Between a Rock and a Hard-Headed Person (maybe I should change the name of this blog to that...)

Apparently yesterday was my day to be the dissatisfied customer. I didn't mean to be. I finally got around to some phone calls that I had set aside for lack of time in a quiet environment. So at last! I could get around to canceling that credit card that I hadn't used in 3 years, but was somehow still open.

After the obligatory labyrinth that is the phone tree, I got to a person. She spoke very slowly. Very clearly. This would only come to irritate me later.

Me: "I would like to close my account."

Her: "I see that you have been a member with us since 1992. And your balance is $0. You have not had an active balance since 2002."

Me: "Yes. And I would like to close my account."

Her: "Were you aware that we currently offer an 0% interest rate for balance transfers. Can we transfer a balance for you at this time to help you out?"

Me: "No thank you. I would like to close my account."

Her: "We can also extend an APR of 13%. Would you like to..."

Me: "No thank you. I would like to close my account. please."

Her: "Can I ask why you are interested in closing your account at this time? Have you been dissatisfied with our service?"

Me: "No. I wishing to streamline my finances and close out this account which I am no longer using."

Her: "You have been a member in good standing since 1992, do you realize that closing this account may negatively impact your credit score?

Me: (gee. that sounds like a threat.) and now my voice is getting desperate, pleading: "I would like to close my account."

And it gets uglier from there. At some point Smith came out and hovers over me and says "Let me talk to her, I'll tell her how to close that account." And yes, I did ask for a manager. But no, that didn't help. But now. finally I can exhale and know that the stupid account is closed. Can't say that I will miss Discover's customer service after that charade!


And then.


I made a call to my pharmacy (which I love) because I am confused about pricing for some recent medications. My oldest got an antibiotic filled on Friday. It was a a 200 mg - 4 day dose. With insurance it cost me $27 and some change. The very next day, my youngest (and smaller one) had the same drug filled. It was a 100 mg - 4 day dose and it cost me $47 and some change. Hmmm. 200 mg is $27. 100 mg is $47. Half the amount of meds for twice as much? Maybe something went wrong with the keying in.

Sadly no. I was told that each price was determined by my health insurance company and they could not explain the discrepancy. [explain to me how my health insurance company sets the price for a medicine? do they really have that much bloody power?! well. yes. they do.] So you know that meant a lovely call to my health insurance company. Who doesn't love that? I was meant with the same response. She had no idea why the smaller amount of medicine would cost twice as much. She said that the pricing is determined by the manufacturer. So a cranky letter to the manufacturer is forthcoming! I can't wait to see who they blame. Stay tuned.

Little Duckies

There's nothing like a child's puzzle to challenge the flu-addled brain.

I'm Cranky too.

I was tired of looking at my toe jam post. Weren't ya'll? So I'm stealing Sinda's theme.

I'm tired of waking up tired. I'm tired of being woken up in the night, by children, by the phone ringing, by the dumpster out back, by the lights out back, by Smith breathing too loud, of just not getting more than 3 hours of continuous sleep in the night. I'm also tired of talking about how tired I am.

I'm tired of blowing my nose. I'm tired of other people blowing their nose.

I'm tired of reading about horrible crimes against children in the newspaper. And mortified to find some of them closer to home.

I'm tired of trying to organize a spanish class for my child. It should not be this hard.

I'm tired of me procrastinating about looking for a job. (and here I am. posting instead of looking. again.)

I'm tired of the static on my phone. I'm tired of our heater not working properly and having to be reset every day. sometimes twice. or three times.





I do think of myself as a very positive person, always trying to seek the good side of something. But it does feel good to just plain old complain. But to leave me in a somewhat brighter mood, here's the flip side:

I am thankful that Smith takes care of the heater and doesn't complain about it. He just does it. And calls the people to come and fix it. again.

I'm so glad I can see sunshine out my window. Now, a cat is peering around, sniffing the warm are before scooting off to chase something.

I'm glad there are still chocolate chip gingersnap cookies left in the cookie jar. And eternally grateful to Lisa for introducing me to those cookies.

I'm glad that the people who are directly in my children's lives are so warm, caring, thoughtful and intelligent. We are part of a very nice, loving family. They belong to a wonderful school and are part of a wonderful community there.

I'm glad to know all of you, even if you just lurk and don't leave a comment. That's okay.

What are you tired of?