Pity Party!

[Dfen911]

Ok it's pity party time. Add your own...


My daughter got her drivers license yesterday. I have gained 17 new frown lines, 8,012 new gray hairs and my stomach acid has increased 63%. I actually sent my mother an email apologizing for all the times I was out and didn't call her and when I was late and didn't call to let her know :)

[jmarie]

Son goes out and buys a motorcycle, he's 22, promising that he has mended his ways. A changed man. He will be safe.

Then the rumors start (Was that your son we saw?) and about a week later he lets you know that he was caught doing 70 in a 45, with a learner's permit.

The officer let him off and DS decided that he should park the bike until he gets his regular liscense. The officer has promised that he has memorized the bike, the helmit and the boy's face and if he ever catches him again.....(I sure hope that it worked.) Yes, same son who was in ICU about two years ago after an off-road dirt bike accident. :(

[Robyn1007]

My right hand is a nasty, yellowish purple with bright red/purple areas right on my knuckles as it tries to heal from a dog bite. I see the doctor again tomorrow and if it hasn't improved enough she's sending me to a hand surgeon. :(

[401krep]

STOMACH FLU! :eek:

[Beth]

My right hand is a nasty, yellowish purple with bright red/purple areas right on my knuckles as it tries to heal from a dog bite. I see the doctor again tomorrow and if it hasn't improved enough she's sending me to a hand surgeon. :(

Ouch! Hope the surgeon isn't necessary. Yellowish purple is healing -- the red purple is not good.

[Terrytx]

All my visiting kin, plus the DH will have left by tomorrow (the DH for only a few days). My house will be deathly quite.

[Aubergine]

i have to get out of my comfort zone and travel soon for DS's college grad. that has been quite an ordeal---just grappling with travelocity, etc, and watching prices change constantly. plus, all of the attendant arrangements (leaving houseplants with kind neighbor, etc. etc.)

BUT!!!!! researching cell phone plans has probably eaten up 30 hours of my time over the past 3 weeks, and i still can't make heads nor tails out of them. went to mall yesterday and talked to cingular and verizon, got nowhere fast. booo hooo. i am really, really, pi$$ed off, darnit. big-time. especially since the people at verizon told me to call them, b/c i'm a long-time customer, but everytime i try to call, after going through the horrific voice-recognition technology menu, they always tell me to go to the website. always. which is an endless misery of its own.

and that's not even the half of it, not at all.

thanks for the thread. i am really sorry about other's woes, and although there's some truth to, "misery loves company," to me, the real truth of that lies in reading others' stories, because it helps to put mine into perspective. in fact, i was just re-watching "As Good As it Gets" today, and it's a wonderful reminder of troubles, tenacity, courage, etc.

[MikeC]

STOMACH FLU! :eek:

401,
Amen to that! Mine hit me all of a sudden this morning and I'm so sick I can't sit up for more than about 10 minutes at a time. :eek:

Interesting that we live as close as we do. I have a sister who teaches at one of the local colleges; her colleague told her today that this has been running through her classes; sometimes it lasts two days, sometimes it lasts two weeks.

Good luck with yours!! :)

[401krep]

I live in Reisterstown..where do you live? I was able to make it through work today, so I think that I luckily have a mild case. Feel better!

[Aubergine]

that flu must've floated south. we all went through it here about 3 weeks ago. not fun, not at all. hope you'll be feeling better in a day or three.

[Terri_A]

DD's preschool teacher just called to talk about her "changing diapers" and "playing doctor" with the boys at school. Made me feel like a heel....wanting to scream "I'm a good mom, I promise!!!" ugh...any advice welcome.

[Becky13347]

Doesn't seem like changing diapers and playing doctor in preschool are felony offenses. Tell that teacher to calm down. Jeesh :rolleyes:

Your DD is learning to understand her world and much of that is done through imaginitive play, where they reenact their lives (ie seeing Mommy change a diaper or going to the doctor)

Sorry to hear everyone's woes....We've had a good day here....DH who was laid off 4 weeks ago got a job offer today and looks another will be coming. Sorry to hijack with good news :)

[Beth]

DD's preschool teacher just called to talk about her "changing diapers" and "playing doctor" with the boys at school. Made me feel like a heel....wanting to scream "I'm a good mom, I promise!!!" ugh...any advice welcome.

