especially if it was overnight. I remember one time when he found out that I did not help out my grandma (which he found out from asking me, not from anything my grandma said), he asked me why not, as well as lecturing me and saying that, "We're not guests. We're family, and family helps each other out." Did I have an excuse for not helping out? Of course not. Did I feel bad? Yes.
I think I've been better about helping out ever since, although there may have been times when I've slipped up. I'm not entirely sure though, but over the years, helping out in family member's homes (if not non-family members' homes) as much as possible has become a necessary courtesy in my book as well as in my dad's. I regret that I did not uphold this value prior to my high school years. In fact, there are a lot of things I did in the past that I wish I hadn't, and if I could change that, I would.
Have you ever heard the saying, "If you have time to lean, you have time to clean?" I've had jobs where that idea has been applicable. I believe such an idea can be applied to homes as well (whether your own or someone else's). After all, if you take part in the care and keeping of your own home (which you do, right?), and you're going to be in someone else's home for multiple days, wouldn't it make sense to, barring illness or anything happening outside the home that somehow involves you, help with some of the cleaning or anything else that goes on in said home?
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to see if there's some stuff I can straighten up.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
I'm Able To Do People Favors Even When I'm Drunk
Last night, I went to a birthday party in my sister's neighborhood. I got drunk on two beers and a rum/club soda cocktail. I didn't do anything stupid that I know of, but I was wobbly and numb.
My nephew and I went home before my sister and her boyfriend. Someone who hadn't been drinking had taken me and my nephew home. Even in my drunken state, I managed to let the dogs out and back in per my sister's request and make my nephew a snack and tuck him in per his request.
Maybe that whole thing with accommodating for others' needs is so ingrained in my nature or such a reflex for me that it stays whether I'm drunk or sober, as is say, remembering to buckle my seatbelt when I get into a car.
It could very well be that if a person constantly accommodates for the needs of others while sober, it may be so second nature to them that they could do so even when drunk. (If you do anyone any favors when you're drunk, one of said favors must not include driving as it's both illegal and dangerous.) At least, that might be the case with me anyway.
My nephew and I went home before my sister and her boyfriend. Someone who hadn't been drinking had taken me and my nephew home. Even in my drunken state, I managed to let the dogs out and back in per my sister's request and make my nephew a snack and tuck him in per his request.
Maybe that whole thing with accommodating for others' needs is so ingrained in my nature or such a reflex for me that it stays whether I'm drunk or sober, as is say, remembering to buckle my seatbelt when I get into a car.
It could very well be that if a person constantly accommodates for the needs of others while sober, it may be so second nature to them that they could do so even when drunk. (If you do anyone any favors when you're drunk, one of said favors must not include driving as it's both illegal and dangerous.) At least, that might be the case with me anyway.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
When I Shower, I'm Slow, And That's A No-No
Many environmentalists say that for the sake of water conservation, showers should be short, like maybe five minutes or less. (I feel awkward going into details about all the um, steps.)
My average showering time is about 20 minutes. This morning, (and by the way I'm staying at my sister's for the summer; I've been there as of last night) I supposedly took 45 minutes. I feel bad about that.
Aside from not being eco-friendly, being slow in the shower is probably not even good etiquette when the household consists of multiple people. One, it can be expensive for whoever has to pay the water bill. Two, someone else may need in the bathroom and/or to do something that requires running water (such as dishes or laundry). Three, surely there are other things I could be doing in some of that time.
Some of the factors involved in my showering time can't be helped, but some can. I can only cut my showering time so much if washing my hair is involved as it is thick enough not to get wet easily. It's likely to take longer if conditioner is involved. (Certain people in my family, who shall remain nameless, have taken it upon themselves to get me conditioner, and I feel obligated to use it.) However, I have a bad habit of having my mind somewhere else when I shower, not to mention I'm not super quick in all of my movements.
