Diving back into the ocean

[TripleJ]

Hey Bets!

I'd say that Mr. E sure is a lucky man too! With you by his side already, and Merrick trying to move in, this guy can't go wrong!!!! Now, if I can only be so lucky!!!

But its a good thing he isn't Mr. Positivity, I'd have to sue for copyright infringement!!!

I was saddened with your thoughts about D7 and her inabilities to do some things that seem so ordinary to ourselves. It does hit hard when you are so close to someone that can't do the same things as you or other children for that matter. It reminds me that I have personally thought these things with other individuals in my life, wishing that they could do the same things as I. Maybe a miracle will happen and someday soon........

Hey the best to you on this grueling workday.

All smiles, no frowns.......

Triple J

[Phoenix_In_Bloom]

Hi Bets,

Thank you for your visit to my thread and your encouragement/advice!

Am keeping you and your daughters in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs.

[Underdog]

Is everyone ready for the long weekend? I certainly am!

I have to get the less positive news out of the way first because I need to process and move on. Our charity golf tournament is scheduled for next Saturday. Everything was getting close to being just perfect when last night, 7 teams pulled out. Mr. Wonderful and I are still reeling from that, and since those folks had not paid their money yet (bad thing), we have nobody to fill those spots. Unless a miracle happens between today and tomorrow.

So last night, I was sprawled on my bed watching Kim Possible with the girls, trying to figure out how the heck we're going to incur this monetary loss when the phone rang. D10 didn't recognize the number but I told her to answer it anyway. She passed the phone to me with a bizarre look on her face and whispered, "Mom, it's some weird guy who wants to talk to you."

Boy, I love knowing I'm going to be talking to someone my daughter thinks is weird...

And this convo will tell you that I had to endure several minutes of the most inane conversation I've ever had. The guy started by asking if it was me, calling me by my legal name. Uh oh, I'm thinking. That can only be the IRS...

However, he introduces himself as so and so, calling on behalf of the Ford dealership where I've purchased my last 2 brand new vehicles. Including the new one back in June. He tells me that the phone call is being recorded. (Thank God, because I want someone to hear how stupid this guy really is.) Let me replay the call for kicks and grins:

Him: "I want to talk to you about your 1999 Expedition."

Me: "Uh, why? I traded it in 2 months ago for a brand new Ford, which I purchased at your dealership."

Him: Surprised. "Really? What did you buy, if I might ask?"

Me: "A 2005 Ford Escape."

Him: "How many miles have you put on it?"

Me: WTF? Why does this matter? "1800"

Him: "What do you like best about the Escape and what don't you like about it?"

Me: "I like the gas mileage the best and to be honest with you, I'm not disillusioned enough to think of anything bad about the vehicle. Other than the fact that I have a car payment."

Him: "Oh. Well, what would you say if we could arrange to pay off your car and put you behind the wheel of a brand new one?"

Me: WTF??? It IS a brand new car!!! "Dude, my car IS a brand new car. It's a 2005. Any newer than that and I'd have to stand at the end of the production line in Detroit and grab one as it rolled off the assembly line. Why in the hell would I want to do that?"

Him: "To get in a newer car."

Me (thinking): Is this guy a total moron or what?

Him: "Well, would you be interested in trading it in for a pre-owned vehicle that comes with a warranty?"

Me: Emphatically. "No! Why the hell would I want to do that? Had I wanted to do that, I would have done so back in June when I traded in the Expedition!"

Him: "Well, do you have any family members who are looking for a great deal on Ford vehicles?"

Me: "No, and since my sister and BIL both work for Ford, I think they can arrange the transaction for anyone who might need a car. But nobody I know is looking for one."

I finally got rid of him and I'm still not sure what the heck that was all about. I think he's an idiot. I'm also going to call the dealership and tell them to go review the recording for entertainment and learning purposes.

Well, I have a half day today due to the holiday and need to run some errands before picking up my Sydney originating grandmother. My girls are very excited to see her again, as am I. Grandmom always seems to have quiet intelligence to offer and a new and refreshing perspective on life and matters of the heart. I miss her!

So take care and I might check in over the weekend. If not, have a safe one and I'll be back in the fray on Tuesday after I take her to the airport.

Betsey

[KAW]

Sounds like the guy was shark bait to me!

I don't how you might get around the dilemma of this year's tournament, but it sound like a revision is in order for next year's in the way of a sign-up fee.

Hope your weekend is going well.

