I was really irritated on Tuesday, Peter was unwell and he asked me to cancel his dental appointment. I called in on the way to work at 8am but they didn't open till 8.15am. I rang at 8.20am and 8.40am but both times the phone was engaged. I had to teach at 8.45am, so I rang back at 9.45am. His appointment had been at 9.10am. they told me I had to pay a cancellation fee of £48 before I could reschedule. I said OK, I'd pay and rebook at 4pm. I then got a lecture about missed appointments. I told her I'd tried calling but the phone was engaged and the receptionist was really hostile and antagonistic towards me. I told her again I would pay after work and hung up. After work I called in, asked to make a payment for a missed appointment, then once the bill was settled I asked to speak to the practise manager and made a complaint. I pointed out the 'we have the right to work in a safe environment' sign and informed her about the morning conversation and whilst I appreciate the staff must face argumentative clients, they need to listen before becoming defensive and they could probably save 50% of the abuse they receive.
We had a lovely day on Monday. It was the 6th month anniversary of Stephanie's death. I'd requested the day off work. My mum had given us a 'In Loving memory Rose' which our grandson and I planted together.
Day 97 A lovely last day with son and grandson. Off to the park, Easter treats and some gardening.
Day 98
Back to work, the weather is gorgeous, I don't know the last time I wore a coat. Home to water the garden and I booked my flights to Paris in June to meet my friend for a weekend. A campsite for the weekend and tickets for Countrytastic in Malvern for our granddaughter, grandson and DIL next week.
Day 99
A bit of a hectic day in work, but nothing I couldn't handle. Tutoring in the afternoon, then a food shop and coffee with a friend. I had a glitch with my sign in details and had to get my son to buy my ticket for the next match to Birmingham City, there were about 3 tickets left, I was in a slight panic. I also booked a champagne treat for my friend and I at the Eiffel Tower. Home to water the garden, dinner, a bath and watch some TV.
Day 100 Up early to hang the washing up. I packed all my mugs etc up and took them home ahead of the school holidays. Home from work via GP to make a medication review appointment as requested and collect a prescription (that wasn't ready). I packed my stuff for the weekend away and scheduled some blogging. I also tided up the side of the house. We caught up with some TV and an early night.
Before:
Day 101 Sorted fridge stuff out ready for Peter to pack when he collects me from work later. Last day of term and two weeks off. Peter picked me up and we drove to St Briavels, set up the van, had tea and walked into the village to the local pub for an hour, back just before it got dark, read for a bit and had an early night.
Day 102 A lazy morning and a leisurely breakfast. Collected granddaughter and after some cuddles with baby grandson, we went to Chepstow for the day. A rearranged visit from when I'd been ill. We went to the Castle, had lunch out and a wander around the town. Dropped her home, more cuddles and son did a BBQ. We headed back to the camp site just before sunset to set up again. An evening spent reading and just chilling out.
Hubbies selfie skills need some work.
Day 103 After breakfast we packed up and back to son and DIL’s for the morning. DIL and I took the children to an Easter party in the village hall in my old neighbourhood and spent some time with my friends. Peter and son came down late afternoon, we said our goodbyes and went our separate ways home. Birmingham lost the cup, Peter watched Man Utd in the car on the way home while I drove. Unpacked, watered garden, washing on, tea and an early night.
Things to make you smile:
Granddaughter wanted a video of her twirling in her dress. We'd both worn our tutus to the Castle. Grandad had started to film us when she stopped and started crying. Apparently it was to be just her and I was to film. She stopped crying instantly and did the most beautiful twirl which I filmed in slow motion, before falling over.
As is typical of a 5 and a half year old (the half has become very important all of a sudden) everything is WHY? now every time she says WHY? I hit play on my phone and now she identifies as Annie Lennox and tells everyone that this is her song. She thinks she's very beautiful.
I can't seem to park the little car. I took this photo to show my colleague that it can be done as the previous day, she'd commented that I was 2 foot from the curb and that was after 3 attempts to park.
Things that made me happy: Grandchildren, gardening, camping, school holidays. Birmingham City winning the league.
There's a grandchild waiting to jump out of a gap in the wall.
What is it about dentist receptionists, the one's at ours are awful. I have had many arguments with them. It's like they've had extra training learning to be hostile! It sounds like a good week with some fab things being planned. What a lovely break away in the van! Your Granddaughter sounds like quite a character.
I am surprised by how awful they people at the dentist were. Also £48 for a missed appointment sounds a bit much. Love the picture of your cat. I know that you've travelled with her and the dog from abroad. I will do that with my cat shortly. If you have any specific posts on that, please share them with me.
What a busy week! Sorry to hear about the unpleasant receptionist at the dental clinic, that's so unprofessional of her. Good that you talked to the manager, maybe she will think twice next time. What a beautiful idea to plant a rose in Stephanie's memory. May it bring you some consolation. Agree with your granddaughter, Annie Lennox is a beautiful lady. I'd love to see you both dancing in tutus. :)
That was a very frustrating start to the week, I think a lot of people in those types of jobs have become very combatative even when it's not necessary. The rest of your week sounds lovely and the good kind of busy.
That sounded very frustrating with cancelling the dentist appointment. Good on you for making a complaint about it all. Lovely photo of Pushkins sitting on the table in the sunshine. Sounds like you had a nice time in Chepstow with your grandchildren. I’m glad the six month anniversary of Stephanie’s death was a gentle day for you and what a lovely idea to plant the rose that day. We have several roses in our garden planted in memory of Jessica and they make me smile when I see them in bloom. #project365
What is it about dentist receptionists, the one's at ours are awful. I have had many arguments with them. It's like they've had extra training learning to be hostile!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a good week with some fab things being planned.
What a lovely break away in the van!
Your Granddaughter sounds like quite a character.
I wish I could remember everything the grandchildren say that makes me laugh
DeleteI am surprised by how awful they people at the dentist were. Also £48 for a missed appointment sounds a bit much.
ReplyDeleteLove the picture of your cat. I know that you've travelled with her and the dog from abroad. I will do that with my cat shortly. If you have any specific posts on that, please share them with me.
I've left a comment on one of your posts about that
DeleteWhat a busy week! Sorry to hear about the unpleasant receptionist at the dental clinic, that's so unprofessional of her. Good that you talked to the manager, maybe she will think twice next time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful idea to plant a rose in Stephanie's memory. May it bring you some consolation.
Agree with your granddaughter, Annie Lennox is a beautiful lady. I'd love to see you both dancing in tutus. :)
We've a couple of plants now in the garden for Stephanie, it does help
DeleteThat was a very frustrating start to the week, I think a lot of people in those types of jobs have become very combatative even when it's not necessary.
ReplyDeleteThe rest of your week sounds lovely and the good kind of busy.
Yep the first line seems to be attack these days
DeleteThat sounded very frustrating with cancelling the dentist appointment. Good on you for making a complaint about it all. Lovely photo of Pushkins sitting on the table in the sunshine. Sounds like you had a nice time in Chepstow with your grandchildren. I’m glad the six month anniversary of Stephanie’s death was a gentle day for you and what a lovely idea to plant the rose that day. We have several roses in our garden planted in memory of Jessica and they make me smile when I see them in bloom. #project365
ReplyDeleteWe have several plants now in the garden to remind us of Stephanie, it does help especially tying it all in with the next generation
ReplyDelete