Hmmm, managed to skip all of March and not make a single post. Don't really know how that happened but it did. The weather is beginning to look like Spring, so I'll hop back on the blogging buggy and try to post something here on a semi-regular basis. Don't you just love how exact I am?
Anyway today, or was it yesterday? My friend LM posted in her blog about running out of rice. She realized moments after returning from grocery shopping. Worse, she lives in an area where the stores will be closed for the next week. You'll have to read her blog to find out why, and how she resolved the problem. But, her post got me to thinking how spoiled we Americans are.
Do you remember when all, or most stores closed on Sunday? And Holidays? And by six?Forget to buy rolls for Easter Dinner? Or realize you don't have any coffee for the next morning at nine?Well, better have some other option available because nothing will be open Sunday morning or after five. I remember when 7-11 first came to our area. A store that opened as early as 7am? People could stop and pick up something for lunch on their way to work. And, wonder of wonders, this store sold ready made coffee. And that coffee? No problem, they were open until eleven, plenty of time to run in and purchase a bag. Those Easter rolls? Again, open seven days a week, no problem.
Well, actually, there was a problem. They charged for their convience, highly. But gradually people adjusted to paying two prices for something they needed right now. Convenience stores multiplied. I'm not even sure 7-11 exists any more, but they've paved the way for plenty of others.
And it isn't just convience stores. My local grocery store is open on Sundays, and as late as nine. They do close on some holidays, but they've added the convience of allowing people to shop when it's best for them, not just when the stores are open. Then, of course, there are the SuperStores, stores that sell a little of everything and are open 24/7. Christmas day is their only exception.
We are spoiled. If we forget something, or just have a craving for something not in the house, no problem, just run down to the store and fill our needs. Of course, for some of us, who live several miles from the store we tend to not cater to every whim. After all, it costs money to drive 10 to 40 miles to a store. Even at that, I know if I really want to I can drive a short distance and at least one store will be open for me.
So what about you? Are you spoiled to the convience of anytime shopping?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Another list
Carolyn tagged me in Facebook to share 25 things about myself that will astound my friends. Ha! I don't think I have 25 things that will astound anyone. But, I'm willing to try. However, since I barely know how to use Facebook, much like Amy, I'm going to cheat (learning from Amy) and post my 25 things about myself here. Plus, it gives me another post. With that said, here goes.
1. I used to detest green, for walls, for clothes, for anything except those things God made green naturally. Oh, and money, I've always liked money despite it being green. However, life has changed and now green and I are friends. My living room, dinning room, office are all painted a light shade of green.
2. My living room, dinning room, and office are all basically one long room. No surprise to those who've been in this house, but my 'cyber friends' didn't know that one. Never mind they also didn't care. This isn't about caring, this is about a list.
3. I'm not a big fan of curtains, pulled up at stratigic points to create a swag effect (or scalloped edge, I'm not sure) at the bottom of the curtain in my house. They look fine in other people's homes, just out of place here.
4. When I moved into this house I bought the first curtains I'd ever purchased. I usually make my curtains.
5.I like using sheets to make curtains, they come in some pretty nifty colors and patterns.
6. I have been known to actually purchase yardage of material to make curtains if I can't find sheets in the colors or design I like.
7. I can can. As in preserving food in a glass jar. I don't very often, but I know how and have done it.
8. I am slowly learning to garden veggies, in the past my job was to harvest, eat, or preserve the goodies from the garden, someone else was in charge of planting, and caring for them.
9.My last haircut was exactly what I thought I wanted, but after I got it found out it wasn't what I wanted after all.
10. I'm letting my hair grow, when it's long enough to cut, and still leave me some length I'll have it cut and donate it.
11. I used to be considered a hippie by some in my husband's family (a fact I just learned)
12. I did graduate high school in California a loooooooong time ago. (I'm not sure that's a hippie qualification though)
13. I attended 8 or 9 (depends on how you count them) different schools, and no my dad was not military.
14. I am the oldest of four children.
15. There are 10 years between my birth year, and my only sister's.
16. There are 10 years between my sister's birth year, and my daughter, and first born child.
17. I hate exercise unless there's a large body of water involved. Of course, I don't actually want to wear the swim suit that's usually required for pool exercise.
