The Need to be Crabby

Most of you reading here wouldn't necessarily know this about me, but I'm usually described as easygoing and calm. That's fine most of the time. As my responsibilities have increased over the years I have had to fight harder battles to ensure that things that need to be done will get done.

The battles are no longer with my procrastination and other internal roadblocks on the path. By now, I can pretty much trust that I will tend to what needs to be done. It's the others on whom I depend, the professionals, who need to be pushed along. Then my crabby pincers come uncloaked. I don't like it, but when our loved ones are not able to do it for themselves, we are required to step in.

Even before noon today I had to nip at two people.

My dad has an infection (according to "Dr." June Lee). Two days ago, I dropped off the necessary sample at the local diagnostic lab. I want this to be treated as soon as possible, get the antibiotics going. Yesterday I called my dad's doctor to make them aware the lab results would be coming their way. The office was closed. This morning I called again; I was told the lab results were on the doctor's desk. I asked to please make sure to take care of it today as it's Friday. Otherwise, it will be next week before any treatment can start. With a sigh, I was told the doc will definitely look at it today.

My second nip went to the head of the music department at one of the schools where I teach. It is now March, and we teachers haven't been paid yet for January and February. All the paperwork comes through this one person, already filled out; he simply needs to approve it and send it to the accounting department. My "niceness" fell out of my briefcase somewhere between February and March. I sent him an email, this one pointed, with none of the diplomatic phrases I'm known for. Heck, this was my third one without a response on the same matter.

Finally, I received a reply! Let the trumpets sound! He said it was news to him that we weren't paid for January. Honestly. Didn't he read my previous two emails, and those of the other teachers? I sensed a touch of hostility.

Nip...Nip....Nip

Both people are probably complaining at this very minute about me. Horray! It means I'm annoying enough that something will be done!

Sometimes, when you have tried to do the right thing and get no cooperation, give fair warning. Next time you won't be so calm about the matter.

I've become one of those crabby old women.

Say Hi to Maxine.