Friday, August 10, 2012

New Girl

D and I have a new co-worker. She works with us part time – Tues and Thurs afternoons. That’s good, since that’s about all we could handle of her anyways! She isn’t a BAD co-worker, but she is a WEIRD one…really weird! I’m foreseeing this being an on-going post with updates as they happen, so sit back and enjoy the ride! 

For the sake of privacy, let’s call her “The Bag Lady”. Why The Bag Lady, you may ask. Well, let’s see…that’s where we can begin… 

For the first two weeks, she brought a large tote bag with her to work every day. I don’t know what all was in the bag, but so far we have seen a blanket, lunch bag, water bottles (to “wet her lips”), notebooks, and jacket to name a few things. After those two weeks, she moved up to a rolling suitcase. When we asked about the suitcase, she told us the bag was getting too heavy for her shoulder. She was tired of walking around like “Fred Sanford”. *I really wish I could demonstrate her imitation of Fred slumped over and limping…you’ll just have to imagine it!* I’m not talking about a small carry-on. It’s at least the medium sized suitcase in a set. Red with black polka-dots.

 The Bag Lady's suitcase, pocketbook, flower hat

That’s the background on the name, here’s a little background on her. The Bag Lady is in her mid 40’s. She is short and round (particularly round in the rear, if you know what I mean). She typically wears hats to work. I’m talking bright pink straw hats with a pig pin on the front. She has been trading out the pink pig hat for a tan straw hat with large fake flowers glued to it. I, personally, like that one best. Thankfully, she does take them off after she gets here, but it is a sight to behold coming through the front door! She lives about 45 minutes away from our office – yes, and only works two half days a week…I know!! When I asked her if she had any kids, she quickly responded, “I have 4 dogs, 2 cats, and a bird.” At this point, D sent me a text that said, “Polly want a cracker?!” (That’s the bad thing about D…she sits at a desk behind us and can laugh about everything without getting caught. She also sends me random texts like this that make me laugh and get me in trouble!)

 Bag Lady on her arrival to the office. She looks like a tourist with that suitcase and hat!

On her first visit to meet us, she was very concerned about getting the necessary shots to work around kids. She was a bit concerned when we told her the only shots we get are flu shots, and none of us did that before they made it mandatory last year. She also questioned us up and down about what we do when it snows. (Yes, we met her in mid-June…again, I know!!) She asked if there were places to stay here at work if we weren’t able to get home because of the weather. I don’t know about you, but it will have to be BAD weather before I get stuck at work and can’t get home!!! 

This is a good time to tell you about her car. At some point between visiting us for the first time and actually coming to work, her car broke down. I’m not exactly sure what the problem is, but apparently it is not drivable right now. As previously mentioned, she lives about 45 minutes from the office. For the first 3 weeks, she had a girl that she met in one of her training classes (met, not friends with!) who must live somewhat close to her, come by her house and give her ride to our office in Greenville on her way to work. The Bag Lady would then hang out (according to her, “lay around on their couch”) until our sweet nurse came by to pick her up and bring her to our office at lunch time. Our nurse would then take her back to the Greenville office and that girl would take her home. It sounds as crazy to write that as it does to hear her explain it!

Last week, the driving situation changed a bit. For whatever reason (actually, I’d love to know the reason), the girl that picked her up at home was not able to do so. We got a call mid-morning from our nurse to let us know that The Bag Lady would not be at work that day. You see, with the first portion of the trip cancelled, she wasn’t able to get a ride the 2nd half of the way. A few minutes later, D got a call from The Bag Lady asking where the Greyhound stopped near our office. D explained that the bus does not come to our small town. The Bag Lady told D to look up their number in the phone book and call them to ask about it. (That’s another thing about her…she is kind of pushy/bossy with things that she wants you to do.) D again explained that calling them wouldn’t make a difference since the bus DOES NOT come anywhere near our office. 

This week, she was able to come to work, but only because she rented a car (a Nissan Cube) for a couple of days. I don’t know what the plan is for next week. I’ll let you know when it happens though!  

I’ll stop for now so this isn’t incredibly long. That’s a good intro. Stories about The Bag Lady will follow tomorrow…

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