The Daily Peeve / Rant

[Yppej]

Steve, I would think native born American front desk clerks would know this. We called the hotel we are staying at and another one in the same city same chain and neither clerk even knew what HBO is.

[BikingLady]

Questions about my painters. I fully think the owner is honest sand good, 5 star rating. The yahoos he hired were the issue no primer used or patching, but no one checked on the end result. SO I am out the deposit of over $500 and I bought the paint for the garage doors.

[Sad Eyed Lady]

This is just a tiny thing compared to bigger issues, but a peeve can be just that. It just gets under my skin when checking out at a store or going through a drive-thru and the cashier, usually young, says "thankshaveagoodday" all in one breath as he/she turns away. I want to say, "if you don't mean it, just don't say it.". But of course I don't. I know they are probably trained to wish the customer a good day, but said like that gives it no meaning whatsoever. A simple "thanks" would be better, in my opinion, than this insincere quickly mumbled platitude. I just experienced it again this morning, so freshly on my mind.

[frugal-one]

This is just a tiny thing compared to bigger issues, but a peeve can be just that. It just gets under my skin when checking out at a store or going through a drive-thru and the cashier, usually young, says "thankshaveagoodday" all in one breath as he/she turns away. I want to say, "if you don't mean it, just don't say it.". But of course I don't. I know they are probably trained to wish the customer a good day, but said like that gives it no meaning whatsoever. A simple "thanks" would be better, in my opinion, than this insincere quickly mumbled platitude. I just experienced it again this morning, so freshly on my mind.

I prefer that instead of dear, honey, sweetie.

[BikingLady]

I prefer that instead of dear, honey, sweetie.

I honestly was never called those until we were in TN. I know that is a friendly way of speaking, but I hated it. Guess us Northerners are not that friendly.

[BikingLady]

Wait Sadceyedclady, you meant they actually said "thank you"?

[SteveinMN]

Steve, I would think native born American front desk clerks would know this.
I actually would, too, but, frankly, so many people live in their own bubble that it does not surprise me much. :confused:

[Lainey]

The pop-ups when I go to a new internet site. I barely get the page open and the background fades while a pop-up takes over asking me if I want to register for this site, or if I'll take a survey for the site? No, mainly because I haven't even finished reading the main page. Geez.

[CathyA]

Lainey.......I'm running into that too. In fact, today I was trying to find out what natural stuff I could use to clean my kitchen floor with and the pop-ups came up on several sites and I wasn't even allowed to read further, unless I gave my email address. Forget it!

[Yppej]

People who can't drive, causing accidents during rush hours. It took me an hour and a half to get to work today and two hours to get home.

[frugal-one]

I prefer that instead of dear, honey, sweetie.

I honestly was never called those until we were in TN. I know that is a friendly way of speaking, but I hated it. Guess us Northerners are not that friendly.

I am very friendly with people. It actually gets me in trouble sometimes. I find these terms in general context condescending and should be reserved for people that you know and are special to you.

[Williamsmith]

Stink Bugs! I hate em.

[Lainey]

Impetigo. On my face. Thank goodness for antibiotics, but until the week is over I'm in semi-hibernation.

[Yppej]

They're infiltrating our house this week also.

[JaneV2.0]

It is now October. Since June we've had maybe four days of rain. The ten-day forecast shows nary a drop in sight. I'd go mad in Los Angeles.

[sweetana3]

A dentist we used (and did not like) over 15 years ago seems to have sent us a suspicious email. "open this pdf" type of thing. Thankfully, hubby and life trained me to not open such things and I just marked it as spam. So irritating.

[SteveinMN]

A dentist we used (and did not like) over 15 years ago seems to have sent us a suspicious email. "open this pdf" type of thing. Thankfully, hubby and life trained me to not open such things and I just marked it as spam. So irritating.
It is incredibly easy to forge someone's email address as a "From" address. And (too) many people are careless about the quality and proliferation of their email passwords. So I would not be too quick to blame the dentist for the spam. But good on you for not opening it.

[ToomuchStuff]

It is incredibly easy to forge someone's email address as a "From" address. And (too) many people are careless about the quality and proliferation of their email passwords. So I would not be too quick to blame the dentist for the spam. But good on you for not opening it.


It is also too common, that someone uses the same password across sites (including email password). With that, one can have their email used as a spambot.

[SteveinMN]

It is also too common, that someone uses the same password across sites
Yes, that was the "proliferation" to which I referred -- and which you explained far better than I did. Thank you!

[Williamsmith]

Property Brothers...for that matter anything on HGTV. Unfortunately my wife is hooked on it.

[sweetana3]

I had to stop looking at HGTV because it made me unhappy with the perfectly satisfactory items I already owned. I noticed a big improvement in my happiness.

[SteveinMN]

I had to call an electrician to deal with a wiring issue in the breaker box. I called a company that's done work for us in the past; competent, fairly priced, etc. This is not a huge national franchise but they're big enough that they pay someone to answer the phone and transfer calls (that seems to be all she does) and they have trucks painted with their logo (not just the generic trades van).

When I called at 9 on Monday I was informed that the people I had to speak with were in a meeting and they'd call me back as soon as the meeting was over. At lunch today I called because I hadn't heard from anyone. The (same) person who answered the phone immediately recalled my name and transferred me to Eric -- well, Eric's voicemail. I left a message, pointedly asking him to let me know if this was not business they wanted and that I would be unavailable to the phone between 1 and 3:30 today.

Eric called at 2 (!) and, of course, left a message. The soonest he can book me in is a week from Thursday. I said yes because I really don't want to wait another half-week or longer to have someone else come out. But it's left a bad taste in my mouth. No apology. No reason for the lack of a call-back.

If you don't do that kind of business anymore (for example, you no longer do residential work), say so. If you don't want the job (too small, too far away, etc.), say so. If you're down 40% of your technical staff and swamped with calls, say so. But do not leave me hanging. You say you'll call? Do it. Even if the news is bad. It does not improve with age.

[Yppej]

Agreed Steve. The roofer I used for the past two years said they would get me an estimate and have not. And they were the only company I contacted 3 years ago that actually got back to me.

[SteveinMN]

Agreed Steve. The roofer I used for the past two years said they would get me an estimate and have not. And they were the only company I contacted 3 years ago that actually got back to me.
For a while (around the time of the Great Recession), it wasn't hard to get good tradespeople to your location promptly. Lately it happens all too often.

What I'm concluding is that business now apparently has improved enough that it's no longer considered necessary to even call back. Which makes me wonder about the plumbing/furnace/whatever companies that advertise so heavily on TV and offer coupons in local "shoppers". I guess they're not too busy for business. >8)

[catherine]

I had to stop looking at HGTV because it made me unhappy with the perfectly satisfactory items I already owned. I noticed a big improvement in my happiness.

That show drives me crazy. It's fun on the one hand, but so maddening on the other: beautiful vintage woodwork painted over or removed because it's not "modern" enough; whiny millennials insisting their first home have his and her walk-in closets and two sinks in the master bathroom and a big open concept kitchen to entertain in.

I really don't see a NEED for two sinks in a bathroom. My DH and I have never had an issue getting ready at the same time. I get dressed while he shaves; he gets dressed while I blow-dry my hair. Are double sinks really NEED-to-have's?

[iris lilies]

This not calling back thing is one reason why I am glad DH is retired. I hated talking to potential customers, knowing that he wouldn't call many of them back. He didnt need/want the business and apparently that is the standard communication. sorry! . It was extra bad because he worked mostly in our neighborhood and these are people who live near us. ugh. I couldnt really speak for him yet I knew what likely would happen.

Toward the end, I used to tell them "if you dont hear from him in a few days, move on, probably best to find someone else." And then they would ask me who I recommended. double ugh, because I knew those other guys were always busy, too.

One thing I learned about working with someone like DH is that it is a good idea to save all of your fix-it things for one session, and ask him to pencil you in for 2 days or 5 days or whatever.

And if you get a handyman who is good, hang on to him by having him do refular work. These guys like regular customers.

[Williamsmith]

HGTV is nothing but one giant commercial for the real estate and home remodeling industry. Top of my list of pet peeves are the property brothers. Followed closely by Chip and Joanna of Fixer Upper. Flip or Flop is preposterous. You know it’s bad when you ask your wife to change channels to the Hallmark Network. Why does every actress have to have a mole somewhere on her face?

[sweetana3]

I am pretty much now only watching British shows and I avoid anything on HGTV. It breeds discontent.

[catherine]

So here's my DH vent, but it's really more of a question about his behavior and my reaction to it. So it's a vent about myself, too.

Last night describes a situation that recycles regularly. DH walks in the door just as we finish making dinner. In this case, it's a simple salad (with lots of veggies and protein). BIL says, "Oh, I'm making spaghetti. That's nice.

To be polite, DH offers him salad. He says "Yeah, sure!" Then DH gives his brother ALL the turkey that he had cut up to put in his own salad. I had just come from the store, where I had bought the turkey at HIS request. I don't eat much meat. So I took the plate back and put some of the turkey on DH's plate and he looked back at me with daggers. I know, I know, totally codependent of me, but this drives me nuts. It happens a lot. For some strange reason, DH is compelled to give his brother all the food available. He will insist that BIL take back home all the meat leftovers, while DH takes one or two spoons for himself.

When I b*ch about it, he says, "I don't understand you! You of all people would give anyone the shirt off your back! He's my brother! Can't I not give him as much as he wants?"

GRRRR

So why does this drive me crazy? A) Because BIL doesn't have the social skills to know when to refuse offers? B) Because it's just weird that DH would not feed himself but give everything to his brother? C) Because I feel he's disrespecting our food budget and the money that goes into it, not to mention the fact that what he gives his BIL I typically have already earmarked for next-day leftovers? D) Because I think any normal person making spaghetti and then being offered salad would say "Gee, I'll bring over the spaghetti and we can all share"?

Don't say, "Just tell him what you've said here" because I have.. over and over. And that adds to the frustration.... D) Do I get mad because I have expressed my desire for him to be generous at a reasonable level, and he blatantly refuses my request and then he makes ME look like a selfish jerk? I told him he needs to see a therapist and work that out, but then I think I do, too. If I can't change his behavior, I need to let it go.

I may have already complained about this in a previous rant, so if I did, I apologize. It's just that it came up again just last night.

[Alan]

....... I avoid anything on HGTV. It breeds discontent.
That's how I eventually felt about This Old House years ago. It made me think I could be handy too.

[Williamsmith]

So here's my DH vent, but it's really more of a question about his behavior and my reaction to it. So it's a vent about myself, too.

Last night describes a situation that recycles regularly. DH walks in the door just as we finish making dinner. In this case, it's a simple salad (with lots of veggies and protein). BIL says, "Oh, I'm making spaghetti. That's nice.

To be polite, DH offers him salad. He says "Yeah, sure!" Then DH gives his brother ALL the turkey that he had cut up to put in his own salad. I had just come from the store, where I had bought the turkey at HIS request. I don't eat much meat. So I took the plate back and put some of the turkey on DH's plate and he looked back at me with daggers. I know, I know, totally codependent of me, but this drives me nuts. It happens a lot. For some strange reason, DH is compelled to give his brother all the food available. He will insist that BIL take back home all the meat leftovers, while DH takes one or two spoons for himself.

When I b*ch about it, he says, "I don't understand you! You of all people would give anyone the shirt off your back! He's my brother! Can't I not give him as much as he wants?"

GRRRR

So why does this drive me crazy? A) Because BIL doesn't have the social skills to know when to refuse offers? B) Because it's just weird that DH would not feed himself but give everything to his brother? C) Because I feel he's disrespecting our food budget and the money that goes into it, not to mention the fact that what he gives his BIL I typically have already earmarked for next-day leftovers? D) Because I think any normal person making spaghetti and then being offered salad would say "Gee, I'll bring over the spaghetti and we can all share"?

Don't say, "Just tell him what you've said here" because I have.. over and over. And that adds to the frustration.... D) Do I get mad because I have expressed my desire for him to be generous at a reasonable level, and he blatantly refuses my request and then he makes ME look like a selfish jerk? I told him he needs to see a therapist and work that out, but then I think I do, too. If I can't change his behavior, I need to let it go.

I may have already complained about this in a previous rant, so if I did, I apologize. It's just that it came up again just last night.

You know that wine you talked about in the other food thread? Cheers.

[catherine]

You know that wine you talked about in the other food thread? Cheers.

Haha, good one! But unfortunately, that makes it worse. Have you ever started a "discussion" with someone, hoping to correct THEIR behavior, after you've had a glass or two?

