I am not being dramatic. It feels like all of Hell is laughing at me. Laugh it up fellas, laugh it up.
What could've been a really great "date night" in Vancouver with Kent wound up being a disaster.
We headed out to the ferry after his course last night and his head was obviously full of what he had spent the day learning. He either doesn't hear me, or wasn't listening, sometimes I think my voice is just "white noise" to him.
Anyway, I told him to turn left he went straight through the intersection and we ended up on Westminster Highway headed EAST instead of on Highway 99 going South.
I had had enough. The past number of months has just been like that...so I thought, you get us home. I am no longer helping....We were in a traffic jam and I had to pee. Badly.
Chemotherapy=incontinence....just thought I would share that lovely tidbit. I was clenching as best as I could...
We got onto the Alex Fraser Bridge, when Kent rear ended the woman driving in front of us. I. Lost. It.
No longer able to contain my fracking life I lost it. I started sobbing. My shin was hurting. I reached down and felt my shin, there is a big ole goose egg....reminiscent of my days playing baseball....
Kent dealt with the woman we hit, and then as we were getting off the Alex Fraser Bridge, Kent tried to get us further away from the ferry by heading into North Delta...up Nordel Way.
We found a place to stop--I went into a pizza place, tears streaming down my face and used their bathroom. I don't know if they know what hit them. I got out of the pizza place and Kent handed me the keys.
I took us down Nordel Way to River Road, to Highway 17 and we were at the ferry in less than 30 minutes. It had been a full 2 hours since we had left Burnaby.
We had argued, we had cried, we reconciled, and then on the ferry we just cried. Our circumstances right now are beating us down. I don't know if I have spent a single day in the past 18 months where I haven't cried or called out to God for release.
I don't know how much more I can take -- I have called the BC Cancer Agency counseling department because I am not handling this all very well...truth is, I am handling life very poorly right now.
And I think that all of Hell is laughing at me. Laugh it up, I will bear this up, rely on God, buoy myself with scripture, worship songs and love of my Saviour....
In the end we will see who is laughing.
Thursday, 29 November 2012
Wednesday, 28 November 2012
Alone. And loving it.
I was sitting eating breakfast this morning, thinking about alone. Kent had left to go to his course and I was sitting reading the paper with a flavourless cup of Earl Grey Tea.
15 or more years ago, we were in Edmonton for Breakforth. I had decided along with a group of adults to head to a young adult service in the morning...we were going to take the subway and find our place amongst the university.
In the morning, everyone including my own husband bailed on me! I decided since I was up, I could do this. Alone. I had never done anything like this ever.
I set out from the hotel in tears, found the subway and found my way to the university, including finding the location of the service and got into a line up. I was near the front. By the time the service was about to start, my coherts came in -- lined up for the 2nd service.
It was only a few short years later, after Breakforth that I was leading 17 teens from Emmanuel to go to New York City. I had no one to rely on, they were all relying on me.
I have never been good at alone, quiet time.
Today, I realized, that step of faith, has lead me to great places today. I did all of the radiation appointments alone, save 2. Everyone was working, or busy, or on holidays.
I can't imagine how I would've handled the past 18 months without the "training" I have had over the past 15 years.
Now, I am sitting in Starbucks, in Burnaby, contemplating going to a museum in Vancouver. No longer in fear of being alone, getting lost or hurt.
Looking back it is easy to see God's plan, I just wish He'd reveal what the next steps are...and quickly.
15 or more years ago, we were in Edmonton for Breakforth. I had decided along with a group of adults to head to a young adult service in the morning...we were going to take the subway and find our place amongst the university.
In the morning, everyone including my own husband bailed on me! I decided since I was up, I could do this. Alone. I had never done anything like this ever.
I set out from the hotel in tears, found the subway and found my way to the university, including finding the location of the service and got into a line up. I was near the front. By the time the service was about to start, my coherts came in -- lined up for the 2nd service.
It was only a few short years later, after Breakforth that I was leading 17 teens from Emmanuel to go to New York City. I had no one to rely on, they were all relying on me.
I have never been good at alone, quiet time.
Today, I realized, that step of faith, has lead me to great places today. I did all of the radiation appointments alone, save 2. Everyone was working, or busy, or on holidays.
I can't imagine how I would've handled the past 18 months without the "training" I have had over the past 15 years.
Now, I am sitting in Starbucks, in Burnaby, contemplating going to a museum in Vancouver. No longer in fear of being alone, getting lost or hurt.
Looking back it is easy to see God's plan, I just wish He'd reveal what the next steps are...and quickly.
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
Vancouver.
So, today I feel like I was run over by a cement truck, I told Kent and he replied with, wasn't that yesterday?
Funny.
I woke this morning about 7 am with a migraine. Never a good way to start my day, I got up and got my meds on board and went back to bed.
At 9:40 I got up and quickly got ready for a 10:15 appointment for 2 ultrasounds. Oh, and I started drinking, I didn't make the gazillion liters that I was supposed to drink an hour before my appointment--I couldn't stomach it.
