Sometimes I wish that I didn't have agency. Agency to choose for myself. I sometimes wish that my decisions could be made for me and that I could avoid the consequence of making poor or incorrect choices. I sometimes wish that. However, in my heart of hearts, I know without a doubt that that is wrong. What is life without the ability to choose for yourself? Some will try and tell you that there are those in the world that do not have the ability to choose, but I disagree. Even those that have had the most basic of life's decisions taken away from their control still have the ultimate choice. I remember reading a story of a person that had been in a concentration camp and they brought up this very tenent. He (or she, I cant remember) made the point that the only thing the camp could not take from him/her was the choice to be who they were, what they would choose to think, how they would choose to react, what they would choose to say. Very powerful lesson.
Sometimes I choose poorly. (Makes me think of Indiana Jones) Sometimes I choose more wisely. (Definitely Indiana Jones now) But the whole point of choice is progression. An egg without a little bit of heat added to it is not particularly appetizing. It is still healthy, but it hasn't met its potential.
I guess what I really wish is that choices were easy. I want the potential of the egg without the heat. I don't want to make decisions between 2 things that are equally good and desirable but are mutually exclusive in attaining. I don't want consequence. But not wanting that does not take away facing the reality that I must make the choice. Maybe the bigger the choice the bigger the growth that comes from it. I can only hope.
Decision today? Not facing the big ones yet, but I did decide to have a piece of danish over cottage cheese....I think that was a poor choice......the only growth that comes from that is in my hips.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
So where do I go from here??
You ever feel like you are at the end of a road and you're are not really sure which way to go? I am antsy, I need a change, but I can't for the life of me figure out what it is I want.
I believe that staying the same is not a choice. We move either forward or backward, but you cannot stay in the same place. What is the point? Comfort? Familiarity? I hear a lot of talk in my ever changing choice of profession that we have to move out of our comfort zone and embrace new ways of working. (Translation: Get with the program or move on.) We also have to do that in our lives. Move out of the comfort zone, get out there and do something!! Pick something in your life and improve it, change it, break it open and see what new level you can reach. In order to do that, however, risk is involved, and, let's face it, taking risk when you absolutely do not have to, is pretty scary.
Life-altering change can be positive OR negative. The problem with life-altering change is that it is not something that affects just one person. Life-altering change can take in its tidal wave your family, your friends, your reputation and your future. When that is in the positive flow, it can be one of the the most rewarding events in your life. Not so much in the negative flow. When it is selfishly considered it is destructive. We live in a time when it is acceptable to think only of yourself and do what is right for ME. In reality, that has never been the right choice. You can see the litter of broken hearts, broken promises, irreparable rifts in love and affection, bewildered children, and painful regret throughout our society.
The best change comes when you take steps to improve what you have, to devote yourself entirely to going forward in change that will bolster and underscore what is good about a relationship, a job, a philosophy. I don't and never will promote staying in those places that have a destructive element whether in the home or outside the home, but we so easily give up on things when it becomes difficult, or when you think something far far better has come along. If we focus outward instead of inward we will become more willing to be unselfish, to be more responsible, more able to see what we can contribute to the betterment of individuals, families, and community. We won't leave the aforementioned litter in our lives.
I don't want to sound like a martyr, I firmly believe we should seek the things that bring us joy; however, it should be done within the proper bounds; bounds that we have set as we have moved through life's decisions. Bounds that are drawn by our beliefs and value sytems. Sacrifice of ones own selfish desires is good when put in that perspective. To quote a hymn, "sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven".
So, it looks like I have come full circle. I want a change, I need a change. Life-altering change? Only if it promotes what is good in my life. Sacrifice change? If it brings happiness to those around me. What thing shall I break open in order to have meaningful change? Still teetering on a rock about that one.
I believe that staying the same is not a choice. We move either forward or backward, but you cannot stay in the same place. What is the point? Comfort? Familiarity? I hear a lot of talk in my ever changing choice of profession that we have to move out of our comfort zone and embrace new ways of working. (Translation: Get with the program or move on.) We also have to do that in our lives. Move out of the comfort zone, get out there and do something!! Pick something in your life and improve it, change it, break it open and see what new level you can reach. In order to do that, however, risk is involved, and, let's face it, taking risk when you absolutely do not have to, is pretty scary.
Life-altering change can be positive OR negative. The problem with life-altering change is that it is not something that affects just one person. Life-altering change can take in its tidal wave your family, your friends, your reputation and your future. When that is in the positive flow, it can be one of the the most rewarding events in your life. Not so much in the negative flow. When it is selfishly considered it is destructive. We live in a time when it is acceptable to think only of yourself and do what is right for ME. In reality, that has never been the right choice. You can see the litter of broken hearts, broken promises, irreparable rifts in love and affection, bewildered children, and painful regret throughout our society.
