Good help is hard to find. But that doesn’t mean we must stay monogamous. Here are some of the entries from a journal I kept to inadequate individuals I paid good money to.
THE ACCOUNTANT: I mean c’mon, once in a while I’d like to see how someone else crunches my numbers. Wesley my CPA, is the only one who has ever seen the inside of my tax shelter and in 2014 when I reported my earnings, he winked and promised,
“Next year we’ll definitely ‘income’ simultaneously!”
Mmmmmm. Still it’s not like we’re married or even engaged. And I wouldn’t be cheating on my taxes either. Just him.
THE HOUSEKEEPER: It was awkward coming clean with Winifred (Wynn for short) but she’d been sponging off me too long. I planned to wipe away her mirror streaking mediocrity in one fell swoop. When she stated, “I don’t do laundry.” I would simply retort, “I don’t do Wynndows!” I wasn’t prepared for what happened next. Wanting a clean slate, I gave her $100 “good-luck” money — as she departed, I noticed Wynn tossed our dog $20. “It’s only fair I wish my partner (and his tongue) good-luck as well,” she said. “Every night, he’d wash the dishes while I’d dry.” Ugh. I should have just left her a “Dear John” letter on top of the toilet.
THE GARDENER: Even though I love it when he talks dirt to me, I began to plant the idea in his head that I would soon be asking for my garage door-opener back. I didn’t want to soil his reputation because I knew if there was any mud-slinging, I would be the one losing ground. So this morning as I was pining away, staring at my neighbor’s lush lawn, I casually remarked that it was mowed using the newest “cutting hedge technology.” He took offense and reminded me that “the grass is always greener.” I felt great re-leaf when he didn’t try to get at the root of our problem and instead simply withered away — out of my life (and yard) forever. I will miss his anti-coil hose with the pistol nozzle.
THE DOG-GROOMER: Trickier because I needed to convince her my two-year-old Shih-Tzu (Breed Name itself causes embarrassment because it sounds like sneezing and swearing in Japanese!) needed a change of pace.
Me: Please don’t be blue. It’s not You. It’s my Shih-Tzu.
Groomer: (french accent) What makes your dog say “Adieu!” Why did things go askew and now it’s me he wants to eschew?
Me: First of all, Gesundheit and Bless you! Maybe he just wants something new? Or maybe there’s such a hullabaloo, your shop is like a zoo? Or maybe he doesn’t like your view? Or perhaps for a male, you make him look too Fru-Fru?
Groomer: Yeah? Well Screw You! AND your little dog the Shih Tzu, too!
I think she was auditioning for the witch from Oz.
THE HANDYMAN: Phil was difficult to give the Ax. Two months ago, I Hammered home the idea there would be no more Screwing around in my household. I made a gut-Wrenching plea never to see Phillip’s Head around these parts again. Yesterday I opened my door to see him on a ladder changing the porch light bulb, proudly brandishing his Tool. “What part of ‘Fired!” don’t you understand?” I shouted. He proceeded to fix my oven. Feeling compassionate, I asked if he’d consider building me a maple desk. “Oh boy, I wood. I wood!” He appeared quite Level-headed, so off we went to the lumber store and I think we’ve Repaired our relationship, too.
THE CHIROPRACTOR: I didn’t want him to give me an attitude adjustment so I decided to just bend over back-wards and play it straight. Besides I’ve been in pain and didn’t want to cut off my nose to spine spite my face. But last night I slipped up at the disk-otheque and accidentally danced with a new chiropractor who promised he’d always be at my back and call.
THE MANICURIST: She used reverse psychology on me. Said I nibbled on my cuticles too nervously and she’d had enough! What biting sarcasm! Then she claimed my nails were such a mess, she’d rather file her tax return. – – maybe I should fix her up with my Accountant! (See #1 above.) After calling me “Dishpan Hands” I couldn’t take her insults any longer so I mentioned hating the perfume she wore. “You’re soaking in it,” she said slyly. You gotta Hand it to that Madge!
I’m glad that your writing is keeping your spirits afloat so you’re not falling [apart at the seams] away from everyone.
HuffPo reblogged 10 of your posts!!!!! Way to Go! I’m so happy for you! You are out there!
LikeLike
Pfft! Who needs em anyway! You got this girl! Well… if the handy man is hot… and handy maybe keep that one 😉 Love your posts Stephanie! So hilarious!
LikeLike
Oh hi again – – You surfaced twice? My lucky day! The handyman was just so-so. But it’s not like he could even sew! So it was time to go!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hehe! Oh yes time to go for sure. I guess they have robots that do that sort of thing by now right? 😉
LikeLike
This is so funny, but I seriously need help breaking up with people I pay to work for me! (When things don’t go as I’d hoped, I always think “It’s not them, it’s me” — when really and truly it is them). And I loved the HuffPost gig – congratulations!
