What's on Your Mind Thread - 2024

[Kwik]

I got a phone call from my older brother yesterday, and it seems that our sister is not long for this world. By way of explanation, I am the fifth of seven kids, with three older and one younger sisters. The oldest one passed in 2016, leaving two, and it is the third one, the sibling closest to my age, that I speak of. She was diagnosed with stomach cancer a while back, and had treatment for it, but now it has come back. She is at home, under hospice care now. Her and hubby were back East two years ago, and that looks to be the last time I will have seem her in this world, as they live out in Washington State, and we don't travel because of the cats. Ah, the joys of getting old. Yay.

So sorry to hear about your Sister-I pray you have Peace and Comfort and perhaps a small Miracle too,I ask and Hope

 

[MoochNNoodles]

I’m really sorry to hear this.

 

[NY cat man]

We got a shipment from Chewy today- six 35lb. buckets of Tidy Cats Fresh and Clean litter ( yeah, we go through a lot of the stuff) and several cases of Fancy Feast wet food, and FedEx outdid themselves. Aside from leaving the cartons in a puddle of snowmelt, instead of on the porch, one of the buckets had a split in the bottom, and one of the cases of food had 21 out of 24 cans crushed. Michele called right away, and Chewy is replacing the damaged stuff, but still......... Can't FedEx get competent help anymore ?

 

[Kwik]

We got a shipment from Chewy today- six 35lb. buckets of Tidy Cats Fresh and Clean litter ( yeah, we go through a lot of the stuff) and several cases of Fancy Feast wet food, and FedEx outdid themselves. Aside from leaving the cartons in a puddle of snowmelt, instead of on the porch, one of the buckets had a split in the bottom, and one of the cases of food had 21 out of 24 cans crushed. Michele called right away, and Chewy is replacing the damaged stuff, but still......... Can't FedEx get competent help anymore ?

No,they can't- they delivered my couch and put it in front of my door- how was I supposed to get out? Had to call my next door neighbor to move the 2 heavy boxes so I could open my door!!!!lol,it's so absurd I have to laugh

 

[Kat0121]

How cute is this??? Lilith loves her tent and has recently been napping in one of those catnip scented paper bags. I was shopping at Target.com for more of the paper bags and saw this. I had to get it for her. When I get it, I'll make sure to tell her that it's mine and she can't have it. That way she will want it for sure.

 

[nurseangel]

N NY cat man prayers for you family.

The closer I get to surgery, the more terrified I become. Remember the expression about your blood running cold? That's the way I feel and sick to my stomach. I do not want to spend the night in the hospital and nobody gets it. Not the other nurses at work, not my family, not my friends. I would rather spend the night in jail and I have worked there, so I know what it's like. When I was in the hospital with the flu, it was a nightmare.

Kat0121 it is cute beyond words. And it put a smile on my face, which is something that rarely happens these days.

 

[NY cat man]

N NY cat man prayers for you family.

The close I get to surgery, the more terrified I become. Remember the expression about your blood running cold? That's the way I feel and sick to my stomach. I do not want to spend the night in the hospital and nobody gets it. Not the other nurses at work, not my family, not my friends. I would rather spend the night in jail and I have worked there, so I know what it's like.

Kat0121 it is cute beyond words. And it put a smile on my face, which is something that rarely happens these days.

That's about how I felt, back in '84, in the leadup to my back surgery. First off, the myelogram was no picnic- there were no MRIs or CT scanners in this region- and then the surgery itself. My neurosurgeon had promised that one of three things would happen. I would get better; I would get worse; I would stay the same. I rolled the dice, and, after recovery, went back to doing the same job, as a heavy equipment mechanic, for the next 32 years.

 

[MoochNNoodles]

I am absolutely battling to stay awake while my son works on his history. He is drumming his hands on his chair across from me while reading from his textbook and it’s driving me batty!!

