Set Back #1

Hopefully this will be the one and only set back I have. Yesterday was just a trying day. My heat went out during the night so I called my landlord in the morning. He came over about 11:30 and proceeded to check the furnace. He couldn't get the furnace going so it's a call to Conn. Natural Gas (CNG) for emergency HOLIDAY service. They couldn't give an approximate time just "sometime this afternoon". I called my boss and told him I would be late since I needed to wait around for the repair person.

The afternoon dragged on and on and on. Frustrating doesn't come close describing the wait. Around 4:00 the phone rings. It's my landlord checking to see if the furnace is fixed yet. That's a big "Nope". He decides to call CNG again and then call me back. Well, it turns out the person was on their way here and had another emergency so he was re-routed. My landlord reminded them, that this was also an emergency and his tenant was without heat. That's when they told him the other emergency was a gas leak. Ok, a gas leak will beat a broken furnace for an emergency. Anyway, he called me back and gave me the news, the repairman would be here after the leak was fixed.

At this point, I'm going a bit crazy and said "screw it" and went for a quick ride to the gas station for a packs of cigarettes. I've already missed a 1/2 of work and it looks like I'm going to miss the remainder of the day too. I wasn't planning using a vacation day for my furnace. The alternative would be to have my landlord waiting in my apartment (by himself) all day. That thought didn't thrill me either.

I get home and send an email to my boss and co-worker explaining why I won't be in. About 7:00 my landlord called again -- still no repairman. To say we were both a little pissed off would be an understatement. The sun has set, it's been raining and windy all day and the temp inside is dropping. I turned on the oven just to help take the chill out of the kitchen.

At 9:15 PM there is finally a knock at the door!!! Gee only 9.5 hour wait for emergency service! The electronic ignition on the furnace died. He was here all of 20 minutes and the furnace repaired.

Now to see if my boss will let me make up some of this time, so I'm not using vacation time. BTW, that pack of cigs is almost gone. Yes, I'm going try again. I'm not giving up on quitting. It was just a set back and one that I WILL OVERCOME.

Non-Smoker Day 4

It was a difficult day, yesterday. It seemed no matter what I did I couldn't get wanting a cigarette out of my head. Around 1:00 PM, I resorted to putting my jammies back on. You see, once I'm in my jammies, it's highly unlikely that I will get dressed and go buy cigarettes. I tried to keep busy but was just not in the mood to continue with housework. I did go to Big Lots early yesterday and bought a new HP Deskjet. Hey, they had them on sale for only $26 and I needed a printer. I was going to buy a few groceries but with the urge to smoke, so great, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to stop the urge to buy.

On top of wanting a cigarette, I woke in the middle of the night only to discover my furnace went out. Luckily it wasn't a night of freezing weather. I did check on the furnace and flipped the on/off switch a few times. It tried to turn on but never completed. Oh well this is one of the reasons that I rent. Let the landlord worry about the furnace as long as I have heat when I come home tonight, I'll be happy. I still need to buy a few groceries but I still have those very strong urges. Hopefully they will lessen before the cupboards are completely bare!

Non-Smoker Day 3

Another weird from last night. I was on an expedition, searching for the Holy Grail. You know what? We found it! Or atleast what we believed to be the Holy Grail. It was the mummified remains of a mother and child.

I'm finding that housework and singing are the best way to keep my mind off smoking. So, I turn up the XM Radio and scrub away the urges. As for resting times, I keep a pencil handy. It helps to eliminate the bored fingers syndrome. I'm trying very hard to not substitute the cigarettes with food. It took me too long to lose 65 lbs. and I don't want to gain it back.