18. I'm basically a shy person, a fact that astounds many people who've known me for any length of time.
19. I like to talk, but not in front of groups.
20. Number 19 is why I joined Toastmasters
21.I was not fond of school, resisted college to the point of quitting once I had a good excuse.
22. Despite not being a fan of school, I enjoy learning. I enjoy taking taking individual, one subject classes or workshops.
23. I enjoy reading, another way to learn without the dreaded school.
24. Despite not being a fan of school for me, I encourage younger people to attend college.
25. I've even written a book advising students on obtaining scholarships to pay for the college I don't want to attend, but think is invaluable to them.
There ya go. Twenty-five things. I'm not tagging anyone else. Either they've been tagged, or prefer to not be tagged. If you don't fit either of these and you want to be take part, consider yourself tagged. Have fun.
1. I used to detest green, for walls, for clothes, for anything except those things God made green naturally. Oh, and money, I've always liked money despite it being green. However, life has changed and now green and I are friends. My living room, dinning room, office are all painted a light shade of green.
2. My living room, dinning room, and office are all basically one long room. No surprise to those who've been in this house, but my 'cyber friends' didn't know that one. Never mind they also didn't care. This isn't about caring, this is about a list.
3. I'm not a big fan of curtains, pulled up at stratigic points to create a swag effect (or scalloped edge, I'm not sure) at the bottom of the curtain in my house. They look fine in other people's homes, just out of place here.
4. When I moved into this house I bought the first curtains I'd ever purchased. I usually make my curtains.
5.I like using sheets to make curtains, they come in some pretty nifty colors and patterns.
6. I have been known to actually purchase yardage of material to make curtains if I can't find sheets in the colors or design I like.
7. I can can. As in preserving food in a glass jar. I don't very often, but I know how and have done it.
8. I am slowly learning to garden veggies, in the past my job was to harvest, eat, or preserve the goodies from the garden, someone else was in charge of planting, and caring for them.
9.My last haircut was exactly what I thought I wanted, but after I got it found out it wasn't what I wanted after all.
10. I'm letting my hair grow, when it's long enough to cut, and still leave me some length I'll have it cut and donate it.
11. I used to be considered a hippie by some in my husband's family (a fact I just learned)
12. I did graduate high school in California a loooooooong time ago. (I'm not sure that's a hippie qualification though)
13. I attended 8 or 9 (depends on how you count them) different schools, and no my dad was not military.
14. I am the oldest of four children.
15. There are 10 years between my birth year, and my only sister's.
16. There are 10 years between my sister's birth year, and my daughter, and first born child.
17. I hate exercise unless there's a large body of water involved. Of course, I don't actually want to wear the swim suit that's usually required for pool exercise.
18. I'm basically a shy person, a fact that astounds many people who've known me for any length of time.
19. I like to talk, but not in front of groups.
20. Number 19 is why I joined Toastmasters
21.I was not fond of school, resisted college to the point of quitting once I had a good excuse.
22. Despite not being a fan of school, I enjoy learning. I enjoy taking taking individual, one subject classes or workshops.
23. I enjoy reading, another way to learn without the dreaded school.
24. Despite not being a fan of school for me, I encourage younger people to attend college.
25. I've even written a book advising students on obtaining scholarships to pay for the college I don't want to attend, but think is invaluable to them.
There ya go. Twenty-five things. I'm not tagging anyone else. Either they've been tagged, or prefer to not be tagged. If you don't fit either of these and you want to be take part, consider yourself tagged. Have fun.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
She Did it Her Way
Frank Sinatra sang, "I Did It My Way" back in the day (sorry, no year for you).
That song has been running through my head for the last week because that phrase, if not all the lyrics so accurately describes my mother-in-law who passed away last Sunday.
