Mar 06 2009
Ask the Sympathetic Ear
The votes have spoken (fairly softly this week) for “Sympathetic Ear.” Well, alright! I happen to be a very good listener. I’m highly empathetic and I understand that everyone–everyone–needs to vent once in a while.
I’ve never served drinks, of course, or been a counselor and I don’t have gangs of friends. But the friends I have are THE best and it’s a pleasure to listen in to what they have to say or to be there for support, and to know I won’t be left high and dry on my bad days.
But, today, it’s not my turn. It’s yours. Had a bad week or a bad time, tickled by something good or something causing anxiety? Had surgery or your nails done? Honey, I’m here for you.
I’m just gonna sit on my comfy couch, pat that bit o’ cushion right next to me, make sure my welcome mat is in place (”Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit, look who’s here!”) and keep Bete Noir (my comforting cat) near at hand.
Now, tell your ol’ pal, me, all about it. Today is your day.
You pretty much know the hardest part of my week was taking my baby to the ER. Little Miss got her finger stuck in the shopping cart at Walmart tonight. Can you believe that?! I was thinking to myself (as I was trying to free her and she was screaming)–they are going to arrest me if I have to go back to the hospital again. I managed to get her finger out finally, and she was fine.
I probably didn’t mention that someone hit the back of my car while I was stopped at a red light. Thankfully, no damage was done to my car and both of us (Dasha was with me) were fine.
I also had a migraine everyday since Tuesday. I thought they were gone. Since I started drinking green tea 5 months ago, I hadn’t suffered from the nausea, throbbing, sensitivity to light, and overall somebody-just-chop-my-head-off moments. But, they started back. So, it’s back to the drawing board.
I’ve been on the phone everyday with some company about some bill that has some outrageous, totally unauthorized charges. For instance, our electric bill was $960!!! I finally got it down to $660 and found a company to switch to. Problem is–the new company’s not going to make it active until mid-April. What the ??? That will cause us to pay the $200 rescission fee to our current provider. I talked to our home security provider yesterday to figure out what the $96 bill was for. They automatically deduct their bill from our account every month. It’s been paid on time every month. The representative said he’d check it out and call back. Of course, I haven’t heard from him. If I have to call him Monday morning…. I won’t be pleasant. AND the doggone internet bill jumped up. AND I have no idea why the phone bill went up $40 bucks. I keep up with the money around here, so I know where every penny goes and what’s coming in. I’m PISSED about these jacked-up bills that I have to take MY precious time to get right.
Boy! I didn’t realize I needed a sympathetic ear. I didn’t even vote for this… but, it sure felt good to get it out.
Anywho…I’m just thankful that my issues this week are relatively minor. It could always be worse.
Davida
Oh, just in time, the sympathetic ear. Well, hear I am, in my comfy wing back recliner, after 3 a.m., suffering from insomnia because I’m panicking about everything. I just ranted through my blog, though, and since you are always the first one to read it, I know you’ll see it soon.
But I’m tired. I’ve slept horribly all week–when I’ve slept–and I don’t foresee any end to the panic, not for a few weeks at least.
I know it’s upheaval. It’s change. And it’s unknown change, at that. I have spent years with my kids, but in September they will hopefully both be in school all day. And that brings all sorts of issues up. I won’t be teaching in a few weeks, and that is both a blessing and a curse. I really LOVE teaching–love being in the classroom, love talking about more than SpongeBob–but the grading! And I won’t have piano at church in a little over two weeks (three more Sundays to go), yet everyone I talk to seems so disappointed about that.
Things seem less scary when I’m not tired, but how can I be well rested if I can’t sleep?
Okay, I’m done. Thanks for listening… I needed that.
I checked back to read your response, but there isn’t one yet. Oh–I was supposed to ask a question.
Why does it seem that bad things happen all at once? Things can be going fine and then one problem after the other creeps in. Why isn’t it spaced out more where you can tackle one thing at a time?
I’ll check back later to see if you’re back on the couch.
Davida
Stephanie,
Great post from one of the best blogs in the land!
Also, thanks very much for your support and warm words of wisdom when I needed them most as I have gone through the loss of my Dad.
God bless you,
Ms. Therese
Yeah, what’s with the stooooopid Daylight Savings? Half the church was empty this morning–they missed me singing “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child”…and it was good, too.
My kids and I took naps this afternoon. I know we’ll have trouble getting to sleep tonight, but at least my headache has gone away.