Good-bye 2022

Last check-in on the resolutions. This one is yay or nay. Did I or didn't I keep these resolutions?

• To finish several projects I've started and haven't completed, including staying on Tom until we have completed our will -  Nay

• To establish a daily business routine with hours and keep to it -  Yay

• Begin a healthy eating/workout regimen - Pretty much still doing okay on this one. Eh, So/So

• Create my author's website and increase my author's social media presence -. Nay/Yay

• Have a monthly dinner calendar, so I'm not struggling to know what to cook at night - YAY!!

• To finish my mess, that is book one. Finish book three. Edit both. Learn the self-publishing industry - Why did I cram so much into one resolution? Nay/Nay/Nay/Yay

• Eat weekly meals at a table and not in front of the TV - So/So

• Go on several girl trips - YAY!!

• Purchase birthday cards and prepare for sending out at the beginning of the month - I'll admit that I have given up on this one. Nay

• Get back to blogging on my personal site. - Nay

Total : 5 Yays, 6 Nays, and 3 so/sos

I'll take it. Could be worse. Could be better. Next year, I'll try to tone it down so I don't have several in one resolution.

Happy New Year, peeps!

Christmas 2022 wrap-up

Christmas Day was cold and wet. I loved it. I got to wear snuggly clothes I bought for my PA visit. we had the traditional breakfast casserole, cinnamon muffins from the can, and mimosas. It took forever to open presents. Jay worked on the roast that was as big as a newborn baby. Oleg's family arrived mid-afternoon. 

I liked the stockings best this year. Everyone went overboard filling those things, and we all received great stuff! 

Dinner was fabulous--as always with Jay in the kitchen. I was outvoted on using the china, so paper plates it was. After the feast, we played a human game of tic-tac-toe, which meant rearranging furniture in the living room, but we had tons of laughs. I got competitive and still want a rematch, but it will have to be outdoors, where we have more room. The game was suggested by Maryna. She played it with her English class for their holiday party. 

The weather finally turned warmer, so the rest of the week was spent at the family's rental on the beach. We played a lot of games. Ate a lot of food. Some swam in the pool. Jay and Ewan ventured into the cold Gulf. There was running and walking on the beach. A lot of consumed wine. 

We stuck with our traditions, including dinner at E&E. Since Nikita was off of school, he joined in many of our day and night activities. He's now immersed in the family, whether he wants it or not.

Always the pictures of the setting sun. This is the first time I've been this close to the beach since COVID. Crazy, huh?

Before the family left, Darcy provided excitement with some stomach pains that led to an ER visit. Our nearest hospital was a seven-hour wait, so I drove on auto-pilot to the one I spent many hours in with my mom. They were empty and not too happy to hear the other hospital was suggesting patients come to them.

The tests were normal. Within twenty-four hours, she was back to normal. 

When the family left at the end of the week, the house was too quiet. Colder, rainy weather moved in, matching all of our moods. The pandemic messed up many holidays. I'm thrilled we were able to get back on track. 

Until next time. Love you all!

Christmas Eve 2022

My family arrived late last night and stayed near the airport. They are not happy with this cold weather that people believe I brought back from Pennsylvania. Too bad. We love it! It finally feels like Christmas!

While my family spends the day wrapping presents and getting settled into their place on the beach, we will celebrate Christmas with my hubby's side of the family. This is the one day everyone will be here besides Christmas Day.

For most of the week, my nephew stayed with us. It was like old times having him here, although he is now married. And grown-up. Both Madison and I tried to hang around to entertain him and spend quality time. When his parents arrived, he joined them at the rental house, and Darcy moved back into what was once her room.

I love having both girls back under our roof!

Darcy's roommate and Oleg will join us again this year, as well as Oleg's family. It shall be a packed house! 

It was agreed we would have brunch for Christmas since my family was here. I alternate the holiday with my family and my husband's family and try my best to spend at least half a day with his family during my family's year. It isn't always easy, and feelings are hurt on both sides, but I don't know how to satisfy everyone. I haven't seen my family in three years because of COVID, and a lot has happened. 

