So I made it to work on time. (just barely) Did my three hours & headed home. I had already agreed with Chrissea that it made no sense for her to go to Sami’s school & pick her up because I was going right past there anyway at nearly the same time school let out. I was also annoyed to find when I went to the bathroom a bunch of rather rude text messages from 18 asking me to come get her at school & then ruder still when it came to her that I had said I was working overtime today.

I text-ed back & let her know what my plans were & that I could come get her but wouldn’t arrive much before the buses would be leaving. She whined & fussed via text until I got annoyed & told her if she said one more word about it she could take the bus home. She text-ed back: ‘yes ma’am’. Which I felt fairly gratified by. I arrived at Sami’s school about 10 minutes before she was let out, which bodes well for the plan after I change schedules next week.

That plan is that I’m going to start doing 4 hours of OT a week on Wednesdays & plan it so I can pick up Sami on my way home on that day (on the other 2 days off I’ll have I’ll go & get her from home- & attempt to get back before 11 & 8 get off the bus- 225 at her school, 305 at my house 14 curvy, twisted miles away, should be quite a challenge. Though presently 11 & 8 have an hour between when they get home & when 18 gets home, so it isn’t mandatory that I’m there, I’d just prefer it.

Sami & I made our slow way to 18’s school. The road was crowded, I wasn’t aware 245 in the afternoon was such a rush hour on route 8. We arrived about 25 minutes before 18 would have gotten on the bus anyway. It made her happy though, to cut part of her study hall & get out a little early. We made our way to the bank & the dollar store, (for tampons) & the drug store for 18’s Birth Control (still feeling motivation for not being a grandmother before I’m 40) then home.

With 18 complaining all the way, she hates the rain, (when she usually loves it,) she might want to go to work where I do (I had a mental image of her throwing down the headset & storming out the door during her first unpleasant call) so she can ‘get the f- out sooner’ she’s tired of having company, then she flipped out when I mentioned Chrissea & I are negotiating an idea of her staying on semi-permanently. The idea being that when 18 & the BF move out 11 is supposed to take 18’s room, 8 will move upstairs to 11’s room & Chrissea could take 8’s room.

This would give us both privacy & she’d give me some money toward the mortgage & we’d be able to share the child watching duties as I already outlined the other day- where only Saturday & Sunday would require, for now 18’s presence & later either V or Sami to keep an eye on 11 & 8. 18 was 100% opposed to this idea & didn’t seem very happy with me when I pointed out that after June she & the BF will be moved out & so it won’t be any of her business. Which I’m sure she didn’t appreciate either.

I don’t mind this stuff, I actually just let it all roll over me. She’s hormonal, she’s frustrated because though she’s 18 she’s still stuck in my house, she’s still young, I comfort myself with the knowledge that she’s going to be sorry someday- I know I was – right about the time she hit 15 it all came clear to me that I was an idiot when I was 14 & up & that my mother wasn’t quite such a bitch as I had thought!

Me at 16, thought I knew it all!

We drove home still sparring over every little thing and she stormed in, stomped upstairs & sulked for awhile, I gathered 11 & went back out to get 8 because he was at remediation. 11, Sami & I stopped at the post office & the store for more milk, then picked up 8, 11 had to go in to get her homework, which she’d left in her classroom. Then back home where I started dinner & cleaned up a little, Chrissea had done the dishes for me which was great, it’s so nice to have little stuff like that done without having to have an argument about who’s turn it is to do it.

18’s BF arrived home & stalked around, still upset over some incident from yesterday regarding some food which was Chrissie’s & that he ate. He & 18 seemed to feel that the food should have been up for grabs though Chrissie provided it & cooked it for herself & Sami, 11 & 8. I had told her that since 18 had 2 extra friends coming over, not to worry about trying to feed them & had told 18 the same thing.

in real life it’s more of a teal green

She & her friends took care of themselves but her BF said he’d get himself something, Chrissea specifically told him to help himself to the pasta but that the little bit of sauce which was left was hers she was holding on to until she was ready to eat. He misheard or didn’t care or whatever (depending on who’s telling me this story- which unfolded via text message to me at work last night) & helped himself to her sauce & Chrissea was upset.

I’m so glad I wasn’t here for this whole debacle, but of course between the BF sulking, 18 pouting & Chrissea being her usual confrontational self tonight we had a small fireworks display which culminated in 18 & the BF going out for the evening, Chrissea hurt & angry & me playing peacemaker. Counseling Chrissea to let it go because 18 is all those things which I mentioned before & seems to hate everything & everyone except the BF just lately & 18 that it was Chrissea’s food & that the BF was in the wrong somewhat & should just apologize.

After I finished scanning all the Fretting Zoo pictures I gave Chrissea a ride to the store. Rainy, foul weather notwithstanding we went for a little drive to talk & encountered a fallen tree, just a little one, but still, right across the road! Chrissea wanted to move it but I just turned around & took a different road. We came home by circuitous route & were sitting in the driveway still taking when Sami called me on Chrissea’s phone which she’d left at home with the kids.

Sami announced that miss 11 had just remembered about the fact that she’d promised to bring juice for a class SoL ‘party’ they’re having tomorrow. I vaguely remembered this from 2 weeks ago & also remembered that I had asked 11 to remind me about it when we were grocery shopping Last Friday! So Chrissea & I went back out, Of course, I couldn’t go back to the store where we’d just been, they’re great for convenience items including milk but they’re expensive for things like orange juice, which is what 11 insisted it had to be.

So into town we traipsed for juice (& of course, jelly beans!) then back home again, in the dark, the wind & the pouring rain I might add. 18 & Chrissea have that in common, they both love rain. Currently, while my well is a little low, I’m happy to have it on one level. However, I much prefer sunny, bright, beautiful weather & these gloomy freaks who reside here with me & think rainy weather is ‘cozy’ drive me nuts!

Before We arrived home to Sami & 11 dancing to Eminem with that awful rip off of Aerosmith’s dream on he did a few years ago, that was frightening to say the least! When we walked in 8 greeted us with ‘don’t ask- you don’t wanna know’ delivered in his driest, most world weary tone. Pretty amusing to say the least

He then proceeded to remind me that he’s got hair in his eyes all the time & wants it cut. I tried to trim it but it didn’t look right over the ears so I just got the electric shaver & cut it off, we forewent the mohawk he’d been requesting because I was in a hurry & so was he. (it was past 930 which is supposed to be his bedtime.) Since then it’s been quiet, 8’s in bed, 11 & Sami have retired to their room, 18 & the BF are still out skulking around & Chrissea’s gone to bed. AHH, peace & quiet- now off to the shower.

After