Rough days, but better times are coming

Last night was rough.  Over 2 hours in the ER, followed by bills that I wasn't prepared to pay, followed by a huge stack of dishes because both Kevin and I forgot to buy dishwashing liquid.

I went to bed, with the alarm set for midnight.  I kind of woke up, put a drop in Natalie's eye (she was great about it) and looked outside.  No Brett.  *sigh*  The latest he gets home is 11ish.  I called his cell, no answer.  I called 20 minutes later, no answer.  I dozed, but couldn't sleep.  He called at 2 and said he'd lost his phone in the parking lot, and had been looking for it in the dark lot, in the gravel, since closing.  OK.  Whatever.  *sigh*

I awoke to the alarm again at 4, another drop in Natalie's eye (she was great about it) and went back to bed.  I think Kevin talked to me once or twice, but I'm not sure.  It 6:50, Monica woke me up crying, "Mom, it's 6:50 and we're going to be LATE!"  "No, honey, I'm taking you to school, and we're fine."  I got up and showered, then woke Natalie.

The eye was swollen almost shut, and the other one was quite red.  *sigh*  I woke Brett up to tell him that I'd see him in the high school office at 8:10, to give him money for the cap and gown that I'm not sure he'll get to wear.  (I'm not trying to be negative, just realistic.)  They only accept cash, and after a night in the ER, I forgot to get cash.  *sigh*  I emailed Mom and asked to borrow $26 until today.  At what age do I get to quit asking help from parents?

Brett (who, if you remember, didn't do ANY laundry on Monday, after promising to do 3 loads) informed me that he had no clean pants.  Hmmm.  Sad state, Mate.  Figure it out and get to school by 8:10.  Hard ass, me?  Probably.  He can run that washer as well as I can.  The girls do a couple loads a night.  Why can't he do a couple a week? 

I drop Her Lady of the Pink Eye off at Moms, and Monica goes in so they can see her new haircut.  Both haircuts met with approval, and I borrowed the $26 and left.  At the school, I explained Natalie's absense and kissed Monica goodbye.  Off to the High School office (in this tiny town, it's all one building) to wait for Brett.  He shows up, looking quite grumpy, at 8:09.  I give him the cash and leave.  Oh yeah, he doesn't smell that great, either.  *sigh*

When I get to work, I realize that the receptionist that turns the phone on in the morning was NOT there.  I'm 25 minutes late, and a customer service rep is answering the phones!  ACK!  Apparently, said receptionist is off watching a new grandbaby being delivered.  OK, I sign in to the phones as a receptionist, and take over for the other CSR.  My other half (at work) is on vacation for the day, so I'm covering for 2 other people, as well as myself.  *sigh*

I struggled through the day, although I forgot to get Dad's money.  I'll give them a check in the morning.  The whole day pretty much sucked.  Everything went wrong. Everything was bad....except....EXCEPT....

My boss agreed to let Kevin go on a business trip with me!!!!  In April, when I have the Michigan show, we will stay in a hotel which is right across the road from the Automotive Hall of Fame, and other Ford landmarks.  He will have a BALL!  I can't wait.  Now, who is going to watch my children while we're both gone???  I have several ideas, but I don't know if any of them will pan out.

If we had known earlier, we would NOT have asked Grammy to come up this weekend to help.  Can she take off two weekends, 3 weeks apart?  Kevin's calling now.  I have a sitter down the road, but will she be willing to do a whole weekend, taking care of dogs as well as children? 

Also, we have to know if Kevin will come home on Sunday (short, but a trip nonetheless) or if his work buddy will cover for him Monday, so he can come home Wednesday morning with me.  So many calls to make, so many plans to solidify.  I have to have answers first thing in the morning, so tickets can be purchased.  No pressure.

Why am I still on the computer?  ACK!