The rental house was huge! It was also weirdly painted in bright, vibrant colors and decorated with paintings that looked like they came from one of those paint and wine places.

The brunch was delicious. My SILs are both great cooks. I didn't get quality time with everyone, but we just saw one another at the wedding in September. 

We did our usual Yankee exchange, and while it isn't my favorite thing, this year might've changed my mind. It was tons of fun! The gifts were great. There was a lot of stealing of not just one gift but several. It took two hours to get through all twenty-plus presents, and while I didn't end up with what I wanted, I did end up with the gift I tried to get last year. Yes, someone did put in their present from last year! I won't mention names, but I might've had some direction in ending up with it. I will say Oleg stole from me the electric salt and pepper grinder I wanted. I will not forget that.

Grandma gave the grandchildren her presents and opened gifts from us. She also tried out one of the toys given in the Yankee exchange. Needless to say, we won't be giving her anything projectile any time soon! 

My family got to my house only a short time after we got home. I got teary hugging all of them. Everyone looked great! We ate pizza and caught up. This was their first time meeting Oleg. Games were played. Stockings filled. Under the tree was packed, but as my girls pointed out, it is a small space. Uh-huh.

I thought this would be the first year without Santa for my girls. Darcy was not happy about that and texted Oleg, who then texted me and told me to stop killing Christmas. He insisted he would be Santa for Darcy, so several days before Christmas, I ran around getting more gifts for him and Maddy.

 

He and I did our traditional watching of Die Hard while everyone else went to bed. Tom, who had his COVID booster, slept after the pizza. He woke up at midnight and joined us. At about 1:15 a.m., I realized I hadn't put the breakfast casserole in the crockpot, so I had to do that. Oleg and I played Santa, then he went off to bed. 

This is the first time I didn't watch A Christmas Story since I don't know when. I should've whined about that to Darcy. 

I'm off to shower. Technically, it is Christmas since it's almost three o'clock. Merry Christmas, peeps! Hope your day is a great one!

It's beginning to feel like Christmas 2022

I decorated for Christmas Tuesday night and most of Wednesday, figuring that at least the inside and outside would be festive for company. I was concerned about finding a tree. We can't go to a farm and cut one down!

But as usual, I worried for nothing. It was no trouble. The three of us went, the eldest daughter somewhat begrudgingly since she had work to do, and found a tree at the first place we stopped. We walked inside the tent, inhaling the pine scent, and found our tree in three minutes. It was the first one we touched. Of course, I reiterated the spiel about not taking the first tree, blah, blah, blah. We spent another three minutes looking before going back to the first tree.

The tree is the best we've ever had. The eldest is a Christmas tree-finding whiz. We then got dinner at Chick-fil-a because I hoped their peppermint shakes would put these two into the holiday spirit!

Once home, I insisted the lights be put on the tree. That is not my job. I will do everything else, but not the lights. There was too much whining and alternative suggestions for why not to do what I asked, but I prevailed. I told them how The Kid handled these situations with me. I may have mentioned that several times. Already, they are tired of hearing about The Kid's perfection.

Madison was horrified to hear my stories of letting the 13-year-old run amok. She could not fathom me as Nanny Cara. I didn't allow this as Mommy Cara!

Madison (coughing into her hand): "Helicopter parent."

The youngest popped in today. She was even more scandalized.

Darcy: "MOTHER!" 

Hmm...now I'm rethinking how I handled things. Maybe I shouldn't have kept a journal. Maybe I should've let Steph stay in the dark about the happenings while she was away? 

Nah. Her kid is alive. Surely, she didn't hop for anything more???

I decorated the tree today. That involved rearranging my couches to make some room. I've never done this before with these couches, but I've wanted to change them up for some time, which gave me an excuse. Lord, the things I found under those couches!

