How many times do we allow ourselves to get upset and frustrated over things that can be resolved?
Because it is so cold up here and with a foot and a half of snow on the ground, I do not make it to the post office every day. I finally went Monday and brought home what looked like an exciting assortment of Christmas cards plus a few other pieces of mail. Once home, I sorted it all and opened the cards first. Love Christmas cards. They're another way to keep in touch with those you love. I always touch the signature believing I am touching that friend's hand. Then I go through the other mail. I saw a piece from Lincoln Financial Group and opened it. I have TWO life insurance policies with them and figured it was a notice to tell me my premiums were going up again. (I have this set up as a monthly automatic withdrawal from my checking account.) This, of course, is insurance crap and HC Baker always took care of this. In a nutshell, here's what the letter said.
First of all, the salutation read "Dear Policyholder". (I've been paying you money for years and you can't even use my name?) The letter told me they had not received payments for this particular policy since January 26, 2012. That's almost TWO years ago! I should tell you now that I don't balance my checkbook each month. I go on-line every 3 or 4 days to check my balance, scroll through to see what's been paid, see what's yet to be paid and make sure there's enough money to cover it all. I see Lincoln Financial every month so I don't give it another thought. Well...remember when I told you in the last paragraph I have TWO life policies with them. It seems only one was "drafting" from my account. The letter went on to tell me during this nearly TWO year "lapse", the policy has been in force with no break in coverage (I wonder what the story would have been had I died during this time!!!) Continuing with the letter...They want me to send "back" payment by January 2, 2014, or the policy will lapse for non-payment of premiums. If I have any questions, I'm to call the person who sent me the letter at the number which is listed below.
OK - I NEED OXYGEN NOW!!!!!!!!!! I'm not even close to being any kind of genius, but do you mean to tell me a company as large as this one is just now, after TWO years, discovering I have not paid a premium? Who are these people? I check the envelop and the letterhead to make sure it's not from some prince in Africa and then dial the number.
I'll give you the abbreviated version of this because you won't believe most of it anyway. The following is all true I swear!
Letter sender call - She's not "in" today but if I need immediate assistance call back and ask for could not understand the name and press could not understand the extension number.
Called back and listened to press one for this and press two for that and I pressed 3 for idiots!
Connected to Sharon - explained my situation and she connected (wanted to get rid of me fast!!!) me to Robert. Get ready because here's where the fun begins. Robert sounded 12 but assured me he could help. Robert also called me Jo Ann. DEEP BREATHS!!!! He could not help me and I asked to speak with his supervisor. Robert told me his supervisor was not in. I asked for his supervisor's supervisor. He's not in either. I asked if they had their office Christmas party over the weekend and everyone had stayed home to get sober. Robert told me there was no reason for me to be rude. DEEPER BREATHS HERE!!!! I asked Robert who the president of the company was and he told me Dennis Glass was the President, but he wouldn't be interested in talking to me. DEEPEST BREATHS HERE!!!! I asked for Mr. Glass's number. Robert didn't know it. As I'm talking to Robert, I "google" Dennis Glass and discover his office is in Radnor, PA, his address and phone number. I give the phone number to Robert and hang up.
I call back using the corporate number to reach the main "switchboard" (if that word is even used anymore) and a lovely woman answers. I quickly explain my situation and frustration with all those who words have proceeded this call and ask to speak to the highest ranking person at this address. She told me that would be Mr. Perez who is the Director of this office that houses over 3000 employees. I asked her if she would connect me to him and she said "certainly"! (Good Girl!) Lo and behold, Mr. John Perez answered his own phone. I was shocked and told him so! I also told him I could tell we were on speaker phone and if he had any others in his office, he might want to turn that off. I began my re-cap of conversations. He was incredibly polite, listened without interruption, and apologized for all of the unacceptable responses I had so far received. I gave him names and key words like policyholder and being called Jo Ann and everybody off today and un-understandable messages and the list goes on. He promised me he would get back to me within 24 hours and gave me his direct phone number. So ends Monday!
Tuesday, 2:35pm! I answer my phone and meet April. She says she wants to help me. So as not to waste her time or mine, I ask her if she has talked to Mr. Perez and she says YES. Ok, let the conversation begin. I repeat Monday's conversations and ask her if she is amazed by all this and she replies YES. I also told her my insurance husband is dead and I am continuing to learn how to do all this stuff, and I tell her I do not do a very good job with my checkbook. She tells me she is so glad I called because she has been made aware they have a few training issues. She apologizes repeatedly and assures me she will personally deal with all of this. She also tells me the company will make whatever arrangements are necessary for me to make the "lapsed" payments. She's actually listening and understanding my issues. We really had a lovely conversation and actually laughed together a few times.
I don't know if y'all do the same thing but whenever I have this kind of experience, I have to tell someone about it just to say it again. Stupid I know but necessary. So my next call is to a very dear friend, and I ask him to just listen to my story. I tell him not to offer any help or explanations, just listen to me. I repeat all of this and then get all "weepy" and tell him I have to end this conversation and I hang up. What's wrong with me??????? So I spend the next two hours attending my very own "pitty" party by myself (of course) and then fix myself a bowl of grits! Later, my dear friend is brave enough to call me back.
