Typepad Is Holding My Money Hostage

Middle Aged Princessis moving this blog to this new blogspot address..

Typepad is a service that I have used for a couple of years now. I haven't been entirely happy with them as they say you are paying the "pro" charge for a certain space of storage for files that you can never upload. Then they began hiding that info in the account, so you wouldn't know how much you were not getting.

So they prebill years, and that's fine. Last year they collected two years of payments from me erroneously. I was fine with that, as I saw my account page showed me up to date until June 2009. Then the end of June comes, AND MY ACCOUNT IS SHUT OFF. I explain what happens, and the accounting/customer service department starts talking to me like I am the idiot. I just love that, and they are not listening.

From June 19th until June 24th, they insist there is no fax number or e-mail to send billing documents to, but that you need to upload. What a perfect opportunity to demonstrate how the upload tool DOES NOT WORK. Yeah, good luck with that.

So after having to send several nasty messages to customer service, I finally get the e-mail that I needed. Course they send over the wrong one first, and then taunt me that if I send it by fax it will just take longer. I have very rarely had such bad service before. I can assure you, that I have never done business with the company again that gave it to me.

So I send the the pdf file with all of the credit card info, they can't find the e-mail for two more days. By the time they do, they claim they can only see one page of a 9 page pdf. Fine, I start sending them it page by page. Now the story is the file was damaged, they couldn't read it at all, but brought in a team of experts that worked on it for 30 seconds, and bingo they have the info that they need.

Course now they are refusing to refund me the money, even if I cancel the service and they can't deliver the service that I am paying for. So I will now commence my daily posting on this blog of exactly this statement for every day of service. You know, you just don't want to piss me off in this way.

Friday Fishing

I have been busy concentrating on my dog training business lately, and applicable articles. I apologize for the lack of posting. I hope to be back on schedule soon.

Pros and Cons of Family Estrangement

A Mother Talks About Her Part in Estrangement

Born Standing Up, A Summary of Steve Martin's book

Margo's Advice for Overbearing Father in Law

Thursday Thirteen (13) Random Things

Thursday thirteen random things:

1. I have to pee right now, but realize I haven't updated this blog since Monday!!
2. I am confused by why my step-monster has added her previous marriage name to her last name as in [old married name]-[new married name]. That would piss me off!!
3. I miss my hubby when he doesn't work from home:(
4. My eyes itch, I believe I forgot my friggin allergy medicine-----AGAIN.
5. Okay, I gave up wine, weight should go down already. Really, this is madness.
6. I have six dogs sound asleep and snoring all around me.
7. Found out that Devon, my tenant's dog, can and will catch and kill birds. A little different than being a hunting "bird" dog, as they are dented when he retrieves them back.
8. Coffee intake in the morning, makes me really have to pee. Yet, I forget to when I get busy.
9. I really think people should believe everything that I do.
10. Little concerned that their may be a bee's nest in the attic. Good job for super hubby.
11. Need to wash down old lady's crate for incontinence in the evening or early morning hours. One would think I would learn to get up a little earlier, but I always think I am going to avoid it.
12. I used to want big boobs, now I would kill for my A sized ones back.
13. My feet are suffering from the summer dog training months, as usual, with blisters and roughness.

Monday Me Me

Assumed to be tagged by Crse!!



1. What was I doing ten years ago?
So that would be around 1998. I was working in public accounting and married:) We have been married for 17 years now. I was with one of my favorite employers SKBKF, but getting a bit bored. I wanted to go into private manufacturing, which I did the next year. While it made me the most money, it was a miserable experience in so many ways.
2. What are five things on my list to do today?
a) Shower
b) Get dressed
c) Meet with client
d) Train with Bri
e) Train with Jackie
3. Snacks I enjoy?
Is it edible???? I am there.
4. Things I Would Do If I Were A Billionaire? Well, I would have a house anywhere that I liked to vacation for one. Two, I would probably set up self funded training programs for animal shelters.
5. Three of my bad habits?
Oh thank God I only have to divulge three.
a) being on the infernal internet
b) obsessing
c) accepting that I am not in control of everything:)
6. Five places I have lived?
a) Worcester MA
b) Holden MA, where if you are a minority, you are the only one LOL.
c) Lowell MA, the pit of Massachusetts!!!
d) Southbridge MA, if you like dining out or doing anything, do not live here!!
e) York ME
7. Five jobs that you have had?
a) grave digger or cemetry raking, leave blowing person
b) janitor at movie theatre
c) candy girl at movie theatre (guess they thought my hottness during nineteen shouldn't be hidden
d) goodwill clothes sorter
e) all night gas station attendant---filed under scariest job ever!!
8. How did you name your blog? My family actually does suck LOL.
Ok tag. You are “it”.

