Wednesday, April 18, 2007
So, as it turns out, my "cleaning woman" and my "home health aide" aka Jan & Pam do NOT have a lot of love for one another. Going forward, I don't think its a good idea to schedule them on the same day.
It was like 2 cats in the same room. I'm dying.
Pam thinks Jan talks too much, takes too long, uses smelly cleaning agents, and her vacuum sucks ...or else she just "went too fast to notice it wasn't done right". Jan thinks Pam's lazy, incompetant, not helpful and "really should help you more, I mean, what does she do all day??"
I, of course, think I am perfect and can't be bothered to meditate over others...
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Notes from Day 75 - Things I've Noticed Today
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
1. At what point is it realistic for me to expect that all professionals be able to open an an email attachment? Lets say - hypothetically - that you run, oh, an engraving/caligraphy/stationary store and someone sends you an excel list of, say, 213 names to hand caligrapher invitations. And you can't open it. Should you still be in business?
2. Why don't the pregnancy websites mention that, while pregnant, you have this "alligator arm" condition where your arms become suddenly stumpy in proportion to your belly and you - frankly - can't reach your a*s whilst on the toilet?
3. Why would you call someone whose been on bedrest SINCE JANUARY to let them know that the weather was going to be "beautiful tomorrow - over 60, really a perfect day"?
4. If you send a "friend" an email, and she takes upwards of 5 weeks to get back to you, is it equally suitable that you wait 5 weeks to get back to her?
5. is it wrong to stare at the clock praying for an hour to pass so your home visitor will leave?
6. This is a book. Books are fun to read. See the page turning. See Deb read. Deb is reading a book. Deb is enjoying herself. What a good book. Talk anyway.
7. Is it appropriate to scream if one hears one more woman of a certain age saying 'Well, in my day, no one told us anything, they just sent us home" in response to a legitamate questions/anxiety about, oh say, the temperature of a baby's bath water? Would it be appropriate to respond "Yes, and you were miserable, depressed, needed "mothers little helper" and ended up in a bitter and loveless marriage which resulted in divorce. You start virtually every sentence with "well no one helped me" and you have a laundry list of negative experiences and missed opportunities due to the fact that you had children. So why on god's green earth are you touting your life example as my reason for being ridiculous for wanting additional education?"
That's ok to ask, right? Just curious.
1. At what point is it realistic for me to expect that all professionals be able to open an an email attachment? Lets say - hypothetically - that you run, oh, an engraving/caligraphy/stationary store and someone sends you an excel list of, say, 213 names to hand caligrapher invitations. And you can't open it. Should you still be in business?
2. Why don't the pregnancy websites mention that, while pregnant, you have this "alligator arm" condition where your arms become suddenly stumpy in proportion to your belly and you - frankly - can't reach your a*s whilst on the toilet?
3. Why would you call someone whose been on bedrest SINCE JANUARY to let them know that the weather was going to be "beautiful tomorrow - over 60, really a perfect day"?
4. If you send a "friend" an email, and she takes upwards of 5 weeks to get back to you, is it equally suitable that you wait 5 weeks to get back to her?
5. is it wrong to stare at the clock praying for an hour to pass so your home visitor will leave?
6. This is a book. Books are fun to read. See the page turning. See Deb read. Deb is reading a book. Deb is enjoying herself. What a good book. Talk anyway.
7. Is it appropriate to scream if one hears one more woman of a certain age saying 'Well, in my day, no one told us anything, they just sent us home" in response to a legitamate questions/anxiety about, oh say, the temperature of a baby's bath water? Would it be appropriate to respond "Yes, and you were miserable, depressed, needed "mothers little helper" and ended up in a bitter and loveless marriage which resulted in divorce. You start virtually every sentence with "well no one helped me" and you have a laundry list of negative experiences and missed opportunities due to the fact that you had children. So why on god's green earth are you touting your life example as my reason for being ridiculous for wanting additional education?"
That's ok to ask, right? Just curious.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
White Trash Suburban Salons
Ok, in the scope of things, this isn't a real issue but I'm ranting...per the subhead.