So this morning I call the money man and tell him to unload something so I can write a check to this company. I won't be buyin' that airplane I wanted! (That was a joke!) And now I've written it all down for you to read. I won't blame you or think less of you if you don't read it. It's a pretty long story and all about me...again! I will believe that you love me so in the overall scheme of things what else matters? I have wonderful FRIENDS!
P.S. I now cannot afford stamps for my Christmas cards so here's your greeting.
I LOVE YOU ALL! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EACH OF YOU AND BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY 2014! XXOO
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Sunday's prayer...
Dear Lord, this morning I'm struggling with the focus of my thoughts.
As I look out my window, I see plenty of snow on the ground and more blowing through the frigid air. Thank you Lord for the seasons. You blessed me with eyes to see and witness Your wonders. I am also blessed with a warm home (though some would disagree!). Thank You for the many kindnesses You have sent my way!
Only ten days until we will celebrate your birth. I am blessed with the knowledge of Your amazing gift to me. There is no way I can ever repay this except to always work hard and do Your will. Let others see You in me. That thought alone brings an overwhelming desire to go outside and run up and down the street (cautiously) shouting Your name. Thank You for Your patience with me!
This will be the fourth Christmas celebration without HC Baker. I must admit from time to time I still pause and question why. That's when my heart jumps and forces me to remember Your will, not mine. I am blessed as I totally and completely understand and accept this, but my heart still has an empty corner (better than a gaping hole). Thank You for Your steadfastness!
I had the wonderful opportunity to spend yesterday with Gracie. Those times are irreplaceable...priceless as the commercial says. How true. We shopped until we dropped. I am so blessed by my family. Not one of them ever questioned the life-changing decisions I have made since my "widowhood", and they have supported me in every way. Being with one or some or all of them will always make me smile and know the strength and power of love. Thank You for my earthly interpretation of Your love!
On many days, I'm not sure I would have survived if not for my "heavy lifter" - TR Baker. Through all that happened in 2010, both of us survived and pretty much in tact! My survival is due in a huge part to TR Baker. He made my loneliness not so lonely. I have been blessed by him. He listens without making judgments, he has a keen insight into other people and situations and he's been my "heavy lifter" and yard man and snow shoveler and furniture mover (he hates to hear me say I want to re-arrange!) and pizza maker and...! Thank You for knowing best!
Daily I am blessed in untold ways by my friends, old and new and re-newed! When I see Frank in FL is improving daily, I know Your hands are on his shoulders. When I know EE is home safely and in the loving arms of his family, I know Your hands are on his shoulders. When I talk with B & R J and they are laughing, I know Your hands are on their shoulders. When all my friends are smiling, I know You are with them in their lives and keeping them in Your arms. Thank You for guiding our paths!
In sixteen days it will be 2014. I laugh when I remember reading the novel 1984. I thought that was a million years away. And remember how all us earthly idiots thought the year 2000 would "cause" everything "computerized" to crash and burn. Well, we've made it to 2014. I wonder what it will bring! I'm happy feeling absolutely no regrets about the decisions I've made in the past three and a half years. I am amazed at all I've learned and been able to achieve. And my journey is not over yet. I've made a few decisions about 2014 and am looking forward to seeing how You will guide me. Thank You for walking with me.
And in closing, please Lord, be with all of our soldiers and their families this Christmas season and every day where ever they are. Protect them. Bring them home as quickly as possible. Thank You for guiding them!
To all who read this MERRY CHRISTMAS! Be thankful for every breath you take! Enjoy your life, whatever it holds. Make the decision every day to be the best person you can be in every situation you encounter. I love this thought...there is always someone who will trade places with you.
Happy Sunday! xxoo
As I look out my window, I see plenty of snow on the ground and more blowing through the frigid air. Thank you Lord for the seasons. You blessed me with eyes to see and witness Your wonders. I am also blessed with a warm home (though some would disagree!). Thank You for the many kindnesses You have sent my way!
Only ten days until we will celebrate your birth. I am blessed with the knowledge of Your amazing gift to me. There is no way I can ever repay this except to always work hard and do Your will. Let others see You in me. That thought alone brings an overwhelming desire to go outside and run up and down the street (cautiously) shouting Your name. Thank You for Your patience with me!
This will be the fourth Christmas celebration without HC Baker. I must admit from time to time I still pause and question why. That's when my heart jumps and forces me to remember Your will, not mine. I am blessed as I totally and completely understand and accept this, but my heart still has an empty corner (better than a gaping hole). Thank You for Your steadfastness!
I had the wonderful opportunity to spend yesterday with Gracie. Those times are irreplaceable...priceless as the commercial says. How true. We shopped until we dropped. I am so blessed by my family. Not one of them ever questioned the life-changing decisions I have made since my "widowhood", and they have supported me in every way. Being with one or some or all of them will always make me smile and know the strength and power of love. Thank You for my earthly interpretation of Your love!