[merince]

DH walks in the door just as we finish making dinner. In this case, it's a simple salad (with lots of veggies and protein). BIL says, "Oh, I'm making spaghetti. That's nice. You say "Gee, why don't you bring the spaghetti and we can share?" If it is poor social skills, then offer him the correct response ;)

[CathyA]

catherine.......does your DH do this with other people and various things.....always giving away too much?

[sweetana3]

Alan, anything is possible with over $25,000 in tools. :-) We always used to laugh about the fancy things they used.

[ToomuchStuff]

That's how I eventually felt about This Old House years ago. It made me think I could be handy too.

I guess I am different. I started taking care of a house at 14, and started watching it back then, as a general, how do things work. What is generally required/safe guidelines, and what are the most COMMON tools used. (back then I only had hand saws and hand tools, not even a drill)
When I quit watching it, is was because I had figured out I was capable of quite a bit, and didn't have the time to watch it.
They were my teachers, as the only figure I really had to "show me stuff" is a cross between Tim Taylor and Red Green.

[SteveinMN]

Alan, anything is possible with over $25,000 in tools. :-) We always used to laugh about the fancy things they used.
I especially loved the "special jigs" Norm built. Spent hours building these frameworks for drilling eight holes. I understand the desire for precision, but Norm could have measured four times and cut once in less time than it took to build the special jig (and who verified it was accurate, anyway?).


So why does this drive me crazy? A) Because BIL doesn't have the social skills to know when to refuse offers? B) Because it's just weird that DH would not feed himself but give everything to his brother? C) Because I feel he's disrespecting our food budget and the money that goes into it, not to mention the fact that what he gives his BIL I typically have already earmarked for next-day leftovers? D) Because I think any normal person making spaghetti and then being offered salad would say "Gee, I'll bring over the spaghetti and we can all share"?
A) No, apparently he doesn't, and, at his age and station in life, he's not likely to pick up on it now. B) Weird, but a dynamic that appears to define explanation and/or categorization. C) DING! D) Smaller ding! But you're not dealing with a "normal" person in BiL. Then there's also the question of whether he can cook well enough to make eating the food he prepares worthwhile.

I'm not saying this isn't crazy-making, but it seems it's crazy-making only to you. Your efforts to illustrate the situation have not been met with any real understanding on DH's and BiL's part. So unless you can show them why C is a real issue for all of you (or at least you and DH), I (sadly) think your best response is to try to let it go as best you can. Does this change when you guys sell the house and BiL is not such an integral part of your picture?

[iris lilies]

So here's my DH vent, but it's really more of a question about his behavior and my reaction to it. So it's a vent

GRRRR

So why does this drive me crazy? A) Because BIL doesn't have the social skills to know when to refuse offers? B) Because it's just weird that DH would not feed himself but give everything to his brother? C) Because I feel he's disrespecting our food budget and the money that goes into it, not to mention the fact that what he gives his BIL I typically have already earmarked for next-day leftovers? D) Because I think any normal person making spaghetti and then being offered salad would say "Gee, I'll bring over the spaghetti and we can all share"?

Don't say, "Just tell him what you've said here" because I have.. over and over. And that adds to the frustration.... D) Do I get mad because I have expressed my desire for him to be generous at a reasonable level, and he blatantly refuses my request and then he makes ME look like a selfish jerk? I told him he needs to see a therapist and work that out, but then I think I do, too. If I can't change his behavior, I need to let it go..

yes. Yes to all of it.

It is the entire systemic problem of entrenched, enabled BIL that makes you crazy. And, it is crazy making!

So, how does your DH accept the fact that his little brother will be living separately from you two now?

I have to say it is kind of cute how your DH always serves little bro, but certainly "cute" in a limited way.

[Gardenarian]

Trigeminal neuralgia, good grief this sucks.

[Yppej]

The nonstop smutty slutty talk at work. The de facto group lead and boss's favorite is the main instigator so there's nothing I feel I can do. She also is best friends with the COO's granddaughter. We had no mail yesterday so she had lots of time to do such things as eavesdrop on others' phone conversations with customers and toss out double entendres of the "that's what he said" type, come to near tears because her latest adulterous affair didn't work out the way she wanted, and discuss vibrators at length. It should be busier next week thank goodness.

[iris lilies]

This week I am officially clear of all responsibility for one plant society, it is dissolved. So being a glutton for punishment, I jumped in to work in several other organizations that vary from very healthy to dysfunctional.

my “healthy” garden club has about $350 in its treasury. I am the new Vice President, The treasurer is very sick. I find that she keeps all of the club’s money in her own persnal checking account, one she shares with her hisband.Her husband and will not let her “put her name” on another checking account. We cant have a club account and have her as treasurer.

Thud.

Not so healthy after all. The risk is that she is permanently sick and we cant get that money out. Fortunately, it is only a tiny bit of money, not enough to keep me up at night. But this situation needs to change.

[SteveinMN]

Not so healthy after all. The risk is that she is permanently sick and we cant get that money out. Fortunately, it is only a tiny bit of money, not enough to keep me up at night. But this situation needs to change. I had to do a somewhat-similar cleanup in an organization in which I was treasurer. It's hard to help people understand governance, especially when the number of people willing to work in officer's positions is so small (like you could find someone else to be treasurer just because this woman's husband doesn't understand).I hope you can find a workaround for this, IL.

[ToomuchStuff]

I got a laugh at this thread yesterday. I was in my friends restaurant and saw a group come in that has some meetings there. They are trying to vote out/eliminate the three boys who run the organization as their schedules are not working well with the group. The group as it appeared, has no authority to the account and left without paying. The whole organization is getting quite disfunctional.
Makes me happy not to be part of groups like this.

[frugalone]

I know I should not let someone's behavior hurt my feelings. And really, I'm OK. I have this coworker who is just...unfriendly. I've never done anything to her to make her dislike me (that I know of). She was off on Monday and Tuesday, and in today (I'm off today). Yesterday I had to send her a work-related email. I closed it by wishing her a Happy Thanksgiving and a Happy Birthday, as her b-day is this weekend. I sort of knew it wouldn't matter to her, but I thought of those sayings like "be kind even if it the other person isn't" "do unto others" etc.

I had to check my email today from home, and there was nothing from her. It would have taken her less than a minute to hit "reply" and say, "Thanks! Hope your holiday is good too."

I guess I shouldn't be surprised. She's the kind of person that you give compliments to, and she never, ever gives them back. In five years...

[iris lilies]

Oh I have the sadz! I was turned down by the St. Louis Art Museum as an exhibitor in their Art in Bloom show. That show has floral designers interpretting art pieces.

I will try again next year and will get better application photos. They ask for three photos of past work. Several of my harden club friends who have been exhibitng for years got into the show. One is not talented. The rest are supremely talented.

It is a long held goal of mine to exhibit in Art in Bloom.

[Float On]

Oh I have the sadz! I was turned down by the St. Louis Art Museum as an exhibitor in their Art in Bloom show. That show has floral designers interpretting art pieces.

I will try again next year and will get better application photos. They ask for three photos of past work. Several of my harden club friends who have been exhibitng for years got into the show. One is not talented. The rest are supremely talented.

It is a long held goal of mine to exhibit in Art in Bloom.

Bummer. Photography is key! Sadly I've known a lot of horrid art that got into shows because they basically lied in their jury photos. They use to start setting up for the Philly flower show https://theflowershow.com/follow-the-show/photo-gallery/2017-flower-show-photos after we'd break down from the Buyers Market of American Craft. Oh wow, the flower show was amazing. A good copper artist friend from Hermann, MO use to and may still show there every year.

[SteveinMN]

Oh I have the sadz! I was turned down by the St. Louis Art Museum as an exhibitor in their Art in Bloom show.
:( I'm sorry to hear that, IL. It's tough to get the 'no'. Better luck (there is some luck involved) and pictures next year...

[Yppej]

Offshored call centers. I called Verizon to cancel HBO and they would not or could not transfer me to the U.S. This simple change took a half hour because they cannot talk to me person to person in a conversational manner. It is me talking to a heavily accented script reader.

[BikingLady]

Our inability to be content and satisfied.

[Yppej]

I suppose that's genetics. The content and satisfied types didn't evolve and are still amoebae.

[CathyA]

I get tired of checking in with people, wishing them a good day, sending "get well soon" wishes, giving encouragement, etc., etc..........and nobody does it back to me. :(
the only reason I can think of is I'm just not important to them. I'm talking about immediate family and extended family. This is more of a whine than a rant.

[CathyA]

Our inability to be content and satisfied.

I think it comes from having so much around us all the time. People with far less seem to be able to be happy with so much less. We are like kids in a candy store, then we bitch about the stomach ache.

[JaneV2.0]

I suppose that's genetics. The content and satisfied types didn't evolve and are still amoebae.

:idea: Discontent as motivation. I love it.

[iris lilies]

Ugh I hate technology.

Dealing with fallout from two email accounts that AT& T has separated.

I hate them. I hate technology, especially technology that changes.

[LDAHL]

I suppose that's genetics. The content and satisfied types didn't evolve and are still amoebae.

I imagine they get eaten or starved of resources by the more adaptable amoebae. I don't think natural selection offers an opt-out clause.

[Chicken lady]

My car is dead.

It was one of those moments when the bad thing happens in about the best possible way, at almost as good a time as you can imagine. (Without veering into the absurd)

But I still need a new car.

[Williamsmith]

My car is dead.

It was one of those moments when the bad thing happens in about the best possible way, at almost as good a time as you can imagine. (Without veering into the absurd)

But I still need a new car.

Should donations be made to your favorite charity or should I send flowers?

[Yppej]

I got really irritated with the dealership that sold me my last car. They are now using the technology where your phone rings once and then immediately goes to voice mail. It's a local number so you think it's a legit message and this garbage fills up your voice mail box and you have to go in and delete the messages. I called back and first they denied they called. I gave them details and said I wanted to be on the do not call list. The woman then realized what promotion I was calling about and launched into the exact same sales script in the voice mail. I said, "Stop with the script." She did not. I repeated myself. Still she continued spouting it off. I then yelled, STOP and she finally agreed to place me on the do not call list then hung up on me midsentence. I called back and she claimed on a Saturday their busiest day no manager was there, no supervisor was there, no service advisor was there, and none of them had voice mail. So I asked for the salesperson who sold me the car trying to say he said if there was ever an issue call him, but it was hard to get a word in edgewise as she kept talking over me. She said she didn't know who that would be. I told her look in the computer. She refused. I then said let me speak to anyone who is salaried and I finally reported to someone else her outright lies and rude behavior.

Another reason along with their crappy tires I will not buy a Hyundai again, in case you are taking recommendations and anti-recommendations CL.

If we do give up car ownership and move to a driverless car system that eliminates dealerships I will feel a lot of schadenfreude. National chains of driverless car companies can buy directly from manufacturers for their fleets.

[Williamsmith]

Well, if you have enough time you can make anybody miserable. For instance, Hyundai’s have a very generous and lengthy warranty. The service department can get overwhelmed with complaints of mysterious noises. While you are waiting for them to find the rattle in your dashboard, you can be talking loudly to other customers about how crappy the cars are. Which will prompt a customer service representative to pull you aside at which time you could mention to them the annoying calls you are getting and that putting a halt to it would really be appreciated.

[Yppej]

The warranty is expired but I like your thinking.

[Chicken lady]

A donation is already being made to a favorite charity - they will be collecting the remains for scrap.

i have very tight parameters:
under $12,000
4WD
small suv or hatchback wagon (pottery shows, livestock, plants, equipment, 1,000lb loads of clay)
automatic
2008 or newer
fewer than 75,000 Miles.
dh can fix it.

autotrader brought up a short list. I wil probably end up with another Ford Escape. But if anybody has a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, or a Jeep Patriot, i’ll Take feedback.

[Chicken lady]

A donation is already being made to a favorite charity - they will be collecting the remains for scrap.

i have very tight parameters:
under $12,000
4WD
small suv or hatchback wagon (pottery shows, livestock, plants, equipment, 1,000lb loads of clay)
automatic
2008 or newer
fewer than 75,000 Miles.
dh can fix it.

autotrader brought up a short list. I wil probably end up with another Ford Escape. But if anybody has a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, or a Jeep Patriot, i’ll Take feedback.

[Zoe Girl]

Fast passing on the right. It isn't just like you slowly creep up on someone but people who are in such a rush they speed by on right on the highway. I will be in a middle or left lane going traffic speed but leaving space, but someone is so determined to get one freakin car length ahead they swerve to the right and speed past. At least one time a month i am in the process of moving over to the right lane when someone does this.