She hadn't seen a doctor since 1960 when her youngest child was born. And he (the doctor) came to the house to check on her and the baby. The medical people all had trouble believing that when she finally consented to medical help.
Visitors found it hard to believe she hadn't seen a doctor in all those years. They'd question us, (the kids), "why not?". Well, because she didn't want to, and she had a right to refuse medical attention if she wanted to. Besides, she wasn't really 'sick'. It was her choice. Like I said, she did it her way.
Her house, her castle was what she wanted too. It was always neat, tidy and welcoming. It was also old and drafty and missing some luxuries. She handled the drafts by plugging them. She didn't want someone coming in and messing with her house, "making a mess". She raised four children in that house, and it was 'grandma's' house to all her grandkids. She saw no reason to change anything. It suited her, and that was all that really mattered.
Her phone was the old black desk, rotary dial phone wired into the house. If you're old enough you know what I'm talking about. She didn't want a newer phone, several had been bought for her, she didn't want anyone messing with the wiring. The phone she had worked just fine, she didn't see a need for spending money on a newer one that might not work.
Another luxury item she shunned was a washing machine. She washed clothes by hand, that was her way, she saw no need to change it. Not to meantion, in her view, those machines were hard on clothes, and they didn't get them as clean. She did her washing her way.
She did have a color tv, but it was after the fight, and she kept her black and white one for when the color tv quit working. It didn't. Her "new tv" also had a remote that she refused to use for the longest time. Finally, she did because it was easier for her. But, she never changed the channel. Of course she didn't have much choice. Where she lives she only gets one channel clear, and no, she had no interest in a satellite dish, or cable. Her rabbit ears worked just fine. She said she didn't have any need for all those other channels. She watched little television, a couple of her favorite shows, and the news. She always kept up with the news.
In every aspect, she lived life her way and she was happy and loved. Well loved.
That song has been running through my head for the last week because that phrase, if not all the lyrics so accurately describes my mother-in-law who passed away last Sunday.
She hadn't seen a doctor since 1960 when her youngest child was born. And he (the doctor) came to the house to check on her and the baby. The medical people all had trouble believing that when she finally consented to medical help.
Visitors found it hard to believe she hadn't seen a doctor in all those years. They'd question us, (the kids), "why not?". Well, because she didn't want to, and she had a right to refuse medical attention if she wanted to. Besides, she wasn't really 'sick'. It was her choice. Like I said, she did it her way.
Her house, her castle was what she wanted too. It was always neat, tidy and welcoming. It was also old and drafty and missing some luxuries. She handled the drafts by plugging them. She didn't want someone coming in and messing with her house, "making a mess". She raised four children in that house, and it was 'grandma's' house to all her grandkids. She saw no reason to change anything. It suited her, and that was all that really mattered.
Her phone was the old black desk, rotary dial phone wired into the house. If you're old enough you know what I'm talking about. She didn't want a newer phone, several had been bought for her, she didn't want anyone messing with the wiring. The phone she had worked just fine, she didn't see a need for spending money on a newer one that might not work.
Another luxury item she shunned was a washing machine. She washed clothes by hand, that was her way, she saw no need to change it. Not to meantion, in her view, those machines were hard on clothes, and they didn't get them as clean. She did her washing her way.
She did have a color tv, but it was after the fight, and she kept her black and white one for when the color tv quit working. It didn't. Her "new tv" also had a remote that she refused to use for the longest time. Finally, she did because it was easier for her. But, she never changed the channel. Of course she didn't have much choice. Where she lives she only gets one channel clear, and no, she had no interest in a satellite dish, or cable. Her rabbit ears worked just fine. She said she didn't have any need for all those other channels. She watched little television, a couple of her favorite shows, and the news. She always kept up with the news.
In every aspect, she lived life her way and she was happy and loved. Well loved.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Lemons to Lemonade Award
Let me see if I can keep this straight. Fellow Okie, and writer, Vivian at, Brain Cells and Bubble wrap, tagged another Okie friend and writer, Jen at Creatif with the lemonade from lemons award.