I felt like I was going to puke.
So, I knew that I was going to be one of those patients who arrives unprepared. Oh well, at least I am standing upright.
We did the thyroid ultrasound first. The reason why we are even doing this is my PET scan found a lump. The tech today found 4.
Sigh. Sweet Jesus, I do not want to do more chemotherapy. Please see a way around this!
Then, we started on my pelvic ultrasound. She told me, "Your bowels look really good." I said, "You probably say that to all the girls...." She laughed.
And she said she couldn't find the lump that they thought was there....then she took some measurements....she found it.
Sigh. Sweet Jesus, hear my plea. I just don't want to do this again.
I have spent the rest of the day in pajama pants, Mikayla is here visitng, Max is playing the guitar quietly. I am feeling more human when Kent decides that he wants to take a free course in Burnaby....tomorrow.
I have booked the hotel, he has asked me to come too and I will. We are heading out shortly.
This is an important course to have on his resume. So, Lord, I am asking you to multiply the ability for Kent to absorb this information tomorrow. I am asking for favour in finding a job and I am asking Lord for benign lesions to be what was found today.
I have to go and pack an overnight bag....I am thinking I should pick up some pizzas and head to SPC tomorrow.....
Funny.
I woke this morning about 7 am with a migraine. Never a good way to start my day, I got up and got my meds on board and went back to bed.
At 9:40 I got up and quickly got ready for a 10:15 appointment for 2 ultrasounds. Oh, and I started drinking, I didn't make the gazillion liters that I was supposed to drink an hour before my appointment--I couldn't stomach it.
I felt like I was going to puke.
So, I knew that I was going to be one of those patients who arrives unprepared. Oh well, at least I am standing upright.
We did the thyroid ultrasound first. The reason why we are even doing this is my PET scan found a lump. The tech today found 4.
Sigh. Sweet Jesus, I do not want to do more chemotherapy. Please see a way around this!
Then, we started on my pelvic ultrasound. She told me, "Your bowels look really good." I said, "You probably say that to all the girls...." She laughed.
And she said she couldn't find the lump that they thought was there....then she took some measurements....she found it.
Sigh. Sweet Jesus, hear my plea. I just don't want to do this again.
I have spent the rest of the day in pajama pants, Mikayla is here visitng, Max is playing the guitar quietly. I am feeling more human when Kent decides that he wants to take a free course in Burnaby....tomorrow.
I have booked the hotel, he has asked me to come too and I will. We are heading out shortly.
This is an important course to have on his resume. So, Lord, I am asking you to multiply the ability for Kent to absorb this information tomorrow. I am asking for favour in finding a job and I am asking Lord for benign lesions to be what was found today.
I have to go and pack an overnight bag....I am thinking I should pick up some pizzas and head to SPC tomorrow.....
Monday, 26 November 2012
SEARS
I forgot that I never finished the story with SEARS. They actually gave us an exchange on the dishwasher. We picked out another one, purchased it.
When they delivered the new dishwasher, they picked up the old one.
So, we spent $1200 on a new dishwasher, we will get a credit for $899 for the old dishwasher and a $200 credit for the unused portion of the 3 year extended warranty.
It's been 2 weeks and we haven't seen the credit yet....
This is a lesson for me. I hate purchasing extended warranties. Had we not gotten the extended warranty I would not have a new dishwasher in my kitchen....so lesson learned. I got a 5 year extended warranty this time.
Lesson learned.
When they delivered the new dishwasher, they picked up the old one.
So, we spent $1200 on a new dishwasher, we will get a credit for $899 for the old dishwasher and a $200 credit for the unused portion of the 3 year extended warranty.
It's been 2 weeks and we haven't seen the credit yet....
This is a lesson for me. I hate purchasing extended warranties. Had we not gotten the extended warranty I would not have a new dishwasher in my kitchen....so lesson learned. I got a 5 year extended warranty this time.
Lesson learned.
Hit by a cement truck
Actually, seriously I did. It sounds far worse than it actually is. It was actually a dump truck for the City of Victoria, Concrete Division.
I went into a store to buy Kent's Christmas gift, I had been looking for months and I decided to go in today and barter with them.
It worked, I got $100 taken off the cost and a freebie thrown in--because I am just that good at bartering AND they were a little desperate to make a sale.
As I went into the store, the City workers acknowledged me. One waved, one did a head nod-thing.
When I came out of the store, a City worker was standing at the back of my car. Taking down my licence plate number.
He said, I hit your car. It's my fault. I am so sorry. Is it new?
I said, yes, I've only had it 2 weeks.
He did a facepalm. I said not to worry.
We exchanged information and I thought be gracious to this poor guy!
I went home, hiding Kent's Christmas present--and made lunch.
THEN
I posted a request on FB about sponsorship to go to NYC. I decided I didn't have time to write letters. I prayed that if I were to go, the money would be provided by God's direction....
