Shopping Experiment

So this week I had a bit of a chuckle as a grammar pedant ranted about people beginning their sentences with "so". 😁

Ahem. This week there has been an offer in the newspaper whereby you can present a little coupon and get £5 off a £25 shop at German Affordable Competitor Supermarket (GACS). Ordinarily I would ignore this offer - in fact I managed to forget to use their "sign up with the app and get a fiver" deal last year and missed out. But this time, well, the vouchers came at me free so I wondered if I might at least stock up on some snack products to go in my lunch box. When I buy these at work, I generally only touch the "on sale" lines which is annoying and disappointing when the ones I actually want require a mortgage, so the experiment was to see whether I could get generic versions with some flavour variation.

Well. I figured this would be easy, then I stupidly began in the fresh foods section. Half way through the store and before I even got to the snacks, I'd reached the £25. Ok then... I paid, put that in the car (ready meals and yoghurts and desserts and basically food our little convenience store doesn't have) then went back for a round two and a second voucher. Only their snack selection was a bit disappointing. I did manage to reach the minimum but only by doing a second lap and buying extras. Annoyingly, I saw that some of their staple branded items were more than our price! How is that even possible? I feel like I've been sold a lie 😐

Anyway, just over £40 spent and mixed results. The "goat's cheese and butternut squash" frittata that I spotted and was so looking forward to tasted like an egg with potato cooked in, basically boring as hell. I did get a massive tub of their yoghurt potato salad which I used to buy years ago and that is lovely. The luxury lemon cheesecake was ok but not worth the luxury price tag. And I forgot to buy coffee! The horror!

Related: the horror of Pugsley not starting on an early shift and being rescued by a co-worker when no taxis were to be had anywhere in the town. Also the horror of £110 for a new battery. But hey, the one in Pugsley, which testing showed had a 9A capacity out of 300A, was the original 13-year-old battery. I definitely got my money's worth out of that and it's a miracle it was even starting most days.

Ouchrun

So there's this thing called Parkrun where 200-odd insane people get together every Saturday and run 5k around a park. I've known about it for ages and always wondered why anyone thinks that's enjoyable in any way. But since I heard rumours that you can walk it, and since I found out my colleague goes every week and achieves similar times to my treadmill 5k, I thought, hell why not?

Well recently I've discovered "why not" and Now I Know Better. I didn't come last, I managed to beat five people (possibly in wheelchairs, on crutches or with walking frames). It felt like I pushed myself harder than ever before. It felt like 10k. It was, quite frankly, horrible, and I missed my time estimate by a long way. This rumour that people walk the 5K? No. No they do not. Not one person walked it all. The slowest of the bunch power walked alternating with jogging (like I did). I felt like I was dying and also on fire, and barely able to brain enough to think: I need to stay ahead of the marshals right at the back. Embarrassing.

I've literally pulled muscles SO badly that when I crouched down to work on bottom shelves that afternoon at work, I was in agony and considered just assigning that task to someone else. Muscles in agony on the same day is a new one for me. I really, truly overdid it and soreness gets worse on day 2 and 3... So if you're looking for a nice, relaxing and enjoyable little bit of fun at your local park, I recommend not Parkrun.

Having said that, I really highly expect that once I pick up my fitness a bit more a whole lot more, I might revisit the idea. The people were nice and they even played Eye of the Tiger as we were nearing the end 😂

Spendy McSpenderson: Plane ticket (WOOHOO!) plus pre-departure and post-return Covid tests all booked. 

Umwhat?

Boss Lady is going away for a week, and as she had stuff to do, she took me aside at lunchtime to prep me for the week ahead. Ok, cool. So I'm nodding along as she lists a bunch of stuff. She's already done ABC reports, Work Bestie is going to take care of X, Cousin Store's manager will drop in on Friday to make sure everything's ok, and you might get a visit from Checklist Lady, but that's no drama because reasons, reasons, reasons and all you need to do is show her paperwork, paperwork, paperwork. Cool, cool, cool. And of course you'll keep managing the rota and filling overtime. Yeah fine.

Then she drops the bombshell, Oh, and I'm going to make you acting manager while I'm away.