The best change comes when you take steps to improve what you have, to devote yourself entirely to going forward in change that will bolster and underscore what is good about a relationship, a job, a philosophy. I don't and never will promote staying in those places that have a destructive element whether in the home or outside the home, but we so easily give up on things when it becomes difficult, or when you think something far far better has come along. If we focus outward instead of inward we will become more willing to be unselfish, to be more responsible, more able to see what we can contribute to the betterment of individuals, families, and community. We won't leave the aforementioned litter in our lives.
I don't want to sound like a martyr, I firmly believe we should seek the things that bring us joy; however, it should be done within the proper bounds; bounds that we have set as we have moved through life's decisions. Bounds that are drawn by our beliefs and value sytems. Sacrifice of ones own selfish desires is good when put in that perspective. To quote a hymn, "sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven".
So, it looks like I have come full circle. I want a change, I need a change. Life-altering change? Only if it promotes what is good in my life. Sacrifice change? If it brings happiness to those around me. What thing shall I break open in order to have meaningful change? Still teetering on a rock about that one.
Friday, April 02, 2010
It's The Little Things That Count............
I just can't believe what this week has been. I guess the best word to describe it would be frustrating........incredibly frustrating........ just really, really frustrating.......Did I say I have been feeling frustrated??
Work has not been a happy place for me as of late, suffice it to say that I feel incompetant, lost, out of my league, old, useless, and dare I say it?.......frustrated. However, work situation aside, it's the little things that have made me so angry that it takes every ounce of control I have not to expolde into a million pieces.
Lets' start with Tuesday night, I came home and went straight upstairs, no side trip anywhere, straight upstairs and dropped off my stuff in the office, I didn't talk, I just started cleaning my bedroom because I had had another bad day. Wednesday morning trying to leave for work, I could NOT find my car keys or my badge. As my mother used to say, "Stuff just doesn't sprout legs and walk away!" Well, I think this time the impossible happened.........Somewhere there is a set of keys walking around on primordial legs.
Wednesday..............As I am driving to work with borrowed keys and no badge, I notice that it sounds like a window is down somewhere in the car, but pressing all of the close window buttons produces no change. I then think that maybe my door is ajar, so I open and close the door while I am driving...No change. I then see that my driver side window is open just a sliver. Press the close window...no change... push up with my free hand, no change..roll down a bit and try to roll up, now it's stuck open even further. OK, nothing I can do until I get to work. I pull up in front of the visitor's entry and go in to get a temporary ID and I get scolded by the security people becuse I have not as yet gotten a new badge that has been required for about a year now. When I come back to the car, I try to lift the window up into place while pushing the up button which immediately let's the window fall into the door with no hope of ever seeing it rise again. Now I am driving with the window down all of the way....sigh.....It's not even 7:00 a.m.
I have a hair appointment during my lunch break. I haven't had my hair done since before Christmas, and it is looking.......well, it's not looking so good.... When I arrive at the salon, I do not see my hairdresser, David. He is always on time and usually early when he works. As my appointment time comes and then slips by, I am approached by Erin at the shop telling me that the salon made an error and that David is not in today.........sigh........
Wednesday night.........I will be out of the office on Thursday and I need to work on a project plan that is due Friday. I work until 2am and then get up at 6:00 to catch the 7:24 train to Philadelphia. The project plan still needs last minute work...........
Thursday.............I am tired, and the last words my dear, sweet husband say to me as I leave are "It's going to be warm day today, don't forget your jacket when you come home." My leather jacket.............my really nice leather jacket...............that I got for Christmas............the leather jacket that looks really good....................As I board the train to come home, I realize that I am not wearing my leather jacket............
Friday..............I can't find the my IPod.......I had it on the train last night..........I have a box of Easter goodies for my grandsons in Indiana that have been ready for boxing and mailing for over a week. I never get anything to those boys on time. I was ready this time..........except I didn't mail them. OK, I will take them to work and have them sent overnight. I walk down to the mailing center , but I don't know the zipcode for Kokomo, and the mailing center does not take debit cards for payment. I leave the box there and go to the ATM that I always use at work around the corner and it is out of order............I now must find another ATM on this massive campus....I walk over the pedestrian bridge and down 2 floors and decide that I will not need more than $20.00 to send this package; (we get a discount on fed-ex)....... Back to the maling center, and the cost for a Saturday delivery is $26.09.......sigh.........I had a one-dollar bill in my wallet over the 20 that I got out of the ATM. So, I give her $5.09 in change............(I think the sigh came from the mail center on this one).
OK, I am not too sure what else will happen today or this weekend. My keys are still missing. my IPod is still missing, my leather jacket may still be in Philadelphia, BUT, as I am writing this sad tale, I realize that I have left out some little things................You know, those little things that count.
