A few hours later ...

Well, one out of two isn't bad, I suppose! Well done to the friendly boiler man but I'm afraid it's nul points to the delivery man.

It's just the sheer frustration that gets to you. I kept my cool, however, (just!) and tracked down the delivery agent's number and after the usual, 'sorry to keep you waiting, your call is important to us...' nonsense got through to someone who informed me that no, actually my delivery was booked for an afternoon slot!

Oh dear, someone's got their wires crossed. The message I received definitely said morning delivery - between 8am and 1pm. I'm sure because I remember thinking, 'oh, good, that means I'll still be able to get a bit of work done afterwards and it won't be a whole day wasted.'

Mind you, I feel sorry for the poor girl at the end of the telephone. She must be having to deal with irate customers all day. I hope I didn't take my frustration out on her.

Still waiting ...

I've swapped my day off today and am working from home as I have to be here to take delivery of number 2 son's new laptop. I thought I'd catch up with my blog while I'm having my coffee break.

We all know how frustrating it is waiting for deliveries, workmen etc. to arrive (if they arrive!) but I'm quite glad to have a peaceful few hours to catch up both with a few work items and some jobs that have been squeezed out at home lately.

By lucky coincidence, the boiler man who I've been trying to pin down for over a week (not literally, you understand!) has also promised to make it this morning too - we'll see! It's not that I'm really getting cynical in my old age (!) but I tend to take the attitude nowadays of, 'Don't expect it to happen and then when it does, it'll be a lovely surprise.' It makes for a calmer life.

Our boiler is refusing to fire up which means getting out of a nice warm bed early in the morning, wrapping up and traipsing out to the garage to reset it manually. Luckily the weather is mild at the moment but we still need hot water for showers etc. I know there are a lot more serious problems in the world but it's still been a blooming nuisance. I wouldn't mind but the boiler is still under guarantee.

Waiting . . . and still smiling - at the moment.

Patience for patients ....

I like to think I'm a fairly patient sort of person ... I'm usually quite happy sitting waiting for an appointment/bus/train (insert example of choice here!) Provided I am actually sitting - I'm not keen on standing around for too long.

Today I had a dental appointment and I left the surgery after an hour having run out of patience altogether. I obviously don't have an endless supply, after all!

I had arrived a few minutes early as I really dislike rushing into anything at the last moment. I sat patiently as people around me were called in to see different dentists/hygienists and subsequently leave the surgery.

Eventually after about half an hour, I politely asked by how long the appointments were running late. I knew there was a mistake straight away as the receptionist asked who I was waiting to see and then disappeared with my notes in her hand.

Computer 'glitch' apparently was the cause of the problem, it hadn't registered that I had checked in. Now don't you think that one of the receptionists who could see me at all times would have asked themselves (and me) what time my appointment was or if there was problem?

Anyway, still being patient and understanding I agreed to wait a few more minutes as the dentist would see me in 5 minutes.

I'm afraid that after having sat there for an hour, I actually ran out of patience and approached the reception desk and requested another appointment on another day as I could wait no longer.

Sorry about the rant. I look forward to a better experience next week - I hope!