The call of shame

Last week I completely forgot to take Louie to his vet appointment, a make-up appointment for one I had to cancel.  I got a somewhat irritated message on my machine ("I don't know what happened, but you didn't come for your scheduled appointment. Please call and schedule another.  It's important that he's seen regularly." ).  Because I don't love using the phone (and especially when the other person is irritated with me), I waited until this Tuesday to call and make another appointment. As soon as I said my name, the receptionist knew who I was.  

"Oh yes, Louie's owner.  I have you right here." (translation=you are on our black list now).

I apologized profusely and tried to be charming.

Maybe it worked, maybe not.  But she offered me an appointment at 3:45 that afternoon.

"Great!  I'll be there."

That evening, we're having dinner and I look down at Louie.  I've looked at him all day but that particular glance reminds me.  Oh my WORD. I forgot to go to the appointment today. 

What kind of person can't remember to go to an appointment she has made that very day? One who is losing her mind, that's who.  They didn't even bother to call and leave an annoyed message.  If I was on the black list before, now I was on the outer darkness list.

So it had to be done.  The call of shame.  To make a THIRD make-up appointment for my dog in less than a week.  Was the frosty reception on the other end of the line my imagination? No.  I oozed humility and shame and apology.  We made the appointment and I could tell the receptionist was thinking "I won't hold my breath."  Ugh.  So it's come to this: I'm that person now.

Side story: When Lauren was 4 or 5, we went on a road trip.  Greg worked at a crazy-hours DC law firm so every stitch of the packing was left to me.  And the food for the car ride. And the entertaining games and coloring books.  And the beach toys.  We finally got in the car and were about an hour into the trip when Lauren asked "did you bring Pink Bear?"  I slapped my forehead.  "Oh, Pink Bear!  No, honey, I forgot.  I'm sorry."  Silence for a moment.  Then Lauren piped up "Geez, Mom, can't you even remember two things?"  Of course, it did no good to explain that I had actually remembered 10,497 things and had forgotten one.   

So, of course, here I am again.  The vet thinks I can't even remember two things.  But I want to make a copy of my calendar and bring it in and say "look here...these are all the appointments I did remember this week!  This is everything I'm keeping track of, so if I blew off the 5-minute shot appointment, I'm sorry.  But I'm really actually quite dependable."  

Instead, Project Help Mom Remember was instituted, a shock-and-awe reminder system. Maddy made a sign for the fridge LOUIE VET 9:30 TODAY.  Lauren texted me at 9 "remembr Louie 9:30."  Greg called from work.  Everything short of a string around my finger. Mission accomplished!

Comments

[Michelle]

This proves it-- we are indeed twins separated at birth.

I regularly have to make 3-5 orthodontist appointments because I CANNOT remember them. Truth is, they are not that important to me. I forget birthday parties too, which is really sad.

But Erik just came up with a new solution for me. I'm using the iCal on my mac. It has alarms and everything. Crossing my fingers that it works!

[Lindsay-ann]

Poor Lauren. How could you forget pink bear? We went away for the weekend one time and stayed in a log cabin in the middle of Derbyshire. I forgot to pack any footwear for Jessica except the new school shoes she was wearing. The first morning we had to go down to the local village and buy her some other shoes more suitable for playing in the woods! You are not the only one to forget things!
I am pleased to hear Project Help Mom Remember worked!
Lindsay

[Christie]

That was me at the start of McKay's baseball season last spring. I showed up late to games (that I thought started later), completely forgot team pictures (got the call from the coach - are you coming? We're here waiting), and couldn't find the practice fields, thus making him very late.

I know your pain.

[andrea]

ps clever title by the way.

[andrea]

does your family hire out for the personal reminder duty? i forgot mika's doctor's appointment yesterday. same chilly phone call. same black list. in hopes of avoiding the outer darkness, perhaps i could get that friendly text, fridge note, and call from the hub.

thanks.

[Lisa-Marie]

I was told once in college; "I think you need a planner to remind you to check your planner." I was a bit loopy! WAS? Oh, who am I kidding? I AM a bit loopy! So glad that you (who always appears to have it so together) can be loopy too! You don't mind me calling you "loopy" do you?!?!? It's better than dowdy!

[Anna]

Hmmm... is the vet's office trying to entice you to come in or shame you to make your next visit very uncomfortable. I understand time is money blah, blah, blah. But common courtesy is definitely missing from that office. I can totally hear that woman in her Boston twang, come on back south where folks are forgiving and have manners.

[Emily]

if you go to the same vet that I took Mika's cats to, I know them, and I've been on the receiving end of one of those calls also, very embarrassing. (Luckily, as the nanny, I missed the flack for forgetting an appointment and was only seen as the responsible one when I brought the cat it, poor Sue.)

[Anonymous]

I'm so happy to know I'm not the only one...
Jen

[seven smiles]

It's called mom ADD.
And the only cure is having the kids grow up, move out and manage their own lives....

Of course by then you'll probably have early-onset, old-age dementia,

but you won't care.
You won't know the difference.

{ my inefficient mommy calendar: can't. keep. all. this. info. in. brain. leaking. out. help.}

[queenieweenie]

thanks for the giggle. my life is the same way. i've cancelled my dentist appointment five times now. i think they hate me!