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Before I begin my bitchfest, I want to talk about my favorite gesture.

The middle finger.

OMG...I LOVE IT MORE THAN MY OWN LIFE!

I love it because it's so expressive and all encompassing. And I also love it because you never actually have to open your mouth and say the words, the gesture says it for you.

It's kinda like using sign language.

And the reason I'm even talking about "the gesture" is because I used it a lot in the past month since resigning from my previous job.

Okay, so let's begin...

*(I normally don't write long posts, however, this is a LONG one. So you might want to come back with a glass of wine, a beer, or a gin and tonic.)

I had every intention of using this post to share all the despicable reasons why I resigned. However, so much has manifested since then that I decided to share this one single incident because it's the perfect example of what a total shitheel that company is, and why I am so happy to no longer be employed there.

Do most of you know what PTO is? Well, for those of you who might not, PTO stands for Personal Time Off. It's a perk that many companies offer their employees. For every certain amount of hours you work, you accrue hours that are banked in your employee file that you can use for vacations or emergencies.

I worked full time at that job, so I accrued a lot of PTO. But I hardly ever used it because other than my normal two days off a week, I didn't take time off. I'm very much like a worker bee. I'm there to work.

In the five years that I worked there, I believe I took three vacation weeks and used 38-40 hrs of PTO each week.

Companies, of course, want you to use your PTO because they don't want to be obligated to pay you off if you resign. Some companies make it so that if you don't use your PTO within a year, you lose it. The company I worked for was required to pay you for any unused PTO if you resigned, or even if you were fired. And that was clearly stated in their employee handbook.

Just to let you all know that at the time of my resignation, I had 98.44 hours of PTO left in my file. That's almost THREE weeks of pay. And I had every intention of depositing that money into my savings account when I resigned.

I resigned on Sunday, the 26th of May, which was the end of a two-week pay cycle. My final pay check would be direct deposited into my checking account on Friday, 31st of May, which I assumed would include my PTO.

The day after I resigned, I received a formal offboarding email from Human Resources letting me know that my final pay check would include any unused PTO, and that if I had any questions or concerns, feel free to contact them.

Now....this is when the nightmare began.

On Friday, the 31st, I went online to check my bank account to see what had been deposited. And lo and behold, the only thing I saw was my normal paycheck. There was no PTO.

It's ironic though, because I had an intuitive feeling that this was going to happen. Even before I resigned.

So, I waited until 8:30 AM and called the store and asked to speak to my ex-manager. When I told her what had happened, she said that she would email HR and inquire about my PTO. She also said that she would contact me by the end of the day.

In the meantime, I contacted HR myself and asked them why my PTO was not in my last pay check because their offboarding email clearly stated that it would.

Well, I got no response that day from either my ex-manager or HR. And because it was Friday, I knew I'd have to wait until Monday to get an answer.

Now, do you have any idea how LONG I had to wait to get my first response from that company?

I had to wait until June 19th. Yes, over TWO weeks. During that time, I had sent them two more emails asking what was up.

Finally, in my last email, I threatened that if I didn't hear back from them in 48 hrs., I would not only be contacting the CEO of the company in California, but I would also be investigating legal assistance.

And guess what? The very next day I got an email from HR apologizing for not getting back to me with an explanation for why I didn't receive my PTO on my final check.

And do you know what that explanation was?

"We're so sorry, there was a GLITCH in our system which overlooked your PTO when we deposited your last paycheck."

Ummmm...no, not really. What you did was hope that I would not remember that I had 98.44 hours of PTO, or that I would not be as persistent as I was in making sure that I got it.

But they were wrong on both accounts, because they had no idea just how persistent am.

Besides, before I resigned, I took a screen shot of my PTO hours so that I would have proof, just in case they tried to do something unethical. Which they did.

Anyway, I was informed by HR that they would immediately take care of the situation by sending my PTO to me on a loaded paycard, which looked identical to this one...


However, my name was not included on the card they sent me, only my company's name. And I need you all to remember that because it ties into the next part of this story.

What I didn't understand (and what I did ask them in another email) was why couldn't they just mail me a paper paycheck, or simply direct deposit the PTO into my checking account? What was the point of using a paycard?!?

I got no explanation.

Well, do you have any idea how long it took for me to get the paycard? I took over a week because apparently there was another GLITCH in their system.

I finally received the paycard on the 27th of June, which was a month and a day away from when I resigned.

It came with a letter that said I could use the card just like cash or a credit card. I could take it to my bank and a teller could simply deposit it into my account.