Wait wtf what? I actually asked if she was insane.

I still actually think she's insane. I don't know what I'm doing.

I have a favourite minion, Coco, who is just so ready to be a trainee team leader, and I eventually convinced Demiboss to let Coco take over in the mornings so that she could learn. It went really well, and I was just about to arrange the same for the evening shift, when... she successfully scored a position elsewhere as a team leader 😭 I am thrilled for her but crushed for us. So I've now put all my energy into training Grace. I've learned the hard way and am not nagging for permission this time, I'm just doing it then announcing: hey, it's done! Wish me luck.

Derpina Here

I even look like Derpina.

During the week I decided to buy myself a cheap padlock for the gym lockers, from eBay. Being my usual derpy self, I've ordered one far too small. So, seeing the bigger ones were only £5 from the gym vending machine, I merrily selected my item and looked down to realise I had purchased... not a padlock, but a gym entry keyfob. Well. I suppose it's lucky I was thinking about one of those anyway... derp again. Bought locker padlock successfully then got changed for my workout.

I reasoned that having walked up the incredibly steep cliff pathway to get home yesterday, it would not be a wise idea to push myself too hard at the gym. (Can I just add here that I looked up at the horror of the cliff pathway, steeled myself for absolute agony in climbing it, and was pleasantly surprised not to find it as awful as expected? My fitness is clearly picking up.)

But anyway, I could definitely feel it in my calves today and I had decided to only walk on the treadmill. But did I? Nope. After walking ten minutes I felt loosened up ok, and figured I'd do the walk-run repeat I usually do. So I went into my usual slow jog, and by usual slow jog I mean start jogging, be desperate for air after ten seconds and finally stumble back into a walk after 45 seconds. Well, I made it to 75 seconds each time and that is a record for me. It was a slow 5k but I still got my 5k in.

I am sure that tomorrow I'll feel crippled with sore muscles, because well, because derp.

Derpina then came out to the car and realised she hadn't eaten dinner and, well, a McDonalds was had. Why did I even go to the gym again?

Spendy McSpenderson: A dashcam and memory card. 

Forward Marching

I have escaped the plague lurgy... for now.

I made a list of eleven things I should do on my day off. I've done... one. Writing a blog post was not in the list, by the way, but I'm the master of procrastination. (I paused here, like a good procrastinator, and I've now checked off four items.)

Went to the beach: another check.

Since September marks the second month running that I've forgotten to post my monthly extra earnings, I'm just going to stop. They're very low now because I've lost interest in a lot of them and I'm often working six days a week (such as the last two). This week I went to Sister Store and looked after their bakery for the morning, which is much busier than ours, but it was a nice change to just roll my sleeves up and do my thing. Demiboss called me today and tried to get me to work at Other Sister Store. I think it's the first time I've ever answered "No" so quickly and with such conviction 😂

Dinner: Thai green curry ready meal.

Good Times!

I'm a little bit snotty and clearing my throat a lot. I'm... vaguely aware of an achy chest and unsure as to whether I have a diminished sense of taste. I took an allergy tablet but I am still very unsure as to whether I'm getting ill. I don't feel fluey and don't have a temperature. The rapid antigen home kit says negative. But I have ordered a home PCR testing kit (the big gun) which is far more accurate and should arrive tomorrow.

I got stuck into my kitchen, cleaned it and cooked up six meals just in case I begin to feel absolutely rotten.

The app has pinged me and told me to isolate for 9 days, which is ironic since I am double jabbed and don't even have to self-isolate. I will go into the Big Supermarket tonight when it is dead quiet, buy myself milk and bread, use the self-scan while wearing mask and gloves, and lather everything in hand gel. And then I shall stay the heck at home until I know.

Hey, Watch It

My awesome little workhouse watch has become a little bit too comfortable in its job, that is, its performance has gone downhill and it no longer accurately performs ITS ONLY JOB ie it loses time every day even with a new battery. Sad times. Hahaha, get it, times. Ugh, what a dad joke. Anyway I'm a bit bummed because it's metal and has survived many bashings from steel cages at work without shattering, but hey. I have ordered a new watch, £5 with stopwatch and date and possibly even magic included, thinking that I can use it for timing myself at the gym. It's plastic though and I'd really like one for work, so there's a metal "respectable" watch sitting in my basket and I'll decide later.

