My Thursday Part II
Mood:  on fire
I ended up getting home at about 10:00pm. As soon as I got home I gave N a HUGE kiss. He was so glad to see me, he immediately turned off the computer. For some reason I wandered into the kitchen, and that's when I spotted it... the cell phone bill!

I snatched that thing up and immediately started looking through it. There they were, exactly what I had hoped, phone calls! At least 50 of them, starting minutes after my phone had been stolen! `We've got him!" I kept thinking. I rounded on N, excitement pumping through my body. "I can't WAIT until tomorrow! I'm going to call everyone of these numbers. I'm going to tell these people what a LOWLIFE friend they have and let them know that their number has been turned over to the police."

"What? Why do that? Why not just turn them over to the police?" N was startled by my veomus I suppose. I'm usually pretty low key, and rarely get passionate about things. (outside of him of course)

"BAH! As if the police will DO anything." I scoffed.

It went on like that for a while before N finally frustrated said. "I can't BELIEVE you! It our first night alone in what seems like a MONTH and all you can do is rant about some stupid phone bill and the looser who stole your phone?"

To say I was properly chagrined is an understatement. I apologized, groveled even. But he refused to be mollified.

We sat silently for a moment before he told me about his evening. How he had called the cell phone company and they refused to work with him in getting me a phone. How he had looked up other companies and threatened to switch, and how they had basically told him. "Switch"

"What does this other plan look like?"

So he started to explain it to me, the minutes, etc. He doesn't even finish before I start going.

"Nope, it won't work, I don't like it!" when I realized what I had done I added "Well! It might I'll just have to add up our minutes..."

But it was too late. "Don't bother. You would rather just shoot me down. You seem to do that a lot lately.."

Strike TWO! BAH

Needless to say I spent some time apologizing AGAIN. I did ask him to tell me when I had shot him down before, and he couldn't think of any time. So perhaps SOME of this was him overeating, but I really had just JUMPED on switching as a bad idea. He ended up showing me the plan and before long was accepting my apologetic kisses. Of course those turned into sweet kisses and those into passionate kisses, and before long we were both apologizing profusely, on the couch, in the shower, on the bed...

All is well as of this morning, even though he DID make me promise NOT to call any of these numbers. Ah, but he didn't say that SOMEONE ELSE couldn't...

My Thursday Part 1
Mood:  bright
M had a game at 5:00, needed to be there by 4:00 which meant leaving the house at 2:00. So I took the day off work. After posting yesterday, I layed back down and ended up sleeping until 12:00! I guess I was tired. I puttered around for a while getting ready and then got M up. When I woke him up he was really bummed at how late it was. I guess he wanted me to help him work on his game a bit more.

He showed me the progress he had made on his game I'm REALLY impressed!

Just as we were walking out the door the phone rang. It was Richard.

Richard: What time is M____'s game?
Me: 5:00, actually we're leaving right now.
R: Oh. Well is he going to play?
Me: As far as I know...
R: Well with him missing so many practices and all...
Me: I really don't know. His last practice he was in center field the entire time.
R: Well they charge to get in to watch the games at this tourniment and I don't want to pay to watch a game* where he sits the bench the whole time!
Me: Do you want me to call you as the game starts and let you know?
R: No, I'll just stand at the fence and if he starts I'll come inside.

* Yes they charge, two WHOLE dollars!

So, we loaded up the car and got on the road. I told M his Dad had called and that he was concerned that M wouldn't be playing today.

M: Why wouldn't I play?
Me: Because you missed practices.
M: So! Other kids have missed more practices then that and THEY still get to play.
Me: Yeah, I really think you're Dad was just letting me know he was upset with me.
M: Why? it wasn't your fault. Grandma's car was in the shop that one night, I was sick the other day, and on Tuesday you had to work late!
Me: Yeah, but your dad wanted you to stay in M_____ remember?
M: Yeah
Me: And if you had stayed in M_____ you woudn't have missed some of those days.
M: *shrugs* I guess so
Me: So then it IS my fault, kind of
M: But I WANTED to stay with you!
Me: I know bud, and I'm glad you did!

