Hello all...
I have a big vent: Yesterday, I lost at least ten years off my life. I am pretty sure I heard some brain cells just give up and die. On days when Megan has no school, I send her to the ROL Montessori and Rec Center in my area. They have an all day program and it is linked to the Ivy League before/after school program. So, it's convenient and works out well. I had to pick Megan up after work yesterday, so I head over to the center, walk in, sign her out, start looking around and I don't see her. I start sort of looking a little more closely when the counselor approaches me and says, who are you here to pick up? I give them her name and the counselor starts walking around and I could feel the panic rising in me. This rec center is a huge open gym area with one small room to the side which I can see she's most likely not in. The counselor asks, could she have been picked up by anyone else? Ummm NO!!!
Now, I can feel my stomach starting to heave and my mind is racing and I'm not sure who to call first 911 or my DH. The counselor says, don't panic, let me check the girls bathroom.... NOPE, not in there. I turn around, I can see her coat, lunchbox, and sweater, but still no Megan! Just as I'm about to go into full melt down mode, she comes out from behind this small wall and waves at me.
I WAS LIVID! I WAS BEYOND ANGRY AND UNBELIEVABLY UPSET.

I started yelling at her, and then I cried, and then I yelled and then I cried. She started crying too! This rec center arrangement is new to me and I don't go there often and I'm not quite acquainted with the "20-somethings" that are there. I trust them, but then again, anything can happen ya know!!
So, needless to say, last night was a total 100% wipe out for me. That emotion just completely drained me. I drove home shaking the whole way just uttering over and over, Megan you just don't understand what you just did to me. She was threatened that if she ever pulled something like that again, the punishment would fit the crime and she would not be allowed to leave the house for three weeks. It would straight home from school and into her room. I wouldn't care if it would totally inconvenience me, I would stick to that one!!
However, seeing that DH had to work all night last night and my nerves were just about shot, I let her sleep in my bed. At least I'd know where she was! So, I slept with a kid on one side of me and a puppy on another, and I actually slept fairly well.
So, if I look a lot older and a little twitchy when you see me next, you'll know why!
Sam
Kids, can't live with 'em, can't duct tape in the closet?? Whatcha gonna do?