I agree that this is a normal thing for a preschool age child and very innocent. I'd rather her be dealing with it then than any other age!

[jmarie]

BUT!!!!! researching cell phone plans has probably eaten up 30 hours of my time over the past 3 weeks, and i still can't make heads nor tails out of them. went to mall yesterday and talked to cingular and verizon, got nowhere fast. booo hooo. i am really, really, pi$$ed off, darnit. big-time. especially since the people at verizon told me to call them, b/c i'm a long-time customer, but everytime i try to call, after going through the horrific voice-recognition technology menu, they always tell me to go to the website. always. which is an endless misery of its own.

30 hours that you won't get back....Oh, there ought to be an easier way....We have encountered so few dead holes with Sprint, that we continually renew. Price is ok....But we went your route once...you feel like pulling your hair out because it's like comparing peaches to oranges. Both round, but the similarity stops there. :confused: :eek: I feel for you! Just pick one and don't look back! ;)
Joyce

[MinEaston]

OK, I'll join in but reading the other woes has helped put my own into perspective.

more work than I can handle in my regular week. DH not home any night this week, leaving me with 14-month DD who is wonderfully easy to be with, but leaves me exhausted after just an hour at the playground!

MikeC and 401krep, I'm just across the "pond" from you all. My brother lives in Baltimore, and I travel there often because of work - both the city and the Reisterstown area b/c that's where a big client is located. Hope you are both feeling better. I'd suggest an in-real-life get together, but I don't want the stomach flu :p

[Aubergine]

DD's preschool teacher just called to talk about her "changing diapers" and "playing doctor" with the boys at school. Made me feel like a heel....wanting to scream "I'm a good mom, I promise!!!" ugh...any advice welcome.

i so get you! ummm....there's a great story i could tell you, about my kids when younger, but wouldn't want to do it in any public way, b/c what was appropriate 20 years ago is now grounds for a nightmare. as an example: it was once upon a time fine for young children to be naked, or nearly so, in their own homes. go and try that now; your kids will be taken and you will be in jail and publically pilloried.

it's true, your daughter's curiosity at that age is normal and age-appropriate, but i guess you need to explain to her that it's not okay at school/in public. kinda like, when i had to tell mine the same thing.

i cleared out my box a bit; you can PM me if it would help.

i fully support your heartfelt belief that you are a good mom when you are teaching your DD that there is no shame in one's body, esp. at that age!

[mbrogier]

Rob had been working downtown on his servers for the past two weeks. He had an issue come up over the weekend and had to work through the night on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday although he was exhausted. I went with him on Sunday and Monday. We are so tired. His company did pay for dinner and Blockbuster rentals for me to watch on our portable DVD player while Rob worked.

Last night we were going to go to Cracker Barrel for dinner. They went out of business. :(

[mommycook]

My allergies are horrible....my eyes are so red and my nose is so runny I look like I have been crying for weeks on end!!!

My favorite grocery store (Diablo Foods, small, local, independent) is closing. Now I need to find a new reasonable place to get my meat. This place had a meat counter with real people working at it!! And they are always nice, even with all my questions and requests!

I know, minor stuff, but the two combined are getting me down!

[HDgirl]

Son goes out and buys a motorcycle

Don't mean to hijack....

Has your son taken a motorcycle safety course? I recommend that he does. I feel it is a must for anyone wanting to ride.

[MikeC]

I live in Reisterstown..where do you live? I was able to make it through work today, so I think that I luckily have a mild case. Feel better!

I'm in Parkville, 401. Maybe this flu strain is running through Baltimore!!!