There are two routs I can take from my house to MonkeyTown where M's game was. One is shorter, bigger freeways, but is likely to be backed up during rush hour. The other is longer, small back roads and is only back up in the case of a major accident. Being it was early afternoon I figured we would be safe taking the shorter rout.

I was wrong! First there was an accendent, then when we got to UNpleasentville traffic was all backed up like it was 6:00pm! And it continued all the way to Monkeytown. We got to the game at 4:50...

I let M out at the gate and then drove around until I found a parking spot. When I finally payed and got a seat they were already taking the field, and M wasn't in centerfield. About that time M walked over to ask if I could get him a water and I said. "Sorry bud, I guess I blew it for you..."

He just grinned and shook his head. "It's not your fault" he said before ducking quickly back into the dugout.

Halfway through the first inning, the phone rings again. It was Richard.

Richard: Have they started?
Me: Yeah, It's the bottom of the first and they are losing already two to nothing. M____ isn't playing yet. But then it took us almost three hours to get here, traffic was TERRIBLE.
R: I know, I've been trying to get around it all afternoon. I think I'm just going to go home, if you don't mind dropping the kids off at J___'s (his fiance') house
M: No problem

I let M know he dad wouldn't be there, and he seemed really unconcerned. We finished out the game. M went in in the fifth inning, made two great plays in center, and was robbed of a hit by a NICE play by the short stop. They lost.

On the way to drop the kids off M mentioned "I would have started the game, but I didn't because I was late"

"I'm sorry..."

"It wasn't YOUR fault, it was just the stupid traffic!"

It was really really hard to tell them goodbye. M probably won't make it the next time it's 'my' weekend because he has another tourniment, but he's made it clear he wants to come and stay again. Probably for another week at least. As soon as the season is over - I can't Wait!

Am I Blue?
Mood:  hug me
M and S go home today. I've had an incredable whirl-wind (almost) two weeks, and today it ends. Admittedly there is a small part of me that's going to be relieved. No more coming home to: Mom, MOM, MOM!, MOM!! can you...?, will you...?, I need you... But I know a larger part will be thinking, no more coming home to: Mom, MOM, MOM!, MOM!! can you...?, will you...?, I need you...

On Tuesday we introducted M to KoL and he LOVED it. That fact that he had to READ it didn't bother him at all. For those of you who don't know, you get a limited number of turns in a day. When those ran out M was (of course) wanting to play more. Then he got an idea. He was going to create his OWN version of KoL. So, I dug out some HTML tutorial books I had stashed away and got him started.

You've never seen a kid take to something so fully! He was reading, typing, experimenting, asking me questions practically BEGGING me to help him learn more! When he hit a wall on the web design side. (Yeah - I don't think he's going to create KoL in a day) He started drawing the pictures, creating charaters, writing the story line. Sure, it's only been two days, but it's been two days of one content, happy and FOCUSED kid. And we've had a lot of bonding time as well.

My youngest. Well, I really don't know what to do about her. For several years she's was the only one of my three kids who came over regularly. I have no doubt that she thourally enjoyed being the 'only child' during that time period. Now coming to my house is probably a lot like staying home. There's siblings to fight with, attention to be begged for and worse, she's fighting with my fiance'. Constantly! I think it has something to do with the fact that they are both the youngest child. I don't know. Sheesh, it seems like only yesterday that I was bragging about them playing games together in the front room and today I want to just send them both to thier rooms for a time out! The worse part is that N is just as guilty as she is! He fights with her, argues with her, gets in pissing matches with her and it gets so bad that I just want to go "Wait! Who's the ten year old here!?"

We talked about it last night. In truth, I don't get along with his son either, but I really really try to hid it, and I do my best to bite my tounge when IB is here. N, though, doesn't seem to hold back. I don't think we came up with a solution, but at least it's out in the open and we can work on it.

So, tonight is the first night in at least three weeks that we've been alone together. I probably won't get home until about 9:00pm (M has a game) but I can assure you, we're going to take advantage of this 'quiet time' alone!