In the car, that same pencil helps to keep my mind off the smokes. Of course the radio/CD player are going full blast. At this time, I haven't spent long periods of time in the car. Mostly to/from work and last night's ride to Windsor Locks to meet Debbie for dinner. Speaking of dinner last night... Debbie and I went to a Japanese restaraunt. Debbie had been there before, and had a good experience so I wanted to try it. It was only "eh" and I'll probably never go back. First there were 2 waitresses and 1 of them didn't speak english. She understood the foods on the menu but don't any her questions. Debbie wanted a Bloody Mary and it wasn't listed under the drinks. She started to ask if they had the ingredients --- "Do you have Vodka and" The waitress cut her off immediately and said "No". Of course, about 90% of the drinks they had listed were made with Vodka. I ordered Hibachi Steak and it came with soup, salad, veggies and fried rice. It didn't specify what kind of soup but whatever it was - it tasted like the broth was made of bacon and fish --- DISGUSTING! The steak was ok, it wasn't medium (as I requested) but closer to well done. It takes alot to ruin veggies, so those were pretty good. The fried rice, well it tasted like they used the broth from the soup to cook the rice, again --- DISGUSTING! Dessert was delicious but it wasn't we ordered. The offer a Fried Banana & Fried Ice Cream split. What we got was Fried Banana's with whipped cream and Hershey syrup. We asked the English speaking waitress "where's the ice cream". She proceeded to bring out a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Oh well, dessert was delicious anyway.

Today besides doing more house to keep busy, I'm going out shopping. Big Lot's has a few things I want to pick up. Along with a side trip to the grocery store. It's now time to get myself moving since I'm feeling those urges creep up.

Non-Smoker Day 2

Big pat on my back for making it through Day 1!!! It was not an easy day. The Chantix is great for eliminating the physical withdrawal symptoms. Now to keep my mind and hands busy! There were a couple of moments (on meal break and way home from work) that I almost stopped to buy a pack. Instead of staying in my car and reading, during my meal break, I went back into the office. I hate taking my break at my desk because too many people expect you to be working if you're at your desk. That translates into working through your break and not being paid. They don't pay me enough to work for free! As for in my car, well, it's probably a sad thing to say but I actually took a deep breath and enjoyed the stale smell of cigarettes. That was enough to satisfy my urge until made it home.

Now it's on to Day 2 and I have plans to keep myself busy today. While I started "scrubbing" the kitchen yesterday, I couldn't complete it before leaving for work. So I'll continue with that today and do laundry. Another spot that MUST be cleaned up today is my computer desk. While at home, this was my main space for smoking. The ashtray is gone but the desk needs a major cleaning to eliminate the dirt. Debbie and I have made plans to meet for dinner today at a Japanese Steak House in Windsor Locks. Of course we'll have to spend time catching up on the lastest happenings.

Non-Smoker - Day 1

Today I am a NON-SMOKER. Having been a smoker for about 34 years, I expect the first few weeks/months of being a non-smoker to be filled with ups and downs. Hopefully, I will force myself to survive a few of my triggers (coffee and sitting at my PC) to document my progress. At the moment, I'm proud to say, I've made it through my first cup of morning coffee without a cigarette!! For me, that's quite an accomplishment. Documenting my progress, on my blog, is one of my ways to keep busy. My hands and mind, need to keep occuppied. What better way than to type away my thoughts.

I've shared my fun in obtaining the Chantix, in previous posts. Now it's time to share some of the fun I'm having with side effects. One of the side effects is abnormal dreams. Well, I have abnormal dreams all the time so I wasn't sure if I would recognize this side effect. Boy, was I wrong! In the last week, Marsha and I went on a High School field trip and missed our bus; offices at Wiremold were all turned into classrooms; two people I know to be anti-smokers, were having such a difficult time at work, they became smokers; last night's dream had my parents hosting a family reunion and 3 guys vying for my attention, showed up - let's just say they were a bit overwhelmed with the size of the family. Oh and there was a field across from my parents house with giraffe running around. The last I knew, there is a swamp across the street and giraffe's do not run free in Connecticut.

Pharmacy Phun

No one should have as much fun as I've had with the pharmacy and insurance company, this week.