I also went charity shopping this week and picked up four nice tops. Total cost £21 but since it's something I haven't done for more than a year, I think I'm excused.

One of the humans that I vaguely socialised with this week has tested positive for Covid. I'm negative at the moment, and since we all we did was sit at the same table, here's hoping that I stay negative. We are all jabbed, so it isn't likely to make us seriously ill, but she is definitely having a horrible time stuck in bed and doesn't recommend the illness in any way.

Outside Clothes

So my last decent undergarment is almost dead and I had no choice but to go shopping for a new over-shoulder-boulder-holder or three. And wow, does this royally suck without changing rooms, it required buying then loo then refund, over and over. One hour later I finally got a fit, three bras acquired for a pound each (!) which was a nice surprise at the till when I expected to pay a lot more.

Take #2 was needing jeans that fit. £10 for those, I am annoyed at needing to spend it but it's my own fault for not fitting into my old ones. I literally didn't have anything else to wear apart from shorts.

Been to the gym twice now, I'm not thrilled with it as there's no tv, no music, no screens, no scale etc. For now I'm watching videos on my phone for 30min but I may lose patience with that once I'm doing 2h sessions again.

Planning my trip overseas - the mini one to see family - can't wait!

Gym Junkie

...or something. After a way-too-long hiatus I've (re)joined a gym. Mainly because a brand new one is opening up near my work, the first 24h gym in the area, and the opening deal was for 12 quid a month. It was a no-brainer. I miss being able to jump on a treadmill for a couple of hours and just decompress, and now I can do so at 11pm again. Win.

Also, I need to shift some weight because I really don't want to order larger work trousers and I am almost being strangled by the ones I have 😬

Yet another procedure change at work means the possibility of freebies is down to almost none. Hey ho it was nice while it lasted and I can still buy reduced products like any other shopper. Last night I really wanted to buy myself Chow Mein, but I was a good girl and went home and ate... tinned tuna with half a packet of cooked wholegrain rice and some sriracha thrown in. And a small tub of pineapple. I don't recommend it as a taste sensation. But at least I ate out of the cupboard (that rice has been in there since kid #2 went home, which is a year).

Today is payday and I threw all my last-month's leftover money onto my loan (£500). I think that's pretty good going. I did a fair bit of overtime this past month so it was another good pay and I expect I'll be able to overpay by a similar amount next time.

Spendy McSpenderson: A cheap wireless charger for my phone because the USB port is dodgy and continually disconnects the power, which was as joyful as it sounds. 

Cars, Ouch

So I love the freedom of a vehicle (while I don't mind busses, trying to get to & from work at 5am and 11pm, I'd be spending a fortune on taxis). But I don't much like Renewal Time. My current insurer, for the second year running, sent me an extortionate renewal quote. On the comparison sites they were way over the best quote... so that was a no-brainer. I called them but they couldn't quite beat the quote, and I was also promised a £75 credit from TopCashBack for switching. So, shrug, switch done, why wouldn't I?

Still a chunk out of my wallet but hey, it's done for another year. On the plus side I've driven far fewer miles than expected which is a win.

Work is... well work is work. Two steps forward, one step back. Cousin Store #2's manager visited during the week and invited me to move there with a view to progressing up to store manager myself. I am nowhere near ready just yet, but it's a nice feeling to know my network believes in me.

Velcro Head

My psoriasis has been SO BAD lately and I am continually covered in a layer of white powder no matter how much I wash my hair with expensive shampoo... today I came home and shaved my undercut right back to skin. My skull is covered in really angry red swirls which look revolting, but hey, maybe now anyone who recognises psoriasis will see that it wasn't just dandruff!

I went into Competitor Supermarket™ to replenish my cheap cold and flu tablets (still snotty, still coughing, don't get me started). I came home with everything else but. Just enjoyed a four bean, mint and olive oil salad for dinner. Yes, I have already eaten two chicken pies for lunch and an entire packet of custard donuts. Also bought New Shampoo to try.