The Dreaded Father's Day

I think a lot about my grandfather on this day. He was a man that liked doing projects. He liked birds and wildlife. He loved his wife, though she could be a bit much at times LOL. Sorry gram, but you know you drove everyone crazy, especially your husband. Heehee. However, those two spent so much time together, had trips, went bowling.... All in all, it was one of those friendships that should last beyond the grave. I hope gramp and gram have met up now. I also hope gramp, that you get the occaisional "errands" to give you a break as before.

Gramp loved kids and babies. He very much loved his grandkids and later great grand kids. He came from a large family of eight or nine siblings. I think he has one sister left, and everyone else has passed on. I hope my gramp has been reunited with them and his parents as well. I know it was tough for both Gramp and Gram to see their sisters and brothers mostly pass on before them. They both lived to see my step brother, Josh, die as well.

Happy father's day Grandpa. I miss you, and hope you are with your loved ones. We will see you a little later!! I hope you have found birds to feed up there!!

My father in law passed away earlier on this year. Actually just last month:( I hope he and my mother in law are united. They were also a dynamic couple who loved their kids and grandkids. When they were younger, they did a lot of traveling together. My father in law didn't feel quite up to it anymore later on in life. He had a very hard time with his bipolar disease through his whole life, but still managed to have an independent life, work, and support his family. It was a condition that would have put a strain on the best of marriages, but their marriage survived it.

He and my husband talked almost every day on the phone about something. He looooovvvveed sports. He had bonded with the boys over that early on. Although he was not biologically my husband's father, he was the only one to be a father to my husband thru both childhood and adulthood.

He also loved dogs, and he would talk to me about that as long as I wanted to:) Happy father's day Poop, you were a good dad to a lot of people. We will meet up with you later on!

Thursday Thirteen (13) Innovations or Inventions that I enjoy

Here is a list of 13 innovations or inventions that I very much enjoy:

1. Laceless sneakers or slip ons that are supporting and comfortable.
2. Velcro.
3. Digital cameras.
4. Digital camcorders.
5. Movies on Demand.
6. Netflix.
7. Convertible leashes (shoulder strap, two dog, one dog et al).
8. Moisturizer and sunscreen.
9. Flat screen tvs and computer monitors.
10. Items like the blackberry.
11. Blogging software and storage online.
12. Video upload and storage online.
13. Ipods and mp3 technology.

Meeting Up With an Old Friend After 20+ Years!!

Talk about your estrangements, huh? I had last seen my friend before I moved out of the apartment we shared together 20+ years ago. It had not ended on a good note, though not for any specific reason. We were both young, and involved with our own thing.

This friend had been my absolute best friend during the first year of college. I loved their sense of humor, sense of fun, and they were easy enough to get along with. The sense of humor was a biting sort of sarcasm, but I always thought said with a twinkle in the eye at the time. This friend had introduced me to the favorite term during college "fuck me with a rusty chain saw" which still makes me chuckle to this day. They were just kind of out there and a bit different, which appealed to me and still does appeal to me. Most likely because I felt like I never fit in. However, I think of my friend as more the cool kid, although they may not think or have thought of themselves that way. May have felt more like I did then, than I ever imagined.

My friend was very into reading things that I would never be into. I found that interesting however. I always perceived them to be something of a good student, but not focused on any one discipline. I could picture them being anything that they wanted to.

I should point out, there was a bit of an identity or coming out crisis with this friend. Something that, after seeing them, I think is still struggled with to this day. I only say this because they felt more closed off and angry to me, then I had (at least) perceived 22 years ago. Not necessarily that they were acting angry towards me or anything, it was a certain vibe I got, and something that I had either not picked up on before or had not recognized (if I am indeed correct) until now. Being asked what they were doing or anything, suddenly made them seem quiet and reserved. Is it because they still not feel confident having come out? I mean the discipline photography itself, is nothing too radical. Personally, I don't find the subject matter all that radical in this day and age. As far as lifestyle, I was always brought up to believe what two adults (or more by the way) did in their private lives (assuming everyone is of age, consensual, of the human species, and not bizarrely related) is really their own business. I know at one point it was perceived to be a problem by my friend, as I was weirded out when another friend of my same sex hit on me.

This was during college obviously. The reason that it was weird was that she was truly a friend, and there was no hint of chemistry ever between us. It's a bit different that I thought it was weird she would do that, and my other friend having relations with people who were my friends too. I was happy for them when they finally came out to me. The reason they hadn't been honest from the beginning was because of my reaction to the other incident, which in my mind, was far removed.

So it may have been weird meeting my husband and niece and not knowing if they were accepted or not. I not thinking about it beforehand, didn't think to have the discussion with anyone, because it doesn't seem that unusual to me and felt that aspect would be ho hum by now.

