Oh man, you guys. It's only Tuesday and this has already been the longest week for both Mike and I and it's all about work stuff. Spring is always really busy for Mike and he has more than his share of work being piled on him per usual. I'm busy as well. The phones have been ringing like crazy because of this form letter that Veterans' Affairs in D.C. sent to every single veteran and has everyone confused and upset. Yesterday morning as I was walk across the parking lot Malinda caught up to me and told me that Sophie's husband, Joe, had died of a massive heart attack over the weekend while she was out running an errand. They had been married since 1978 and have three kids and three grandkids. Joe was 58 and this was unexpected. He had been having health problems but his heart was not one of them. So this came as a great shock. All day yesterday we were all very quiet and there was such a dark cloud hanging over the office. Sophie really is the heart of this place and we are all so sad for her. We are going up to the visitation tomorrow night after work at the funeral home her family has owned for generations. Adding to the dark mood was the fact that is was crazy hot outside and our A/C in the office isn't on so we were hot and cranky. And there was a scheduled group birthday party thing for the April birthday people on the floor and you can just imagine how festive THAT was.
My Facebook status this morning at 8:20 said "Today will be a better day, today will be a better day, today will be a better day...". Not five minutes later a lady from across the hall comes in and says "Isn't that crazy about Michael?!" "What about Michael", I asked. "He just got arrested out front!". SERIOUSLY!? WTF is going on this week! There are only 11 of us in this office and we're down by 2 now. Michael is a young vet with medical problems from injuries sustained in Iraq and who is going through a divorce. Apparently Michael has gotten addicted to his pain meds, which explains much of his odd behavior. I thought he was just weird but I guess there was much more to it. So here he is on the base, about to approach the guard entrance and he runs his car off the road and into a guard rail. The MPs come and issue a sobriety test then call the State police to come arrest him. Turns out the State Police had been looking for him anyway because five different people called the police to report his reckless driving on the highway. Now our four star general hears about this and half of the building watched it go down from their windows. I have no idea what happens next. Don't know how he is being charged or what the protocol is with the Commonwealth for handling such matters. And he is a veteran so he will likely go to Veterans' Court. I'm told they will likely sentence him to an outpatient treatment facility and if he misses once or is even late he goes straight to jail. So everyone is scrambling trying to cover both Sophie and Michael's jobs. I think Boss Brian is going to have a nervous breakdown.
It is now Wednesday and there has been no break in the drama. Tonight we are all headed up to the visitation for Sophie's husband. Today, Michael came in for a while but after a few hours and many confabs with HR and the General, Brian and Barb drove him home (one driving his car there since he can't and it was here). Not long ago Brian told me if Michael calls in he needs to speak to him. He tells me that Michael has been suspended indefinitely pending charges and investigation and that his security badge has been flagged until he turns it in to Brian along with his keys to our office. So the insanity continues. All I do know is that none of us can wait until this godforsaken week is OVER.
At least last night Mike and I had a nice dinner and a LOT of wine. I cooked his requested birthday dinner or a roasted chicken, whipped red bliss potatoes and sauteed asparagus. It was the perfect night for some comfort food.
I have a check-up tomorrow with the psychiatrist, Dr. Jobe, about my Ritalin. We increased the dosage last week and I started it on Sunday. I think it's helping more than the lower dose was. I am definitely feeling less out of control and am getting more done at work. I'm still a spaz though...that will never change.
Ashley found out that baby number two is also a boy and so far mother and baby are still doing very well. Ashley was even cleared to fly to New York today so she can be there for Brian's opening night on his new Bway gig, One Man, Two Guvnors. So please keep those good thoughts coming for a healthy baby this time. No one deserves it more than these two. They are the most selfless people I have ever met.
Well, that's everything. Oh! Except that I'm trying to decide if I want to go in for the first national tour of Sister Act here in the next couple of weeks. I'm conflicted. And broke. So I'm not sure.
Adios for now,
Stackie
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