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Sunday, March 1, 2015

The girl with the grandmother


Yesterday, having waited one hour for Emily to emerge from the slopes, I went into the lodge, found Customer Service and told the young woman behind the desk to call Emily’s supervisor and tell him to send her a replacement. The whole encounter was brief and effective. Austin (the supervisor) said she would be right out, and she appeared at the car door less than ten minutes later.

Emily did not know why her replacement was so late to work. “Maybe she was held up in traffic.” This elicited a snort from me; there is not enough traffic on valley roads to impede any vehicle from reaching its destination on time, if the driver were interested in arriving on time.

Over these last eight weekends Emily’s dismissal time has crept from three to three forty five, as people realize she’s a non-complainer, a soft touch. “Super Bowl Sunday! Emily won’t complain; I’ll call off.”  “Saturday night date? Emily won’t mind; I’ll call off.”

We had a driving experience this morning, driving in at 7:30. Remember, there is no salt. The double S hill was quite the challenge, and with a truck the opposite direction I couldn't use the straight line for a good go at the uphill side. Baby skittered on the ascent, looking for traction, but crested the hill, rather proud of herself, and got a little pat on the dash for job well done. Told Emily I would anticipate her dismissal at 3:30, and not be there sooner.

The snow was ended and the roads plowed clean when I left this afternoon. After thirty minutes of waiting I briskly made my way to the customer service desk. The same young woman as yesterday was on the telephone and the other customer service representative was not about to convey my directive to anyone, let alone a supervisor. I slowly repeated my request that she contact the lift supervisor and tell him it was time to dismiss Emily. “Who?” I heard him question her. “Oh, the girl with the grandmother.”

It began snowing as we left the slopes this afternoon, with half an inch on the roads before we were home and another two or three inches fell this evening.

There are three weekends left of this ski season. Give me patience. Better yet, give me spring.



Snow on the birdseed cans before breakfast.



Snow on the birdseed cans after supper.


Euba, through the window. That funny streak center is the reflection of the cat perch.


And since I sort of promised no more snow pictures, here is the cat, perched.
Aren't his whiskers magnificent!

37 comments:

  1. The girl with the grandmother...love it!

    Amazes me how so many young people do not appreciate a job these days, and are willing to take advantage of others.

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  2. Those driving conditions hopefully will not make the job a mistake.
    I'm assuming she is on the clock and gets paid for those extra minutes.

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    1. Yes, she does. For all my aggravation she will bring home an extra two hours. Fifteen bucks.

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  3. I love the girl with the grandmother. I was always taught as a child to say please and thank you and to never take advantage of people. Your photos are beautiful, Joanne.

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  4. Sounds like the title of a book. Now get busy! ;)

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  5. His whiskers are magnificent indeed and yes....please please bring us some Spring.

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  6. Keep on top of the supervisors, Joanne. Love tobey but wish his front feet were long enough to clean his ears!! Inside joke.

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  7. Love those whiskers and love that Emily has a grandmother.
    There are some signs that Autumn is thinking about making an appearance over here, so hopefully your Spring is not far away either.

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  8. Keep it up...I wish I'd had a grandmother when I was young...and I hope my two granddaughters feel that way too!

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  9. Those are magnificent looking whiskers!! Good looking cat indeed!! It is good to be known as the girl with the grandmother. Emily should be proud of the fact that you are willing to go in and 'fight" for her (and yourself) and not have her be abused by those that choose not to take their shift responsibilities.

    betty

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  10. I would be displeased also. Putting it mildly.

    Mr. Cat is beautiful.

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  11. They know not to cross Grandmom Joanne. That is so unfair and inconsiderate to have you wait almost every time you pick up Emily. They should schedule so that there is an overlap between shifts.

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  12. It is so annoying that people take advantage of reliable and dependable workers who don't complain. I've seen it again and again. Sadder is though Emily is working all this extra time past her dismissal but she probably isn't being paid for it. I can imagine what they are saying about the grand mother but am glad you are there to intervene. I mean Emily does need a ride home and no matter who is waiting for her it is not right that they should be kept waiting indefinitely and on a regular basis. I pray that Spring arrives soon for you. That will take care of a few issues.