THEN
We went to vote, Jamie's first time! When they gave me the ballot, I asked if I got the winning ticket. The two men at the desk laughed. As we were walking out, we ran into one of Kent's former co-workers. It was overwhelming and I was holding my tears in--barely.
As we walked out, my tears just came. Everyone loves Kent, wants Kent to use them as a reference, but he has no job!
I said to God today, I just don't understand. Why are we here--like this!
I feel like I am on an emotional roller coaster....
THEN
While later, there was a knock on the door. And there he is, the man who hit my car. At first, I was shocked but I am learning, nothing is unusual right now....I immediately introduced him to Kent.
He told me he had made a report at work, he has talked to ICBC and he apologized again. He then handed me a small piece of what looked like blue paper.
I said thank you, and closed the door.
I looked at the paper, it was a $100 gift certificate for dinner out. I looked at Kent and said, "Wooooo! We have a date!"
Then I logged back onto FB and there it was in black and white.
Sponsorship.
Through the generosity of 2 families I am heading back to New York. December 30-January 7.
Thank you God. Thank you to the families who were obedient in generosity. I am overwhelmed--God is good to me.
I said earlier, that if you take a step back and look at the big picture of this year, it looks pretty bleak. When you look closely, and examine it day by day, sometimes, like today hour by hour...I have to say, God is good. He has carried us through one of THE toughest 18 months of our lives.
When I was looking at the damage to the car, I thought, "(Slow Clap) Nice try Satan, nice try." I laughed and immediately set to putting at ease the City worker.
God works in amazing ways, I was reminded last night at CPC Nights, that our words can affect the people around us. I could've jumped up and down and gotten all mad at the poor guy, but what would that have benefited me?
I probably wouldn't be going out for a dinner date with Kent....that's for sure.
I went into a store to buy Kent's Christmas gift, I had been looking for months and I decided to go in today and barter with them.
It worked, I got $100 taken off the cost and a freebie thrown in--because I am just that good at bartering AND they were a little desperate to make a sale.
As I went into the store, the City workers acknowledged me. One waved, one did a head nod-thing.
When I came out of the store, a City worker was standing at the back of my car. Taking down my licence plate number.
He said, I hit your car. It's my fault. I am so sorry. Is it new?
I said, yes, I've only had it 2 weeks.
He did a facepalm. I said not to worry.
We exchanged information and I thought be gracious to this poor guy!
I went home, hiding Kent's Christmas present--and made lunch.
THEN
I posted a request on FB about sponsorship to go to NYC. I decided I didn't have time to write letters. I prayed that if I were to go, the money would be provided by God's direction....
THEN
We went to vote, Jamie's first time! When they gave me the ballot, I asked if I got the winning ticket. The two men at the desk laughed. As we were walking out, we ran into one of Kent's former co-workers. It was overwhelming and I was holding my tears in--barely.
As we walked out, my tears just came. Everyone loves Kent, wants Kent to use them as a reference, but he has no job!
I said to God today, I just don't understand. Why are we here--like this!
I feel like I am on an emotional roller coaster....
THEN
While later, there was a knock on the door. And there he is, the man who hit my car. At first, I was shocked but I am learning, nothing is unusual right now....I immediately introduced him to Kent.
He told me he had made a report at work, he has talked to ICBC and he apologized again. He then handed me a small piece of what looked like blue paper.
I said thank you, and closed the door.
I looked at the paper, it was a $100 gift certificate for dinner out. I looked at Kent and said, "Wooooo! We have a date!"
Then I logged back onto FB and there it was in black and white.
Sponsorship.
Through the generosity of 2 families I am heading back to New York. December 30-January 7.
Thank you God. Thank you to the families who were obedient in generosity. I am overwhelmed--God is good to me.
I said earlier, that if you take a step back and look at the big picture of this year, it looks pretty bleak. When you look closely, and examine it day by day, sometimes, like today hour by hour...I have to say, God is good. He has carried us through one of THE toughest 18 months of our lives.
When I was looking at the damage to the car, I thought, "(Slow Clap) Nice try Satan, nice try." I laughed and immediately set to putting at ease the City worker.
God works in amazing ways, I was reminded last night at CPC Nights, that our words can affect the people around us. I could've jumped up and down and gotten all mad at the poor guy, but what would that have benefited me?
I probably wouldn't be going out for a dinner date with Kent....that's for sure.
Annus Horriblis 2012
Yes, I deleted my last post. And yes, after someone had commented. I am sorry. There was information in the blog that was not supposed to be common knowledge.
Since then, I have hermit-ed. Drawing a blanket over me and crawling under a rock.
The furnace went on Tuesday.
I spoke at youth Wednesday.
Thursday, Kent lost his job and Canada Revenue Agency called to say, the $7000 that we owed them could be put into a payment plan, starting December 15 OR we could pay the balance December 31st. Well. What options!
Friday we got the confidential information -- that I posted and have now pulled off -- that was the straw that broke my back.
I launched into the bathroom unable to face the news in the Living Room. I had completely had it.