On many days, I'm not sure I would have survived if not for my "heavy lifter" - TR Baker. Through all that happened in 2010, both of us survived and pretty much in tact! My survival is due in a huge part to TR Baker. He made my loneliness not so lonely. I have been blessed by him. He listens without making judgments, he has a keen insight into other people and situations and he's been my "heavy lifter" and yard man and snow shoveler and furniture mover (he hates to hear me say I want to re-arrange!) and pizza maker and...! Thank You for knowing best!
Daily I am blessed in untold ways by my friends, old and new and re-newed! When I see Frank in FL is improving daily, I know Your hands are on his shoulders. When I know EE is home safely and in the loving arms of his family, I know Your hands are on his shoulders. When I talk with B & R J and they are laughing, I know Your hands are on their shoulders. When all my friends are smiling, I know You are with them in their lives and keeping them in Your arms. Thank You for guiding our paths!
In sixteen days it will be 2014. I laugh when I remember reading the novel 1984. I thought that was a million years away. And remember how all us earthly idiots thought the year 2000 would "cause" everything "computerized" to crash and burn. Well, we've made it to 2014. I wonder what it will bring! I'm happy feeling absolutely no regrets about the decisions I've made in the past three and a half years. I am amazed at all I've learned and been able to achieve. And my journey is not over yet. I've made a few decisions about 2014 and am looking forward to seeing how You will guide me. Thank You for walking with me.
And in closing, please Lord, be with all of our soldiers and their families this Christmas season and every day where ever they are. Protect them. Bring them home as quickly as possible. Thank You for guiding them!
To all who read this MERRY CHRISTMAS! Be thankful for every breath you take! Enjoy your life, whatever it holds. Make the decision every day to be the best person you can be in every situation you encounter. I love this thought...there is always someone who will trade places with you.
Happy Sunday! xxoo
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Here's what's happenin' plus some of my other interesting observations...
I'm not much for TV and when you watch TV with TR Baker, it's always an adventure. As we watch something, he is scrolling through to see what else is on. And then we check to see if it's available in HD, and if so, we switch to that. Then, when commercials come on, we fast forward through them. And sometimes, I think more often than not, we must record a program for later viewing. So this evening I sat down to watch the national news alone. I like Scott Pelly, don't know what station that is, but on my TV it's 10. If any of you don't like him for whatever reason, keep it to yourself. I like his looks, his delivery, and the sound of his voice. He is able to show just the right amount of caution and/or concern. And a plus to watching him is a rerun of the Big Bang Theory immediately follows his newscast. I love the Big Bang Theory. I love all the actors and the roles they play. I believe the writers to be some of the best in the business. The show always makes me laugh. (I might add it's followed by Two and a Half Men and I always turn the TV off just as it begins. I hate that show and don't get me started on why!) Anyway...during Big Bang Theory I saw a commercial and had to laugh. I recognized Adam Levine who I understand, a few weeks ago People Magazine selected as the "Sexiest Man Alive"! (People Magazine must be loosing it!) So here's Adam Levine waking up in a bed next to a woman. IS HE MARRIED? THIS IS PRIME TIME FOLKS! He jumps out of bed and begins searching for clothes. He finds pants, a shirt, a jacket and heads out the door. As he begins to run down the stairs he realizes he has forgotten his car keys and turns back. As he approaches the door, it opens and the woman who was in bed with him hands him the keys. And then it happens...the voice-over tells me to shop the Adam Levine Collection exclusively at KMart! So this is what it's come to! The sexiest man alive has a clothing collection and it's sold exclusively at KMart. There are just no words I can put together to explain what I think of this. 'Nuff said!
In another commercial I did discover some good news. If I ever have a legal problem that seems too big to handle, all I have to do is dial 1-800-Call-Sam. Sam's gonna' fix my problem. Good to know! And now you know it too! We're all lucky! End of my TV watching for tonight.
I've got plenty to do. This Sunday is the Topinabee Holiday Home Tour and my home is one of the homes that will be visited by anyone who buys a ticket. (They're $15 in case you want to join the tour! If you should actually come for a visit, I'll buy your ticket!) I've been decorating for two weeks now and have everything in place. I've put up three Christmas trees, put tiny white lights on two grapefruit trees (HC Baker grew them from a seed 35 years ago and since his death, I have been able to keep them alive - that's amazing!), 5 wreaths, 4 Nativities, various stand alone decorations including 2 light-up cardinals in honor of U of L, and today picked up my 4 huge live poinsettias for use around the house. The only thing I haven't done is cut a bunch of evergreens to put in the (non-working) fireplace and outside in a copper tub. I have until Saturday afternoon to do that and hopefully sometime between now and then, it will not be snowing and I can get out into the front yard to the trees I need. I'm now working on cleaning! I hate cleaning "around" the Christmas decorations. The first guests should arrive around 1pm Sunday afternoon and surely by then I can make the dust disappear! Keep your fingers crossed.
