December Disappointments

[Rebo]

It's supposed to be my day off. It's 5:00pm, and I've been working all effin' day. Yeah, I get overtime, but I was going to go get a "the works" pedicure today! My shoulders are aching, and my feet are swollen.

Bah!



And there is a fuckin' mosquito buzzing around in here.

[teela brown]

I have a ton of housework to do. At the top of the list is vacuuming the stairs, which is one of the suckiest of jobs. The stairs are carpeted, and I have to advance up them one step at a time, vacuuming each step with an attachment and dragging the vacuum up behind me.

Then it's on to sweeping and mopping the vinyl plank flooring downstairs.

Bleh.

[wring]

yeah, and I'm so tired of being pathetic.

So, I've been dealing w/getting bit by something every now and then since late August. First treatments late September. Was declared pest free, then same day found new bites. so was signed up for more treatments. Have been living w/my personal belongings all secured in plastic bags and totes, don't know where anything is, this has been my life since mid September. Since the end of October, there hasn't been an assigned resident manager, nor has there been a designated point of contact for issues. I did get one response from the resident manager (when we had one) supervisor, but she didn't bother to respond to a further inquiry about if I had to remove the special 'bug free' zippered up sealed mattress cover I'd invested in, so removed it and put it back on after last treatment.
And still got bit.
So, last Sunday, left urgent message on the company website which promises response w/in 24 - 48 hours. Nada. there were actually people in the office on Tuesday, apparently we've now been assigned a new person. Advised them that I was still getting bit, I wanted to know what was going to happen, and was very upset at the whole situation, lack of communication being part of it. I was assured it would be handled.
Nada.

Called the office (during their stated business hours) in the morning on Thursday, reminded them that I was still waiting to be advised about the plan of action, and advising them that I had yet another new bite.

Nada.

Friday morning about 8:30, I get a call from the maintenance staff telling me that the bug guy was going to be here at 10 ish to do an inspection and treatment, but no one was available to let him in my apt, so I needed to either leave it unlocked or be there. Note, there's a policy that except in cases of emergency, we were supposed to get 24 hour written notice for any entrance to our apts. and of course, I'd made three attempts to get information just that same week.

you've got to be fucking kidding me. My choices were to stay there and quickly get the place ready for treatment (which includes relocating my cats, moving boxes and bags around so he's got access to the couch etc, stripping the bed etc. (which also meant that I had to rearrange my planned outing w/friends), leave my apt unlocked (ha, never going to happen) but still do all the prep anyhow, or refuse entrance (which they've stated in writing in the past will involve a monetary fine from me).

I stayed, moved the stuff and the cats, waited til the guy was there to ask if I had to strip the zippered up mattress cover. He said no, not a problem to leave it on, so the last time when I struggled w/getting it off and back on again wasn't necessary.

I'm old, cranky, have arthritis in my back, knees, hips and especially in my hands. It fucking hurts to do all that anytime, but if I have to do it in a hurry and can't rest between tasks, it's much much worse.

I sent the manager supervisor (the one who didn't bother to respond to my earlier inquiry) an email advising exactly how I felt about being treated so poorly. Stated I deserved an apology from her, her staff and upper management as well.

She emailed me back saying she was 'sorry that I was upset'. (note this doesn't mention that anyone on her staff did anything wrong) said that she was certain that the new person would 'get up to speed quickly' but had 20 years experience in the field.

Ok, so, it's like resident management 101 (and spelled out in our lease I believe, not that I can locate my lease since everything I own is in one of a dozen or so tote boxes) that except in emergency (which, since this has been on going since August doesn't qualify) I'm due 24 hour WRITTEN notice of need to enter my apt. So, which is it? She's too new, or she's experienced? and where do you get off apologizing for me being upset at YOUR actions/inactions?

I had ended my last email saying I was willing to let it go and try and have a good relationship w/staff, but fuck that now.

as an aside, I forwarded copies of my last email to both my siblings and they both said the same thing - I seem to be channeling our Father (who art dead now but was in Florida) Dad was rather known for being a pit bull when you pissed him off.

[Senpai]

My therapist just kinda up and disappeared!

Well not really.

She was part of an internship, and she said that when it came time for her to graduate, she would be given ample time to figure out things for her clients.

Well, according to the staff, she graduated earlier than expected, and they seem to be scrambling to take care of her clients that are now left without a therapist. I'm not sure if I buy that, but I am essentially forced to go with that. I have no way of contacting her directly, and I'm VERY upset by this. Like, REALLY upset. I don't want to see anyone else, she was amazing and helpful, and we had barely just started. I may wait until she gets a job somewhere. She was insanely helpful and sweet and kind, after so many years of not having a good therapist.