I cried out to God and said, WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT FROM ME!!!
As I wept I hear, your very life.
.....stunned.
I know that my physical life is forfeit...for Christ's purpose....Galatians 2:20. I am crucified with Christ, I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
So, I gathered myself together, by then the Skype date was wrapping up.
Friday, Kent and I took the day off. We had some coffee in the morning and that is about all I remember from the day. Stunned, still, but determined to live by faith. I have to tell you that the circumstances of the past year left me very emotional--so much so that I called the BC Cancer Agency to make an appointment with the counselors there. I think I may be getting depressed, overwhelmed with the annus horriblis that has been 2012.
Kent went to "beer Friday" at the office, to say good bye, people were upset that he was gone, some didn't know that it had even happened until Jess, the secretary sent an email at 4 pm on Friday.
I can tell you that since then, I have worked every day that the union rules have allowed me too. Kent went to a meat raffle, sponsored by his former employer, and won steaks and ribs. Canada Revenue Agency said that the audit they charged us with this year, is null. We don't owe them $7000. I got some precious mail from a friend:
What you can't see is Mumsie is solar powered. When hit with light she waves at me. Everyone needs a friend like her, even in the overcast weather here, she is still chipper--waving at me.
We are looking for direction, we are looking to God for wisdom. We have discussed things, we are willing to go where ever God leads us, we are willing to stay here if God wants us, we are willing, we are able, we are once again, on God's good humour.
Since then, I have hermit-ed. Drawing a blanket over me and crawling under a rock.
The furnace went on Tuesday.
I spoke at youth Wednesday.
Thursday, Kent lost his job and Canada Revenue Agency called to say, the $7000 that we owed them could be put into a payment plan, starting December 15 OR we could pay the balance December 31st. Well. What options!
Friday we got the confidential information -- that I posted and have now pulled off -- that was the straw that broke my back.
I launched into the bathroom unable to face the news in the Living Room. I had completely had it.
I cried out to God and said, WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT FROM ME!!!
As I wept I hear, your very life.
.....stunned.
I know that my physical life is forfeit...for Christ's purpose....Galatians 2:20. I am crucified with Christ, I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
So, I gathered myself together, by then the Skype date was wrapping up.
Friday, Kent and I took the day off. We had some coffee in the morning and that is about all I remember from the day. Stunned, still, but determined to live by faith. I have to tell you that the circumstances of the past year left me very emotional--so much so that I called the BC Cancer Agency to make an appointment with the counselors there. I think I may be getting depressed, overwhelmed with the annus horriblis that has been 2012.
Kent went to "beer Friday" at the office, to say good bye, people were upset that he was gone, some didn't know that it had even happened until Jess, the secretary sent an email at 4 pm on Friday.
I can tell you that since then, I have worked every day that the union rules have allowed me too. Kent went to a meat raffle, sponsored by his former employer, and won steaks and ribs. Canada Revenue Agency said that the audit they charged us with this year, is null. We don't owe them $7000. I got some precious mail from a friend:
What you can't see is Mumsie is solar powered. When hit with light she waves at me. Everyone needs a friend like her, even in the overcast weather here, she is still chipper--waving at me.
We are looking for direction, we are looking to God for wisdom. We have discussed things, we are willing to go where ever God leads us, we are willing to stay here if God wants us, we are willing, we are able, we are once again, on God's good humour.
Thursday, 15 November 2012
Doubt. Overwhelming Doubt.
So, I uproot your family. It's against all odds. Leaving my beloved daughter behind, taking my son out of his friendship group as he is about to enter Grade 12, because you feel "called" to Victoria, and under the most unbelievable circumstances....I leap.
In leaping, I didn't realize the suffocating loneliness I would experience. The loss of a beloved job and employer, the ministry, the life, the friends, but it still seems like you are meant to be here.
Until today.
Today, I doubt it all. I didn't doubt it when I got cancer like I am seriously doubting now.
I know it's all under control...but today, it's out of control. My heart is heavy, I am broken.
Last night, I gave a PUBLIC declaration of my faith, speaking at youth--declaring the goodness of the Lord and today, we are under fire.
Kent was told today that his job was "redundant" and that due to "restructuring" he was laid off. Broken, he called me for a ride home.
Stunned. Now, we are in the living room, stunned....now what? Where do we go from here?
Were we really supposed to go? Were we really supposed to be uprooted the way we were?
Waiting on the Lord for direction.
In leaping, I didn't realize the suffocating loneliness I would experience. The loss of a beloved job and employer, the ministry, the life, the friends, but it still seems like you are meant to be here.
Until today.
Today, I doubt it all. I didn't doubt it when I got cancer like I am seriously doubting now.
I know it's all under control...but today, it's out of control. My heart is heavy, I am broken.
Last night, I gave a PUBLIC declaration of my faith, speaking at youth--declaring the goodness of the Lord and today, we are under fire.
Kent was told today that his job was "redundant" and that due to "restructuring" he was laid off. Broken, he called me for a ride home.