Argh. So I'm on bedrest with a high risk pg. After 71 days of laying in bed, Wednesday I decide "hmm, I'd love, and I mean LOVE, a manicure."
A real one. Not me laying sideways painting my nails off the side of the bed. In the scope of things, is this important? NO. Is it necessary? NO. I just want one. A treat so to speak. Is it a little princessy? I'm not sure. $20 for a treat when I've been laying down for 70 plus days? I think maybe I'm ok for wanting it.
So I live in a suburban Boston community - not urban, no real crime except for wayward kids and minor car accidents, your typical New England commuter town. To be honest the type of town where there is a certain segment of the population that maintains that the “American girls” are cleaner then the “Vietnamese” salons. (which is bull, and actually the reverse)
Using handy dandy Google, I go online and pull up some local higher end salons. I'd LOVE to ask the woman from the local shop, whom I adore and is a cutie and PERFECT, but there is too much of a language barrier between us to coordinate at home services.
So I call 4 local "english speaking" salons. The same salons who go on about being "spas" vs "nail salons". I start with a polite "Hi, my name is Name and I live locally. I've lived in the community for x years and I'm hoping you can help me with a salon service. Do you have a minute?" (yes, they say) me: "Terrific, this is really awkward but I am home on bedrest and have been for some time. I'm wondering if you have a manicurist who'd be willing to take on a client in her home" (pause. stammer. noises of disinterest, misc chit chat) Me , perkily, "I know, this is such an odd request!" (grunt) "I understand you probably have to discuss it so just to give you some background if it helps. I live on XYZ and I have an older, in home care woman who comes daily so the manicurist wouldn't be alone. I can provide references, and pay them independent of the shop so the shop doesn't have to assume liability." (salon response "so wait, what do you want now? You want a manicure but you cant come in?") me: "Really, just a referal to a manicurist. Any help at all or just even a pass along of my tel. would be appreciated. They can call me directly. Also, just so you know, I'm not incapacitated; I'm just not able to drive etc."
To a one, the person I talked to at each salon was so patently rude - in tone that is. Just REALLY put out. I got 1 outright "No, I don’t think so" (hmm, don’t bother checking or anything) 2 "I'll have to check with my boss's" (TOTALLY fine! and then no call back and it's two days later), 1 bitchy receptionist who asked me to spell my 5 letter name 15 times and who finally said "yeah, we need to let you know" and hung up on me. I also got 1 "yes, and I'll call you Thursday to confirm the time" and then was blown off.
So let me just say this.
Dear Salon:
I'm a professional female, of a certain age, with a schedule that necessitates (and a combined family income that allows me to pay for) not only this service but many others. Tacky to mention? Yes. But from a marketing standpoint, I'm the exact demographic you desire. I've live in your community and expect to have some combination of baby shower, wedding shower, bridal party "spa day" and day of wedding services done....SOMEWHERE near my house all before this November. Not to mention, as a new mother, I'm not going to want to go far for the basics - haircuts etc. so I'll be around for those. In addition, an easy treat for my nieces, future mother-in law, and step-mom is a weekly Saturday manicures followed by a sandwich in the center. I do this about 2 times a month.
I have money to spend, I’m respectful of your time, grateful for your work, and I’m loyal. I’m looking for a manicure today but who knows what in the future.
You, the salon, advertise in the local paper, online, in super coupons, and in some cases, on local billboards. You are competing not only with other small businesses in town but with the proximity to Boston issue (i.e. "the I only go to Newbury Street" crowd). Your spending a ton of money to try and get “my” business.
So your phone rings and here I am, CLOSE BY, requesting assistance.
Now maybe "No" IS the answer. I'm ok with that. But what amazes me is that not ONE person said "No" with any graciousness. I mean, maybe a "Oh my goodness, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I DO wish we could accommodate you but I think there are some liability concerns" or a "We've never had this experience/request, may I take your name and call you back?" Then call me back and lie to me... whatever. But for crying out loud, be POLITE people. Instead you are acting as if I called for a masseuse and a happy ending!
