Some days are longer than others

It started early. 5:30 am. I wanted to get up early and get a headstart on the kids because there were extra kids today and it being a school day I figured I'd need all the time I could get. I got all 5 of them up and moving with a minimum of trouble. A lot of noise, but not much trouble. Made breakfast. Lunches had been made the night before. We talked about possible alterations or additions to the lunches. I told the older 4 to finish getting ready while I drove David to school. On the way out the door we were accosted by a very small, very furry, very cute Rottweiler puppy. Sarah appeared as if from out of nowhere, scooped the puppy up and disappeared into the house. "Great," I thought. Just what we don't need.

When I got back I dragged the kennel into the garage, cleaned it out and filled it with towels. Sarah and Natalie deposited the puppy and I drove them to school. By the time I got back to the house I had my plan of action. I figured it belonged to the new nextdoor neighbors but they weren't answering the door. So I left a note on their door, along with my garage door opener telling them where the puppy was and to go and fetch it whenever. And I left for work.

Got home and half hoped the puppy would still be there but she was gone. Phew! We really, really do not need another pet! Now to get the kids where they need to be. Sarah wants to go sell girl scout cookies with a friend. Go. David to Rachel's across the street. Go. Steven to lacrosse. Let's go. Pull into parking lot a few minutes late. There's no one in sight. Is practice cancelled? moved to another location? No email today to indicate change. Let's go look another place. 20 minutes later, find the team. Car is completely out of gas. Use fumes to get to gas station. Here's where it gets interesting.

I remembered a couple of weeks ago an email from my Dad (I think) about women at gas stations being preyed upon by purse snatchers and such. So I thought "Better put my purse on the floor. Better yet, lock the door." I opened the door and as I was getting out, hit the lock button. The doors would not lock. I tried it again. Hmm. Wierd. Oh the keys are in the ignition. I can't lock the door if the keys are in the ignition. Clever feature! This would keep people from locking their keys in the car. Very clever. I removed the keys from the ignition, tossed them in the console and got out of the car, locking the door and slamming it shut. oh oh. I didn't! Yes, I did.

So I pumped the gas and went into the gas station to ask to borrow their phone. In this day and age of cell phone usage, apparently they aren't asked to use the phone often, they were thoroughly perplexed as to whether they should allow me to use the phone. They finally decided to let me as long as they dialed it for me. I called my parents house. No answer. I called my Dad's cell phone. My Mom answered. I told her what was wrong and asked her to go to my house, get my spare key and come to the gas station. Sounds easy, right? Silver key, not black, on red heart key chain. Shell station at the end of Pecan Parkway at Anderson Mill Road. Well an hour goes by and no Mom or Dad. I go back into the gas station and ask to use the phone again. Again a perplexing conversation in a foreign language. Finally I get ahold of my mother who is fielding phone calls from my father who is in another town entirely trying to find me. I could have walked to my house and back to the gas station by now. We finally get him redirected and he arrives at the correct gas station. With the wrong key. "Dad, just give me a ride home."

Unbelievable how tired one can get just from the "normal" events of a day, huh?