Sunday, March 6, 2011

As my world turns


One pedestal is good--two is even better.

Last Monday I eased back into work rather uneventfully. Though busy through the front halves of my shifts each evening, the back halves were pleasantly silent. Friday made up for the easy week, beginning with an altercation with a nursing home administrator who was clearly insane and kicked me out of the establishment because I was not a part of the agenda. The administrator wanted to use their own hospice agency, even though the family wanted the organization I work for.

This is a blatant violation of law which does allow a patient or their advocate to choose the provider of hospice services that they want. Imagine that! A patient has rights.

Immediately upon leaving that place, I got a call from another client's relative who wanted to give me a piece of what's left of his mind. Though angry with the physician of record, it was me this man felt compelled to unload his venom upon (that's because he got nowhere with the doctor). While I can manage someone's grief and anger well enough, I draw the line at name calling. After listening to his angry diatribe for 2.5 minutes, I was allowed to speak. That's what he said..."OK, now you can speak." I said one word, which was, "I" and he hung up before I could finish my sentence. I had to listen to an old man call me a "piece of crap" without the satisfaction of telling him, 'I need to tell you that we have a zero tolerance policy for abuse of any kind, including name calling.' So not satisfying. When I met that man last week, I had a fleeting thought that he was from the same mold that gifted the world with Mr. Larger Than Life. Now I've no doubt.

One week back and I've already had my share of the disturbed in this world. Don't think for one moment that I'm not planning my next vacation already.


The world just doesn't make furniture like they used to 70 or so years ago. I love the inviting and romantic looking back of this chair. Although there are no markings on my furniture, it's a set that's made in the Duncan Phyfe style. This is clearly not the type of chair you'll find at Ikea.

The biggest news this week is that we were stood up by the buyers of the dining room suite. After hours of toil to prepare for the sale--no exaggeration--they didn't show Saturday and apparently, though they agreed to buy the set, no money exchanged hands. The man handling the sale didn't even have the courtesy to call and tell me the sale was going nowhere and that he didn't plan to keep his noon appointment, either. Therefore, it's not sold, and now it's off the market. After writing the post the other day, I realized how much I truly love my furniture.


To make room in the small space, we're splitting up the set. The buffet is already upstairs where it will now house spinning fiber and knitting accessories.

You win some, you lose some.

Just as I began to post this, the antiques dealer called to let me know that the buyer who was a no call/no show yesterday would like to tie up my next Saturday off.

After the week I've had, I needed a good laugh.

8 comments:

Finding Pam said...

Rudee, I think it is a sign that you should not sell that beautiful dining furniture. My grandmother had a set of Duncan Fife table and hutch. I never had the chance to have it. I would gladly give up my set for one as lovely as yours.

That really is rotten that any person would have the gall to call you names. Doesn't he know that you are an angel? I am sorry that he hung up on you. THe doctor must have done a job on him to make him so mad.

Please send me you address via email and I will send you some note cards.

Silliyak said...

"You win some, you lose some" and some are called on account of rain... If they should happen to express interest again, (cheerfully) tell them the price doubled, and at each protest add more to the price. (Is my passive aggressiveness showing?)

Miss T said...

When you really love something, there's a way to make it work.

Stephanie V said...

Are you serious? What rude people...and the sales guy is just as rude, I think. I'm so happy for you that you don't have to part with that furniture. My experience is that houses will usually expand a bit if it's really important. Your yarn has a very distinguished new home...and I love that chair!

Unknown said...

I've been there with rude patients and their family. Calling names is never appropriate. I'm sorry you had to go through that.

Even at my most furious this week, I never was disrespectful to the medical staff that infuriated me.

Glad you decided to keep the furniture. I hate it when people no call no show.

The Bug said...

I'm not cut out for your line of work - in many many ways, but the main one is being gracious (or politely firm) in the face of crazy. I'm just not sure I could do it. There would be screaming matches that would not end well for me :)

I'm glad you're keeping the furniture. I think you might need it.

Celia said...

I'm sorry you had to deal with that guys displaced anger. Yup! Zero tolerance for name calling. Good policy.

Mimi said...

Oh that chair is fabulous!
My Dad was a cabinetmaker, and he would have adored that chair.
The table is beautiful too, and I'm so glad they didn't turn up. Imagine how you'd feel if you later wished you hadn't sold it.