T-Mobile...Again

Well, I got my full refund today. It took thee weeks and multiple phone calls totalling almost five hours.

I also got my February bill today, due next week. Ahem.

Regardless, I'm calling it a win.

Adventures in Dating - Mr. Man-Child

It's time for another addition of Adventures in Dating.......

I suppose that I should lay off the dating because life is just crummy right now and the fact that I really don't feel that I have anything to offer anyone keeps rearing it's ugly head, but...well...I just can't help myself.

About three weeks ago, I was approached online by a gentleman who seemed to be "nice". His picture was attractive, although it was taken in a bar. I'm not sure what to make of that.

Anyhoo, he had a nice smile so we emailed a couple of times and then he wanted to move to the phone. Three nights in a row he called me and we chatted.

Maybe it's just me but it felt like too much especially when we hadn't even met in person yet. Still, I'm one of those women who gives everyone the benefit of the doubt.

I can't remember what exactly he said, but it was droning on about how he needed a good woman if he could just find one....blah, blah, blah.

I blurted out, "So any woman will do then".

He said, "No, just one, she doesn't even need to be pretty". Ahem.

Now I was already losing interest in him at that point because he had let it slip that he was renting a room in a house because he couldn't afford an apartment.

He was 52, his children were grown, he was divorced and he couldn't even provide a home for himself? I'm not sure why that was a problem for me, but I'm not looking for a man-child and he sounded like one.

He went on to explain that he wasn't looking for a wife and doubted he'd ever get married again. Stated that he had given everything to his wife and she divorced him so now he was looking for a woman who could meet his needs.

I remember thinking, "NEXT". He made the comment that the phone works both ways and I said I'd call when I could.

I didn't.

Don't judge me, men have been doing that for years.

So I get an email this morning.......

Hi,I just want to say I wish you well in the future. I had a heart attack last week and I am lucky to still be here.I am out of the hosp and ok.but it was close.Have a good life.Mike

My first reaction was a very female one. I felt guilt. I felt like a horrible person for blowing him off. I felt like I should pick up the phone right now and call and be nurturing. And then I felt the reality of "give me a break".

I am so done owning the debris field of a man's life. I want someone who shares my life and makes my life better as I strive to make his better. I refuse to own his need for a woman when I'm pretty darn sure he wouldn't own anything for me, heck he can't even rent an apartment.

I'm calling this growth. I'm calling this a new feeling of self-worth.

NEXT!

Staying in the Moment

One of my most important philosophies in my life is that I live in the moment. I want to live an authentic life. This thought process has been tested so many times.

Still, it is who I am and I believe that blessings and ultimately bliss will not be something that I recognize on a consistent basis until I do.

This afternoon, my second son, an adult, showed up unexpectedly. I almost didn't open the door because I wasn't expecting anyone. I thought, "Geesch this can't be good".

When I saw him, it made me so happy. He is such a fun person.

We watched a movie together and chatted away.

When the other children got home, he played games with them including chess. He always beats his brothers but he does it in a way that doesn't discourage them in the least. On the contrary, they are encouraged to practice and try harder.

We had a roast for dinner and he offered to get milk because he saw that we were out.

This evening I chatted away with my daughter as I sat with one of the cats and worked on my needle work. I could hear all the boys down the hall laughing and carrying on in boy fashion.

It was delightful. Yes the week is tenuous, but I stayed in the moment and found an evening of BLISS. I can't even express how wonderdul it felt.

Be Still

I have a friend who often says, "When you don't know what to do, just be still".

This week should be quite tenuous. I haven't bought groceries in two weeks. Thank you T-Mobile.

At the moment, rent is due and I don't have it all.

I've also spoken to the Ex about making sure that I get child support regularly. Yeah, he told me he needs to look after himself. Pretty much a picture of my entire 15 year marriage.

So what's the plan? I don't know.

On Friday, I should be getting my income tax refund which will save me from tapping into my retirement for another month I suppose. I'm not sure if it will come as last year's refund was taken for my Ex's tax debt from when we were married.

It's going to be a tenuous week to put it mildly.

I'm going to look into assistance again. I hate the idea of needing it.

I want to hear the laughter of my children. They shouldn't have to worry. Can I hide my fear and worries? Yes.

To those of you who have offered help, thank you but no. There is just something wrong about that.

What you can do is pray, for a job, for a miracle. I'd appreciate that so much.

A tenuous week, I think I'll just be still.

Delightful BLISS

No school today.

Jammies only.

Four hours of CSI.

Cuddled up.

Needlework.

Purring cats.

Spaghetti dinner.