I still would like to ask all of you to continue praying for several friends. Frank in Florida spent Thanksgiving in the ICU after having his 3rd heart attack. CH is still in the middle of a mess, EE is almost home, and R had surgery and needs a quick recovery. There are so many others in need of our prayers - our soldiers and their families wherever they are, those who are fighting health and personal battles, the children of the world, families displaced by poverty or disasters, and I must add our politicians who need brains and to realize they are serving us...YOU and ME.
Best wishes of the season to each of you. Merry Christmas! xxoo
In another commercial I did discover some good news. If I ever have a legal problem that seems too big to handle, all I have to do is dial 1-800-Call-Sam. Sam's gonna' fix my problem. Good to know! And now you know it too! We're all lucky! End of my TV watching for tonight.
I've got plenty to do. This Sunday is the Topinabee Holiday Home Tour and my home is one of the homes that will be visited by anyone who buys a ticket. (They're $15 in case you want to join the tour! If you should actually come for a visit, I'll buy your ticket!) I've been decorating for two weeks now and have everything in place. I've put up three Christmas trees, put tiny white lights on two grapefruit trees (HC Baker grew them from a seed 35 years ago and since his death, I have been able to keep them alive - that's amazing!), 5 wreaths, 4 Nativities, various stand alone decorations including 2 light-up cardinals in honor of U of L, and today picked up my 4 huge live poinsettias for use around the house. The only thing I haven't done is cut a bunch of evergreens to put in the (non-working) fireplace and outside in a copper tub. I have until Saturday afternoon to do that and hopefully sometime between now and then, it will not be snowing and I can get out into the front yard to the trees I need. I'm now working on cleaning! I hate cleaning "around" the Christmas decorations. The first guests should arrive around 1pm Sunday afternoon and surely by then I can make the dust disappear! Keep your fingers crossed.
I still would like to ask all of you to continue praying for several friends. Frank in Florida spent Thanksgiving in the ICU after having his 3rd heart attack. CH is still in the middle of a mess, EE is almost home, and R had surgery and needs a quick recovery. There are so many others in need of our prayers - our soldiers and their families wherever they are, those who are fighting health and personal battles, the children of the world, families displaced by poverty or disasters, and I must add our politicians who need brains and to realize they are serving us...YOU and ME.
Best wishes of the season to each of you. Merry Christmas! xxoo
Sunday, November 24, 2013
The Sounds of Winter
I has snowed continuously all day. Don't know what the total for the weekend is, but we have several inches on the ground. It's also freezing cold! This is the time of year when the dogs get confused trying to find a place to use the bathroom. All of their fall "markings" have been concealed by the snow, and they sniff all over looking for a familiar place. That dog's life ain't so easy in the winter!
I was thinking today about the sounds of the seasons. It's easy to recognize spring because you wake up in the morning to the sound of leaf blowers and lawn mowers getting the yards uncovered from the winter. Summer sounds are all about boats and jet skis on the water. Fall doesn't have a sound so much as it has a smell...leaves burning. And now it's winter. When you wake up in the morning, you can hear the highway department trucks plowing and salting or sanding the roads. The other distinctive sound comes from the snowmobiles on the trail. It must be easier and faster to get a snowmobile ready than it is to get a boat ready. Everyone seems to be out today enjoying the snow.
It's Thanksgiving week and once the turkey and all the trimmings have been digested (hopefully) on Thursday, Friday is the day for the "lighting" of Indian River. There's a huge craft show at the high school, all kinds of sporting events, and in the evening, the Christmas parade ending with the arrival of Santa. If the weather permits, he will arrive on a dog sled. It's all very festive. Wish all of you could be here. I do have plenty of room and looking at my calendar, do no have any guests scheduled. The vacancy sign says YES!
Last night Gracie and I went to the Cheboygan Opera House for the Northland Players performance of "White Christmas". My wonderful neighbor was one of the stars - actually she was THE star! During the final singing of the title song, the audience was invited to join in the singing. What fun we had!
So the season has begun! I wish each of you a Thanksgiving to remember. As one of the songs in "White Christmas" reminds us, count your blessings. We all have so much to be thankful for and yet there are others who are struggling at this time of the year. Their hearts may be heavy, their finances depleted, their homes cold or maybe destroyed during last week's tornado, or maybe they have health issues. Several weeks ago one of my oldest, dearest friends told me her husband had been diagnosed with Stage 4 lymphoma. We both cried and prayed his treatment would be successful. I spoke with her last Thursday to check on her and her husband and as soon as she answered the phone, she began to cry. Once she recovered she told me she had been to the doctor for help with fatigue, thinking it was due to taking care of her husband. After lots of blood work and tests, she has been diagnosed with another form of cancer. So on Tuesday's and Wednesday's, she drives her husband to chemo treatments and on Friday, he drives her to her treatments. I ask your prayers for both of them and for all those suffering whatever pain is in their hearts.
