My knit hat comes off my head

So I lost my entire blog entry. I magically hit a combination of keys on my tablet and voila, the entire discourse disappeared. And to be honest, it is probably a good thing. Last Tuesday, I had the opportunity to deal with our credit union. Before the credit union, I had to go to another bank to cash in a couple bonds (since the credit union does not buy and sell bonds). I asked for a cashier check. Earlier in the day to head off any problem, I had called the main office and asked if there would be a delay while the cashier check went through. The representative told me that there would not be delay, but she also didn't ask me the amount of the check. Oh Woe! Because when I tried to transfer funds at the credit union, I could not because, guess what, the check needs two days to clear. I realized after the manager woman came and talked to me that I was a mess, that my brown knit hat with the stretchy elastic was escaping off my head! I can't imagine what a sight I must have been. I sent an email to the main office but haven't gotten a response and I don't really expect one. I assure you I will not be setting foot in that credit union any time soon!

Energy level coming up

I worked 60 hours over the past 5 days. I didn't sleep well..something would wake me up and I would rise up like a shot and not be able to go back to sleep. I didn't eat well, mostly foods that I could grab on the run and my brain was always on high alert. Needless to say, by the end of Valentine's day, I was cranky and irritable and so uninhibited. Whatever I thought came out of my mouth. I apologized to my boss for being a shrew. She initially denied knowing what I was talking about, and then commented that she thought it was funny. So much for being taken seriously. She made a "mouse that roared" comment. Not sure I want to be compared to a mouse. I could not (even though I enjoy it) cook anything on Saturday or Sunday evening. I slept for 2 1/2 hours yesterday and could not make myself wake up enough to go train in martial arts. I did not have the energy to go to my hair appointment, and my riding lesson was canceled because of the cold.

Hope we're busy at the store

Yesterday, I was busy taking orders over the phone for Valentine's Day. I had a hard time the day before because I expected lots of customers, and very few people came in. I got a bit cranky--either from boredom or hunger, not sure. Yesterday was better as I was occupied and didn't have time to get irritable. One of our drivers ruined a surprise when he called the recipient to get her location. I couldn't figure out what was going on as the order is supposed to be delivered today. Now we have a very disappointed customer as his gift is no longer a surprise. The owner offered an incentive--$5 if we take an order for two dozen roses. I already took one, another sales associate took two. I woke up bright eyes and bushy tailed in early am. I just can't settle enough to sleep. Or I sleep, wake up and then can't go back to sleep. So after tossing and turning for a couple hours, I got up at 4:45am. Stopped at my dad's house on the way home about 9pm last night. The doctor thinks my dad is lactose intolerant (which makes sense), and my dad is drinking lactose free milk, so he gave me 1 1/2 gallons of milk.

Noisy Cat

Today I worked at the flower shop for four hours. The time flew past. After work, I took some carnations and a rose to my Mother and wished my parents a Happy Valentine's Day. My sister in law was helping my mother and she told me that one of their dogs is sick. He blood level is low,he is dehydrated and something is going on with his kidney. He needs a lot of tests. My dad's cat scan showed him to be cancer-free, but he needs to see a gastro doctor. I have the day off tomorrow and plan to rest. With Valentine's day coming up, I will be working the rest of this week and next Sunday and Monday. I was awakened this morning by a banshee screech and growling. Turned out that a long-haired cat was peering in the side window by the front door, and our big tabby was having a fit.

Like a book between bookends

The other day, my mother and I were having a chat. She tells her stories as she remembers them and we laugh. My mother as you know has mobility issues and a form of dementia. Some days she is spot on and other days not so much. But I called to make sure my almost 90 year old parents were safe and snug and had everything they needed to weather the snow storm. In the conversation my mother told me, "You are a saintly person." Probably not true, as helpful as I can be at times, I periodically feel resentment and anger. I can be so patient with my mother and father and have made some progress with acting patiently toward my 70 year old husband. In early December, I was dealing with feelings of anger about my husband, but now I realize that he has many of the elderly type symptoms exhibited by my parents. He's forgetful, tired, achy, hearing impaired. I focus on his helpful ways--working 5 days a week, grocery shopping, paying the bills and taking care of the yard in summer. The yard is his pride and joy. But I have to do all the rest. Cooking, serving, cleaning up afterwards, laundry, cleaning the house. Yesterday afternoon, I went to help care for my mother for a couple hours, so I made sure there was a prominent note so my husband would know where I was. Sometimes he jumps to conclusions. I called his store one time recently and he hurried home sure that something terrible had happened. I thank the universe that I can do things. On Super Bowl Sunday, I had splurged on hot chocolate and cookies. The next morning I woke up dizzy and nauseous. Once I had eaten and my blood sugar stabilized, I felt fine. But the branch store manager has pain in her knee from a tear, one owner has a serious respiratory infection and another store colleague blacked out at the grocery store from low blood pressure and also has some kidney issues and colitis. I need to take care of myself, my husband and my parents and feel like walls are closing on me, like a book between two bookends.

Snow Storm

I just called my elderly parents to make sure that they did not need anything. I was the third call of the day. My sister and aunt had already checked in. I had to work at the flower shop. We had two customers, a woman who bought a blooming plant for her secretary, and the president of the university who had been driving around trying to determine if she should cancel classes tomorrow. I don't think there will be classes tomorrow. My husband has already snow plowed the driveway twice--once so I could get to work and then again so I could get back up. It's Super Bowl Sunday here. Pizza houses around the country count on Bowl Sunday to make lots of money. The snow makes it a challenge.