Stressed out!

Have just lost my temper with a person from the council after receiving a second penalty notice for double the amount on a supposedly outstanding parking fine. I called earlier and remained calm but when the supervisor called me back I'm afraid I was not very calm and collected. My appeal was turned down at the end of May and I grudgingly sent them a cheque for the payment which they have lost/never arrived.

The night we went to the cinema for my husban's birthday treat the machine would not accept the full pament (60p short) and I left a note and the outstanding money on the windscreen showing my intension to pay and put the outstanding money through the council office door the next morning with a covering note to that effect.

The reason I blew a gasket was that one of the parking attendants recently, when asked how the machine actually worked (no clear instructions on it) just laughed and said "Oh, we catch a lot of people out that way!"

I have now been told to see my bank (to stop the cheque will cost me £15 + bus fare or parking charge of £1.10 minimum) and issue another cheque. Don't know whether to laugh, cry, stuff my face or what. Can't settle to do anything, I'm so frustrated and angry!

Well, that's got that off my chest.........sorry girls.

Poor you Jane , paking meters are apain they usually don't work or blie and say you 10p short or something when you know you have just put the correct coins in ! Sit back make yourself a nice cool drink ( wine if you prefer ) and think nice calm thoughs ..... no I am not good at it either so go find a emergency peice of choccy / cake ( both if you like ) and sit and put your feet up for a while ........Lexie

I would push the issue Jane if I were you, when Mike got a ticket parked outside our house in the residents parking zone(with a valid residents parking ticket on the car) I pushed the issue and they squashed the fine, told them as we were the only people in the row of houses that has a car and who pays the parking yearly then they would lose that too cause we would park elsewhere.

Feeling a bit calmer - thank goodness Murray won - that helped!

What a pain. Parking meters around here are very akward to use. we have to put in the first part of our number plate eg 179,52, 50 then you have to put in the payment but if you don't do it within a set time or in the right order you have to start again.

Hope you get things sorted soon

Glad your feeling calmer now , I wanted Layton HewIt to win , but as long as Murry wins !!! lexie

Dont let it go Jane, as the other have said push it.

They have demanded payment by 17th or it doubles - my appeal has been turned down twice and they are standing firm, demanding their money!

Didn't get off to sleep till about 3.00am and was awake before 7.00. Had planned to go into Kingston to buy lights and curtain pole to finish of the new bedroom but, as carpet fitters are due around lunchtime, wanted to make sure Clive would be in. He normally gets back from his first job just before nine but I'm still sitting here twiddling my thumbs waiting for him.

Knowing my luck at the moment they will probably come early and find noone to let them in! The week started well and the wardrobes look lovely but its going from bad to worse. Simple little problems are magniying and I'm so tired I can't think straight.

Jane go and have a rest this afternoon even if you only have an hour you will feel much better , my mum lives in the tropics and most afternoons she has a nap and it does her the power of good , Micky and I got into the habit when we were there at Christmas time .! I really think these carpark people think they have such a powerful job. I could go on and on about them b ut I try not to be a moaner .... lexie

Managed to get to Kingston but got stuck for ages waiting to get back to John Lewis carpark while 2 firecrews came to inspect damage and make safe after a small fire in the lower level. At least the shop didn't have to be evacuated and I got everything I went for.

I had hoped that the physical aquaerobics session this afternoon would do the trick and lessen the stress but I foolishly decided to inspect the newly painted window ledge of the back bedroom.

Those 'dear' little pussies from next door have been oviously using our flat roof as a toilet (their own garden is a builder's rubbish tip) for the last few months and scraped all the gravel up to try to hide the mountains of their obnoxious poo!

I've had enough so I'm now off to pig out on icecream then maybe take a short nap!

Pussy poo - yeukkk Hope you manage to have a nap, you need it

my neighbour saw me throwing citrus peel around the garden and roof and asked what i was doing. Told him "it's supposed to shop your cats using our flat roof as a toilet!"

I can hear him up there now with his dustpan and brush!

Brilliant

JANE ....what can I say , apart from hope you enjoyed both your ice cream and had a nap !! lexie

Enjoyed the icecream but didn't get a nap. Was going to walk down to the Downs to see Status Quo after the racing tonight but too tired. Off to bed now.