Love to all of you and remember to count your blessings. xxoo
I was thinking today about the sounds of the seasons. It's easy to recognize spring because you wake up in the morning to the sound of leaf blowers and lawn mowers getting the yards uncovered from the winter. Summer sounds are all about boats and jet skis on the water. Fall doesn't have a sound so much as it has a smell...leaves burning. And now it's winter. When you wake up in the morning, you can hear the highway department trucks plowing and salting or sanding the roads. The other distinctive sound comes from the snowmobiles on the trail. It must be easier and faster to get a snowmobile ready than it is to get a boat ready. Everyone seems to be out today enjoying the snow.
It's Thanksgiving week and once the turkey and all the trimmings have been digested (hopefully) on Thursday, Friday is the day for the "lighting" of Indian River. There's a huge craft show at the high school, all kinds of sporting events, and in the evening, the Christmas parade ending with the arrival of Santa. If the weather permits, he will arrive on a dog sled. It's all very festive. Wish all of you could be here. I do have plenty of room and looking at my calendar, do no have any guests scheduled. The vacancy sign says YES!
Last night Gracie and I went to the Cheboygan Opera House for the Northland Players performance of "White Christmas". My wonderful neighbor was one of the stars - actually she was THE star! During the final singing of the title song, the audience was invited to join in the singing. What fun we had!
So the season has begun! I wish each of you a Thanksgiving to remember. As one of the songs in "White Christmas" reminds us, count your blessings. We all have so much to be thankful for and yet there are others who are struggling at this time of the year. Their hearts may be heavy, their finances depleted, their homes cold or maybe destroyed during last week's tornado, or maybe they have health issues. Several weeks ago one of my oldest, dearest friends told me her husband had been diagnosed with Stage 4 lymphoma. We both cried and prayed his treatment would be successful. I spoke with her last Thursday to check on her and her husband and as soon as she answered the phone, she began to cry. Once she recovered she told me she had been to the doctor for help with fatigue, thinking it was due to taking care of her husband. After lots of blood work and tests, she has been diagnosed with another form of cancer. So on Tuesday's and Wednesday's, she drives her husband to chemo treatments and on Friday, he drives her to her treatments. I ask your prayers for both of them and for all those suffering whatever pain is in their hearts.
Love to all of you and remember to count your blessings. xxoo
Friday, November 15, 2013
Mad as a wet hen!
Not sure how mad a wet hen is, but I am sure I can top it! OK, I admit I am 66 years old and probably not as tech savvy as I should be, but gimme a break! My story begins 5 months ago.
HISTORY -
I saw a "help wanted" ad in the local newspaper for a writer. The company "looking" was the local newspaper, The Cheboygan Tribune. Having been thinking about finding something to do, I thought this could be a great opportunity. The ad requested a resume and samples of my writing. Not a problem. However, I did not have a current resume and was pretty sure my old resume did not present an updated approach. I went on-line to find a "FREE" service to help me. I found Live Career - Home of America's #1 Resume Builder. I read through the website and saw "FREE" everywhere. The website also promised to promote my resume to thousands of employers around the world. I worked on my resume and put together one that had all the 2013 appropriate buzzwords and phrases used in today's workplace. When I completed it, I tried to post it to my own computer so I could forward it to the newspaper along with my writing samples. It wouldn't post. So, I saw the link for a live chat, and believing my tech skills sufficient, I clicked it. Someone immediately answered my "call". I explained I didn't want my resume posted for 1000's to see, I only wanted to post it to my own personal computer. Well, it turns out I am apparently selfish with my resume and consequently that would cost me $2.95. I asked about the "free" part and it's only "free" if you allow Live Career to do what they want with it. I decided I would exclude Live Career from my job hunting experience and spend the $2.95. GET READY - HERE COMES THE REALLY BIG MISTAKE I MADE! I put the $2.95 on my credit card. It's a major credit card and linked to my personal checking account. Believing all was right with the world, I clicked the "fine print" request (without reading it) agreeing to the terms of the website and went on with my life. By the way...I sent the resume and writing samples to the newspaper and NEVER heard a word from them. I even e-mailed the contact information listed in the ad and still didn't get a response. I cancelled my subscription to the paper! What's wrong with these people? Idiots, that's what's wrong with them!
UPDATE -
I do all my banking on-line (wondering about that now) and as I was reviewing charges, I saw a $34.95 charge from Live Career. WHAT????? As I continued to look, I saw they had been charging me $34.95 for months! What for and how did they gain access to my checking account? I called them immediately. "Gabe" answered my call. I don't know if Gabe was a man or a woman but I do know English was not his/her first language. Needless to say that added more fuel to my fire! After calmly (I promise) explaining the situation to Gabe, he/she checked my account (ACCOUNT??????) and told me after I completed my resume writing, I had 14 days to cancel my subscription!!!! "Subscription to what" I asked. The "service" he/she responded! You need to know I'm still not screaming into the telephone, but the top of my head is about to blow off! "What service? I payed $2.95 to not use your service"! Gabe said "I checked the box agreeing to their terms"! Dammit to hell!!!!!!!! I took a couple of deep breaths and then asked how they were able to access my checking account. Gabe said my credit card was linked to it and that was something else I had agreed to. Oh my! So I asked how I could cancel this right now. He/she said he/she could do that for me while I was on the telephone with him/her. I then asked what the possibilities were for me to receive a credit for the previous months charges. He/she said he/she would speak with their supervisor and find out. Surprise - I'm put on hold. A few minutes later Gabe came back on the line and said "Good News" (I swear!). He/she would be able to credit my checking account with $25.80! I said thank you and hung up.