Ok, maybe not so quiet....

Yeah, I know this post is kind of disjointed and rambling - I've got some things going through my head that have been difficult to put on paper. Pride in my son, joy in his recent acceptance of N, Me and our relationship, thrill at how easily he's fit into our home and how eager he always seems to come back, frustration and irritation at the ongoing battle between N and S, sadness at how dejected she's seemed everytime I've had to send her to bed because she's NOT a night person and she gets so BITCHY that even _I_ can't stand her, sorrow that I've had to SOMETHING that's kept me late every night this week so that HER visit time has been limited. (due to having to send her to bed early). Too many conflicting emotions, I think I'll go back to bed!

Still more then you ever wanted to know...
Stolen from Zoot

FIRSTS
First job: Housekeeper at a Holiday Inn - Man the stories, remind me to tell them sometime.
First screen name: TheMrs (I was married and proud of it, what can I say? It later changed to Minx... you figure it out)
First self-purchased CD: CD? Don't remember. The first tape I ever bought was Tears for Fears
First piercing/tattoo: Piercing? Ears, and nose, though the nose has closed up Tatoo? Na, though I toy with the idea sometimes
First true love: `Shark'
First enemy: Todd & Todd in the second Grade - MAN I would LOVE to meet those guys again now. You KNOW that somewhere in their hearts they HAVE to feel guilt over the terror they put me through (yes they would catch me after school and try to beat me up)
LASTS
Last big car ride: To Wyoming to see my mom July last year.
Last kiss: This morning
Last library book checked out: Couldn't tell you it was probably in high school. I buy books now... last book I bought? Elf Blood by Mercedes Lackey
Last movie seen: Chicago also watched Love Actually the same night
Last beverage drank: Diet Pepsi
Last food consumed: Atkins Bar
Last phone call: Voice Mail
Last CD played: Jack Johnson - Brushfire Fairytails
Last annoyance: ummm... my ex?
Last pop drank: Diet Pepsi
Last ice cream eaten: Tin Roof Sunday (my mom's choice NOT mine)
Last time scolded: does my review at lunch today count?
Last shirt worn: white long sleeved button down blouse...typical work faire
I...
I am: basically happy
I want: to continue to be happy
I have: the BEST fiance
I wish: I could see my kids more
I hate: mean people (I know it sounds clich? but it's true)
I fear: that one day my fiance' will tire of me and leave
I hear: eh? really crappy music at the moment... can't think of anything else to put here
I search: for a new job
I wonder: If I will EVER be my ideal weight
I regret: Almost everything about the year after separating with my ex
I love: My fianc? and my children
I always: manage to goof SOMETHING up
I am not: a bad mother
I dance: like a black woman, like a solid gold dancer (or so I was told by two different partners on two different occasions)
I sing: Very Very well
I cry: not often enough
YES or NO:
You keep a diary: um.. hello!?
You like to cook: YES!
You have a secret you have not shared with anyone: I don't think there is anything that I haven't told SOMEONE, but I don't think there is any one person who knows ALL my secrets
DO YOU...?
Have a crush: currently? No - Though I'm IN love with my fianc? as well as love him
Want to get married: Yeah
Get motion sickness: Sometimes
You're a health freak: I try to be from time to time
Current hair color: `Current' I love that! Ahem... It's reddish blond
Eye color: Blue
Birthplace: Germany
FAVORITES
Number: 13
Color: Purple
Day: Saturday
Month: *shrug* December I guess because I love EVERYTHING that goes with Christmas
Songs: Can't pick one
Season: Summer
Drink: Diet Pepsi
Alcohol: Vodka in almost any form
PREFERENCES
Cuddle or make out: Depends on my mood
Chocolate milk or hot chocolate: Neither!
Milk, dark, or white chocolate: Depends on my mood
Vanilla or chocolate: Depends on my mood
IN THE LAST 24 HRS, HAVE YOU...
Cried? No
Helped someone? Yes
Bought something? Does food count?
Gotten sick? No
Gone to the movies? No
Said 'I love you'?: YES
Written a real letter: No
Talked to an ex?: Thank GOD no
Missed an ex?: Are you freeking kidding!?
Written in a journal?: again I say HeL-Lo!
Had a serious talk?: Does my annual review count?
Missed someone? Yes
Hugged someone? YES

I almost forgot:

In case you haven't read back that far, M is 13. He's this quiet kid 95% of the time because he thinks a lot. He's also REALLY athletic, he plays baseball, soccer and just about anything else he puts his mind to.

