Monday Musings- Arrogance and Cover-ups
Happy Monday, ladies. Monday musings are never planned. I just start typing and it pours out, so hang on for a twisty ride 🙂
Our weekend was a chilly one. Not because the weather was cold but because our furnace is broken. Please pardon the upcoming rant…I detest arrogant men.
Repair Men
Our furnace has been on the fritz for several weeks. It seems to have a mind of its own and only comes on when it feels like it. Our warranty company sent a repair guy out to diagnose the problem. He was one of those morons who discounts women and would only talk to the “man of the house”.
The problem is, my husband didn’t pay much attention to what was happening with the furnace. He knew it was broken but I knew how to explain it exactly. I’m the one who adjusts the temperature throughout the day, listens to it, and knows what it’s doing or not doing.
He declared our zone motor was broken and it’s not covered by our warranty. I tried to explain how it was acting because his diagnosis didn’t sound right to me. This repair guy wouldn’t even look towards me when I spoke to him so I knew he wasn’t listening.
He said we were on the hook to fix it because our contract doesn’t cover that and he wouldn’t do it. We hired someone to replace that motor, which they confirmed was “acting up”, but the following day, the furnace was back to acting exactly the same as before and we are $600 poorer.
How do you deal with men like that?
Bathing suits and such
I’ve been so cold the last few weeks that we’ve decided to plan a few warm-weather trips. We’re going to visit my brother in Loreto Bay, Mexico which I am super excited about, and have a very quick trip to Hawaii planned. Of course, both of those destinations will require a bathing suit. Sheesh.
My one and only bathing suit is hanging along with my exercise band on the key to my armoire to remind me I’ll soon be walking down a beach. Muscle tone is not overrated 🙂 Here’s the thing…even if I had the rock-hard body of a goddess, I’m more modest at 65, and I just don’t want everything on display so I’m exploring swim dresses and swim rompers.
Swimsuit alternatives
I’m thinking kaftans, and coverups will be my friend on these trips. I’ll be packing hats, copious amounts of sunscreen and am shopping for casual clothes and coverups with sun protection built-in.
Sun-protective fashion on my radar
My brother’s latest book
My brother Pete’s latest adventure book for children is out and you can order it here! I loved his first one and I’m collecting them for when my grandson gets a few years older. Peter is the one in our family who really inherited my Dad’s love of storytelling and writing. It’s a tale of magic, time travel, fairies, and dragons…perfect for the young children in your life.
A new “live”
One of my favorite, (perhaps the only) part of Instagram I enjoy is the Live chats. Susan from une femme d’un certain âge and I are going LIVE to chat on Tuesday at 10 am PT, 1 pm ET. The topic is going gray. This promises to be lots of fun! Susan is hosting and you can watch us here.
Thanks for reading ladies and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
Many years ago, a plumber came to my house for a list of minor repairs. The manager of the company called to say I had the best-prepared list and diagnosis of the parts needed/problems he had ever seen. This was after the plumber talked to him when the repairs were complete.
Also, after I detected a pinhole leak in an outdoor gas line, the gas fitter told me the hole was so small that most men would never be able to detect it. He said 95% of problems like this are reported by women, who have a better sense of smell than men.
I’ve had more than my share of bad experiences with rude tradespeople, though, especially during recent repair work from a storm. Don’t get me started on the parts person at the car dealership, who threw the part I needed at me. Good thing it was small. I had my baby in my arms at the time. It’s a man’s world to some of these guys.
There are always men who act superior to women. Its usually because they lack self esteem. I just talk real loud and when he looks at me funny, I just say, “Oh, sorry. I thought you were hard of hearing”.
I love the color of both. I don’t know why more women don’t do it. It doesn’t make us look older. It softens our look. I love wearing color now. Grey hair is an accessory.
I am so very sorry that you had to deal with such a man that showed you so much disrespect. In this day and
age it’s hard at times to think this still does exist, but I know fully well it does. You deserve better. I like that
you are a strong lady and you stand up for what is right. You “Go Girl.” Nothing is worse when your furnace
breaks down and it’s either super cold outside or hot. You remain in my thoughts. Wishing you a positive outcome.
I am considering going gray too. This is SO timely!
I thought we were past men behaving like that to women. It’s insulting and infuriating. Some people still live in the dark ages. Can you only imagine his home and how he treats his wife? I would have to lodge a complaint with the company.
Well you certainly have a lot of company with the issues of service people! It was a good read, is part of everyday life, and I appreciate that you share everyday things with us. When we moved to this house we had some updating done, and I was here full time for six weeks in the daytime with all the contractors, returning to our previous home in the evenings. Most of the contractors were great, but one. I finally looked him in the eye and quietly said that he needed to remember that I was the one who wrote the cheques. No issues after that.