FINDINGS -
I am clearly not as smart as I believe I am.
I will NEVER again not read the fine print.
I will stop using my checking account linked credit card on-line.
I will continue to use my HUGE influence to let the world know how awful I think Live Career is. I
did the same thing to Home Depot and everyone knows how effective that was!
I will continue to use all of you as my sounding board for my life as a poor retired widow woman on a
fixed income.
I love all of you and thanks for listening. The wet hen has dried off a bit!
xxoo
HISTORY -
I saw a "help wanted" ad in the local newspaper for a writer. The company "looking" was the local newspaper, The Cheboygan Tribune. Having been thinking about finding something to do, I thought this could be a great opportunity. The ad requested a resume and samples of my writing. Not a problem. However, I did not have a current resume and was pretty sure my old resume did not present an updated approach. I went on-line to find a "FREE" service to help me. I found Live Career - Home of America's #1 Resume Builder. I read through the website and saw "FREE" everywhere. The website also promised to promote my resume to thousands of employers around the world. I worked on my resume and put together one that had all the 2013 appropriate buzzwords and phrases used in today's workplace. When I completed it, I tried to post it to my own computer so I could forward it to the newspaper along with my writing samples. It wouldn't post. So, I saw the link for a live chat, and believing my tech skills sufficient, I clicked it. Someone immediately answered my "call". I explained I didn't want my resume posted for 1000's to see, I only wanted to post it to my own personal computer. Well, it turns out I am apparently selfish with my resume and consequently that would cost me $2.95. I asked about the "free" part and it's only "free" if you allow Live Career to do what they want with it. I decided I would exclude Live Career from my job hunting experience and spend the $2.95. GET READY - HERE COMES THE REALLY BIG MISTAKE I MADE! I put the $2.95 on my credit card. It's a major credit card and linked to my personal checking account. Believing all was right with the world, I clicked the "fine print" request (without reading it) agreeing to the terms of the website and went on with my life. By the way...I sent the resume and writing samples to the newspaper and NEVER heard a word from them. I even e-mailed the contact information listed in the ad and still didn't get a response. I cancelled my subscription to the paper! What's wrong with these people? Idiots, that's what's wrong with them!
UPDATE -
I do all my banking on-line (wondering about that now) and as I was reviewing charges, I saw a $34.95 charge from Live Career. WHAT????? As I continued to look, I saw they had been charging me $34.95 for months! What for and how did they gain access to my checking account? I called them immediately. "Gabe" answered my call. I don't know if Gabe was a man or a woman but I do know English was not his/her first language. Needless to say that added more fuel to my fire! After calmly (I promise) explaining the situation to Gabe, he/she checked my account (ACCOUNT??????) and told me after I completed my resume writing, I had 14 days to cancel my subscription!!!! "Subscription to what" I asked. The "service" he/she responded! You need to know I'm still not screaming into the telephone, but the top of my head is about to blow off! "What service? I payed $2.95 to not use your service"! Gabe said "I checked the box agreeing to their terms"! Dammit to hell!!!!!!!! I took a couple of deep breaths and then asked how they were able to access my checking account. Gabe said my credit card was linked to it and that was something else I had agreed to. Oh my! So I asked how I could cancel this right now. He/she said he/she could do that for me while I was on the telephone with him/her. I then asked what the possibilities were for me to receive a credit for the previous months charges. He/she said he/she would speak with their supervisor and find out. Surprise - I'm put on hold. A few minutes later Gabe came back on the line and said "Good News" (I swear!). He/she would be able to credit my checking account with $25.80! I said thank you and hung up.
FINDINGS -
I am clearly not as smart as I believe I am.
I will NEVER again not read the fine print.
I will stop using my checking account linked credit card on-line.
I will continue to use my HUGE influence to let the world know how awful I think Live Career is. I
did the same thing to Home Depot and everyone knows how effective that was!
I will continue to use all of you as my sounding board for my life as a poor retired widow woman on a
fixed income.
I love all of you and thanks for listening. The wet hen has dried off a bit!
xxoo
Monday, November 11, 2013
First Dates!
Well, I have begun dating for the third time, and it's not like riding a bike!