Boardgames.

Laughing children.

A deep sigh.

BLISS

More Drivel

I'm typing this on my "crackberry" so I'll apoligize upfront for spelling errors and such.

Anyhoo, talked to T-Mobile today. If you missed that post, it's down a few.

My refund was going to take 3 to 6 business days. Tomorrow is day six so I gave them a call.

An hour later I had spoken to two more of their customer service reps and another supervisor....and I was in tears.

Apparently, the supervisor from last week states on my records that she was going to email the "refund department", but it doesn't show that she submitted the appropriate form.

I had the supervisor today do it while I was on the phone. She didn't like the fact that I didn't trust her.

When I was talking to the first CS rep, I couldn't understand her very well and politely asked for someone whose first language was English. I've never done that before, but felt like I wasn't getting anywhere.

She stated that they have no one there whose first language is English.

When I got on the phone with the Super, I asked to speak to an American.

I was told that they have no Americans there. I also asked what country they were located in. She refused to tell me.

Perhaps it is because I'm unemployed, but this has really rubbed me the wrong way. I don't really know what else to say. I guess I'll let you know if my refund comes next week.

Blah Blah Yada Yada Drivel

I can't remember the last time I watched a state of the union address in its entirety. Quite frankly, I've been too busy working and raising children to check and see if the system was working.

Being unemployed has made me really want to watch tonight to see if our Prez will be pulling some kind of miracle rabbit out of a 7 trillion dollar hat.

I suppose that it doesn't help my attitude that I got a call from the ex today stating that he was giving me the heads up the child support will soon be non-existent. Yeah well it hasn't been coming consistently since I let it slip that I actually needed it to live on. Passive aggressive much?

I also did my taxes already. Who knew that unemployment is taxed at such a high rate? I paid a higher rate in taxes this year than I have in the last ten years. Think I'll get a thank you note from those banks that were bailed out?

So Mr. President, I'll be watching with bated breath. Until then, you can find me in bed with the covers over my head.

Job Hunting....Again

Dear Employer #1,

When you dangle a carrot like working from home making almost as much as I used to make working away from home.....

It's just wrong to inform me in the second interview that the position is actually half time and I would be making half of what I was making before.

And when I ask you, when will the position go full time and you respond, "Not in the foreseeable future"......well, honestly....does this hiring practice actually work for you?

Let me get this straight....you want me to commute almost three hours each way at least one day a week for a job that I will be working for four hours on that particular day....and this benefits my family how?

No thank you....and good luck with that one!


Dear Employer #2,

You canceled and moved the phone interview three times for your convenience. You stood me up for the interview once. Ok, I get that, you are busy.

Now you have moved the in-person interview twice and I'm still waiting to hear from you about the rescheduled time.

Do you really get the best candidates when you treat them as a commodity? I mean, honestly, do you really think that you are all that and I'm just sitting here eating bonbons waiting with bated breath for your call?


Excuse me while I go pet the cats and hug a kid because it's the only thing keeping me sane right now. And for the record, I'm actually doing pretty well. We've gotten into a pattern of living and we are enjoying the "just being together" that being unemployed brings.

Things Heard at My House

FooFoo couldn’t find her cell phone. She was completely panicked. Then she saw it in her hand.
MightyMax: She takes airhead to a whole new level.


Me: I can’t believe I don’t have any more babies in the house. My babies are almost pre-teens. That’s so sad. We better be getting some grandchildren around soon or I’m going to have a major baby deficit.
FooFoo: I’ll get right on that mom.
Me: That’s not what I meant.
FooFoo: I have the only mother in the whole world who tells her 13 yo daughter to get pregnant.
Me: THAT IS NOT WHAT I MEANT.


FooFoo: We are not that funny around here.
MightyMax: Not so much. Funny things are only funny when they come naturally.
SuperSam: It’s only funny when you don’t expect it.
MightyMax: We are actually quite boring every day.
Me: Laughing my butt off because my children are so funny trying to convince me that they aren’t funny.
FooFoo: Mom, this isn’t funny.


FooFoo: Mom, will you cut the cantaloupe?
Me: Why can’t you do it? If you are afraid, you obviously need to practice.
FooFoo: I don’t need to practice, I’m going to have a husband.
Me: Wow. You are in for a rude awakening. You may never have cantaloupe again.


Max burped the biggest burp ever.
Me: No way, that was nasty.
MightyMax: Excuuuuuuuuse Meeeeeeeee
Me: That deserved a fine.
SuperSam: That deserved an award.
Me: Boys are gross.
SuperSam: Yes we are.