So, the next morning I got up nice and early and walked to my bank so that I could finally deposit the money. But guess what? The cash machines that they use to withdraw cash from a credit card were down, so they couldn't do it. However, the teller suggested that I try another branch.

Which I did. I walked to another branch, but guess what?

THEIR cash machines were down as well.

I literally wanted to scream at the top of my lungs and use every filthy curse word I could think of.

But I didn't. Instead, I asked the teller to call another branch that was about seven blocks away. And she did. She informed me that their cash machines were working, and that they would take care of me when I got there. She even gave them my name.

So, I walked to that branch (on one of the hottest and most humid days we've had so far), and presented my paycard to the bank teller.

But do you know what she said after looking at it?

She said "I'm so sorry but your name is not on this card, so we cannot honor it. Your name has to be included on the card so that we can check your ID.

OH................MY................GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I looked at her and said, "You have GOT to be kidding?!?!" She suggested that I call the card company and see if they could assist me in withdrawing the money on the card some other way.

So I walked home (FURIOUSLY!) and called the card company.

They gave me two options. I could either set up a direct deposit on their website so that they could deposit the money into my bank. HOWEVER, the whole process would take two weeks. TWO weeks?!?!

No.

The other option was to go to an ATM and withdraw the money myself. HOWEVER, I could only withdraw a certain amount and in certain denominations each day. Which meant that I would have to go back 2-3 days in a row to withdraw the complete amount. I was also informed that if I used an Allpoint ATM, I would not be charged any fees for using it.

So I went online and found a Walgreen's by my apartment building that had an Allpoint ATM and withdrew my daily allotted amount. I then walked to my bank and deposited it.

And then the next day I did the same exact thing.

Now, here's another phenomenal part of this story.

When I got home that day, I went online just to check my remaining account balance on the card, which I estimated to be about $20.00. But it was only $5.00. Come to find that I had been charged every time I made a withdraw. In total, the fees came to $15.00.

Oooooh...no you don't!

I got back on the phone and asked the Comdata service representative (who, incidentally, was from a foreign country (surprise!), so I couldn't understand a word she said) why I was charged fees when I was told that if I used an Allpoint ATM, I would not be charged.

She said that I shouldn't have been charged and that she would investigate the issue, but that it would take five business days to complete the dispute. And you better believe I'm going to follow up in five days to get that $20.00.

So folks, this is where my story finally ends.

Yup, I eventually got my PTO. But it only took a month and an ulcer to get it.

But I got it.

In the exquisite words of Joan Crawford in the movie, Mommie Dearest....

"Don't FUCK with me, fellas!"

Oh, and before I conclude this post, I would like to say one final thing to the company I used to work for.

I would like to thank them from the center of my heart for this past month. It will be something I will remember for the rest of my life, and will be forever grateful for their impeccable professionalism.

And I would also like to leave them with a loving and sincere gesture for a bright, joyous, and prosperous future...


Have a faaaaaaaabulous week, everyone!
X

36 comments:

  1. Valerie DaggattMonday, July 01, 2019

    OMG ! What an awful situation. Thank goodness you had the know-how and willpower to pursue the situation and fight those who should know better. Some companies obviously think they can walk over employees and ex-employees. If it had been me I wouldn't have known where to start.
    The fork said it all... and how!

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  2. Ron, I was simultaneously furious and laughing while reading what that company put you through. OMG, I can't believe you had to wait a month to get your money! But I couldn't help laughing at the way you described everything. You tell a GREAT story! "And I would also like to leave them with a loving and sincere gesture for a bright, joyous, and prosperous future.." LOL Brilliant ending!

    Glad you finally got your money. And I admire your persistent.

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  3. Ron, I don't know how the hell you didn't lose your mind going through this. Had this happened to me, I would have blown a gasket! I cannot believe the company didn't just direct deposit the money into your account, especially knowing that they had made a mistake. You would have thought they would correct the problem quickly. I can't believe you had to wait a MONTH to get your money!

    I love the middle finger "gesture" too. And I use it a lot. Particularly when I'm driving LOL!

    Glad you got this all sorted out, Ron x

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  4. Oh, Ron, this is seriously forked up!

    I love how you tell this story, but I am truly sorry for all the grief you had to endure before you finally got what is rightfully yours.

    I swear I hate these HR weasels and their double-talk bullshit and their magic math that always works out in their favor. I can guarantee you that if YOU owed THEM the money they wouldn't wait a month for payment.