So, last night we were in the car and he started talking... and maybe I'm just nieve, but the stuff he was talking about didn't seem to be the sorts of things that a 13 year old BOY would normally think about. I mean, aren't they supposed to only be thinking about cars and sex?

Anyway, I can't really remember where it came from, but he made the comment "When you think about it, almost everything comes from plants. Like milk, it comes from cows who eat grass..."

I laughed about that and said, "Yeah, even oil comes from dinosaurs who ate plants..."

He nodded and then got quiet for a second before saying. "When I get older I want to create a car that doesn't use gas, and doesn't pollute."

This lead to a discussion of the Hydrogen car, and his idea of a turbine powered by water that would then power the car... And then a discussion of purpetual motion, and friction... THEN he said.. "What about magnents? When you push them together and they push back... if you could turn THAT power into something - make them rotate, there wouldn't be any friction because they don't touch..."

MY SON is a GENIOUS and will do something that will change the world.. I just KNOW it!

Other topics of the night: Economics, Supply and Demand, Inflation, why sports figures are payed so much money, the effects of TV on sports...

The thing I love the best about talking to him is that he's not afraid to tell you if he doesn't understand something, and he's ready and willing to listen to an explination.

All right, that's enough of MY bragging... I'll stop now.

Cheeseburger in Paradise
Mood:  a-ok
Last night went like this. Got off work, rushed home, changed clothes, grabbed some books, hustled M into the car, drove 2.5 hours (yeah there was a fire that held up traffic), sat and watched my son stand around in center field for two hours, hustled him back into the car, drove another two hours, ended up home at 10:30pm. Whew! The highlight of the evening? Spending two hours talking with my son in the car.

Since I had him in the car I mentioned an idea I had been tossing around to my son. I've always thought that the kids should come and stay with me in the summer months'. To me it seems only fair. So I mentioned this M last night. Basically I said. "Hey I have an idea I would like you to think about. I've been thinking that you kids should come and live with me in the summer, and visit your dad every other weekend. If you wanted to play ball, then we would just sign you up in S_____ or F________."

M thought about that for a moment and then said, "I don't think Dad would want to drive all the way over here for games"

Of course I just HAD to say (in my most innocent voice). "But I drive all the way over there..."

Then M, proving that the kids really DO see what's going on said, "Yeah, but Dad's not like that, he wouldn't... he just doesn't do things like that, you know..."

I just chuckled and patted his leg, "Yeah buddy, I know, it's ok"

Please excuse me a moment while I do a victory lap! I didn't have to bad mouth him, I didn't have to point out the obvious discrepancies in our behavior. The kids figured it out on their own. Their dad is all show and no go, and _I_ am the `good' parent. HA! _I_ am the parent who will drive 130 miles to see a ball game. _I_ am the parent who will drive 130 miles to take my son to practice. I don't do these things for any other reason then I love my kids and want to see them and want to see them happy, but there ARE some side benefits that I rather enjoy.

Ok - I'm done.

In other news I'm feeling grand. Got a bunch more sleep last night, and woke up feeling almost human. Makes facing the day a little easier. M is supposed to have practice again tonight, but I'm scheduled to work until 7:00pm. Unless I can get someone to take my shift, he's going to have to miss. I've already warned his coach.

OH! And that whole "Where's M____ we've got a game" fiasco? Turns out there WAS not game on Saturday. The coach F'd up the time, had all the kids there for no reason, and then sent them all home because he had some meeting to go to. You see this?! This is me giving that man the finger! If I had driven over there for that I think I would have had a conniption fit.

Boy I'm just a BUNDLE of angst today aren't I?

