The dreaded phone

I'm beginning to really hate my phone. The answering machine too. I have been thinking about removing the answering machine altogether. Maybe I should just get rid of the phone as well? I have been being called quite a bit lately from people requesting me to do different things. If I didn't have the answering machine, then I wouldn't be obligated to call anyone back. (Not that that has been a problem for me lately.) Anyway, this evening the phone rang and I didn't recognize the caller, but I figured since I'm in charge of the CROP Walk at church, and my phone number will be listed for people to call with questions, I figured I better answer it. Well, it WAS someone from church, but not about the CROP Walk. UGH! Anyway, this lady was asking me if I could be a greeter/usher at church during Oct. specifically asking about the 12th at the 11 o'clock service. I told her I wasn't able to do that because I would be doing the CROP Walk that day. Then she asked me about the weekend of the 19th, and I told her I would be out of town that weekend. (I'll be scrapbooking in Medora!). Then she asked about Oct. 5. I told her I wasn't sure about that date because Gage's birthday is that weekend and we have company in town. (She doesn't seem to be getting the subtle hint of me trying to say "No!") I suck at saying no, in case any of you weren't aware of that. Anyway, she continued on, and I was actually starting to feel a little irritated. I told her, "I'm sorry, but October is a really busy month for us, and we typically don't go to the 11 o'clock service anyway." She replies, "Yeah, I know and I'm really having a hard time finding people to usher. How about this. Why don't I just put you down for Oct. 5, and then if it doesn't work out for you, you can find someone else to cover for you." I'm thinking EXCUSE ME, but didn't you just tell me that you were having a hard time finding someone? If that's the case, then how am I supposed to??? Plus, I have been burned on this before and was treated rudely about it. So, I spouted right off and said, "Uh, yeah, how about let's NOT put me down for that date because I'm not sure I'll be able to do it!" I'm not sure what happened after that? I don't know if she hung up on me or if she was just silent or what exactly, but I just hung up the phone and went about my own business. From her end, it could appear that I was the one who hung up on her, if in fact she didn't actually hang the phone up. Man, I was just fuming! I know I probably shouldn't be blogging about this (please forgive me God!), and I don't know how many people from the church may actually be reading my blog, but when you are rude to someone on the phone, do you really expect for them to help you out??? I was very proud of myself for not letting myself get "talked into" doing something that I knew I wasn't going to be able to do. I suppose having been "burned" in this area already, I knew better.

The kids and I went to Simle Middle School this afternoon/evening to watch Paige, my friend's daughter, play volleyball. I was actually pretty impressed with how well they played. I think they are better than alot of the adult leagues I've played on! Scott and I have been interested in seeing the high school volleyball or soccer teams play, but haven't yet found a time that works well for us. Hopefully we'll be able to make it to a soccer game next week when St. Mary's takes on Bismarck High. My friend's son plays on the varsity team at BHS and Scott's hunting buddy plays on the St. Mary's team. We could kill 2 birds with 1 stone that evening. The only problem is that it will cause the kids to get to bed later than we like. Hopefully it will all work out.