One Busy week

Well, we have finally moved! AAA office (not us again!) We had to have everything packed up and off the phones/computer last Friday at 4p. Of course, at 4p, I was still working on some tickets for a client. Oh well....we got finished up with what us employees were responsible for and got out of our old office around 6p or so. Had the weekend to rest, then hit the new office raring to go at 8am Monday.

First problem, the manager's key did not work in the back door locks. Luckily the facility guys from headquarters were already there and she got in the front door. Next thing noticed .... I did not have a desk where we thought it was suppose to be. Connie (my boss) got on the phone and found out from the higher ups that they decided not to authorize the extra desk --- WITHOUT notifying her. Great! I still got my own desk, just not near the back by myself. I share a cubicle area with the NATS (North American Travel Specialist) That did not go as planned either -- we decided the new full time girl (Alexa) would be next to me so I could help her out when needed with cars/hotels/Apollo system. Next thing I know, when Bill (a part time person) comes in around 11am, he decides he wants that desk (set up is good for him?!) He is a bit bothersome, but I hope to be able to tune him out when needed.

We spent Monday and Tuesday trying to unpack and arrange things. Who would have thought so many people would have so many ideas about where to put the envelopes?! Monday we called it quits at 5p, but Tuesday some of us worked until 7p. We had to have the complete inventory done and in the system before we could open to the public on Wed. Each and every map, tour book, camp book and retail item that was there had to be counted and entered into the system. We found old things that weren't even listed on the inventory sheets. (Mostly old stuff from 03-05) And like most companies, AAA can't be consistent with what number they have entered in their inventory system. The 6 digit number at the top, the upc on the front or the upc on the back ---- oh no, the two upc did NOT match.

Since I spent most of Tues helping with inventory, I didn't get a chance to get my desk in order. And as of tonite, it still is not done. We have hit with clients as soon as we opened on Wed. We had 127 people in on Wed, 116 on Thurs and only 97 today. One of the other travel agents was off sick Mon/Tues and came in late on Wed. She was still pretty week and coughed alot -- she ended up leaving early each day (she is the other full time agent) and I got to close each night this week. Lots of overtime for my official first week of full time!

Since we are so busy, I told my boss, I may have my desk organized by the "grand opening" (which will be Friday, July 6th) Even though we officially close at 5p, I still had two phone calls to return. One I reached and ticketed two tickets and a car (flying to Michigan for a wedding) and the other had to wait. One thing I may not like here is AAA's policy about always two people in the office at a time. I can not stay past 530p unless the cashier will stay (and apparently it better be an emergency!) I hate to go home and not have stuff done, or organized for the next morning. Tonite I had to gather up all my quotes and notepad and basically throw them in a cabinet and lock it all up for the weekend.

I haven't been able to connect with my Mom yet in the hospital. When I try calling she is out of her room -- usually for therapy or joint class. I have talked to a couple of the nurses so far. It sounds like the surgery went well, but she is having problems with pain management. (Whatever the nurse meant by that!) Mom can tolerate alot of pain, so to have problems with pain makes me wonder what is happening. I hope to catch her in her room tomorrow morning. The nurse said she wasn't sure if she would be released Sat or not. If she is having "pain management" problems, I think they may be keeping her longer. We fly back to Michigan Thursday night. We will be with her most of the weekend....she is hoping to be well enough to go to Tristan's (grandson) open house on Sat. We then have the BIG CLOSING scheduled for Monday at noon. It sounds like the lawyer does not have any more surprises for us. That will be one big burden off us.

It was over 100 again today (104.4) and no relief in sight. We have three fans going in our room. One in the kitchen window blowing in, one upstairs in the loft blowing out and a big industrial one near the door pulling from the kitchen towards the loft area. We tried to keep the door closed the past couple nights, but it got so stifling in here, I had to open it last night to cool it down some. The bugs have been getting in -- our screen we bought does not fit the door good. The small things don't bother us, it is the large "cone bugs" that are apparently not too nice and bite you. I might have to google the cone bug and see what it has to say about it. I don't think they are poisonous, but bothersome and the bite hurts since they are so big.

Well it is after 11pm here and I am tired. Ric spent the whole day down at camp working one the septic project there. I picked him up around 7p when I got home and we ate the pizza I picked up after he showered. He laid down to take a nap when he was done eating and hasn't budged since. All the hard/heavy physical work in the direct sun and over 100 degree heat is taking its toll. The camp thermometer registered 110 down in camp today. He misplaced his water bottle (or somebody took it) so he has been using his camelback. Having that strapped on your body probably isn't helping too much. He probably doesn't keep it on all the time, but still.... We may have to buy another big water bottle for him if his one from Brick Wheels doesn't show up this weekend. (at least it will be easy to spot if somebody has it in their hands!)