I was in a coma by the time she finished her tale of woe…
Oh. My. God.
This happens to me all the time and it’s not that I’m not sympathetic- I am sympathetic. But when a conversation begins with toenail fungus and ringworm and ends with the saga of the ex-husband getting laid off as of the start of next year and all that implies vis a vis her son’s college costs his senior year and her manager’s cardiomyopathy and inability to work…
And I’ve already been listening for an hour to a series of ills that have befallen her in that odd monotone she affects…
I stopped listening 20 minutes into the conversation. Apparently the occasional, “Um-hmmm” and “Oh” and “Yeah” were all that was required of me.
And here I was in a darn good mood, just walked the dog, was headed out to the garden to water around the big spider web and a new web that appeared today over the third garden bed (say hello to my leetle friend — I guess the big girl sent out invitations- remember that children’s book, Miss Spider’s Tea Party?), and dump my containers of earthworms into the prepared soil when the damn phone rang and I knew I had to answer because it might be about my parents. My dad’s having a rough time just now.
Sorry. If I had a post planned this phone call blew it clean out of my head.
Think of other things… think of other things…
Hubby’s at the ballgame, wearing a white fedora so I can spot him - already saw him in the crowd! (Televised game.) Jake was really great on his walk - neighborhood walks are a challenge because he’s nervous around traffic so I deliberately take him out around traffic, but he’s heeling quite well. My kids are good, knock wood. I made a gallon of sun tea today and I got quite a bit done on my current work in progress, Stay.
Okay, I’ve got to focus on something happy. Baseball, a glass of wine, and a good book. Oh, and I can think about the actor, Jeremy Renner, accidentally taking a viagra instead of an ambien on a cross-country flight…
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I’ve had a few of those conversations lately. It’s surprising that the other person doesn’t notice when you all you’re saying is “yeah”, “oh”, or “wow”.
Oh hon! Don’t pick up the phone! Don’t do it!
Have a nice tea party with your spider. I make fresh sun tea each morning in the summertime. Right now my favorite is Ginger Peach tea (The Republic of Tea)….I add slices of orange, lots of ice, and fresh mint from my garden to each glass.
Have a great weekend!
IN my head: “Must Solve Problem, think think think.” AHA!
Get rid of the landline. Only have a cell. Assign a ringtone to your parents, Husband kids. Maybe you can do that with a landline too.
I used to have a keychain that had a mock cell phone ring thingie. Used to use it when I got long-winded customers. Push that little button, and say, “Oh, my cell phone’s ringing. Got to get this.” I could safely hang up without offense. Would work for a time or two…You could always put your hand over the receiver and say something to a mythical person, like “I’ll just be a minute.”
But I don’t think you are as devious as I am. Know exactly how you feel.
Hmn, ambien-little brown pill, viagra-big blue pill. Yup, easy enough for a person to mix up. Of course, actors aren’t known for being long on smarts. Heh.
Yeah, hear ya about those “conversations.” It’s one reason I have a tendency to “lose” my phone.
Bless, you see we are a little bit different, while being sympathetic to someone’s plight there does come a point when you just have to say ‘shut the hell up’! No.
Mind you, at the office I’m on the top floor. When the postman arrives each day just as he is ready to come into the office block I am in he toots his horn three times as a signal. If he hasn’t got to me in 10 minutes it is my signal to ring his mobile as he has likely been caught in another miserable tale of woe from a female lawyer on the first floor who even describes her horrible period pains to HIM, WTF!
Sometimes, just to be cruel, I don’t ring him. You need to set up an SOS my sweet, someone you can text with HELP, ring mobile now, and then when it does ring have it near the land line and say it’s a family member and you need to go….
And don’t you be harming spiders, I like spiders especially when I have one cupped in my hands and then surprise the arachnophobia known as Ishbel as I open my hands under her eyes…. What…….
xx
Don’t. Answer. The. Phone. At what point did it become mandatory to answer the phone? I don’t. Everyone I want to talk to knows I screen my calls. Simple. Effective. And much less stressful.
See? Charlotte got lonely. Go water your garden… Have a better day.
Caller ID was the best invention ever! I almost never answer the phone anymore. Enjoy your dreamy thoughts of Jeremy Renner!
I know how you feel…Been there many times…
Ah, sorry to hear that, Savannah. We all have our own family issues I guess.
Yes, Casey - funny dreams of Jeremy Renner! I have caller ID but the area code is the same as my parents and I thought the call might be about my dad.
I do screen, Anny. Was expecting something else. Yes, Charlotte did get lonely. Now she has a mini-me.
Oh Tom, you are sadistic! I’ll have to try that - I like it, an SOS. You and spiders! I won’t ever hurt them, but I don’t want them on my face. I’m with Ishbel!
Obviously I need lessons, Sharon! This isn’t something that comes naturally!
Unfortunately I must have a landline so hubby can always be reached. I do usually use my cell. Head-shaking.
Thanks Penny. So far my weekend is off to a nasty start but I know it will get better! And yes… tea party! I love that Ginger Peach, by the way!
Yes, Amber, isn’t it interesting? I think the person on the other end is so focused on what they have to say it doesn’t matter what you say at all.
Ah Jeremy Renner… I hope the new Bourne movie is good.
XXOO Kat
Ah Kat - I get the appeal…
Ouch! Keep the happy thoughts coming. Yay, you, on the WIP progress.
I will try, Sandra! Today, aside from being itchy, is better.