Here goes.........I may feel old and useless, but my family loves me.......just the way I am.....with all my faults, with all my sorted frustrations and anger. They know me, and they still love me. I would say that is worth something..............
I did find my badge! (After I finally got into the office that morning.) It was in the suitcase of a purse I carry around and I will make arrangements to get a new badge made.............. Who wants a 10 year old picture on their ID anyway?? No matter how much younger I looked, it's still out of date.......
The rain we had been having for several days was over when the window broke. The inside of my car stayed dry! Also, Wayne fixed the window in the car. Because I had to work in Philly on Thursday, I took the train, and he was able to get it fixed for me. He did it himself, which saved money!
The hair salon was so nice to me after they made the scheduling mistake; they are always nice, but they felt terrible. That's why I couldn't be mad. Erin was so sweet and offered a half-price manicure. David called me and explained things. Margie called me that evening apologizing again for the mix-up. They couldn't have been kinder. I have an appointment for next Wednesday. It's just hair, and I only drove a few minutes down the street from the office to the salon; had I come from home, it would have been an hour's drive round trip.
The office I was working from at UPenn is sending my leather jacket to me via fed-ex. At least I didn't leave it in the sandwich shop when I went to lunch, it would have ben gone forever.
I had good company on the train with my work pal.
When I was looking for a working ATM, a kind woman from the cafeteria overheard that I was going to walk to another building to find an ATM. She told me there was a closer one just across the pedestrian bridge..She didn't have to do that, she could have ignored me. Thank you....Another person actually walked me to the ATM to show me where it was when I asked. He didn't have to do that......... Thank you.....
I keep a change jug at home. For about 3 weeks, I have been meaning to put all of the loose change I have been lugging around into that jug. I thought about it last night and again this morning. Thanks goodness I didn't.....had I done that, I would have been making another trip to the ATM insead of paying the balance of the fed-ex charge in quarters, dimes, nickles, and pennies.........
My grandsons (and new granddaughter) will get their Easter goodies on time.............
Last, but certainly not least (nor a little thing)................this is Easter Weekend. The weather is going to be glorious, and the hope and promise of this celebration is eternal.
I feel my frustrations fading........I am thankful for the little things.
Work has not been a happy place for me as of late, suffice it to say that I feel incompetant, lost, out of my league, old, useless, and dare I say it?.......frustrated. However, work situation aside, it's the little things that have made me so angry that it takes every ounce of control I have not to expolde into a million pieces.
Lets' start with Tuesday night, I came home and went straight upstairs, no side trip anywhere, straight upstairs and dropped off my stuff in the office, I didn't talk, I just started cleaning my bedroom because I had had another bad day. Wednesday morning trying to leave for work, I could NOT find my car keys or my badge. As my mother used to say, "Stuff just doesn't sprout legs and walk away!" Well, I think this time the impossible happened.........Somewhere there is a set of keys walking around on primordial legs.
Wednesday..............As I am driving to work with borrowed keys and no badge, I notice that it sounds like a window is down somewhere in the car, but pressing all of the close window buttons produces no change. I then think that maybe my door is ajar, so I open and close the door while I am driving...No change. I then see that my driver side window is open just a sliver. Press the close window...no change... push up with my free hand, no change..roll down a bit and try to roll up, now it's stuck open even further. OK, nothing I can do until I get to work. I pull up in front of the visitor's entry and go in to get a temporary ID and I get scolded by the security people becuse I have not as yet gotten a new badge that has been required for about a year now. When I come back to the car, I try to lift the window up into place while pushing the up button which immediately let's the window fall into the door with no hope of ever seeing it rise again. Now I am driving with the window down all of the way....sigh.....It's not even 7:00 a.m.
I have a hair appointment during my lunch break. I haven't had my hair done since before Christmas, and it is looking.......well, it's not looking so good.... When I arrive at the salon, I do not see my hairdresser, David. He is always on time and usually early when he works. As my appointment time comes and then slips by, I am approached by Erin at the shop telling me that the salon made an error and that David is not in today.........sigh........
Wednesday night.........I will be out of the office on Thursday and I need to work on a project plan that is due Friday. I work until 2am and then get up at 6:00 to catch the 7:24 train to Philadelphia. The project plan still needs last minute work...........
Thursday.............I am tired, and the last words my dear, sweet husband say to me as I leave are "It's going to be warm day today, don't forget your jacket when you come home." My leather jacket.............my really nice leather jacket...............that I got for Christmas............the leather jacket that looks really good....................As I board the train to come home, I realize that I am not wearing my leather jacket............