And Vivian had been tagged by Holly from her blog, Do I Have to Spell It Out. Now Holly isn't an Okie, in fact she lives in Texas. But, she is a writer, and that overrides the fact she lives south of the red river. And her blog is pretty cool to boot too.
I'm not sure who started this mess by tagging Holly, but the rules are pretty simple. All the nominees must do is nominate 10 blogs they feel are worthy of the award. Hmmm, I think I can do that. And I won't even cheat and tag myself. You see, Jen tagged me at my other blog, because she knows I'm trying to attract readers to it.
But, since I use that blog strictly for giving information about college scholarships, I decided to tag from this blog. Plus, it gives me another post for this week on this blog. (sneaky aren't I?)
Finding people with blogs who haven't been tagged is a bit tricky. But, I'm up for the challenge. So, without any further ado, my nominees are:
Frank Baron
The Smitten Image
Ravenlea
Skyraven
Preventive Parenting
Wee Ghosties
Pink Ink
Melanie
Write Now
Dawn - Palms to Pines
It is now your turn to nominate ten worthy blogs of the lemon to lemonade award. And yes, most of those are blogs of writers. That's because those are the blogs I'm most familiar with. In fact, most of these bloggers hang out at Absolute Write.
Although, I recently learned of some cool blogs by Okies. But, since they don't know me yet, thought it best not to be tagging them.
And Vivian had been tagged by Holly from her blog, Do I Have to Spell It Out. Now Holly isn't an Okie, in fact she lives in Texas. But, she is a writer, and that overrides the fact she lives south of the red river. And her blog is pretty cool to boot too.
I'm not sure who started this mess by tagging Holly, but the rules are pretty simple. All the nominees must do is nominate 10 blogs they feel are worthy of the award. Hmmm, I think I can do that. And I won't even cheat and tag myself. You see, Jen tagged me at my other blog, because she knows I'm trying to attract readers to it.
But, since I use that blog strictly for giving information about college scholarships, I decided to tag from this blog. Plus, it gives me another post for this week on this blog. (sneaky aren't I?)
Finding people with blogs who haven't been tagged is a bit tricky. But, I'm up for the challenge. So, without any further ado, my nominees are:
Frank Baron
The Smitten Image
Ravenlea
Skyraven
Preventive Parenting
Wee Ghosties
Pink Ink
Melanie
Write Now
Dawn - Palms to Pines
It is now your turn to nominate ten worthy blogs of the lemon to lemonade award. And yes, most of those are blogs of writers. That's because those are the blogs I'm most familiar with. In fact, most of these bloggers hang out at Absolute Write.
Although, I recently learned of some cool blogs by Okies. But, since they don't know me yet, thought it best not to be tagging them.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Veterinarians are Good People to Know
My friend Raven, from Absolute Write (AW), posted on her blog the other day about her veterinarian issues. For those of you who live in town or a city and don't have an animal a good vet is more important than a good doctor.
After all, a doctor can talk to her human patient (except in some cases). The human tell the doctor what he's feeling, when it began, and how severe it is. For the vet, all she has to go by is the information the loving owner can provide. Owners are good, but we don't always know the answers. After all, if we're talking about livestock, we have no way of knowing what happens when we are inside and now out with the animals.
Good vet's also make house calls, almost unheard of for human doctors. But, taking our horse, cow, pig to the vet is more complicated than wrapping our loved one in a blanket and stuffing him in the car. No, for us to take our animals, we must hook up the trailer, load the animal (assuming it can walk and isn't down) then drive several miles to the vet, a trip that adds to our animal's discomfort and distress. So, a good large animal vet is invaluable.
For most of us, Raven included, the problems occur when our regular vet is unavailable for any reason. Hey, they're good, but they're also human, they need time off, and time with their family. We understand their need for time off, and except in an emergency don't call them during their off hours. But, emergencies happen. What's an animal owner/lover to do?
