Lots of happenings

Well, so much has happened, I don't know where to start, so I'll just jump in:

Today, although several folks took vacation days, I was caught up.  Yes, I was caught up at work.  This hasn't happened since mid March, and when it happened yesterday, I was somewhat stunned.  Today, I kept pace and was still caught up when I left.  What a good feeling to know I won't be behind when I get to work on Monday.

I leave work at 5, and daycare closes at 6...no problem, usually...it's a 40 minute commute.  Today, I had to stop at the bank, then stop to pay a bill.  The bank line was 4 cars deep when I got there.  I stopped to pay the bill, still 15 min from home, at 5:45.  Fortunately, I was in Kevin's truck, so I was able to do 95 on the interstate.  Don't lecture me, my kids were waiting, dangit!

I got to the daycare at 5:59!  wooohoooo!  I picked them up, and bought them a cheap-o dinner.  Kevin had to go to mom's to borrow Dad's car (thanks dad) for our road trip to my neice's wedding in Carthage tomorrow.  The van needs an alternator, which we'll fix Sunday afternoon.  Anyway, it was all hurried and hectic until about 7. 

I had to pack the girls for a month-long stay with Grammy in Carthage.  We aren't a rich family with a lot of extra clothes.  All needs washed to send along.  I was paying bills online, packing suitcases, and deciding what needed done before the road trip.  Then, it happened.

The folks next door are a train wreck.  He's an abusive ass, and she's a doormat.  I've often wondered why she's with him.  She came over a couple nights ago, and confided that it was all gonna hit the fan, 'cause she found out that he "touched" her two teenage girls (she also has twin 7-year old girls.)  Oh hell.  We were livid.  Kevin stewed for a while, then called DFS.  We let it go at that.  Let's see what happens.

She came over tonight, and I kind of groaned.  How much more can you complain about without trying to fix it?  Anyway, I went downstairs grudgingly to see what she wanted, and she unfolded a piece of paper and handed it to me.  Yup, a restraining order!  AWESOME!  I'm so proud of her.  The locks have been changed, and he was served tonight.  I was an abused doormat for a while, and can't stand to see it in others.  Hypocrit?  maybe.

Anyway, congrats, Rochelle.  You're a strong woman with good kids who don't deserve that crap.  Now I'm all happy, and I was working on a night full of stress!  She won't see this journal, but I told her in person how proud I was of her.  I wish, for her, that we weren't going to be gone in a week.  I'll keep in touch to make sure she is all good, and her 4 girls, too.

Now, there's more work to be done, so I should get to it.  Life throws curve balls at you...you can catch them, miss them, or get hit in the crotch with them.  I choose to catch.  If I miss, I'll dodge them. I will NOT be hit in the crotch.  No thanks.  Curve balls are normal around here, and we deal with them quite well. 

More on Sunday, after the wedding (I hate weddings.)