Friday..............I can't find the my IPod.......I had it on the train last night..........I have a box of Easter goodies for my grandsons in Indiana that have been ready for boxing and mailing for over a week. I never get anything to those boys on time. I was ready this time..........except I didn't mail them. OK, I will take them to work and have them sent overnight. I walk down to the mailing center , but I don't know the zipcode for Kokomo, and the mailing center does not take debit cards for payment. I leave the box there and go to the ATM that I always use at work around the corner and it is out of order............I now must find another ATM on this massive campus....I walk over the pedestrian bridge and down 2 floors and decide that I will not need more than $20.00 to send this package; (we get a discount on fed-ex)....... Back to the maling center, and the cost for a Saturday delivery is $26.09.......sigh.........I had a one-dollar bill in my wallet over the 20 that I got out of the ATM. So, I give her $5.09 in change............(I think the sigh came from the mail center on this one).
OK, I am not too sure what else will happen today or this weekend. My keys are still missing. my IPod is still missing, my leather jacket may still be in Philadelphia, BUT, as I am writing this sad tale, I realize that I have left out some little things................You know, those little things that count.
Here goes.........I may feel old and useless, but my family loves me.......just the way I am.....with all my faults, with all my sorted frustrations and anger. They know me, and they still love me. I would say that is worth something..............
I did find my badge! (After I finally got into the office that morning.) It was in the suitcase of a purse I carry around and I will make arrangements to get a new badge made.............. Who wants a 10 year old picture on their ID anyway?? No matter how much younger I looked, it's still out of date.......
The rain we had been having for several days was over when the window broke. The inside of my car stayed dry! Also, Wayne fixed the window in the car. Because I had to work in Philly on Thursday, I took the train, and he was able to get it fixed for me. He did it himself, which saved money!
The hair salon was so nice to me after they made the scheduling mistake; they are always nice, but they felt terrible. That's why I couldn't be mad. Erin was so sweet and offered a half-price manicure. David called me and explained things. Margie called me that evening apologizing again for the mix-up. They couldn't have been kinder. I have an appointment for next Wednesday. It's just hair, and I only drove a few minutes down the street from the office to the salon; had I come from home, it would have been an hour's drive round trip.
The office I was working from at UPenn is sending my leather jacket to me via fed-ex. At least I didn't leave it in the sandwich shop when I went to lunch, it would have ben gone forever.
I had good company on the train with my work pal.
When I was looking for a working ATM, a kind woman from the cafeteria overheard that I was going to walk to another building to find an ATM. She told me there was a closer one just across the pedestrian bridge..She didn't have to do that, she could have ignored me. Thank you....Another person actually walked me to the ATM to show me where it was when I asked. He didn't have to do that......... Thank you.....
I keep a change jug at home. For about 3 weeks, I have been meaning to put all of the loose change I have been lugging around into that jug. I thought about it last night and again this morning. Thanks goodness I didn't.....had I done that, I would have been making another trip to the ATM insead of paying the balance of the fed-ex charge in quarters, dimes, nickles, and pennies.........
My grandsons (and new granddaughter) will get their Easter goodies on time.............
Last, but certainly not least (nor a little thing)................this is Easter Weekend. The weather is going to be glorious, and the hope and promise of this celebration is eternal.
I feel my frustrations fading........I am thankful for the little things.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
DVRiduculous Part I
My husband hates my hair. Everytime I go to get it done, I come home and he hates it. He wants me to change hairdressers. I love my hairdresser. We went to nursing school together. I love the way he does my hair, although, I will say that it is pretty short. But I love the color, and even though it is short, it will grow back.
I love my DVR. Interesting story around the DVR. My son kept telling me that I needed to get DVR, and I kept saying that I would look into it........Then one day the Verizon man came to my door wanting to sell me Verizon service. I had Comcast service....Wayne, (my one and only, or moo for short,) knows that he is not allowed to make any decision around my internet service, our telephones, or cable unless it goes through me. (Long story about telephones...sufice it to say that at one point we had 3 telephone lines with 3 different carriers....) Anyway, so the Verizon guy came to see me.after moo said he would have to talk to me. I said no, but I might consider it if I got free DVR for a year. That was no sell, but he did give me some kind of deal which enticed me to change over my very very reliable Comcast service. Not only my cable service, but my internet service, and my telephones that were already Verizon, but now we had some kind of special 3 for 1 deal. I should always follow my inclinations, and my inclination here was NOT to go to Verizon; not to mention that the change would mean changing my email, and all of the accounts with my email, and blah blah blah...So the Verizon guys came and spent all day (and I mean all day) hooking up my TVs, and my internet, and my telephones. I asked for a DVR that could be recorded in one room and viewed in another. So the main DVR was in the family room and the additional "Viewing boxes" were in 2 of the bedrooms upstairs. What I am about to tell you is shameful.........I mean it is just ridiculous........I have 5, count them 5, televisions in my home. Why do 2 people need 5 televisions?? Not to mention I have a 6th and 7th in my basement that work but are not hooked up!! What is worse is that I watch 4 of them! (When there is time.) Now, mind you, I don't get to watch the 55 inch television as I please. That one belongs to moo. I will watch with him, but he controls the remote. That is why I used to have so much trouble with the remote. I never used one, and my TVs upstairs had simple on/off remotes without all the cable doo doo that comes with advanced television watching. You know, this is going to be a long story, so I will have to continue later, I have some work to do before I go to bed tonight.