The worst was carpooling back from new years retreat and my friend was doing this, while i was talking about it. We just spent 3 days on retreat so maybe we could be a little chill

[Chicken lady]

We bought a Ford Escape. It actually has 85,000 miles on it, but it’s a 2012 in good condition, newish tires, and it came in $800 under budget with taxes and tags. It even has a couple of bells and whistles.

this is still in rants because - used car dealers!

[Float On]

We bought a Ford Escape. OK I have to ask....what color. I love my ford escape in fact my mom is on her 2nd, my son got mom's first, and I have one. But I wish to God I hadn't bought red. Even in my small town I see 13 other red escapes daily!

[Williamsmith]

OK I have to ask....what color. I love my ford escape in fact my mom is on her 2nd, my son got her first, and I have one. But I wish to God I hadn't bought red. Even in my small town I see 13 other red escapes daily!

Hold onto your hat CL.....I have owned no less than six Escapes. I find them to be average as far as reliability but I had a good friend that was the garage manager at the local ford dealer and he took care of every problem I had. My pet peeve is rattles and I can be very OCD when it comes to car noises. I have been know to trade a car in because of an unresolved rattle. Yeah. Nuts.

[iris lilies]

Escapes are the most owned vehicle in A erica, I saw that statistic once.

I have a version of the Escape, a Mercury Mariner.

[iris lilies]

OK I have to ask....what color. I love my ford escape in fact my mom is on her 2nd, my son got her first, and I have one. But I wish to God I hadn't bought red. Even in my small town I see 13 other red escapes daily!

I wish I had a red one, real red.

Mine is the ubiquitous metal colored SUV, boring as hell. In any parking lot there are a million of them. My trick for finding my car is to look for a lack of luggage rack on top, that is what makes it somewhat distinctive.

[Chicken lady]

White.

for now.

soon to be “Ohio mud tan”

i never have have any trouble finding my car. It’s the one that screams “sUv”

edited to add - it was amusing how badly the second car salesman misread me. He kept going on and on and on about how clean the car was, and about how I would never notice the difference between a 4c and a 6c engine, and how I would never ever need to turn the traction control off (while dh was showing me the difference in how that worked between my previous car and the test drive) that was the red car.

[Float On]

Hold onto your hat CL.....I have owned no less than six Escapes. I find them to be average as far as reliability but I had a good friend that was the garage manager at the local ford dealer and he took care of every problem I had. My pet peeve is rattles and I can be very OCD when it comes to car noises. I have been know to trade a car in because of an unresolved rattle. Yeah. Nuts.

My uncle bought a big fancy Lincoln Continental in the 70's (police auction) and he couldn't stand a rattle that was coming from the dashboard. Dad took apart the airvents and dash and found a little chain. Started pulling the chain out and on the end was a bag of dope!

[Float On]

The Escape is ok. I like them for my college age boys but I sure miss my big Durango. I run out of storage space when I need to haul things in the Escape. Plus my Durango was a unique dark Teal color. I could always find it in a parking lot. I can't tell you how many times I've parked either between two other red Escapes or come out of the store to find two red Escapes parked on either side of my red one. Mine has a lot of chrome so it sets it apart a little but not much. Alex drives a pollen green color one so he rarely needs to wash. I'd even go back to silver again that hides dirt good. Mom's new one is dark grey and she doesn't like the color.

[Alan]

I drove a black Escape Hybrid for 9 years and 190,000 miles. I only got rid of it because it was starting to show signs of rust and the batteries were due to be replaced. I still miss it.

[Chicken lady]

I wanted a hybrid really badly, but dh vetoed it because of the battery issue (anything in my price range would need a new one soon)

i had a durango too (a red one) for a long time. Loved the cargo space. I once put two goats; three rabbits in cages; a wheelbarrow; a shovel; a broom; a cooler; a bale of hay; three kids; assorted buckets, clothing, project books, papers and ribbons; and a chicken in it. The chicken had to ride on the dash. The crash rating was terrible though. When I found that out I was deeply grateful that all 3 teenagers survived driving it for years.

[frugal-one]

Have to tell about my car experience today. I came out of a store and was talking to the woman next to me in the parking lot. I looked over and a guy was standing by my car really irritated pushing his automatic door opener. I said to him, "Do you realize you are trying to open my car?" The look on his face was priceless!!! hehe

[CathyA]

Have to tell about my car experience today. I came out of a store and was talking to the woman next to me in the parking lot. I looked over and a guy was standing by my car really irritated pushing his automatic door opener. I said to him, "Do you realize you are trying to open my car?" The look on his face was priceless!!! hehe
:laff:

[ToomuchStuff]

Hold onto your hat CL.....I have owned no less than six Escapes. I find them to be average as far as reliability but I had a good friend that was the garage manager at the local ford dealer and he took care of every problem I had. My pet peeve is rattles and I can be very OCD when it comes to car noises. I have been know to trade a car in because of an unresolved rattle. Yeah. Nuts.

Seems fairly common IMHE, with LEO who spend a lot of time in their vehicles. They get to know every sound, every rattle, and can feel every tell that most seem to ignore or be blissfully unaware of.

[Yppej]

The dealership where I bought my car continues to spam me. Today I wrote my first ever Yelp review blasting them.

[Williamsmith]

The dealership where I bought my car continues to spam me. Today I wrote my first ever Yelp review blasting them.

Perhpas if you have the time, you could “test drive” cars until they ask you not to come back.

[Yppej]

They are violating do not contact laws so I may try to sic the government on them next. I emailed them asking them to pay me my $500.00 for violating do not call laws and I left an earful in the GM's voice mail. After all, they clog up my voice mail.

[sweetana3]

Facebook is a good site to post problems like this on their business site for others to see. I had several experiences and posted exactly what happened on their business media sites. Then I email them and send a Facebook message. Occasionally I will give them the benefit of the doubt and message first. Depends on what chances they have had before and how responsive. ps: I send compliments also.

A hospital gave my personal phone number and name to a robo calling company (I had a "bad" bill which was actually fully paid and caused by their faulty processes). You should have heard me and seen my very clear very negative info on their various social media sites.

[SteveinMN]

Facebook is a good site to post problems like this on their business site for others to see.
Twitter, too. Public shaming via social media is, for better or worse. quite effective in busting through logjams.

[Williamsmith]

You could pay a homeless person to stand just off property with a sign which calls attention to the situation. Or even better, rent a billboard near the dealership expressing your disappointment with their business model.

[Gardenarian]

Got the biopsy results today - Squamous cell skin cancer, AGAIN. F-word.
But thank the gods it wasn't melanoma.

[rosarugosa]

I'm sorry to hear that, Gardenarian. That really sucks.

[iris lilies]

I am sorry, Gardenarian.

[SteveinMN]

:(

[Gardenarian]

Thanks guys!
I'll be fine - just no yoga for a while as I now have a large incision on my knee. The idea of having any sort of cancer takes one aback, though.
Last time it was my upper lip, so this was a breeze in comparison.

[Yppej]

The car dealership is still harassing me with junk mail. They are now recording their calls and I gave them an earful. They had the nerve to tell me it's my fault I didn't lock down my credit bureau reports when I did that months ago.

[Lainey]

Thanks guys!
I'll be fine - just no yoga for a while as I now have a large incision on my knee. The idea of having any sort of cancer takes one aback, though.
Last time it was my upper lip, so this was a breeze in comparison.

Glad to know at least it's not as bad an experience. Reminds me to make an appt. for a skin check with the dermatologist.
FYI, anyone wanting to make good money could do so by practicing as a dermatologist in the sunny states - we're always running to them to have suspicious spots checked out, and at least with my dermatologist, that's $100+ per visit. Worth it, of course, for peace of mind and/or early intervention.

[BikingLady]

Spam phone calls

[sweetana3]

we no longer pick up the phone, land or cell, unless the person/company is on our call list. The caller must leave a message and occasionally we will pick up mid call. Everyone agrees that spam robo calls are out of control.

[Lainey]

Related to that, I just got a new cell phone number. Appears that they recycle these numbers pretty quickly, because from day one I was getting text messages from strangers asking for "Janie" [fake name] as well as the auto calls from the pharmacy reminding her to pick up her prescriptions!
I think I finally got these stopped but it took about a month.
I hope Janie wasn't a violence victim because it seemed like she just dropped that number and didn't tell anyone her new number.

[Lainey]

Oh no, I'm about to post a back to back peeve, but..

I'm attending a twice weekly exercise class. Teacher is great but has another job and so she shows up to class just a few minutes before it starts. Almost everyone is already there and just waiting to begin. But we have 2 ladies who like to waylay her as she comes in and is trying to set up her music, etc., just so they can chit chat with her. She is polite so the minutes are ticking by and we now are starting 5 minutes later than scheduled.
So, my peeve is to ask once again for people to socialize after an event and let everyone start on time.
Yes, I'm an ESTJ ;)

[Yppej]

The coworker who accused me of hiding and not processing checks, when they were held up because the person in the department that receives the Fedexes was out Good Friday and never gave them to me.

[iris lilies]

Ugh, mattress shopping! This SHOULD be easy because
I want to buy exactly the same Serta mattress for my house that I bought, two of ‘em, for my Hermann house just last month.

Background: I ordered two mattresses exactly the same for my Hermann house from the local furniture dealer, via phone. I thought would pay a little more, tiny town doncha know, but
I want to do business with them when possible so it was ok. That Hermann company said sure, we have a firm mattress on sale for (cant remember exact price, but with box springs the whole thing was under $600.) so, this is a simple, basic mattress.

so, today I call the nearest Serta dealer in my city of St. Louis. But those people cannot provide the same mattress for reasons I do not understand, although he threw shade on the dealer in
Hermann intimating they might not be a certified Serta dealer. But they are. We had a long talk and he encouraged me to come in and look at their wares but hell, I dont want to, I just want to purchase exactly the same mattress.

Then I called the Serta “outlet”store which I found online and god knows where that is, but a lovely young lady with an Indian accent assured me that I could buy a Serta perfect Sleeper Aviano Firm mattress from her, to be made in Clear Lake, Iowa! So that is cool, employ the Iowans I always say. But wait—the price for this mattress alone was $973! When I protested she offered yet another discount with a set of sheets for $773. I then hung up.

I realize that mattresses sales are full of scam. This is why
I just. Want. The. Same. Damn. Mattress. i. already. bought. All at a price near to what I paid in the tiny town of Hermann, MO.

I had a really good experience with the
Hermann dealer—called ‘em up, ordered the stuff, paid for it, had it delivered, slept very well on these products.

[Yppej]

Mattress shopping for DS last summer was a major hassle. I was glad we didn't try to do it during the semester.

[frugal-one]

Ugh, mattress shopping! This SHOULD be easy because
I want to buy exactly the same Serta mattress for my house that I bought, two of ‘em, for my Hermann house just last month.

Background: I ordered two mattresses exactly the same for my Hermann house from the local furniture dealer, via phone. I thought would pay a little more, tiny town doncha know, but
I want to do business with them when possible so it was ok. That Hermann company said sure, we have a firm mattress on sale for (cant remember exact price, but with box springs the whole thing was under $600.) so, this is a simple, basic mattress.

so, today I call the nearest Serta dealer in my city of St. Louis. But those people cannot provide the same mattress for reasons I do not understand, although he threw shade on the dealer in
Hermann intimating they might not be a certified Serta dealer. But they are. We had a long talk and he encouraged me to come in and look at their wares but hell, I dont want to, I just want to purchase exactly the same mattress.

Then I called the Serta “outlet”store which I found online and god knows where that is, but a lovely young lady with an Indian accent assured me that I could buy a Serta perfect Sleeper Aviano Firm mattress from her, to be made in Clear Lake, Iowa! So that is cool, employ the Iowans I always say. But wait—the price for this mattress alone was $973! When I protested she offered yet another discount with a set of sheets for $773. I then hung up.

I realize that mattresses sales are full of scam. This is why
I just. Want. The. Same. Damn. Mattress. i. already. bought. All at a price near to what I paid in the tiny town of Hermann, MO.

I had a really good experience with the
Hermann dealer—called ‘em up, ordered the stuff, paid for it, had it delivered, slept very well on these products.

Do you know someone with a truck? Get it from Hermann and deliver it yourself to St Louis.

[sweetana3]

Mattress shopping for us was like shopping at a used car dealer. Seems some dealers get some models or they change out models so they cannot be compared. I am thankful we don't have to replace often.

