Tuesday

After a rough start, things improved.

I woke up later than usual. So late that The D was already up. I walked through the kitchen to get my Coke Zero and Daddy's empty pill box was on the table. I settled down to load it up, and I was missing two prescriptions. I swear, I got them filled. Couldn't find them to save my life. I checked the empty bottles and one was due for a refill, but the other wasn't. I called my friendly pharmacist and before he could say, "Thank you for calling Walgreen's Pharmacy. This is..." I said, "Hey, Dale." He replied, "Hi Carol. What is it now?" Sad that we recognize each other's voices. I explained my dilemma and he told me he'd take care of it. Luckily, missing meds weren't life or death.

Next, I got a call from my church client. The toner was low. I said I'd stop by. Thank god I bill this client an hourly rate.

By the time I got showered and dressed, it was time for The D's lunch. Luckily, he was amenable to have last night's leftovers.

I headed to new client's office and decided to stop at Kroger to get some clearance Valentine's candy. Turns out, there were amazing deals on potted flowers. Orchids for $3, Kalanchoes and tulips for $2. I loaded up. Exercised restraint on candy. Hershey's mini's and almond kisses. And my Achille's Heel - Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Yum.

Needless to say, I was very popular with my client - something for everyone. My work went well.

When I left, I dropped by the opthamology clinic to see little sis Daph. Every time I go there, everybody recognizes me - we look and sound alike. I had a Kalanchoe complete with Happy Valentine's Day balloon. One of her co-workers told me she'd just kicked Daph in the shin. They love her. Daph appeared and called me into an exam room. She was with a patient - Mrs. B. Daph introduced us and I told Mrs. B she'd better leave and ask for someone else. Explained that Daph had lost her last 10 jobs for blinding people. Mrs. B was cool. She said she wasn't worried. I said, "You've been warned. Just check the label if Daph wants to put drops in your eyes, and don't let her near you with a sharp instrument."

Daph told me to leave - there were hoards of people in the waiting room. I told her to let them eat cake. I told her to take me to Dr. R - her boss. She escorted me back. Doc ushered me right in and I told him I had a corneal abrasion and I wanted him to perform an eyeball-ectomy. He said he didn't have a procedure code for that. He'd seen me before for dry-eye, which felt like someone was stabbing me in the eye with an ice pick. We go way back. He told me to sit down, and I told him my eye was fine.

I told him that I was sick and damn tired of Daph calling me every day on her way home from work telling me how much she hated him. That she couldn't stand that arrogant bastard. And that she was hot for the new doc. R said he knew better. That Daph was the president of the Dr. R Official Fan Club. I confessed that she was his stalker. He asked if she had made a shrine with his pictures and candles. I told him she had, and that she had a lock of his hair and a used kleenex of his on display. Then I told him to get to work - it was looking like Egypt in his waiting room and they were chanting for him to step down. I happily walked out into the beautiful, mood-lifting, sunny, warm day.

Stopped at pharmacy. Came home and fixed good din for The D. He liked it. But he came into the den a little while later and told me that I was giving him too much food. He patted his stomach when he said that. I told him to just eat what he wants. I think there's a thing for anyone who lived during WWII. They don't want to waste food. I remember sitting at the kitchen table for hours while everyone else was watching tv. A plate of cold liver, cauliflower, or some equally undesirable food in front of me. They used to say I was stubborn as a mule. The real problem was that my siblings got the jump on feeding Pooh under the table.

Got home and had a follow-up email from my prospective start-up biotech client. Exciting. We meet next Tuesday. Can't wait.

Best part of the day, though, was finding out that Daph has Thursday off, and we can go to Reelfoot Lake to see the eagles. The D's church has a group going on the church bus. We leave at 8:30 and we'll do the eagle tour and then go to some great catfish joint for lunch. We'll get back by 3:00. Perfect. Can't wait. D's excited.

Better run. Lots to do since I'm taking the whole day off Thursday. I'm overdue for a break...