You know, I can go all day long without saying 2 words to anyone, but the minute I sit down to write, I am like a dam that has broken....Could it be I just like to talk (write)without interruption?? Or maybe I just like my company better than anyone else's? Well that's rude isn't it? I don't think anyone looks at this blog anyway, so I guess I can be rude. Part II tomorrow!
I love my DVR. Interesting story around the DVR. My son kept telling me that I needed to get DVR, and I kept saying that I would look into it........Then one day the Verizon man came to my door wanting to sell me Verizon service. I had Comcast service....Wayne, (my one and only, or moo for short,) knows that he is not allowed to make any decision around my internet service, our telephones, or cable unless it goes through me. (Long story about telephones...sufice it to say that at one point we had 3 telephone lines with 3 different carriers....) Anyway, so the Verizon guy came to see me.after moo said he would have to talk to me. I said no, but I might consider it if I got free DVR for a year. That was no sell, but he did give me some kind of deal which enticed me to change over my very very reliable Comcast service. Not only my cable service, but my internet service, and my telephones that were already Verizon, but now we had some kind of special 3 for 1 deal. I should always follow my inclinations, and my inclination here was NOT to go to Verizon; not to mention that the change would mean changing my email, and all of the accounts with my email, and blah blah blah...So the Verizon guys came and spent all day (and I mean all day) hooking up my TVs, and my internet, and my telephones. I asked for a DVR that could be recorded in one room and viewed in another. So the main DVR was in the family room and the additional "Viewing boxes" were in 2 of the bedrooms upstairs. What I am about to tell you is shameful.........I mean it is just ridiculous........I have 5, count them 5, televisions in my home. Why do 2 people need 5 televisions?? Not to mention I have a 6th and 7th in my basement that work but are not hooked up!! What is worse is that I watch 4 of them! (When there is time.) Now, mind you, I don't get to watch the 55 inch television as I please. That one belongs to moo. I will watch with him, but he controls the remote. That is why I used to have so much trouble with the remote. I never used one, and my TVs upstairs had simple on/off remotes without all the cable doo doo that comes with advanced television watching. You know, this is going to be a long story, so I will have to continue later, I have some work to do before I go to bed tonight.
You know, I can go all day long without saying 2 words to anyone, but the minute I sit down to write, I am like a dam that has broken....Could it be I just like to talk (write)without interruption?? Or maybe I just like my company better than anyone else's? Well that's rude isn't it? I don't think anyone looks at this blog anyway, so I guess I can be rude. Part II tomorrow!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Does Any of this Make Sense??
I am going to try and do this again. It is just a horrible shame that life gets in the way of blogging. You know.....work............driving to work............ driving home from work. I am gone from 6:30 am to 4:30 or 5:00 pm every day. Every other weekend I work at my second job. I am tired of working.....I have worked a full time job for 37 years. That is just not right for an old woman. I should be comfortably retired, or at least heading in that direction. I don't think I will ever be able to reitre. You have to have a bazillion dollars. I don't have a bazillion dollars............
OK, my frustration is showing. What I really want to do is become a free-lance photographer.....Stop laughing!!! Why can't I do that? I take some pretty good pictures. I just need a camera that costs a bazillion dollars.......Oh yeah.... I don't have a bazillion dollars. Actually I guess I don't need a camera that expensive. I was looking at Circuit City and they had some awesome cameras at their going out of business sale.......Some going out of business sale! They inflated the prices and then took off 10%. No wonder they are going out of business. When someone is going out of business, I want a real deal.......You know,... a $2500.00 camera for $25.00. Now THAT is a going out of business sale.
I am usually in bed by this time. It is 11:15, and I get up really early. That is why I have not been blogging, but maybe I can get back in practice. It's the only place I write down anything that is remotely intersting in my life. HMMMMMM......Maybe that is why I have not been writing anything....My life is really boring. Isn't everyones' life boring, though? I mean, really, if you are filthy rich and have nothing to do like most celebrities, I guess you can have an exciting time screwing your life up. (Well, I know plenty of people that have screwed their life up without being a celebrity, but I hate celebrities.....Well, actually I guess I don't hate celebrities, I hate people that love celebrities... I mean, really....get a life people. HEY!! Maybe that is the problem. If you are not a celebrity your life is boring (like mine) and then you want to be a celebrity so you can have an interesting life. (Except I don't want to be a celebrity, at least I don't think so...am I a closet wannabe???)