I went over to Cousin Store during the week and ran it for the afternoon/evening. It was... interesting. The staff are brilliant, the shift was exhausting. Plus, I did a spectacular thing where we locked ourselves inside the store and couldn't get out. Poor store manager had to rescue us so we could be set free. Still, I'm glad I went, there is always something new to learn and different perspectives to see.

New Kid has started and is unavailable for three days each week because... wait for it... because these are the days their friends don't work and they are reserving time for socialising.

Spending: all the things. Yeah. Plus a new watch battery x2.

I Just

Teddy has quit (not surprised). New Guy lasted a week before having a family issue (unspecified) and quitting. Viscount has shown up on a job searching board on Facebook straight after a disciplinary for doing something dumb repeatedly. Lovely new kid Meg has done the same screwup as Viscount and I just hope she doesn't run while this formal thing is taking place. Two more staff have been pinged and have ten days off. Two staff off work due to puking. I was sent home yesterday sick as my cough is so bad it's scaring customers. Overall we are on tenterhooks in case someone else goes off work for whatever reason. The ones who remain are exhausted and we fear them walking out.

Took myself out after work and went and saw "Old" at the cinema (thriller/horror). I was quite surprised to enjoy myself. £5 for the ticket and a pound spent on cheese crackers, strawberry sweets and a can of drink from the pound shop. I think that's a win.

Stop Press: Laddy has gone off on his third ten-day isolation...

June Extras

Oops! Completely forgot to post this one.

£5.61 Prolific Academic

£10.00 Storewards

Tired, of things and stuff in general. Did better than usual in my pay packet as a consequence.

Slowly Slowly

Catchy Monkey... so I threw a polite tantrum a few weeks back about stupid it was, constantly finding there was no cover for tomorrow, and then spending an hour on the phone grovelling. These shifts had sat open for weeks and nobody had volunteered, and we were always playing catch-up at short notice.

So I now sadistically allocate people into the overtime slots. For most people this means they work 15 hours that week instead of 10. 15 hours! Slavery.

Result: they figured out that if they volunteer for one shift a week they get left alone from any more and they get a choice on when they work. Most recent overtime sheet is already full of volunteers, more than three weeks ahead. Score.

Today: whole day spent at sister store. Knackered. And it wasn't even an overtime shift, it was a "sorry they need you so off you go" shift 😭

Un-Bear-Able Teddy

Wow, Teddy, just wow. Everything about Teddy's abysmal performance screams "sack me". Like, imagine poor behaviour and then double it, add in bad excuses plus a bald-faced lie. You get the idea. He has taken a leaf out of Sassy's book and even squirmed his way out something he was specifically told to do. I have pushed this bullshit behaviour onto Boss Lady who is actually going to start the formal process... which will never end with the great big slap that Teddy deserves, but will at least get the minimum formal recorded wagged finger.

So I'm really looking forward to four manic nights in a row again this week. Not. I hope England lose just so the stupidity slows down. I'm tired of eedjits running up to the door at five minutes to closing when the shop is still full of people and I just cannot.get.home.

Money sent - I'm officially a part-owner of the building freehold, yay it's expensive to be a company director! But this means that as soon as we get the roof and fire works done, I can think about refinancing onto a secured loan, ie, a mortgage. To my surprise I was rejected for an Agreement in Principal, even though all my existing debt would be paid off and I was only asking for 1.5x my annual salary. I think it's the payment holidays I have recently taken. So for now, I'm just waiting for my two loans to be merged and I'll concentrate on displaying regular payments for a few months, then ask again.

I'm also considering study again (Leadership and Management Diploma Level 3). I have broached it a bit with Boss Lady who agreed that it would be in line with my professional development as it would need to demonstrably be to the benefit of the business. She agreed to reduce my hours if need be so that I could get the coursework done. But at this point it would be painful financially, so it might be a while before I can move forward on it. She did laugh and say it sounds like I want to be a store manager! I pulled a face and said I hadn't chosen the Level 5 in Management, and that I wouldn't touch her job with a barge pole. (Truth. But let's see if I still say that in five years' time.) 