I'm devastated.

[Detroit Hoser]

I'm sorry, Senpai, it's a giant kick in the trustbucket when your therapist is suddenly just gone from your life. There's a reason transference is important, and to have that person ripped away is exactly like you said, it's devastating. I'm really sorry that happened.

[Senpai]

It'll be alright, I'm just in therapist paralysis. It was far from her fault, it was the internship program she was a part of. Fuck you, Oakland U!

[Detroit Hoser]

Oakland University...wow, it used to have a good rep back in the days when I lived in the area a million years ago.

Our neighbors, good friends with whom we spent Thanksgiving this year, have been charged with child abuse and conspiracy. It's a very complicated situation in that the kids they've adopted throughout the years have had some extreme mental health issues that in at least one case were impossible to deal with. The whole thing is a clusterfuck of weirdness. But county charges were dropped, things seemed to settle down, and the kids were doing well. Until yesterday, that is, when the Michigan Attorney General held a press conference saying the state is now charging them with conspiracy or collusion or whatever with another couple that lives a half mile down the road, along with first degree child abuse and related charges.

I know this family as being nothing but good and loving. I believe that they are innocent of these charges as I've never ever seen anything that would corroborate the allegations. But in a year and a half I've spent maybe five hours total inside the home, and what I know of the whole thing is only what my friend has told me. When it broke yesterday she texted me and said, "We're all over the news again" and last night my wife and I picked up dinner to take to their home so they'd have one less thing to worry about. I can't believe any of this, it just doesn't make sense.

I'm absolutely shredded.

[Ludovic]

There's only two varieties of sliced bread I can find so far in town that have minimal added sugar and they were both out last week, and despite stocking up when I can -- it only lasts for a couple weeks out of the fridge and I don't have a lot of space in my freezer -- I couldn't find them last shopping trip.

The lowest sugar alternative had twice the added sugar that they do, (yet half as much as wonder-bread style), so I got it.

That isn't the horribly bad part. Today I ate a couple of slices by themselves since I am also out of natural peanut butter. I could distinctly taste sweet and sour sauce on the bread. Looking at the ingredients, sure enough, not only do they add sugar, they also add a couple types of flavoring acid. Now I am never going to untaste sweet and sour sauce when I eat this bread.

Maybe I should try to stock up in the fridge per se since that isn't very used yet. I hope it lasts longer than out of the fridge.

[SmartAleq]

Bread in the fridge is practically immortal, technically it's stale but it's not moldy and is fine for toast and whatnot. I buy Dave's Killer Bread, which is short on both sugar and preservatives and it can take me months to go through an entire loaf but it's always fine when the fit hits me for peanut butter toast.

[picunurse]

Originally Posted by Ludovic

There's only two varieties of sliced bread I can find so far in town that have minimal added sugar and they were both out last week, and despite stocking up when I can -- it only lasts for a couple weeks out of the fridge and I don't have a lot of space in my freezer -- I couldn't find them last shopping trip.

The lowest sugar alternative had twice the added sugar that they do, (yet half as much as wonder-bread style), so I got it.

That isn't the horribly bad part. Today I ate a couple of slices by themselves since I am also out of natural peanut butter. I could distinctly taste sweet and sour sauce on the bread. Looking at the ingredients, sure enough, not only do they add sugar, they also add a couple types of flavoring acid. Now I am never going to untaste sweet and sour sauce when I eat this bread.

Maybe I should try to stock up in the fridge per se since that isn't very used yet. I hope it lasts longer than out of the fridge.

You shouldn't put bread in the fridge. It disrupts the gluten and causes the bread to get dry and stale tasting. Freezing is best, but leaving it in a cool place will help.

[Wolf Larsen]

I managed to burn my face with an onion ring. We were eating at Carl's Junior and the onion part flopped out on my chin and was hot enough to cause a mild first degree burn.

[Detroit Hoser]

Oh. I thought maybe you'd have a circle on your forehead now. That would be way cooler and a much more exciting story.

[Wolf Larsen]

Actually, I have the eye in the pyramid on my forehead. The Eye of Sauron is on my left hand.

I wonder if I've got something. I've been really sleepy for the last two days here and have a bunch of muscle pain. No ambition at all. But no respiratory symptoms at all either.

[SmartAleq]

Do a COVID test just in case, when I got it I didn't have much in the way of respiratory symptoms at all but I was totally exhausted for three weeks.

[Senpai]

Migraines kinda kickin' my butt the past couple days. Making me wake up in the middle of the night and slowing me down during the day. Guhhh.