In my case, I still call my vet's office. He has an answering service and they route the call to whichever vet is "on call". He has two vets working in his office and they take turns taking the off hour calls. Before he had help, he and another vet made a deal to cover for each other when one was completely unavailable, out of town, at a child's event, at a family function, whatever kept the vet away, the other vet would cover.
I'm sorry Raven had such trouble and in the end took matters in her own hands. Just something else we've learned to do. Something our good vets know and take into consideration. They know we handle anything we can, if we're calling them in their off hours it's important.
The last time I had to call our vet he was out of town, I think he was out of state. But he called his office and told his partner to come, and to come prepared to do a "C" section on our animal. While working on our animal she looked at me and said, "how did he know I'd have to do this?"
She was new to his office. I explained, Dr. R had been our vet for 26 years. He knew if I was calling him I'd done everything I knew to do and was resorting to the last resort, calling him.
I'm sorry Raven's vet doesn't have such a plan in place. But, I'm glad she posted about it because it brought back some interesting memories concerning our vet. Dr. R is still my vet, but currently my animals are limited to a dog and a couple of cats. This summer that will change again, but I still shouldn't have much need for a vet. At least I can hope. Much as I like Dr. R, paying a vet bill is not a fun thing for anyone.
After all, a doctor can talk to her human patient (except in some cases). The human tell the doctor what he's feeling, when it began, and how severe it is. For the vet, all she has to go by is the information the loving owner can provide. Owners are good, but we don't always know the answers. After all, if we're talking about livestock, we have no way of knowing what happens when we are inside and now out with the animals.
Good vet's also make house calls, almost unheard of for human doctors. But, taking our horse, cow, pig to the vet is more complicated than wrapping our loved one in a blanket and stuffing him in the car. No, for us to take our animals, we must hook up the trailer, load the animal (assuming it can walk and isn't down) then drive several miles to the vet, a trip that adds to our animal's discomfort and distress. So, a good large animal vet is invaluable.
For most of us, Raven included, the problems occur when our regular vet is unavailable for any reason. Hey, they're good, but they're also human, they need time off, and time with their family. We understand their need for time off, and except in an emergency don't call them during their off hours. But, emergencies happen. What's an animal owner/lover to do?
In my case, I still call my vet's office. He has an answering service and they route the call to whichever vet is "on call". He has two vets working in his office and they take turns taking the off hour calls. Before he had help, he and another vet made a deal to cover for each other when one was completely unavailable, out of town, at a child's event, at a family function, whatever kept the vet away, the other vet would cover.
I'm sorry Raven had such trouble and in the end took matters in her own hands. Just something else we've learned to do. Something our good vets know and take into consideration. They know we handle anything we can, if we're calling them in their off hours it's important.
The last time I had to call our vet he was out of town, I think he was out of state. But he called his office and told his partner to come, and to come prepared to do a "C" section on our animal. While working on our animal she looked at me and said, "how did he know I'd have to do this?"
She was new to his office. I explained, Dr. R had been our vet for 26 years. He knew if I was calling him I'd done everything I knew to do and was resorting to the last resort, calling him.
I'm sorry Raven's vet doesn't have such a plan in place. But, I'm glad she posted about it because it brought back some interesting memories concerning our vet. Dr. R is still my vet, but currently my animals are limited to a dog and a couple of cats. This summer that will change again, but I still shouldn't have much need for a vet. At least I can hope. Much as I like Dr. R, paying a vet bill is not a fun thing for anyone.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Customer Service No Longer Available
My friend Frank, posted here, about his "discussions" with the Canada phone company.
Well, Frank, I think those companies all send their employees to the same robotic training course.
A couple of years ago I had a similiar problem with my satelite tv provider. I won't name them to protect the guilty. My husband died Sep. 5, on on the morning of Sep 7 I decided I'd pay bills before I forgot. Since his goodbye party wasn't until that afternoon, I needed to do something to occupy my mind.