Here was an opportunity! If you had come through, don't you realize that you would have earned my undying gratitude? that i would have told everyone and anyone how grateful I was, how caring you as a business were? that you were "amazing" and totally compassionate and the type of place I'd want to frequent??? and that THEY should too??? HELLO?? Even if you hadn’t come through, but at a minimum wished me well or been polite, Id have remembered you as being courteous, and genuine. But instead I got treated like a pariah.
Listen, I GET that what I was asking might be a bit strange. Fine. I get it. I GET that someone might feel hesitant, concerned about safety, I GET IT! I'm ok with the word NO. I have clear coat and a file. I'll work it out. But to be so f*cking astonished that someone would ask? To be rude about it? Wow, way to act like a white trash surburban salon. Sorry that I won't be in to get my mushroom haircut and french manicure once I'm up and about.\
As far as I'm concerned, someday I'm going to be ambulatory again. And (like Scarlet O’Hara) "with God as my witness" I will never patronize an of these salons. Ever. And if anyone asks me what I know about your salon, I'll volunteer "not much, but when I was on bedrest, I called them and the receptionist was just ignorant. I wouldn’t bother with them…"
It would be great if I could have the Julia Roberts “big mistake” pretty woman moment, but let’s be honest here, it’s a manicure.
Sigh.
Vent over….
Argh. So I'm on bedrest with a high risk pg. After 71 days of laying in bed, Wednesday I decide "hmm, I'd love, and I mean LOVE, a manicure."
A real one. Not me laying sideways painting my nails off the side of the bed. In the scope of things, is this important? NO. Is it necessary? NO. I just want one. A treat so to speak. Is it a little princessy? I'm not sure. $20 for a treat when I've been laying down for 70 plus days? I think maybe I'm ok for wanting it.
So I live in a suburban Boston community - not urban, no real crime except for wayward kids and minor car accidents, your typical New England commuter town. To be honest the type of town where there is a certain segment of the population that maintains that the “American girls” are cleaner then the “Vietnamese” salons. (which is bull, and actually the reverse)
Using handy dandy Google, I go online and pull up some local higher end salons. I'd LOVE to ask the woman from the local shop, whom I adore and is a cutie and PERFECT, but there is too much of a language barrier between us to coordinate at home services.
So I call 4 local "english speaking" salons. The same salons who go on about being "spas" vs "nail salons". I start with a polite "Hi, my name is Name and I live locally. I've lived in the community for x years and I'm hoping you can help me with a salon service. Do you have a minute?" (yes, they say) me: "Terrific, this is really awkward but I am home on bedrest and have been for some time. I'm wondering if you have a manicurist who'd be willing to take on a client in her home" (pause. stammer. noises of disinterest, misc chit chat) Me , perkily, "I know, this is such an odd request!" (grunt) "I understand you probably have to discuss it so just to give you some background if it helps. I live on XYZ and I have an older, in home care woman who comes daily so the manicurist wouldn't be alone. I can provide references, and pay them independent of the shop so the shop doesn't have to assume liability." (salon response "so wait, what do you want now? You want a manicure but you cant come in?") me: "Really, just a referal to a manicurist. Any help at all or just even a pass along of my tel. would be appreciated. They can call me directly. Also, just so you know, I'm not incapacitated; I'm just not able to drive etc."
To a one, the person I talked to at each salon was so patently rude - in tone that is. Just REALLY put out. I got 1 outright "No, I don’t think so" (hmm, don’t bother checking or anything) 2 "I'll have to check with my boss's" (TOTALLY fine! and then no call back and it's two days later), 1 bitchy receptionist who asked me to spell my 5 letter name 15 times and who finally said "yeah, we need to let you know" and hung up on me. I also got 1 "yes, and I'll call you Thursday to confirm the time" and then was blown off.
So let me just say this.
