Not looking for any solutions or advice, I just need to vent.
I went into my TOPS meeting feeling pretty good tonight. I'd put on a shirt with an empire waist that I haven't been able to wear for long; I'm an apple and I've been waiting forever for it to be even remotely flattering. I also brought in the winning poster I'd made for the state recognition days last weekend, eager to show it off to those that couldn't attend.
The deal with the poster is that I'm automatically given $10 to spend on the supplies for it, and anything further I choose to spend is secretly voted on by the chapter on whether or not I get reimbursed. I knew that going in, as I also did one for them two years ago and got reimbursed the $30 I'd spent at the time. So tonight, I mentioned I'd forgotten to bring the receipt in but that I'll do so next week so it can be voted on. And then I was asked how much I'd spent, which was a little over $20.
Negative Nellie (who is now our new treasurer) immediately started scoffing and loudly stated that there was NO WAY our chapter was paying that much. I calmly reminded her that it was an issue everyone would vote on, and she tried to tell me that it had never been voted on before and shouldn't be, basically how dare I go over the spending limit. I informed her that we would vote on it the next week like we always have, and then she tried to dismiss me by saying she didn't have the chapter checkbook on her anyway. Her son (another member) told her she's always supposed to have it, and she then started arguing with him before repeating that the chapter shouldn't have to pay for the poster. I had to repeat my words about the voting process yet again before she finally stopped complaining about it.
Once again, I knew what I was getting into by spending over the $10 limit, that there's definitely a possibility that people might not vote on the further reimbursement. Which is no big deal, it's not about the money and I'm more than happy to contribute. But I felt completely, utterly disrespected for all the time and effort I put into the thing with the way she snapped at me. I'm quite sure that if she had been in my place, she'd feel utterly entitled to be reimbursed, no questions asked or voting required.
I'm admittedly hormonal right now and was ready to cry, but I managed to stay calm and move on with the meeting despite having a gain.
And before it was over, another member commented on how pregnant my shirt made me look, even while pointing out that she knew I wasn't far enough along to actually be showing. I don't remember her exact words but after that she basically told me she didn't realize how fat I still was. And that was exactly why I was too self-conscious to wear the shirt before now, I knew it emphasized my stomach. But I'd thought I'd reached the point where it felt balanced and flattering. Apparently not?
And before we left, some got into a different money argument on how we do some of our funding. Again, it's something we'll soon be voting on, and it drives me nuts that some are being so possessive about the chapter's money (IMO, some are treating it as more of a personal savings account rather than a pool that's meant for everyone with spending decisions done through voting).
Relieved the meeting (and arguing) was over, ten of us went out to eat, and after an enjoyable meal, the waitress brought out one bill instead of the split one we'd requested. I'd pointed out that we'd originally asked for the bill to be split, and she noticed I'm holding a coupon and tells me I won't be allowed to use it if we do so. Uh, come again? I didn't understand at first, but when I finally figured out what she meant, I told her I was only planning on applying my coupon to my meal and not everyone else's, so it shouldn't be an issue. When she insisted we should just figure it out amongst ourselves, I told her that was unacceptable and that it needed to be split like we had originally asked. She made a face and then told us the man up front could probably split it for us. I let the man know I wasn't happy about how she handled it, and I could tell he wasn't happy about it either.
I burst into tears once I got home. Not really a whole lot to complain about but I feel absolutely rotten; on top of it all I've been constipated (and yes, I've been eating a ton of fiber and drinking a lot of water, but I guess it comes with the territory of being pregnant).
Anyway, if the poster ends up having any further issues with people being sharky I guess I'll no longer be volunteering for such things. And as usual, I've been told to just ignore Nellie, but I'm so sick of the negativity. Tomorrow's a fresh new day and the beginning of a new week. And I already feel better by typing this out, so thanks for listening.