The Couch 145 : I Stubbed My Toe On the Sofa.... COUCH!

I know others seem to think those people do something. I don't see it or know what it would be - but I do know some disagree with me.

After a decent bit of weepiness this morning after their parents left, alleviated by playing games (Candyland is still around?), and hot dogs for lunch, the twins are napping. I promised them pool time when they get up in an hour.

I would trust them to tell me their names if they didn't giggle so much every time I ask them their names. My cynicism extends to 4-year-olds.

Thanks for the support over Smaug, everyone. I am not hugely surprised, for the reasons SD says, but I did think she'd at least get some kind of warning so they can have a fig leaf for themselves. I do however think she needs a bit more unpleasantness, so I'm planning to appeal the decision (ask for a review). I know there are a couple other organizations I can lodge complaints with, but what I really want now is my money back ($400) from her overcharges and charges for consultations that didn't actually happen according to 2 and 3. So the Better Business Bureau it is.

(Atat) give her hell!!

For what it's worth -- from prior experience, I'd say that if your financial institution couldn't make Smaug pay up, the BBB might not be more successful.

Mostly coz the BBB works best (entirely based on my personal experience) when there's an actual business and consequently, a business reputation to uphold. In Smaug's case, I doubt she'd particularly care if the BBB registered a complaint against her.

So, along with the BBB complaint, I'd do other stuff. If the card you used is Visa or MasterCard or Amex, I'd bypass your bank altogether and file a complaint directly with them. I haven't tried out MasterCard for stuff like this but both Visa and Amex were six thousand kinds of splendid -- they bent over backwards to represent my interests and put the fear of god in the merchants.

Basically, their power stems from the fact that once they blacklist Smaug, her ability to smoothly process transactions from other folks using the same card (Visa, Amex etc) gets seriously hampered. I can't remember the exact penalties but basically they either tack on more fees for her or get rid of her ability to charge the card altogether.

Hi, couch.

I am p i s s e d. I just went out to the kitchen to get a drink and saw landlady using MY syrup on her pancakes. I voiced that it was mine and asked why she was using it. She looked dumbfounded and said "oh this is yours, I thought it was mine". The masking tape with "squirrel" on it didn't give it away?!? Grrrr...... I mean if she would have ASKED, I may have said she could use some... but she didn't and that is what P i S S E S me off. And she had to go into the fridge in the garage to get it (the fridge for me and her grandson and the other renter when there is one). Her things are in the fridge in the kitchen. Yeah, no questions...she had to know it was not hers.

Argh. I'm so sorry to hear that Smaug didn't get what she deserves, ATAT. Good luck with the appeal.

Hello, couch. I'm okay. Did some tidying today, and ate some pizza. Cried a little bit in bed this morning. Just a little bit.

Hugs to all of you who want them.

JD - I was really sad to read about your s***ty day at work. Some of your co-workers and customers sound terrible. Retail can be so miserable sometimes. I actually had a change problem yesterday, too - everyone kept giving me twenty pound notes so I ran out of fivers and tenners. When I told a man I'd have to give him pound coins he responded "OH BLOODY HELL, WOMAN!". It was f***ing rude. I almost cried too.

That would also make me really angry. You sound like you go out of your way to be considerate toward your landlady, so the least you can expect is for her to do the same. Sorry, Squirrel.

I decided that I will create my own microwave meals to eat. It will be quite the adventure. I made a list of several meals that would make 4 - 6 servings, so that I could pack each serving up and freeze it. I just have to find a day that I can spend the whole day in the kitchen cooking. Unless I do one or two meals a day. I would commandeer the kitchen doing it, but then I would be done for a while (couple weeks), so eh...it would be worth it in my opinion.

I made a list of what I will need and will probably go to Walmart to get some of it tonight and then to Save-A-Lot and Aldi tomorrow after CVS to get the rest. I don't mind off-brands.

*sigh* I think it is going to storm. I hear thunder rumbling.

Okay...putting my meal thingie plans on hold. Saw containers on Amazon that separate sides and are microwave safe and cheap enough to throw out if they get nasty after a couple uses. Ordering them and then I will start my food cooking adventures.

I am hungry now. Wonder if I have any pasta that I could cook.

Had 1/3 a box of penne pasta and a about a 1/2 cup of sauce in the fridge. Also added some mixed italian cheeses. It is sort of balanced. All I was missing was a meat.

Blah.. sad is not a fun feeling.

No, it sure isn't

Still watching Gypsy, on episode 4. I think it's pretty good so far.

Need to clean a bit. I think I will email pdoc first about the paranoia stuff I mentioned last night. He needs to know and I will chicken out of saying it on Wednesday if he doesn't already know.

I want to start Gypsy, but I'm nearly finished with In Treatment on HBO Go, and I think I can only handle one show about therapists at a time.

Pdoc emailed...now to see if he responds. Sometimes he does sometimes he doesn't. I am not expecting a response...I more sent it as an FYI.

Long dress fans... tonight is your night

It looks beautiful, anais! Enjoy (as much you can).

You look amazing, Anais!

Very pretty, anais.

Okay, this Squirrel needs to get serious about cleaning. Another flaw of the rodent.

ATAT -- sorry, my idea mostly only works for credit cards. I didn't realize it but with debit cards, things get a lot dicier and you're pretty much at the mercy of your bank.

@@ How about small claims court? If you have statements from your other therapists that there were no consultations...seems very straightforward. If only Judge Judy were still around.