It took me less than twenty-four hours to whine about the heat. I returned home to almost ninety-degree temperatures. My b ody was drenched in sweat decorating for what is supposedly a winter holiday. I can't wait for the cold front they say we will have next week.

I kept the fake tree that sits where our Christmas tree goes in this room. I usually put it in the Steelers' room. The tree is from my mother's condo. Her decorator got it when redoing her place, and I took the damn thing because fake trees are a fortune! It isn't the nicest looking thing, but we leave lights on it year-round and occasionally turn them on.

I decorated it with my Steelers' ornaments this year. Doing two trees and sweeping and mopping the floors took me all day. I was worn out. But sitting here tonight with everything lit up, it was worth it. 

If I only had my shopping done, I'd feel even better!

Between personas

I feel like I've been run over by a semi-truck. I got in early this morning. Before I left Florida, I suggested someone drop off my car at the airport since I wasn't arriving until almost midnight. My husband insisted he would get me. He was not very friendly when he arrived. 

I didn't notice right away because I was bitching about the Not-Navy-SEAL-Why-Couldn't-He-Have-Been-Sexy guy who sat next to me. By the end of the flight, I was ready to lay into that guy. Not only was he half in my lap, but he kept fidgeting every three minutes. He'd twitch his leg, and because it was up against mine, he'd hit me. Or he'd rearrange his body, and because it was practically on top of me, he'd hit me. Every time I would drift off, he'd wake me. I preferred The Kid shouting my name!

Once I got that out of my system, I realized how quiet the husband was. We didn't say anything on the way home, and when we got inside, he told me good night and promptly went to bed. Jeez, lovely welcome home. Not even the dog came out of the bedroom to greet me. 

Also? There is no Christmas tree. I'm told he put up lights outside, but they were not on when we got home. Unlike PA, Floridians do not leave their Christmas lights on all night. Well, some do, but only a few.

I showered, unpacked my clothes, and went to bed. I slept well. 

Coming back from vacation is always hard, but going from Nanny Cara to whatever I am here...hmm...Housewife Mommy Cara...is difficult. I always feel like in PA, I'm this different person. More a shade of who I was before I married and had children. Returning takes a while to morph into who these people know. Definitely, it will take longer than twenty-four hours!

I also bet these two expect dinner tonight.

Last day of Nanny Cara on the job

Monday, December 12th 

• 7:00 a.m. – We are doing our routine, although I'm having tea instead of coffee. The Kid and I often try to turn on the coffee pot. We have not succeeded. Thus, I am now a tea drinker in the morning. I have found Bengal Spice tea in Kip's stash, and I'm obsessed. It's a black tea with cinnamon, roasted chicory and carob, vanilla, cardamom, ginger, cloves, black pepper, and nutmeg. I prefer two tea bags to one, and it bites! The name puts me off some, but I keep telling myself it doesn't have anything to do with football.

• 7:10 a.m. - I am subdued. I had my first night of tossing and turning and trouble falling asleep. I'm thinking ahead to what awaits me at home. Also, I'm sad about leaving. I'm sorry I won't be here to hear about Steph's adventures. It's always better to listen to that directly. The Kid is receptive to my mood. She asks me what is wrong. I'm going to miss the little heifer.

• 7:35 a.m. – I find a parking spot at Starbucks. It is eerily quiet. The Kid announces her drink isn't ready yet because she forgot to order it. I look at the clock and try not to panic. I tell her to go inside and stand there. She asks why. I say it will scare them into making her order. She laughs. "Oh, right, Cara, like they're going to be scared of a little girl wearing a Catholic uniform!" I can't stop laughing. When my youngest met The Kid, she said she loved her because she was so much like her at that age. Oh, yeah! So true! Never more than that statement.

