The doorbell rings at 5:45 this morning. Yes, that's A.M. Only time that happens is when the police are doing it. Sure enough I was right. At first I thought, oh no, it's my dogs barking again. But then I realized that they had been sleeping with me. When I noticed that the police officer was my former brother-in-law I figured it had to do with my aunt again. He was clued into the situation a while back and knew that I had been dealing with her. He tells me that she has called the police claiming that someone was trying to kill her son. (That would be David that lives with me.) They said that when they went over there this morning that she couldn't remember why she had called them but she had washed her hair. I told them that I was no longer dealing with her, but I would get her son and he could deal with it. Although she hasn't spoken to me since August and has forbidden David to discuss her situation with me, I figured that she's probably changed her medication again or stopped taking it and is going off the deep end again. So after the police left, I woke David up and let him know what was going on. (If I had to get up at 5:45, he did too.) He went over there and stayed until about 7 a.m. Of course I don't know what's truly going on since I'm not in the loop any more. And it's a relief. I'm thankful that it's not me that has to deal with all of this again. I'm sorry that she's having problems again and that she'll probably end up in the hospital again. At least this time she has no recourse to blame me. As far as I'm concerned, she's brought this on herself and she has to deal with it.
Friday, November 05, 2004
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Debit Card Catastrophe
Technology is indeed grand, but it can be the bane of existence too. Case in point. ATM machines. Wonderful machines when you need a little extra cash on the go when banks aren't available. Yes, sometimes they charge that nasty fee, but generally it's worth it when you need cash immediately.
I was in Borger today. Had about and hour to kill before my next school in Fritch. I think to myself, "I'm thirsty." Mmmmm, no cash. Only pennies in my ash tray. Oh wait! I have a debit card! I know where a machine is. I've used it before. I actually have money in my account. So I drive on over to the machine and seconds before I put my card in I think to myself, "I really don't trust these machines that you actually have to put your card IN rather than swipe it.." BUT I put it in anyways. And the machine just sits there. Doesn't ask me nicely for my PIN number. It just tells me to insert my card. I yell at it "It's already inserted!" It doesn't respond. I hit buttons to no avail. There's a number on the machine to call in case you have questions regarding the fee charged so I call it. Tell my story to the lady at Amarillo National Bank. And find that there's nothing that can be done. She tells me that either my card is jammed. (Probably) Or that it couldn't read the magnetic strip and it kept the card in it's depository or something. (Not likely as I used it the night before) She says that the only time a technician will be at that machine is on Monday. She said that they should be able to retrieve my card by then and it will be forwarded to my bank... eventually. She tells me that she can put a block on it so that if by some miracle it is ejected nobody could use it. I have concerns about this as since this is not my bank. So when I get back to town I deposit a check and get some cash back and ask about my card. The person I need to talk to isn't in at the moment, but I could come back later. I come back later. Person is there, but with a customer that is opening a money market account with $25,000. Must be nice. Eventually I talk to her and she calls the company directly and puts a lost block on the card that can be taken off if I do get it back.
So I'm without my debit/credit card that I like to use when I go out to eat or shop. Now I have to write checks. I'm getting so spoiled. I don't even write checks to pay my bills any more.
I was in Borger today. Had about and hour to kill before my next school in Fritch. I think to myself, "I'm thirsty." Mmmmm, no cash. Only pennies in my ash tray. Oh wait! I have a debit card! I know where a machine is. I've used it before. I actually have money in my account. So I drive on over to the machine and seconds before I put my card in I think to myself, "I really don't trust these machines that you actually have to put your card IN rather than swipe it.." BUT I put it in anyways. And the machine just sits there. Doesn't ask me nicely for my PIN number. It just tells me to insert my card. I yell at it "It's already inserted!" It doesn't respond. I hit buttons to no avail. There's a number on the machine to call in case you have questions regarding the fee charged so I call it. Tell my story to the lady at Amarillo National Bank. And find that there's nothing that can be done. She tells me that either my card is jammed. (Probably) Or that it couldn't read the magnetic strip and it kept the card in it's depository or something. (Not likely as I used it the night before) She says that the only time a technician will be at that machine is on Monday. She said that they should be able to retrieve my card by then and it will be forwarded to my bank... eventually. She tells me that she can put a block on it so that if by some miracle it is ejected nobody could use it. I have concerns about this as since this is not my bank. So when I get back to town I deposit a check and get some cash back and ask about my card. The person I need to talk to isn't in at the moment, but I could come back later. I come back later. Person is there, but with a customer that is opening a money market account with $25,000. Must be nice. Eventually I talk to her and she calls the company directly and puts a lost block on the card that can be taken off if I do get it back.
