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Archive through August 24, 2005

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2005 Dec. ~ 2006 Feb.: Free Expression: The return of The Return of the Gripe Thread (ARCHIVES): Archive through August 24, 2005 users admin

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Yankee_in_ca
Member

08-01-2000

Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 7:47 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yankee_in_ca a private message Print Post    
I have been holding my gripes in for so long. Maybe it'll be therapeutic to spell them out, sorta to show myself that I'm not crazy for feeling a little stressed.

OK, here's what's "gripe-a-licious" in my world these days:

1) My grandmother is still sick, and the family drama that surrounds it is still thick. I can't really believe anything anyone says.

2) My grandparents' house, the only home I ever knew them living in (and a home I lived in during college years), is going up for sale to pay for my grandmother's long-term facility care. There's an open house this weekend. This makes me very very sad. My grandmother does not know about it. She has been diagnosed with dementia/psychosis, and they aren't telling her because she would be completely heartbroken if she knew, I still feel badly that this is being done and sorta done behind her back, even though it's necessary, financially.

3) Someone very close to me was accused of something terrible last year. Their court case begins next week. This person has passed two private lie detector tests, but the trial could very easily not swing their way. It will come down to who the judge believes. If this person is found guilty, they will undoubtedly go to jail. I believe with all my heart they are not guilty.

4) I am so busy with work, I can't possibly attend court, which also makes me feel very guilty and sad. Since I work for myself, I have no job security -- if I don't get the work done, I don't have a contract anymore.

5) I have been working 12-16 hour days, 6-7 days a week, since last summer (wow that's almost a year now), and there is still a chance that my largest client may be forced to move to a different agency, for reasons beyond my performance. It is very painful to know that I have worked so hard and I may lose the work, not due to my performance, but for other political reasons.

6) Because of this possible work change, I may have to consider moving out of western Canada and back to the U.S. I don't really want to do that, but I guess if I have to, I'll do what I have to do. DH has said he would, but he has a son here in BC and that is a huge consideration.

7) I'm in the middle of an audit.

8) I don't have health insurance.

9) One of my teeth has an issue, but I haven't made/found the time to go to the dentist.

10) I started work at 7AM today. I worked until 5PM, then went to the gym. It is now 7:39, and I have about 3-4 hours of work still to do tonight. And then I start all over again at 7AM tomorrow. This is typical.

10) I am very very tired.

11) I am too heavy.

12) My dog has gotten very snappy with some dogs lately, and it's gotten me stressed. I don't know what to do about it, and I'm sorta sick of people saying, with a shrug, "Well, he's a Jack Russell."

Well, that's all I can think of. Do I feel better now? Not sure. But thanks TVCH for giving me a place to try to work through my anxieties!

Eeyoreslament
Member

07-20-2003

Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 10:23 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Eeyoreslament a private message Print Post    
I'm calling bullsh!t on your #11. Hope your life sorts itself out soon. {{{{Yank}}}}

Karen
Member

09-07-2004

Wednesday, June 22, 2005 - 10:54 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karen a private message Print Post    
Holy crap, Yankee! Wow. Take a deep breath, and try to remind yourself that life happens for a reason. You've got yourself a wonderful husband to agree to leave Vancouver with you, if that's what it takes. I can't imagine leaving here. I'm sorry to hear about your friend and their troubles -- I'll keep both of you in my thoughts and pray for once that our justice system does what it's supposed to. And if it helps, I'm quite well versed on the subject of dimensia and mental illness in the family... if you ever needed to vent some more.

And by the way... I echo Eeyores on the whole #11 thing -- I saw you on the street about a month ago and you looked fantastic. Silly, silly girl.

Hang in there! {{{hugs}}}

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 5:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
Karen, you saw Yankee "on the street" about a month ago? Oh dear! Yankee, is there anything more that you need to tell us?

Okay, seriously, I hope that you can begin to slow down a lot, Yankee. You so need at least one day to call your own and a couple of hours a day to call your own. You can't expect to maintain this pace and remain strong either physically, emotionally or spiritually. You deserve whatever it takes to make these transitions and your darling husband deserves that woman, too. When you are stronger, everything will look bigger and brighter. You know all the verbiage about running on empty.

As far as family goes...is your grandmother receiving quality care? That's the most important thing. It is not easy being on the sidelines watching these events play out, but short of releasing it to God, the universe, or whatever you wish to call it, there isn't a whole lot that you can do. Practice some sort of healing, releasing prayer...amazing the power of prayer.

This is my little mantra that I learned from Jan. (Yup, our very own Jan.) "Can I do anything about it today?" If yes, do it. If no, don't worry about it. There's plenty of trouble for today without borrowing any from tomorrow.