It started last Saturday with bringing in my prescription for Chantix. I dropped off the script and proceeded to buy a groceries. I'm in the checkout line and see the pharmacist turn off the lights - she's going to lunch. Luckily she waited since she knew I was in the store. I go to pick up the script and she tells me the Chantix is not covered. Whoa! I had called Cigna before going to the store and was told it is covered. That's when she tells me it needs to be pre-authorized. I take the script and go home. Wasted trip #1.

Monday I call the doctor's office and explain the Chantix needs to be pre-authorized. They told me it could take a couple of days for the authorization but they would let me know the outcome. So I wait for the phone call.... that comes on Wednesday. Cigna denied the authorization because (get this) it's not medically necessary! Hello people! Do I need to be missing a lung before it's necessary to quit smoking?!?! Any way, the doctor was going to write a letter and appeal their decision, so again I wait.

On Thursday I was scheduled for an echocardiogram (I learned how to spell it!) and show up at 5:00. Somebody goofed. The doctor's office had me down for Wednesday and as a "no show". Oh well, wasted trip #2.

I go home and realize I need to have the scripts filled for the 2 inhalers the doctor had given me as samples. As long as I had the time, I brought them to the pharmacy. Again, I drop off the scripts and pick up few things I missed earlier in the week. The return to the pharmacy yielded more difficulties. First the meds rang up as full price. Then we were suprised when Cigna's database couldn't find me. The kicker was Cigna's database saying they were not a valid pharmacy. Something is definately not right! So again, I leave without the inhalers this time. Wasted trip #3

Friday, it was a call to the insurance to verify coverage. That's when they discovered the pharmacist entered the wrong pharmacy code. Cigna called the pharmacy and explained the problem. The pharmacy needed to call their help desk to determine how to correct the pharmacy code. That's all straightened out so then I called the doctor's office to reschedule my echocardiogram. Ok, that's set now for the 6th (and it's written down this time). While I was on the phone, they checked on the Chantix authorization and it was approved!! WOOHOO!!

Ok everything is in order, or so I believe. Today's trip did not go without a bump. Apparently the help desk resolve the pharmacy code problem by deleting my account with pharmacy!! Today's pharmacist had to re-enter all the information as well as get the authorization codes from Cigna.

I am finally home with the Chantix and inhalers. And it only cost me $105.00 in co-pays!! Hmm, it only costs me $75 for 30 days of cigs. Why did I ever think I would save money if I quit smoking?!?!?

Doctor Visit

After much hesitation, I made and kept the appointment with the Pulmonologist. The results were NOT good. The docter was extremely pleasant and very understanding. Being a 30+ year smoker, that was my biggest fear. I already know all the reasons why I need to quit and don't require a lecture on the dangers of smoking.

The testing results were not conclusive but rather pointed in the direction needed to be taken. The first was a breathing test -- blow into a device for 10+ seconds and I failed. The second was a blood oxygen level test. Simple test, they put a little clip on your index finger and it magically reads the oxygen level in your blood (amazing). Just sitting on the examining table, without exerting myself, I failed the test. My understanding is the level should be around 100 and mine was 85. The third test was a 6 minute walking test while monitoring the blood oxygen level. I failed this test with flying colors. The assistant stopped the test after one minute because my blood oxygen dropped to 75 and I was already short winded.

While the results of the testing do not point to one specific condition, there are 3 possiblities -- Chronic Bronchitis, Asthma or Emphysema, the doctor believes I have Emphysema. I'll have a more in depth test done next month, after giving the inhalers a chance to work, allow my recent bout with Bronchitis to completely clear and hopefully quit smoking. The in depth test will be conclusive and we can determine the best route of action to be taken, at that time.

After a long talk with the doctor, I left the office with multiple inhaler prescriptions and two prescriptions for Chantix (starter & continuation packs). I need to call my insurance provider to see if they will cover Chantix. The website says no but the doctor believes they will cover but only if I also sign up for the support plan. It's going to be a struggle to quit but it must be done.