So I'm without my debit/credit card that I like to use when I go out to eat or shop. Now I have to write checks. I'm getting so spoiled. I don't even write checks to pay my bills any more.
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Trying to Stay Warm
My house is cold. I HATE being cold. The heater is trying to do it's job. I have it on around 75 but the temp is staying in the 60's. I really need to get the airconditioners out of the windows. Guess I'll just keep layering on the clothes and staying under the covers for now.
I have to go vote this afternoon.
On a happy note the child support check has come through on time this month. Woo Hoo! Mine and Josh's birthday is next week. (yes we were born on the same day) I think I'm going to get him a computer chair for his room. I don't know what I should buy for myself. I kind of stopped having birthdays since Josh was born. (I guess that means I'm still 21) I've always wanted to feel somewhat special on my birthday, but it hasn't been that way in many years. Last year was when my mom was released from the hospital and given only 2 weeks to live. Kind of a bummer to say the least. While I was married, Richard sometimes bought me something or sent flowers, but I always had to remind him to do so. And half the time he was out of town with his job. I once sent him on a scavenger hunt for his birthday. It just got to the point where my birthday wasn't so special any more. I think everybody's birthday should have at least some meaning. I'm not always the best at it, but I try to remember them with a card, phone call or something. I even sent my former mother-in-law a card this week. (Her birthday is the week before mine) So for the past few years I've bought myself a little something for my birthday because I deserve it darn it!
I have to go vote this afternoon.
On a happy note the child support check has come through on time this month. Woo Hoo! Mine and Josh's birthday is next week. (yes we were born on the same day) I think I'm going to get him a computer chair for his room. I don't know what I should buy for myself. I kind of stopped having birthdays since Josh was born. (I guess that means I'm still 21) I've always wanted to feel somewhat special on my birthday, but it hasn't been that way in many years. Last year was when my mom was released from the hospital and given only 2 weeks to live. Kind of a bummer to say the least. While I was married, Richard sometimes bought me something or sent flowers, but I always had to remind him to do so. And half the time he was out of town with his job. I once sent him on a scavenger hunt for his birthday. It just got to the point where my birthday wasn't so special any more. I think everybody's birthday should have at least some meaning. I'm not always the best at it, but I try to remember them with a card, phone call or something. I even sent my former mother-in-law a card this week. (Her birthday is the week before mine) So for the past few years I've bought myself a little something for my birthday because I deserve it darn it!
Monday, November 01, 2004
Snow?!
It's snowing here. I can't believe it's already snowing. Sure we get some snow here every winter, but generally it seems as though it comes much later than Nov. 1. Generally it waits until one of the major speech tournament weekends in Dec. or Jan. The wind is blowing hard and the snow is actually starting to stick on the ground (lawns) but not the streets as it's probably too warm to really freeze.
It's a time like this that I really, really wish I had a man around. I need the air conditioners taken out of the windows. But since I don't have a man and I'm not physically capable of doing such a chore by myself and it's too late an hour to try to get my son to help, I'm stuck. So I did the best thing I could and tried covering up the drafty inside edges with some foam. Hopefully it will help. I'm not sure when and if I'll be able to get the air conditioners down and where I'd put them. I'm going to pray for one more nice weekend where I can once again clean out an area of the garage (it seems to multiply boxes of crap on it's own) and then offer to make a nice dinner or something for one of my ex-boyfriends or male friend-friends and get them to help. Maybe I'll just put a sign in my yard that says FREE BEER FOR TAKING DOWN AIR-CONDITIONERS and see if I get any offers.
It's a time like this that I really, really wish I had a man around. I need the air conditioners taken out of the windows. But since I don't have a man and I'm not physically capable of doing such a chore by myself and it's too late an hour to try to get my son to help, I'm stuck. So I did the best thing I could and tried covering up the drafty inside edges with some foam. Hopefully it will help. I'm not sure when and if I'll be able to get the air conditioners down and where I'd put them. I'm going to pray for one more nice weekend where I can once again clean out an area of the garage (it seems to multiply boxes of crap on it's own) and then offer to make a nice dinner or something for one of my ex-boyfriends or male friend-friends and get them to help. Maybe I'll just put a sign in my yard that says FREE BEER FOR TAKING DOWN AIR-CONDITIONERS and see if I get any offers.
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