Now that I've preached a sermon, I think I'll follow my own advice today. Take care, dear Yankee


Darrellh
Member

07-21-2004

Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 7:40 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Darrellh a private message Print Post    
(((((Yank))))) This is a gripe thread, but I'll tell you how I look at your list. Concentrate on one thing more than others. You can at least "fix" one thing to some degree. Realize that some things can not be fixed, and give them to God. It does not mean turn your back on them. Walk them safely to that point, holding their hand and getting them there as painlessly as possible.
Once you have one thing up, and in the shiny light, look at the next thing you can do. I've been there. It seems overwhelming when everything seems to hit you at once. And there is no shame in asking for help. (Divine, or otherwise)

p.s. I used to have a dog. They feed off the type of energy in the room. He may be getting signals from you.

Landi
Member

07-29-2002

Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 8:30 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Landi a private message Print Post    
i'm copying that for my list of things that need fixing. thank you darrell.

Ginger1218
Member

08-31-2001

Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 11:22 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ginger1218 a private message Print Post    
My poor Yankee, Life just friggin throw those curves, huh?
Want my list of gripes and curves?
1. Of course, no date on moving
2. I met Amy in Manhattan to see Steel Magnolias, she was in one of her "Sybil" moods, and started a fight in the middle of the street.
3. Calmed her down, went to see the show, the cell phone rings and it is my sister, telling us that Amy's ex boyfriend of many years (who lives in the building we are in now) died yesterday at 60 years old.
4. Being very upset about this, I spent the morning today, from 7am running around, and getting ready to meet my Painter who was supposed to start painting today. Last week the *$^&@##%%###%% boss of the contractors said it was okay for me to have my painter. This morning after half a day of work, they made him leave the building and said he cannot work until the building is done and they are out.
5. I lost my mind, we had a screaming match - they won, painter had to go
6. I have been crying for an hour. I just can't take the stress anymore.
7. Every day it is a different thing, I am off on Thursday, so I go to the building and get things done for me, my sister and Amy. Every week something else goes wrong because of the cheap crooked contractors that my cheap son of a landlord hired.
8. Taking a breath
9. Can't book a mover, until we get a date. Can't get the painter in until they leave. I don't know if I am gonna make it to move in. I am sorry I am whining.
10. There are strong brewings going on in my department at work, I worry about my job. My boss is a low life.


Eeyoreslament
Member

07-20-2003

Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 11:28 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Eeyoreslament a private message Print Post    
My gripe of the day is that I am apparently not wandering around YALETOWN enough, to run into my TVCH buddies.

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 11:30 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
Ginger, do you have a male friend who will advocate for you? I realize how sexist it sounds, but sometimes a male voice communicates volumes. Short of that, a male lawyer is sounding good. Take it easy...

Yankee_in_ca
Member

08-01-2000

Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 12:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yankee_in_ca a private message Print Post    
Haha I just noticed I was so tired I messed up my numbering! So much for "Type A"!

P.S. -- I started at 6AM today, not 7. It's now 1PM and I've already put in 7 hours.

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 1:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
Quitting time in an hour, right?

I consider myself a Type A as well and I didn't catch the numbering either! LOL!

Darrellh
Member

07-21-2004

Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 2:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Darrellh a private message Print Post    
Hey! I'm the one that says when it's quittin' time! QUITTIN' TIME!

Scout
Member

01-20-2005

Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 2:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Scout a private message Print Post    
I think that only works at Tara!

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 11:58 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
I am grumpy! I'm not really mad about this and it's pretty minor but it annoys me.

I had to run a quick errand awhile ago and while I was out I thought I'd take the kids through Mcdonalds and get them ice cream cones. Yesterday was such a bad day and today they've been great and I figured they could use a little treat. Now this is a big treat for them. With Kota's allergy to dairy and her probs with sugar, sweet ice cream treats are a very rare treat in our house.

We go to Mcdonalds and their ice cream machine is broken. No big deal I tell the kids, we'll just run across town to the other Mcdonalds. Half way there I remember there's a little ice cream shop on the way and decide the kids would have more choices there. We walk in and there is one girl working the counter. She's maybe 16 or 17. No other customers. I let the kids know what they can afford with the $2 I gave each of them. The girl was bored out of her mind. Caleb asked a question about what was in one of the flavors since it had a bunch of nuts, he had to ask her twice because she was examining her fingernails. Dakota asked how much the toppings cost, the girl pointed to the list but didn't open her mouth. While Dakota was trying to tell the girl what she wanted, she (the girl!) wandered away! She was probably the least helpful person I've run into in a while. And the whole time I'm thinking, if you don't want to be here, then don't be here! I worked in the service industry for years, you can't act like that with people!

So I took my kids and left. We went to Baskin Robbins where we were greeted with a good morning and the guy explained to the kids exactly what they wanted to know and was friendly. The kids were so excited to pick their own flavors and pay for it themselves and he at least seemed to understand that.

Jmm
Member

08-16-2002

Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 12:01 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jmm a private message Print Post    
War, I hope you call later and see if you can't talk to that girl's supervisor. I'd make sure to let them know that her attitude had lost customers.

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 12:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Escapee a private message Print Post    
War, if it were me, I would call and ask to talk to a manager. I would explain exactly what happened. I used to shy away from doing this, for fear someone might lose their job, but if you think about, that person is causing them to lose business, and you will be doing the business owner a favor by reporting bad service.

Think of it as saving them.