[zwieback]

I'll join in. After spending $130 last week to have our AC looked at and have the freon refilled, we'll be spending another $500 this week to have the actual problem fixed. Good thing the part they're replacing is under warranty. :rolleyes:

And, if that isn't bad enough, my dishwasher is on the fritz. It's only 3 years old and the stupid thing won't drain. I've run the disposal countless times. I put bleach in the machine to help clear any possible clogs. Put bleach down the sink to help clear any possible clogs. I've cleaned the filter in the bottom of the machine. I spent over an hour last night taking the thing apart and cleaning the filter more than I could through the inside of the machine. No luck. Still won't drain. I don't think the dishwasher is the best machine out there (probably home builder's cheapo model) so, I'd rather put that money towards a better machine than spend a good amount of money on a repairman. So, unless by some grace of goodness out there it works today, looks like I'll be forking out more money for a new dishwasher (I'll be using it as an expensive dish rack when I do the dishes by hand until then).

It's been an expensive couple of weeks! I hope the "bad things happen in 3s" doesn't apply here. My bank account can't handle it right now. Ugh. :(

[clairea]

I'll play. Both my kids went off to school unhappy this morning. DD wasn't feeling well (allergies) but isn't really sick, and DS was just in a really bad mood and I didn't handle it well at all :( These are the days when I really have to fight the urge to go to the school and check on them, but I know I need to just let them find their own way through the day and give them some extra love when they get home. And I have to spend my day filling out paperwork to try to get a medical procedure approved by the insurance company for DH. His doctor says it is medically necessary, it is an FDA-approved procedure, but I have to fill out stacks of paperwork and they tell me the insurer will probably deny it on the first go-round so I will have to be prepared to appeal. Someone remind me exactly why I pay these huge health insurance premiums, when it seems like I am constantly fighting to get them to pay any medical bills?!

Zwieback, sorry about your AC. I piggybacked on your thread (last week?). My bit of good news is that we got ours working. A girlfriend was over and told me to throw the circuit breaker, and that did the trick!

[Andrea_2]

Claire - I hear you on the medical paperwork. I'm going through the same kind of thing for my daughter. She was born premature in March, and needs a specific kind of medication to prevent respiratory infections. She was supposed to get it a week ago, but the insurance company, doctors office and pharmacy can't seem to coordinate with each other and get it approved, even though the process was started over a month ago. :mad: I am having to make all the phone calls to remind them to do their jobs otherwise I'm sure she'd never get it. At last check they are saying that maybe she'll be able to get it on Thursday. I'll believe it when I see it.

[zwieback]

claire -- glad to hear that you were able to get your AC fixed and inexpensively to boot! Fortunately, we're having mild weather here so, we're not in need of the AC just yet. I hope you and Andrea_2 can get the insurance straightened out. How frustrating.

I forgot to mention in my previous post, the flip flops I was wearing last night, while trying to fix my dishwasher, broke! :mad: (I know, I should have been wearing better shoes) Perhaps that'll be the 3rd thing in the bad things happen in 3s. :rolleyes:

Sometimes a good pity party is just what I need. :D

[jmarie]

My laundry room floor filled with water from my washing machine, today.
WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. We just replaced the timer.....to the tune of over 100.00. :( DH says we might have to get a new one...but we never get one I like and I so want a front loading machine! :(
Joyce

[SheRa]

DF and i just got our own place back in October, and my dad and his wife will finally be visiting in May - AND THEY'RE SPENDING 6 NIGHTS WITH US!!! what did i get myself into??! :eek:

[JHaris]

ALLERGIES BIG TIME WHICH IS ALSO PROVOKING ASTHMA THIS SPRING! Need I say more?

[Sookie]

Woke up 1AM Sunday morning to screams from outside....three houses on fire. One house separated us from the three on fire. One burned to the ground, two badly burned and uninhabitable. There's a reward offered for information about who set the fire. How's that for a bad way to start your week?

[Beth]

I'm sorry for all the problems and illnesses everyone is having. I guess threads like this remind us we're all in the same boat -- sometimes getting the waves and sometimes getting the smooth sail.

I personally feel like I am within a breath of my breaking point.

[Beth]

Woke up 1AM Sunday morning to screams from outside....three houses on fire. One house separated us from the three on fire. One burned to the ground, two badly burned and uninhabitable. There's a reward offered for information about who set the fire. How's that for a bad way to start your week?


OMG, you posted while I typed a long rant and then erased it. That is terrible. We have had 2 homes lost to arson here. One family lost a pet and everything in the house and the other was home -- lost everything but everyone managed to get out because one daughter was up late working on a project. Our summer was so dry that I was in fear of a multiple home situation. I hope everyone is physically okay and can soon rebuild. I hope they catch the person who set the fire(s).