We didn't have internet at our house then, so I paid most of our bills by phone. You know, dial a number, push some more numbers on the touch-tone phone, and presto, bill was paid. Money was withdrawn from our checking account. There were only a couple of bills I couldn't pay this way and had to actually write and mail a check.
Everything went as usual. I phoned companies, pushed button, got a confirmation number, bill paid, on to the next one. Until I got to the television satelitte company. For some reason that one wouldn't go through. I don't know if our account had been frozen (that happens in a death), of if it was their weird system.
Now, here's the thing, the bill wasn't due yet. I was paying it early. Maybe, that's why it wouldn't go, but I'd paid early before. I like paying all my bills on the same day, cuts down on forgetting to pay somebody. When I couldn't get the payment to go through, I contacted a real person.
Yes, he could help me with the transaction but there would be a fee charged.
I didn't care. Well, I did, but I didn't feel like messing with it, just pay the darn bill already.
Nope, he couldn't get it to go through either. He suggested I wait a few days and try again, after all the bill wasn't due yet, or I could send them a check.
I opted for the check. Remember? Get everything paid. I wrote a check, addressed an envelope, and mailed it the next day.
Now, here's where the problem occurred. A day or two later I went to the bank to close out our joint accounts, I was being weird, but I didn't want to get a bank statement with my husband's name on it. Didn't think I could handle it. The bank was very nice, helped me set up a new checking account. They couldn't set up a new savings account yet, it was still frozen. But, they did the paperwork, so once the few assets we had were released they'd go straight to my new account.
They asked about checks I might have out. I told them, including the one to the tv people. They said no problem, they'd flag the old account, and when the checks came in route them to the new account. We checked and all the bills I'd paid with my debit card had already cleared. We were good. I thought.
A couple of days later I got a form letter from the bank telling me a check had bounced.
What? They were supposed to catch them. I called the bank. After some investigating it was determined it wasn't a check, but an electronic withdrawal. That hadn't been flagged, I didn't know the tv people didn't cash checks but did electric withdrawals off the check. Great.
Called the tv people, they said no my account was showing paid, I was good. I knew I wasn't but their computer said I was. Uh-huh. A day or so later I get a form letter from them telling me the check had bounced and my service would be cut off.
Wait a min. The bill isn't even due yet. I called them again. Tried to explain the situation and that I didn't have the new debit card for my new account yet. No, they couldn't take another check from me.
Why? They didn't cash the first one.
I could only pay by cash or credit card. This is barely two weeks after burying my husband, I'm still numb, my mind doesn't always work on good days, it surely doesn't on bad days. It never occurred to me to use ANOTHER credit card. And the less then helpful people at the satellite place never said, "do you have another card?"
No, I'd explain about the new account and not having a card yet.
They'd say, "we can only take a credit card or cash, no checks."
Fine, maybe I'll get the new card before my bill is actually due. Except, they turned my service off, a week before my bill was due.
I called back. That was standard procedure, when a check bounced they cut the service.
"But, you're cutting service I've already paid for. My bill isn't even due yet. "
"Doesn't matter ma'am. When a check doesn't clear, we cut service."
"Fine. I have to have the noise of the television. I'll call my son and have him pay it. How much does he need, and where does he need to go to pay it."
"He needs to go to XXX, and he'll need your payment amount, plus the reconnect fee, plus $30 for a cash transaction."
"Wait, you're going to charge me $30 to pay my bill in cash?"
"Yes ma'am that's our policy."
"Fine, keep your blankety blank service. I'll get my television service from someone else."
I hung up before they could tell me they'd work with me.
I now have another company providing my television.
A friend told me the first company would want their converter box and remote control. Fine, I still have it, they want it they can send me the postage for it. So that's a television, and telephone company that doesn't know how to give customer service. Anyone have a story about the poor customer service from an electric, gas or water company?
Well, Frank, I think those companies all send their employees to the same robotic training course.