It also could have been, this friend never liked me as much as I liked them LOL. I think that is true of a lot of friends that I have lost contact with. I don't know why that is, but I seem to have valued them much more than they valued me. And this is only my thought process here, as it wasn't a bad meeting, but there was definitely a bit of awkwardness and trying to recognize the person that I knew in college. Probably the same on the other end, as I was a wilder girl and a lot less reserved, I guess. Maybe not all that much. I much more enjoyed this friend's antics than I would have ever had I initiated them myself.

I also don't think my friend has a lot of hetero friends!! I am not sure, but in talking to him, he felt awkward about talking to other hetero friends about their relations or kids. I don't understand the difference between the two really, other than one couple is same sex and the other isn't. Normally relationships are relationships and really, there are the same things to talk about.

Just found it interesting how an interaction twenty years apart had these different nuances, where it is hard to let your guard down and just maybe enjoy each other. Which we did!!! you know what I mean, it will probably always be awkward on some level seeing old friends with that time passing.

Tuesday Terror-Dirt Boy

I think almost every horror movie has a family estrangement story of some sort in there. This movie, Dirt Boy, is no exception, but it is part of a mystery.

This was filmed in the Cape Cod area, and is obviously and independent film. This film was very good, and not the disappointment of other independent horror films where you actually hear the director shouting cut or see the mike!!!

This film was very well done, and I found it hard to go away for a drink, bathroom or anything before it was done. I very much enjoyed this. I had my doubts considering it was an American made horror movie on Netflix's play immediately list LOL. In fact, I forgot to play it on my computer, and was bummed when it came in on DVD. I loved this movie though.

Friday Family Estrangement Blog Fish

Weirdness of Family Estrangement

Strange and Short Estrangement

Dad Separated from Children

The Dying N Parent

Thursday (13) Thirteen Favorite Things to do In Boston

We will be visiting Boston Mass shortly. Here are thirteen things that we love to do in Boston:

1) Franklin Park Zoo with their butterfly sanctuary and bird aviary.
2) Visit our niece, Mychal. Smarty pants who is getting excellent grades in college.
3) Restaurants, although we don't have a particular favorite in Boston. though the steakhouse at the armory, has been one that we have gone to more than once.
4) Comedy shows of course.
5) Shopping on Newbury Street or Copley Place.
6) Antiquing on Charles Street.
7) Walking tours.
8) The Duck tours.
9) The science museum, and especially looking forward to seeing U2 on Imax or the surround theater (which I think is different).
10) Staying on the concierge floor at the Ritz (though since the remodeled the old and new, this will tend to be too pricey this visit:(
11) Indoor pool at the hotel that is roof top and under the star skylight!!
12) Cocktails at night after shows. Well, and dessert as well.
13) Visiting high end furniture stores, and drooling.

Presidential Sports

This presidential up and coming race is looking a lot like a sporting event to me, like the Superbowl, but a little more at stake than just winning a trophy LOL. Looks like Hillary is not going to make it as a nominee. Sadly that is who I was planning to vote for.

Obama has things going for him, but he's a bit slick for my tastes. I am also concerned about his lack of experience, although it could mean looking at the situation with fresh new eyes. Not necessarily a bad thing, but there is a learning curve there, and you don't want any newbie mistakes happening in the beginning. That could spell disaster. The Muslim thing, that doesn't worry me because Muslim does not = terrorist!!! He is an American and I don't believe he is a secret agent for either Pakistan or Iraq. In fact, I welcome someone who will not make Christianity the thought process for his decision making, and will probably stay well away from his religious issues. That is a plus. What is with the disastrous alliance with these priests though LOL? Though let's face it, if I was up for president, and you had interviewed say my grandmother (who BELIEVED SHE WAS NOT RACIST) you would have gotten some very newsworthy quotes. I would not have disowned my grandmother, so being these are old family friends, I do understand the logic.

So it may come down to Obama or McCain. Mr McCain has made some very funny yet questionable jokes when running for office. You can't help imagining this over the phone to some diplomat. Yikes. On the other hand, he seems "real" and you sees what you gets kind of a guy. Where Obama has a slickness which I am interpreting as kind of a fakeness, and not sure what you get when the race is over. I mean you don't know what McCain will be either, other than he is been in politics forever, and is pretty knowledgeable about foreign policy et at this key time. Which of course, brings us to his age and health. So, if I were to vote for him, I would be very interested in who his Vice President is. Guess that can't be Hillary, sigh.

Now if Hillary became aligned with Obama, that would have to seal the deal for me. I don't think Vice Presidents do not do anything, and she would at the least be a good sounding board with some experience, assuming they could work together. So you would have the "older" experience with the "fresher" outlook. It might be a good balance.

Not that it matters, but this would be a big historical moment too. First non white or male president (assuming Hillary can still win) and first female Vice President. I mean, I guess I could say non-white Vice President, but I really don't think Hillary can pull out of this. I may still write her in on my ticket though.