LikeLike
Aw, thanks so much! So great to hear from you….hope all is well. And let’s be honest….it’s never EVER us. (at least for you and me!) It’s Always them. 😉
LikeLike
Oh my! The housekeeper! I’m still thinking of a ‘cleverer’ come back. Argh, the Dear John letter in retrospect, would just have to do! 🙂
LikeLike
Those dog collaborator dishwashers, you mean? They’re the worst! 😉 A life time of dishpan hands to her!! Always honored you’re here, Timi!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stephanie, You’ve perfectly nailed the “complex” relationship between people and their “team members” – I left one hair person for another for several years once and when the original stylist and I resumed our relationship, I felt loathe to admit that I’d gone elsewhere even though it was pretty obvious since my hair was shorter than when she last saw me. I felt like I was being unfaithful somehow. LOL. But seeing as sometimes even the most intimate relationships don’t last for the long haul, why should it be so awkward?
LikeLike
lol, Diahann. I left hairdresser out my post since Jerry Seinfeld did a whole episode on switching to a new barber. But like you, I always feel awkward and have an “I cut it myself” line ready at the disposal if she were to question the difference. Thanks, as always for visiting me!
LikeLike
Haha love the dog groomer convo the best.
LikeLike
oh hey and thanks! I worked the hardest on that one!
LikeLike
It looks as though you certainly made the rounds. Apparently the mechanic avoided your exhausting tune up of service people. Which was good because some just seem to blow smoke up your %^&. You also did not mention the gynecologist which which I’ve heard can be a little crotchety. Now I know who to consult when firing someone. Thanks for such wonderful humor.
LikeLike
I just saw this and cannot stop laughing at the gynecologist one! You’re too much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Again…just hilarious Stephanie. I don’t know how you keep them coming.
LikeLike
Thanks Katie – – well, I am running dry a lot more often than when I first began. It’s hard not to repeat myself!!
LikeLike
Hahaha, I always enjoy reading your humorous posts Stephanie. The comments are also very amusing. I envy you quick-witted types. 🙂 ~Steph
LikeLike
Thank you Steph! I love my reader’s comments – – they are constantly upstaging me and I am constantly hitting my head and going, “Why didn’t I think of that for this post???”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, I don’t have to worry about any of these positions. I bite my nails so I don’t have a manicurist. I don’t need no accountant to screw up my taxes. I can do that. Thank you very much. I am the housekeeper and the gardener too. I mow my house and clean my lawn weekly. I have three cats and they groom themselves. Mrs. Uncle Bardie is the handyman around our homestead. I just at things that need fixing and they automatically break. And my chiropractor and accupuncturist had a big fight. They kept needling each other.
I must say though that you sound like you’re getting broker all the time.
LikeLike
Ha! Love your chiropractor and acupuncturist line! You, Sir are one of the ones I just mentioned to another commenter here – – you say things that make me go, “Why didn’t I think to incorporate that into my post???”
LikeLike
You’re making me blush.
LikeLike
Where were you when I needed to fire my previous two hairdressers?
LikeLike
TWO hairdressers?? Are you a twin? 😉 Sounds like you are like me – – hair is a security blanket and nobody is taking a scissors to it in any meaningful way! Thanks for visiting me, it’s always so kind of you!
Stephanie
LikeLike
I think there’s an app for that.
LikeLike
Very funny and clever Stephanie. Home helps can drive you mad, or is that just the chauffeur ? 😉 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha!! Touché, Ralph! Very nice and so good of you to take the time to comment. Always honored!
Stephanie
LikeLiked by 1 person
What? No Chef? Too saucy, so you had to feed him to the dog to hide the evidence? Thanks for always challenging my brain for a fitting come back. You rock Wizardette!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahh, you’re the best DGLW! I purposely try and entice you to comment with your witty come backs. Thank you for always taking the bait!!
LikeLike
You know me too well…always easily hooked! It pays to comment early in the game, before my fellow followers cast off. (Oh, this is too much fun today-hugs!)
LikeLike
Was your electrician shocked to be let go? Did you tell the plumber your relationship was down the drain? If i had to let all those different people go I’d have to fire myself. 🙂
You post was funny as always!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love my commenters who dive right into the fun and out-pun me! Thank you, Tom!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, my. I think you’re well shot of the lot of these employees. Must say, that cleaning woman’s exit, though…..bleh! I don’t know how you come up with all this stuff…you really are quite amazing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey you — so sorry for not responding to your email, but I did get it and was so honored. Will write asap. Thank you as always for your kind remarks!
Stephanie
LikeLike
Thank you for including me in this Stephanie. It took me a while to find the link, it was cleverly hidden, and when I did, there was a broad smile on my face, which I needed today. I am temporarily dubbing you the Wizard of Word Play… until something better comes along.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love linking to you – – makes me feel so hip! Speaking of . . . Wizard of Word Play, much hipper than Little Miss Menopause. Thank you! And now my hip is a bit sore. 😉
LikeLike
Goodness, you are too funny! But despite your flattery, nothing can beat Little Miss Menopause!
LikeLike
By the way, Stephanie, after commenting on your Huff Post pieces, and having them subsequently post to my FB page, my mother is becoming a fan!
LikeLike
Really? Please thank her kindly on my behalf. I didn’t realize they post to your page until it happened to me today when I commented on another authors. I believe there is a little box you can uncheck to prevent that. They make it VERY LITTLE!
LikeLike
Yes, I actually saw that box just yesterday when I was posting but I thought, loud and proud, right?
LikeLike