A couple of years ago I had a similiar problem with my satelite tv provider. I won't name them to protect the guilty. My husband died Sep. 5, on on the morning of Sep 7 I decided I'd pay bills before I forgot. Since his goodbye party wasn't until that afternoon, I needed to do something to occupy my mind.
We didn't have internet at our house then, so I paid most of our bills by phone. You know, dial a number, push some more numbers on the touch-tone phone, and presto, bill was paid. Money was withdrawn from our checking account. There were only a couple of bills I couldn't pay this way and had to actually write and mail a check.
Everything went as usual. I phoned companies, pushed button, got a confirmation number, bill paid, on to the next one. Until I got to the television satelitte company. For some reason that one wouldn't go through. I don't know if our account had been frozen (that happens in a death), of if it was their weird system.
Now, here's the thing, the bill wasn't due yet. I was paying it early. Maybe, that's why it wouldn't go, but I'd paid early before. I like paying all my bills on the same day, cuts down on forgetting to pay somebody. When I couldn't get the payment to go through, I contacted a real person.
Yes, he could help me with the transaction but there would be a fee charged.
I didn't care. Well, I did, but I didn't feel like messing with it, just pay the darn bill already.
Nope, he couldn't get it to go through either. He suggested I wait a few days and try again, after all the bill wasn't due yet, or I could send them a check.
I opted for the check. Remember? Get everything paid. I wrote a check, addressed an envelope, and mailed it the next day.
Now, here's where the problem occurred. A day or two later I went to the bank to close out our joint accounts, I was being weird, but I didn't want to get a bank statement with my husband's name on it. Didn't think I could handle it. The bank was very nice, helped me set up a new checking account. They couldn't set up a new savings account yet, it was still frozen. But, they did the paperwork, so once the few assets we had were released they'd go straight to my new account.
They asked about checks I might have out. I told them, including the one to the tv people. They said no problem, they'd flag the old account, and when the checks came in route them to the new account. We checked and all the bills I'd paid with my debit card had already cleared. We were good. I thought.
A couple of days later I got a form letter from the bank telling me a check had bounced.
What? They were supposed to catch them. I called the bank. After some investigating it was determined it wasn't a check, but an electronic withdrawal. That hadn't been flagged, I didn't know the tv people didn't cash checks but did electric withdrawals off the check. Great.
Called the tv people, they said no my account was showing paid, I was good. I knew I wasn't but their computer said I was. Uh-huh. A day or so later I get a form letter from them telling me the check had bounced and my service would be cut off.
Wait a min. The bill isn't even due yet. I called them again. Tried to explain the situation and that I didn't have the new debit card for my new account yet. No, they couldn't take another check from me.
Why? They didn't cash the first one.
I could only pay by cash or credit card. This is barely two weeks after burying my husband, I'm still numb, my mind doesn't always work on good days, it surely doesn't on bad days. It never occurred to me to use ANOTHER credit card. And the less then helpful people at the satellite place never said, "do you have another card?"
No, I'd explain about the new account and not having a card yet.
They'd say, "we can only take a credit card or cash, no checks."
Fine, maybe I'll get the new card before my bill is actually due. Except, they turned my service off, a week before my bill was due.
I called back. That was standard procedure, when a check bounced they cut the service.
"But, you're cutting service I've already paid for. My bill isn't even due yet. "
"Doesn't matter ma'am. When a check doesn't clear, we cut service."
"Fine. I have to have the noise of the television. I'll call my son and have him pay it. How much does he need, and where does he need to go to pay it."
"He needs to go to XXX, and he'll need your payment amount, plus the reconnect fee, plus $30 for a cash transaction."
"Wait, you're going to charge me $30 to pay my bill in cash?"
"Yes ma'am that's our policy."
"Fine, keep your blankety blank service. I'll get my television service from someone else."
I hung up before they could tell me they'd work with me.
I now have another company providing my television.