Of course, I would have said right then and there "Hey, you need to be a little more friendly and helpful. Give me the name of your supervisor."



Eeyoreslament
Member

07-20-2003

Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 12:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Eeyoreslament a private message Print Post    
I agree with both Jackie and Escapee. Phone and let a manager know what happened. That is the only way the behavior gets corrected, and those people are dealt with.

Kstme
Member

08-14-2000

Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 2:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kstme a private message Print Post    
War, I agree...call and complain! Poor Kota and Caleb, that was just so not right! I'm so glad everything ended up well for them and you! :-)

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 2:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
LOL, I'm ahead of ya'll on the calling. I did that earlier.

It really frustrates me to see teens act like that in a job. If you're bored and don't want to deal with customers, there are plenty of kids out there who need and want a job, any job.

And the fact that my kids who were so excited about their single scoop of ice cream had to go to three different places to get it.

Twinkie
Member

09-24-2002

Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 2:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Twinkie a private message Print Post    
You Go, Girl!! I would have been all over that one!!

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 5:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Whoami a private message Print Post    
I'm glad you called and spoke to the manager! I've gotten to the point where I have no problem firing off a letter to let someone know why they lost business.

Yankee_in_ca
Member

08-01-2000

Thursday, June 30, 2005 - 6:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yankee_in_ca a private message Print Post    
12 friggin hours put in today so far ... and at least 3-4 more to go to prepare for a 9AM meeting tomorrow.

On Canada Day.

Woe is me.

Eeyoreslament
Member

07-20-2003

Thursday, June 30, 2005 - 7:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Eeyoreslament a private message Print Post    
Woe Canada....
Our home and native land....

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - 12:04 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Silly gripe ahead!!!!

I adore my husband. He's a wonderful husband and father, funny, kind, and caring. Usually my biggest complaint is that he leaves his socks in the living room. He does most of the cooking, he works hard, I enjoy spending my free time with him and not only love him but I like him as well. (Just reminding myself of all the good things here, lol.)

With the leaky roof all winter, we have to replace it this summer. A friend gave us the number to a friend of his who is a roofer and after Darren and roofer chatted we were going to get a great deal, but because of that, we also weren't at the top of his list (which I can understand, but at some point you have to say enough is enough.) It's been six weeks and we haven't heard from the guy yet.

So yesterday Darren starts calling around town to set up appointments and get quotes and whatever people do when they're talking to roofers. Just yesterday he called 8-9 different companies and managed to get ahold of none of them because it was after 5pm! Finally one guy called back and he went ahead and set up an appointment.

Now today all these companies spent all day calling back. Yay! Except that they call while Darren's at work and I spend the first half of this morning sounding like a complete idiot cuz I have no clue what they are talking about and the other half screening my calls so I don't continue to sound like a complete idiot! I don't know anything about pitch or building materials or what type of materials we want now. Some guy asked me what the other roofs in the neighborhood looked like....uh roofs! Some are flat, some are pointy, some are more pointy, after that I can't tell you anything!

Darren gets home from work and starts returning phone calls and clearing up all my idiocy. The fun part? He's setting up appointments for when I'm home alone! First, I'm having to rearrange plans for the next couple of weeks left and right because everytime I change something to be home when one of these companies come I have to change something else. I think I get my schedule worked out and then he sets up another appointment. And second, what the heck am I supposed to do when they are here??? I love home improvements. Get me in Home Depot and I can spend hours unless it has something to do with actually building or constructing something!

Not only do I get to sound like a complete idiot, but now I get to look like one too. Why is he scheduling these appointments for when he's at work? For most of them he wouldn't even have to take off work early, just give up the OT for a couple days. LOL, ok, I know he really just can't give up the OT, since taking the lead position if they're working it he usually has to be there, but dang!

Up til now my concerns have been pretty silly, showing my lack of knowledge when it comes to actually building/construting. Are they going to rip off my whole roof at one time or do it in several different pieces? I have this vision of half my roof being replaced and half open to the world and a bunch of guys knocking off early. LOL, my bil couldn't stop laughing when I asked his professional opinion on that! Do I have to leave my house the whole time they're rebuilding? Or will I have to stay here and be driven crazy by all the hammering and tearing apart of my house? Do I have to send my dog away for a few days or leave him here to be the big bad guard dog, hiding under a bush barking his woof, woof woof at them all day? Notice no concerns about pitch and building materials anywhere there.

I'm sure I'll figure it all out after the first appointment but that first one I think is going to be pretty rough, lol. Bil told me not to hire anyone who tells me they have to dig a huge hole, he's having entirely too much fun at my expense. I told Darren to not schedule any more of them for when he's not home, he looked at me like I was nuts (that's usually the look he gives me but it was more so this time, lol.)

Goddessatlaw
Member

07-19-2002

Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - 12:13 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Goddessatlaw a private message Print Post    
I have to say, Wargod, we had our house re-roofed last summer, I was home most of the time, and basically all I had to worry about was whether the roofers going up and down the ladders would see me naked. A bit noisy, but otherwise wouldn't have noticed they were there.