I just made a cup of black tea so hopefully it’s enough caffeine to get me through. If I get up; he stops working. So I am going to try to finish a novel. Id put a movie on my laptop but it would distract him too much.

Now he’s whistling while doing the mapping assignment. And tapping colored pencils.

The closer I get to surgery, the more terrified I become.

I’m sorry this is giving you so much anxiety. There have been a number of times in my life that all the mental gymnastics leading up to something was worse than the thing I was dreading. I have learned to purposely focus on something coming later. It could even be treating myself to a cheeseburger or latte after an appointment. Or something fun I’m looking forward to like Christmas shopping. It doesn’t help that you had a bad experience. We have to figure out how to battle our brains/thoughts as much as our bodies. Maybe more sometimes. It’s easier said than done

 

[iPappy]

We got a shipment from Chewy today- six 35lb. buckets of Tidy Cats Fresh and Clean litter ( yeah, we go through a lot of the stuff) and several cases of Fancy Feast wet food, and FedEx outdid themselves. Aside from leaving the cartons in a puddle of snowmelt, instead of on the porch, one of the buckets had a split in the bottom, and one of the cases of food had 21 out of 24 cans crushed. Michele called right away, and Chewy is replacing the damaged stuff, but still......... Can't FedEx get competent help anymore ?

One of the FedEx drivers left a 60 pound box in the middle of my Mom's driveway. They didn't even try to move it towards the porch or the side. Mom cannot move a 60 pound box.
I've left instructions on their website for delivery ("please leave at the side door next to the double glass doors") and they just...dump it in the driveway or wherever they please. I'll pay extra to use UPS at this point.

 

[Kwik]

One of the FedEx drivers left a 60 pound box in the middle of my Mom's driveway. They didn't even try to move it towards the porch or the side. Mom cannot move a 60 pound box.
I've left instructions on their website for delivery ("please leave at the side door next to the double glass doors") and they just...dump it in the driveway or wherever they please. I'll pay extra to use UPS at this point.

I dunno who's worse between FedEx & UPS ,I have certainly had better service from UPS as far as the handing and placement of packages BUT I'm not sure they can read addresses- every time it's UPS it goes to a neighbors house- Fed Ex is more reliable imo BUT they drop off Willy nilly..... in any event,the worst of the worst of the worstestess(lol) is USPS!! LORD only Knows whst might become of your delivery..... sheesh,they all get more incompetent people with each year I'm pretty sick of banged up boxes thrown any old place

 

[Kat0121]

I think Fed Ex is generally worse than UPS but USPS is the worst of them all. They just raised some of the prices again too. The mail service to my house is good but the service where DD lives in NC is atrocious. They have a 1 star rating on Yelp and someone referred to that delivery post office as the entrance to hell. I agree. The carrier left her a yellow notice to pick up a package and she took it down there a couple of days later. The woman behind the counter just told her it wasn't there. Without checking. After going back and forth with DD a few times, she finally checked and miracle of miracles, it was there!

Fed Ex lost points with me when they teamed up with USPS. Some Fed Ex packages get handed off to USPS for final delivery. If I wanted them to deliver it, I would have taken it to them to begin with

My biggest gripe with UPS is that you cannot get a person on the phone if you really need to speak to someone. Their phone system must have been invented by the people at the post office near DD. If I have to send a package, I use UPS. Cheaper and faster than USPS.

 

[Kwik]

I think Fed Ex is generally worse than UPS but USPS is the worst of them all. They just raised some of the prices again too. The mail service to my house is good but the service where DD lives in NC is atrocious. They have a 1 star rating on Yelp and someone referred to that delivery post office as the entrance to hell. I agree. The carrier left her a yellow notice to pick up a package and she took it down there a couple of days later. The woman behind the counter just told her it wasn't there. Without checking. After going back and forth with DD a few times, she finally checked and miracle of miracles, it was there!