    Now to the hell with these losers. You've got your new business to focus on, so crank up your inner Joan Crawford, put down those wire hangers, and make great things happen!

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  5. What a nightmare!! You were wise, my friend, to leave this company since they appear to be utterly clueless. I'm glad you stuck to your guns on getting back what was rightfully yours, too -- you ROCK!!


    Why do companies even try messing with people anymore? Don't they realize everybody has access to social media and even those who don't, have a bazillion friends and family members they're gonna tell ... and those people will tell more and so on. As a person who runs her own business, I've learned a good reputation is priceless. It's so true that one bad review can send people running for the hills!


    Hang in there, Ron, and keep at 'em till you get what's right. You've earned that pay, and they've really got nerve trying to keep it from you. Grrr! xo

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  6. What a horror story! I applaud you that much more for taking the initiative and blazing your own trail. Sounds like the company is staffed with incompetents from top to bottom! The only "glitch" is their shady business practices.

    I don't understand the whole debit card thing, either. I'm sure it costs more for them to mail you a paper check than to electronically load a card, I guess.

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  7. Hey there Valerie!

    Yes, I can be very persistent when I need to be; especially when someone is trying to pull one over on me or being unethical about something, such as that company. I was not about give up until I got what was deserved. The more they ignored me, the more I pushed. HA!

    And to think that I used to LOVE working for this company. But over the past two years, things started to change drastically.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a terrific week!
    X

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  8. Hey Candice!

    I know, can you believe it took a MONTH to get what I should of gotten immediately!?! And like I said, I had a very strong intuitive feeling before I resigned that I was going to have a problem getting my PTO.

    Yeah, I had to get that last "gesture" in at the end. And it felt so good. HA!

    Thanks, I'm glad I eventually got my money as well. I was not about to stop until I did.

    Have a great week, my friend. And thanks so much for stopping by!
    X

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  9. Hola Denise!

    I know, trust me, I DID blow a gasket. HA! I spent the last month with my stomach in a knot because I was furious at the way they handled this whole situation. I had feeling this was going to happen.

    "I cannot believe the company didn't just direct deposit the money into your account, especially knowing that they had made a mistake. You would have thought they would correct the problem quickly. I can't believe you had to wait a MONTH to get your money!"

    My sentiments exactly! And I asked them that, but got no answer. I think they were hoping that eventually I would give up the fight. But I had no intention of doing so. I refused to give up until I got it.

    "I love the middle finger "gesture" too. And I use it a lot. Particularly when I'm driving LOL!"

    Isn't the middle finger the best? When I had a car and drove, I used to use that gesture A LOT!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Have a faaaaaaabulous week!
    X

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  10. I know, can you BELIEVE it, Rob?!?! Yes, this was seriously FORKED UP!

    But as I said, I can be VERY persistent when I need to be, so I was not about to give up until I got want was owned to me. I pestered them and pestered them until I eventually got it.

    "I can guarantee you that if YOU owed THEM the money they wouldn't wait a month for payment."

    Yes, you absolutely right about that! And to think that this company makes a FORTUNE every year, not only in their retail stores, but online as well.

    "You've got your new business to focus on, so crank up your inner Joan Crawford, put down those wire hangers, and make great things happen!"

    HHAHAHAHA! Love that! And that's exactly what I'm doing. I'm allowing this to propel me into SUCCESS!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have an awesome week!
    X

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  11. Yes, Debbie, that's exactly what it felt like...a nightmare. And to think that I had such pride in company at one time. But over the past couple of years, I've seen it change. And for the worst.

    I can be very persistent when I have to be, especially if I'm being ripped off. People always assume I'm a pushover because of how non-threatening I am. But when they eventually see how I can be when I NEED to be, they freak out and say, "OMG...you're a bastard!" No, not a bastard, just someone who won't be treated poorly.

    "Don't they realize everybody has access to social media and even those who don't, have a bazillion friends and family members they're gonna tell ... and those people will tell more and so on. As a person who runs her own business, I've learned a good reputation is priceless. It's so true that one bad review can send people running for the hills!"

    You are absolutely right about that. And funny you mentioned social media because I've already done that on several employment website where they post job listings. I SLAMMED them in my reviews. HA!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. I am so happy this is all over with and that I GOT MY MONEY! Yahooooooooooo!

    Have a grrrrrrrreat week!
    X

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  12. Horror story indeed, Mark! One part of me couldn't believe that this company would behave this way, yet there was another part of me that could sense they were going to pull a fast one on me, by making hard to get my PTO.