[nswef]

A new mattress is on our list and the thought of it makes me nuts.Along skinny wire was pulled out of our 35 year old or more mattress. I haven't noticed a big difference, so am waiting until I do. But, it's in the back of my mind. Good luck IL.

[iris lilies]

Do you know someone with a truck? Get it from Hermann and deliver it yourself to St Louis.
We have a truck, but I dont really want to haul it 85 miles.

[Chicken lady]

Ordered whole grain cereal online. Wanted to order the bulk cardboard box of 25lbs (400 ounces) but the place offers free shipping on all orders over $50 except those containing “bulk” items. So I ended up buying 5 “cases” of 4 25 ounce bags (500 ounces) to get the free shipping and save $15. (The cereal is more per ounce, but the free shipping makes the total cost less.) it can’t possibly cost the place less to pack and ship those 5 “cases” than to pack and ship one box, and now I will have 20 non-recyclable, single use plastic bags. (It was a hard choice for me, but I decided that I could do something environmentally better with that $15 than avoid the bags)

[CathyA]

I don't know chicken lady.......plastic is pretty awful.

[iris lilies]

I don't know chicken lady.......plastic is pretty awful.
This is not helping her.;)

[Chicken lady]

Cathy A, i don’t know if you are serious, or sarcastic, or teasing? No tone.

[SteveinMN]

DW and I returned this morning from a vacation to A Famous Place. For us it required airplanes. Minneapolis-St. Paul is "blessed" with an airport that has two terminals, imaginatiely named "Terminal 1" and "Terminal 2" and located more than just down the road from each other. Rather than park the car near the airport ($$$) or bother friends to drop us off at 4:30 am and fetch us at 1 am, we opted for a taxi. Because of the earliness, I pre-arranged our pickup times.

To the airport, the driver started taking the exit to the wrong terminal. We pointed out his mistake, he corrected it, and then he drove past the exit to the correct terminal (!). He adjusted the price of the ride for his mistake, but, seriously? You have one job...

From the airport, I was told the driver would call me when we arrived. Crickets. No call -- ever. Finally went to where the "next" taxis wait. That driver couldn’t spell words (for his GPS) even when we spelled them for him. We finally arrive home and the driver, whose taxi has Square and credit-card logos all over it, asks for cash. >8)

Neither driver touched our luggage despite our body language implying that shoud happen.

I've never been a fan of ride-sharing services because I'm not big on lowering the standards for public transportation (AFAIK driving requires no CDL and I'm pretty sure many of the ride-sharing drivers out there don't tell their insurance companies). But I'm not happy with the state of commercial taxi service. Gotta reevaluate this ride-sharing thing....

[iris lilies]

Here, the rides shares are required in some way to charge ridiculous fees for airport service. I cant remember if the fee is TO the airport or AWAy from it, but it is competetive with taxis and their airport run is expensive.

But you arent talking about cost here, so maybe the sharing system will work.

I like taking the light rail train to the airport. It is not a good thing late at night, however.

For our European trip DH left a few days before I did, and he refused to take the train because of the weak excuse all of our friends say, it aint safe. Friends drove him there.

I told him “I am taking that train“ but lo, a fight broke out on the train, a girl fight. lovely. There was shouting and bitch slapping and etc, and the train stayed stopped while a train cop booted off the trouble makers.

[catherine]

Steve, I hear ya on the lowered standard of service. You would think that service would have gotten better having a technological tool like GPS at the driver's disposal, but that is certainly not the case. I have experienced just what you described. You feel like you are teaching mapping skills to a kindergarten kid when speaking with some drivers. They act like if YOU don't have the right directions AND keep them on track to be sure you get there, YOU are not doing YOUR job as the rider. Many taxi drivers are simply incompetent these days.

I had one taxi driver that took me from midtown Manhattan to Newark Airport once, and I greatly feared for my life. It was night, the driver clearly had no idea where he was going, and so he would slow down to 35 mph on the NJ Turnpike to read the directions. I had 18-wheelers laying on their horns and swerving around us, while I prayed to God for my life while simultaneously screaming at the driver.

My experience with ride sharing is better for the most part. The GPS is built right into the business model and is very advanced. It is clear that the driver knows where you are going and they use the tools to get you there. They tend to be friendlier, they frequently offer phone chargers and water, and the price is cheaper.

[SteveinMN]

It interests me that the existing livery business has not responded more strongly to the rise of ride-sharing. Oh, there are a few local taxi companies which banded together to offer a mobile app that makes them look more like Uber/lyft. And some livery associations have flexed their legal muscles to try to maintain their monopoly. But they seem to have done little to upgrade the base product itself, at their own peril. Even the U.S. postal service reacted strongly to the rise of express delivery and survives despite choking restrictions FedEx, et al. do not face (but which most livery companies don't face, either). It's almost like they want to be driven out of business.

[CathyA]

Chicken Lady........I didn't mean to insult you. I go through this kind of thinking all the time......which of my actions is better or worse for the earth. It can drive me crazy. I've recently been seeing all the floating masses of plastics in the oceans, and it really gets me down. I see plastic bags all over the county. I see very few people around here using cloth bags at any store. I guess I was just thinking out loud. If I offended you I'm sorry. Maybe I only offended Iris Lilies. haha
It's sure hard to avoid plastic though......it seems to hold almost everything now.

[Chicken lady]

You didn’t offend me, it just bothered me to not understand. So now I think that you were serious and arguing for the more expensive cardboard box.

but I sadly do not have unlimited funds (and so my house is not solar powered) and so, when I have to make environmental vs. cost trade offs I try to apply my money where i feel like it will do the most good. I will give the company feedback and maybe they will change their policy or packaging....I doubt it though.

[Gardenarian]

I worry about dog poop bags. Seriously. The city provides biodegradable ones, but I get a plastic bag with my newspaper everyday and use those. Is this bad? Do the biodegradable ones really break down in landfill? Does it even matter?

Having a dog is really not green. I'm vegetarian for environmental reasons, but feeding my dog meat! Oh well, she is so dear to me.

[Tammy]

On the farm our dogs pooped in the fields and it became fertilizer. Couldn’t a person just bury their dogs poop in the backyard? Under a shovel full of dirt?

[iris lilies]

On the farm our dogs pooped in the fields and it became fertilizer. Couldn’t a person just bury their dogs poop in the backyard? Under a shovel full of dirt?
You underestimate the amount of poop and overestimate the amount of land that would require. I have two dogs and two cats producing a lot of poop. Your solution just is not sanitary, they are meat eaters making it even worse as “fertilizer.”

If we had pet rabbits we would probably put their poo into the compost, they are not meat eaters.

[catherine]

I worry about dog poop bags. Seriously. The city provides biodegradable ones, but I get a plastic bag with my newspaper everyday and use those. Is this bad? Do the biodegradable ones really break down in landfill? Does it even matter?

Having a dog is really not green. I'm vegetarian for environmental reasons, but feeding my dog meat! Oh well, she is so dear to me.

When my dog was alive, I defended my use of plastic supermarket bags with the excuse that I "repurposed" them for my dog's poop. Clearly not the environmentally-friendly way to go--I could have bought the biodegradable ones, and used reusable shopping bags. But I was being cheap. The supermarket bags cost me nothing. I think trying to toe the sustainability line is a constant juggling act.


Having a dog is really not green. I'm vegetarian for environmental reasons, but feeding my dog meat! Oh well, she is so dear to me.

After I took my permaculture class I shifted in my thoughts on this. You can't change a dog's nature. He/she is a carnivore. I was vegetarian mainly because of environmental and humane reasons, but I really believe now that it's not what you do but how you do it. I think animals have their role in the web of life. We can't keep hawks from swooping down to kill chickens, nor should we. We can't keep wolves from taking down deer, nor should we.

I still am mostly vegetarian because I believe that if I can't do the dirty work of killing an animal for my palate, I shouldn't expect others to. But I do eat local animals that are raised humanely.

I do not agree with people who feed dogs vegetarian diets. Let dogs be dogs, and don't feel guilty about it. We can only do what we can to promote a humane, compassionate world, but nature is not always compassionate.

[iris lilies]

I dont want to hear about anyone feeding their dog vegetarian diet, but especially dont want to hear about vegetarian cats.

Unless the science has changed in a big way recently, I know that cats need a higher percentage of meats than do dogs. Does anyone remember the idiot poster here on this board years ago who was going to feed her kitten a vegetarian diet? She was quite centered on that idea and was not going to change, facts be damned. I think our Canadian friend Sylvan was on board with that.

Sometimes people are too stupid to live.

If one doesnt wish to participate in animal slaughter by feeding pets meat, do not get a pet that needs meat.

Bunnies are nice.

[JaneV2.0]

I dont want to hear about anyone feeding their dog vegetarian diet, but especially dont want to hear about vegetarian cats.

Unless the science has changed in a big way recently, I know that cats need a higher percentage of meats than do dogs. Does anyone remember the idiot poster here on this board years ago who was going to feed her kitten a vegetarian diet? She was quite centered on that idea and was not going to change, facts be damned. I think our Canadian friend Sylvan was on board with that.

Sometimes people are too stupid to live.

If one doesnt wish to participate in animal slaughter by feeding pets meat, do not get a pet that needs meat.

Bunnies are nice.

I remember that poster; I think I told her to get a goldfish.

Demonstrate compassion by sentencing your companion animal to a miserable, compromised life, and likely an early death; good call. Good God.

[Chicken lady]

I feed my cat cheap crap cat food that i’m Pretty sure is mostly grains. He likes it. He also gets “table scraps” (dh meat trimmings that can’t go in the compost) and all the mice he can catch. Since my barn is still full of mice, and he brings me one to admire almost every morning, maybe I should cut back on the table scraps.

[Yppej]

Cats need meat, but I fed one of my dogs a special low allergen dog food that happened to be vegetarian. He died of old age. The other dog we had ate meat dog food and died at 4 years.

[iris lilies]

I am peeved because the bottle of wine
I am drinking from the Columbia
Valley tastes like crap.

Maybe that is because I have a cold. Usually I like Columbia Valley wines.

[rosarugosa]

I am peeved because the bottle of wine
I am drinking from the Columbia
Valley tastes like crap.

Maybe that is because I have a cold. Usually I like Columbia Valley wines.

I hope you feel better. That would piss me off too.

[Tammy]

We had a few hundreds acres for those dogs ... ok here’s another idea. How about flushing the poop? Humans are meat eaters and flushing works for our poo ...

[Gardenarian]

When I had only two small (12#) dogs, I could bury their little turds around the fruit trees. My Border Collie (40#) is a different story. DH made a sort of doggie septic system but I worry about it poisoning the water or something.

I've tried different dog foods but there still seems to be a lot of residue.
I wasn't considering putting her on a vegetarian diet!

[iris lilies]

We had a few hundreds acres for those dogs ... ok here’s another idea. How about flushing the poop? Humans are meat eaters and flushing works for our poo ...
Yeah, no. I am not going to follow them around with toilet paper. You can, however. i invite you tare come here and pick up after them daily.

I am not the one concerned about use of plastic bags. All of the plastic bags
I get at the grocery store get at least one reuse but yes, it is true that they end up in the landfill.

Cat poo, not even remotely possible to flush, not when covered with all of that clay cat litter.

[JaneV2.0]

They have those septic disposals you can bury for dogs. Doggie Dooley is one.

[Chicken lady]

We have 28 acres. When the kids bring their dogs, I have them use a small shovel and a plastic bucket to relocate poop to abrushy area in the woods. I figure the coyotes and raccoons poop in the woods already...

the cat mostly manages his own his own business outside, but for his emergency indoor needs, we use scoopable litter and also toss in the woods- the box needs to be cleaned only every few months.

[Tammy]

I love chicken lady’s system. But yes, she does have several acres at her disposal.

I loathe the thought of all that pet poop encased in plastic buried away for some future civilization to discover. Ugh.

Pet septic systems - great idea.

[lmerullo]

Hubby and I went on vacation with the dogs, and then I flew home and he and dogs stayed another week. For the first time ever, I bought poop bags....it was a big deal for me! A few sat in my cart on Amazon until I knew which "filler" I was going to buy to achieve free shipping. The ones I got are made of cornstarch and break down quickly. Hubby is a fan of scoop and fling - can't do that in public places.

[CathyA]

DS is getting married this weekend. Besides having a social phobia and having chronic pain, I sweat more than anyone else I know. Well, after a run of beautiful perfect, cool weather, it's supposed to be in the upper 80s for the wedding. Why? What does the universe have against me??? What did I do wrong???