Fed Ex lost points with me when they teamed up with USPS. Some Fed Ex packages get handed off to USPS for final delivery. If I wanted them to deliver it, I would have taken it to them to begin with

My biggest gripe with UPS is that you cannot get a person on the phone if you really need to speak to someone. Their phone system must have been invented by the people at the post office near DD. If I have to send a package, I use UPS. Cheaper and faster than USPS.

Agree- yep,the lowest rates now are UPS plus now Fed Ex wants to scan your drivers license- no no no,not happening..... off to UPS I went,I'm paying cash and there's the return address on the package- they do not need to collect my personal info

 

[maggiedemi]

Bringing Gracie & Harlow to the vet at the crack of dawn. Hope they will spay Gracie. She's terribly skinny! Hope they can help her gain weight. Would hate to lose the little pumpkin.

 

[iPappy]

I think Fed Ex is generally worse than UPS but USPS is the worst of them all. They just raised some of the prices again too. The mail service to my house is good but the service where DD lives in NC is atrocious. They have a 1 star rating on Yelp and someone referred to that delivery post office as the entrance to hell. I agree. The carrier left her a yellow notice to pick up a package and she took it down there a couple of days later. The woman behind the counter just told her it wasn't there. Without checking. After going back and forth with DD a few times, she finally checked and miracle of miracles, it was there!

Fed Ex lost points with me when they teamed up with USPS. Some Fed Ex packages get handed off to USPS for final delivery. If I wanted them to deliver it, I would have taken it to them to begin with

My biggest gripe with UPS is that you cannot get a person on the phone if you really need to speak to someone. Their phone system must have been invented by the people at the post office near DD. If I have to send a package, I use UPS. Cheaper and faster than USPS.

I had a very special largeish photo of Tag ordered a few months ago, shipped via Fed Ex. The tracking updates froze and my photo was "lost" for a week, only to find out the USPS had it and it was on their truck, dinking around the entire state before being delivered. I was so, so angry. Had I known this, it would have saved me a lot of headaches and stress. Calling for more information did nothing, all I got was stupid A.I. that did absolutely nothing but drive my blood pressure through the roof. When I finally figured out what was going on, USPS couldn't find the tracking number. Never again.
Fed Ex routinely leaves the 55 pound boxes of cat food in my Mom's driveway, to which I have to drive up there, wrestle these huge boxes into my car, and haul them back to my place. Even though I've specifically asked Fed Ex to follow some basic delivery instructions, they never do. UPS OTOH not only brought my boxes to the correct location, but carried them in and took them to my freezer. The driver even offered to help me unload it! I'll happily pay to use UPS any day of the week.
The only thing I'll give Fed Ex is there seems to be one or two drivers who at least make an attempt. They put the boxes close up against my Mom's house so she can use her driveway, and send me a photo confirmation that the order has been delivered. I do appreciate that at least.

 

[susanm9006]

I had a very special largeish photo of Tag ordered a few months ago, shipped via Fed Ex. The tracking updates froze and my photo was "lost" for a week, only to find out the USPS had it and it was on their truck, dinking around the entire state before being delivered. I was so, so angry. Had I known this, it would have saved me a lot of headaches and stress. Calling for more information did nothing, all I got was stupid A.I. that did absolutely nothing but drive my blood pressure through the roof. When I finally figured out what was going on, USPS couldn't find the tracking number. Never again.
Fed Ex routinely leaves the 55 pound boxes of cat food in my Mom's driveway, to which I have to drive up there, wrestle these huge boxes into my car, and haul them back to my place. Even though I've specifically asked Fed Ex to follow some basic delivery instructions, they never do. UPS OTOH not only brought my boxes to the correct location, but carried them in and took them to my freezer. The driver even offered to help me unload it! I'll happily pay to use UPS any day of the week.
The only thing I'll give Fed Ex is there seems to be one or two drivers who at least make an attempt. They put the boxes close up against my Mom's house so she can use her driveway, and send me a photo confirmation that the order has been delivered. I do appreciate that at least.

