From Bad to Worse

That's pretty much how my day went. Yes, siree.

This morning - bright and early at 0900 - my mother in law called me. On Monday, she had emailed me at o'dark thirty informing me that Joe's grandpa (on his dad's side) wasn't doing very well. They were headed up to IL from AR to be there with him. Later, I was told that things were "shutting down." So, when her name came up on my caller ID this morning, I wasn't exactly shocked. Joe's grandpa passed away. =( I had the fantastic duty of telling my husband via Skype. It was a whole lot harder than I thought it was going to be. I guess I assumed that since his grandpa hadn't really been well for a while, he wouldn't take it so hard. I was wrong. He didn't have a complete meltdown, but it was clear that he was upset. I'm sure you can guess what happened next. I cried. I tried to be strong for him and hopefully made it seem like I wasn't actually crying. I wish he was here. I wish I could hug him and kiss him and make it all better. Even if he were here, I'm not sure we'd be able to go to the funeral. But at least I could do something.

Later today, I headed to the museum. I got to the end of my street when I had a sudden realization. I can't remember where my ID card is. Sitting at the stop sign, I dumped out my purse and wallet, looked through every nook and cranny I could reach from the driver's seat. I turned around, came in the house and grabbed my good 'ole military affairs POA. And then I remembered what happened yesterday when I got on post. I put my ID card in my lap. Did I put it back in my purse afterward? Nope. The only thing I can think is that I got out of the car, obviously without thinking, and it fell to the ground. Thankfully, they let me on post with just my driver's license. Well, honestly, they waved me through. I don't think Mr. Security Guard even realized I didn't have a military ID. I guess the post decals help with that, though. I searched the parking lot and it was nowhere to be found. Not that I'm surprised. I didn't expect it to be there, but I was really hoping. Really. 


After completely freaking out in front of D from the museum, we found out where I needed to go. Ok, I knew I needed to get to DEERS, but I've never been to DEERS here and had no clue where to find it. I even called the CC's wife and several other ladies on post. No answer. Awesome! Luckily, they issue CAC cards and dependent ID cards in the same office here (not sure if they do this everywhere, but they didn't at Gordon...to the best of my knowledge). So, I made my way over there and found the room which was in a very weird spot. I so wish I could explain it to you. I should have taken a picture, but I was entirely too flustered at this point. I finally get in the room and see about 30 other people waiting. Great. This is going to take forever. I get up to the desk where a very cranky-looking 20 yr old was waiting for me and asked about getting a new ID card. 


Hi. I need to get a new ID card.


"We're closed."


Closed? {My thoughts: Then why the heck are there a bazillion people in here?!} 


What time do you close? 


"11:30" 


11:30?!! What time do you open? 


"7:30" 


So. They work four freakin' hours a day. You have got to be kidding me!!!! I wonder if they realize that I can do nothing - absolutely nothing - without my ID card. Thanks to my car decals, I can probably get on post. But the rest...? No commissary (they're kind of nazi's there), no PX, and - most importantly - no insurance! Yeah, sure I can write it all down for the doctor, but what happens if I'm hurt and can't communicate? Luckily, I did manage to run to the PX for a couple things without being carded. Thank the Lord for that! But, seriously? DEERS is only open 4 hours a day?! And here we thought bankers have it made!! Sign me up for that job! Geez!


After leaving the wonderful realm of DEERS, I had a serious breakdown. In my car. I was lucky I made it that far. If you add it all up, this is what my day was really like - in my head:


- Tell hubby that his grandpa died
- Watch him cry
- Cry with him
- Realize there is absolutely nothing you can do for him
- Manage stupid cramps and "aunt flo"
- Realize you're an idiot and lost your ID
- Search entire parking lot for said ID
- Determine where DEERS is after 4 phone calls to people who won't answer and after freaking out to a guy you work with
- Get in car, start car only for it to DIE again
- Start to cry
- Call Mom - no answer
- Call bestie to vent/freak out (thank God she answered!)
- Go to DEERS
- Get greeted by World's Worst Clerk
- Realize the DEERS people have it made
- Run to car as quickly as possible
- Cry in your car and pray no one sees you
- Cry for the one person you really want, but can't have because of the friggin' Army

There you have it, my friends. My day. Awesome, huh? I have already treated myself to ordering the HD package so I can enjoy football properly on an HD TV. I plan to take myself (and Jasper) to McD's for dinner and have Ben & Jerry's for dessert. Yeah. It's been one of those days and I think I deserve it. Oh. I also downloaded Army Wives season 4 (legally, *sigh*), so I'll probably be enjoying that tonight too.

And thanks to my bestie for informing me, mid-freak out, that at least I'd have something to blog about later. You're welcome, readers. =P