Yep, I’m back again. I shared earlier today in Saturday Morning Frustrations. Now I will be following up with my Saturday afternoon frustrations since Saturday morning frustrations have turned into Saturday afternoon frustrations. I am usually not multiple posts a day kind of person, but today is one of those days.
First Sign of Life:
Earlier today I shared that I wasn’t able to get ahold of my ex or either of my kids. All I wanted to do was get them before the snow began. Then it began and all I wanted to do was get them before it got any worse. Finally, around 10:30am, my youngest text me. Everyone else was sleeping and she didn’t want to wake anyone. I didn’t care, I had been calling all of them since 7am.
She eventually gave up arguing with me and woke up her sister. My oldest has no problem waking up her father. Now everyone is cranky. My kids since they were just woken up. My ex because he’s tired and doesn’t want to drive the kids home in the snow. His wife because she doesn’t want him driving in this and thinks the kids should just stay another night. Me because I have been trying to get ahold of someone, anyone, since 7am. And of course, I’m also cranky because this wasn’t the weekend to send the kids with the forecast, but no one listened to me.
Back Pedaling:
After my kids tell me that their dad is telling them that they are going to stay with him another night, I call him. I remind him that keeping the kids another day is not an option. My oldest needs to go to work tonight and tomorrow morning. Also reminding him that he was warned of this. I wasn’t able to resist the urge to mention that I predicted this would happen and he assured me it wouldn’t.
He proceeds to tell me that conversation never happened. It doesn’t matter that it began as a text message that clearly states what I am saying then continued into a phone call. But of course, he pretends to have no recollection of either of these things. Should have I just let it go and not threw that in his face, of course, but I didn’t and here we are. After another brief argument, he ends the conversation telling me that he is not bringing the kids back.
The Drive:
I’m not a big fan of driving in the snow. At least my car is pretty decent in it. What should have been a 2 hour drive each way did turn into a 5-hour drive round trip. I guess only taking an additional half hour each way wasn’t too bad. I was very angry most of the drive though since if anyone would have listed to me yesterday, no one would have to be make that drive in this weather today. Thankfully, I did manage to calm down by the time I got there.
Thankfully, they were both ready to walk out the door when I got there. They were waiting for me, and I didn’t even have to get out of the car. They were on their best behavior on the ride home. I’m pretty sure the kids think my quietness was the calm before the storm as they call it. Apparently, I get really quiet before I lose it on them.
The Rush:
We got home around 3. Both kids are hungry. Our steep driveway is coated in several inches of snow. Going down to the garage is no problem but getting back up for my daughter to go to work will be. After I pull into the garage, I run inside to start dinner. My youngest takes the dog out while my oldest starts shoveling the driveway. My youngest then joins in the shoveling. How I wish we would all work so well together all the time and not only while we are in panic mode.
The kids did a great job on the driveway and sidewalk. The dog finished her business and was fed. Dinner is almost ready. We are actually going to be done eating by the time my oldest has to leave for work. I am so proud of these kids for pulling together. I’m smiling again, the day is looking up.
The Phone Call:
Just as we are finishing up eating, we are talking about me driving my oldest to work so she doesn’t have to drive in this mess. She just got her license 2 months ago and neither of us are comfortable with her driving. Just then, her phone rings. I feel my frustration rising again with every word she says.
She hangs up the phone and just looks at me. I ask her if that was her boss telling her that she isn’t needed tonight at work due to the weather. Yep, that’s what that was. She will not be going into work tonight. There is also a good possibility she will not be going into work tomorrow since they are calling for ice overnight.
Angry Laughter:
Both of my kids are just staring at me as I start to laugh uncontrollably. I am at the end of my rope with today, I am at the point that I need to laugh or cry. I chose laughter. Only a few things were supposed to happen this weekend, and none of them have. My oldest has no prom dress. I have not been to the rental to paint. I got to drive 5 hours to get my kids so my oldest could go to a job she is not needed at this weekend.
Today was a day of ranting and angry laughter. I plan on going to bed very early tonight to get a jump start on what I hope will not be a trainwreck tomorrow. I do not have to ask. Both my Saturday morning frustrations and my Sunday morning frustrations have been crazy babble. But I do believe most of it was based on a voice of reason.