July 16, 2006

• *** Warning -VERY LONG Venting post ahead ***

  ***Warning – Venting post ahead ***

  
  

  It  has been a rough week

  
  

  Todays List

  
  

  Laundry  - Done !

  
  

  Return Library Books

  
  

  Make Bread - Done !

  
  

  Sweep - Done !

  
  

  Mop  - Done !

  
  

  Dust upstairs and down - Done !

  
  

  Clean up Guest Rooms - Done !

  
  

  Clean up sewing area (dogs have developed an interest in it) - Done !

  
  

  List books for ebay

  
  

  Make dinner for a couple of days ahead – - Done !

  
  

  Clean up yard gifts left by dogs

  
  

  Paperwork in desk

  
  

  Get new modem,  printer - Done ! ) and router -

  
  

   Severe computer meltdown. 

  
  

  This is the reason I still keep my dial-up connection as a back up.

  
  

  ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

  
  

  Our DSL service has never been good. 

  
  

   On and off all the time.  We have had them come out and “service” the line countless times.  They always lead back to a line problem – but they have no idea how to fix it.  We have paid for dedicated lines and still same problem.  Now it is worse than ever.  On and off at least a dozen times a day – if it even connects.  They are now telling us that the latest trouble ticket is still open – 6 weeks now.  They have no idea when anyone is going to do anything about it though.  Then they tell us that they will “exclate” the call and the tech support department will call us back. Right!  Never happens.  It is to the point now that my guy and are are bickering about it because we are both so fustrated about it.  We had problems since the day we signed up with them and I wanted it cancelled immediatley and a new service. Now we are 4 months away from our contracting ending and I am no way going to renew with this company.  Great example of their “Customer Service”  — Called AGAIN last night – no info – have to refer the call to the line service dept which is closed.  This morning – no service as usual.  Back on the phone.  The rep says she is going to transfer me  and she is going to stay on the line to tell them what the problem is.  She puts me on hold and the recording comes on telling me to wait.  Then the next recording comes on telling me no one is on the line and disconnects me.   My guy calls back and gets yet another rep and tells them the same story and they tell him the department she was trying to transfer me to doesn’t even open for 20 more minutes  They wonder why people get angry.  So we wait and he calls them.  After 35 minutes on the phone they agree there is a problem and they try to blame our phones! Then they say they will send someone out to check the jacks  Our phones are plugged into those jacks and they work fine.  Stupid @*%&^& .

  
  

  I guess it is just too much to expect to get the service you pay for. 

  
  

  Of course I have a TON of computer work to do and now I will be doing it via dial-up internet so that will take even longer.  Oh well – at least it will get done I guess.

  
  

  I would appreciate any input on who your service providers are and how you feel – good or bad about the service you have.  I am going to try to decide who to go with when the contract ends. 

  
  

  +++++++++++++++++++++++++++

  
  

  The store

  
  

  The store has been really slow again this week – scary slow.  I don’t know what we are going to do if it doesn’t start picking up soon.  I will be listing a ton of things on ebay for the store to try to generate some cash that way.  I am not a money person, so this kind of thing is really hard for me.  All I need is enough to pay bills and things we need with a touch left over.  No big grand money plans here – usually when we get a bit ahead I end up spending it on other people anyway.   Just not what makes me happy. I guess I have to concentrate on developing a little different attitude about it.

  
  

  Store related:  We have been trying since day one to get into the Entertainment Book.  Those are the books filled with different coupons for stores and places to eat.  We were told way back that we would have to wait for an opening, that the books are laid out by the number of places participating and unless someone drops out there is no room for new places.  Okay I bought that.  The first year. 

  
  

  The second year there was a place in the book that opened AFTER I did  

  
  

  Nice lady and all that.  But still

  
  

  Sells used maternity clothes.  Buys them from people and gives cash or store credit.  Same as me, except she does maternity and I do plus size (18 and up only)

  
  

  She carries a bit of new stuff, but her shop is 90 % resale.

  
  

  I carry new bridal, formal, jewelry, gifts, toys, and some new day to day wear too.  My shop is about 60 % resale.

  
  

  They had no reason for that one.  Guaranteed that I was in last years book.  Book came out – Nope, not in it anywhere.  They did put it on line, but no one knows you are there.  Then they put it – without tell me or getting my consent – into a cable company welcome packet.  Hmmm… so they know I exsist. 

