Saturday, October 9, 2010
I'm not sure what's happening with the "insert image" on blogspot, but, it does not look like it used to and I can't figure out how to add my pictures to my blog. A little box comes up with nothing about browsing to get pictures, I try to add them, but, nothing happens, does anyone know what's going on? Until I figure that out, there will be no pictures to see and I wanted to put some up about the Dalton Defender Days...
Saturday, Oct 9
Hi all, well, we just finished our fourth week of working and we're starting to come alive again. It used to be that on our first day off, we'd just be drugged, at least, I was. I would be sooo tired, all I wanted to do was NOTHING!! But, I must be getting used to the job, because now I'm feeling perkier by the the next day.
We have been enjoying beautiful weather this past week, today is just as beautiful with temps around 80, a nice day to have off. I have found a massage therapist here in town, so plan on making an appointment for next week. After folding boxes all day, I'm sure my shoulders are pretty tight and a nice massage would feel wonderful! I have been visiting a chiropractor since we got here and he's been helping me a lot. I know I'm in much better shape now than I was before we came into town and I credit him for getting me back into alignment.
Last weekend we went to Dalton Defender Days here in Coffeyville, a re-enactment of the day the Dalton Gang tried to rob two banks in town. The men of the town stepped up and ended up killing all but one of the robbers. There was the re-enactment, food vendors, a car show, crafters of all kinds, buggy rides around town, cowboy poetry, hot dog and pie eating contests, as well as a cake walk. It was a very small town celebration, but, still fun. The highlight for me was having cloggers come up from Tulsa to put on an exhibition. That is what I miss a lot about traveling, I LOVE to clog and it's hard when you're on the road all the time. We came right through prime clogging country and not once did I get to clog with anyone. At least I know that there is a clogging club in Tulsa, if we ever come through there in the future.
We have been enjoying beautiful weather this past week, today is just as beautiful with temps around 80, a nice day to have off. I have found a massage therapist here in town, so plan on making an appointment for next week. After folding boxes all day, I'm sure my shoulders are pretty tight and a nice massage would feel wonderful! I have been visiting a chiropractor since we got here and he's been helping me a lot. I know I'm in much better shape now than I was before we came into town and I credit him for getting me back into alignment.
Last weekend we went to Dalton Defender Days here in Coffeyville, a re-enactment of the day the Dalton Gang tried to rob two banks in town. The men of the town stepped up and ended up killing all but one of the robbers. There was the re-enactment, food vendors, a car show, crafters of all kinds, buggy rides around town, cowboy poetry, hot dog and pie eating contests, as well as a cake walk. It was a very small town celebration, but, still fun. The highlight for me was having cloggers come up from Tulsa to put on an exhibition. That is what I miss a lot about traveling, I LOVE to clog and it's hard when you're on the road all the time. We came right through prime clogging country and not once did I get to clog with anyone. At least I know that there is a clogging club in Tulsa, if we ever come through there in the future.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sunday, Sept 26th
Hi all, sorry it has taken me so long to get back to this blog. We've been busy and on our off days have just been vegging. We finished our half day week and our full 10 hour a day week. Tomorrow we'll start our second full week. The work itself is easy, just repetitious. But, the toll on the body is tough, standing for 9 1/2 hours a day is not fun, my back hurts after awhile and my feet start hurting too. Friday, several times, I thought of going to medical for some Tylenol for my back, (it hurt even with the back brace on) and Biofreeze to put on my arm. But, I managed to just go on and pretty soon, the pain went away.
More than once, I think, "what are we doing here, putting our bodies through all this at our age?" But, the money is good and our camping fees are being paid. But, yesterday, my hands kept going numb and today, they are still stiff. I bought some new shoes called Sketchers Shape-Ups. They are the oddest feeling shoes, they "rock" back and forth and the heel really isn't hitting the ground. It's hard to explain if you don't already know about them, but, as the literature says, it simulates walking on sand. It's a good workout for the hamstrings and calf muscles. I talked to a friend last night and she told me to start wearing them exclusively for a week and even though my legs are really going to be hurting, to tough it out and after the week is up, I'll start realizing how comfortable the shoes are and my leg muscles will be stronger. It really benefits the back in the end, and I'm all for no backaches after being on my feet all day. So, I, personally, will give it about a month and see how I feel after that. If I think I can't take it no matter how long we're here, I may stop, or go part time. Ron seems to be doing fine so far. He has "graduated" to a position called a "water spider". Don't ask me where they get these names because it has nothing to do with water. He goes around and restocks our boxes that we are using and the thing he likes about it is he's walking, instead of just standing in one spot all day. The downside is he's not near any fans, but, as the weather is cooling around here, that might not be a big deal.
Speaking of the weather, two days ago it was in the low 90's, today it's in the mid 60's! Sheesh, what happened to gradual weather changes...so, today, we have the heater on. Tomorrow, should be about 7 degrees warmer and then by Tuesday, the temps will be perfect, in the high 70's. I am ready for more moderate temperatures, even though we've heard from co-workers that it is always warm back where we work. That's okay, warm is good, just as long as it doesn't get overly hot, like it did earlier this week. I was sweating even though I had a fan on my back!
The other nice thing about this weekend? We did not have to work overtime!!! Apparently, at the beginning of the week, we were backlogged on orders big time, by Thursday, we were way down, and everyone's overtime was cancelled, I'm sure the regular workers were thrilled to find that out. Looks like the added numbers of workampers coming in helped tremendously, for which I am glad. I would like it if overtime didn't start up again until sometime in October, only because I would like to get a little more acclimated to standing all those hours before adding one more 10 hour day to my schedule.