Stunned. Now, we are in the living room, stunned....now what? Where do we go from here?
Were we really supposed to go? Were we really supposed to be uprooted the way we were?
Waiting on the Lord for direction.
Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And Your law is truth.
143
Trouble and anguish have overtaken me,
Yet Your commandments are my delights.
144
The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting;
Give me understanding, and I shall live.
Wednesday, 14 November 2012
In His time
I was asked over 2 weeks ago to preach at youth, tonight. I started praying and waiting to hear the direction for the night.
I am still not absolutely sure what I have put together is what I am supposed to do, but I have a great set of notes, and I have been praying that when I open my mouth the direction I am supposed to take--will take over and God will do and say what He wants. The direction came to me this morning at 12.04 am...In His time...
My opening is that Kent won't be there tonight. Our furnace died last night. Of course, it didn't happen in the summer....facepalm.
So, I am going to put up this picture to remind them of Kent:
I am still not absolutely sure what I have put together is what I am supposed to do, but I have a great set of notes, and I have been praying that when I open my mouth the direction I am supposed to take--will take over and God will do and say what He wants. The direction came to me this morning at 12.04 am...In His time...
My opening is that Kent won't be there tonight. Our furnace died last night. Of course, it didn't happen in the summer....facepalm.
So, I am going to put up this picture to remind them of Kent:
Then, I am going to talk about a hair-growth competition that I am in with a young lady in our youth group who had cancer this summer too. I realized that I had never shown them a picture of me without my hair. So I am going to show them this photo:
I actually had hair that looked just like that.
I am super stoked to see what happens tonight and where God is going--So thankful to be a part of this!
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Math proof.
I wanted to post this in my last blog posting, but my camera and computer refused to talk. After a coffee date and a little discussing, they are now speaking again.
So here are the pictures I wanted to post:
So here are the pictures I wanted to post:
It was when I walked away from my desk and came back that I started to realized a few things. I need the math to be neat. If it's not neat, I have erased and redone the same answer a number of times....just to make sure it looked good.
It reminded me of when Melissa was in Grade 1 and 2, in Kelowna Christian School. The teachers said she was a good worker, producing great looking work, she was just painfully slow about it.
It amazes me that this simple revelation lead to me having to agree that I am enjoying this math journey.
Huh. Maybe one day I will fit in with the bunch-o-brainiacs that live in this house...
Monday, 5 November 2012
Stupid. Fracking. SEARS.
I really do. I haven't bought anything there much since the end of the 80s although, I had 2 friends working in the appliances department in Kelowna so--we did some purchasing there, but not a whole lot.
Back in January we decided to get rid of the commercial dishwasher we bought with our house and get a-run-of-the-mill dishwasher. There were several reasons for it. The commercial dishwasher ran for 90 seconds and everything came out "sort of clean" but definitely not dry. The second reason: I had just be diagnosed with cancer. Doing 8 loads for a meal and drying inbetween, didn't sounds so appealing and Kent wanted to do what he could to make my life easier over the next coming months.
Kent sold our commercial dishwasher online and we went shopping. We had purchased a dishwasher for our hold house in Kelowna at the Kelowna SEARS store with some good fortune, so we decided to go back.
Kent sold our old commercial dishwasher for $800 and we sunk a whopping $45 into that and on March 1 we picked up our brand new dishwasher.
Kent, the master of everything installed my new dishwasher post-haste and before I left for New York City in March--I had a new place to put dirty dishes!
In June, we started having some issues. We called and SEARS said that someone would be out to look at it in July--July 24th to be exact.
The technician came in, fixed a little of this and that--and said it was done.
In August we called again, same issue, some different issues....a technician was dispatched for September 11. Fixed again, new parts ordered, I was promised the dishwasher would be tickety-boo by Thanksgiving.
On October 12, days after Thanksgiving, a technician showed up to fix the dishwasher and put the parts in that were lacking. Again, another part was needed and I was told that they would expedite the part to the store and I would have it in no time at all. A fully functioning dishwasher.
Boy, were they wrong.
A date was set for October 31st. Sometime between 8-4:30 the technician was supposed to be there. I waited. I missed a call at 9 am that said he would be there in 20 minutes. So, I went to the living room to shell some pistachios that I needed for a cookie recipe, at 10.30 am, I gave up and went downstairs to do laundry.
I had to leave at noon for a meeting, but Max was home and would be home until 4. He was up in the living room beside the front door for the afternoon, either on his computer, watching TV or playing his guitar. No sign of SEARS by the time he left.
The next day, I called SEARS. They said, the technician came, YOU weren't home. I said, at what time did the technician come to the house? 12.10 the lady said. Funny how, I will be there in 20 minutes at 9 turned into 12.10. Longest 20 minutes of my life.
I told her Max was home at the time, in plain view of the front door.
So it was rescheduled for today. The technician arrived, boxes in hand to fix the dishwasher. He undid the door, pulled out the part and said, I need to make a phone call.
