So the drywall company tried to deliver the drywall yesterday. They drove all the way here from Columbus, a “2 1/2 hour drive” they said (though I happened to see McKinley Ave. on the truck, and I can tell you for certain that it does not take 2 1/2 hours to drive to my house from McKinley Ave. But whatever.)
Anyhoo, they got here and decided they could not drive their truck down our driveway. Could.not.do.it. Our drive was a “sheet of ice” (it isn’t). Their truck is really heavy (that was true, they had like 200 sheets of drywall on it!). They couldn’t drive over the boards covering the electrical wire (it’s currently frozen into the ground…nothing there is moving!). Oh no, they were sure they couldn’t do it.
Sigh.
So, here I was, at home alone with all 4 crazies, at lunchtime, with two city-driver delivery guys who can’t get their job done. Really?!? So…short-version…I finally drove over to find Alan (my farmer brother-in-law), interrupted his chat with his nutritionist, and begged him to come help my with our minor crisis. He graciously did so, bringing over a load of cinders to shake over the driveway and staying to help direct the truck so that the driver could feel “safe” enough to back the truck in. He also brought my van down to me after the driver got in place because the delivery guys had decided to TRY to get down the drive while I was over at the farm, effectively blocking the only way to my house with me on the wrong side of them. SO, I parked the van at the top of the lane and walked down to the house.
Honestly, by the time it was done, I mostly felt pity for the two guys (down from frustration, so that’s good, right?). And they did get all the drywall inside. Which is great because the installers are here RIGHT.THIS.MINUTE!!!! We may actually be able to turn on the furnace by the end of next week and get the finishing work started inside. WooHoo!!
But seriously, that delivery was the most complicated of any that’s come so far. And we’ve had a few so far. Sheesh.
Anyway, all around that whole fiasco, I was managing children, making supper and trying to act like I was a little in charge of the day. I had to run to Wal Mart last night because the twins were supposed to have white t-shirts to school by Monday (we don’t have school on Monday), so I needed to have them for today. I kept checking the delay notices, and nothing appeared. And of course, this morning, we were closed. Well, at least I already have the t-shirts now! And I did get to Wal Mart, without kids even, and had a few minutes to myself.
Which is a good thing because THIS morning was also crazy.
The bigs were up 4 times in the night (once for each twin and twice for Meg), between 1 and 5:30. I had to be up at 6 because Alex and Erin were scheduled for eye exams at 8:00 and 8:30 in Zanesville (a good 30 minute drive in good weather). The original plan was to get them there and back, while missing the bare minimum of school time. Though of course, school was cancelled.
Okay, so that makes the morning simpler, right? I mean, now I could get just the two into the van without all their school stuff. So yay for that! But it was snowy. And cold. And no one was moving fast at 7:30 this morning. And I realized as I was leaving that I never filled out their paperwork. Nor could I find the printout with my insurance information. And I knew the roads were going to be awful. And we were already late.
And…there might have been a minor meltdown.
But I couldn’t help being late. The roads weren’t going to be great, but I CAN drive on snow (unlike the delivery guys yesterday :-P). It would’ve been more hassle to cancel the twins’ appointments than to just go. And all things considered, we were still doing fine. This was the pep talk I was giving myself as we headed out. This was the prayer/find-a-better-perspective attempt I made. And it helped.
The roads were not good. But I had clear pavement when I needed to brake quickly to make sure the deer standing on the side of the road ran away from me and not toward me. The curves were not fun and the blowing/drifting snow was less so. But we made it. In one piece. A little late. But no worse for the wear.
It wasn’t perfect. It was messy. But life pretty much is messy. At least mine is. And at almost-38, I’m finally learning to let go of the drive for perfect and allow for, even accept, the messy. I’m not a failure when we’re late on a snowy, bad-roads day. I braved the roads and my fears and actually arrived to the destination only a little behind schedule. This is a success, Woman! Treat it as one!!
Anyway, the exams went great. They are right where they should be; no need for glasses. We got home just fine, right one time. Eric headed for work as soon as we returned. And all of us feel like it should already be 4:00 or 5:00 because the day started so early and so full-bore.
But God is good. He shows up. And I’m learning to let Him. Even on Fridays.