    "Sounds like the company is staffed with incompetents from top to bottom! The only "glitch" is their shady business practices."

    HA! You are soooooooooooo right about that!!! And to think that five years ago when I first started with them, I had such pride and joy working for them.

    Yes, you're right about the paper check. I would have cost them more to mail one to me. The cheapskates. HA!

    Thanks for stopping by, my friend. Have an awesome week! Can't wait to see more photos of your new home!

    X to you and Tara

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  13. Oh myyyy, there are apparently a lot of things I’ve missed in yet another hiatus from blogging. *sigh*. I will try to catch myself up! Wow, left job, new biz... I think it’s all going to be fine... you do nothing without deep thought, I’m not even slightly worried, just fascinated now and want to read everything!! Lol
    I’m totally picturing your calls, walks, forks!! And that scene in the boardroom. Ha!
    What an ordeal, but I’m glad you finally got what was owed you. I’ve missed you and your writings and photos.

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  14. Ron, as I was reading this I was both horrified and cheering you on that you kept persisting until you got your PTO. Way to go! I can't even imagine having to deal with something like this from an employer, or rather EX-employer. But OMG...I laughed my ass off at your closing words to the company, and your reference to Joan Crawford. Hysterical!

    I cheer you, Ron! Well done in getting what was due to you a month ago.

    Speaking of heat, can you believe how hot and humid it's been? I thought we were going to get off easy the summer because the beginning of June was beautiful!

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  15. Ron, I would have been so pissed had this happened to me. I can't believe all the aggravation you had to go through to get something that not only you should have gotten when you first resigned, but also something you legally were entitled too. It's no wonder why you resigned, they seem to be totally careless and just plan nasty.

    I love the FORK, dude! Hilarious!

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  16. Hiya Matt!

    Oh boy, you have no idea just how pissed I was. And it seemed never-ending because it took a MONTH to finally get the PTO.

    "It's no wonder why you resigned, they seem to be totally careless and just plan nasty."

    And not only that, but so much has changed within the company that I simply couldn't stand working for them anymore. And you would think it would dawn on them to correct all the issues because like I said, in the past year, SIX people resigned from the store I worked. However, they don't seem to care.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a grrrrrreat week!!

    X

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  17. Hey there Elaine!

    OMG, I was sooooo determined to get that PTO, it become consuming! And the most annoying part was that no one seemed to even care about what happened. I was ignored, in the hopes that I would simply stop trying.

    "But OMG...I laughed my ass off at your closing words to the company, and your reference to Joan Crawford. Hysterical!"

    HA! I couldn't resist. But I always think of Joan Crawford (Faye Dunaway) in the movie Mommie Dearest whenever I need to let someone know that I am NO pushover.

    OMG, yes, the heat and humidity has been dreadful the past couple of days. But I have to say, the start of June was incredible. However, July is usually pretty intense.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Elaine. Have a flawless week!
    X

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  18. Hellooooooooooooooooooooooo Mary!

    SO GREAT TO SEE YA, NEIGHBOR!

    Yes, A LOT has happened since we last spoke. After five years, I decided to resign from my previous job. I don't in any way expect a job to be perfect, however, this company has changed so drastically over the past two years that it's not something I could tolerate any longer. It's started to affect me physically, mentally and emotionally, so I made the choice to leave.

    I'm not the slightest bit worried either. I know my heart of hearts that this needed to happen to make room for what's "going" to happen. I can feel it in my soul. I'm so excited!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor! Hope all is well with you, Ron, and your family!

    Have a great 4th of July!

    X

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  19. I admire you fortitude, Ron! I think most people would have caved and just gave up, and I'm sure that's what they were hoping you'd do. Sounds like a real shitting company. Glad to read you got your money. Well done, Joan Lol!

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  20. Thanks, Daniel!

    I think you're right, I think they were HOPING that I would give up and stop pestering them. However, they didn't realize they were dealing with JOAN CRAWFORD. HA!

    Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a great week, my friend!

    X

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  21. Oh my! I'm usually not a person who likes or advocates the middle finger, but I may make an exception in this case. I think you showed an amazing level of restraint during this process. I'm sure they figured if there were enough roadblocks, a person would simply give up and chalk it up to a bad experience....allowing them to cheat an ex-employee out of deserved PTO. Kudos to you for realizing this ploy and not giving into their deceit. I'm with Candice....I was simultaneously laughing and incensed at your story. All the more reason to WORK FOR YOURSELF!! :-)

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  22. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comWednesday, July 03, 2019

    Oh gosh! What a horror story! But you persisted... Well done you!