[JackieLikesVariety]

Originally Posted by SmartAleq

Do a COVID test just in case, when I got it I didn't have much in the way of respiratory symptoms at all but I was totally exhausted for three weeks.

I never did test for some reason (just kept not going anywhere without a mask) but I still have a cough and it's been over a week.

oh, and I need the sun to come out and it's not going to.

[wring]

Still getting bit. new bite yesterday just as I was going to start to put my place back together.

[Wolf Larsen]

I don't think LED light bulbs are giving me nearly their rated life.

[JackieLikesVariety]

even though I don't feel sick, I have been coughing for weeks so I don't think I should go to drum circle, which is happening indoors.

[Wolf Larsen]

I got one of those boxes in the mail, so I shit in it and sent it back. Maybe if we all do that, they'll learn.

[Jaglavak]

:: worried ::

Did you make sure to get the proper return authorization code?

[teela brown]

Looks like we have a huge plumbing bill coming our way. There might be a way around it, but I fear we're going to have to cough up $11,000 to $14,000. Fuck me.

[What Exit?]

Originally Posted by teela brown

Looks like we have a huge plumbing bill coming our way. There might be a way around it, but I fear we're going to have to cough up $11,000 to $14,000. Fuck me.

Is that a line to the house or septic or something? F'ing septic is the only time I saw a bill like that.

[teela brown]

It's a "lateral sewer" line that connects to the city's main sewer line. A recent city law says we have to fix a borked one prior to selling the house. We hope to sell soon.

[Diamonds02]

My hockey team….or shall I say one of my hockey teams is having holiday party tomorrow. The original team I joined split into two because of drama lol. I like more of the women on the new team that formed. Many of them are queer, and I had very few queer friends until I joined hockey. But one of my best friends of like 15 years is on that original team, and had fallen out with several of the folks on the new team. Including the gal who’s having the holiday party. I would definitely like to do some partying to get my mind off things that are getting me down. But I will probably sit this one out, pictures will make it out to Facebook. Like their Friendsgiving I attended, but it was at a different gal’s house. But if I go to this party, it will likely piss off my good friend. Sigh….WOMEN. Oh well, I’ll likely be able to squeeze in a Chicago trip the upcoming week, that would be hella fun!

[hajario]

Originally Posted by teela brown

It's a "lateral sewer" line that connects to the city's main sewer line. A recent city law says we have to fix a borked one prior to selling the house. We hope to sell soon.

$14k for me last year. The city or county does periodic inspections and mine eventually failed. The pipes were clay and 60 years old. They had to dig a trench and cut up part of the street. It will never have to be done again so there’s that.

[What Exit?]

Originally Posted by teela brown

It's a "lateral sewer" line that connects to the city's main sewer line. A recent city law says we have to fix a borked one prior to selling the house. We hope to sell soon.

Well I doubt it will make you feel better, but I was out $20,000 to replace a working but too old septic system when I sold my house. So it could have been a little worse. Pissed me off a lot.

[Wolf Larsen]

Originally Posted by teela brown

It's a "lateral sewer" line that connects to the city's main sewer line. A recent city law says we have to fix a borked one prior to selling the house. We hope to sell soon.

We had to do that when we sold our old place. What I wasn't prepared for was the full size backhoe trundling up our driveway to dig the trench.

[Detroit Hoser]

Originally Posted by Diamonds02

[...hockey drama...] Sigh….WOMEN.

Yeah this is why I stay home. Men aren't any better; their drama is just different. Still annoying, but different.

[Diamonds02]

Yeah. I’ve watched some recreational men’s hockey games. Fights out in the parking lot aren’t unheard of. Poker games, ditto.

[teela brown]

Originally Posted by Wolf Larsen

We had to do that when we sold our old place. What I wasn't prepared for was the full size backhoe trundling up our driveway to dig the trench.

Did you have to move into a motel while this was going on? I'm thinking we won't have the ability to use our bathrooms during the work, and I don't know how long the work will take.

[Wolf Larsen]

Originally Posted by teela brown

Did you have to move into a motel while this was going on? I'm thinking we won't have the ability to use our bathrooms during the work, and I don't know how long the work will take.

They did the whole thing in one day. Backhoe showed up nice and early and started digging. Got the work done in about 3 hours. The city inspector came out and knew the crew (and told us they do good work). He checked it out and called it good in a few minutes. The forewoman did the video sewer scope to show it was clear to the street. They filled the hole back in and we were good. I had to do some cleanup to get the landscaping and the sprinkler system put back the right way. But it was pretty painless other than the check I had to write.

[teela brown]

That's good to know. I thought we'd have to spend yet more money staying in a hotel. Thanks.