Boy, I really shouldn't be writing this late at night...............But here are a few samples of my pictures, just in case someone wants to buy them....You know, in case I still can be a free-lance photographer........I said don't laugh!! Hey!!! Click on these and they get big, They are even better when you can see them that way!!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Excuse me, I did not cause your divorce
Over the beginning years of my work life, I have had many different types of jobs; however, one of the most entertaining, distressing, ridiculous, and sad was doing collections. I worked collections at a loan company, at 2 banks, and in a medical practice plan. All had their quirks. The first collection job was at a loan company in Georgia. I was 21 years old and didn't realize that this loan company was taking advantage of every customer they had. The customers were generally poor, put up the household furnishings for collateral and were routinely "pyramided". That means that if their loan was behind they could be brought up to date, given some cash, and started over. I guess today they give it a legitimate name......refinancing. This job ended up with the manager making bogus loans,hiring an inside man to help hide the money, changing his name, and moving away. The GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation) was looking for him last time I knew. (And that is only PART of the story). While I was there a man brought a shotgun into the office and threatened to shoot me if I didn't leave him alone. I told him that if he paid his bill, I wouldn't have to call him. (I knew he wouldn't shoot me.......or at least that is what I thought.......boy was I stupid)
I worked at a bank doing collections on mobile homes and doing repossessions on seriously delinquent people. I once put a person out of their home the week before Christmas. I had been working with them for 8 months, and I could not get a dime. I had no choice, I sent the sherriff to evict them. That sounds horrible to me now, but, for some reason, I was alright with it then.
If you are late on a bill and a collector calls you, please don't think you are going to tell them something they have not heard before. We have heard every excuse under the sun. We don't believe most of them. I once was accused of causing a divorce because the husband kept giving the money to his wife to pay the loan, the wife kept spending the money on whatever it was she spent it on, and then it was my fault for causing the fight when I called to say the loan had not been paid every month. He yelled at me on the phone that it was all my fault. I said "Why do you keep giving her the money?" He said "Because she is supposed to pay the bill!!" Had I been a little older, I would have said "You are truly an idiot!" One guy told me that it wasn't his fault that the bill did not get paid. He said he faithully took his bills each month, put them in a stack, and paid them until he ran out of money. He said "I can't help it if when I get to your bill there is no more money left!" I told him "Next month, put it on the top of the stack."
I have heard stories about kids peeing on the bill, dogs tearing up the bill, people swearing that they had paid and I better find the money, being out of work, between work, in a divorce, going on a vacation and they needed the money for that instead, being sick, having children sick, having the bills burned for heat, giving it to a girlfriend/boyfriend, being sued and can't afford it, praying for money, borrowing money, yelled at, swore at, threatened, propositioned, and any other number of things to excuse delinquency and get by for another month. I will say this............I was always nice. I knew that I could get more with honey than with vinegar. Even with all of the excuses, my "regulars" liked me and I liked them. We had an understanding and I tried to help when I could, but I didn't take in that family that I evicted...........they would probably still be living with me.
I worked at a bank doing collections on mobile homes and doing repossessions on seriously delinquent people. I once put a person out of their home the week before Christmas. I had been working with them for 8 months, and I could not get a dime. I had no choice, I sent the sherriff to evict them. That sounds horrible to me now, but, for some reason, I was alright with it then.
If you are late on a bill and a collector calls you, please don't think you are going to tell them something they have not heard before. We have heard every excuse under the sun. We don't believe most of them. I once was accused of causing a divorce because the husband kept giving the money to his wife to pay the loan, the wife kept spending the money on whatever it was she spent it on, and then it was my fault for causing the fight when I called to say the loan had not been paid every month. He yelled at me on the phone that it was all my fault. I said "Why do you keep giving her the money?" He said "Because she is supposed to pay the bill!!" Had I been a little older, I would have said "You are truly an idiot!" One guy told me that it wasn't his fault that the bill did not get paid. He said he faithully took his bills each month, put them in a stack, and paid them until he ran out of money. He said "I can't help it if when I get to your bill there is no more money left!" I told him "Next month, put it on the top of the stack."
I have heard stories about kids peeing on the bill, dogs tearing up the bill, people swearing that they had paid and I better find the money, being out of work, between work, in a divorce, going on a vacation and they needed the money for that instead, being sick, having children sick, having the bills burned for heat, giving it to a girlfriend/boyfriend, being sued and can't afford it, praying for money, borrowing money, yelled at, swore at, threatened, propositioned, and any other number of things to excuse delinquency and get by for another month. I will say this............I was always nice. I knew that I could get more with honey than with vinegar. Even with all of the excuses, my "regulars" liked me and I liked them. We had an understanding and I tried to help when I could, but I didn't take in that family that I evicted...........they would probably still be living with me.
