It was a long day yesterday, and full of mishaps. I drove to work instead of taking the train, because I had a Cat Scan scheduled at the hospital, and I had to work late at a reception. I didn't pack any food, and thus fell victim to the expensive breakfast, which I reported yesterday. But that was made up for later in the day, when I got a free lunch for Staff Appreciation Day and then a free dinner (hors d'oeuvres) at the reception.

When I went to the hospital, they immediately told me that ER cases were backing up the Cat Scan room, and I hunkered down for a long wait. Finally, they moved me to a different floor, where I was dealt with pretty quickly -- but I had to deal with FIVE sticks in the arm before they found a vein! Getting the IV for the contrast solution is always the worst part of a CatScan for me.

I decided to stop for gas on the way back to work, and decided to get a car wash, too, since the car was looking pretty bad. Gas and wash were $42. Then I went to work, and at the end of the day walked over to the reception. I was already dog-tired, but had two more hours to work (unpaid, I'm on salary). The reception was pretty uneventful, except for all the unhappy people who had trouble finding parking. Not a thing we can do about that, but all the complaints go to the poor schmucks working registration. I swear, if I am EVER, EVER rich I will NEVER treat anyone as less important. They're not all like that, but some of the rich that I deal with just floor me with their superior attitude.

So at the end of the reception I totter out to the parking lot, even more tired, and I am shocked to see that the cover for my spare tire (on the back of my RAV4) is gone! Yet the tire is still attached.

I decided I'd better stop at campus security and file a report, which took another 30-40 minutes of my time. I was just pulling away when it hit me -- did it come off in the car wash and I just didn't notice? I went back to the car wash, and indeed it did -- and someone else drove over it, so it was beyond repair. This same cover has already been cracked and repaired, so I wasn't surprised.

Well, it's getting late, but I wanted to stop at Michael's on the way home for a fabric paint kit for my grand-nieces. (My celebration with that part of the family will be next week, so I'm in a time crunch). I had seen just the right one, with paints, and beads and appliques, a while back, and I had a 40% off coupon ... Could not find the kit anywhere, finally settled for just a set of paint tubes. I was just about to check out and then I remembered that I had completely FORGOTTEN my grand-nephew, don't ask me why! So I shopped some more and found some little plastic dragons and dinosaurs for him.

The store was just about to close, and the clerks were clearly impatient to get the laggers out of there. I offered my coupon -- oops. No good. Doesn't take effect until December 9. I could have cried. I just went ahead and paid full price. It was only $33, but last night, when I was so tired, it just seemed so sad.

It was almost ten when I got home. I had a glass of wine and rolled into bed.

This morning I checked my car before I walked to the train, and the tire is still there. I wonder if it will be there at the end of the day.

So today I need to find a new cover, or at least get started on the process.

Yesterday I said that my girls' weekend was starting today. Well, I lost a day somewhere. It starts tomorrow night. I'm ready for some fun!