[Jaglavak]

Once in my misspent youth I replaced one of those with a pick and shovel. Its worth the money.

[hajario]

Originally Posted by teela brown

That's good to know. I thought we'd have to spend yet more money staying in a hotel. Thanks.

They took three days to do mine but it was only part of one of the days where I couldn't drain any water.

[TheChileanBlob]

My knees hurt. And my hips. I am old and decrepit.

[C2H5OH]

Originally Posted by Jaglavak

Once in my misspent youth I replaced one of those with a pick and shovel. Its worth the money.

Misspent, eh? Were you SUPPOSED to be doing that, or were you doing, shall we say, a freelance work, with the homeowner about to be surprised about how you 'misspent' your youth? And their sceptic system? One wonders, when you put it the way you did...

[Jaglavak]

Lets just say I wish I knew then what I know now.

[picunurse]

Originally Posted by teela brown

Did you have to move into a motel while this was going on? I'm thinking we won't have the ability to use our bathrooms during the work, and I don't know how long the work will take.

When we had it happen, our basement flooded with unspeakable stuff. We were in a hotel for IIRC, 10 days. It was fun the first 2. We had our 3 cats with us and the only place that would allow them that the insurance would pay for was a high rise and just one room.
I don't recommend it.

[Senpai]

Tried a sleeping medication that my psych wanted me to take. Took half of the normal dose out of anxiety. Thank god I did that.

I feel like shiiiit. Had a full blown panic attack, which definitely didn't help, but I can tell now what is the anxiety and what is the medication, and that's a nope from me. Thankfully, this is just something I'm supposed to take 'as needed', so I never actually have to take this ever again, but I'm really suffering right now. And that was just HALF.

It really sucks, when you seek out help for your problems, and it's like.. something goes wrong, or your body tries to fight the help. Discouraging and frustrating.

[picunurse]

Originally Posted by Senpai

Tried a sleeping medication that my psych wanted me to take. Took half of the normal dose out of anxiety. Thank god I did that.

I feel like shiiiit. Had a full blown panic attack, which definitely didn't help, but I can tell now what is the anxiety and what is the medication, and that's a nope from me. Thankfully, this is just something I'm supposed to take 'as needed', so I never actually have to take this ever again, but I'm really suffering right now. And that was just HALF.

It really sucks, when you seek out help for your problems, and it's like.. something goes wrong, or your body tries to fight the help. Discouraging and frustrating.

Check with your physician. Some of the newer sleep meds cause increased side effects at lower doses. My husband takes one that we did the same thing . He had a terrible night. When he talked to his doc, she said taking the full dose would be okay. It was and is.

[Radical Edward]

This morning my new boss yelled at me in front of everyone for being face blind and not recognizing clients as soon as they walk in. She said I need to figure something out, but jfc I literally can't do anything about it. One time I saw my ex husband in the grocery store and didn't know who he was. Guess I'm looking for a new job again.

[Dragonlady]

Sounds like you have a case for the Americans with disabilities act.

[Radical Edward]

That would cost money. Easier to find a new job and then just report it later.

[Jaglavak]

No, for your boss after you kick her ass.

[Radical Edward]

That'll be between her and the government

[C2H5OH]

I just got "Little Drummer Boy"ed by my radio station. All Christmas season without hearing it once, and with less than two days to go, my radio station played it. I turned off the radio within seconds, but the taint is still running through my head. Turning the radio back on, AC/DC is playing. "Dirty Deeds Done With Sheep" ... er ... "Dirt Cheap". Let's hope that clears the earworm out. It is being followed with the Stones "Sympathy for the Devil". I'm hopeful of doing it without resorting to 'Brain-Bleach', but it's going to be a close-run thing...

@SmartAleq, I'm going to curse you until the day I die for introducing the "Little Drummer Boy" challenge into my world-view.

[SmartAleq]

I can't decide if it counts that I got Drummer Boy nailed by a tv show I was bingeing for like the 97th time--you can't just skip over the episode and it's not like I have the xmas eps marked in the folder or anything. So if binged eps count I been shot down, if not I'm still in the running. It's a conundrum.

And friend, I believe in sharing the love!

[C2H5OH]

Dammit. The radio station just hit me AGAIN. Can't they at least only do it once a day???

Alice Cooper is detoxifying my ears with "School's Out". It may not be enough...

[picunurse]

I just ate a cookie. It was a chocolate chocolate chip. I've gotten them from the same grocery store for years. This one was an inch thick and the consistency of cake. The chips were the size of pinheads and they tasted like whoever baked them forgot the sugar. So disappointed.