[juliew]

Last night we were going to go to Cracker Barrel for dinner. They went out of business. :(

I assume you are talking about the one on 31 and 90. If it makes you feel any better, just that location was closed. There are still Cracker Barrels around :o

[Peggy]

Ok it's pity party time. Add your own...

My daughter got her drivers license yesterday. I have gained 17 new frown lines, 8,012 new gray hairs and my stomach acid has increased 63%. I actually sent my mother an email apologizing for all the times I was out and didn't call her and when I was late and didn't call to let her know :)

Hugs and empathy coming to you! :D My DD got her driver's license a week ago and the learning to drive process was a stressful experience for both of us. I'm a little more relaxed in the car with her now that she has her license though. But everytime she leaves in the car alone my heart skips a beat, my stomach turns and I say a prayer that she will return safely. (I don't tell her that though!!)

Peggy

[Sookie]

OMG, you posted while I typed a long rant and then erased it. That is terrible. We have had 2 homes lost to arson here. One family lost a pet and everything in the house and the other was home -- lost everything but everyone managed to get out because one daughter was up late working on a project. Our summer was so dry that I was in fear of a multiple home situation. I hope everyone is physically okay and can soon rebuild. I hope they catch the person who set the fire(s).

The house that burned to the ground was just built and the new owners hadn't moved in yet. That's where the fire originated. The other two homes had people home and they all got out in time, thank God. The one house - the young couple moved in there about 2 weeks ago and she hung her last curtain Saturday. I felt so bad for them, I've known her since she was about 6 years old. The other house was a home/dentist office. That woman got out before her house caught fire.

Both hydrants had no water pressure. I literally watched the one house burn to the ground BEFORE the firemen got there and then they had this tiny stream of water on the other houses. It was a mess. I was outside in my nightgown and bare feet because at first I didn't know where the fire was, but I knew it was close to me. The entire block was lit up like it was daytime. I'll never forget the feeling of panic and the people screaming. It was awful. I took a picture, but I don't know how to post it.

[Jeanz]

So I have $5 to my name and have to spend $4 on subway fares ($2 each way). Payday is Friday so if I can get to there. Tomorrow, I am taking a vacation day and SO and I are driving to visit friends and shop using gift cards.

So I get on the bus from the subway (where I should get a free transfer) and the machine charges me an additional $2. I complain that I should have got a free transfer and the bus driver says "Do you need my glasses? You paid two bucks!" I know... now I have no fare to get home and hopefully in my purse I can find $1 change to go with the $1 I have left over. I call customer service and they will launch an investigation and send me Two bucks if they find it.

I get to work to find that SO has called. He has a work meeting tomorrow he forgot about and can't go. Now, I have to work tomorrow on top of the fact I am broke.

This is only temporary... but thanks for the pity party!

Jean

[LHBryan]

May I join you guys? Here goes my long rant...

Feeling very sorry for myself--and incredibly frustrated--because my bridesmaid's dress that I'm wearing in DB's wedding this Saturday is so painfully tight. When I tried it on this morning, yet again, it at least zipped (w/ DH's help) in under a minute, whereas previous attempts either didn't work at all or took minutes of wrestling. It's my stupid midsection--right around the ribcage--that's the problem. Why did I think I could slim down fast enough for it to fit? Why didn't I try harder? Why did I let myself gain ~15 pounds in the first place? Why didn't I go ahead and buy the much bigger size I found on ebay when I realized there was a problem? The dress fits in the standard measurement areas, but there's a tight band around the ribcage area (higher than the waist) that definitely doesn't work with my body type. I've been exercising more consistently than ever, watching what I eat, but obviously haven't been drastic enough for this ensemble. The good news is that all of my regular clothes are fitting so much better now. It's just this stupid dress....Makes me feel like a sausage extruding from its casing.

