Weekly Chat Thread June 19th - 25th

[staytuned]

Good morning, everyone! Hard to believe it's going to officially be first day of summer on Wednesday.  Our temps are steady in 70s-low 80s, but humidity is getting higher so this is the time to wilt outdoors, ugh. Reminder, no mail today. Hope eveyrone has a dandy day!

[labbypaws]

Hi all. Been busy with the gang. Finally getting into a pattern. Little guy still has to figure out pottying. He’s been harder to train than my other ones. Not sure why. Maybe because we are training in the warmer months.

Work 4 more days and then I am off a week. It will feel more like a week off because I have nothing to do except get the furnace cleaned on Monday.

[chapeaunoir]

The temp here finally gasped and heaved its way to 50 degrees, but the rain is holding off. The DH went off on a bike ride. I'm feeling very lazy and may just go to the Goodwill tag sale. I may go to the gym this evening and see where everything is - I just joined Planet Fitness. It's cheap at a basic membership of $10/month, but a bit of a drawback is they don't have a lot of free weights and I'm pretty much of a free weights only person. They do have dumbells, though, and lots of cardio stuff and a nice environment. I still miss my clunky old 24-Hour Fitness gym, though - it was one of the 'active' low-budget ones and was pretty funky, but it had everything anyone needed including great classes, and was a neighbourhood gym. It closed when 24-Hour reorganized.

[val2525]

Partly cloudy, humid and hot. I think we're supposed to be 101 today. We did have a very nice May, so it's probably not fair to complain about the heat now. It's better in the afternoons though - hotter temp but often the humidity burns off and we often get a light breeze. If I had a house with a pool, it would be the perfect time to go sit out under an umbrella by the pool As it is, I'll settle for hamburgers in the air fryer, with air fried okra. That seems summery to me

The office is offically closed today (yay!) but I do need to put a few hours in. I think I'm going to work on a project I've been putting off for too long. I can probably finish it today since I won't have to respond to texts and emails. Even better, we're off again in 2 weeks, for July 4th. I may take the 3rd off too, or just check emails and texts while goofing off.

[jesmelric]

Omg so  hot here. Our highs though next week are:  99, 99, 96, 97, 98, 98, 99, 100, 100, 100. And at 5 am it's 81 and feels like 91!! It's terrible, there's no relief in sight

Well here is an update on DH's tools. On Thursday they told him to come to the shop and pick up his tools (he had given them a list of what was stolen). Then they proceeded to tell him his half is $650 some dollars and change, and that they will be taking it out of his check at $50 a week (so over 3 months to repay). He went in to talk to his boss and asked was he really going to make him pay for 1/2, it wasn't his fault. And his boss replied, "it's not my fault either". DH said, "I understand that but you know out of pocket I installed extra locks and a lock box and everything". So he told DH "we'll see what we can do". But we are both pretty sure it's coming out of his check this week. He's not too happy. From now on he's not using his personal tools at all any more, either way. The company will provide corded tools, but not cordless. And some jobs don't have power, or have a generator that doesn't have enough plugs. So it's faster and more efficient to get the job done if he uses his own cordless. So if they want to shoot themselves in the foot and pay more if the job takes longer, well so be it.

Speaking of pools, Val, I am thinking about just getting a small inflatable one to sit in and cool off in the back yard! When the kids were young we had several above ground ones with the pump, etc. But you have to remove the grass and lay down sand, etc  and they take a lot of work. So I was thinking maybe  a small inflatable one that I can just float around in occasionally and cool off! And I wouldn't care if the big house behind me could see me, either. They have a lot of $$ and built in pools, so too bad for them lol.

[val2525]

I feel sorry for one of my neighbors. The maintenance folks have been outside working on one of the A/Cs, yesterday and today. Hopefully though they're just doing routine maintenance on all of the units and it doesn't mean that at least one neighbor doesn't have AC. I'm leaning more towards someone not having AC though since they worked on the same cluster of AC units two days in a row. This is not a good week to have the AC on the fritz

Someone in the building doesn't have water either - notice came from the office that the plumbers will be here today. At least they let us know :

Weather forecast same as yesterday. And tomorrow

[staytuned]

That really sucks about DH's tools. I don't blame him being pissed and heck yes to using the company tools if that's the way they're going to treat him.