Maybe I need to make absolutely sure my mind is strictly on the task of showering with the quickest moves possible and in the shortest time possible as though I'm in a huge hurry to get somewhere. Not only will it save water, but the sooner I'm done, the sooner the bathroom can be freed up for someone else, and I can tend to tasks and/or be available to those around me.
Another thing could be to try a trick that I've heard awhile back which is to turn on the water just long enough to get wet, turn it off, soap up, and then turn the water back on just long enough to rinse off. I don't know if the latter will save on time, but surely it'll save on water, especially hot water, which will make it easier on the person who has to take the water bill. If I truly am in a hurry for whatever reason, I can always skip less important steps such as the use of conditioner.
As the Accommodite seeks to accommodate the needs of others, surely it'd be a noble act to control the time spent on one's bathing/showering and other personal stuff, especially when it affects others by some means.
My average showering time is about 20 minutes. This morning, (and by the way I'm staying at my sister's for the summer; I've been there as of last night) I supposedly took 45 minutes. I feel bad about that.
Aside from not being eco-friendly, being slow in the shower is probably not even good etiquette when the household consists of multiple people. One, it can be expensive for whoever has to pay the water bill. Two, someone else may need in the bathroom and/or to do something that requires running water (such as dishes or laundry). Three, surely there are other things I could be doing in some of that time.
Some of the factors involved in my showering time can't be helped, but some can. I can only cut my showering time so much if washing my hair is involved as it is thick enough not to get wet easily. It's likely to take longer if conditioner is involved. (Certain people in my family, who shall remain nameless, have taken it upon themselves to get me conditioner, and I feel obligated to use it.) However, I have a bad habit of having my mind somewhere else when I shower, not to mention I'm not super quick in all of my movements.
Maybe I need to make absolutely sure my mind is strictly on the task of showering with the quickest moves possible and in the shortest time possible as though I'm in a huge hurry to get somewhere. Not only will it save water, but the sooner I'm done, the sooner the bathroom can be freed up for someone else, and I can tend to tasks and/or be available to those around me.
Another thing could be to try a trick that I've heard awhile back which is to turn on the water just long enough to get wet, turn it off, soap up, and then turn the water back on just long enough to rinse off. I don't know if the latter will save on time, but surely it'll save on water, especially hot water, which will make it easier on the person who has to take the water bill. If I truly am in a hurry for whatever reason, I can always skip less important steps such as the use of conditioner.
As the Accommodite seeks to accommodate the needs of others, surely it'd be a noble act to control the time spent on one's bathing/showering and other personal stuff, especially when it affects others by some means.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
I'm A Staff Member; I Should Know Better
I've worked my last day at the thrift store before I'm scheduled to go out of town this summer. I'm hoping to reclaim my spot in August, but I don't know if I will be able to or not. Part of it is because I made some mistakes in the last two days and am worried that I've messed up to the point where the manager may not want me back.
Mistake number one was made yesterday. Someone had come in with a bunch of donations. I was supposed to be one of the people helping get it in, but I had misunderstood the message that was originally relayed to me. By the time I did get to the back room, it had already been taken care of. Still, I should have been fully aware of what was going on.
Mistake number two was made today. Someone came in to say that they had come to do community service, something I hadn't been trained to handle but apparently should've known the drill on. I called the manager to inform him, and his response was. "And?" (That's not the only time in my life when I've gotten such a response or something similar like, "What about it?" Those sorts of responses mean something like that what I had brought up was unimportant or stupid or it's something I should be able to deal with on my own or I had BETTER have a good reason for bringing up a single word of it.) I asked what it was I needed to have the person do, and he told me. But it sounded to me like he was rather P.O.'d at me for bothering him over it in the first place. I feel so bad when I bother, upset, offend, or (fill in the blank here) someone who ranks above me in any capacity. When I go in to turn in my key (as I will be out of town until August, and something may happen that I will not be able to reclaim my spot), I may leave a note apologizing to the manager for bothering him over something that I should've known/fully figured out on my own. Such an action could work against my reclaiming my spot.