My primary concern is that it will zip, but look bad, or even worse--the seams or zipper will bust! I'm sad about this black cloud over what should be a fun, celebratory weekend. To top it off, I will encounter PMS in the next couple of days which could lead to even further expansion! And being the food-obsessed person that I am (which got me into this predicament), I have to deal with a luncheon, 4-course rehearsal dinner, and brunch all leading up to the wedding and am disappointed to miss out on all the tasty southern treats! I don't suppose the gourmet rehearsal dinner venue will serve baked fish and steamed broccoli! :o DH is beyond excited about eating my portions. :rolleyes: Since I'll be out of town, I'm also worried about the lack of control I'll have over my food choices. This too shall pass. Thanks for listening!

Sorry about everyone elses' problems. I definitely don't want to trade my "issue" for stomach flu or relentless health insurance frustrations, etc. However, I suppose I could benefit from a loss of appetite right now! ;)

(ETA: Sookie, I was posting at the same time as you. Houses burning down definitely puts my dress problem in proper perspective! How awful.)

[LakeMartinGal]

Both hydrants had no water pressure. I literally watched the one house burn to the ground BEFORE the firemen got there and then they had this tiny stream of water on the other houses.
I'm sure this was quite horrifying! :eek:

If you live in a big city, with a paid fire department, be sure to support them through your elected officials. THIS is what they should be spending money on! Most budget cuts start with police and fire protection. :(

If you have a volunteer department, help them with fund raisers, so they can have the best possible gear -- or join the department, yourself! Something is always needed! The sign that got me going said,"You don't have to fight fires to be a volunteer." I direct traffic, and support the firefighters, one of which is my DH. :)

The water department is in charge of the pressures at the hydrants! (off the soap-box, now... ;) )

[Aubergine]

this thread surely does help to put/keep things in perspective. sookie, the fire scare is, in my mind, as bad as it gets in 'regular' life. i am so sorry for your neighbors.

DHB: run, don't walk, to the nearest mall/lingerie dept (sears, kmart, walmart--no need to overypay for these things) and buy a shaper, fast. have similar problem; went to all local stores, bought about 15-18 items to try on at home, and actually found 3 that i like and plan to keep. i will still feel a bit like a stuffed sausage, but the technology has really advanced, lol, and it eased my anxieties.

medical insurance horrors? horrible, and mine go back 10 years, which isn't to say that i don't have any sympathy; it's an on-going nightmare.

LakeMartin, thank you for your thoughts on the local volunteer FD. ours certainly is, but i never knew there was a place for volunteers to do the things you described. i really appreciate that info, and i will look into it. not only that, i am going to see why they don't make that more public.

the best antidote to one's own worries and woes is listening to and helping others, no question. we are fortunate here to have each other, imho.

suzanne

[Sookie]

I'm sure this was quite horrifying! :eek:

If you live in a big city, with a paid fire department, be sure to support them through your elected officials. THIS is what they should be spending money on! Most budget cuts start with police and fire protection. :(

If you have a volunteer department, help them with fund raisers, so they can have the best possible gear -- or join the department, yourself! Something is always needed! The sign that got me going said,"You don't have to fight fires to be a volunteer." I direct traffic, and support the firefighters, one of which is my DH. :)

The water department is in charge of the pressures at the hydrants! (off the soap-box, now... ;) )

Thanks for the info, it helps to know some of that. For example, I didn't know about the water department being in charge of the pressure at the hydrants.

It is going to take 8 months to repair the two houses that were partially burned and I have heard that they believe it was arson and have some very strong leads.

[BarbaraL]

I'm sure this was quite horrifying! :eek:
If you have a volunteer department, help them with fund raisers, so they can have the best possible gear -- or join the department, yourself! Something is always needed! The sign that got me going said,"You don't have to fight fires to be a volunteer." I direct traffic, and support the firefighters, one of which is my DH. :) )

We generously support our volunteer FD and rescue squad, and greatly appreciate them. We have a fire hydrant on the edge of our property; when it snows, we always shovel it out so it's accessible if there were a fire. Not a big deal, but we try to do what we can.

[LakeMartinGal]

We generously support our volunteer FD and rescue squad, and greatly appreciate them. We have a fire hydrant on the edge of our property; when it snows, we always shovel it out so it's accessible if there were a fire. Not a big deal, but we try to do what we can.
On their behalf, I thank you! :D Shovelling out the hydrant is a great idea! :D :)