This is the part where you welcome me back
Mood:  down
As you may have guessed, I'm back from vacation. `How did it go?' you say. Well, sit down and I'll fill you in.

What I learned while on vacation:
1. My step dad hasn't changed much
2. I need to see my Mom more
3. My kids rock
4. I Hate Babe Ruth baseball
5. I still love San Francisco
6. The ex can make my son cry from 1200 miles away
7. The world really is shit sometimes
8. My son's coach is a moron
9. It wasn't long enough

The long version:
Wednesday:
I stayed home with the girls. We watched movies and cleaned house. Basically were sitting around waiting for my mom, step dad and son to show up. They ended up being a lot later then expected because my mom had to take her car to the shop and they ended up taking a lot longer. But she made it ok, we visited all was good. We ended up playing Scategories most the night and had a BALL. We had so much fun that even my step dad joined in - boy was that surprise.

The biggest surprise was later, though. I had set the `rents up with a bed and was walking through the living room one more time as my step dad came in from outside. Just as he stepped in the SMELL hit me, one that reeked of childhood and unpleasant memories and STUPIDITY. He stunk of DOPE! Now, smoking dope is one thing, around my kids is another - both of which is enough to get my dander up, but to smoke dope around my kids while you sit there with a hole in your throat and talking with an electronic voice box because yours was removed when they discovered cancer six years ago - well that just makes you... a dope. I didn't say anything to him. I just hope he dies quickly and doesn't leave my mom with a bunch of medical bills.

Thursday:
We had planned to go to San Francisco and walk around. My son was supposed to go to baseball practice. I had tried earlier to convince his coach to excuse him from practice (me being two HOURS away) but he didn't seem to get the hint. Perhaps I should back up a bit and tell the WHOLE story...

Apparently (according to the ex, I'm not making this up) M didn't want to play Babe Ruth, BUT the ex talked him into it. M tried out, made the team and then found out that this coach is some psycho who has forgotten that these are 13 year old boys who are on summer vacation. Just the kind of guy the ex LOVES. So the ex has gotten to do what he LOVES, shuttle the boy to and from practice every SINGLE FREEKING DAY!! Because of all this practicing and games and freaky baseball stuff the ex had arraigned for M to stay with one of his teammates for the two weeks the ex was going to be out of town. A fact I was NOT happy about, and apparently neither was M. M called me and we talked about it. It ended up with my promising to get M to his games/practices and M assuring me that his coach wouldn't make them practice EVERY day.

Fast forward to the weekend of the 4th. Richard (the ex) has made a Big production about this game `being M's last' because the team hasn't won a game so far. Not only have they NOT won a game but they haven't lost by less then 10 points, and the parents are tired of shelling out $60 or more dollars per tournament to only have their kids play two games. So we had that whole fiasco that ended up with my mom riding with Richard and his fianc? etc.

So, they lose that game and I'm ALL prepared for the coach to tell us all `well folks that's it, take your kids home and have a GREAT summer.' But no, he doesn't. Instead he informs us that because the next game/tournament is 10 days away he is giving them all ONE DAY OFF. Oh my, let me kiss your feet, you've given us an ENTIRE day off!

So, M had practice on Tuesday, my mom picked him up and brought him with her on Wednesday. She then tells me that M's coach has planned practices for both Wednesday AND Thursday. Well, my mom ended up showing up late, so that eliminated Wednesday's practice. (did I mention that I live TWO HOURS away?)

So, now we're up to Thursday. As I said we were planning originally to go to San Francisco. Even though my mom had grown up in California she never spent much time in the city was looking forward to doing the `touristy' thing. So I pop my head in the room to talk to M.

Me: Hey buddy. So you have practice tonight?
M: *makes a face and nods*
Me: So, to make your practice we'll have to leave here at 3:30 and we'll get home about 10:00pm
M: *makes another face and holds his stomach*
Me: I'm thinking you don't feel good.
M: *brightens* Yeah! My stomach is upset, there's no way I could ride in the car right now.
Me: OK!

