Another week down

I am officially fed up with this place. I mean this place in my life. This week has been tough. I feel like I have run a marathon to the best of my ability and still came in last place. It should have been a good week. It's not like I don't have good things to report. My sweet hubby finally broke down and got the video and digital cameras I was dreaming about. Not just one, but both! And accessories! What girl doesn't love accessories?!
I guess it all comes down to ROI. Return On Investment. I feel like I give my job 110%. I get paid squat and there is no raise in sight. I haven't had a raise since July 2005!! Yeah. That's what I say! And it's not like I'm a slacker. I actually have folks that work outside my office that I work with on a consistent basis that beg me to stay. They say it's been so much easier and better to work with my office since I've been back. Why does my employer not see that?? Probably because I work with all men. I promised myself that I would not become a man-basher, but some days even my patience wears thin (and I have a lot of tolerance). I just don't understand it.
Let me give you an example: I have spent many a year working with my kids to get them to be responsible, caring individuals. My oldest is headed off to college next year. I am plenty proud of her. But I cannot seem to get her to see that getting a job will help her to expand her horizons (and her bank account). On top of that, we recently made plans to have her flute tuned up (at a substantial cost, mind you) and do you think we got a thank you? Nooooo. It was more like, "so they gonna take the dents out too?" I don't know and I don't freakin' care! Isn't it enough to have a flute that plays well!?! I guess not. I suppose it's my own fault. I must have spoiled her along the way. I was trying to hard to be the perfect mom and now look what I have wrought!!
Another example: My oldest son thought it was perfectly reasonable to yell at me last Sunday! Now, he may be bigger than me, but, by God, I'm meaner! I let him know in no uncertain terms how ticked off I was and he better show me some respect in my own house! Well, he then took it upon himself to mumble what a horrible mom I was etc etc as he was headed upstairs to hide. I made him troup his happy ass back downstairs to write me a letter explaining his reasoning behind yelling at me and exactly why he thought it was acceptable. The look on his face was priceless! He took about two hours to write it. He gave it to me with a tear-y eyed "sorry mom" and then went upstairs. I read it and it was very well written. But it was a whiny version of why he thinks everyone hates him and he is the black sheep of the family, blah, blah, blah, yadda, yadda, yadda. I wrote him one back. I basically told him that he wouldn't have to feel so bad about himself if he took the initiative to change the things that make us mad at him. For instance, tie your shoes! You're fifteen, for Pete's sake! We would stop harping on you if you just did as we ask!! It's not all that difficult!! Let's just say he's been pretty contrite all week. And his chores were done daily except today when he went back to his normal self....Ah, well, you win some, you lose some....