You Take the Good, You Take the Bad

Great, now that theme song is running through my head. Thanks a lot, me.

It's tough to know how to feel when patches of good and bad news keep taking turns coming at you. I'm strangely cheerful right now.

My mother had to stay in the hospital for an extra five days...
...which sucked, but did give me a chance to have a little free time, including going out a few times with a very charming fellow. No, not him. I cut my losses on that one. I'll reserve judgment on this new guy until I can safely say he doesn't hate my guts.

My mom finally got to come home from the hospital...
...but still feels like shit.

After getting her settled at home, I was able to finally return to my own...
...but was too exhausted to do anything that needs to get done. The place still looks like a shitbomb.

Thinking she'd be covered for a couple of days, I cheerfully came to work this morning...
...only to receive a frantic phone call from Veruca about what a horrible night Mom had, and how she needs more help.

I really can't afford to take more time off of work, which made me that mix of anxious/guilty/angry again...
...but various friends and neighbors of Mom's are taking up the slack as far as helping her out, as well as some hired help during the day when I can't be there -- all praise Veruca for picking up the tab for that one.

Because of this whole Mom situation, I haven't a clue what my upcoming schedule is like, including this weekend, which happens to be the weekend before my birthday...
...but my friends (after receiving a ridiculously self-involved mass email from me about how I hope they can spare some free time, should I have any of my own) seem willing to drop everything for a night of drinkin'. Yeah, like they need much convincing.

It's 7:00 PM, and I'm still working...
...but from here, I'm on my way to another date with New Guy.

Ah. That explains why I'm so cheerful.