My New Normal

It was Wednesday and like any other morning; I was started off in the same old routine. My alarm goes off at 6:10, I read through text messages on my phone, I brush my teeth and continue to get ready for my day, ultimately leaving my house for work by 7 or slightly thereafter.

But not this Wednesday, instead the one day that I really needed to be on time to work on time, no matter what, it seemed nearly in possible.

You see, while I am getting in ready in the morning, my whole thought process revolves around a three things: 1) What am I going to wear? 2) What will I pack for lunch? And, 3) What do I need to get done today?

I replay these thoughts over in my head until they are complete.

As I went to find the outfit I had formulated in my head, I had quickly discovered that the shirt I wanted to wear was nowhere to be found. As I frantically searched, I came across a different shirt which changed my whole game plan. From there I decided I would wear my black cardigan instead of the green one I originally planned to wear. And to my surprise, the cardigan was missing.

I literally tore my bedroom apart trying to find either of the shirts I wanted to wear. I knew that the day was supposed to be cold, so I wanted to be prepared to say the least.

While in the middle of the massive search, I managed to trip over the pair of shoes I laid out to wear which only led to more frustration.

By the time 7 rolled around, I was stressed out and crying, that I called Duane and vented my whole frustration out on him. I basically expected him to fly here and find one of the shirts I was looking for and I wasn’t willing to change my pants to wear another cardigan nor was I about to agree that a green cardigan matched a maroon top.

We came to the conclusion that I would just go to work without a cardigan and wear the black fleece I leave at the office.

Sure enough as I step out of my apartment to go to the garage I discover it is pouring down rain. It would rain at a time when I have no time to change, or grab a jacket and my umbrella is in the car. So I made a mad semi-run in my heels to the garage.

On my way to work my mom calls. As chipper as she was I was not in the mood to talk. I told her that my clothes are magically disappearing, I tripped over my shoes, and now it’s pouring outside and I have an interview at work at 8 and I’m running late. She repeatedly laughed at the fact that I tripped over my shoes because it always seems when I get super frustrated, I trip over something.

After hanging up with her, I call Duane back. I immediately say “I am sorry, it’s just my closet is eating my clothes.” He replies with, “how long has this been happening?” I stated, “for about three weeks but it [the closet] doesn’t seem to be replacing the clothes it’s taking with new ones.” Needless to say, he accepted my apology.

I wrap up my phone call with him when I got so close to work…. But so far away. It would be my luck that at 7:30 (the time I am supposed to be in the office), there is a line backed up at the gate that feels like a mile long! I immediately turn around to go in the south entrance gate and find the line is still pretty long, but I am now stuck in it.

By 7:45, I am officially late to work and should be heading to my interview by now, but I am just now walking into my office.  I made it to my interview, pushing 8 o’clock; I guess better right on time then late.

After the interview, we get back into the office and get a call from the Command Post telling us to be advised of heavy snowfall tonight between 1500 and 1700. First off, I was not even prepared for the rain this morning and now they are saying snow!? Second, it’s October 3… you’ve got to be kidding me!!

Anyways, back on the rain subject: Strangely, this has been my first full day of rain since I have been up here, so I am not really familiar with “how to keep on working while you stand out in the rain.”

Earlier this week I lured a few Airmen doing a shoot with the K-9 unit. At the last minute I got a call saying that due to the weather, the training was moved inside. I was already planning on tagging along but was hoping it was canceled due to the rain. We go to the training to learn that they plan on do another portion of the training outside. I completely forgot it was raining (because it wasn’t when we drove over) so when they asked if we wanted to come over to the kennels to get more shots, I quickly replied that we would be there.

I am sure many of you can imagine where this lousy Wednesday/ story is leading to-- me being out in the cold, windy, rain, walking through puddles and mud (lots of mud) in my high heels.

Once again, I have been summoned to dress more for work. Wear boots.