It's bad enough when I make mistakes as a daughter, sister, etc. (If you knew of half the mistakes I have made against my parents and/or sister, I'm afraid you wouldn't like me at all.) But making mistakes in a professional setting? That is just horrible. Four years ago, I worked at Burger King, and I lasted three weeks. Why? Because I wasn't fast enough to meet their standards. If only I had figured out how to get fast; then I wouldn't worry about the scarlet "F" on my work history, which could potentially work against my ever getting a full-time paid job anywhere. (After all, if I've let one previous employer down, what's to stop me from letting the next one down?) The thrift store position I have now is an unpaid one, but I still worry about messing up to the point where my being on the staff does more harm than good.
I hope I'll be allowed to reclaim my spot in August. If I am, then I will have to try extra hard to be the perfect employee who never makes mistakes. If not, and it's on account of mistakes I've made, then I'll be lucky if I don't end up shunned by the entire job market, something that could make me a disgrace to my family and possibly all of humanity, and I don't want that. But short of asking God almighty to help me stop making mistakes, I don't know what else to do.
Mistake number one was made yesterday. Someone had come in with a bunch of donations. I was supposed to be one of the people helping get it in, but I had misunderstood the message that was originally relayed to me. By the time I did get to the back room, it had already been taken care of. Still, I should have been fully aware of what was going on.
Mistake number two was made today. Someone came in to say that they had come to do community service, something I hadn't been trained to handle but apparently should've known the drill on. I called the manager to inform him, and his response was. "And?" (That's not the only time in my life when I've gotten such a response or something similar like, "What about it?" Those sorts of responses mean something like that what I had brought up was unimportant or stupid or it's something I should be able to deal with on my own or I had BETTER have a good reason for bringing up a single word of it.) I asked what it was I needed to have the person do, and he told me. But it sounded to me like he was rather P.O.'d at me for bothering him over it in the first place. I feel so bad when I bother, upset, offend, or (fill in the blank here) someone who ranks above me in any capacity. When I go in to turn in my key (as I will be out of town until August, and something may happen that I will not be able to reclaim my spot), I may leave a note apologizing to the manager for bothering him over something that I should've known/fully figured out on my own. Such an action could work against my reclaiming my spot.
It's bad enough when I make mistakes as a daughter, sister, etc. (If you knew of half the mistakes I have made against my parents and/or sister, I'm afraid you wouldn't like me at all.) But making mistakes in a professional setting? That is just horrible. Four years ago, I worked at Burger King, and I lasted three weeks. Why? Because I wasn't fast enough to meet their standards. If only I had figured out how to get fast; then I wouldn't worry about the scarlet "F" on my work history, which could potentially work against my ever getting a full-time paid job anywhere. (After all, if I've let one previous employer down, what's to stop me from letting the next one down?) The thrift store position I have now is an unpaid one, but I still worry about messing up to the point where my being on the staff does more harm than good.
I hope I'll be allowed to reclaim my spot in August. If I am, then I will have to try extra hard to be the perfect employee who never makes mistakes. If not, and it's on account of mistakes I've made, then I'll be lucky if I don't end up shunned by the entire job market, something that could make me a disgrace to my family and possibly all of humanity, and I don't want that. But short of asking God almighty to help me stop making mistakes, I don't know what else to do.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Maybe It Was A Good Thing I Planned On Working All Week
Today, I was the only cashier on duty at the thrift store that I volunteer at. There'd normally be another cashier on duty on Mondays (whom I usually cover for when she's on her lunch break or needs a smoke break), but she was out sick. So, I was on the register almost all day.
Now it turns out that said cashier has something she has to do tomorrow afternoon and might not be able to make it in. The manager asked if I might be able to cover for that person. I said I would. In fact, I was planning on being in on all week simply because of so much that there is to be done. (It's garage sale season, which means lots of items that don't get sold being donated.)