Dear Salon:
I'm a professional female, of a certain age, with a schedule that necessitates (and a combined family income that allows me to pay for) not only this service but many others. Tacky to mention? Yes. But from a marketing standpoint, I'm the exact demographic you desire. I've live in your community and expect to have some combination of baby shower, wedding shower, bridal party "spa day" and day of wedding services done....SOMEWHERE near my house all before this November. Not to mention, as a new mother, I'm not going to want to go far for the basics - haircuts etc. so I'll be around for those. In addition, an easy treat for my nieces, future mother-in law, and step-mom is a weekly Saturday manicures followed by a sandwich in the center. I do this about 2 times a month.
I have money to spend, I’m respectful of your time, grateful for your work, and I’m loyal. I’m looking for a manicure today but who knows what in the future.
You, the salon, advertise in the local paper, online, in super coupons, and in some cases, on local billboards. You are competing not only with other small businesses in town but with the proximity to Boston issue (i.e. "the I only go to Newbury Street" crowd). Your spending a ton of money to try and get “my” business.
So your phone rings and here I am, CLOSE BY, requesting assistance.
Now maybe "No" IS the answer. I'm ok with that. But what amazes me is that not ONE person said "No" with any graciousness. I mean, maybe a "Oh my goodness, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I DO wish we could accommodate you but I think there are some liability concerns" or a "We've never had this experience/request, may I take your name and call you back?" Then call me back and lie to me... whatever. But for crying out loud, be POLITE people. Instead you are acting as if I called for a masseuse and a happy ending!
Here was an opportunity! If you had come through, don't you realize that you would have earned my undying gratitude? that i would have told everyone and anyone how grateful I was, how caring you as a business were? that you were "amazing" and totally compassionate and the type of place I'd want to frequent??? and that THEY should too??? HELLO?? Even if you hadn’t come through, but at a minimum wished me well or been polite, Id have remembered you as being courteous, and genuine. But instead I got treated like a pariah.
Listen, I GET that what I was asking might be a bit strange. Fine. I get it. I GET that someone might feel hesitant, concerned about safety, I GET IT! I'm ok with the word NO. I have clear coat and a file. I'll work it out. But to be so f*cking astonished that someone would ask? To be rude about it? Wow, way to act like a white trash surburban salon. Sorry that I won't be in to get my mushroom haircut and french manicure once I'm up and about.\
As far as I'm concerned, someday I'm going to be ambulatory again. And (like Scarlet O’Hara) "with God as my witness" I will never patronize an of these salons. Ever. And if anyone asks me what I know about your salon, I'll volunteer "not much, but when I was on bedrest, I called them and the receptionist was just ignorant. I wouldn’t bother with them…"
It would be great if I could have the Julia Roberts “big mistake” pretty woman moment, but let’s be honest here, it’s a manicure.
Sigh.
Vent over….
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
31 weeks~ Dr Update subtitled: The Skinny (as it were)
Kiss today goodbye, The sweetness and the sorrow... Kiss today goodbye, And point me toward tomorrow.
Am I the only musical theater geek here? Talk about hormonal as I download the song and weep little tears on the day we said goodbye to Dr. Robinson.
The Update
Yep, as of today, we will no longer visit the handsome and charming Dr. Robinson, Perinatologist Extraordinaire. Imagine. We are officially at 32 weeks this Friday. Day one of Month Eight. Imagine.
We had our 5th FFN today (and yet another u/s ) and, for the 5th time, the ffn was negative. Imagine! Am I overusing that word? For those who are following along, that translates to a 95% chance of not going into labor until at least week 34. After week 34, we join the regular folk. The waiting room riff raff so to speak. We won't even rate your interest in these updates. So bye bye Dr. R. He wished us well, I'm sending cookies.
Still on bedrest – 70th consecutive day and cumulatively the 112th or so total. 14 more days until Baby B is likely like any other baby and 28 more until I'm allowed to stand again. (Doug is VERY proficient at wheelchair driving.) Baby B is weighing it at 3lbs, 15 oz - in the 60th percentile for size and right on track. The Dr. told us that my belly's a bit small given Baby B's size...I was vainly flattered until Doug replied "Wow, you think that's small?"
Hmmm.
(*no babies were harmed during photo taking. Mom dried hair prone…)
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