Wish me luck --- I'm going to need it!

Time Flies.....

To my faithful readers, I apologize for not updating my blog sooner. Honestly, I thought I had posted around Thanksgiving but apparently not. BAD ME!! I'll ask the cats to give me 30 lashes with wet kitty tails.

Cruise:
The cruise was exactly what I wanted it to be --- relaxing. We pretty much did nothing for the week. Just sat around doing nothing, enjoyed coffee & croissants on the balcony every morning, read a book, and just relaxed. I did watch Game 4 of the World Series on the Lido Deck theater size TV screen. NICE :) Great game even though we were being rained on at the time.

Holidays:
I was suppose to drive to NC for Thanksgiving week but the weather had other plans for me. Something about driving in dense fog on black ice in my new car did not seem very appealing.

Christmas was depressing this year. I had been fighting a chest cold that turned to bronchitis. The cold hit me a couple of weeks before Christmas. By Christmas Day, I was having a difficult time breathing. My parents wood stove normally causes me to wheez but with the bronchitis, I had to leave the house or stop breathing. Then again, outside wasn't much better. Everyone in the area has a fireplace or woodstove going. A couple of days later, I decided it was time to visit the doctor and get meds.

Off to the doctor's I went and returned with all sorts of good meds and a referral to a pulmonologist (lung doctor). It's quite possible I also have the start of emphysema. It took me awhile before I finally called the doctor for an appointment. I'm not sure I want to hear what I know he's going to say -- quit smoking. I know it's coming so I'm gearing up for it. I see the doctor tomorrow, heaven only knows when I'll blog about the results :)

Winter:
With having bronchitis and a bad back, I decided to pay someone to shovel/plow the driveway and sidewalks for me this year. Debbie J. is great and has taken care of it, for the most part, for the last couple of years but I felt guilty. The person I hired will do my driveway, the sidewalk for the length of our property and the walkway to my front door. The guy charges by the inches --- 3"-6" $35; 6"-9" $45; ..... Last weeks snowfall was probably the first one I didn't dread, in a very long time! We got about 8" of snow. The guys showed up and in 15 minutes everything was cleared. NICE! Debbie gets to enjoy it too. With the front sidewalk being shoveled, she only has the end of her driveway and her front walkway to shovel. She has 2 cars in her driveway so there's not much to shovel, except around the cars.

Work:
What can I say -- work has been work. The co-worker with the cell phone addiction was finally terminated on 1/11/08. Her attendance was horrendous, work ethics were non-existant and while I hadn't noticed, several people (including our team leader) had smelled alcohol on her breath. I did pick up the aroma of "beer breath" one night but couldn't tell where it came from. Oh but what I failed to mention is that about the beginning of Decemeber, this same person announced she was pregnant. Myself and several co-workers doubt the pregnancy. Mostly because she wasn't the most truthful person around. Of course, once she made the announcement, we all knew it would be difficult to terminate her. I'm sure she tossed around claims of being fired only because she is pregnant. That makes me think whatever the termination reason, it was well documented, and grounds for immediate termination.

Family:
Not much has been happening with the family. Rick flew in from Hawaii last Saturday and will be here until 2/2/08. Marsha will be flying in at the end of the month, hoping to see Rick while he's here. We're planning to have a family picture taken while Rick is here. This one will be with just my parents and the children - no spouses or grandchildren. It seems everytime we include spouses and grandchildren there are additions and deletions soon after. This time it will be just a picture of our family.

Kitties:
Bean is still being "Queen Bean". She guards the kitty door and hisses and anyone that tries to enter or leave. I noticed several of the cats jump on the perch and look both ways before coming through the door. They are looking to see if Bean is in the vicinity. Shadow has figured Bean out. He knows that Bean only hisses and does not attack. Bean is all talk no action :) Now that Shadow has her figured out, he's been known to chase her into the den. He also goes looking for her if she's not in the dining room. Atleast Bean lets him into the kitchen to eat now. For awhile she wouldn't let him near the food dish. Poser isn't doing well, he needs to take a trip to the vets office. He seems to have allergies and they aren't getting any better. His sinuses seem to be blocked along with alot of sneezing and coughing. It doesn't seem to bother him but I'm sure he would like to feel better. BTW, Poser has finally realized that it's ok to curl up in the bed with me and Shadow. With the cold nights we've have, I appreciate the extra warmth!!