EARLY 1960'S:
I remember when I was a teenager and had my first date. I was so curious about the wonder of it all. (I should add young and thin and unwrinkled too!) It was fun and exciting. I spent days wondering what to wear. The "date" day arrived and butterflies filled my stomach. Waiting for the doorbell to ring, I wondered how my mother and father would act. Were they going to embarrass me? Yes, I survived all that and much more. WOW, the lessons I learned. My father had always told me to call if I ever felt I was in a bad situation. He said he would come and get me where ever I was. I did that one time. At a party, it appeared I was the only one not drinking beer. I found the phone in the home (pre-cell phone) and called Dad. He came right away, and I never had a date with that young man again. Dad thanked me for calling him. I'll never forget that.
MID 1970'S:
After a failed marriage (not sure exactly what failed but it's safe to say "it" did), I was the mother of two precious little girls. I was working several part-time jobs and loved them all. I began to receive invitations from MEN to go out to dinner or a movie or dancing. I found it interesting that some men seemed to think a divorced woman's morals might have been left behind with the marriage contract. Oh how I loved to disappoint them. There were a few wonderful gentlemen who's company I certainly enjoyed. HC Baker was one of them, and we all know how that ended!
LATE 2013:
I am blessed with wonderful friends both female and male. And I enjoy being with all of them in casual and elegant situations. But there's something about being asked to dinner by one man knowing it will be just the two of you that made the hair on the back of my neck stand straight up!!!!! OMG, OMG, OMG!!!!! And those feelings are compounded 1000 times when this is a man (one of those wonderful gentlemen from years ago) you haven't seen in over 35 years! I did spend the "morning of" searching the web for a diet guaranteed to relieve me of 50 pounds in one day! You'd think with all the diets out there, one could have filled my request! To no avail! So off I went. I told the gentleman I would meet him as opposed to him picking me up. I wanted to have some kind of control since everything else about me was so out of control! He hadn't changed one bit (dammit!) and I knew him immediately. There was an embrace and a kiss on my cheek! I had forgotten what it felt like to have a man's arms around me. The dinner was delicious, the conversation entertaining, and the evening was delightful. I survived and now my next date will not be a "first date"! Be still my heart!
Put your arms around someone you love right now. xxoo
EARLY 1960'S:
I remember when I was a teenager and had my first date. I was so curious about the wonder of it all. (I should add young and thin and unwrinkled too!) It was fun and exciting. I spent days wondering what to wear. The "date" day arrived and butterflies filled my stomach. Waiting for the doorbell to ring, I wondered how my mother and father would act. Were they going to embarrass me? Yes, I survived all that and much more. WOW, the lessons I learned. My father had always told me to call if I ever felt I was in a bad situation. He said he would come and get me where ever I was. I did that one time. At a party, it appeared I was the only one not drinking beer. I found the phone in the home (pre-cell phone) and called Dad. He came right away, and I never had a date with that young man again. Dad thanked me for calling him. I'll never forget that.
MID 1970'S:
After a failed marriage (not sure exactly what failed but it's safe to say "it" did), I was the mother of two precious little girls. I was working several part-time jobs and loved them all. I began to receive invitations from MEN to go out to dinner or a movie or dancing. I found it interesting that some men seemed to think a divorced woman's morals might have been left behind with the marriage contract. Oh how I loved to disappoint them. There were a few wonderful gentlemen who's company I certainly enjoyed. HC Baker was one of them, and we all know how that ended!
LATE 2013:
I am blessed with wonderful friends both female and male. And I enjoy being with all of them in casual and elegant situations. But there's something about being asked to dinner by one man knowing it will be just the two of you that made the hair on the back of my neck stand straight up!!!!! OMG, OMG, OMG!!!!! And those feelings are compounded 1000 times when this is a man (one of those wonderful gentlemen from years ago) you haven't seen in over 35 years! I did spend the "morning of" searching the web for a diet guaranteed to relieve me of 50 pounds in one day! You'd think with all the diets out there, one could have filled my request! To no avail! So off I went. I told the gentleman I would meet him as opposed to him picking me up. I wanted to have some kind of control since everything else about me was so out of control! He hadn't changed one bit (dammit!) and I knew him immediately. There was an embrace and a kiss on my cheek! I had forgotten what it felt like to have a man's arms around me. The dinner was delicious, the conversation entertaining, and the evening was delightful. I survived and now my next date will not be a "first date"! Be still my heart!
Put your arms around someone you love right now. xxoo
Friday, October 18, 2013
The "Firsts" and the "Lasts"
Dear, dear friends just left and as usual I'm sad. Christy and Kristi arrived Monday and for the next two and a half days we laughed and cried and talked and had a beverage or two! Christy and Kristi have been coming to visit me ever since HC Baker died. So we celebrated the fourth annual visit! Their first visit was at the blue cottage and then the next year they saw the house before it was my home, then last year they saw my home, and this year Kristi got to sleep in "her" bedroom, the last room I finished. And she loved it as was evidenced by the fact that Tuesday morning she didn't get up until 11AM!!!!!! Christy and I went to check on her to make sure she hadn't "slept her life away" (did your mother ever say that to you?). So these two very special people are my last visitors of the year.
