Great Expectations (or Lowering the Bar)

Do you expect a lot from people? I do. Unfortunately I am let down a lot...

1. I expect that when I buy donuts from Giant Eagle that turn out to be bad, that I will be offered a replacement in addition to my lousy $2.
2. I expect that when I buy tires warranted for 60,000 miles, that I won't get fewer than 30,000 miles.
3. I expect that when my child's school is delayed for cold when it is in the low teens, that it will also be delayed when it is in the single digits (or that if won't be delayed for either).
4. I expect that when I call or email someone with a question or request, that that person won't wait weeks to get back to me.
5. I expect that when the bus is supposed to arrive at a certain time in the morning, that if it gets there early, it won't leave until the designated time, particularly when the temps are in the single digits and the next bus is close to 10 minutes away.
6. I expect people who use public transportation to bathe and use deodorant on a regular basis.
7. I expect that when I spend $25 for a fog-free mirror, that the mirror will not fog in the shower within 60 seconds. 
8. I expect when I am earning pretty much no interest in my savings accounts, that I won't be stuck paying $50 in interest on a truck payment every month.
9. I expect that when I get a decent-sized tax refund when I did not pay any federal taxes in 2012 (the full-time-working husband did), that this year I won't get a refund that is about the same, considering I actually paid federal taxes.
10. I expect the person who does my taxes not to lose the papers I include and to pay attention to my notes.
11. I expect people to be willing to admit their mistakes and apologize for them.
12. I expect when someone loses her phone, that the person who finds it won't keep it and/or sell it.
13. I expect the weather people to be right more than they are wrong.

BUT...

1. It is nice when you write a terse email to GE, to get a return phone call and email, and the promise of a gift card (have not seen it, but still)
2. It is somewhat appreciated when you get a deep discount off your replacement tires and when Goodyear also steps up with a check.
3. Perhaps the school administrators thinks the kids are heartier now in the cold temps!
4. I have to understand that people are busy and forgetful; in other words, human, so they may not always remember or be able to get back to me (but if they never do, then it might be time to move on).
5. I should probably accept the bus situation and be glad I can ride it for free.
6. I need to remember that some people cannot smell themselves (I am immune to my bad coffee breath!) and maybe they have bigger things on their mind. But, still, being next to smelly people for even a minute is really an assault to my nose!
7. They just don't make things like they used to. And there is not a lot of truth in advertising. What else can I say about that?
8. I need to keep reminding myself that I do have money in savings, and, at least as of today, I can pay my bills. A lot of people cannot say that. 
9. I need to be glad that I got a tax refund at all, and that I am able to put that refund, even if it is nowhere near what I had hoped, on that interest-sucking truck.
10. Still not sure what to do about my tax people. But I suppose I should be glad they pick up my taxes and they are cheaper than going to one of those tax "stores." You get what you pay for!
11. I guess some people just cannot admit when they are wrong. I know it is hard for me, but I am the kind of person who says, "I may have misunderstood you" or "Sorry, if I did this wrong" even though I am pretty sure I was not in the wrong. Oh, well.
12. I am reminded that there is good in the world and am glad whoever found my mom's phone in a parking lot took it into the nearest store. 
13. I pretty much need to give up on the weather people being right even half the time. Now if only they would stop hyping every single, potential occurrence of snow. And by occurrence, I sometimes mean a coating.

Stay tuned to see what the big snowstorms ends up being. My money is on 3".