To Marsha --- Poser & Shadow absolutely love the laser mouse!! Bean doesn't stay in the same room long enough for me to play with her.

Cell Phones

Today's world of technology has introduced a new breed with an appendage - a cell phone! These phones are everywhere and should not be allowed in many places. One place is the workplace. While the phones are handy to reach employees for emergency's, many abuse this privilege and place co-workers in very awkward positions. Until management speaks up, employees are forced to listen to private conversations, which should not be taking place at work.

A new co-workers is one of the new breed. Working for a Help Desk, we are suppose to be on the phone, but with end users and trying to resolve technical problems. I have been subjected to working twice as hard, listening to endless dribble of "Mommy misses you too" and last night's argument of "Why are such an ass when you drink?.... We have no money but you can go out and party with your friends...." Then she was expecting me to console her after her husband hung up on her. I really wanted to tell my co-worker my true opinion -- she's a needy drama queen with tendency to be a controlling nag! Whatever happened to keeping your personal problems out of the workplace? Arguments that should be kept at home, between married couples are now public.

In this case, it causes me extra work as well. While co-worker is on her cell phone, she takes herself off the help desk phones. That means all incoming calls route directly to me. It also means she is not working on problems that come in via email. I brought this to managements attention last week, and she was spoken to about it. They looked at the reports and realized she was unavailable more than she was available. With the exception of a 30 minute meal break, the remainder of the time she was on her cell phone. I really don't like appearing as a bitch but I'm tired babysitting a grown person. This person is hoping to go on 3rd shift and work alone. It's not going to happen! She needs constant supervision to get her to do her job and not gab on the phone all night.

ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH --- I NEED A VACATION!!!!

In A Rut

Planning of the upcoming cruise doesn't excite me the way they used. I'm looking forward to getting away but will probably do as little as possible while on the cruise. Maybe just hang out on our balcony and veg out for the week.

There are a few things I need to take care of for this cruise. We'll be having a costume party on the ship and I'll be dressing as the "Cruise Fool". The costume I have if a jesters costume but I really need to find some purple tights to wear with the costume.

One of the perks of cruising with a group is that we have our own fun contests. We have a door decorating contest and for this cruise the theme will obviously be Halloween. Marsha and I have already thought about this one and came up with a sunken ghost ship as our decoration. Now we just need to figure out how to create the decorations without needing to bring extra luggage.

Halloween just wouldn't be right without cabin decorations :) I need to taken an inventory of what I have for decorations and maybe do a little shopping for more. The decorated cabin will also require we bring extra $$$ as a tip for our cabin steward. When we previously cruised for Halloween, our steward never knew what to expect when he stepped into the room. There was a flying bat one day and eyeballs in the ice bucket the next.

It looks to be a beautiful but cool day today and I'm going out for a drive. Staying home is just not an option for me today. I've been in a rut for too long and the walls are starting to close in around me. I need to escape before the weather turns and keeps me inside for months. A walk around Devil's Hopyard always seems inviting. Maybe I'll bring my notebook and do some writing while I'm there.

Yeah Me!

I bought a new car today!!! It's a 2007 Nissan Versa HatchBack 1.8 SL My future BIL (Joe) gave me a great deal - $16,840 -- $400 over invoice along with an extra set of floor mats. All the sales guys couldn't believe my current car is 11 years old with 166K miles. It runs great, I just think it looks like crap. They kept saying they're going to clean it up and use it as a show car to prove Nissan's last.

