@Abrowneyegirl I don't think it's just you. If you think about it, very few people take pride in what they do these days.
You pay for something (like your house, work being done, etc) and would like to just enjoy it and......
You can't because there is always some kind of problem.
My friend and I talk about this exact same thing all of the time.
With her, she's been trying for months to get someone to trim some trees for her. The guy next door to her hired someone but he (the neighbor) stopped short of asking her if she wanted the limbs hanging on her yard cut too.
She went over to him and got the name of the guy he used.
She called the guy, made an appointment and the tree trimmer never showed up. Then she found someone else, similar problem. She STILL hasn't found anyone willing to even come out and give her an estimate. It's not about the money. She's willing to pay a good price for it, but it's as if these people don't need the money.
As for myself. Well, I finally decided to get a new roof. My late husband was a builder/developer, so I know something about doing a good job and building. I watched the roof go up on the house behind me and was very impressed with the work, time, etc.
So, I drove over to the house and talked to the owner. He gave me the name and number of the roofing company. We played tag back and forth. He finally came over and looked at the roof. Then I contacted my insurance company and they sent out a woman to look at it. OK, no problem. She didn't bring a ladder (it's all brick and very high). So, I gave her one of mine and told her the best way to get up there. I periodically have someone clean up the gutters, etc, so I keep the ladder handy.
Nothing from the insurance company. Weeks go by with me texting and calling them. Finally, as I'm going down my driveway, she pulls up and (in shorts) asks me if I have any 'loose shingles' because they have decided I should PATCH my roof. The roof was put on new in 2001 after a house fire. It is leaking from one end of the house to the other. I have no intention of patching that roof. I intend to sell this house. A patched roof will never work.
Then (still no interaction between myself and insurance company) I get a check for a few thousand dollars. I'm supposed to find some shingles, etc.
I haven't cashed the check. In the meantime after texting and calling the roof guy (about 2 weeks went by) I finally got a text from someone who says he's with the company and the guy I dealt with is no longer there. OK?
So, long story short, I'm supposed to meet with the roof guy (the new one) tomorrow afternoon. It's not about spending the money. I always knew I wanted a new roof and would have to pay for most of it myself.
It's about having someone do it right so I can move on to other improvements.
When my husband was alive everything he did, it was done with pride and right the first time. Even after he'd moved on with another house, if the people had any problem (even months later) he'd go back and fix the problem. Often, it had nothing to do with what he'd done, it was totally different problems. Once, these people had squirrels in their attic. He tried to get them out himself. When he couldn't, he hired a professional and the squirrels were gone. Things like that.
No one anymore seems to care about doing a good job. As far as your trip, it sounds somewhat similar. You probably feel like, "When is the other shoe going to fall...Do I dare TRY to enjoy this?" It's hard to enjoy something when there's so much frustration involved in it.
Again, I know this was long but it is just one example at how it's difficult to enjoy things because there always seems to be some kind of downer or problem and it lingers long after you've TRIED to deal with it.
I don't know if it helps anyone and I know I sound like Debbie Downer (from Saturday Night Live)....but sometimes it helps to know you are not alone.
I'm normally a person who sees the upside of everything (remember that other side of my brain). However, it sometimes strains itself trying to find the upside.
People just don't take pride in their work. It makes if difficult to enjoy doing things and getting things done when you worry about the professionalism of the worker.
Take care....Fondly, Annabellethecat.