Today sucked!

Apparently, there's something in the air. At multiple locations, people had a sucky day (check my BIL's blog; his day was only semi-sucky). I had such hope Friday night when I was planning my Saturday. Here was the projected day: sleep late, go out to bank, drop off car to have the oil changed, while waiting for oil change eat breakfast at Waffle House, run to Darien to do a site inspection, run by skating rink to schedule Monkey Boy's birthday party, go to movies, run to TJMaxx to pick up anniversary present for parents, go to Wal-Mart, and come home to chill.

This so wasn't the day I had. Instead I woke up at 5:30am and couldn't go back to sleep. I gave up at 7:30 and folded laundry. Monkey Boy finally was up and moving around by 9:30 so we went to the bank and dropped the car at the oil change place. Sounds OK so far, right? After ordering at Waffle House (I was so in the mood for hash browns) we sat there for over 30 minutes only to find out they still hadn't started our order. It wasn't even that crowded! Monkey Boy and I bailed. Doesn't that just set you off? We skipped breakfast since is was so close to lunch and headed to the skating rink. Guess what? They have new hours and weren't open yet. At this point I decided I was in far too foul of a mood to do a site visit so we went to lunch at Long John Silvers. Apparently my stomach needed to be primed with other food before flinging fried fish at it. Not feeling great. Next we continue our trek to the mall to go to the movies. After getting to the mall, Monkey Boy informed me that he wasn't really in the mood to see a movie. Since we were there to see one of those mind-numbing animation flicks, I was OK skipping it. Again we bailed.

On to TJMaxx where at least I was able to pick up what I wanted for my parent's anniversary. Moving on to Walmart. What was I thinking? I know better than to go to HellMart on a Saturday. I was almost hit 4 times by shopping carts while I was there and what was my reward? Standing in the checkout line for 20 minutes!

Final stop: the skating rink. Did you know that they don't serve beer at the skating rink? They so should. With the noise, annoying pre-teens and that funky smell that only a 30 year old skating rink can have, I could have really used a drink. I had knitting with me but decided that pointy sticks and crazed children on wheels should not be in the open together.

At this point the only thing that is keeping me going is the thought that I would take a nap as soon as I got home. I go to let Marco the Wonder Pup out and what am I treated to as soon as I open the bathroom door? The most vile smell in the history of smells and the indescribable mess of what was apparently explosive diarrhea. After ushering the pup out of the house as fast as I could, I started cleaning, gagging and disinfecting in the bathroom. Next was the same treatment for the pup.

I am so ready for bed now. Even as desperate as I am, I'm thinking that I probably shouldn't take a sleeping pill with a glass of Nyquil, but the thought has entered my mind!

Pain in the Ear!

Monkey Boy has an ear ache. He has swimmer's ear, to be more exact. After picking him up after school, he proceeded to lay on 'mommy guilt' by asking me why I didn't drop everything at work to come get him when the school nurse called. If you're wondering, the school nurse told me I didn't need to come get him. But, in Monkey Boy's world, illness of any kind warrants huge quantities of care, attention and nurturing (This requirement of care, attention and nurturing only flows in one direction. I could have major surgery and my family would ask me what was for dinner!), I failed him by not checking him out of school early. Bad Mommy!

After seeing the doctor, Monkey Boy began lamenting his ear ache. "What could be worse than swimmer's ear? What could hurt more?" he said. I replied, "Giving birth to a big-headed child." He didn't appreciate the comment. Bad Mommy!

I do more before 8:00am . . .

Here was my morning:

5:30 - Get up
6:00 - Wake up Monkey Boy and take Marco the Wonder Puppy out. Its dark!
6:15 - Eat a yummy breakfast of peaches and granola.
6:45 - Leave the house. Drive across bridge to mainland.
7:04 - Pick FIL up at his apartment.
7:14 - Drop FIL off at bus station (he's going to visit Gigi in Charlotte). Drive back to island.
7:20 - Monkey Boy and I admired that amazing sunrise as we drove over the bridge.
7:29 - Arrive at Monkey Boy's school.
7:33 - Drive BACK across bridge to mainland.
7:50 - Get much needed cup of coffee.
7:58 - Walk into office to start work day.

YAWN! I'm sleepy!

After reading about my exciting, fun-filled morning, I bet you want to know what I do at night. Last night I nagged Monkey Boy to finish the Hardy Boy book he was reading for a book report; helped him make a mobile (yes, a mobile) that was required as part of the book report; went grocery shopping; walked the dog; fixed a dinner of hot turkey sandwiches, mashed potatoes and carrots; did a load of laundry; stuck about 200 mailing labels on United Way pledge cards and watched House. I live on the edge, don't I!?

I have been knitting up a storm trying to get Christmas presents made. This is why I'm not posting photos. The knits are a surprise.

My New Job

In my last post I briefly mentioned that I got a new job. Here are the details: I'm the Director of Community Initiatives for the local United Way. How cool is that? My main responsibility is as Volunteer Coordinator, but I have tons of other things to do, as well.

I love the people at my office. Most of them are women, which is new for me. I can't remember the last time I worked with mostly women. Its so cool!

I'll try to get some knitting pics posted this week.