But let me tell you about the "firsts"!
1. Christy started a fire in the fire pit (her first ever and who knew she could remember Girl Scout procedures?)! It only required a bunch of sticks, a few logs, a cardboard box, and a full roll of paper towels. The girl got it goin'! And so began our talks. Isn't that the best thing about friends? No matter how many or how few times you see each other, you can pick up right where you left off. And every year there's always new "stuff" to contemplate. This year we had several new subjects to review!
2. We ran out of wood to burn around 7pm Monday night. We even burned the best fire poking stick you'd ever want. (TR Baker had been keeping it for over a year because he builds and starts a lot of fires!) Anyway...what to do? Just prior to jumping in the car to begin our search, Kristi noticed logs from a tree that was cut down right across my street. This property belongs to my neighbors (have no idea who they are) but they are summer visitors only so, it was nearly dark and we ran across the street and became log poachers!!! Those logs burned for a while and guess what? We're out of wood again. So we made a quick trip to the Topinabee Market and bought a 5-piece bundle. We kept that fire going until we went to bed. I was afraid it would burn the house down during the night so I took two large pitchers of water out to the fire and poured them on top. Lots of sizzle and white smoke later, the fire was out. Guess what? When I got up the next morning and took the dogs out, that fire was still goin'!!!! I immediately put another log on and we had that fire all day long!!! (Of course, there were several more trips to the market for more wood!) Does that girl Christy make a good fire or what????
3. Except to poach a few logs and drive to the market, we never left the yard! No shopping or sightseeing at all!
Love my family and friends...especially when I can reach out and touch them.
Tonight is Garrett's last home football game. (I thought last week was!) Next year when he takes the field he will be a junior in high school on the varsity team! Holy Cow! Really - where does the time go? Does anyone have an answer to that question?
The weather forecast says Saturday night could be our first snowfall of the season! (What season is that? I thought it was autumn but apparently it's nearly winter!) Oh my - not ready for this!
As I write, I'm seeing two tomatoes I have sitting on the windowsill. Isn't that where everyone keeps them? I bought them at the Farmer's Market. Farmer Brown (his real name) told me they are probably his last of the year.
So there's my "firsts" and "lasts" of this week! Hope your week has provided some special moments for you too! xxoo
Great quote this morning from sweet friend Leesa, the Derby City Diva!
Someone else is happy with less than what you have.
Thank you Leesa!
Grateful all my traveling family and friends have returned home safely.
Prayers still requested for EE, CH, Trish, and add LT. Please and thank you!
But let me tell you about the "firsts"!
1. Christy started a fire in the fire pit (her first ever and who knew she could remember Girl Scout procedures?)! It only required a bunch of sticks, a few logs, a cardboard box, and a full roll of paper towels. The girl got it goin'! And so began our talks. Isn't that the best thing about friends? No matter how many or how few times you see each other, you can pick up right where you left off. And every year there's always new "stuff" to contemplate. This year we had several new subjects to review!
2. We ran out of wood to burn around 7pm Monday night. We even burned the best fire poking stick you'd ever want. (TR Baker had been keeping it for over a year because he builds and starts a lot of fires!) Anyway...what to do? Just prior to jumping in the car to begin our search, Kristi noticed logs from a tree that was cut down right across my street. This property belongs to my neighbors (have no idea who they are) but they are summer visitors only so, it was nearly dark and we ran across the street and became log poachers!!! Those logs burned for a while and guess what? We're out of wood again. So we made a quick trip to the Topinabee Market and bought a 5-piece bundle. We kept that fire going until we went to bed. I was afraid it would burn the house down during the night so I took two large pitchers of water out to the fire and poured them on top. Lots of sizzle and white smoke later, the fire was out. Guess what? When I got up the next morning and took the dogs out, that fire was still goin'!!!! I immediately put another log on and we had that fire all day long!!! (Of course, there were several more trips to the market for more wood!) Does that girl Christy make a good fire or what????
3. Except to poach a few logs and drive to the market, we never left the yard! No shopping or sightseeing at all!
Love my family and friends...especially when I can reach out and touch them.
Tonight is Garrett's last home football game. (I thought last week was!) Next year when he takes the field he will be a junior in high school on the varsity team! Holy Cow! Really - where does the time go? Does anyone have an answer to that question?
The weather forecast says Saturday night could be our first snowfall of the season! (What season is that? I thought it was autumn but apparently it's nearly winter!) Oh my - not ready for this!
As I write, I'm seeing two tomatoes I have sitting on the windowsill. Isn't that where everyone keeps them? I bought them at the Farmer's Market. Farmer Brown (his real name) told me they are probably his last of the year.
So there's my "firsts" and "lasts" of this week! Hope your week has provided some special moments for you too! xxoo
Great quote this morning from sweet friend Leesa, the Derby City Diva!
Someone else is happy with less than what you have.
Thank you Leesa!
Grateful all my traveling family and friends have returned home safely.
Prayers still requested for EE, CH, Trish, and add LT. Please and thank you!
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