Time for updates:

As I stated in my previous post, my time at FedEx National will be ending soon. It was announced in May, effective July 23rd our breakbulk will become an end-of-the-line teminal. Currently we receive trailers from all over the country and Canada, break it down and ship it all over New England or other breakbulks across the country. That will change to only receiving trailers from Harrisburg, PA and New England.

Approximately 90 people will either be transferred or lose their jobs. Our office staff of 10 full timers will be cut to 3 full time and 1 part time employee - all based on seniority. When I transferred to part time, I lost my seniority. I've been asked to stay on for a week or so after the 23rd to assist with the mounds of transfer/termination paperwork. Then I'll be laid off with everyone else.

I've managed to build a small nest egg with the extra earnings. Enough to partially repay my parents for money I borrowed while unemployed. That happened yesterday and it felt great to give back to them for all they have done for me. They wanted to give it right back to me but I insisted they do something for themselves with the money. Then I suggested they join Marsha and me on the Halloween cruise. The money should cover the cost of the cruise, flight and maybe even the hotel.

My intentions on working the two jobs was to pay off my parents and put a downpayment on a house or condo. Well, I decided I really need a car before purchasing a home. My car is 11 years old with 165k miles. While my mechanic says it will probably go for another year, I don't want to start paying for repairs that I keep expecting to happen anytime. I've loved my Nissan so much that I'm looking at a Nissan Versa. It's smaller than a Sentra but it comes in a Hatchback. I used to have a Sentra hatchback and I miss the convenience.

As you can see, I changed my blog template. Eventually I will have links to other blogs again but for now, this will have to do.

I'm Alive --- Just Not Awake

I know, it's been eons since my last post and so much has changed since then. The first MAJOR change is that I now work only PT for FedEx National and FT for a company called Global Help Desk Solutions.

The job change came last January. I was offered a FT position at Global, taking help desk call for CBS Broadcasting. It's a pretty cool job - nerve wracking at times - but still a cool job. So far I've fixed Paul Schafer's (Letterman Show) IPod, speak quite a bit with the IT Tech (Lilibet) at the Rachel Ray show; assisted Ashley Jones (Brigdet on Bold & The Beautiful) with getting access to the stage hands radio sets. My favorite person to speak to though is "Shotgun" Tom Kelly Shotgun has a problem remembering his password :)

Anyway, the job is why I've been away for so long. Putting in 60 hour work weeks, doesn't leave much time for blogging. Hell, I'm lucky I have time for Scrabble moves and a few emails. Things will quiet down in the very near future and I'll post more about that later. I just wanted to let everyone know I'm alive and just keeping very busy.

$&*)#*&@#*@ MONDAY!

Today was the typical bitch of a Monday!! It started with nightsweats at 12:34 AM. That was first time I woke up. I was awake at 1:30, 3:00, 4:00 and finally at 5:00 I climbed out of bed. So much for getting a good night's sleep.

Ok, so I get the coffee going, let Shadow out and go through my morning routine. Finally it's time to leave for work. Climb in the car, turn the key and listen to my battery's last gasp. Thankfully, my neighbor was still home and I knew she would jump start the car. Otherwise it meant waiting for AAA to arrive. Just what I needed for a Monday morning ... a dead battery and now to be late for work. It wasn't too bad, I was only 15 minutes late.

I get to work and things are going too smooth for a Monday morning. Finally an e-mail from the CEO arrives. Business has been extremely slow and there is a hiring freeze in effect. In the meantime, we need to "tighten our belts" across the board. Although he didn't come right out and say it, I'll go out on a limb and state it -- looks like we will be having layoffs. The question now becomes WHEN. Happy Holidays -- yeah right!

Now it's time to leave and guess what?!?! My battery is totally dead. It didn't do any charging on my drive to work. Thankfully we have a Maintenance Shop for the tractors & trailers. They have portable batteries for jump starting. While I waited for someone to come out and jump start the car, I called my mechanic. He usually closes at 5:00 PM but stayed at the shop until I got there, to install a new battery for me.