If we ever move down South, it would be a given we'd have to have some body of water to be able to cool off, whether a pool, the ocean or a hot tub. I'd love to have an outdoor hot tub here if we had a house. The air actually feels cooler after soaking in one plus there's nothing as exhilarating as soaking in a hot tub outdoors in winter.

[val2525]

That sucks about the tools, Jes. I'm with your DH. Use the company provided tools and to **** with the company, especially if it takes longer to do the job. Their loss.

Decades ago (gad that makes me sound soooooo old LOL) I had an inflatable pool in the "back yard" of an apartment I lived in. Friend of mine used to come over and we'd sit in it and sip cold beer.

I bet most cats follow their human into the kitchen for treats. Mine follow me in to get brushed I brush by seniority and the others wait their turn. It's cute to watch. They were a bit annoyed with me today, though. Usually I brush while breakfast is in the microwave/on the grill. This morning though I had a webinar followed by a meeting I had to issue reports for so they didn't get brushed until just now, when I went in to fix the afternoon coffee. Oops. Fortunately (for me!) my crew doesn't hold a grudge or pout for very long.

[denise15601]

Jes-sorry for your DH and that really stinks! Too bad that there isn't a better solution! I agree that he might as well use the company tools if they are going to be mean like that.

When my girls were smaller, I would put their little pool into the yard and then dump out the water when they were done. They didn't go into it every day, depending on what else we were doing that day. That way I didn't have to worry about putting something under it.

[pyrexandpearls]

I'd look into the rules in your state - it may not be legal to require repayment short of gross negligence.

[RetroMonde]

I'm sorry to hear about your DHs tool loss and extra expense. You can't tell me that if the company is providing any tools that they don't have insurance on them. Shame on them for not picking up a rider for insuring workers own tools. DH has his tools insured with a low deductible so a company large enough to have employees should be able to figure out a way to make optional tool insurance available.

It was a busy weekend- DH went camping for 10 days so I hung out at home, thrifted a couple of times, spent Thursday day antiquing with a friend, Friday went to DDs college graduation ceremony, and then the Renaissance Faire with my sis on Saturday. I was SO HAPPY to stay home Sunday & Monday. All that time when weather permitted I also did yard work and emptied the pickup of 1 yard of garden soil. I got it done this AM. Thank heavens we're not having the heat some of you get- this does feel like an El Nino summer. Yesterday we had a 20 minute torrential downpour that was insane- think we got about an inch.

Nope, haven't done a bit of listing... I've been thinking about it but that's it, lol.

[val2525]

Jes, will your auto insurance cover the tools? I know my policy covers content theft from my car.

[sunsetpainter]

Jes, that really stinks about DH's tools. I'd say screw it and only use company tools too.

When DH's old company (family owned) was bought out by a bigger company (corporate a$$hats) they told him they weren't paying for his phone any more. He was an outside salesman and needed the phone to do his job. So he said fine, went to Walmart and got the cheapest one he could. Company then proceeded to tell him that he had to remain available at all times. He told them if they bought him a phone he would be happy to. But since they wouldn't he basically told them to pound sand and turned his phone on only after he clocked in and off as soon as he clocked out. That company was one of the most toxic places to work. I'm so glad they "laid him off" during the pandemic. They offered him his job back at a cut in pay and again he told them to pound sand. He is so much happier without them.

[chapeaunoir]

Agree with your DH, Jes, about now using his own tools since even with his good precautions he was robbed on the site. 

I slept about an hour last night so finally got up and went to the Orangetheory for their 6:15 am class (they didn't have the 5 am that morning which was annoying) rather than bumping around downstairs and waking up the DH. I was so tired that I was in this fugue state, and was on the rowing machine by the window. I was just tootling along at this slow pace, looking out the window and watching the rain fall and the light grow lighter with dawn - the instructor was a tad bemused. Usually I'm lashing away at that rower trying to get those watts up. Zzzzzzzzzzzz.  I finished my shipping, went back out to drop packages at the USPS and Fedex and finally came home and had a nap. 