In truth he really wasn't feeling good. He ended up staying home while we all went to San Francisco and slept about 9 hours.

We had a ball in San Francisco. We went to the pier, the wharf, the cannery, drove down Lombard, and through china town. Oh, and walked the Golden Gate Bridge. Mom bought us lunch at Bubba Gumps and we shopped `til our feet wouldn't take us another step. Then we went home and watched a movies.

Friday:
We had planned to go to the beach but after checking the weather and finding out that it was only going to be 75. We nixed that. Instead we stayed at home, warm and comfy and just talked. It was really nice to visit with my mom like that. I miss our visits. Later we went out for pizza and after that they packed up and drove back to Monkeytown.

Saturday:
At 10:00am I was woken up by a knock at the door and the sound of my son's voice. When I came out there were tears in M's eyes. "Mom, we have to call my coach. Dad called C___ and said the coach called him (yes the coach was aware that M was staying with me but apparently he doesn't talk to women) and wanted to know why I wasn't there. He said I was supposed to be at game right then"

While M quietly fought back tears I called the coach's cell phone. No answer. Then I called his home. No answer. M grabbed his schedule and verified that the next tournament didn't start until the 14th. I tried the house AGAIN. This time a lady answered, and after a short explanation, she let me know that she THOUGHT that they had a scrimmage game at 11:00, but she would call me back to let me know for sure.

I explained all of this to M and then watched helplessly as he lost his battle and tears rolled down his cheeks.

Me: Buddy, I'm so sorry!
M: It's not your fault. It's MINE. I should have called my coach before.
Me: Are you upset that you've missed a game?
M: No
Me: Um, did your dad chew you out
M: *Nods and cries harder*
Me: And is that why you're upset?
M: Yeah
Me: I love you buddy! And I'm so sorry.

He hugged me for a while and then quietly cried until he fell asleep.

If I could have strangled his dad right then - I would of!

The coach's wife eventually called me back at 11:15 and left a message saying that they DID have a game and that she hoped we had made it. Yeah RIGHT. Instead we spent the day geocaching and my son didn't think about his dad or baseball for the rest of the day.

Sunday:
Lovely Lazy day. We tried calling the coach to find out when the next practice was - got no call back so we went out and did a bunch of hiking and geocaching. When we got back to the Jeep after hiking N says. "where's my water?"

I looked at him and shrugged as it obviously was gone. "didn't you finish it?" I asked.
"No, it was half full." Puzzled he continued to look around and then noticed. "where are our plums?"

We searched the jeep and sure enough his water and the bag of plums we had picked up earlier in the day were gone. We then looked over at the only other car in the parking lot and said "Shit! They did it again!" It was surrounded by glass and the driver's side window was broken out. Really put a damper on what HAD been a lovely day. Luckily we were in the Jeep and there were no windows to break out. We got off easy this time.

My oldest was going to visit for a cousin of mine in Monterey so we made arraignments to meet and I dropped her off late in the day. Finally at about 10:00 I get a call from C. "Dad wants you to call him. He said they would be up for a while. The coach called him."

So I have to talk to Richard, bleh! I do, and find out that M has practice tonight AND tomorrow and their first game of this next tournament is Thursday the 15th. He then lets me know that they won't be back Wednesday like he first told me, but Thursday. So this week is going to be a little hectic.

And that was my vacation!

Another quiz


Wackiness: 50/100
Rationality: 60/100
Constructiveness: 68/100
Leadership: 50/100

You are an SRCF--Sober Rational Constructive Follower. This makes you a White House staffer. You are a tremendous asset to any employer, cool under pressure, productive, and a great communicator. You feel the need to right wrongs, take up slack, mediate disputes and keep the peace. This comes from a secret fear that business can't go on without you--or worse, that it can.

If you have a weakness, it is your inability to say "no." While your peers respect you, they find it difficult to resist taking advantage of your positive attitude and eagerness to take on work. You depend on a good manager to keep you from sinking under the weight and burning out.


