A day in my life December 15, 2010

Have you ever had one of those dreams where you are trying to get someplace important, but something keeps getting in your way? Either dumb things you stop off to do along the way or things that just happen to you? Well, I lived that dream this morning.

I was traveling on Monday and Tuesday and wanted to take Gatito to school today, his last before the holidays. I had a big customer presentation at 10:00, but school started at 9:00 and is less than half an hour from work. But first I had to stop at both USPS and UPS to drop off a few Pineapple Baby shipments. Buyers chose different shipment methods… Well, first we left a little late, then I had to make two stops, then I had to go back out to the car for $15 to buy the holiday CDs the kids recorded… and talk to the music teacher for a few minutes, of course. When I got to work, I had to get some oatmeal and then it was 9:50 and I had forgotten to print my notes. Then it was 9:56 and I arrived at the meeting and realized I’d left my iPhone, which I needed in order to give a demonstration, in the car.

“I’m not first, am I?” I asked.

I was.

So I ran.

And arrived back sweating and panting.

During introductions, I saw a call from the school come through. It was quickly followed by a text from our nanny, Pow, saying Gatito was warm and had a headache and she was picking him up. During my actual presentation (which went well), I received, oh, two calls each to my work and personal phones, by which time I’m assuming someone is in the hospital. No one was, just A calling to tell me… Gatito went home sick.

I call Pow, who says the school told her he’d fallen, and he is now napping. I call the school  and learn that he’d actually fainted in the midst of their holiday singing. Immediately after that, I sent out an email to a lot of people, in my boss’ name with a major error in the subject. Totally awesome.

I have a brief meeting with colleagues. Just as we’re settling in, the fire alarm goes off. I raced back to my desk before evacuating because, fire or not, I’m not going out in this weather without a coat. And my car keys. They let us back in the building and I’m desperately trying to get a few essential things done and get out of there, when I get a text from Pow saying he’s feeling badly again and the baby, who’s had a virus for a week* is pretty unhappy, too.

“I’m on my way,” I text. But then another text comes in from A, who is sick and going home. I decided that bought me a bit more time. When I finally got home, even the cat had puked a couple of times and Pow was too disgusted to do anything other than cover it. Which is fine. I mean, that’s definitely in the realm of above and beyond her duties.

And now I’m being picked up at 5:45am for another overnight trip. I am just hoping I’m not sick on the plane or in a city far from home. I cannot wait until this week is over. On Monday, Gatito and I are spending together  in the city, I work Tuesday and Wednesday, and then I’m done for 2010! I can make it.

*Our pediatrician’s office drive me nuts. Their whole goal is to prevent the crazy parents from bringing sick kids in. So when A called on Tuesday and said she had diarrhea and had barely eaten since last Friday, the nurse said to give it another day if she doesn’t have a fever. And no milk. Which, I get, but has been her only source of nutrition. So now it’s been another day with no change and I’d frankly rather take her to after hours urgent care, which opens at 4:00, then call the damned pediatrician’s office again. And by me, I mean A, since I’ll be a plane ride away. GAH!

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