Besides all of the items that will need to be put out on display, there are also boxes that need to be broken down. I may be doing the latter tomorrow depending on whatever else I'm up to so that the person that ranks above the manager won't be so upset about all of the empty boxes. (The manager said that there were some other people he had told to do it, but they never did. While I'll see to it that said people who are supposed to do it get the memo if they show up, but if they don't, and I end up being the one taking care of it, so be it.)
Now it turns out that said cashier has something she has to do tomorrow afternoon and might not be able to make it in. The manager asked if I might be able to cover for that person. I said I would. In fact, I was planning on being in on all week simply because of so much that there is to be done. (It's garage sale season, which means lots of items that don't get sold being donated.)
Besides all of the items that will need to be put out on display, there are also boxes that need to be broken down. I may be doing the latter tomorrow depending on whatever else I'm up to so that the person that ranks above the manager won't be so upset about all of the empty boxes. (The manager said that there were some other people he had told to do it, but they never did. While I'll see to it that said people who are supposed to do it get the memo if they show up, but if they don't, and I end up being the one taking care of it, so be it.)
Friday, May 7, 2010
Sadly, Even The Accommodite Can't Always Please Everybody
Today, on the way to the thrift store that I work at, I turned in four job applications. I have decided this would be the last batch of them that I would turn in before I go out of town later this month to babysit my nephew. This will probably be the last thing either of my parents will want to hear, but this morning, I decided that as of today, I would put my job search aside until I return home in August or until I get called in for an interview, whichever comes first. Part of this is because of my pending engagement to go babysit my nephew (which would have to be cancelled if I do land a paid job in my hometown), and part of it is because of all the stuff there is to be done at the thrift store that I volunteer at, and the more of my time that I can give them, the better.
I hope my parents don't think I'm blowing off the job search or anything like that. That is not necessarily the case. I'm simply focusing my attention elsewhere for the time being. On the one hand, as a live-at-home daughter, I have to keep my parents' expectations of me in mind in whatever I do. (They're divorced, but I'm currently subject to being chastised, lectured, etc. by either one of them, especially my dad, if I do something wrong. This may change when I'm out on my own altogether.) On the other hand, I feel that I'm at an age where I need to make the judgement calls on my own life, however unacceptable. For me, sometimes it's hard to figure out when to be the independent-thinking adult and when to be the dutiful daughter whose highest priorities include full-on obedience to parental authority.
It'd be great if everyone's needs and standards could be accommodated at once. However, whether the Accommodite likes it or not, sometimes there's a conflict, and decisions have to be made about which set of needs/standards are most important at the time, even at the risk of someone getting offended or shortchanged.
I may be stepping away from the job search for now, but after I return in August, I'll pick it back up and give even more effort to it..
I hope my parents don't think I'm blowing off the job search or anything like that. That is not necessarily the case. I'm simply focusing my attention elsewhere for the time being. On the one hand, as a live-at-home daughter, I have to keep my parents' expectations of me in mind in whatever I do. (They're divorced, but I'm currently subject to being chastised, lectured, etc. by either one of them, especially my dad, if I do something wrong. This may change when I'm out on my own altogether.) On the other hand, I feel that I'm at an age where I need to make the judgement calls on my own life, however unacceptable. For me, sometimes it's hard to figure out when to be the independent-thinking adult and when to be the dutiful daughter whose highest priorities include full-on obedience to parental authority.
It'd be great if everyone's needs and standards could be accommodated at once. However, whether the Accommodite likes it or not, sometimes there's a conflict, and decisions have to be made about which set of needs/standards are most important at the time, even at the risk of someone getting offended or shortchanged.
I may be stepping away from the job search for now, but after I return in August, I'll pick it back up and give even more effort to it..
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Got In To Work Early Today But There's Still More To Be Done
I got in before 9 again and got everything that was ready for the sales floor out on display. I was going to work on getting some bedding towels, etc. for sale, but the space that I normally do it on was taken, so I worked on sorting out some stuff in the donations pile, hanging what I could, discarding what needed to be discarded, getting what was ready for the sales floor out on the sales floor, etc. At least we have more space in front of the counters.
