January 31, 2007
I wish I could say that the bathroom is finished, but it would be a lie
Since Monday, I have sanded the spackled parts of the bathroom. They are smooth and ready for primer.
I have also . . . nope, that’s it. That’s all.
Both bathrooms are still all taped off. I have moved the step ladder in and out of the boys’ bathroom about four hundred times. This morning I put the spackle and sand paper away under the sink because Henry was sanding the tile and Charlie was trying to use the spackle as hair product.
I have not so much as opened the can of primer, although I finally moved it out of the kitchen this morning after the tenth time I kicked it.
In theory this should be incredibly frustrating, this complete inability to PAINT THE WALLS, but really I’ve been too busy doing other things, like chasing down the guy from the dry cleaners as he was pulling out of my driveway because we forgot to put the cleaning out AGAIN this week and if Wade’s shirts don’t get laundered . . . well, something VERY BAD will happen. I don’t want to find out what that might be.
I have also been very busy calling painters and calling people to get recommendations for painters because the painters I have called are not calling me back. Oh, and yesterday I had to call the bank and have my debit card cancelled.
You know, those sort of things. Pretty much what you’ve all been doing this week, right?
What? You didn’t have to cancel your debit card? The one you use EVERY DAY, for groceries and coffee and gas and everything else that requires an exchange of money? Oh. Well.
Yesterday in the mail I got a letter from my bank saying that my debit card (not Wade’s! just mine!) was one of some larger group of debit cards whose numbers had possibly been “compromised.” As a result, the bank was suggesting that I cancel the card, which made total sense to me. Also, I was assuming that they would IMMEDIATELY get me a NEW card, because I need that sucker. Real money is against my religion. So are socks. And hairpray. And mayonnaise.
Anyway–I’m a smart internet consumer and I know all about phishing schemes, so instead of calling the number on the letter, I dug out my last bank statement and called the number on the statement. Which turned out to be the same number as the one on the letter, of course, because this really WAS a letter from my bank and I really DID have to cancel the damn card. The very nice customer service rep explained that at some point between May of 2006 and last week, I had used my card at either a Marshalls or a TJ MAXX store, and somehow my number had maybe been “leaked” and even though my account wasn’t showing any unusual activity, which I already knew because I (mostly) keep a careful eye on our checking account (although how much would I have LOVED to be able to blame our fiscal irresponsibility on the TJ MAXX corporation???) the card should be cancelled.
And I said, “Really? Marshalls? You know there’s not a Marshalls in Oklahoma City. And I don’t ever shop at TJ MAXX because it’s in Edmond and that’s too far to drive, even for discounted jeans.”
Yes, I really said that. I am an idiot. (Also, apologies to readers in Edmond. I love Edmond! Really! But my god Edmond is way the hell out there. Seriously.)
So the nice customer service person cancelled my card and apologized for the inconvenience and said that I would get my new card in approximately two weeks and have a nice evening.
Whoa there. Two weeks? TWO WEEKS?!? What am I supposed to do without a debit card for TWO WEEKS? How will I get a cup of COFFEE?
This morning Wade said, “My paycheck should have been deposited last night.”
“Well that’s terrific!” I said, “except that I don’t have a DEBIT CARD, remember?”
“Heh heh. No you don’t!”
“TWO WEEKS!”
“You COULD write a check, you know.”
“???”
I have no idea what he’s talking about, but it’s going to be a long two weeks. I might have to paint that damn bathroom after all.
Posted by Susan @ 4:57 pm • Uncategorized
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January 31st, 2007 at 6:05 pm, educat Says:
There is indeed a Marshall’s in the OC, perhaps you were spirited to the South side?
January 31st, 2007 at 6:06 pm, Karly Says:
I, too, can not function without the debit card. But, in the past when I lost mine (because I’m so very responsible) I just stole my husbands. He has some weird aversion to using a card, oh god NOT THE CARD! and must use cash for everything. Hello, its not the 90s anymore! Loser.
January 31st, 2007 at 6:34 pm, Annika Says:
I didn’t have to cancel my debit card because SOMEONE DID IT FOR ME. I went to the bank to make a deposit and they were like, Oh, your card was lost or stolen. And I was like, Really? THIS card? Sigh.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:06 pm, daysgoby Says:
But sanding and spackling are huge things! Seriously, VERY hard to get that just right.
Kicking the can of primer, though, will only get you in trouble.
Two weeks? I would (not going to say go into withdrawal, not going to say go into withdrawal)
LOSE MY MIND. Or something.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:15 pm, Mara Says:
I don’t know whom you bank with, but try asking if they issue temporary ATM cards. They won’t buy you coffee but will work in ATMs and most grocery stores, and should help until your real card arrives. Many of the bigger banks, like the one I work for, have them.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:21 pm, Susan Says:
Mara! That is BRILLIANT! Thank you!
February 1st, 2007 at 6:40 am, Jeana Says:
Wow. So sorry your card got “compromised”. I guess this ruins her chances for a decent husband, huh? She must feel so violated.
February 1st, 2007 at 7:47 am, Mir Says:
I want to see Charlie’s spackled ‘do. I bet it’s bitchin!
(P.S. I shop at both Marshall’s and TJM ALL THE TIME and my credit card has never demanded that I cancel it. Thank goodness. Because then I would have to look up my CC# while shopping online, which would suck.)
February 1st, 2007 at 11:24 am, Mark Says:
1. Call Ray the Painter, they are very good.
2. Buy a Starbucks card, and use it for the coffee, (I sometimes will get a free beverage from them)
February 1st, 2007 at 1:02 pm, Stefanie Says:
My only issue with this post is that Marshalls really does have great discounted jeans. Please don’t count them out. And so does TJ Maxx. Seriously, get out there and see what I mean. Of course, when you get your new card.
February 1st, 2007 at 1:15 pm, Susan Says:
Stefanie, I’m in. Will you drive?
February 1st, 2007 at 3:00 pm, Jordan Says:
Sorry about your card - I had to cancel mine last summer when I thought my wallet was stolen but it was really just in the bottom of the diaper bag. Not my finest moment.
Yeah, Edmond is way the hell out there. I know I’m getting to be a lazy Edmondite when I complain about having to go *all the way* down to Quail Springs Mall. And Penn Square? Forget it. Might as well pack up the car and go to Canada to shop.
February 1st, 2007 at 3:29 pm, Susan Says:
Except that Penn Square has a Pottery Barn, and Canada doesn’t.
But otherwise, yes!
February 2nd, 2007 at 1:05 pm, Meredith Says:
No one writes checks to pay for things at stores anymore, and the people that do? Well they get glares from the people behind them in line because it takes frickin’ forever to write a check and provide the 10 forms of ID for the cashier to clear it.
I think I too would die in your situation. I hope you got a big wad of cash out of the bank so you don’t have to live without coffee!
February 2nd, 2007 at 2:37 pm, mausfrau Says:
…but Canada has Restoration Hardware. Of course, so does Tulsa, so that doesn’t really save you any time.
I hope your new debit card comes soon!! That sucks!
February 2nd, 2007 at 9:06 pm, Criz Says:
I got the same letter but am apparently living on the edge since I haven’t cancelled the card yet. Not sure where you live but there is a TJ Maxx at NW Expressway and Council - also waaaay out there but possibly closer than Edmond. It is my new favorite bargain place!