------------

Ha! This is so me it's sickening - especially the inabilty to say "no" thing. The people at work always know they can give me the shit jobs because I won't turn them down. *sigh*

Yeah, I'm back, and bitching again
Mood:  blue
I've been back for half an hour and I can tell your for certain... even after only working 1 day last week (I thought all I needed was a vacation)... I HATE my job. I hate my job so much that my stomach is upset and I want to cry just sitting here. The policital crap here is overwhellming and there seems to end in sight. I need a job, no I need a CAREER, and that's not happening here. Coming in everyday wondering who is going to screem at me because they just got shit on by THIER boss is just too much. I come in everyday wondering when I'm going to be fired, not because I'm incompentent or don't do my job, but because someone else need to cover thier ass. No one should have to live like this...

How to Piss me Off
Mood:  irritated
Please allow me a moment to rant...

When I asked Richard Cranium (the Ex) when they were going on vacation (and thus I would need to watch the kids) he answered (on several occasions) July 7th. Ok, fine. I took the last three days of this week off in preparation of having my three `little' ones over. This weekend I was informed that they were leaving EARLY on the 7th and that they were planning to drive over to San Francisco on the 6th and stay in a hotel before leaving. Basically Richard says to me "You have to work on Tuesday? What are you going to do about the kids?"

To say I was annoyed was ah, well it would about cover it. HE changes his plans and it's MY problem? The worse part was that I had TRIED to get the 6th off, but my boss had specifically asked me to come in to make sure that things were moving forward on this big project I'm working on. FINE. So I call the ex about 9:00am yesterday and ask him what their plans are. I figured that if he could swing by and drop the kids off, I could manage to entertain them until I got off work, take them to the mall or something. He informs me that they were running behind schedule and that they REALLY wanted to get to their hotel and that he could meet me in Pleasanton (About 45 miles from my work) at 2:00. Since I had a meeting at 1:30, there was NO WAY I could do it.

So, I call him at about 1:00, just to see how things are going. After some hemming and hawing he lets me know that they still aren't ready to leave. I offer to rush my meeting, and be in Pleasanton by 3:00 if he would bring the girls that far. (Just the girls because my son had baseball practice and was being picked up by my mom who is brining HIM today). After explaining to me that they REALLY wanted to get to their hotel, and how they wanted to get some sleep etc etc, Richard finally agree to meet me at 3:00.

I rushed my meeting, got it over by 2:00 and then called Richard to let him know that I would be leaving work. His response? "Oh, ok we having left yet.."

I was not surprised but glad I wasn't going to be the one to make them wait and offered "Oh, then I can hang out here a few minutes then."

Him, "Well... Not knowing how traffic is and all..."

Me, "Alright, I'll leave right away..."

So I rushed around, let a few people know I would be back and drove as fast as I could to Pleasanton. I got there at 2:45. I called to let them know I was there, and there was something in the tone of Richard's voice that told me I was soon going to be REALLY pissed. And I WAS. I find out, that they STILL haven't left, still need to get the girls some lunch, AND have to get GAS! "We'll be there as soon as we can, maybe 45 minutes?"

GAH!! Then, to cover for his OWN asinine behavior, he goes on to chew ME out because he says "Your son is really upset, he doesn't know what's going on, he can't get a hold of your mother, and he's not sure who's picking him up after practice.

GRRRRRRR! Richard knew as well as I did that my mom was going to pick him up. But in his usual manipulative way had managed to work my son all up right before taking off for vacation. Typical.

I called my son, reassured him that mom was picking him up and ALSO that the only reason I wasn't picking HIM up too was because I had to work until 7:00pm. Told him that he would be coming to my house today and calmed him down a bit. Then I settled in to wait, and wait, and wait. 4:15 the ex finally shows up! Do you think he says "I'm sorry?" of COURSE not. Because just like everything else it's never his fault, it's never about anyone but him. The fact that I had, at this point, taken TWO hours off work, and I was still at least an HOUR from work was unimportant.

Anyway, I got the girls and all is well. Got back to work, finished up the things I need to finish before going on vacation, and here I am!

Now I just need to clean house and figure out how I'm going to sleep 7 in my two bedroom apartment!