Thursday, June 3, 2010

My 'Dead to Me' list is growing...

To paraphrase one of my favorite characters from 30 Rock, Liz Lemon...there ain't no party like an Army party, cuz an Army party is MANDATORY.

I really do love Military Balls (stop snickering!). It is a great excuse to get all dolled up and socialize with a lot of ladies that I don't get to see very often. Last year I boycotted the Ball. Normally, if you don't plan on attending the powers that be will put you on a detail to set up/tear down for the event. We had planned on attending until they told Eric that he would have to set up and tear down. This would mean he would have to show up 3 hours ahead of time and we would have to take separate vehicles, and the location was 45 minutes away. Plus, have you ever tried to drive in a ball gown?? So, when his old commander asked why he was flying stag, he told him exactly why.

When people asked me if I was going to attend this year, I simply replied that it all depends on whether I have a dress that I can wear. And, I don't. I have one that I could get taken in, but alterations on Ball gowns have run upward of $75 in the past. And, even though they are providing daycare, I really don't want the boys with so many other kids when they are still so young...and finding someone that is able to watch both kids on a Friday night has proven futile.

So, the plan was for Eric to buy a ticket, and just not go. That way he wouldn't be put on a detail. Well, they made the Ball mandatory. So, Military Balls are now dead to me. I know that there will be many more in the future since Eric is in 'for life,' but I don't have to like it!

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Next is companies that buy, sell, or rent timeshares. We own timeshares with Wyndham, and because Eric always puts my cell down as the home number, I get at least one call a day about our timeshare. It wouldn't be as bad but they always hang up. Can you imagine getting hang ups EVERYDAY! So, because of this harassment I pay $2.00 a month to T-Mobile for Family Allowances because that is the only way I can block numbers to my phone. And when I tried calling back the latest number it goes to a voicemail box that is full, so I sent a text message yesterday saying, 'stop calling me and hanging up, this is bordering harassment!' They still called again today. I think the next time one of these companies calls me I'm going to ask when they plan on mailing me a check for the money I've spent blocking their calls. Yeah, I'm just plain frustrated!

7 comments:

Michelle said...

I recently added, manditory fun on Friday nights that spouses aren't even invited too. LAME!

Kristina P. said...

That ball sounds sort of fun. I've always wanted to be a Pretty Princess and go to a ball.

Mary said...

Michelle...there are too many events to count that are mandatory fun for the soldier only, to include the last day of each 18 day cycle, it's called "Big Fun"

Kristina...I normally love going, but living within your means kind of sucks sometimes :o)

Jen said...

I don't think that's borderline harassment... I think that IS harassment. There has to be something you can do about it. If you know what the company is, I would call and complain straight to the top. That's crazy.

Missy said...

Manadatory! I would have wanted to go until they pulled that! I have authority issues! Go and take lots of pics!

AiringMyLaundry said...

We've never gone to a ball. My husband hates to get dressed up.

And that is harrassment for that company to keep calling you like that :/

STILLMAGNOLIA said...

I did not go to prom when I was in high school. I was engaged to a guy in the Air Force and he was always somewhere else...but I did go to a military academy ball when I was a senior and loved every moment of it. Would not love driving in the dress I wore though...yuck. I went with the Commandants son. I hob nobbed with nobility. LOL...it was just a glorified prom...and I added it to my list of things I would never do again. I hate formal attire. It is so stuffy and not fun or comfortable. I'll bet you are something super dolled up...you are pretty even in fatiques. Have a good weekend.