Let's see, to recap the car issues for the last couple of months -- Tune-up & oil change, new water pump, 4 new tires and 1 new battery. What next!?!?!?

Washing Maching Update

My e-mail was passed on to Excel Direct Logistics, the company that handles the deliveries for Bernie's TV & Appliances. Last Thursday I had a call from them, on my answering machine, when I returned home after work. After playing "telephone tag" for several days, we finally got to speak to each other today.

First, this was a new driver and he was being overly cautious. Apparently the drivers are held financially responsible for any damages, dents, scratches...etc, during deliveries. Ok, so now I understand why he was being way too cautious about getting through the tight spaces. If it was coming out of my pocket, I would be just as cautious. He needs to explain this to the customer and let the customer decide if they want to take chance.

Second, as for disconnecting the old hose, he will be spoken to about that problem. Reconnecting the old hose to the new machine, again goes back to the first issue of being held financially resposible.

Third, connecting to the drain pipe. On that issue, the driver had previously been told to not connect to any drain pipe that was more than 4 ft. high, from the floor. That isn't what the driver said to me but I let it slide. The reason for this (I had already made sure this wasn't an issue for me) some machines can not pump the water, out of the machine, up more than 4 ft. to the drain pipe. I had previously checked out washer specs to make sure my old machine and new machine, were capable of pumping the water up to drain pipe.

Anyway, it's a long story to say that it was happily resolved. The driver will be coached in how to properly explain things to the customer and I will be receiving a full refund on the delivery fees.

New Washing Machine

I HAVE A NEW WASHING MACHINE!!! Yippee!!! Ok, I never thought I would be this excited to be able to do laundry but, my machine bit the dust about 2 weeks ago. While I love my new washer, if it had been left to the delivery people, I wouldn't be using the machine now. Here is a copy of the e-mail I sent to their customer service dept. after the horrendous delivery today.


"This the 4th major purchase I've made from Bernie's and to date, I've always been happy with the deliveries. Today's delivery started with the driver believing the washing machine would not fit through a narrow area in my kitchen or down my cellar stairs. I told him it's a tight squeeze but yes, it will fit. When he got down stairs, he tried to loosen the hoses. The cold water came off easily, the hot water was going to require a little muscle that he didn't bother to use. Instead he kept insisting that he couldn't disconnect the old washer but he would bring the new one to the celler and leave it there. It would be up to me (single female, living alone) to disconnect and remove the old washing machine. He didn't even attempt to disconnect the hose at the washing machine connection, only at the pipe.

When I suggested he disconnect the hose at the machine and reconnect the new machine using the same hose. He started about how the hose was old and bloated and couldn't be connected to the new machine because it would burst. Funny how there was nothing wrong with the actual hose until I made the request.

At that point is when the 2nd delivery person came downstairs. Surprisingly he was able to remove the old hose, at the pipe without ANY effort. They disconnected the old machine and saw that the drainage hose is not the typical connection. The water has to go up a PVC pipe, approximately 5 ft., to the drain pipe. I had rubber coupling and clamps but was told they wouldn't fit on the hose for the new machine. Finally, I just told them to remove the old machine and leave, I would do the installation myself. It was easier than trying to tell them it could be done. Within 15 minutes after they left, not only did I have the machine installed, I was doing laundry.

The impression the first person gave me, was that he just didn't want to do the work associated with the delivery & installation. I can appreciate that it's not an easy task but it IS his job. There are many people that aren't willing/capable of installing a washer. If I had a couple of guys and a truck available, I wouldn't have spent $60 to have the machine delivered and the old one taken away."

Needless to say, I was not happy with the delivery service. The 2nd person seemed to be ok, for the most part. As for the hose being larger than the coupling/clamp. I don't know that the 2nd person even looked. He just took the 1st guys word that the hose was larger than the coupling. If either had bothered to look, the hose for the new machine AND the old machine, were the same size!