[Alan]

DS is getting married this weekend. Besides having a social phobia and having chronic pain, I sweat more than anyone else I know. Well, after a run of beautiful perfect, cool weather, it's supposed to be in the upper 80s for the wedding. Why? What does the universe have against me??? What did I do wrong???
Scheduled a wedding in May?

[Float On]

DS is getting married this weekend. Besides having a social phobia and having chronic pain, I sweat more than anyone else I know. Well, after a run of beautiful perfect, cool weather, it's supposed to be in the upper 80s for the wedding. Why? What does the universe have against me??? What did I do wrong???

I wonder if these wipes really help or not. https://www.amazon.com/Kleinerts-Body-Antiperspirant-Wipes-Count/dp/B00H8APE4W/ref=sr_1_16_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1525713606&sr=1-16&keywords=sweat+block. I know that just the thought of being in a sweaty situation can in itself create more sweat. I've got one son that struggles with it and he hates sweat stains around the collar and under the arms on his dress shirts.

[CathyA]

LOL Alan. It's a pretty risky thing to do, but they're young. They'll learn......... haha

Float On.....thanks for the link, but I think I'll pass. I really don't sweat in my underarms........it's usually my head and face......then my hair looks plastered down, and my blouse catches all the drips and gets all wet. I can't wait!
DH hardly sweats at all. Not fair!

[frugal-one]

People who have the same things to do as you but continually say they don’t have time for ANYTHING. They, obviously, do not know how to prioritize and EVERYTHING is important. It drives me nuts! ... or they have too high of an opinion of themselves?

[Yppej]

Frugal-one it is a status symbol. Look how important I am!

My peeves today are insect bites and poison ivy. That's what I get for being a weekend landscaper.

[JaneV2.0]

People who have the same things to do as you but continually say they don’t have time for ANYTHING. They, obviously, do not know how to prioritize and EVERYTHING is important. It drives me nuts! ... or they have too high of an opinion of themselves?

Yes--like those people who consistently over-schedule themselves, then complain about it.

[iris lilies]

Yes--like those people who consistently over-schedule themselves, then complain about it.

Yes, that is annoying for sure!

But then there are the over-schedulers who do not complain. They just are not reliable.

I have a new friend who is a competent person in many of the things she carries out. She can accomplish things! But here’s the deal: she overschedules herself so much that she doesnt deliver all of the time and that leaves people and events hanging.

I purposely stayed off her committee, one she volunteered to head up in one group, because I think it will end up being a shitshow, and that isnt due to her so much as due to the fact that the job is way too big for the resources allocated. I do not think she will be able to pull it off, and there will be blame and shaming that follows. But also, I dont think that The Big Thing is entirely necessary, just parts of it are.

I just dont understand why she rushed into manage the Big Thing.

I got email from her last week saying that another group she belongs to has carefully questioned her committment to taking on a role. She is unhappy about their scrutiny. I think they are right.

[iris lilies]

I am having a reeeaaaalllly hard time keeping my mouth shut on a “journal” on another website. OMG it is so hard! Ack. And no it is not the citrus journal, it is the journal of, well, someone who has a lot of fawning fangirls and who takes herself and her walls of text very seriously.

But then I remember that

1) perhaps iris needs to consider her own walls of text
2) perhaps thousands of weekly posts from iris is the online equivilent of a “journal”

and so pot and kettle meet. A lesson here I think. >8)

[ToomuchStuff]

Yes, that is annoying for sure!

But then there are the over-schedulers who do not complain. They just are not reliable.

I have a new friend who is a competent person in many of the things she carries out. She can accomplish things! But here’s the deal: she overschedules herself so much that she doesnt deliver all of the time and that leaves people and events hanging.

I purposely stayed off her committee, one she volunteered to head up in one group, because I think it will end up being a shitshow, and that isnt due to her so much as due to the fact that the job is way too big for the resources allocated. I do not think she will be able to pull it off, and there will be blame and shaming that follows. But also, I dont think that The Big Thing is entirely necessary, just parts of it are.

I just dont understand why she rushed into manage the Big Thing.

I got email from her last week saying that another group she belongs to has carefully questioned her committment to taking on a role. She is unhappy about their scrutiny. I think they are right.


Is she a doctor or work in a doctor's office, where they schedule more patients then they can see, due to expecting some to cancel?

[iris lilies]

Is she a doctor or work in a doctor's office, where they schedule more patients then they can see, due to expecting some to cancel?
No, these are all volunteer jobs.

[iris lilies]

The old farmers always sit around Hardees drinking coffee in the morning. They are a staple at any Hardees in small Midwestern towns.

Well, those guys in Hermann are MY AGE! When did that happen, that the OLD GUYS DRINKInG cOFFEeE became so much younger?

haha.

[rosarugosa]

The old farmers always sit around Hardees drinking coffee in the morning. They are a staple at any Hardees in small Midwestern towns.

Well, those guys in Hermann are MY AGE! When did that happen, that the OLD GUYS DRINKInG cOFFEeE became so much younger?

haha.

:laff::laff::laff:

[SteveinMN]

How far before you say... "enough is enough?" If you're really looking for an answer (that is, not just venting, which is fine), I'd say "enough" is the point at which you'd look back and say, "What was I thinking to say ?" And then I would remove myself from the situation for as long as I felt I could. The stories you related here are similar to stories I could recount about myself lately. I like to think I usually have enough of a filter so I don't say everything I think. But when very little seems to be filtered out, I know it's time for me to take a break. Not that the situation fixes itself in my absence but it gives me enough time to think about what I want out of the situation and to maneuver accordingly.

[iris lilies]

Today I have 3 rants:

First, I had a hard time finding this Rant thread. Haha. But still a rant.

Second, the rant: what is this country coming to? Yes Donald Trump is bringing it all down, but get this: yesterday I stopped in to the fancy chocolate shop in the fancy mall and bought an almond cluster. ONE piece of candy. Do ya know how much that was? Betcha cant guess!!! It was—$3.67.WTF? What the ever loving F.

I guess they have to pay their rent in the posh mall, so they have to charge that much.

I go to this mall for the movie theater in it. it shows art films. During weekdays the mall is full senior citizens like myself and is calm, quiet, pretty, with nice furnishings and quiet, empty stores. It is kind of like a playground for rich old people during the week.

Third: I see that I am a primary contributor to this Rant thread, and that annoys me, haha.

[SteveinMN]

Today I have 3 rants
Second: I'm guessing it was "artisanal" dark chocolate and probably organic almonds and coconut (or whatever inside) presented beautifully and not half-smooshed like its cheaper cousins come out of the vending machine. And, yes, the ambience of enjoying your almond cluster in such genteel surroundings.

I spent about an hour in one such mall a few weeks ago (killing time while the world was baking alive outside). It bothered me that the entire mall was filled with either everyday items (chairs, tables, pens, flowerpots) that were priced out of any proportion to their utility and (to me) esthetic qualities -- or clothing and "décor" that was less expensive but existed solely to show that the person buying it had more than enough money to cast those things aside when they were declared no longer fashionable. It made the artificially-created park outside, with its mulched plantings, decorative retaining walls, and piped-in music (really??) seem rather normal.

Third: Maybe it's that you are so optimistic compared to the rest of us, inured to "you can pay how much???" prices and "they did what???" behavior that such things still generate outrage in you, while we are so beaten down by so much of the modern world that we no longer find it comment-worthy.

[Teacher Terry]

That was one expensive piece of candy. I have not been in a mall in years

[SiouzQ.]

Grumpy that twice in the last week I wrote a long-ish post here on these boards, not realizing that somehow I got logged out of the site while I was writing, so when I went to post it, it made me log in again and I lost both posts. I have no energy to rewrite them either...

[iris lilies]

Grumpy that twice in the last week I wrote a long-ish post here on these boards, not realizing that somehow I got logged out of the site while I was writing, so when I went to post it, it made me log in again and I lost both posts. I have no energy to rewrite them either...
We are all still thinking about you, and when you want to share what is going on with you, do so. But until then, be well.

[Teacher Terry]

Yes definitely thinking about you.

[Williamsmith]

Grumpy that twice in the last week I wrote a long-ish post here on these boards, not realizing that somehow I got logged out of the site while I was writing, so when I went to post it, it made me log in again and I lost both posts. I have no energy to rewrite them either...

You have probably figured this out but copy the text, refresh the page, log back in, paste the text and post it. Ive lost text in the past and just assume I wasn’t supposed to share it in the first place.

[rosarugosa]

I would not have blinked at that price if it was really high grade chocolate, but I'll still try to stick with Trader Joe's for most of my chocolate needs (because I am oh so frugal).

[razz]

Some things are priced beyond belief. When in town for a Stratford Festival show, I stopped at a chocolate shop for an ice-cream cone. It was $5.60 for one small scoop!!!! i have decided that when my sense of values is shocked so badly, it is an educational experience that I needed to get at that point so wasn't wasted. I will not buy an ice cream cone at a chocolate place again. Funny how we rationalize our actions so that we don't bash our poor choices. LOL

[iris lilies]

The Apple Store. O.M.G.

The chaos. the cacophony. Screaming, running children. A blaring siren in the back of the store,comng from some sort of kids’ program.

I had to sit admist that shitstorm of foul noise for 30 minutes.

[Teacher Terry]

That sounds horrible IL. I never allowed my kids to do that stuff.

[iris lilies]

That sounds horrible IL. I never allowed my kids to do that stuff.


It was my third, and likely last, visit to The Apple Store which is located in the giant consumer shopping mall which is hellish in its own right. (I did stop by a jewelry store, distracted by a lovely new collection of rings!)

I dont order expensive products online because I don't want them delivered to my home, too much theft going on around here.

I should have just brought it home for set up. It isnt as though The Apple Store had really fast wifi because it did not.

[SteveinMN]

The Apple Store. O.M.G.
I love Apple products; have for years. I thought the Stores were a brilliant idea when they were first introduced. But I, too, dread going to the stores these days. It's just pandemonium with so many people milling around and everything is poorly managed by the staff. Some Stores are better than others. But my experience overall is they're really starting to become a negative for Apple customers and I wonder when Apple is going to realize that and make some changes.

Ob Peeve/Rant: people who seem to do everything in the driver's seat but drive.

[ToomuchStuff]

The Apple Store. O.M.G.

The chaos. the cacophony. Screaming, running children. A blaring siren in the back of the store,comng from some sort of kids’ program.

I had to sit admist that shitstorm of foul noise for 30 minutes.

Surprised they aren't using that, to try to market air/ear buds to you (so you can drown out their noise).

[iris lilies]

Surprised they aren't using that, to try to market air/ear buds to you (so you can drown out their noise).

Ear buds are too cheap, they wouldn't make money on them.

Steve’s word “pandemonium” is spot on, even when school is in session and so many kids aren’t around the place is silly loud.

I kept thinking “this place needs a sky lounge, a V.I.P. Section, where I can pay $$$ and walk through padded automatic doors that close out the noise the minute I am on the other side.” One guy sitting by me, my age, said when I commented on the noisy people “well, they try to treat eveyone the same” which immediately made me feel like I was an Orwellian prole. The workers paradise is a noisy hellhole, I guess.

On the other side of me was a little grandpa guy who was there with his 12 year old grandson. Grandson was getting gramp’s phone switched out from Android to Apple.That was cute.

[Tammy]

The 2 apple stores I’ve been in have been almost genteel. There must be a lot of variability. One was in the west Phoenix/Scottsdale area and one was on The Path in downtown Toronto.

Most of the time my husband hands me my Apple devices, already set up. I’m totally spoiled.

[razz]

The 2 apple stores I’ve been in have been almost genteel. There must be a lot of variability. One was in the west Phoenix/Scottsdale area and one was on The Path in downtown Toronto.
.
One in a very active mall was busy but the staff were attentive and helpful resolving my issues with my new iPhone. The other two stores have been genteel as Tammy experienced.

[Gardenarian]

The wildfire smoke is worse today - officially very unhealthy ☠️ to go outside and breathe. Ugh.
And a new triple-digit heat wave just kicked in. Heat, smoke, 👹

[JaneV2.0]

The wildfire smoke is worse today - officially very unhealthy ☠️ to go outside and breathe. Ugh.
And a new triple-digit heat wave just kicked in. Heat, smoke, ��

I hope this is resolved soon, especially for the sake of your dogs and other animals.

[Teacher Terry]

I feel especially bad for the wildlife.

