12/27/02

I went back to Todd’s house and got another chorus of “Kate’s back!” Manny and I were standing in the garage talking again and Kathleen came out and was like “I’m going for a walk.” And she left. Then Jorge and Lange came out asking where she was and when we told them she left to go on a walk, they were like “Shit!” and ran after her. That development is not that big, but its easy to get lost if you don’t know it. My car was running because Heather was in it. So I went out in my car to try and find her especially since I knew the neighborhood a bit better than any of them did. I found her and she was fine. She was just like “Kate, you have such pretty soft hair.” She was playing with it and laughed at the silly boys coming after her. I offered rides back to warm houses, but Kathleen said no, she was gonna walk some more and Jorge asked (as only he can in that sweet way) if he could join her. Manny got in the car and we left them. Manny went in to tell Lange who had gone back that everything was ok, and I suggested he and I go to the diner. Heather had been sleeping in my car so I just said we were going to take her home. We went the long way around, trying to get Manny lost, but it didn’t work. Then Manny and I went to the diner and talked basically about nothing, but it was a really nice time. Then it was 5:30 and Daddy called the cell phone and told me to get home. Oops! So I brought Manny back to Todd’s and went home and formulated a better excuse than “I was at the diner with Manny at 4 am.” So the story is, Heather and I went to Todd’s (which they knew I was doing.) And we fell asleep on the couch upstairs and Manny woke me up around 5am asking if I should go home, which is why I was awake when Daddy called. But he was back in bed when I got home. I slept for 3 hours then Mommy woke me because Grandparents were leaving. We had breakfast (at home) together, called Morag and they got ready to go. Kevin called and he talked to Grandma. His ex-wife called that morning to tell him not to come pick their kids because they didn’t want to go to his wedding. I felt horrible for him. He is really trying hard, but they are not really helping. Oh well. I can’t fix all the problems. So finally Grandma and Grandpa left and I was informed that Mom and Dad were having a dinner party here that night. So the house had to get cleaned and the walks had to get shoveled. Then Mom thought to invite a couple who have three kids and don’t get out much. So the plan was invite them, along with an offer of me to baby-sit for them. So that was they. I was doing better after the night before. I did everything they asked me and then Kim and I went out for lunch. We ran into Jamie and Theiss, who gave me a hug and I felt loved again. I hate it when my self-esteem is so low, but its really people like Theiss and Russ who make me feel loved. Kim and I also went to the mall and she exchanged a few things and wandered for a little while. I asked if she wanted to baby-sit with me, but her dad said no. So I picked up Heather and checked my mail at her house. I left Russ an im message that was really long and might not make sense, but thanking him for basically being him. I sent Kevin one that just said that I loved him. Heather and I went home for about an hour. I slept for about 30 minutes and then we picked up pizza and went over to baby-sit. The kids were good, but the one pizza wasn’t really enough. Oh well. We found some other food. Then I got a call from John. He was getting out of work and wanted to come over if he was allowed. He was, so he did. He only stayed for about an hour then went home. But it was nice to see him. The couple didn’t get home until midnight and I drove Heather home and went home. Which brings me to now basically. Sitting here tired, but wanting to record what happened last night and the past few days. And now I’m going to sleep. Nighty-night.