WHAT MADE YOU GRIMACE & GRIT YOUR TEETH TODAY?

Yes! Doesn't that sound more like it?

Congratulations on giving such a rousing speech, msolga! I am sorry to hear that you couldn't convince them of the error of their ways entirely, though it doesn't sound as if that was possible.

Olga!

Congratulations.

Even when you're on the side of the angels, spontaneous applause is not easy to come by.

Now, a woman who can make forceful, cogent public speeches should not be cowed by a Command Performance on Christmas Day.

Is there a dog who will have to be walked? Will there be a dinner to be walked off?

Are you ready for this?
I just got a call from a woman in downstate Georgia who opened a big box delivered by USPS today and found not only her ordered merchandise from Victoria Secret but MY merchandise from Amazon.com as well. Somehow, my order ended up in her box. She thinks that one of the boxes burst and somehow, both of our orders were grouped and put into one box.
Of course these are Christmas presents. Think I'll get them in time? I'm not even sure how to go about fixing this. Amazon.com does not list a phone number anywhere on their website so it'll have to be USPS. Something tells me that this isn't going to be easy. But who knows?
Wasn't it great of that woman to phone me? I mean, she could have just kept my packages or tossed them in the trash but she made the effort and called. Good woman.

Thank you for your warm congratulations, mac & Noddy. But let's keep this in perspective. I'm not quite Hilary (one "l" or two? )Clinton yet. I'm still wearing L plates!

Noddy, it's not confronting the family gathering itself, it's feeling wretchedafter.

Yay Msolga!!!!!

Thanks, Deb! Sometimes I sorta surprise myself!

Eoe, just go to your order on your account at Amazon, then email them with the number etc.

They were fabulous when they sent the wrong thing to me.

eoe, it's always on the shipper to trace packages or correct misdeliveries. Trust me, if you try to call the delivery company they will simply tell you what I just did. Call Amazon.

Most companies will simply re-ship replacment product once they complete the trace. They just want to make sure you're not trying to scam them.

Eoe--

Since Amazon didn't have access to Victoria's Secret's Shipping Department this problem belongs to the Post Office.

Msolga--

Cut a little piece of kitchen sponge and tuck it in your pocket or purse on Christmas day. When you get home, sterilize the sponge and its sopped-up uglyness with a bit of bleach and throw sponge and unpleasantness away.

Who owns your Memory Bank, anyhow?

That's what I told the doofus at the post office this morning but she tells me "There's no way to be sure of that." Okay? I wanted to smack her for being so hellbent on not being responsible. She told me to call the woman who received the package and have her take it to the post office...now, the woman was kind enough to phone me in the first place. Now I'm supposed to ask her to cart my package to the post office??? Did the PO clerk pick up a phone or a pen or anything? Hell no. She just slid some papers across the counter to me that I'm to file in triplicate.
grrrrr......

That particular Post Office Employee is going to have coal and ashes in her stocking this year and throughout 2006, she'll be first in line when she sends a co-worker postal.

I'd e-mail Amazon Customer Service with the problem. They have more clout with the USPS than the rest of us do.

My memory bank (the family bit of it, anyway) is not a jolly place, Noddy, but I cope with it much better now than I used to. Strange how some folk have such hazy & distorted recall of things that actually happened. I'd find it easier to deal with Christmas if we could deal honestly with our shared history, rather than white-wash it. Frankly, I'd like to do something a little more dramatic than the kitchen sponge thing!

Some days ago, two of our best friends started the legal procedure of getting divorced, and yesterday we learnt that the male of some other close friends lost his job.

That's vey sad, Walter. Tough times. Lucky these folk have a friend like you.

Actually, it had not much to do with tough times:

the divorce was about "sexual behaviour" and "spending money" (which they don't have); the loosing of the job is due to go to the internet at work (which is strictly forbidden in the [state] institution where he works).

The male "divource friend" doesn't talk with me (us), since he knows my opinion.

I am (we are) only "lending our ears" to the other three.

Amazon.com is making it right. They're sending new items out ASAP. I'll call the receipient of the original package and just tell her to keep them. Merry Christmas.

Sorry about your friends, Walter, but people will bring bad times on themselves. I got an earful from my oldest stepson last night about his lovelife. He and his ex-girlfriend can't seem to stay away from one another but they make each other miserable when they're together and neither, obviously, has the good sense nor the courage to just let it go and it's frustrating hearing this same song from him over and over.

Msolga--

Drama? I'll give you drama. Take along a box of birthday cake candles (either physically or mentally) and every time you notice the Family Folklore departing from reality, light a candle.

When challenged on your behavior explain that you are just trying to see more clearly.

Then when you've Done Your Duty in the Spirit of the Holidays and escape to the Real World, your Near & Dear will have something new to talk about.

Walter--

Listening ears are very comforting in times of uproar--particularly when you have the forbearance not to underline the obvious.

Eoe--

Three cheers for Amazon.

As for Turbulent Young Love....I'm glad I'm not young any more.

Amen to that!

Who knew simple little ice skates were so damn difficult to track down?!!!

It's the one thing sozlet really wants for Christmas. I've been focusing on getting stuff out to far-flung family, then just this week turned my attention toward finishing up with immediate family (sozlet and E.G.). Had their lists done for a long time and most things purchased/made, ice skates were one of the last big things. Planned to waltz into Target, grab some, and out the door. No biggie.

Nuh-uh!!!

Problems started when I checked Target online last night just 'cause I was curious about price and saw that all the skates said "Online only." Wha...? Then have wasted a ridiculous amount of time calling various places to see if they have them -- nobody does!!! So I'm going to have to pay $20 in rush shipping fees to Amazon, and it still might not arrive before Christmas (wish I'd gone with my gut and ordered last night, would've been enough time).

ARGH!