'til later,
KAW

[Penthesilea]

Woa – Bets – I hope you were able to solve your golfing problems! I hate it when something like that happens at the last minute … and you’ve all put so much work into this. I’m thinking of you!

Oh, and could you do me a great favour? Tell PamelaC and Meredith “thank you so much” for me when you talk to them next? They no longer have a thread, and I don’t know how to reach them. As you might know they’ve been wonderful in jumping into a tempest I quite unintentionally stirred up, and smoothing the waves with their kindness and insights. I was very crushed, and they helped me more than they’ll ever know.

I hope you’re having a wonderful week, Betsey, enjoying your daughters, and life. :-)

Pen

[Meredith]

Pen-

Have we smoothed waves or merely ruffled more feathers?

Regardless, your very welcome for whatever I’ve said that has helped you. Heck, at least it helped someone!

Sometimes the best of intentions aren’t going to be well received. I think that many people have ideas that are set in their minds and they don’t like the ideas challenged. Perhaps because they’ve been through such a long journey, they’re just tired. Perhaps they fear the feelings that will come forth when their ideas can be changed. Perhaps they are simply comfortable with the way things are and resent intruders. Regardless, I saw what you tried to do and respect you for it.

Not one of us can say we’ve lived our lives perfectly. Given the chance to go back in time, some might do things differently. But, each and every turn has shaped us into the people that we are today. I’d not be in any such hurry to change that if I were you.

We all have things about our marriages that need forgiven. Perhaps a thread detailing your journey to forgiveness would benefit those who are ready to receive it, and no one’s tail feathers would get ruffled when unintentionally stepped on.

Anyway, continue with your eloquent advice and insight. I do know that there are many who appreciate such help.

-Meredith

[Meredith]

Betsey-

And now rabid car dealers on top of it all? Good lord!

I’ll keep the rest to email, but know that I am thinking about you and wish you (and D7 and H and Mr. E and D10 and…) all the best. You’re in my thoughts and prayers!

Love ya!

-Meredith

[Phoenix_In_Bloom]

Hello Betsy and Friends!

Just checking in on y'all and sending you warm hugs!

[Underdog]

Hey all,

Golfing problems are getting more gut wrenching by the day. But Mr. Wonderful and I've just decided we're going to plan for a very fun day despite the monetary losses we incur.

It's fostering some really coopertive efforts between us and I feel like we can accomplish quite a bit when we work in this manner. This is a guy who can take charge of a situation when he knows he needs to do it, and it's nice to see that guy surface again.

Pen, since my "Friends" have answered your post, consider this your haven. Of course, you can always send me an e-mail offline and I will forward your message to my shark buddies accordingly.

I'm sorry things got out of hand. But I remember a gospel reading not too long ago where we are asked to challenge others to see a path that is not easy to take. I take my spirituality, religion and faith very seriously, and it's very tough for us to rise to the challenge.

And I find that those messages are often not wrapped very nicely. So you can't always be popular or a friend.

I'm in the middle of a busy week and will find time to post more next week. Tomorrow we find out more about D7's fate...

I hope all is well in your respective parts of this vast ocean. Take care and my thoughts are with all of you!

Betsey

[CMNM]

Hiya Betsey!!!
Isn't life good when you see Meredith's name on the BB once again? Just like old times. Except Sting is no longer pulling any Sting-like things (well, hardly ever, anyway), and Meredith is a kinder, gentler version of herself. (But still as ROFLOLingly hilarious).

Sorry about the golf tournament. But, it sounds as though you are bound and deternmined to make the best of it, so I bet it will turn out to go down as a happy memory for you.

Thanks for the e-mail, by the way. You never fail to lift my spirits.

Now, on to you, Pen.....
Well, I tried. I hope I wasn't assuming too much and throwing things out there that were way off. I hate that riot mentality that happens on threads at times! I just tell myself this... when you try really hard to make ammends and people won't meet you halfway, well, it's their problem, not yours.
But, now you can see more clearly why I just couldn't take the drain of this board and had to stay away. It's funny how lots of people end up saying that. So much for letting a thread title catch my eye!

Anyway, chin up! The past is the past and there's no need to re-live it or to put yourself in a position to hear the vile things people say. Personally, Pen, I'd trust you with my life. Why? Because I can tell that you learned from the mistake and would never repeat it. So, if you're ever in my neck of the woods, well, be alone in a room with my H all you want! I trust you!
Uh..wait...your accent isn't really that irresistable, is it???

Best wishes to everyone all around...
Betsey, Mer, Pen, PIB, Triple J, Myrrh, etc..
Hope you're having as great a day as I am!