[Teacher Terry]

Isl, sky lounge sounds good to me with wine served:))

[lmerullo]

Apple store chaos! Went there last week for hubby - he got an apple watch given to him, had no charger. There was a ton of staff, but even more customers, and there was some sort of class foing on. I asked dh if he thought I could have stolen the charger, and we both agreed it was very easy...no bag, no receipt, no cash register (a staff member just swipes your caed with their phone) - just walk out with almost anything.

[frugal-one]

Really irritating to find a product you really like and bam!!! it is discontinued....two items in the last week! I called the companies and complained.

[Gardenarian]

Our little Italian Greyhound was attacked by a pit bull. There is a marijuana grower on the next block who keeps a couple of really fierce dogs, and for some stupid reason he had taken his gate off and was letting the dogs roam around. The dog came out of nowhere and had ours right in his jaws but she managed to slither away.
Mr. Pit Bull was there and apologized, but she has a few bad punctures and needs antibiotics and pain killers and bandages, and needs to go back to the vet for a follow up. I'm trying to compose a speech to this man asking him to pay the vet bills. AND keep his killers under control. I want to call the police, DH says no. Hmm. (It's a legal grow operation, so he wouldn't get in trouble for that.)

[iris lilies]

That is terrible about the pitbull attack.

I would probably report it.

[Yppej]

If you don't want to go to the police you could have a lawyer compose a letter to them.

[iris lilies]

If you don't eant to go to the police you could have a lawyer compose a letter to them.
There are two issues here
1) get him to pay the bet bill
This is reasonable in my view, and the fact that he didnt offer shoes him to be an even bigger douchebag

The lawyer is formthis issue.

2) he has dangerous dogs that are not contained

That is a matter for law enforcement. My municipality has a system of recording incidents with dangerous dogs. Too many, and the doggie goes to doggie heaven.

[catherine]

Here's my pet peeve of the day. I hate it when volunteer organizations don't respect your time. For instance, if they say, you need to come to X event. X event will be from 9am-12pm. And then they keep you until 12:30pm.

I know it's just a half hour, but what if I had something to do with that half hour? I know I can just get up an leave, but I feel reticent to do that. if I were the volunteer coordinator, I would stop promptly at 12pm and say "People who have to leave, please feel free. I am going to spend 30 minutes explaining a, b, c, which I can go over with you later. I apologize for being over the time."

I had that situation today. I told my son I'd text him when my [volunteer] meeting was over at 3pm--he was waiting for my text. But 3pm came and went and the volunteer coordinator was still blabbing. So I had two competing stresses: Take out my cell phone and text, which I always consider to be rude, or let my son wonder why I'm not texting him as planned. So I took out my phone and texted him during the meeting.

This has happened frequently when I volunteer for things. My business clients are far more considerate of meeting end times.

[SteveinMN]

Our little Italian Greyhound was attacked by a pit bull.
I would report him. What happens if the pit bulls get out again and maul a smaller or unluckier dog? The owner is responsible for controlling his dogs, however it needs to be done. That is the law. The report also makes it a matter of public record that he was at fault and gives you some leverage in demanding that he pay your vet bills.

[SteveinMN]

I hate it when volunteer organizations don't respect your time. For instance, if they say, you need to come to X event. X event will be from 9am-12pm. And then they keep you until 12:30pm.
I don't like lousy time management either. But if I really need to be out the door when they say the event will be over, I just drop that information when I check in. Then I have no compunction about stopping what I'm doing and reminding them that I have another commitment; they were told.

[Float On]

I would report him. What happens if the pit bulls get out again and maul a smaller or unluckier dog? Or a child or person? How would you feel then? Definitely report.

[iris lilies]

Or a child or person? How would you feel then? Definitely report.
Agreed only I purposely did not bring up the “what if a child?” trope because I think it is overused in pitbull lore.

But here is the thing: reporting this incident doesnt get the dog owner or dog in trouble, it is simply reporting a fairly serious incident. The dog owner’s behavior gets him into trojble.

It does a service to the community. The local gendarmes will do what they do with the information, that is out of Gardenarian’s hands. And if it results in pitbull euthanasia (which I doubt) then that is tragic. But chit happens, and pitbull owners often are chits.

[sweetana3]

And it eliminates the statement " My dog has never bitten anyone before." Every dog bite should be reported. Does not mean anything should happen but there are very dangerous dogs and some owners out there.

Note: We had a very stupid neighbor move in a very aggressive German Shepherd. Their yard was about 6 feet from our backdoor and we had 4 young kids in the family at that time. No fence and once they tied the dog to the doorknob. Well, dog got loose, chased, and bit my brother. Dad took them to court to get rid of the dog or contain the dog with a good fence. Turns out the dog had bitten before and the owner just moved the dog to another neighborhood. After the court suit, the dog apparently was moved to another state.

[JaneV2.0]

It's construction season here; work starts at seven and goes on all day, with banging and crashing, whining and groaning. At least the People Who Mow Too Much aren't much of a bother, 'cuz it hasn't rained, so the grass isn't growing. I drove around the hood a bit this morning and saw three construction sites--and this is an established neighborhood. Between building/demo noise, float planes, and watercraft, it's no wonder I spend half the day with earbuds in and ear protectors over them.
My next place may be a well-insulated high-rise.

[Gardenarian]

The dog incident: the conversation went well, I said "I have these vet bills..." and he said "I'm so sorry, let me get my checkbook."

We haven't reported it because we've lived near these people for a few years and there has never been a problem. I think I'll go down to the police station to day and talk to them - explain it was probably a one time incident, BUT...

[SteveinMN]

Re: dogs and rescues (interested to hear iris lilies' perspective on this)

Our rescue dog passed away a couple of weeks ago and we've been trying to rehome stuff that's still usable. Chuck & Don's (regional pet store chain) took back the bag of dog food we had just opened; they donate opened bags to local shelters. Some items, like Kongs, were too used to pass on, I think, and the opened bags of treats were either composted or tossed. But we have a toy or two, her slow-down bowl, her leash and harness, some coats, blankets, and heartworm meds which could be used by other dogs at the rescue (all smaller breeds) so I emailed the rescue from which we got Dog -- both the foster and the person ostensibly in charge of the operation.

We heard from the foster right away. She's moved out of state so she's no longer associated with this rescue. We have yet to hear from the person in charge. It's been almost a week. Not even a quick one-line "Gee I'm really swamped but yes, we're interested." or "Sorry, we can't take used items." This reminded me that we tried one other time to donate unused toys and clothing and heard ... crickets. Same person. I thought that was a one-timer but now I'm not so sure.

I understand most (all?) rescues run on a shoestring. I realize everyone associated with them has a source of income that demands their attention on a regular basis so I didn't even expect to hear from the foster so quickly. I also know that a lot of shelters/rescues are started by people who are 100% heart and 0% business. But is this de rigeur for contacting clients who are offering usable free stuff? Nevermind transacting the business; even just acknowledging clients? I'm thinking of waiting till Monday and then offering these items to another shelter/rescue. Reasonable?

[Teacher Terry]

Yes give them to another shelter. When my little female Maltese died I gave away all her stuff because it would be too painful to see it on another one of my dogs. They were happy to get the stuff.

[Tybee]

I took our cat's thyroid meds to the vet; she donated them to a rescue. Same thing with my cairn's very expensive antibiotic prescription that did not save her. Small harnesses, etc. I take the Humane society, and they take them. I would not worry about a specific rescue, just take to Humane society and throw five dollars in the jar while you are there and say prayer of thanks for the loved one you have lost.

One of saddest things I ever saw was going through my parents' dresser drawers and found a lock of hair attached to my dad's little Australian terrier's collar--he had saved a lock of his hair. The doggie has been gone thirty years.

[Lainey]

A minor peeve: retail workers who greet me, the customer, when my back is turned and I'm examining some merchandise. Happened again this morning: didn't hear them, didn't know anyone was behind me until they were literally inches away, and then I hear a booming Hello!
Startled me so much I put down what I was looking at and walked out.
I know they are required to greet everyone but, common sense, please...!

[iris lilies]

Re: dogs and rescues (interested to hear iris lilies' perspective on this)

Our rescue dog passed away a couple of weeks ago and we've been trying to rehome stuff that's still usable. Chuck & Don's (regional pet store chain) took back the bag of dog food we had just opened; they donate opened bags to local shelters. Some items, like Kongs, were too used to pass on, I think, and the opened bags of treats were either composted or tossed. But we have a toy or two, her slow-down bowl, her leash and harness, some coats, blankets, and heartworm meds which could be used by other dogs at the rescue (all smaller breeds) so I emailed the rescue from which we got Dog -- both the foster and the person ostensibly in charge of the operation.

We heard from the foster right away. She's moved out of state so she's no longer associated with this rescue. We have yet to hear from the person in charge. It's been almost a week. Not even a quick one-line "Gee I'm really swamped but yes, we're interested." or "Sorry, we can't take used items." This reminded me that we tried one other time to donate unused toys and clothing and heard ... crickets. Same person. I thought that was a one-timer but now I'm not so sure.

I understand most (all?) rescues run on a shoestring. I realize everyone associated with them has a source of income that demands their attention on a regular basis so I didn't even expect to hear from the foster so quickly. I also know that a lot of shelters/rescues are started by people who are 100% heart and 0% business. But is this de rigeur for contacting clients who are offering usable free stuff? Nevermind transacting the business; even just acknowledging clients? I'm thinking of waiting till Monday and then offering these items to another shelter/rescue. Reasonable?
You can’t generalize about rescue organizations from contact or lack of contact from just one of them.


Drop them off at a shelter.


We get a fair amount of “stuff“ from people, and it’s good, and we generally make use of it. We are very aware of the public relations aspect of accepting donations no matter what the donations are. We take them with a smile and a “thankyou” and an offer of a tax letter.


When our rescue director was hit by a car,I stepped in to do some of the grunt work. One of the first things DH and I had to do was to go to someone’s house who was moving. They had saved tons and tons of stuff for what they thought would be useful for dog rescue such as bedsheets, blankets, T-shirts, as well as items made for dogs. We filled the entire SUV. That was a bit much and it took me a week to sort through it, some of it went in the trash.

[SteveinMN]

You can’t generalize about rescue organizations from contact or lack of contact from just one of them.
Which is exactly why I posted here, asking. Seems this one is zero percent business (still haven't heard a word). It's not the only one I know of like that, unfortunately.


Drop them off at a shelter.
Done.

I suppose I'll unsubscribe from this rescue's fundraising emails, too. This business model doesn't seem sustainable.

[Float On]

Speaking of rescue groups and rants.

My hometown has competing rescue groups that are in competition as well as keen on harassing people without finding out the whole story. Both groups have been known to "rescue" dogs right out of people's yards. Apparently all dogs need "rescued" now.
I've got a friend that does home daycare. She puts the dog in the outdoor kennel during daycare hours. The dog got sick, very sick. But due to daycare having the run of her entire smaller home she put the dog in the kennel where it died...mid-morning on a hot day half in/out of the dog house. She couldn't get anyone by phone to come hide the dog and therefore couldn't go out and take care of it herself because of the daycare kids. The rescue groups are now doing drive-by "Dog killer" screams, harassing her and her son (on kidney transplant list and he isn't doing well). They are still doing the drive-bys even though it was found out that someone poisoned her dog (autopsy) (disgruntled neighbor).

And what is with how broad the term "rescue" is now anyway? There used to be a wider range of terms: stray as in we picked up a stray on the side of the road is now "I rescued this rescue dog." A dog didn't fit a family and was given to another is now "I rescued this rescue dog." Someone's dog got PG by accident and is giving away pups is now "This is a rescue pup, I rescued."

[iris lilies]

Oh honey, dont get me started on overuse and abuse of the term “rescue.”

You are right, rescue is not always rescue.

i have many many stories about it. But who cares about my stories, most can imagination ne misuse of the concept and the term.

[Float On]

You are right, rescue is not always rescue.

i have many many stories about it. But who cares.

Well today I care. Old TomDog had another stroke or something in the night. He can't walk. We're putting him down today.
TomDog was dumped on the farm with siblings. Coyotes got all but him and one other pup before dad found them. Dad sent TomDog home with us when the boys were 4 and 5. Boys are 21 and 22 now. We've never called him a rescue he just had a story about how he ended up with us for life.

[iris lilies]

Well today I care. Old TomDog had another stroke or something in the night. He can't walk. We're putting him down today.
TomDog was dumped on the farm with siblings. Coyotes got all but him and one other pup before dad found them. Dad sent TomDog home with us when the boys were 4 and 5. Boys are 21 and 22 now. We've never called him a rescue he just had a story about how he ended up with us for life.
Oh Tomdog! He is so lucky yo have ended up with you! bless his doggie heart.