Anyway, I'm just happy that I can do laundry again.

Fun At Work

Since I bitch alot about my job, I thought I would give a few minutes to the fun side of my job. We occassionally have cookouts where the company buys all the food and management does the cooking. Well tomorrow, our sales reps are cooking for the drivers. Our drvers are the people the customer deals with most of the time. They make the sales reps. job alot easier with they "take care" of the customer.

Today I designed a sign for the cookout. The office personnel were rolling with laughter. Even the boss asked for a copy and passed it around, laughing. You will notice the sign is complete with Bromo Seltze and name badges! This image has color but I printed it in black & white to give it more of a oldies feel.

Aww Fuck!

Finally over the FedEx to Watkins paperwork hurdle. We survived the visiting VP hurdle. Thinking finally time to relax a little --- not gonna happen this week. We received notice this afternoon the Corp. Auditor will be here Wednesday. Just what we needed amidst all the other BS going on.

My paperwork should be ok with the exception of a shortage in the petty cash that happened while I was on vacation. I reported the shortage, to my boss when I noticed it, a few days after I returned to work. If it was for a couple of dollars - not a problem just put the cash into the drawer. This was not a minor shortage, nor did someone get paid from petty cash and not submit a receipt. This was a theft. Since we have never run across this before, neither of us knows how to report it to Corporate. Hopefully he will be able to get some answers and have this resolved before the auditor shows up.

Sunday Ramblings

The beginning of the week was filled with stress. The VP of FedEx National LTL was visiting and my boss had to do a presentation. Silly me, I thought everything was all set Monday night, after putting in a 11.5 hr. day. Tuesday morning, all I would need to do is print out the presentation and assemble in binders. WRONG! I arrived to find the District Manager wanted changes made --- Add 5 new graphs, delete one graph, change the title screens. After all that, reorganize them and then I could print them. All this had to be done before 10:00 AM, when the meeting was to start. Co-workers were a tolerant with me when I tied up two printers for about 30 minutes. During their lunch break, I informed my boss that I was going home early. Thankfully he said "Go for it!"

While looking for some paperwork, I came across a statement from the Wiremold Federal Credit Union. As I looked at the statement, I couldn't recall if I had ever closed my account with them. I hadn't received statements for years but then again, I've also moved several times since leaving Wiremold in 1998. If the account hadn't been closed and I remembered correctly, there was about $100 dollars in the account. The CU's hours are strange in that they are only open from 11 - 1:00 on certain days and one day until 3:00. I managed to call them this week and inquire about my account -- it hadn't been closed! Woohoo --- found money! I like found money :) In order to close the account, I would need to go to the CU during their hours. After explaining that I work about 20 miles away, during those same hours, they agreed to close the account, if I could fax them a copy of my drivers license. I could pick up the check at Wiremold's Security Office during the off hours.

I haven't a clue how much was in the account at the closing point. The teller said the amount in the account was $105 but that interest needed to be added. Yesterday, I happily drove to West Hartford to pick up the check. I arrived and explained to security why I was there. There was no check waiting for me. Ut oh, where's my check? Well it seems there had orginally been 3 checks to be picked up by various people. One of those checks was left to be picked up but it wasn't my check. The guard on Friday night, apparenty gave the wrong check to a Wiremold employee and we have no way to contact this employee. This employees check had been made out to CL&P. I'm hoping and praying he realizes the error before he sends the check to CL&P. Here I am, with found money that is now lost. Just in case the employee realizes the error and returns the check, I left my home & work phone numbers with the security office. On Monday, I'll contact the CU, again, to see if they can contact the employee.

Happy Birthday Hailey-Jai

I spent my day, at Hailey's (my niece) birthday party. It's good to be home were things are MUCH quieter. Aunt Bernie bought Hailey her first Barbie doll. As you can see from Hailey's dress, that was the theme for today. Luckily Hailey isn't much of a fashion diva and didn't seem to mind that Barbie showed up wearing the same dress!