Yikes! Bathing suits and repair men. As a longtime widow, I’ve had 26 years of these people asking to see my husband and then, after huge sighs, speak to me like I’m 4!
About the bathing suits… Ihave the same issues you do and wear separates -a normal looking tank top with built in bra and bathing shorts. They cover more of what I want ( need!) covered. I have some from Lands End, but there have to be others out there. Good luck!
I would call the company that sent out “the jerk” and report his behavior and that the problem is NOT fixed. If they fail to rectify the problem, contact the Better Business Bureau in your area. Hope you can get the problem solved to your satisfaction.
Over the years based on my frustrations dealing with warranty companies and their contractors in my property management business, I decided not to use warranty companies AND their contractors. Typically where I live (which if far way from most everything) I call my best friend the general building contractor who we hired to build our house in 2013. I say ‘hey Mark who do you use or recommend as an electrician, plumber, appliance repair, etc.?’ So IF they value being his sub-contractor when I call they’re typically proficient, respectful and good at what they do! BUT it generally takes time for them to come do a ‘service call’ so pick your poison. I too would most definitely give a review on Yelp stating your issues. Love your blog!!!! & dreaming of Kauai too 🙂
Just a quick thought …… it seems the repairman didn’t fix the problem . He misdiagnosed and you had to buy something you didn’t possibly need. The service company should ( many do) have a warranty for service-like 30 days or something. If the problem still exists there’s a reason to contact the company – in addition to the incredibly poor service you experienced. Two issues – each a reason to call .
I don’t deal with men or women like that. I confront them then and there. He’s probably a bully also.
You could call the company and complain or yelp him
One thing I have learned about life: you will have a chance for a do over, if not with him with someone else. Keep it in your memory bank .
He treats people less-than and probably men too.
A vacation how wonderful that sounds….as far as swimwear go to Landsend. They have a huge selection and it’s on sale today and tomorrow. Along with the mix and match swimwear their rash guard tops, bottoms and dresses are wonderful. You have sun protection and the items are cool to wear. I wear the tip for golf and the dresses everywhere. Both were worn on our trip to Hawaii.
Your furnace story is very much like mine.
We purchased a new furnace and after it was installed it did not work.
My husband is a peaceful person so called them , explained the problem and over came Mr. know-it-all., who explained our glow plug die.
I said then bring back the old one because we upgraded the furnace but our 25 year old one was working fine.
He gave me a hole lot of technical BS got the furnace running for a bit but it die almost any time the cold set in.
Come to find out the unit was discontinued and we purchased a new one because in guarantee we had was null. Don’t you just love it!!
Buyer be wear!!
Ugh!!
What is the name of you brother’s new book? I bought his last one for my 11 year old grandson and he loved it!
I’ve found a variety of quality swimsuits for mature figures at Lands End. Nice coordination with coverups and reasonable prices.
I know your pain about your furnace repairman. I’m single so when the repairman arrived he immediately told me I would need a new heat exchanger along with what he had already diagnosed. I told him I’d do the heat exchanger later. My furnace worked fine and a few months later there were multiple lawsuits concerning the needless diagnosis for needing heat exchangers. The company declared bankruptcy. Since then, I try to have my son present for service calls.
Thank you for the range of topics that you cover. Your post today resonated with so many readers it reassures us that we are not alone in experiences we have and gives us insight into how to cope. I enjoy your topics and look forward to each post no matter what the topic is. Your refreshing, unpretentious, and honest.
Thanks, Sue. I enjoy knowing I’m not alone in my experiences too.
Never underestimate the power of a scathing yelp review! I wonder if we have the same furnace. I don’t think we have Zones. But I must say the attic looks very festive with the tree!
Thing about swimsuits, even modest ones is that nothing covers up the lumps, bumps, cellulite, strawberry skin and general crepey sun damage. I just cannot get the courage to bare my legs at all. I’m wondering how common that is. Those do look very nice and I totally adore Allbirds.
Oh, Jennifer, you are cute as a button. Please don’t get one of those swimsuits with a skirt. Own your fabulous self!
Kick that guy out straight away!! Those folks don’t get my business.
I really like wearing a tankini top with swim shorts – Lands’ End or other ‘board short’ styles. They dry quickly, and they are more comfortable than other swim bottoms IMO. I also like that some come to mid-thigh or even a touch longer. With a cute top, they don’t feel too ‘granny’ to me!
Jennifer, I wonder if we put your two stories together … then, the idiot repair guy is probably the same guy who checks out women in swimsuits on the beach. Okay, I’m kidding, kind of. As long as your swimsuit lets you move and swim, just focus on the coverup. I’ve found some tunics or sweatshirt w/shorts can be cute and more cost effective, but I swim on a windy ocean beach rather than relax poolside somewhere. Envy you your trips!