He called "someone" because the part that arrived, was missing parts!
He apologized profusely....and I burst into tears. I couldn't hold it all together a minute longer.
I calmly stated that I didn't want to get mad at him, and that I understood his situation. He rescheduled for November 14th.
I am not sure if you are keeping track of this saga, but for the 7 months we have owned the dishwasher, we haven't been able to use it for 5. In fact, SEARS told us not to use it.
So, after the technician left today, I pulled myself together and called SEARS. I know the customer service people by name and asked for Anna-Marie...she is the supervisor.
Through my tears I explained that when we got the diagnosis of cancer, Kent knew that this would be a great benefit to me, so he pushed for the sale of the commercial dishwasher, staying up late night after night to post it on kijiji.ca and usedvictoria.com. To have the dishwasher failing so often--and being so new was tough enough but to be so abused by SEARS and the customer service department and the technicians...I had lost all patience today.
Without yelling or swearing--I told them what the last number of months have been like. Hours on hold, unable to use the appliance and leaning on the sink doing dishes--was sometimes all the energy I had for the day.
I have been misused by SEARS for the final time.
Today, just as I was heading out the door to work, Anna-Marie's supervisor called me, stating that they will replace the dishwasher and that someone would be calling in the next few days to arrange it all.
I can't say I am relieved. I can say that in the 4 service calls we had, SEARS gave us 2 service orders. They state that after 3 service orders the appliance will be considered a lemon and a new one given.
Keeping us on 2 service orders meant that they were skirting this issue.
I will never again, ever buy something from SEARS again. The customer service has sucked and the technician's didn't seem to know what they were doing. To top it all off, what was ordered was wrong.
Back in January we decided to get rid of the commercial dishwasher we bought with our house and get a-run-of-the-mill dishwasher. There were several reasons for it. The commercial dishwasher ran for 90 seconds and everything came out "sort of clean" but definitely not dry. The second reason: I had just be diagnosed with cancer. Doing 8 loads for a meal and drying inbetween, didn't sounds so appealing and Kent wanted to do what he could to make my life easier over the next coming months.
Kent sold our commercial dishwasher online and we went shopping. We had purchased a dishwasher for our hold house in Kelowna at the Kelowna SEARS store with some good fortune, so we decided to go back.
Kent sold our old commercial dishwasher for $800 and we sunk a whopping $45 into that and on March 1 we picked up our brand new dishwasher.
Kent, the master of everything installed my new dishwasher post-haste and before I left for New York City in March--I had a new place to put dirty dishes!
In June, we started having some issues. We called and SEARS said that someone would be out to look at it in July--July 24th to be exact.
The technician came in, fixed a little of this and that--and said it was done.
In August we called again, same issue, some different issues....a technician was dispatched for September 11. Fixed again, new parts ordered, I was promised the dishwasher would be tickety-boo by Thanksgiving.
On October 12, days after Thanksgiving, a technician showed up to fix the dishwasher and put the parts in that were lacking. Again, another part was needed and I was told that they would expedite the part to the store and I would have it in no time at all. A fully functioning dishwasher.
Boy, were they wrong.
A date was set for October 31st. Sometime between 8-4:30 the technician was supposed to be there. I waited. I missed a call at 9 am that said he would be there in 20 minutes. So, I went to the living room to shell some pistachios that I needed for a cookie recipe, at 10.30 am, I gave up and went downstairs to do laundry.
I had to leave at noon for a meeting, but Max was home and would be home until 4. He was up in the living room beside the front door for the afternoon, either on his computer, watching TV or playing his guitar. No sign of SEARS by the time he left.
The next day, I called SEARS. They said, the technician came, YOU weren't home. I said, at what time did the technician come to the house? 12.10 the lady said. Funny how, I will be there in 20 minutes at 9 turned into 12.10. Longest 20 minutes of my life.
I told her Max was home at the time, in plain view of the front door.
So it was rescheduled for today. The technician arrived, boxes in hand to fix the dishwasher. He undid the door, pulled out the part and said, I need to make a phone call.
He called "someone" because the part that arrived, was missing parts!
He apologized profusely....and I burst into tears. I couldn't hold it all together a minute longer.
I calmly stated that I didn't want to get mad at him, and that I understood his situation. He rescheduled for November 14th.
I am not sure if you are keeping track of this saga, but for the 7 months we have owned the dishwasher, we haven't been able to use it for 5. In fact, SEARS told us not to use it.
So, after the technician left today, I pulled myself together and called SEARS. I know the customer service people by name and asked for Anna-Marie...she is the supervisor.
Through my tears I explained that when we got the diagnosis of cancer, Kent knew that this would be a great benefit to me, so he pushed for the sale of the commercial dishwasher, staying up late night after night to post it on kijiji.ca and usedvictoria.com. To have the dishwasher failing so often--and being so new was tough enough but to be so abused by SEARS and the customer service department and the technicians...I had lost all patience today.