[Teacher Terry]

Wow what a great life you gave Tomboy. You did rescue him or he would have been a coyote cookie. If you’r friends dog was poisoned hardly her fault.

[Float On]

coyote cookie. Oh my gosh, I like that term! Ha!

[Tybee]

So sorry for your loss, Float, and what a great long life Tomdog had!

[JaneV2.0]

I say if (somewhat rational) people want to characterize themselves as rescuers, let 'em, if it helps them feel good about themselves and the animals they "rescue," and thus are encouraged to keep up the good work of helping animals.

There are some who do go above and beyond--like the TNR groups Project Bay Cats and especially Langley BC's Tiny Kittens, whose volunteers go out rain, shine, snow, or wind to provide food, medical care, socialization, and spay and neuter services to feral cats. They really do rescue.

http://www.tinykittens.com/cases/mason

[JaneV2.0]

I'm so sorry to hear about TomDog, Float on.

[Teacher Terry]

Of ou 8 dogs only 3 were rescued. No one wanted these 3. If a group had not taken them they would have been put down. All 3 were older, one couldn’t use her back end, one had Cushing disease and one was a deaf, not potty trained unsocialized puppy mill breeder. It took about 2 years before we could pet the last one. By the time she died at 20 she was very demanding of petting/love. I have a good friend that takes very old, sick or disabled poms and keeps them. She is usually their last chance. Fortunately she has both the time and money to provide great care. She usually has about 8-10 at a time. She is retired and this is her life. Coyote cookies are what we call cats that are allowed to go outside in the West. They don’t last long.

[rosarugosa]

I'm so sorry about your pup, Float On.

[SiouzQ.]

I am having a helluva summer -on top of all the emotional upheaval my daughter's death has caused, it seems now I have a *dented* bone/fractured metatarsal on my right foot due to a really stupid mishap I had in the gallery the other night...it is actually a pretty good story and I keep telling myself I am going to laugh about it all otherwise I will start crying.

So this means for the third summer in the past four years I have had some sort of mishap that has caused me to not ambulate very well. What the heck is up with all this accident-proneness in my 50's?

[SteveinMN]

Sad to hear that about TomDog, Float On... You gave him a good long run!

[SteveinMN]

So this means for the third summer in the past four years I have had some sort of mishap that has caused me to not ambulate very well. What the heck is up with all this accident-proneness in my 50's?
Amazing run of bad luck or God's sign that you should invest in bubble wrap? How long do the doctors say you'll be down before things get back to "normal"?

[Yppej]

My rants seem petty. I'm sorry for your losses and mishaps Float On and SiouzQ.

[SiouzQ.]

Yppj ~ No worries, we all have things to rant about and get off our chests!

SteveinMN ~ not sure yet as I don't go to the ortho doctor until Thursday. For now crutches (God, I HATE using crutches) and the goofy platform sole shoe-let with velcro straps. This is the day after my long-awaited MRI appointment on Wednesday regarding the carpal tunnel and other wrist issues I have been having, probably looking at some sort of wrist surgery in the fall. Yeah, so using crutches when your wrists are bad is no fun at all.

One of these days I will bring you all up-to-date, the life of Siouxz.Q in the desert, the good, bad and the ugly. I just don't have the energy to go into it all yet...otherwise, I am actually doing okay considering....

[razz]

Be kind to yourself, SQ.

[frugal-one]

So sorry to hear the loss of your furry friend, Float One. Thoughts are with you too SQ!

[iris lilies]

Here is a typical Iris rant: Mission creep.

Organizations I belong to take on all kinds of, what appear to me to be, tangential activities that are not Part of their core mission.

Why do garden clubs need to involve themselves in social welfare work such as Adopt a Family and food pantries and Purses for Homeless and Head Start?

If they want a reason why they are losing members, this is one reason. Granted,
i do not like social welfare stuff and stay far away from it. Which is why I join garden club activites, where
I theoretically should be able to avoid it.

[Teacher Terry]

IL, that is very weird. I would not expect a garden club to deviate like that from the mission. I got burned out by volunteering for other reasons but at least could stick to their mission.

[Yppej]

Over a month of temperatures pretty consistently in the upper 80's to low 100's. This is reinforcing my decision to vacation closer to home going forward and reduce my carbon consumption.

[SteveinMN]

Why do garden clubs need to involve themselves in social welfare work
Good question. Given that many organizations (not just garden clubs) are suffering for lack of participation now, why add even more to do? Bizarre.

[JaneV2.0]

I'm disgusted to live in a country where people are forced to go bankrupt, lose their homes, or die an untimely death due to exorbitant health care costs while billionaires register their yachts in the Caymans to avoid paying taxes. (Looking at you, Betsy de Vos...)

[Lainey]

Not sure if this is a peeve, but I bought some garden concrete stepping stones on sale for $1.99. (normal retail is $7.99)
Great price, but when I brought it home and turned it over there was a sticker saying "Made in Vietnam." These are thick, 1.5 inches and about 12 inches across. How in the world does it make sense to have these made in Vietnam and shipped all the way to Arizona? Even if they have teenagers working for .50/hour the shipping costs would seem to cancel out that savings. Our economic world is upside down.

[razz]

GRRR, why do people go to the cemetery, dump their dogs on the drive at the entry clogging up the traffic flow, then drive ahead to make their dogs follow and get their exercise.

They don't know where these dogs poop so no clean-up of poop. The dogs run across the graves as
people are tending them, frightening them especially those who have no experience or bad experiences with dogs.
I have tried to talk to one person with no luck as she just keeps driving. It is a cemetery, not a dog run, for goodness sake!

Had to vent somewhere so thanks.

[Teacher Terry]

Razz, I have never seen anyone do that. Totally bizarre!

[Teacher Terry]

Watch it Jane people going to start saying you want to steal the rich people’s wealth for the poor:))

[iris lilies]

Peeve peeve. Peeve. Peeves. Peeeves. Peeves. Rant rant rant. Rants rants rants
......
making this thread easier to be picked up in indexing

[iris lilies]

Ok, rant about my own stupidity.

I saw a pretty iris in the Missouri Botanical Garden, more interesting than pretty really. Ordered it for $22 along with a few others.

Today, as I was fussing around with my iris database, I found it listed in my database as one I already own, got it FREE last year from Keith Keppel as a bonus. Doh. Well if anyone cares it is Idle Rich, photo here:

http://www.keithkeppeliris.com/IdleRich.html

By the way, Keith Keppel just won the Dykes medal with Haunted Heart. Here is a link to a photo of this pretty and unusual iris:

https://www.google.com/search?q=haunted+heart+iris&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#imgrc=8mNk9KSwvSuODM:

And then, last week I worked our Iris
society’s sale and vowed not to buy any iris since I have, literally-not-exagerating thousands of rhizomes now and will be giving up, that land. So, at the sale
I did see one iris that I fancied
I “needed” because , well, doesnt matter. I had forgotten my check book.

When I got home I did work in my iris database and found, you guessed it, that iris as one
I already own.

Too many iris! Need to consult database at all times!!!

[razz]

IL, I tried to scroll down your post #1711 to see the link for the image of the iris but could not do so. When I hit 'reply with quote' I was able to read the rest of your post and find the link. Not sure why this happened.
Anyway, that iris https://www.google.com/search?q=haunted+heart+iris&hl=en-us&client=safari&tbm=isch&tbs=rimg:CfN4S28Z36C-IjhmuH1M0nBo8h0PiX6ZhZSF3o0vzrcM3SPpu_1qRvqgByFwmU jmZ_1GLsWeUAikTOIeIHhz-CfOJmDCoSCWa4fUzScGjyEYv3be_1R2dJAKhIJHQ-JfpmFlIURO-PqCmtTd7wqEgnejS_1OtwzdIxF7YDTvLxMHIioSCem7-pG-qAHIEfCxO3AHZrKcKhIJXCZSOZn8YuwRzDUtecXnqYkqEglZ5Q CKRM4h4hGTSJrsVVdhKSoSCQeHP4J84mYMEfgWNGbbzMbL&tbo=u&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiHkP-ix-3cAhUr7oMKHXG2CX8Q9C96BAgBEBg&biw=1137&bih=472&dpr=1#imgrc=83hLbxnfoL4AdM: is absolutely gorgeous with all its delicate colouring and ruffles.

[iris lilies]

IL, I tried to scroll down your post #1711 to see the link for the image of the iris but could not do so. When I hit 'reply with quote' I was able to read the rest of your post and find the link. Not sure why this happened.
Anyway, that iris https://www.google.com/search?q=haunted+heart+iris&hl=en-us&client=safari&tbm=isch&tbs=rimg:CfN4S28Z36C-IjhmuH1M0nBo8h0PiX6ZhZSF3o0vzrcM3SPpu_1qRvqgByFwmU jmZ_1GLsWeUAikTOIeIHhz-CfOJmDCoSCWa4fUzScGjyEYv3be_1R2dJAKhIJHQ-JfpmFlIURO-PqCmtTd7wqEgnejS_1OtwzdIxF7YDTvLxMHIioSCem7-pG-qAHIEfCxO3AHZrKcKhIJXCZSOZn8YuwRzDUtecXnqYkqEglZ5Q CKRM4h4hGTSJrsVVdhKSoSCQeHP4J84mYMEfgWNGbbzMbL&tbo=u&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiHkP-ix-3cAhUr7oMKHXG2CX8Q9C96BAgBEBg&biw=1137&bih=472&dpr=1#imgrc=83hLbxnfoL4AdM: is absolutely gorgeous with all its delicate colouring and ruffles.

I have been fussing around with this post to add links, so that is probably why you had trouble with it initially.

[SteveinMN]

Too many iris! Need to consult database at all times!!!
You are not alone! I have done exactly the same thing with music albums. There are a couple for which I have 2-3 vinyl copies and sometimes a CD version. And I have a database I created the first time I discovered the dupes. I just don't look at it... :|(

[JaneV2.0]

There's a big lighted, portable reader board on my street this morning. listing hours of a "grind and grade" operation as 3 AM (!) to 4 PM. I don't know where this will be going on, but I know no street nearby appears in need of grinding or grading--not a pothole in sight. The onslaught continues.

[iris lilies]

There's a big lighted, portable reader board on my street this morning. listing hours of a "grind and grade" operation as 3 AM (!) to 4 PM. I don't know where this will be going on, but I know no street nearby appears in need of grinding or grading--not a pothole in sight. The onslaught continues.
Ah, I am sorry about this construction noise. I know how it drives you mad. Here is hoping they can complete that work in 48 hours. Maybe a stay in a hotel is called for.

[Tenngal]

Walmart rant........newly remodeled local Walmart which is only about 2 miles from my house.

Lots more self checkouts put in.

I refuse to use them.

The day I get there and have to wait more than 10 minutes for a live cashier is the day I leave my cart and go to another store.

Makes me furious because I know some of the older people who have worked there for years and are having hours cut.

[JaneV2.0]

Ah, I am sorry about this construction noise. I know how it drives you mad. Here is hoping they can complete that work in 48 hours. Maybe a stay in a hotel is called for.

So far, it's been quieter than usual here. Even the float planes aren't taking off. Supposedly, this is a four-day event, of which one and a half have passed without incident. i have sets of earplugs and earmuffs all over the house because this goes on all summer, every summer. :doh:

[sweetana3]

Adding to Tenngal's rant about self-checkout. Our big regional super center does not have a lane cashier before 8am on Sunday. We had a quick trip with a full cart on a Sunday before 8am and was ready to leave it in the checkout lane and walk out when the cashier appeared.

[sweetana3]

My own big peeve. Three major north south streets going out of downtown are being either partially or fully closed at the same time. One to resurface, one for sewers and the replacement of the sidewalks they removed to add the sewer repair, initial bus lane changes (big ones), and the last one is a delay in fancy bridge repairs. It almost takes a zigzag to go north from downoowtn.

