I have an employee who truly believes he has congenital bad luck. And he's had terrible things going on around him -- to the point where he's actually had friends who died. I was thinking about what to get him for Christmas and saw a small Buddha kit thing in Barnes & Noble that is supposed to bring you luck. I got him that and it's awaiting wrapping, but apparently it doesn't like being in my home.

Last week, Danny got sick. It turned out to be nothing more than a nasty virus, but for a few days there, I was quietly freaking out. In the middle of that, I got an email from his occupational therapist, confirming her suspicions that he has sensory integration disorder and needs to go on a "sensory diet." This requires something to do with body brushing; and no, I don't know much about it. I'm supposed to meet with her on Thursday to learn the routine.

So, okay, things are fairly normal... we're busy, the place is messy, so all is mostly as usual. Then yesterday morning I'm awakened by my cell phone -- our nanny's grandson calling. Alberta fell and couldn't get up <rimshot>. As it turned out, she broke her hip pretty badly, and compounded the fracture by crawling for help through the snow. She just came out of surgery within the past hour or so and they had to replace the whole hip joint.

I went to see her in the hospital today and she was pretty depressed. She hadn't eaten in a couple of days (they had her on an IV but wouldn't let her eat because she was awaiting a slot for surgery), so I'm sure that didn't help. I brought her the trashy gossip magazines I know she loves, comfy socks, a flowering plant, some almond cookies and ginger chews. I'm sure she's freaking out -- she's her family's only source of income, and now what? Her husband had thought she'd be able to work in two weeks; so obviously he's not aware of what lies ahead.

Meanwhile, we're rudderless. It really hit me hard today after running downtown to the hospital, then to a meeting at work, then to drop off contracts and run back home. Danny is whiny and acting like a caged animal; Benjamin can't get his hands on enough things to destroy, and Jacob is feeling left out and a little petulant. Neither DH nor I can really get any work done. 

I've posted jobs on Sittercity and Craigslist, and put the word out to the PTA that we're scrambling for child care. There are no openings anywhere near here or work for day care, so even if I wanted to do that, it's not an option. And how do you easily and quickly replace the person who basically did your momming for you for almost eight years? Everyone applying for this job is in her early 20s -- and cute. I don't need some cute little flat-tummied, perky-boobed chickadee coming in here and showing everyone how much cooler she is than big old flabby Mommy. On the other hand, looking at my schedule, I have absolutely no idea how I'm supposed to get anything done. I can't bring a two-year-old to the periodontist. I don't know who will meet Jacob at the bus while I'm at the OT with Danny. Benjamin won't go to sleep at night without spending some time screaming for me.

And it's not all just at home. I'm trying to manage two terms of students while setting up the next one and managing side projects for the department. I have to hold Orientation for my next term in January and I don't yet know who my students are or where we're doing half of it. The manuals need to be redone, the next curriculum needs to be laid out, and I have stacks and stacks of surveys to get into a database I haven't touched in months.

Oh, and I need to do the plan for 2008 advertising and marketing in my spare time.

It's really no wonder I hit the dregs of the Bailey's bottle tonight, but that's not going to do me much good. What I need is a good night's sleep.... and Mary Poppins.