Without yelling or swearing--I told them what the last number of months have been like. Hours on hold, unable to use the appliance and leaning on the sink doing dishes--was sometimes all the energy I had for the day.
I have been misused by SEARS for the final time.
Today, just as I was heading out the door to work, Anna-Marie's supervisor called me, stating that they will replace the dishwasher and that someone would be calling in the next few days to arrange it all.
I can't say I am relieved. I can say that in the 4 service calls we had, SEARS gave us 2 service orders. They state that after 3 service orders the appliance will be considered a lemon and a new one given.
Keeping us on 2 service orders meant that they were skirting this issue.
I will never again, ever buy something from SEARS again. The customer service has sucked and the technician's didn't seem to know what they were doing. To top it all off, what was ordered was wrong.
Math. Who knew?
I believe great insight into ones life is achieved through leaping from ones comfort zone.
I know you're looking for an author for that quote--it's me.
I have never been an advocate of comfort zones, although I live quiet happily in my comfort zone of youth ministry.
My math skills book has been uncomfortable zone. Although it has been giving me great insight into my life.
I must have missed school completely when they did subtraction...you know the 1000-935. Ugh. Still trying to figure that one out. If you are a elementary school teacher and you are reading this, please do me 2 favours: 1. Tell me at what age you learn this skill, 2. Teach me how to do it...I hit and miss...
I am sitting currently at work, I am 13 chapters into my Grade 6 book and I can honestly say, I am getting it...and it's a thrill when I get it right.
I have learned some of the reasons why Math and I went so horribly wrong. Like I said, you have to be at school to learn a new thing, I know that I missed a great deal of school when I was young due to illness and well, family issues.
I have also learned that I am anal. Yes, anal. I know this is probably nothing new to the readership here, but tonight, I have realized....I am really that girl.
I need things in a row.
I need them neat.
I need to be able to read all numbers at all times.
I can't stop mid-question. I have to finish it first.
I need a sharp pencil and a good eraser.
No wonder timed drills and I didn't get along. Things are really starting to make sense and I can honestly say, who knew that I would actually be sitting at work, enjoying this Math 6 book? Huh. I am going back to subtract fractions with unlike denominators...and I am going to like it.
****I have no doubt that I will turn the page and have to learn a new skill and my new found fondness of all things math WILL change.****
I know you're looking for an author for that quote--it's me.
I have never been an advocate of comfort zones, although I live quiet happily in my comfort zone of youth ministry.
My math skills book has been uncomfortable zone. Although it has been giving me great insight into my life.
I must have missed school completely when they did subtraction...you know the 1000-935. Ugh. Still trying to figure that one out. If you are a elementary school teacher and you are reading this, please do me 2 favours: 1. Tell me at what age you learn this skill, 2. Teach me how to do it...I hit and miss...
I am sitting currently at work, I am 13 chapters into my Grade 6 book and I can honestly say, I am getting it...and it's a thrill when I get it right.
I have learned some of the reasons why Math and I went so horribly wrong. Like I said, you have to be at school to learn a new thing, I know that I missed a great deal of school when I was young due to illness and well, family issues.
I have also learned that I am anal. Yes, anal. I know this is probably nothing new to the readership here, but tonight, I have realized....I am really that girl.
I need things in a row.
I need them neat.
I need to be able to read all numbers at all times.
I can't stop mid-question. I have to finish it first.
I need a sharp pencil and a good eraser.
No wonder timed drills and I didn't get along. Things are really starting to make sense and I can honestly say, who knew that I would actually be sitting at work, enjoying this Math 6 book? Huh. I am going back to subtract fractions with unlike denominators...and I am going to like it.
****I have no doubt that I will turn the page and have to learn a new skill and my new found fondness of all things math WILL change.****
Friday, 2 November 2012
Math Skillz....not.
My gifting is not Math Skillz.
It has been very difficult to live in a house with a bunch-o-braniacs. Then, my daughter has the odacity to marry one, so, there is one more to add to the bunch-o-brainiacs...
A couple of weeks ago, I was out shopping with Mikayla (Sherry) and Jamie (Nearing-Horie) :)
We found a deal on sweaters. Buy one, get one 50% off. Jamie had found a sweater and so did I. Mine was $38 and hers $28.
Do you think I could do the math to figure out what the deal was? Neither could Jamie....so I didn't feel so bad. We asked for help and got ALL kinds of different answers.
Jamie said, We should get a math work book. I know she said WE to be polite, really I think she meant, Kim seriously, you should be able to do this math.... (toe tapping....) I am kidding Jamie...
So after about a week of indecision, I decided to go get a book. I know exactly where my math skills went so terribly wrong. It was about grade 4. So I thought, considering life skills, I should be about Grade 8--oh, I was so wrong.
I picked up the Grade 8 work book--there were letters in the book. I put the book down. Fast. English and Math should never mix.
I picked up the Grade 7 book...nothing looked remotely familiar.
So, I picked up the Grade 6 book and decided--I had better start there. So I did. I can tell you it has been a struggle. It has been frustrating. I am now 8 units in and the "basics" are coming back to me, my multiplication tables, and such.