This evening I was passing the local park and they were having their solstice picnic - there were a lot of people there and some barbecues under the shelter, everyone wearing down coats and goretex, and the barbecue smoke going sideways lol.

[val2525]

First day of summer and our forecast is 100-104 (sources can't agree) with humidity (72% right now) and chance of severe thunderstorms tonight. Hello Summer!

At least the hurricane season isn't blowing up right now.

[jesmelric]

Jun 20, 2023 23:23:32 GMT val2525 said:

Jes, will your auto insurance cover the tools? I know my policy covers content theft from my car.

He's had tools stolen when the van was in the driveway before and the homeowner's covered it, minus deductible. But this time the van was at the jobsite, so I'm sure that wouldn't be covered.

Retro, I agree, they should have some type of insurance! This is literally how the company makes money, plumbers using tools. He is disappointed but like I said, he won't have to worry about it any more because he's going to use company provided tools only, even if that causes delays.

Well another scorcher here. 60% chance of rain in the morning, but I hate to get my hopes up. We sure need it. And it would be a nice break from the heat. Just hoping for the best and staying inside lol.

We are going to Aldi's Saturday and I see a blow up pool in the ad, I wonder if they will have any in stock, it will sure be a temptation.

[kritter]

CHEWY Spend $100, Get $30 eGift Card with promo code MYBESTIE

I love Chewy!

[val2525]

Jun 21, 2023 17:46:03 GMT jesmelric said:

He's had tools stolen when the van was in the driveway before and the homeowner's covered it, minus deductible. But this time the van was at the jobsite, so I'm sure that wouldn't be covered.

I'm not referring to homeowners. I'm talking about auto insurance. Most policies have some sort of vehicle content coverage for theft. If yours does, it should cover the theft no matter where the car was parked. Check your auto policy. Different insurance, different conditions.

[frakinfashion]

Jun 20, 2023 18:42:08 GMT jesmelric said:

So I was thinking maybe  a small inflatable one that I can just float around in occasionally and cool off! And I wouldn't care if the big house behind me could see me, either. They have a lot of $$ and built in pools, so too bad for them lol. 

It may inspire them to invite you over to float in their pool. You could use the inflatable as a raft. Worth the investment! 

Sorry about the DH tools, jes. That business is penny-wise and pound foolish.

[val2525]

Jun 21, 2023 18:17:44 GMT kritter said:

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It gets even better - use WOOF to get $15 off of $49 or more, plus use BESTIE to get the $30 e-card if your purchase is $100 or more after applying Woof. I love retailers that let you stack coupons.

[kritter]

WOOF didn't work for me maybe because I was ordering cat food and litter but I did get 5% cash back on Be Frugal.

Just got an email that part of my order that I placed earlier this afternoon is already on the way here. Fastest shipping ever.

[Desire]

Two dead small skunks and one small squirrel floating in the pool this morning. Got them out with the pool pole/net and threw them in the wheelbarrow to go dump over in the woodline.  There must have been a chase on for all of them to land in the pool at one time. The smell was so strong and disgusting, almost made me vomit. I just threw in double doses of chlorine shock to disinfect.  We always see mice or baby moles in the skimmer basket but the skunks are a first for us in all the years we have had a pool.  All I could think of was Val's raccoons when I was looking at them.

[labbypaws]

Jun 21, 2023 22:38:34 GMT kritter said:

WOOF didn't work for me maybe because I was ordering cat food and litter but I did get 5% cash back on Be Frugal.

Just got an email that part of my order that I placed earlier this afternoon is already on the way here. Fastest shipping ever.

I couldn’t use it the last time.  Not sure if there is a limit to how many you can get.

[jesmelric]

Jun 21, 2023 19:56:58 GMT val2525 said:

Jun 21, 2023 17:46:03 GMT jesmelric said:

He's had tools stolen when the van was in the driveway before and the homeowner's covered it, minus deductible. But this time the van was at the jobsite, so I'm sure that wouldn't be covered.