I'd do another "early day" tomorrow, but I have applications that I need to drop off, and one of them is to a place that doesn't open until nine. So, I'll just have to make sure I drop off the applications and then go in and do what I need to do for the store just as soon as possible.
I think the batch of applications I will need to drop off tomorrow will be the last of them before I go out of town later this month. I'm planning on another full week next week in order to help with things at the thrift store. I regret I won't be able to help out in the summer, but I have a nephew who is young enough to require a sitter in the summer, and it's easier for me to accept that spot than for my sister to have to worry about anyone else being available.
I'd do another "early day" tomorrow, but I have applications that I need to drop off, and one of them is to a place that doesn't open until nine. So, I'll just have to make sure I drop off the applications and then go in and do what I need to do for the store just as soon as possible.
I think the batch of applications I will need to drop off tomorrow will be the last of them before I go out of town later this month. I'm planning on another full week next week in order to help with things at the thrift store. I regret I won't be able to help out in the summer, but I have a nephew who is young enough to require a sitter in the summer, and it's easier for me to accept that spot than for my sister to have to worry about anyone else being available.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
At The Risk Of Going Over The Line...
I made an early appearance at the thrift store I work at. I'm normally there between 9:15 and 10:00, if I'm scheduled to be there around opening time. However, I went in at 8:50 since I knew that there was so much to get done. There were priced items to put out, fabric to prepare for pricing, boxes to break down, etc. Did I get all of that done today? I wish. We keep getting so much stuff this time of year that we're lucky if we are able to find places for it all.
I'll probably make yet another early appearance tomorrow. I don't know if I'll get in trouble for it, but if I do, I'm prepared to explain that there is so much to be done, and to come in after 9 isn't cutting it. (The store opens at ten and closes at four.) Besides, the manager lives out of town and can only show up so often whereas I live 20 minutes away (walking distance) from the store and don't have much going on with my life that can't be moved around. If I need to go in a little beyond an hour before opening time every single business day, so be it. The more I can get done will be all the less that the manager or anyone else has to worry about.
I'll probably make yet another early appearance tomorrow. I don't know if I'll get in trouble for it, but if I do, I'm prepared to explain that there is so much to be done, and to come in after 9 isn't cutting it. (The store opens at ten and closes at four.) Besides, the manager lives out of town and can only show up so often whereas I live 20 minutes away (walking distance) from the store and don't have much going on with my life that can't be moved around. If I need to go in a little beyond an hour before opening time every single business day, so be it. The more I can get done will be all the less that the manager or anyone else has to worry about.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Getting A Lot Done
At the thrift store I work at, I normally work on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. When one of my colleagues had to leave, my schedule started including Wednesdays. Not a problem for me. I don't normally do Tuesdays or Fridays, but for this week, I've decided I'd make an exception as there is so much to be done in the back room.
As it's currently garage sale season, we've had tons of donations, so the back room has been crowded off and on, not to mention empty boxes that need to be broken down for recycling. This week I kept thinking about how I really needed to step up my game. Monday, I was working like mad to get whatever I could either out on the sales floor or in whatever bin was designated for it. If it was out of season, it went into a storage closet. Despite my efforts, it didn't look like I had gotten much of anything done. I was frustrated about it, but the manager assured me that given the time of year that it was, we'd never be fully caught up, so it was okay. (He wasn't able to make it in yesterday because of an appointment, but he came in today. I think that helped as I'm limited as to what I'm allowed to price myself.)
One thing that I had noticed lately is how crowded the bookshelves have been getting. So yesterday, when there were no customers around, I bought some of the books off the shelf to free up space. I haven't decided whether or not I will buy more before I go out of town later this month.
Barring anymore donation ambushes, my plan for when I'm not at the register will be to get bedding, curtains, etc., measured, taped, priced, and put out on the sales floor, get towels and the fabric in the "crafts" bin measured out so it can be priced, and break down all of those empty boxes so that they can be taken to recycling.