I still think subraction is part of "the curse." Thanks a lot Eve.
Back in Grade 4, my teacher decided that he would "push" us a little he started doing timed math drills. I could do the math, but it would take me a long time to get the solution. Timed drills hated me.
Then, the teacher put up a graph with our scores with coloured stickers to represent the totals. I never got a sticker, ever.
I remember the feeling vividly--he would hand out the papers and I would get a lump in my throat, the tears would start....I would start to sweat. I would try figuring out the equations before the timer would start. All my attempts were in vain, I could just never get past the block I had.
As the years went on, there were components I would understand and then there were the basics that would escape me.
In Grade 7 we were divided into 2 groups. The smart math kids and the dumb math kids. I remember thinking this would royally suck, because the kids in my class I could call on for help were gone. I was now one of the "smart dumb kids." Again, humiliation is not a way to learn.
Grade 8 was a completely dismal, my life at home had unravelled and my school life was just as horrendous, they say you need to show up to school to actually be taught, but I can remember my last day of Grade 8 in Frank Hurt Junior Senior Secondary-I was dressed in a strapless dress my mother wore in Hawaii, I had green runners on--I was a disaster, the teasing was too much, I walked out of Frank Hurt vowing I would never return.
The truth is, I have heard this over and over again from my own generation, how the school system failed them. I agree, it sucked, but I know this: it's up to me to improve who I am. Even more so, as a Christian, I am called to improve myself on a daily basis.
So, the math book--it goes along with my mantra of improving who I am.
Along those lines, I have re-joined weight watchers, to lose the pounds I have gained through treatment, to have a small group and to meet some people in the city.
As well, I started re-memorizing scripture that I have internalized but have forgotten along the way. The first one is in--II Timopthy 3:16 and 17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful in teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the son of Man will be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Booyah.
It has been very difficult to live in a house with a bunch-o-braniacs. Then, my daughter has the odacity to marry one, so, there is one more to add to the bunch-o-brainiacs...
A couple of weeks ago, I was out shopping with Mikayla (Sherry) and Jamie (Nearing-Horie) :)
We found a deal on sweaters. Buy one, get one 50% off. Jamie had found a sweater and so did I. Mine was $38 and hers $28.
Do you think I could do the math to figure out what the deal was? Neither could Jamie....so I didn't feel so bad. We asked for help and got ALL kinds of different answers.
Jamie said, We should get a math work book. I know she said WE to be polite, really I think she meant, Kim seriously, you should be able to do this math.... (toe tapping....) I am kidding Jamie...
So after about a week of indecision, I decided to go get a book. I know exactly where my math skills went so terribly wrong. It was about grade 4. So I thought, considering life skills, I should be about Grade 8--oh, I was so wrong.
I picked up the Grade 8 work book--there were letters in the book. I put the book down. Fast. English and Math should never mix.
I picked up the Grade 7 book...nothing looked remotely familiar.
So, I picked up the Grade 6 book and decided--I had better start there. So I did. I can tell you it has been a struggle. It has been frustrating. I am now 8 units in and the "basics" are coming back to me, my multiplication tables, and such.
I still think subraction is part of "the curse." Thanks a lot Eve.
Back in Grade 4, my teacher decided that he would "push" us a little he started doing timed math drills. I could do the math, but it would take me a long time to get the solution. Timed drills hated me.
Then, the teacher put up a graph with our scores with coloured stickers to represent the totals. I never got a sticker, ever.
I remember the feeling vividly--he would hand out the papers and I would get a lump in my throat, the tears would start....I would start to sweat. I would try figuring out the equations before the timer would start. All my attempts were in vain, I could just never get past the block I had.
As the years went on, there were components I would understand and then there were the basics that would escape me.
In Grade 7 we were divided into 2 groups. The smart math kids and the dumb math kids. I remember thinking this would royally suck, because the kids in my class I could call on for help were gone. I was now one of the "smart dumb kids." Again, humiliation is not a way to learn.
Grade 8 was a completely dismal, my life at home had unravelled and my school life was just as horrendous, they say you need to show up to school to actually be taught, but I can remember my last day of Grade 8 in Frank Hurt Junior Senior Secondary-I was dressed in a strapless dress my mother wore in Hawaii, I had green runners on--I was a disaster, the teasing was too much, I walked out of Frank Hurt vowing I would never return.
The truth is, I have heard this over and over again from my own generation, how the school system failed them. I agree, it sucked, but I know this: it's up to me to improve who I am. Even more so, as a Christian, I am called to improve myself on a daily basis.
So, the math book--it goes along with my mantra of improving who I am.
Along those lines, I have re-joined weight watchers, to lose the pounds I have gained through treatment, to have a small group and to meet some people in the city.
As well, I started re-memorizing scripture that I have internalized but have forgotten along the way. The first one is in--II Timopthy 3:16 and 17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful in teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the son of Man will be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Booyah.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)