No new pictures to post because after standing on our feet all day during working hours, I just don't feel like walking around town to take pictures of all the murals. But, maybe as I get more used to being on my feet, I'll be out and about more often. For now, we have Wed, Sat & Sun off, but, if overtime starts up again, we'll be working Sundays.
More than once, I think, "what are we doing here, putting our bodies through all this at our age?" But, the money is good and our camping fees are being paid. But, yesterday, my hands kept going numb and today, they are still stiff. I bought some new shoes called Sketchers Shape-Ups. They are the oddest feeling shoes, they "rock" back and forth and the heel really isn't hitting the ground. It's hard to explain if you don't already know about them, but, as the literature says, it simulates walking on sand. It's a good workout for the hamstrings and calf muscles. I talked to a friend last night and she told me to start wearing them exclusively for a week and even though my legs are really going to be hurting, to tough it out and after the week is up, I'll start realizing how comfortable the shoes are and my leg muscles will be stronger. It really benefits the back in the end, and I'm all for no backaches after being on my feet all day. So, I, personally, will give it about a month and see how I feel after that. If I think I can't take it no matter how long we're here, I may stop, or go part time. Ron seems to be doing fine so far. He has "graduated" to a position called a "water spider". Don't ask me where they get these names because it has nothing to do with water. He goes around and restocks our boxes that we are using and the thing he likes about it is he's walking, instead of just standing in one spot all day. The downside is he's not near any fans, but, as the weather is cooling around here, that might not be a big deal.
Speaking of the weather, two days ago it was in the low 90's, today it's in the mid 60's! Sheesh, what happened to gradual weather changes...so, today, we have the heater on. Tomorrow, should be about 7 degrees warmer and then by Tuesday, the temps will be perfect, in the high 70's. I am ready for more moderate temperatures, even though we've heard from co-workers that it is always warm back where we work. That's okay, warm is good, just as long as it doesn't get overly hot, like it did earlier this week. I was sweating even though I had a fan on my back!
The other nice thing about this weekend? We did not have to work overtime!!! Apparently, at the beginning of the week, we were backlogged on orders big time, by Thursday, we were way down, and everyone's overtime was cancelled, I'm sure the regular workers were thrilled to find that out. Looks like the added numbers of workampers coming in helped tremendously, for which I am glad. I would like it if overtime didn't start up again until sometime in October, only because I would like to get a little more acclimated to standing all those hours before adding one more 10 hour day to my schedule.
No new pictures to post because after standing on our feet all day during working hours, I just don't feel like walking around town to take pictures of all the murals. But, maybe as I get more used to being on my feet, I'll be out and about more often. For now, we have Wed, Sat & Sun off, but, if overtime starts up again, we'll be working Sundays.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Tuesday, Sept 14
Hi there, well, we had our orientation day at work, yesterday, which consisted of lots of paperwork and a safety class out on the floor. We did lots of walking all around the warehouse, showing us where the break rooms and bathrooms were. Of course, to us, it was a little overwhelming and we were getting all turned around. It was an all day thing, but, today, we went to our assigned depts and were trained in what to do. We are in single sortation, meaning we scan one item, put it in the right sized box and place it on the conveyor belt. We're only working half days this week, to get us used to standing and walking. We're off tomorrow and then work Thurs & Fri, then off for the weekend. Next week, we work our full ten hour shifts for four days. The week after that, we are on mandatory overtime. Last year, the workers didn't start working overtime for several weeks after starting, but, this year, their sales are way up and they desperately need our help, as the regular workers have been working overtime since June.
At first, before we actually started doing something, my feet were already starting to hurt, just standing around, but, as soon as we did start working, I forgot about my feet and did my job. I have to admit, I had fun today, it was amazing to see all the items that Amazon has for sale and here I thought, all they sold were books, CD's and DVD's...boy, was I wrong!! As I said, tomorrow is an off day for us, and we will be back bright and early Thursday and Friday mornings for our 5 1/2 hours. I'll update you on Saturday on how we did....
At first, before we actually started doing something, my feet were already starting to hurt, just standing around, but, as soon as we did start working, I forgot about my feet and did my job. I have to admit, I had fun today, it was amazing to see all the items that Amazon has for sale and here I thought, all they sold were books, CD's and DVD's...boy, was I wrong!! As I said, tomorrow is an off day for us, and we will be back bright and early Thursday and Friday mornings for our 5 1/2 hours. I'll update you on Saturday on how we did....
Saturday, September 11, 2010
That one cone did both of my ears, so I still have one left if Ron wants to try it out....
anyway, here we are in Coffeyville and just waiting to start working. The weather has cooled somewhat, but, I hear it's still hot at work as there is no air conditioning in the working areas, but, the break rooms and restrooms do have air conditioning. To me, that seems counter productive. You're only in those areas a short time and then have to go right back out to the hot areas. Over the next few days, if I have any energy at all, I will let you know how we're doing. This week, we'll only be working half days for training, so maybe it won't be too bad....
anyway, here we are in Coffeyville and just waiting to start working. The weather has cooled somewhat, but, I hear it's still hot at work as there is no air conditioning in the working areas, but, the break rooms and restrooms do have air conditioning. To me, that seems counter productive. You're only in those areas a short time and then have to go right back out to the hot areas. Over the next few days, if I have any energy at all, I will let you know how we're doing. This week, we'll only be working half days for training, so maybe it won't be too bad....
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