I'm not referring to homeowners. I'm talking about auto insurance. Most policies have some sort of vehicle content coverage for theft. If yours does, it should cover the theft no matter where the car was parked. Check your auto policy. Different insurance, different conditions.

Oh, I should have clarified it was not his personal vehicle, it was a company van. So apparently they don't have any insurance on plumbers using their personal tools, although maybe the company tools are covered, I'm not sure. I got his paycheck receipt today, and they did not take out the $50.  However, maybe it just hasn't started yet and they will take it next week, we just don't know.

Well, we had RAIN last night! Some pretty loud thunderstorms, and Janey didn't care for it, but we really, really needed the rain. Another chance this afternoon, then it dries up until at least after the 4th. DH is doing a brisket, looks like it will be hot as heck, ugh. I wonder if they will be doing a Twilight Zone marathon this year?

Well I have my annual mammogram Saturday morning (oh joy) then going to Home Depot to pick up the paint for the hall bathroom (a new shower calls for new paint lol) then to Aldi's. Definitely looking for some kind of inflatable pool Sunday we are doing the bins again, I kind of enjoyed it last time lol. Hopefully make at least  few finds.

[val2525]

jesmelric, that is one cheap-azz company if they won't cover tools stolen from their own damn vechicle. Especially when the employee paid out of pocket to install extra security on a company owned van. He should dig up the receipts for the locks and submit it for reimbursement. It wouldn't surprise me at all if the company actually did have insurance that covered all vehicle contents, made a claim, were reimbursed and still made the employee paid for 50% of the tools. I've seen some of my former clients do exactly that. I'm no longer surprised at the crap companies do to employees, counting on the fact that most employees will just blindly agree and not look up their legal rights.

However, in Texas, the company has to have DH approval in writing to take the deductions from payroll:

Can Employers Deduct Money For Mistakes?
The answer to this question isn’t a simple yes or no. In reality, the answer can vary based on the employee and situation.

In the state of Texas, employers can make an employee pay for mistakes but only if the employee previously agreed in writing to allow deductions for mistakes to be taken from their paycheck.

Without prior written consent, an employer cannot make an employee pay for mistakes.

www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/can-my-employer-charge-me-for-broken-or-lost-equipment.html

www.atkersonlaw.com/blog/2021/10/08/can-my-texas-employer-make-210939



Feds have some restrictions as well:

Note: Under the FLSA and many state laws, employers are generally required to obtain an employee's consent before making a deduction from pay. The agreement must specify the item(s) for which deductions will be made and how the amount of the deduction will be determined. It is a best practice to obtain the employee's authorization in writing and consult legal counsel before making this type of deduction.

Q: Do I have to pay for tools and equipment that employees need on the job?
A: Some states require employers to pay for the full cost of required tools and equipment.* In these states, you would either have to pay for the tools upfront or reimburse employees. If there is no state requirement to pay for tools and equipment, then you must make sure any cost the employee bears does not reduce their pay below the minimum wage or cut into overtime pay.


sbshrs.adpinfo.com/blog/uniforms-tools-and-equipment-do-i-have-to-pay-for-that

[val2525]

Chewy's customer service rocks! Most of my order placed yesterday arrived today, but the two cat litter pans were busted. One I can probably fix but the other one is a lost cause. I contacted chat and they're sending me two new ones (I'd have been happy with just one). However, it won't surprise me if one of them arrives broken given the way they pack the stupid things. I've ordered this one before. When they ship one, it arrives OK. When they ship two in a box, one of them arrives broken every time. If this happens on the replacement, I'll just fix the slightly broken one from today and use it. I don't know why they keep shipping the litter boxes they way they do. They have to be incurring money every time they replace one. Oh well.

Thunderstorm moved thru earlier. Rest of the day will be partly cloudly, very humid, and high 90's, maybe 100. Weather guy said we hit 105 yesterday and are running about 5-10 degrees hotter than usual. At least we're getting rain.