The store is open 10-4 Monday through Saturday. The earliest I usually get there is 9:15. (I'm one of the people who opens and/or closes depending on shift.) I'm contemplating going in even earlier tomorrow in order to get more stuff done before there's yet another slew of incoming donations. (The manager and his partner have been known to go in as early as three or four in the morning. Even if it wasn't against the rules, which I don't know if it is or not, I don't think my mom or my stepdad would ever hear of me going in THAT early.) I might try to make it in at nine, if not slightly earlier.
As it's currently garage sale season, we've had tons of donations, so the back room has been crowded off and on, not to mention empty boxes that need to be broken down for recycling. This week I kept thinking about how I really needed to step up my game. Monday, I was working like mad to get whatever I could either out on the sales floor or in whatever bin was designated for it. If it was out of season, it went into a storage closet. Despite my efforts, it didn't look like I had gotten much of anything done. I was frustrated about it, but the manager assured me that given the time of year that it was, we'd never be fully caught up, so it was okay. (He wasn't able to make it in yesterday because of an appointment, but he came in today. I think that helped as I'm limited as to what I'm allowed to price myself.)
One thing that I had noticed lately is how crowded the bookshelves have been getting. So yesterday, when there were no customers around, I bought some of the books off the shelf to free up space. I haven't decided whether or not I will buy more before I go out of town later this month.
Barring anymore donation ambushes, my plan for when I'm not at the register will be to get bedding, curtains, etc., measured, taped, priced, and put out on the sales floor, get towels and the fabric in the "crafts" bin measured out so it can be priced, and break down all of those empty boxes so that they can be taken to recycling.
The store is open 10-4 Monday through Saturday. The earliest I usually get there is 9:15. (I'm one of the people who opens and/or closes depending on shift.) I'm contemplating going in even earlier tomorrow in order to get more stuff done before there's yet another slew of incoming donations. (The manager and his partner have been known to go in as early as three or four in the morning. Even if it wasn't against the rules, which I don't know if it is or not, I don't think my mom or my stepdad would ever hear of me going in THAT early.) I might try to make it in at nine, if not slightly earlier.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Stepping Up My Game This Week
At the thrift store I work at, the back room has become quite crowded with donations and empty boxes. I had hoped to get some of said boxes broken down on Saturday (so that they can be taken to recycling), but I ran out of time before I could even start on that. The first part of my shift had me on the register. After the staff member scheduled to operate it in the afternoon came in and took over, I went to the back to get some bedding, potholders, curtains, etc., measured, folded, taped (a step in prepping certain items for pricing and display), and put out on the sales floor. There were also books and ties to put out as well.
When I go in tomorrow, I'll have donations to sort through (or put out if it has a default price) and put in the bins designated for them, toys to go through to make sure they are in good enough shape to be sold (There's a couple of bags worth to go through), fabric to prepare for pricing (as it's an items I'm not currently authorized to price unless the manager says otherwise), and boxes to break down.
Last week, I was in on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. However, I think I'm going to be going in every single day this coming week in order to better the chances of getting the back room less crowded. I normally do my laundry on Tuesday, but I did it today in order to have that day freed up. The only other thing left for me to do then will be to turn in some job applications which I will do before going over to Doggie Bag.
When I go in tomorrow, I'll have donations to sort through (or put out if it has a default price) and put in the bins designated for them, toys to go through to make sure they are in good enough shape to be sold (There's a couple of bags worth to go through), fabric to prepare for pricing (as it's an items I'm not currently authorized to price unless the manager says otherwise), and boxes to break down.
Last week, I was in on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. However, I think I'm going to be going in every single day this coming week in order to better the chances of getting the back room less crowded. I normally do my laundry on Tuesday, but I did it today in order to have that day freed up. The only other thing left for me to do then will be to turn in some job applications which I will do before going over to Doggie Bag.
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