The Great Juggle

Today was one of those complicated days. Had to remember to pack a bagged lunch (no lunchbox) for Jake, as he had a field-trip. Remembered to sneak a little 'happy birthday' note in there, too. Traffic to work was tough. I got there on time, but not the half-hour early that I try to do, so I can get that extra half-hour's pay. Brought my VHS copy of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, for my boss to borrow. He's never seen it! Work, itself, was not that stressful today. While there, I filled out a form for the after-school care place for the early-release day next week, wrote them a check, too. Left work at 2pm (a half-hour early) to have time to get to the market and get a gooey chocolate cake to suprise Jake for his birthday. Mailed the form and check on the way. Got home at 2:50, checked the mail. Cursed loudly that my bead order still hadn't arrived. Because I had two bracelets that absolutely, positively had to ship today. I promised people. Got the cake ready, got the presents out of their hiding places, went to meet the bus. Welcomed the birthday boy home, at 3:00. Gave him his cake and watched him open his presents. Let Jake stay home by himself as a special treat (he hates to go on errands), and drove off to the local bead store at 3:30 to get the items I needed for the two bracelets. Got home at 4:10. Made the two bracelets (oh, yeah, don't forget the earrings!) while watching a tape of today's General Hospital. Printed out packing slips and shipping labels. Assembled everything, while yelling to Jake to please get his bathing suit on under his pants and put a towel and some underwear in the duffel bag. 5:30 we set off for his swim class. Had to stop and get gas on the way, almost empty. Arrived at the pool at 5:45, just on time! I got to read my book (Gone by Jonathan Kellerman) while he had his class. Class ended at 6:30. Waited for Jake to get changed, left pool at 6:40. Drove to Bickford's for Jake's birthday dinner. Stopped at the post office on the way (it was closed, but I only needed to drop my two packages in the box out front). Arrived at Bickford's at 7:05. Had dinner (chocolate chip pancakes, sausage and chocolate milk for Jake [I am spoiling him quite rotten for his birthday, if you hadn't noticed]; steak tips and scrambled eggs and decaf for me). Finally got the check, got it paid, and left at 7:50. Did I mention that I desperately wanted to get home by 8:00 for Gilmore Girls? Made it home during the opening credits, about 8:05. Watched Gilmore Girls (next week is the series finale! *sobs*) Read my book. Just tucked Jake into bed.

Think I'll go finish my book.

So, how was your day?

Edited to add: Checked my mail. Had an inquiry from a potential customer who wanted a three-name bracelet with silver and gold. Researched gold beads. Responded to customer that I do make three-name bracelets, could easily do silver and gold, and quoted a price. (Just between you and me, three-name bracelets are not my favorite thing to do. They are good money, but the whole lining up of the three names perfectly even always turns into a LOT of work. So far I only do them as a custom order. I think about listing them as a regular item on my site, but then I think about the work involved in making them, and don't. This is why I don't make the big money; I'm afraid of a little work!)


(PS: Can someone please tell me why my answering machine is letting of one little beep every minute? Is it hungry?)