My two cents...I would take out the paragraph that starts "of the attorneys..." and also take out the part about not being able to afford the bill. Then I would change that sentence to be a bit more direct -- something like -- Would you please respond either in writing or via phone as to why our agreement regarding my having paid in full is no longer valid?
Or something a bit more well worded than that!
Sage
Relax. Appreciate. Be calm. Laugh. Enjoy. Be secure. Be loving. Be loved. Don't personalize. Don't ASSume. Accept. Be grateful.
I work in a law firm. I agree with Sage. Take out the "Of the attorneys" paragraph and about not being able to afford the bill.
Ask her to call you to discuss it.
Did you have a written fee agreement or a retainer agreement? Did she do any work for you after the settlement?
Unfortunately most attorneys have so much going on that they become scatterbrained and forget about things they verbally told clients. A little prompting is usually all it takes.
I think you have much more than .02 to give and I will definitely work on the letter.
I am sort of trying to be business like but on the other hand we always had friendly chatty exchanges. I even went over to her place if you remember after the settlement to see all of her exotic birds and the lake and stuff. It was cool.
So I'm not really sure how to approach this.
Pam
"We must be willing to let go of the life we had planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us"
Thank you very much for the advice. I will definitely take those parts out.
We did not have a written agreement of any kind. She met with me and asked questions, then told me what she would charge to handle the D for me.
She made a phone call to D's A after the settlement for me as he was giving me a hard time.
I have left her vm's since getting the first bill and still received another bill although never a call or explanation. But I would think my vm would have prompted her memory. In the vm I stated that I did not understand why I was receiving this bill since she had said I would not owe her anything else at the settlement conference.
I am trying to be sure to be very logical and direct with my letter because the interactions with her felt a bit more like a developing friendship than a business one and I don't want my feelings of disappointment to affect what I am writing.
We were always discussing her flower garden, swans, the uncompleted projects her h had started. Just odds and ends. But there was always more chit chat than case discussing when we talked.
She stated more than once looking at my income that I was going to have a hard time making it. Then to not push for D to pay at least any fees above what I had paid her and send me a bill for almost double what I have already paid her is upsetting. I mean wouldn't she have had some idea that there would be money still due her? I just don't understand the way this was handled at all.
Pam
"We must be willing to let go of the life we had planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us"
Quote: We were always discussing her flower garden, swans, the uncompleted projects her h had started. Just odds and ends. But there was always more chit chat than case discussing when we talked.
I can only speak from my experience with C sessions and my L interactions. But, if you call your L, you may as well figure that the clock starts as soon as they say "hello".
Some states (or maybe the Bar Association?) require Ls to keep detailed billing records. (That's what I was told from a L in OK, anyway). Have you asked for, or received, a detailed bill? That might be a good thing to ask for.
To not NEED another person to fill a void, to fill that void with my life and happiness so that if there ever is another person they don't become the center of my life. I think this is the big over all goal and the goals below are the steps to work towards accomplishing this state of mind and enjoyment of my life.
Continue to work on the black/white thinking and emotional reacting. Focus on Thinking first, then Act if necessary.
1. Read some of the threads that seem to help remind me to focus on thinking and the future.
2. Read Dr. Burns, Feel Good Handbook.
3. Try to read one helpful book every other month
No progress this week.
Continue monitoring the self talk and redirecting it when necessary
1. Start writing in my notebook again, as it did help with remembering to monitor self talk.
2. Really focus on my job while at work and try to learn some new things in it.
Little bit better here. Writing in notebook some and part of the time focusing on work better.
Spend more time with my friends
1. Get out of the house with a friend at least once every other week.
2. Call one friend once every other week, not e-mail.
Breakfast Sunday with M so good here.
Work on organization and fitness
1. Pick up some folders and get a filing system started for paid utility bills.
2. Get files set up for some of the variety of papers that are on my desktop.
3. Do walking video at least 4 days a week and another exercise video at least 3 days a week.
Only exercised 2 or 3 mornings but a start. Nothing on organization yet.
Work with Shara on herding
1. Have lesson scheduled for Jan. 8th
2. Should have another lesson on Jan. 22nd
Shara did a great job Saturday in her lesson. We tried her on ducks and they didn't interest her at all, but when we brought the sheep back in she was great! Does have another lesson scheduled for the Jan. 22 and then a half hour one on Feb. 5. I think we are getting hooked here.
Check on working Tara in agility
1. Friend is checking on some indoor classes she had heard about.
2. Instructor at outdoor classes is keeping me posted on when the weather permits class.
No news from the friend but found out Saturday may have a class for her after FB's obedience class.
Work Frostbyte in obedience
1. We start class Jan. 8th
2. Watch training video that I haven't in a long time.
FB started class Saturday and he seems to remember quit a bit. I really wish I knew what D had taught him and what commands he used so I don't confuse FB. He was stressed, when other dogs got very close to him he would growl. Then when I tried to walk behind him he would sit still till he couldn't see me anymore then he would get up. I think we have a lot of confidence building to work on as well as the regular lessons.
Take Shimmer out more
1. No plans yet. Still thinking.
Nothing lined up yet.
Keep my house cleaner, Flylady here I come.
1. Do at least one extra household choir 5 days a week.
2. Get myself to the Flylady site!
Not too good here, more running around and goofing off than housework.
Keep the shelties groomed better.
1. Brush shelties at least 3 times a week.
2. Trim nails & hair once a week.
3. Brush teeth twice a week.
Brushed shelties and put Frontline on them before they went out Saturday. Sunday brushed and then had to give 4 of them undercarriage baths after they played in the wet, muddy yard. Need to work on the rest of their grooming.
Pam
"We must be willing to let go of the life we had planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us"
You are progressing on your goals and I think that is good...I can remember a time when NONE of these would have any results
Love that you are getting out more with the furry ones...don't suppose you want to take on my Lady too (way too much energy there and not sure where to direct it lol)??
HUGZ, Zoo
"If patience is worth anything, it must endure to the end of time. And a living faith will last in the midst of the blackest storm."
- Mahatma Gandhi
I did the same thing this am (I have an excel spread sheet that I use). Does it surprise you to know that I had only a 25% hit rate for mine? I colored "yellow" the ones that I hadn't made any effort on at all last week. Those are the ones I'm going to try to focus on THIS week!
Just two goal oriented gals, aren't we??
Sage
Relax. Appreciate. Be calm. Laugh. Enjoy. Be secure. Be loving. Be loved. Don't personalize. Don't ASSume. Accept. Be grateful.
I no longer go through threads faster than anyone else around. I get to keep one for a while now.
I will pick you and Lady up to go to some dog activities with us. But you know it works better if you do the training. YOU would tell me the same thing! LOL
Pam
"We must be willing to let go of the life we had planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us"
