Stress

[pegkerr]

Today was really stressful. All my attorneys were out except one, but my god, they kept me hopping without a break through e-mail and voice mail. I didn't get either my mid morning or midafternoon walks in. At lunch, instead of relaxing over a book, I had to run to the county building to get a copy of Fiona's birth certificate that she needs to take with her to Mexico. I got out of there a half hour late. When I got home, I had to drive the girls to karate immediately. To my intense irritation, Fiona had a class mate over because they had been working on a history day project together. Fiona had forgotten she had karate, too. Since there was no time for his mom to come pick him up, that meant I had to drive the girls to the dojo, and instead of relaxing over a book for the first time all day, I had to beat my way through rush hour traffic to drop this kid off at his home and then beat my way back before their class ended. It took me forty-five minutes in all to make the cross-town trip. I went to get the girls out of the dojo and led them to the car, where I discovered that someone had boxed me in to my parking space. It was now 6:30 p.m., and I knew that Rob had left the dishes undone. By the time we got home, it would be past time for dinner, but I would have to cook it in a messy kitchen.

I lost it. I just lost it. I started sobbing, right there in the parking lot.

The girls put their arms around me, patting my wet face with their soft little hands, resting their cheeks on my shoulder. "Don't turn the news on," Delia told me consolingly. "Put your iPod on. Pick something nice and soothing."

I grabbed a paper towel from the floor and blew my nose. "Um. I'll pick Enya."

So I mopped myself up and put on Shepherd Moons. Eventually, I managed to maneuver the Jeep out of the parking space and I drove home. Rob was already there. He took one look at my shattered face, and when I told him what had happened, he volunteered to do the dishes immediately.

I made tortellini for dinner. Boil the water, throw it in, seven minutes later it's done, boom. Dinner's on the table. Throw some butter and parmesan on it. So it's not a balanced meal.

Bite me.

I'm going to bed.

Someone still needs to take me out drinking.

Comments

[tinymich.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry, Peg. Sometimes those days just hit you, and you're no less a formidably strong woman for losing it once in a long, long while.
(Wasn't it nice, though, to have your girls around to hug and console? Imagine breaking down the exact same way -- except all alone, with no one to comfort...)

[jbru.livejournal.com]

You need to go out drinking, I'm your guy! Are we talking martinis, whiskey, beer or something else? Because I know good places for those three and can research others for the rest.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

*ponders* I generally prefer wine to beer. I don't have much experience with martinis but am game to try. I love whiskey in my Irish coffee. I like margaritas, occasionally Kahluas and creams, and of course, champagne when I get together with kijjohnson. But I am willing to try new things, too.

Would Friday night work, maybe?

[jbru.livejournal.com]

If you're drowning your sorrows, whiskey (straight up) is really your drink of choice. It sounds like you are a more of a "like the taste" sort of drinker.

So here's an idea. Friday is a bit troublesome; it could be difficult finding someone to stay with Ericka while I'm out. Does Saturday night work for you? I'm thinking martinis at the King & I. I can pick you up and we can take cabs home!

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

I think Saturday would work just fine. Let's plan on it. We can touch base later in the week to work out details. Thanks!

[arian1.livejournal.com]

*hug* Poor hon, is there anything we can do?

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Keep sending job/networking leads to me for Rob. That's the main source of my stress.

[schnoogle.livejournal.com]

*sends hugs and chocolate*

[aome.livejournal.com]

I think I would've lost it a lot sooner. Ugh, what a day.

If you had a drink in your hands right now, what would it be? (Can't send you a virtual drink if I don't know what you like!) Meanwhile, have some virtual chocolate. No calories. :)

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Probably an Irish coffee. Very strong, with whipped cream. I'm too shattered to care about the calories.

I generally prefer wine to beer. In summer, I like margaritas. Sometimes I like what-do-you-callums, White Russians? (Kahlua and cream).

And for Tiddleypum nights with kijjohnson, of course, there's champagne.

[papersky.livejournal.com]

Do you/they eat frozen peas? Because if so, you can throw a handful into the same pan as the pasta when the pasta's nearly done, and drain it all together and plonk it on the plates together, and it's not only healthier and more balanced but it has more colour and more bite.

This only works if everyone likes the peas, because until Zorinth finally manages to figure out how to magnetise them, there's no getting them out once they're in.

[hobbitbabe.livejournal.com]

I recall someone who, on being told that she needed to serve herself some peas, glared at us and told us that she was using The Force to move the peas to her plate.

We were trying to hard not to laugh that she probably managed to avoid eating any.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

What I personally like to add to tortellini is strips of bell pepper stir-fried in balsamic vinegar. It's just as fast.

But the girls hate them and won't touch them.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

Don't lie to yourself--you ARE Superwoman, and even Superwoman needs a break some days.

So much admiration for everything you get done every day.

[kaytecat.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry you had a day like that. I think we've all been there at some time or another, and I am glad you had the girls and Rob to take on consoling and bustling to help make it better. And Enya.

hugs.

Katie

(oops, originally commented to a comment.)

[fgherman.livejournal.com]

I'll be happy to take you out drinking - name the time and I'm there. I thought we might go to the Riverview Cafe and Wine Bar at 3753 42nd Ave S
http://www.theriverview.net/

Felicia

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

I've never been to the Riverview, but it looks pretty cool. Would this coming Friday night work for you?

[fgherman.livejournal.com]

Friday the 9th would be fine. I'll be the designated driver. Let me know what time to pick you up.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

There is a karate lesson after work, so let's make it 7:30?

[morganmalfoy.livejournal.com]

Just sent a pick me up. Not in the area to buy you a drink, but I would!

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

I liked it very much. Thanks so much, that was so sweet of you!

[loup_noir]

Good music can get you a long way to sanity. Wish we lived closer, but I'm in California. I'd love to haul you out for music and a drink or two.

[handworn.livejournal.com]

Awww...that's just miserable. I really hope your day turns around.

[kchew.livejournal.com]

If I could, I'd be there with you, along with a very nice bottle of Australian red. I had a weekend if not equal to yours, definitely high on the horror parenting scale (involving power outages, teething infants, and cranky three-year-olds).

To give me hope, however, yesterday I had a power day, where I problem solved and made Things Happen: now I feel like Amazon Mom. Isn't that motherhood: one day it all crashes in, but the next somehow pulls it together and even if no one else knows how incredibly amazing you are as a mom, and what you manage, you will know it. And be mighty. It all goes around, and a mighty day will come your way.

But enjoy that glass of wine first.

[mayakda.livejournal.com]

First of all (((HUGS)))
I borrowed a book from the library called The Feeling Good Handbook by someguy Burns. Despite the off-putting title, it seems pretty good. Check it out.