Plague, pestilence and…?
That’ll teach me to write an upbeat post. This day has sucked.
Got stopped for speeding on the way to work - 66 in a 50. Fortunately (ha) someone had an accident so he let me go with a warning. Then my nanny disappeared. She was supposed to take Pumpkinhead to soccer and just never showed up. Finally, way too late, Chapin located her at her oldest daughter’s house where she said she was just about to get on the road home. WTF?!? So my Dad had to take Pumpkinhead to soccer. That would have been fine except my Grandfather (the last grandparent) passed away today. My Dad is leaving for his home country tomorrow, but none of us can go because it’s just too far and expensive.
To top it off, during our regular weekly staff meeting today my boss asked me if I was “handling things okay.” He said that I appear to be down or that my emotions are up and down. Again, WTF??!?! I am keeping things completely on the down low at work, or at least I thought so. Apparently the frowny face rules again. I have frown lines at my tender young age and have been told that people think I’m uptight. I am. But I’m a really friendly, loving person once you get to know me. Problem is that I have this expression I get when I’m concentrating, just like my Dad, and apparently people interpret it as an angry or upset face. Add in the fact that I’m a bit awkward/reserved and people think I’m uptight and angry all the time. Sheesh! Boss wanted to know if I was juggling work and school all right. I have never, ever had a boss who has questioned my competency. Made me feel so bad.
I left that meeting and picked up my ringing phone only to hear Chapin say, “Sorry about your grandfather.” I didn’t know anything. My mother was going to tell me after class. Then my boss came in with more work so I had to hang up. It was already 5:20 and I ended up staying until 5:45. Class was supposed to start at 6. Numb, I drove straight home and stopped at the local gas station to pick up a six pack of Corona. Now I’m two bottles down and feeling much better. Yes, I’m going to stop now. Shouldn’t be drinking at all with all of these medical issues and the damn Cymbalta but I am seriously ready to scream (or cry or somehow burst with emotion). So screw it.









June 10th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Sorry to hear about your grandfather’s passing. My thoughts are with your family. *hugs*
June 10th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Gurl - what gives for you? It’s one big old schnitty schnitty bang bang festival at your house. So sorry to hear about your grandfather . . . and all the other shiz. I bet years from now you’ll look back on this period of your life and be like, “Man that sucked.” But it will be far, far behind you and much happiness will lie ahead.
What’d you say when your boss asked you that? I probably would have smiled and been like, “Yes, I’m doing fine - why, is there a problem with my work performance?” Then I would have been fired.
And what the hell with the nanny - was there some confusion about what she was supposed to do? You need to have a sit-down chat with her. Stories like this make me SO so thankful for the 5000th time that my nanny is reliable. If she doesn’t show up, she always gets us somebody who can (even if she’s sick).
June 10th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Girl, are we sisters? I swear I have exactly the same face and get exactly the same reactions. I have semi-seriously considered botox just so that I can no longer furrow my brow.
I’m sorry to hear about your grandfather. Sending positive thoughts to you and your family.
June 10th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
I’m so sorry about the loss of your grandfather.
What’s up with the boss asking such a question during a staff meeting? The most charitable thing I can say about that is it’s clumsy.
June 11th, 2008 at 9:23 am
So…I have been lurking for a long time but I am de-lurking to tell you I am sorry you are going through so much at one time…that seems to be how things usually happen…
I too am a mom who works full-time and attends law school at night so I understand the frustrations of things not going as planned b/c your days have to be planned in order to stay sane.
As far as your boss asking about how you are juggling…it was a bit clumsy to bring that up in a staff meeting, but depending on your relationship it doesn’t have to be a bad thing that they are asking.
When my boss asks he usually follows with telling me I can leave early if I need to or just take a day off to recoup (which I had to do Monday actually). I feel like they genuinely care. I work at a 2 lawyer firm and they are extremely understanding…
I hope that is the reason your boss asked you and not b/c he is questioning whether or not you are capable b/c it sounds like you are more than capable and that would really suck considering it is a new job.
Hang in there!
June 11th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Wow… shitty day hun. Sorry about losing your last remaining grnadparent. There’s something so final about that . . . I odn’t know, its just different. Was for me anyway
((hugs))
June 12th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
I’m so sorry about your grandfather - and the rest of the crappiness. I think of you often and wish you strength, serenity, and support (both virtual and IRL).
I know there is much love and good wishes going your way across the US through the internet!