Friday, January 18, 2008
I'm It
OK, I got tagged. I have seen this in emails, but not in blogs. I am suppossed to answer questions that seem to be interesting, but are more interesting to the person answering them than the people reading them. Now, if I were some big celebrity, it would be quite different. For some reason, people are really interested in the most mundane things if it is related to a celebrity. Honestly, I don't care what Brittany eats for breakfast, (poor thing, she's really too ill to be bothered these days) or who Oprah supports politically (really folks, shes not supporting him because he's black, she's supporting him because she belieives in him........... really.....YAWN), or what type of toothpaste Katie Holmes uses, (although I've heard L. Ron used the same; Tom insisted on it.) I am tired tired tired of celebrities. Now, how did I get here? Anyway, I am to answer the questions and then tag 5 other people to answer the questions. Unfortunately, I don't know 5 people with a blog. Well, I do, but Shawn tagged the same people I read, and I can't see myself going to just any old blog and saying TAG!! YOU'RE IT!! I'll have to think about that.
SO.. the rules of BLOG TAG are:
A)The Rules are posted at the beginning.
B) Each player answers about themselves. (I don't think I can answer about anyone else......HMMM)
C. At the end of the post, the player tags 5 people, posts their names, and goes to the blogs letting thm know they've been tagged. (See problem listed above)
Here goes.......
5 Things I Was Doing 10 Years Ago:
I have a hard time remembering what I did 10 minutes ago, I'm suppossed to remember 10 years ago?
1)I had just moved to day shift work after 7 years working midnights and swing shifts.
2)I had just graduated in December from nursing school and was preparing to take my boards.
3)I was paying $10,000 for Shawn's college tuition. All well worth it since he was having the most fun he'd had ever had in his life and was making the worst grades he ever made. (Seriously, son, the best time I'd ever had up until that time was knowing what fun you were having. That's what I wanted, it was worth every dime) I never saw one grade the entire time he was in school, but I did go to his graduation,and he is working, so mission accomplished.
4)I was stil a mom of relativly young children, (Lindsey was almost 11 and Brent was 12. Stacie was a senior in high school.)
5)Taking care of 3 dogs (1ncluding 'dead dog'), 4 birds, and 2 or 3 ferrets. One of the most fun pets ever.
5 Things On My To-Do List Today:
1) Take the grandsons for pictures (Done)
2) Play Blog Tag (In the process)
3) Write the minutes for my Safety Review Committee meeting for work (Partially Done)
4) Update the Dashboards for my projects at work (Partially Done)
5) Take paperwork to the office for my second job (Not Done)
Can anyone possibly be more boring than I?
5 Snacks I Enjoy (More to the point..Snacks I can OD on)
1) Doritos with Shotgun Willie's (Hot)
2) Vanilla Oreos with milk for dunking
3) Honey B-B-Q Frito Twists (Once on a business trip, I ate a whole bag while watching TV in the hotel room. I couldn't believe I ate the whole bag in one sitting.)
4)Cheese so sharp it bites back with apple slices
5)Ice cream with milk on it. (No, it's not a milkshake, it's ice cream with some milk on it. It makes crystals and gives is great yumminess. I couldn't believe Shawn likes it the same way, except he likes peanut butter on it too.)
5 Things I'd Do If I Were A Billionaire
1)Quit all my jobs.
2)Set-up trusts for my grandchildren
3)Set-up a family business beacause even if you are independently wealthy you need something to do.
4)Travel, Travel, Travel, (learn to fly and buy an airplane)
5)Humanitarian work because people need medical care, education, water, food, mentoring, support, seed money and love everywhere.
3 Bad Habits
Why 3 and not 5? I know I have a lot more than 3 bad habits.
1)Procrastination. I would like to say that I work better under pressure, but that is my positive slant on it.
2) I don't take care of my health the way that I should.
3) I can't prioritize. The pressure is on: I have to pack and leave: I have to get a report done: What am I doing??? Cleaning the kitchen when I need to pack or separating filing that my AC can do when I should be writing the report. This is just a sequelae on bad habit number 1, but I hate it, know what I am doing in my mind, but can't seem to control it. It kind of feeds into: too organized with things that aren't important and not organized enough with things that are. Sound familiar? (Because things that are not important are easier to organize, who has time to sit and think about important things?.....it takes too long and I need to MOVE)
5 Jobs I Have Had
1)Collections and mobile home repossessions (Yes, I actually kicked people out of their homes)
2)OS&D clerk trucking companies. (Over, Short & Damaged)
3)Secretary/Bookeeper for Real Estate business
4)Customer surveys and demonstrator (You know those people in the mall that stop you for a survey and the people that give out samples in the stores?)