If there is one reasonably near you, you can request your delivery to be held at Fed Ex location.

 

[iPappy]

If there is one reasonably near you, you can request your delivery to be held at Fed Ex location.

With the photo, I had no idea such a thing existed. With the 55 pound boxes, it would be quite an ordeal.

 

[MoochNNoodles]

FedEx is the one most likely to be unpredictable here but I can’t complain. We had the nicest delivery driver for a while; always smiling and would wave if he saw me driving nearby. Our old UPS guy retired so I’m not even sure who we have now. The best was when DH’s friend was working for USPS and saw my boxes of school books on his truck so he text DH to tell me he was coming so he could carry them inside instead of leaving them on the porch. We had a nice mail lady too but they’ve reorganized the routes. She might have retired too though. I do drive farther to use one of the post offices with actual parking lots. Its worth avoiding the downtown hassle. UPS is still my favorite though.

And that reminds me. I need to pack up and mail a bucket of vintage toys to my friend. She had 3 boys so some things her mom (who was my maternity/newborn photographer) had saved from her childhood made their way to DD. Now DD has outgrown them; but my friend had a surprise after 40 baby girl. So I want her to have her mamas toys. But they aren’t local anymore so I have to mail them. I should probably weigh them to see who I should ship with.

 

[Kwik]

Funny thing- since we're talking about Fed Ex and after reading MoochNNoodles commenting on her long time delightful and considerate delivery folks it reminded me of my old mail man of 25yrs who would see you walking to the mail room & HAND you your mail (216 units)and he new mostly everyone by name-after he retired now you hear" you can't reach into your slot until I finish,it's a Federal offense " .... sheesh

So yesterday I'm thinking about how I'm supposed to get 2 80lb boxes into the house,out old FedEx driver would have asked" where do you want them ma'am"- a real sweetheart,miss him( retired)

Anyway,delivery was between 10 and 2:30,I already know how this guy rolls(btw the FedEx warehouse is 5blocks away) ..so at 2:20 I sat outside & had a $20 in my hand- now the guy has a hand cart,how easy is that? With Andrew before me I asked" can you help me out and wheel them in" - he replies " well I can't come inside ( pause) "but" ( pause) hmmmph!

What? Looking for more?wants to tell me the huge FAVOR he's going to do..... he's got me confused with someone else!!! With that I see my maintenance man,perfect timing " come my friend ,make a quick buck" rofl

Fed Ex guy looked shocked,you snooze you lose fella!

 

[Kat0121]

UPS is the best of the big three for pricing and general delivery IMO but going back to what I said about not being able to contact them by phone, I am expecting my Target order today from UPS and on the tracking page it says this:

Translation: Don't bother calling us.

Anyone else noticed this or is just me that they don't want calling?

 

[artiemom]

Another USPS story. In November, around Thanksgiving, I picked out 2 pairs of glasses: one daily, and one for distance: as in watching TV at night.
The frames were sent out, by optician, using USPS.. now this guy has been in business for 40 years and never had an issue. It should have taken 10 days, at most, for turnaround time. I waited 3 weeks.... I called, He panicked-- called the lab-- they NEVER received them! He was frantic.. He said to wait a few more days, at the labs suggestion before I picked out new frames. I waited. The day before I was going in to pick up new glasses, He called me. He said the lab had JUST received them.. a total of 4 weeks after being sent out!!!

Bottom line, I got my glasses within a few days. The lab put a "Rush" on them, and did an overnight delivery...
The order also had a few other clients glasses in them... OMG! absolutely ridiculous..
~~
Regular mail.. Our mailman delivers daily.. every day. When he has time off, there is NO ONE to substitute for him. One time they sent in 3 guys to deliver the main to my building. When the regular mailman is not here, We do not get mail.. Perhaps once a week-- if lucky..

And USPS has the nerve to increase rates... ridiculous..