• 7:45 a.m. - The Kid announces she did not take her medicine. I shrug, but she insists we have to take it. Oh, NOW you're insistent about the medication! I have no idea how I can turn around on the road we travel, but she calmly directs me like my oldest would. I feel kind of silly. Then again, The Kid knows me as a competent Nanny Cara, not Crazy, Out of Control, Spazy Mommy Cara. She runs upstairs and gets the medication. When The Kid returns, I tell her to get in the car. We are on a time crunch. She yells my name and says we are not. After the third time of saying it, she tells me she doesn't have to be at school until 8:08 a.m. What??? No one mentioned this before now??? It does calm me, although to bug her, I keep saying we are on a time crunch. 

• 8:03 a.m. - We make it with time to spare. In fact, more than half the school is just now arriving. These PA parents are way more relaxed than Florida parents.

• 11:00 a.m. - I stripped The Kid's bed and my bed. I washed and remade both of them. Then, I cleaned The Kid's room and vacuumed. I also cleaned her bathroom. It needed it more than the bedroom. I got down on my knees and scrubbed her shower. What is she doing in here? There are fifty empty bottles (like my eldest daughter's shower), make-up wands, goop on the tub walls, and small circular empty creams. I should take a picture to prove these rooms are spotless since it will not be like that when her mother returns tomorrow night. 

• 12:00 p.m. - The vacuum upstairs is sweet. The one downstairs vacuum is powerful and heavy. That thing practically moves on its own. It's like walking a dog. I march about the kitchen, pretending I'm walking it. Or maybe it is walking me. The rug was vacuumed. Both sinks and all the counters have been disinfected and scrubbed. I washed all of the kitchen rags and towels. I straightened the couch cushions and cleaned the table. I did all the laundry. I hate coming home to a dirty house. I hope this friend taking my place for twenty-four hours keeps it clean.

• 3:15 p.m. – I packed and lugged the suitcase downstairs. I did some writing today. Now, I wait the return of The Kid.

• 3:30 p.m. – She texted she is going to Friend CD's house. I respond with, "Can I go to Friend CD's house," which references Friend AB's father. That first night when he picked his daughter up at the rec center, Friend AB said, "We are taking The Kid home." He responded with, "Can we take The Kid home." See? I'm funny. The Kid does not make mention of my humor. She tells me she will be home by 4:00 p.m.

• 4:15 p.m. – The Kid is here, shouting my name. I'm going to miss that. I really am. Who knew? I never counted how many times she said it in a day. The one time I counted, she stopped as if she knew what I was doing. I'm telling you, The Kid is special. Magical. I ask about homework. She yells my name again. She doesn't have any. The Kid did it at school. 

• 4:30 p.m. – We are both on the couch. I am exhausted. I can't keep my eyes open. The Kid tells me to take a nap. I agree. I tell her to wake me if I snore.

• 4:40 p.m. – "CARA!" I was snoring.

• 4:50 p.m. – "CARA!" I was snoring.

• 5:03 p.m. – "CARA!" I tell her she could be nicer when waking me. Jeez, every time I went into a dream state, she yelled. I tell her she is lucky I didn't have a heart attack. She shouts my name again. I look at the clock and realize I did catch some z's. I go to make dinner. We are both starving.

• 5:30 p.m. – My dinner is ready, and it is beautiful. Colorful. The Kid looks at it and says it looks good. We eat. She compliments me on the meal. I mean, my kids rarely do that now. Is it because she isn't mine that I revere The Kid? I'm sad about leaving her. I cheer myself up, knowing I'm going home to warmer weather.

• 6:45 p.m. – The Kid is upstairs getting ready for the trip to the airport. Isn't it nice she wants to look her best in sending me off? I am scrolling through social media. On Instagram, I watch a reel of an author preparing cookies for her neighbors. Why don't my neighbors do that? I love cookies. 