5)Packaging line-worker packing pharmaceuticals
5 Things People Probably Don't Know About Me
1) Was a singer with a country-western band in high school
2) Went to high school in Athens, Greece
3) Came in 2nd in a talent contest on New Year's Eve when I was 16. The first place went to a drunk guitar player. Not bragging on this one.
4)Taught myself how to play the ukelele
5)Never had a childhood disease (chicken pox. mumps, measles, etc.)
Well, that's it. This has given me some ideas for new blog fodder, hopefully Bad Habit # 1 won't get in the way.
SO.. the rules of BLOG TAG are:
A)The Rules are posted at the beginning.
B) Each player answers about themselves. (I don't think I can answer about anyone else......HMMM)
C. At the end of the post, the player tags 5 people, posts their names, and goes to the blogs letting thm know they've been tagged. (See problem listed above)
Here goes.......
5 Things I Was Doing 10 Years Ago:
I have a hard time remembering what I did 10 minutes ago, I'm suppossed to remember 10 years ago?
1)I had just moved to day shift work after 7 years working midnights and swing shifts.
2)I had just graduated in December from nursing school and was preparing to take my boards.
3)I was paying $10,000 for Shawn's college tuition. All well worth it since he was having the most fun he'd had ever had in his life and was making the worst grades he ever made. (Seriously, son, the best time I'd ever had up until that time was knowing what fun you were having. That's what I wanted, it was worth every dime) I never saw one grade the entire time he was in school, but I did go to his graduation,and he is working, so mission accomplished.
4)I was stil a mom of relativly young children, (Lindsey was almost 11 and Brent was 12. Stacie was a senior in high school.)
5)Taking care of 3 dogs (1ncluding 'dead dog'), 4 birds, and 2 or 3 ferrets. One of the most fun pets ever.
5 Things On My To-Do List Today:
1) Take the grandsons for pictures (Done)
2) Play Blog Tag (In the process)
3) Write the minutes for my Safety Review Committee meeting for work (Partially Done)
4) Update the Dashboards for my projects at work (Partially Done)
5) Take paperwork to the office for my second job (Not Done)
Can anyone possibly be more boring than I?
5 Snacks I Enjoy (More to the point..Snacks I can OD on)
1) Doritos with Shotgun Willie's (Hot)
2) Vanilla Oreos with milk for dunking
3) Honey B-B-Q Frito Twists (Once on a business trip, I ate a whole bag while watching TV in the hotel room. I couldn't believe I ate the whole bag in one sitting.)
4)Cheese so sharp it bites back with apple slices
5)Ice cream with milk on it. (No, it's not a milkshake, it's ice cream with some milk on it. It makes crystals and gives is great yumminess. I couldn't believe Shawn likes it the same way, except he likes peanut butter on it too.)
5 Things I'd Do If I Were A Billionaire
1)Quit all my jobs.
2)Set-up trusts for my grandchildren
3)Set-up a family business beacause even if you are independently wealthy you need something to do.
4)Travel, Travel, Travel, (learn to fly and buy an airplane)
5)Humanitarian work because people need medical care, education, water, food, mentoring, support, seed money and love everywhere.
3 Bad Habits
Why 3 and not 5? I know I have a lot more than 3 bad habits.
1)Procrastination. I would like to say that I work better under pressure, but that is my positive slant on it.
2) I don't take care of my health the way that I should.
3) I can't prioritize. The pressure is on: I have to pack and leave: I have to get a report done: What am I doing??? Cleaning the kitchen when I need to pack or separating filing that my AC can do when I should be writing the report. This is just a sequelae on bad habit number 1, but I hate it, know what I am doing in my mind, but can't seem to control it. It kind of feeds into: too organized with things that aren't important and not organized enough with things that are. Sound familiar? (Because things that are not important are easier to organize, who has time to sit and think about important things?.....it takes too long and I need to MOVE)
5 Jobs I Have Had
1)Collections and mobile home repossessions (Yes, I actually kicked people out of their homes)
2)OS&D clerk trucking companies. (Over, Short & Damaged)
3)Secretary/Bookeeper for Real Estate business
4)Customer surveys and demonstrator (You know those people in the mall that stop you for a survey and the people that give out samples in the stores?)
5)Packaging line-worker packing pharmaceuticals
5 Things People Probably Don't Know About Me
1) Was a singer with a country-western band in high school
2) Went to high school in Athens, Greece
3) Came in 2nd in a talent contest on New Year's Eve when I was 16. The first place went to a drunk guitar player. Not bragging on this one.
4)Taught myself how to play the ukelele
5)Never had a childhood disease (chicken pox. mumps, measles, etc.)
Well, that's it. This has given me some ideas for new blog fodder, hopefully Bad Habit # 1 won't get in the way.
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