I must confess....

OK, so I try to keep my postings upbeat, but since it is my blog, I'm guessing that I can also go on an occasional rant. "Forgive me Father, for I have sinned...I have had negative thoughts about the people I have encountered lately who pick up free stuff from me."
When you run into things in your life that just don't make sense, do you say, "It's really not me, is it?" The world has gone to hell in a hand basket (as my Mother used to say) as far as I can tell when it comes to common courtesy and manners. Anyone else with me here on this? Here are my examples of proof: I offer up a soup to nuts package...two twin mattresses/boxsprings, headboards/footboards, sheets, blankets and bedspreads. Came from a very nice older lady at Linden Ponds, so nice stuff and in great shape. A woman from Weymouth sends me an e-mail that simply says, "I need the beds, but don't want the mattresses/boxsprings. Can you deliver to Weymouth?" Instead of explaining how I really can't do something like that, particularly given how she asked, and that I hope she would have friends to help with that (gives you a clue right there that there are no friends in the picture)...I just want to write back, "WTF is wrong with you? Did I miss a memo that said if you're poor and live in Weymouth you get stuff delivered to your door for free?" That's why I'm confessing, because I know that's not right and it only spreads negativity, but I am sorely tempted.
Have also had three no show/no calls yesterday, so that doesn't help my mood any. If I have made an appointment with someone and am running more than five minutes late, I call to tell them. I figure that they are busy people who have better things to do than hang out and wait for me to show up. The feedback that I get from people when I do that is....surprise! Really. I've had people tell me that they are surprised that I would call to tell them I'm running late. Pleased, but surprised. That's when I have to start to check myself and ask if it's just me that follows an archaic set of rules relating to common courtesy/politeness. I wonder how my parents managed to follow these rules without a cell phone at the ready to make the call. Maybe they just managed their time better and prioritized the relationships they had with other people around them? I do know that the expectations and moral fiber of that generation was of a different caliber than today's.
Those of you who know me, know that I set limits and expectations pretty clearly, so when folks blow me off, unless they were in the emergency room, they are getting nothing free from me. But, I wonder, when I set the limits, does it really matter? Will it change how that person behaves the next time? Probably not, and I'm old enough to know that I have no control over what that person does, but it does get tiring. OY! Thanks for listening...negative Nancy will now be retired.
On a positive note...met a nice guy Marty yesterday, who showed up when he said he would and was a positive, pay it forward kind of guy. Also gave away a side by side frig and a stackable washer/dryer to Mike from Bridgewater who was also on time, friendly and helpful. Note to self: keep focused on these kinds of people who send out positive energy and let the others go.....