A friend told me the first company would want their converter box and remote control. Fine, I still have it, they want it they can send me the postage for it. So that's a television, and telephone company that doesn't know how to give customer service. Anyone have a story about the poor customer service from an electric, gas or water company?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Dream Job
It's finally happened. Someone is offering the job dreams are made of. You know the one, everybody's impossible job is a little different, but the guidelines would be something like:
Only work one hour a day and get an hour off for lunch.
Make our own hours, each day.
Spend days at a time at the beach.
Go snorkeling during work hours.
Housing provided by our employer.
Spend the day with friends or family at the beach.
Make a nice salary while doing all of the above.
Well my friends, it's happened. That job is now available. Ok, I admit, the employee will be required to do a few things. Like write a blog, talk to the media, post pictures on the blog. According to this website, the lucky winner of this "dream job" will be required to:
* Explore the Island (which includes, amoung other things, snorkeling, and having massages at a luxury spa) and report write about it in a weekly blog
* Feed the fish
*tag along with the aerial postal service once, maybe more.
It's only a six-month gig, but this hard working (yeah, right) person will receive around $105,000 for their time and effort. Which will allow them to take the other six months of the year off and just stay on the island if they want.
Of course, the reality crash when they re-enter the workforce may be a bit harsh. Still, no longer can parents tell their children there's no such thing as a job where they pay you to play. No such thing as a job where you get paid for going lounging on the beach all day.
The job of which dreams are made (some dreams anyway) is now available. It's not a job I'd want now, but when I was younger I'd have jumped at the chance for a job like this. Not so much the laying on the beach part, I burned too easily and besides I preferred being in the water to being next to it. Still, I think I could've made it work.
Now though, I like where I live, and being able to visit my children whenever it's we want. Although, there are accomadations on the island for friends or family to join the employee, and with the salary offered the emplyee could afford to pay airfair for someone to come visit. Still, I don't think it'd work for me. Since I'm not in the demographic they're looking to attract so I won't be applying, works for me and them.
I can't imagine what would entice me to move away from my little house here in the middle of nowhere. I wonder if such a job exists. What about you? What kind of job opportunity would entice you to leave your home for six months?
For this particular job, I can imagine they will get several thousand applicants to wade through looking for the "perfect" employee. I wish them good luck.
Only work one hour a day and get an hour off for lunch.
Make our own hours, each day.
Spend days at a time at the beach.
Go snorkeling during work hours.
Housing provided by our employer.
Spend the day with friends or family at the beach.
Make a nice salary while doing all of the above.
Well my friends, it's happened. That job is now available. Ok, I admit, the employee will be required to do a few things. Like write a blog, talk to the media, post pictures on the blog. According to this website, the lucky winner of this "dream job" will be required to:
* Explore the Island (which includes, amoung other things, snorkeling, and having massages at a luxury spa) and report write about it in a weekly blog
* Feed the fish
*tag along with the aerial postal service once, maybe more.
It's only a six-month gig, but this hard working (yeah, right) person will receive around $105,000 for their time and effort. Which will allow them to take the other six months of the year off and just stay on the island if they want.
Of course, the reality crash when they re-enter the workforce may be a bit harsh. Still, no longer can parents tell their children there's no such thing as a job where they pay you to play. No such thing as a job where you get paid for going lounging on the beach all day.
The job of which dreams are made (some dreams anyway) is now available. It's not a job I'd want now, but when I was younger I'd have jumped at the chance for a job like this. Not so much the laying on the beach part, I burned too easily and besides I preferred being in the water to being next to it. Still, I think I could've made it work.
Now though, I like where I live, and being able to visit my children whenever it's we want. Although, there are accomadations on the island for friends or family to join the employee, and with the salary offered the emplyee could afford to pay airfair for someone to come visit. Still, I don't think it'd work for me. Since I'm not in the demographic they're looking to attract so I won't be applying, works for me and them.
I can't imagine what would entice me to move away from my little house here in the middle of nowhere. I wonder if such a job exists. What about you? What kind of job opportunity would entice you to leave your home for six months?
For this particular job, I can imagine they will get several thousand applicants to wade through looking for the "perfect" employee. I wish them good luck.
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