[val2525]

National Pink Flamingo Day - now that's a day I can get into! I have three on my patio - a pair of two large ones and a shorter one featuring about 5 flamingos in a flock. I have a flamingo planter on one of the plant stands and a flamingo light in the bedroom. The light is fairly useless as the on/off switch is on the cord near the plug rather than up by the lamp. It's still cute though, even when not on. I have some flamingo Christmas decor too

The trim painters are here and one is on my patio painting the wooden strips on the patio door. Twila is on the bedroom side of the door, right in his face, supervising. The painter appears to be talking to her

[jesmelric]

Jun 22, 2023 18:10:27 GMT val2525 said:

jesmelric , that is one cheap-azz company if they won't cover tools stolen from their own damn vechicle. Especially when the employee paid out of pocket to install extra security on a company owned van. He should dig up the receipts for the locks and submit it for reimbursement. It wouldn't surprise me at all if the company actually did have insurance that covered all vehicle contents, made a claim, were reimbursed and still made the employee paid for 50% of the tools. I've seen some of my former clients do exactly that. I'm no longer surprised at the crap companies do to employees, counting on the fact that most employees will just blindly agree and not look up their legal rights.

However, in Texas, the company has to have DH approval in writing to take the deductions from payroll:

Can Employers Deduct Money For Mistakes?
The answer to this question isn’t a simple yes or no. In reality, the answer can vary based on the employee and situation.

In the state of Texas, employers can make an employee pay for mistakes but only if the employee previously agreed in writing to allow deductions for mistakes to be taken from their paycheck.

Without prior written consent, an employer cannot make an employee pay for mistakes.

www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/can-my-employer-charge-me-for-broken-or-lost-equipment.html

www.atkersonlaw.com/blog/2021/10/08/can-my-texas-employer-make-210939



Feds have some restrictions as well:

Note: Under the FLSA and many state laws, employers are generally required to obtain an employee's consent before making a deduction from pay. The agreement must specify the item(s) for which deductions will be made and how the amount of the deduction will be determined. It is a best practice to obtain the employee's authorization in writing and consult legal counsel before making this type of deduction.

Q: Do I have to pay for tools and equipment that employees need on the job?
A: Some states require employers to pay for the full cost of required tools and equipment.* In these states, you would either have to pay for the tools upfront or reimburse employees. If there is no state requirement to pay for tools and equipment, then you must make sure any cost the employee bears does not reduce their pay below the minimum wage or cut into overtime pay.


sbshrs.adpinfo.com/blog/uniforms-tools-and-equipment-do-i-have-to-pay-for-that

Thank you so much for all the information. I told DH about it and he said, "Oh, they had me sign a paper but I didn't really read it" Ugh but I bet that was the reason why.

Another sweltering day again today, unfortunately no rain at all yesterday. Looking at the forecast is depressing as it's just a long row of triple digit numbers. I'm glad we'll be out early tomorrow for errands.

[val2525]

Remind DH he should read things before he signs. He might have been able to get out of paying for half the tools

High 90s here thru the weekend, then 100-101 for a few days. I can live with that. Of course I may change my mind about that in an hour after I get back in from going to WM to pickup my Rx

[chapeaunoir]

We finally huffed and gasped out of the 50s and rain and bang! Right to 80 degrees today. This always happens - there's never any time to get used to what we consider to be hot weather. So today the DH did his mountain training figuring he would get the sun and it would be kind of cloudy here. Instead, the clouds banked up in the Cascades and it started raining. He didn't have enough gear and it's a bad idea to risk uncertain weather in the mountains anyway - I've been through some ripping storms that come up in a minute, it seems, when I used to mountainbike up on Mt Rainer. He wisely turned around and cut the ride short and will get more miles later. The shoulders are brutal - around here what they call 'paving' is that they throw around a lot of gravel and then dump sealant on it and there is gravel and lumpy chipseal everywhere. They even do this down in north Seattle on city streets. He got stuck with little tar balls jamming into his tires last time, this time it was chunks of gravel.

ETA: Meanwhile I had my little run back and forth to the gym and gym class - when I headed back at 4:00 PM it was the hottest part of the day and I was all sweaty and that cold shower felt good!