Free: a Curly the Caterpillar cake, which I have been munching my way through over the past three days. Those things aren't even nice, they're sickening, so why have I still done it to myself again?

New Sofa

Well, new to me. I hadn't planned on adding furniture until my carpet is replaced, but fate stepped in, in the form of a slow leak in my air mattress. After the fourth day of waking up on a flat hard floor, my head was turned by the local second hand shop's £45 sofa bed ad. May I present my new click-clack...

Bought sight-unseen. It's actually firmer than I would like, but it's still miles better than the airbed on the floor. And every time I catch sight of an actual bed in the corner I smile all over again. What a mood booster. And it will work well if my kids come to visit. 

New staffer started today... she seems ok. Her availability is trash. Our frustration with the local talent pool knows no bounds. The only applications we seem to get are sensational people who just can't work when they're needed.

Contemplating a Split Personality

Work has given me so many freebie plants that I really don't need them all. About half have survived (that's par for the course when we can only take them home at the point they are all wilted and half-dead). I am considering selling the survivors on Facebook Marketplace, only that's a bit tacky so I made a new account to protect my identity. Dodgy I suppose, but in my defence I have rescued them, tended them and allowed them to recover and grow bigger. Currently searching for some cheap planters and I might make up a few baskets.

Less free stuff is appearing right now as we have improved our sell-through of reduced items. I prefer the lower waste ethically even though it means fewer freebies for me. I've been shopping at Cheap Competitor Store even though their shop is a train wreck right now with half-empty shelves and an abysmal lack of staff (mainly I feel sorrow for them, it's clear their suits are decimating their payroll and I remember when ours did that to us).

Balance

Well, just as yet another catastrophic day reached a crescendo mid-week, our caretaker boss Lolly declared that it's our shop and if we haven't got time to do all our tasks, it's our call on what to do and what to put off. So we dumped some of the training. Lolly then authorised us to go over staffing budget because it was necessary. So we did.

To her credit Boss Lady has been responsive since she returned, and finangled permission to hire more humans. So we're recruiting and interviewing right now. Yesterday I had the loveliest evening shift I've had in about a month, with an extra human and everything getting done. Ah, peace.

I booked two movie tickets (for free, thanks National Lotteries) but then work has rearranged my weekend into a split, so I don't even know if I'll find the energy. We will see.

Disgustang.

Close to fed up. Demiboss injured her shoulder - agony-level - so I cut my week off short and went in to cover for her. I really don't mind that part, she has helped me so many times and it was nobody's fault. The part that got me fed up is that Boss Lady has been fooled by Teddy's bullshit... and has made him permanent even when he's often ditching us in favour of working his other job. Sigh. Sassy did even worse, refused to change her socialising plans when we needed her to work. Her father called, cussed us out and said she quits. What a completely embarrassing and unprofessional thing to do. If this space cadet is dumb enough to try a pleasant goodbye at the end of her notice week I'll have to bite my tongue. Way to burn bridges.

And we have a new rota that's completely inadequate for running a supermarket. It looks like they've put us on skeleton staff and then shaved a bit more off. It just isn't tenable and now Boss Lady is away on holidays for another two weeks so can't do anything about it. How do you keep a place running at 60% of bare-minimum staffing levels, I just don't get it...

I am the only duty manager who refuses to work like a fiend. I work at my pace. What doesn't get done doesn't get done. But the other three are burning themselves out. Nobody will thank them and nothing will come in reward, just a new expectation that we can keep it up permanently.

Four more boxes of free plants this week. Two trays are marigolds. You'd better believe I am milking the freebies for this pain in the arse work situation.

Side Hustles for May

£0.50 StreetBees

£29.94 Prolific Academic

Ho hum, another lazy month. At least I did a few more PA studies than usual.

Spendy McSpenderson: bamboo incense holder, new mousepad, compost, and more boring wall stuffs like sandpaper pads and filler. A joining fee for becoming a company director of the freehold company, and legal fees to the solicitors handling our enfranchisement (£800).

Coming: a new front door (fire regulations) and that ever-looming roof bill plus the enfranchisement itself, all of which will be rather painful but worthwhile.