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  23. Thank you, Fiona :) I was determined to get what was mine.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a great rest of your week!
    X

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  24. "I'm sure they figured if there were enough roadblocks, a person would simply give up and chalk it up to a bad experience....allowing them to cheat an ex-employee out of deserved PTO."

    You are exactly right, Lisa! And like I mentioned, I had an intuitive feeling (even before I resigned) that this was going to happen. This experience is such a strong validation that I made the correct move to exit this company and work for myself!! :)

    Which, btw is slowly starting to come together. I made some really nice "connections" over the past few weeks, allowing me to get my name out there. It's funny because ever since making this decision, people and situations are naturally flowing into my life.

    Thanks so much for stopping by and for your support, my friend. Have a great holiday weekend!
    X

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  25. That is awesome news. As you know, i don't believe in coincidence. All is going according to a plan. :-)

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  26. dang, ron. talk about giving you the run arounds. they should also pay you for the time it took to deal with getting your own money. should have written you a check and been done with it.

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  27. Thank you, Lisa.:) Isn't it something how when you finally make a decision, opportunities flow in? I've always envisioned life as a dance - a balance of leading and following.

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  28. A Truly horrific story. But it seems as if this in now the new norm and not just a malfunction. People now have no work ethics or sense of empathy. Lucky for you and your persistence. I would have been very rude and given them more than the bird. I am glad it all came our in the wash for you. Keep on churning.

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  29. Helloooooooooooooo there Val!

    FAB to see ya, girl!

    "...they should also pay you for the time it took to deal with getting your own money. should have written you a check and been done with it."

    AAAAAAAAAAAAA-MEN!

    In the time it took them to get me that damn paycard, they could have cut me a check and mailed it to me.

    Honestly? I think they did it to just to make it more difficult for me. They were pissed that I resigned.

    Thanks so much for stopping by. Hope you're having a faaaaaaabulous 4th of July!

    X

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  30. "I would have been very rude and given them more than the bird. "

    OMG Dave, you have no idea how mad I was and how much I wanted to lose it. But I knew that I needed to keep it together until I got the money.

    And you're so correct, this is now the new norm. I was just talking with someone about that and was saying the same thing. No one has any work ethics anymore. Which is why I can't be a manager because I get too frustrated with the carelessness in which employees take their jobs. They have this, "I don't care attitude."

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend and fellow Libra! Hope you're enjoying a Happy 4th of July.

    X

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  31. Honest to god, Ron, this sounds like something that would happen to me!!! I swear that all companies pull stunts like this, hoping that they will wear you down and give up. Problem is, there are people like us who REFUSE to ever back down. If I'm owed money, you'd better believe that I will get my money, no matter how much hassle or how long it takes! I'm proud of you!!!!!!!!!!!

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  32. "hoping that they will wear you down and give up."

    Exactly!

    OMG, I thought I was going to lose it because I was so frustrated and so angry, however, I knew that had to keep it together because I wanted to get what was owed to me. And I was not about to give up until I got.

    " If I'm owed money, you'd better believe that I will get my money, no matter how much hassle or how long it takes! "

    Damn right! And I'm proud of you too!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope you had a fantastic 4th of July!

    Have a great weekend!
    X

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  33. Okay, that totally bites! I'd be giving them the finger, too! And now I'm thinking my across-the-street neighbor that I wrote about obviously works for that company! Seriously, though - I hate that you had to go through that and am glad you stuck with it until you finally got the money they owed you.

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  34. Ron, I always love a good long Bitchfest and you certainly had every reason to indulge in one. What a nightmare!! I was getting an ulcer just reading about it. I have always maintained that 95 per cent of the trouble in our lives is caused by other people and you've proven my point.
    Glad you survived!
    (by the way, I love that fork)

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  35. "And now I'm thinking my across-the-street neighbor that I wrote about obviously works for that company! "

    HAHAHAHHAHA! OMG...you're absolutely right! And as I was reading your post, I thought it ironic that you and I had dealt with the same thing in the past week - dicks. However, I was dealing with a dickette! LOL!

    "....and am glad you stuck with it until you finally got the money they owed you."

    Thank you. You know us Libra's, we don't stop until we get what's owed to us.

    X

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  36. Thanks, Jon!

    Yes, is was a nightmare indeed. And I am so glad it's over.

    Isn't the fork faaaaaaaaaaabulous? I laughed when I spotted it online. That fork is my spirit animal HA!

    Thanks so much for stopping by. Hope you're having a fantastic weekend!

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