[Tiam]

Here is my rant. I love to go to the movie theater. I love to see films on the big screen. But not just any film, I'm picky. I like art films, indy films and dramas. Now where I live, there is only one theater in town. A big multiplex. It really caters to the base. I live in a rather conservative, somewhat right leaning town with rather pedestrian tastes, so the usual fare is Christian feel good films, sometime pro right, anti left films, family films, action films and comedies. Dramas and Indies are rare. But before they would show at least something that I could muster up the will to go see. But making a profit is harder so they decided to up the anty to the base. They took out all the seating and replaced it with recliners. This reduced the seating capacity. When they did this they drastically reduced the number of indies and dramas to see. AND they took away my choices when they did this. Not only can I not see a film that is out because they no longer will book it, but I can't just walk up to the window and buy a ticket. Well, I can, but then they show me a seating chart on a tablet and ask me to choose a seat. Well, all the seats have been bought in advance online. So the only seat available is the one in front 10 feet from the giant screen. No thank you. So, now I no longer have the choice to go and buy a ticket at the window and go in and choose a seat. No, now I have to buy the ticket ONLINE, digitally from the website and choose a seat. So my choice in how to pay is now reduced. Then I go in and I can't choose the seat I want based on the circumstances. I can't choose not to sit next to the noisy guy slurping a coke and crunching popcorn out of an enormous, never ending bag. I can't choose not sit next to the noisy teenagers or people using some weird kind of digital screen enhancer. No. I have to sit in the seat I had to choose online. So, essentially the theater chain has taken away my choices in films, how I pay, and where I can sit. It makes me very sad because I really loved going to the cinema. It was one of my true pleasures. :(

[catherine]

Here is my rant. I love to go to the movie theater. I love to see films on the big screen. But not just any film, I'm picky. I like art films, indy films and dramas. Now where I live, there is only one theater in town. A big multiplex. It really caters to the base. I live in a rather conservative, somewhat right leaning town with rather pedestrian tastes, so the usual fare is Christian feel good films, sometime pro right, anti left films, family films, action films and comedies. Dramas and Indies are rare. But before they would show at least something that I could muster up the will to go see. But making a profit is harder so they decided to up the anty to the base. They took out all the seating and replaced it with recliners. This reduced the seating capacity. When they did this they drastically reduced the number of indies and dramas to see. AND they took away my choices when they did this. Not only can I not see a film that is out because they no longer will book it, but I can't just walk up to the window and buy a ticket. Well, I can, but then they show me a seating chart on a tablet and ask me to choose a seat. Well, all the seats have been bought in advance online. So the only seat available is the one in front 10 feet from the giant screen. No thank you. So, now I no longer have the choice to go and buy a ticket at the window and go in and choose a seat. No, now I have to buy the ticket ONLINE, digitally from the website and choose a seat. So my choice in how to pay is now reduced. Then I go in and I can't choose the seat I want based on the circumstances. I can't choose not to sit next to the noisy guy slurping a coke and crunching popcorn out of an enormous, never ending bag. I can't choose not sit next to the noisy teenagers or people using some weird kind of digital screen enhancer. No. I have to sit in the seat I had to choose online. So, essentially the theater chain has taken away my choices in films, how I pay, and where I can sit. It makes me very sad because I really loved going to the cinema. It was one of my true pleasures. :(

Hey, come to my NJ neighborhood. We have an old movie theatre that caters to the off-beat, art and indy film (http://www.montgomerycinemas.com). It hasn't been renovated in years. And, the seats are filled with old folk like me. But it's an awesome movie theatre and I'm so afraid that someday it won't be economically feasible to keep it running (i.e. many of the old folk will have died off). But by then, maybe I'll be in VT full time.

[iris lilies]

Tiam, I hear you. The big multiplex we use when seeing mainstream films went to thatbig recliner seating as wellas the reserved seats. I dont mind the reduced number of seats, but I do mind having to choose which seat I want when buying a ticket, I mind having to take time for thst conversation.

Fortunately, St Louis has a good number of theaters that show solid dramas and art house films. There hasnt been much out this year I want to see. I think you and I share tastes in film. Several times this year I wanted to go to a movie and there was nothing of interest to see. I did like Leave no
Trace, and I saw Eighth Grade which was ok.I missed Hereditary which I might have liked.

A local film fan who posts on our local film discussion board says this is a strong year for films, but I dont see it. I think it has been drek. And then, our town’s film festival takes place in November when all of the Oscar films are also showing, so after 10 months of barren choice, way too many possibilities are crammed into a tiny window for viewing. So, I end up skipping a lot.

[JaneV2.0]

I'd give in and invest in a giant home screen and a Netflix subscription. Not quite the same, but at least no annoying seatmates.

[Teacher Terry]

Some of our theaters are like you describe but some are old school. We have 5 to choose from.

[Lainey]

Tiam,
I've encountered the same situation with my 2 movie-going friends. We like to get together once/month for movie and lunch. Now we have to coordinate in advance, especially for the popular movies, or the 3 of us won't even be able to get 3 seats together. Usually 1 of us will head over to the theater a few days to a week earlier to get tickets and reserve 3 good seats - it saves a little $ doing it in person vs. online, but sheesh.

[iris lilies]

I'd give in and invest in a giant home screen and a Netflix subscription. Not quite the same, but at least no annoying seatmates.

I prefer to see films in a big dark quiet air cooled room with no distractions. That is the movie theater. There are too many distractions at home to have the same experience.

But, since I seldom go to films any more except in the last quarter of the year, I watch a LOT of film and video on the tiny screen of my IPAD which seems to make an intimate connection to my brain. It is a different experience. Not all films and video have elements necessary to be viewed on big screen in the movie houses.

[SiouzQ.]

Drat the gnats and No-See-Ums! They love my the meaty part of my upper arms and shoulders and the itch is literally driving me mad! The Target anti-itch cream IS NOT WORKING!

[mschrisgo2]

SiouzQ, Avon Skin-so-Soft, order on Amazon, will keep them off. Absorbine Plus (or Junior) will kill the itch, Walgreens.
We have them here too this time of the year, UGH!!! They love my ankles and tops of my feet...

[Geila]

Got a text last night from my aunt who will be in town today and needs a place to stay. Sigh. Why wait until the last minute to tell me? She's known for weeks apparently. And she's a house snob to boot. We have a guest room but dh has been using that bed since it's been hot and it's so much nicer to sleep in separate beds. So today I will wash the sheets and prep the room and do some vacuuming and such, like wiping down the bathroom. We have pets and I've got stuff going on later this morning so I don't have the time or energy to do much.

Bah. I'm getting so grumpy in my old age.

[Tybee]

Mschris, how interesting about Absorbine Jr. Did you know that it is called that because Absorbine Sr is for horses, and they modified it for people?

[Teacher Terry]

She should have told you as soon as she knew. What if you had plans? Very rude.

[sweetana3]

There is such a thing as a hotel.

[nswef]

Geila, The word is NO, I'm so sorry but you can't stay here. I'll find a hotel near us for you. but, I know that is hard to do.

[Geila]

Yes, it's very rude. We live in an expensive city that is popular to visit and have had this problem for a long time. I've bellyached about it here plenty in the past. The Best Western by our house, a very modest and basic one, has rates of over $200 per night. I do hate being inconvenienced and having my day taken over for preparations when people want to stay here. And what I really hate is that people are getting more inconsiderate all the time. A few years ago my niece called and said she was in town and could she come over that evening to visit and stay the night with her kids. I said no.

I normally enjoy this aunt that's coming tonight but I'm really bugged by how she just assumed she could stay here without asking or any notice. So I'm not looking forward to her visit. There is a part of me that wants to be equally rude right back and not wash the sheets or do any prep at all and play the same game: Sorry! If I'd known you were coming to stay I would have made everything nice for you. Hope you don't mind!

[Teacher Terry]

I have never had anyone do that. I have to invite people as they don’t just assume they can stay here. When we go home I let people know I am coming but don’t assume I can stay with them either. We always get a invite and take them up on it only when coming with one small dog. Any more and we decline. Next time this happens say you have other plans and maybe people will plan ahead.

[Geila]

The secondary problem is that both dh and I have huge families and for many years we warmly welcomed anyone who wanted to stay here, even though it royally stressed me out and caused a ton of work, because that's how we were both raised - that you never turn family away. We had also opened our doors to his friends anytime they wanted. So the boundary setting has to keep happening over and over again.

I do wish I had I said we were busy and could not accommodate my aunt, because I'm afraid that this visit will damage our relationship. I'm having much less tolerance for rudeness than I used to.

[SteveinMN]

The secondary problem is that both dh and I have huge families and for many years we warmly welcomed anyone who wanted to stay here, even though it royally stressed me out and caused a ton of work, because that's how we were both raised - that you never turn family away. We had also opened our doors to his friends anytime they wanted. So the boundary setting has to keep happening over and over again.
You're busier, you don't have the energy you used to have, and (maybe/definitely) you're using the room differently than you were. Things have changed. I think you have the reasons to change your policy. It may be too late to say no to Rude Aunt, but you can start with the next potential visitor. And the answer doesn't have to be an unequivocal 'no', either. Maybe you'll restrict the policy to n total family visits a year or only to people who let you know a month ahead of time they'd like to come (and ask if it if fits into your schedule) or whatever compromise your time and energy and values allow. You drive this train...

[Tradd]

I ordered a new diving drysuit 3 weeks ago when I got back from my Lake Huron trip. Diving 48F water is doable in a wetsuit, but it’s so much more comfortable in a drysuit. Found a model that I fit into the stock size. Yay! Shop gave me a good deal.

I was told a week later it had shipped from mfg. Turns out mfg rep gave my dive shop bad info. Dive shop gave me a loaner drysuit (same size, similar model) from their rental fleet to use until mine comes in. So I’m getting used to diving dry again after a year of diving wet. I lost so much weight old drysuit was too big.

Shop owner told me Tuesday it had shipped Monday. Turns out mfg rep is an idiot. She saw a suit had shipped to my shop, but hadn’t bothered to confirm it was my suit.

My dive shop sells a lot of these drysuits and is one of the largest US dealers for this large, well known diving gear mfg. Shop has a big online presence as well as being a Chicago area shop. The owner is at the end of his rope. Yesterday he sent me a screen shot of an email from the mfg rep. Turns out the rep is still using AOL. All credibility went out the window when I saw that, on top of being told my suit had shipped twice when it hadn’t.

Who still uses AOL? Dang.

[Float On]

Who still uses AOL? Dang. amazingly quite a few people. I'm always shocked when someone gives me an AOL email but it happens quite a bit.

[SteveinMN]

Who still uses AOL? Dang.
I'm gonna guess that someone who has an AOL email address has had it for some time now. One reason I have my own Internet domain is that I've discovered that changing email addresses is almost as hard as moving to a new house. With my own domain, the company that provides the service is no longer of consequence to anyone but me (assuming they get the job done); I can change all the stuff underneat and don't have to inform anyone of "my new address".

[Alan]

I'm gonna guess that someone who has an AOL email address has had it for some time now. One reason I have my own Internet domain is that I've discovered that changing email addresses is almost as hard as moving to a new house. With my own domain, the company that provides the service is no longer of consequence to anyone but me (assuming they get the job done); I can change all the stuff underneat and don't have to inform anyone of "my new address".I do that as well. I've hosted my own mail server and I've farmed it out to one of the big players and now I'm considering bringing it back home again, and nobody knows but me.

[iris lilies]

This new “sharing economy” is a pain in my butt. This took place last night around the cornwr from me.

I feel sorry for my neighbor who had all of her tires stolen.

2457

[Teacher Terry]

Too much crime for me in that neighborhood.

[Tybee]

I'd be selling and relocating to Herman, I think. Life's too short.

[Yppej]

Bosses who are happy to collect the six figure salaries but never want to deal with any issues.

[Gardenarian]

I have a vestibular issue and the medication I have to take for it is so awful. Without the meds I have no sense of balance and insane tinnitus; with the meds I have a constant headache, upset stomach, fatigue, and feel like all the joy of life is sucked out of me. Sux.

[iris lilies]

I have a vestibular issue and the medication I have to take for it is so awful. Without the meds I have no sense of balance and insane tinnitus; with the meds I have a constant headache, upset stomach, fatigue, and feel like all the joy of life is sucked out of me. Sux.
Ah,
I am so sorry!

[JaneV2.0]

I have a vestibular issue and the medication I have to take for it is so awful. Without the meds I have no sense of balance and insane tinnitus; with the meds I have a constant headache, upset stomach, fatigue, and feel like all the joy of life is sucked out of me. Sux.

Is it something the Epley maneuver can't alleviate ?

[Gardenarian]

Is it something the Epley maneuver can't alleviate ?

Unfortunately, no. It's a nerve compression syndrome, similar to trigeminal neuralgis. Pretty rare (or at least rarely diagnosed) - it's called vestibular paroxysmia. I've tried alternatives but the meds are the only thing that keep me functioning, albeit somewhat miserably. I've had numerous bouts; it usually lasts 3-6 months.
Here's hoping this is a short one!

(I actually suspect this problem is relatively common but doctors just don't know about it. They hear "tinnitus" and just throw up their hands.)