  
  

  I have called them at least 25 times this year.  The reps are getting to know my voice.  But the supervisors can’t make the people who handle getting me into the book call me back.  They have sent emails and called them.  Nothing.  The book deadline is approaching fast.  I have decided to give them this week coming up.  I will call and email them every day.  If I do not have a contract in my hand by Friday I have decided to go to the media.  The only possible reason I can find for them not calling me back and putting me in the book is the Plus Size issue.  I thought at first it was because I was new – nope.  Lots of new shops in the book these last four years.  I thought it was because of the USED aspect of the clothes. Nope the maternity lady sells mostly used.   There are NO plus size shops in the book at all.  I WILL get in that book if it is the last thing I do!! Damn shame too.  Those books are supposed to be a fund raiser and lots of my customers buy them from the schools.  We get asked all the time why we aren’t in it.  I really think it would help my business a lot.

  
  

  Keep your fingers crossed

  
  

  +++++++++++++++++++++++++++

  
  

  Family

  
  

  One of my cousins went to the hospital this week because he was having trouble breathing.  They found he has cancer in 90 % of his body and has about 6 months to live.  Just sucks.  Every summer my family loses someone.  We are now to the point where my parents generation is completly gone.  This cousin is the first of the generation before mine to go.  We are not a family that lives until their 80′s or 90′s.  I am hoping to change that and live to 90.  I need to be a burden to my grandson, let alone my daughter. I was very close to this cousin for a long time, but then found out a lot of things that were said about me behind my back to other family members and basically stayed away.  Never confronted him, just pulled back. Now of course I am saddened by this too.  I will try to mend a bit, but we will see how it goes. He is the final one in the trio of my Father, my Uncle and him.  Fishing and hunting buddies for years.  He was the one that led the procession to take my Father to his final resting place in the mountains where they all used to go until my Mother stopped it.   I have a lot of good memories of him and those are what I will choose to hang onto

  
  

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  Friends that are family

  
  

  The Arizona gang will be back on Tuesday for a couple of weeks – They will be minus one.  They had to place one of the boys in a different home – for good.  After 7 years they could just not take the risks anymore.  He was beginning to try to hurt the younger children and the police, social workers, counselors, etc were all in agreement that this boy was going to kill someone if they did not get him out of there.  His mom is devestated, she has had him for 7 years – finalized the adoption about 5 years ago.  They tried everything with him, and they are no strangers to the type of problems he has.  They have fostered over 200 children and been Foster parents of the year tons of times.  They adopted six children all together and have three biological children ( the three are in their 20′s now).  Just couldn’t get through to this one.  He ran off again this past week – getting through the alarm system on his bedroom door and in the main part of the house – the system they installed just for this type of thing.  When the police brought him back their oldest daughter was their with her  2 month old son and he tried to hurt the baby.  Of course during all this he is telling my friends how he is going to kill them all.  It was just enough.  She called CPS and had him put into a safe house for evaluation and he will be sent to a boys home where he will remain until he is at least 18.  She will be able to go see him and so will we.  We will send him cards and letters and gifts on his birthday and holidays.  We are praying that maybe, just maybe, he will get the help that will finally let him put the demons behind him and go on.   It is such a tragedy that is had to come to this.  An example of the lasting effects of what abuse can do to a child. 

  
  

  +++++++++++++++++++++++++++

  
  

  Tomorrow I go to have some tests run.  I have to drink 64 ounces of water between midnite and 6am.  Lordy I will be looking for the potty all day tomorrow.  Tuesday I have an appointment to find out the results of the tests.  Next week is more tests.  I am the busy co-pay lady

  
  

  ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

  
  

  Lastly,  I really am not as bitter or depressive as this post is.  Generally I am a pretty positive gal.  Somedays though…..

  
  

  The good:  Had dinner with my sister, babyjahlove, her husband, and the Sunshineman last night.  Fresh Choice. Yummy stuff.  The little guy is wonderful.  He was so great, having fun, full of smiles and hugs and kisses when we left.  Makes my whole day to see them all. 

  
  

  The dogs have kept distruction to a minimum this week.  Just a couple of yard toys and some paper.  Not bad at all.

  
  

  Got Miss J’s registry cards done so she could get her wedding invites out

  
  

  Talked to AC on line for a bit and on the phone for one of our old “sitting on the phone for hours not really saying much just happy knowing the other is there” conversations.  Probably going to dinner this week

  
  

  My neighbor D popped over the fence this morning and we traded some jam I made for some cucumbers she grew.  She is a rose is any garden – truly a blessing.

  
  

  And of course the usual: A roof over my head and food in the pantry.  Dogs that love me, a family that loves and tolerates me and puts up with my quirks (most the time) friends to call and Xanga buddies to “Visit” with.

  
  

  No matter the pitfalls – It is all good and I am really am blessed

  
  

  Have a good one –

  
  

  I will comment as the silly DSL  allows, so if you see I have been by but not written, it is just ’cause it keeps popping me in and out

  
  

   

  • 1:45 pm
  • 6 Comments