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  13. Your granddaughter will soon learn to stand up for herself. I was one of those people who was taken advantage of. After a while it becomes old.

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  14. Hari OM
    Way to go gran!!! As for the whiskers - yup, they's handsome. Totally loving your long shot into the woods................... YAM xx

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  15. I echo your thoughts. I even fell into believing that Spring might have arrived on the back of the trade winds but this morning the winds are sweeping in from the north and bringing snow. I just feel pleased that I don't have to go out and collect someone - on time or late.

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  16. I wonder how those snippy "customer service" people would feel if they were the ones waiting in the car for an hour. You and Emily are now team GWG - girl with grandmother and grandmother with girl.
    Good for you, Joanne.

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  17. Worker turns up late once...management takes the role until said worker appears.
    Worker turns up late repeatedly...management replaces the worker with one who does turn up on time.
    I wouldn't have thought it was rocket science.
    Jane x
    PS I'm seconding for spring.

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  18. I agree with Susie... Sounds like a bestseller to me. Honest... your stories of "real life" are so interesting.

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  19. That's too bad that Emily is taken advantage of. I myself would be very irritated.
    I hear you about wanting spring.

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  20. Grrr! It doesn't pay to be nice, people just take advantage of you. Keep on being Grandma, you do it well.

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  21. Not much good as management, are they? Taking advantage of Emily - who will have a mixed reception as soft touch for covering for people but with a fire breathing grandmother who certainly isn't a soft touch - and allowing slackers to get away with it.

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  22. They must know that you bring Emily to work and come pick her up. It's one thing to have to wait ten minutes or so but an hour? That's just being thoughtless. If Emily's replacement hasn't arrived on time then her supervisor should ask her if she can stay late, not just assume that because she hasn't left her post that it's fine. and when Emily tells her that her grandmother who drove out in the ice and snow to pick her up is waiting for her then the supervisor should take Emily's place. And yes, Emily will eventually get tired of being taken advantage of and will learn to say no just like I did.

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  23. I love it too... "the girl with the grandmother"! Perfect! I think you should make use of that name to add fear into the hearts of management. And I can't imagine them not appreciating you driving through ice and snow to help your grand daughter to and from her job. Someone somewhere in the line of command is not following up.

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  24. That's absolutely irritating. I don't know how people get away with it.

    Anyway, have a great weekend ahead. There are still plenty of reasons to smile.

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  25. Gotta love it, the girl with the grandmother. Makes me smile.

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  26. One of my cats has a tiny face and long whiskers the rest just normal ones.
    Late workers always annoying and if you are waiting for them to replace you that's twice as bad.
    Merle.........

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  27. So many young people lack the work ethics your granddaughter has. Besides frustrated you must be very proud of her.

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  28. We used to have a dorm cat who looked EXACTLY like yours. Her name was "baby" and she had free reign of our dorm and if one left their door unlocked, she would push until she got in. It was not uncommon for me to wake up with a cat cuddled up with me under my covers....right on my pussy. It is a very strange feeling, let me tell you. And it wasn't just me, it was her body part of choosing. Odd little cat. I wonder what became of her?

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  29. I've been referred to in much the same manner. It's good to make an impression!

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  30. The girl with the grandmother, indeed. Take note, EVERYONE: Grandma's here.

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  31. I knew this was going to be a good one when i read the title, the girl with the grandmother, good for you.

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  32. "The girl with the grandmother" well, at least they know who she is!
    Toby does have magnificent whiskers, he's a very handsome cat.

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  33. Isn't he magnificent full stop - and by the looks of him he knows it.
    And just keep on complaining Grandmother - sounds as though they all need a shake up.

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  34. Jess is getting home later & later from work as the 15 year after school boy doesn't do his jobs. I said she has to toughen up & tell him !

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  35. Oh my -- people can take advantage of a situation -- like you tell of in your ski story. Also to drive on those snowy roads does not sound good. I bet you are so looking forward to warm weather which by all accounts should be soon -- lets hope so. -- barbara

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