Happy birthday, Suzi!

Happy Birthday, Suzi!

Happy Birthday, Suz!

FUCK.

I just checked my bank account online and discovered that the friggin credit union deducted my rent check, by far my biggest bill, TWICE. I didn't realize it until now, and of course now their damned offices are closed until Monday. I could kill someone. HUGE overdraft fees and bounced bullshit heading my way if I can't work this out ASAP.

Nowhere to leave a message on their voicemail, so I've sent an irate email. Of course they can't do anything until Monday. Fucking wonderful.

Ugh, Kristin. If it's any help, there hopefully won't be any transactions against your account till Monday which would bounce. Also, since this is clearly their screw up, they should eat any overdraft charges and fees.

Am taking a research break. Waiting for my folks to come into town. I need some etiquette advice: both of my parents' birthdays were this past week (the 4th and the 6th) and when they decided to come up and visit (there's a bigger family lunch thing tomorrow) today/tonight, I offered to cook dinner for them as a birthday treat, since money's kind of tight with us. They declined and instead asked to go to a semi-hoity toity restaurant in Ipswich. I didn't specifically offer dinner up as birthday present, so I don't know what to do or how to handle this. It's going to be tough enough to eat the costs for the 2 of us for dinner tonight as well as (I assume) lunch tomorrow. But I feel like a heel if I don't offer to pick up the tab.

Thoughts? I have not mentioned to them that we are financially tight right now.

Nora, thanks. I do think that the CU will eat the overdraft fees and all; it will probably be fine. I'm just really frustrated because I was going to do something nice for myself today since I'm so bummed about ND leaving, and now I can't without using the credit card, which I've sworn off. Gr, argh.

In terms of your folks, I would be *really* honest with them. They love you, they'll understand. Just tell them that you had offered to make dinner because money is a little tight right now, and the restaurant is not really a possibility at the moment. Maybe offer to make dessert for them at home after they've eaten at the restaurant on their own? I know it feels like you're being a heel, but you're really not. They are inadvertently putting you in an uncomfortable situation, and I'm sure they would want to know.

Yikes, Kristin. I hate shit like that.

Also yikes, Nora. I'm not sure what I'd do in that situation. I sort of feel like they shouldn't have suggested the change unless they were willing to at least split the tab, since "let us cook you dinner" does *not* equal dinner out at a fancy restaurant to me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUZI! With huge hugs and cake and lots of happy.

Happy Birthday to Suzi!!

Nora, is it possible for you to tell your parents that things are tight right now and that it would be difficult for you?

If you don't want to go into that with them can you express that you were really looking forward to having them to your home in the relaxed atmosphere, cooking your favorite stuff to show off your mad skillz, etc.

{{Erin}} I can only imagine the high level of emotion at your school. Peace to the poor family in this nightmare.

Kristin, banks totally crazy making. I just closed an account I had for 23 years because they pissed me off so much. Now I have the annoying new account where it takes things longer to clear until you establish the account, etc. The way they are set up now everything goes out instantly the moment you spend, but deposits show the next day midnight or some such. I'm ready to start writing checks again for a bit of cushion.

edit because words in brain do not equal words from keyboard

Happy Birthday Suzi!

In happier news, per sj's recommendation, I made reservations for my friend Katie and me tomorrow at the Rose Tree Cottage for afternoon tea. Yay!

Also, if sj stops by, insent.