The Pergo in my kitchen has survived some 15 years relatively unscathed.

I suspect the styrofoam packaging I put in the landfill will be my main contribution to future archaeologists.

According to the research I've done in the last hour, vinyl floor outgas like a mofo and shouldn't be used in homes with chemically-sensitive people like me. Well, shit. I hate it when I make a decision and then get new info that makes me change my mind. Now I have to make a decision again!

Dear nickel-and-diming surgeon who thinks he knows it all: I take out a window and just put it back just about as much as you take out a heart and "just put it back". Why does it take you so long OMG? What are you really doing in there? Can I waltz into your OR without proper gowning and waltz back out into the halls covered in blood?

Betting you're going to miss my company when we pass on your huge project because you are a total PITA.

Also, talking to a contractor who can't afford health insurance for himself (let alone his employees) about how poor you are while standing in your beautiful, massive house in a neighborhood patrolled by off-duty cops? You're lucky you didn't get a staple gun to the head. "I bet you make as much as I do per hour" my ASS. Wanna trade for a month? I could use a trip to Fiji. Or, well, health insurance. You and your wife together are grossing $700K MINIMUM. And you work six months a year, max. If I'm lucky, I'll gross $32K this year (over 10% of which will go just for health insurance premiums).

I don't want your pity; I just want you to shut up and pay my boss so my paycheck won't bounce. And go be arrogant somewhere besides my work space - I don't bust up in your business and criticize your stitches.

No love,
Me

Dear wife who's also a doctor; girl, I hope he's worth it. You are awesome and I dig you.

Dear adorbs kids who like to stare at me; back atcha, cuties.

Rant over, back to work. These are the people who can afford to hire us, even if they don't want to pay us. This is why my boss handles the clients, and we just shut up and work.

Now I have to make a decision again!

Look at it this way - at least you didn't pay to get it installed, get sick, lose work time, pay a contractor to rip it back out, live with the mess while you choose a new flooring, and then pay a contractor to install that.

I totally endorse the pre-research before flooring decisions! Some friend redid their house with awesome enviro elements, but had to move out for 2 YEARS before it was finished. Eek. In the end, all their choices were brilliant and they basically plan to dwell there for all their days remaining.

smonster, I wish you strength and the patience to not nailgun anyone in the head. It won't make them any smarter and I'd hate to have to mount the smonster bail campaign. Ya know? That would mean the asshat wins.

Look at it this way - at least you didn't pay to get it installed, get sick, lose work time, pay a contractor to rip it back out, live with the mess while you choose a new flooring, and then pay a contractor to install that.

Oh, sure, if you're going to use logic and look at the bright side.

Oh, sure, if you're going to use logic and look at the bright side.

I'm sorry! Gave you the lip and you wanted the ear. Lordy knows I hate making decisions.

After roiling about it for two days, I went to my friend-of-the-cat-care's house this morning and ended our friendship.

I was so fraught, I actually shook. That is not me!

Without getting angry (pushing that down is probably what caused the shaking) I told her that it seemed clear that she considered me a bad friend for not being able to magically divine that she was in crisis and 'crying for help' over her travel plans and that there was no amount of crisis...not death, not disease, not anything...that would inspire me to be rude to her like that.

At one point she said, "Well, I thought I had done so much for you" and then broke off.

Later, I said that I could only imagine that the end of that sentence must be '...that I don't have to be polite' or, '...you don't deserve my respect' which is sadly something my father would have said to me...or her husband would have said to her.

Friendship is not service without civility.

I gave her the money back, and her keys. At that point, SHE seemed angry, but neither of us shouted.

She made a well-worn comment about how she just doesn't know how to ask for help. Which is odd, since she seems so good at it to everyone else.

My surrogate mom called yesterday and, as always, had really good advice. At one point she sort of shouted, "You need new friends!" I laughed, but then about an hour later in the conversation she paused and said, "So. I don't want this point to be lost. How _exactly_ is it that you are going to go about finding some new friends?" At which point, we brainstormed.

I lurve her.

Friendship is not service without civility.

This is very important and true. I'm glad you cut ties with her, Bonny.