We shall see.

Tuesday Terror-P2, Cloverfield, The Orphanage

Here is a tip on Netflix. If it's foreign and horror on instant play, it's probably really good. Otherwise, not so much. So instant play English and Horror, probably worth while just playing it for a few minutes to verify that it completely sucks, and then take it out of your que!!

However, these are various movies that I have seen lately, that are deservingly well made horror movies IMHO.

P2 Very cool thriller about a parking attendant that has gone over the edge. I found it suspenseful and gripping. Also the woman in this is not your typical girly screamy victim.

Cloverfield I waited for this movie with baited breathe for so long, I was sure that I was going to be disappointed. I really enjoyed this film. Good traditional giant sized monster story, from the video of a single video camera.

Well worth the wait, and I loved this.

The Orphanage Subtitled spanish horror movie about a woman that wants to reopen an orphanage that she was brought up in, to rehabilitate troubled or special needs youth. This has a couple of really good mysteries in it. Very frightening in places.

This was out on Netflix for instant play before it was ever available on movies on demand et!!!

LOVE AND MARRIAGE

These thoughts were inspired by this news story. It's basically about how men prefer no marriage to a bad marriage. I am sort of surprised that the same is not said of women, but this was written by a man looking into his own thoughts on marriage. Therefore, nor surprisingly, other men were interviewed for this story.

People of my generation are largely from divorced homes. I am. My husband is. At least 50% of our friends are. 50% of Robert's siblings are as well. None of my female cousins (three of them) have gotten married or had children. So I think there is a lot of truth to not wanting to have a bad marriage, first and foremost, over the desire to get married.

I, personally, think this is healthy. I have never really related to women just desperate to get married. The ones who the first boyfriend that asks, is definately going to be said yes to. When you are very familiar with the dynamics of a bad marriage, then you are probably not going to want to go in that direction. This is why I have always been one for living together. My grandparents and I am sure that my father, were aghast at this. Course the situation where I walked out of my father's house kept him from complaining too much about it.

Robert and I lived together for 5 years before we got married. At that point, it was a foregone conclusion that we planned to be together, and we just wanted a party quite frankly LOL. And 17 years later, we are still married and have been together for 22 years.

Whereas my parents "gunshot" wedding at 19 years old was basically a recipe for disaster. A cousin recently replayed such a scenario in their marriage. To get married just to get married without much thought of combatibility or "trying it out first", I think is a foolish endeavour. It's not a great plan for family life either. Robert and I were lucky to have grown together well. The reason I wouldn't have jumped into marriage early on, nor Robert, was to be sure that a young (in our years) relationship was just not something that would go south one day. I was 19 when I met Robert, so all I could think about was the distaster that was my parents marriage.

That's not to say things were daisies and rose petals during those young years. We had some fights then, over things we would not blink over now!! But it takes learning about life, communication, and how life changes to begin to deal with those things maturely. I mean how else could a marriage go through the changes we face now, mainly the death of Robert's two parents over a three year period of time. That is a huge change for him, and for me. He lost two best friends who he has known for most of his life. They have been his center, and now that center is gone. When you are young, you might think your relationship will weather this easily. That is only true if you truly have a strong relationship to begin with. One that is built not only on love (though that is wicked important), but trust, respect, giving, caring, selflessness, et. Oh, and a healthy sense of humor helps:)

Victims

"If it's never our fault, we can't take responsibility for it. If we can't take responsibility for it, we'll always be its victim." Richard Bach

Main Entry:
vic·tim
Pronunciation:
\ˈvik-təm\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
Latin victima; perhaps akin to Old High German wīh holy
Date:
15th century
1: a living being sacrificed to a deity or in the performance of a religious rite2: one that is acted on and usu. adversely affected by a force or agent : as a 1): one that is injured, destroyed, or sacrificed under any of various conditions 2): one that is subjected to oppression, hardship, or mistreatment b: one that is tricked or duped.
I was subjected to "oppression" until I took control. People who take control of their lives, with responsibility and looking at all angles, are not victims. Other people may not agree with their actions, but according to the definition above, to be held to stranger's in society's wants, would be being a victim. To be held in servitude to others, is being a victim.

Saying no, setting boundaries, and limitations is not being a victim. It is not the problem of the individual setting the boundaries, if another can not respect them (being that they are reasonable, and not totally out there). Settling for less than what you need in a relationship, is being a victim. Being able to give as well as recieve in a relationship, is not being a victim.

Strange when the people trying to oppress you, say you think YOU are the victim, when you finally take your life back.

As far as me I live where I want near the beach, have a successful marriage and family life (minus three people by my choice), work in a field I love, and have discovered how to run my own business(es). I don't feel very "destroyed". There were periods in my life where I felt trapped to not be myself. Those days are over, and have been for a long long time. That's very freeing and positive.