• 7:05 p.m. - The doorbell rings. I assume it is Steph's friend taking me to the airport. Silly me. The Kid did tell me she is always late. I open the UNLOCKED door, muttering, as I do, about the Kid not locking it behind her from school. Yeah, I don't know this woman on the step. It is not my airport driver. However, she does look familiar to me, although the blue hair does not. Guess what? SHE HAS A PLATE OF HOMEMADE COOKIES WRAPPED IN CELLOPHANE WITH A RED RIBBON! I blink. Then, I search for cameras. I must've moaned and whined aloud about the cookie thing and Alexa has sent this woman to me! Although, as she tells me she can't come in and wishes me a happy holiday, I am thinking about how I will not get any of these cookies! I feel weird. I apologize and tell her Steph isn't here and The Kid is upstairs doing god knows what. The Cookie Lady says she knows me. "Aren't you the friend from out of town?" UH Ha! Look at that! Someone who isn't perplexed by my friendship with Steph! I tell her Florida, give her Steph's itinerary, and then, finding nothing name related on the cookies, ask her name. "Laura" That is not helpful. It does not ring a bell with me. But, my goodness, she is sweet, as I'm sure these cookies I won't get to sample are. We chat and chat for what seems like hours. She sure is talkative for someone who doesn't want to come inside. I tell her oh, sure, bring cookies now that I'm leaving. She suggests I break into the package and have at it. I contemplate that after she leaves. The Kid shouts my name from upstairs. "Who was that?" I tell her Laura. She asks, "Laura, who?" Good lord! How many Lauras can there be? The blue hair does it. Laura is the SIL to Kip's BIL.

• 7:35 p.m. – My driver texts she is on the way. I make The Kid take her medicine. Tomorrow is her last dose. She does not argue.

• 7:45 p.m. – We are on the way to the airport. Steph's friend is adorable. Is this woman for real? She's like a fairy with a sparkling wand. I've never met someone so full of happiness and cheer. I wonder if she is like this behind closed doors. I suspect she is. I feel bad for making fun of her at Sunday brunch for her perfect Christmas trees. In my defense, her husband jumped on that too. Now, I wonder how horrified she'll be at Steph's tree. It is too small, and just before we left, I noticed a strand of lights that weren't working. I attempted to correct that but gave up. Oh, boy. I vaguely wonder if there is a blown fuse that has affected not only that strand but the coffee pot. I discount that. I already moved the coffee pot and tried other outlets. Besides, the tree is FAR from the coffee pot. My mind jumps to whether my husband has gotten our tree or not. I hope so. One last thing for me to worry about.

• 8:10 p.m. – I am through security. I did not cry. The Kid hugged me over and over. She insisted we have our picture taken. That made me feel good. I have wondered whether she enjoyed the week or tolerated it as best as possible. It's hard when your parent is gone. A week doesn't seem long, but it can be. 

• 8:12 p.m. - OMG, I know Laura!! It suddenly came to me as I sat here thinking back through the week. I text The Kid and ask if Laura is the woman who did the gardening with her when I was here in April. I am right. I hope someone lets Laura know it took me an hour, but I did remember who she was!!! Steph has such happy fairy friends. Why don't I have that? It has to be this town. I should rethink my summer home in Vermont and come here instead. I could live in Steph's basement. Who needs a whole house? I could do summer nanny work! Just think of the running amok these 13- year-olds do in the summer!

• 9:30 p.m. – I was in the last wave to board. My oldest made fun of me for saving money by only paying the dollar for a middle seat instead of the twelve dollars for an aisle. Okay, she was right. The guy next to me is LARGE. If he were sexy and like a SEAL or something, I wouldn't care. But he isn't, and he doesn't care that he is half in my lap and literally attached to me from shoulder to ankle like a sucker fish. And he isn't wearing a mask. It will be a LONG flight. 

Bye, PA. Nanny Cara out!

 

Day 7 of Nanny Cara on the job

 Sunday, December 11th

• 8:30 a.m. – I am up before the alarm. The Kid is not. Her alarm woke me! I get up and see it is snowing. That's exciting! I take pictures and hope it isn't cold enough to stick.

• 8:45 a.m. – The Kid shouts my name to let me know it is snowing.

• 9:10 a.m. – We head off for church. The Kid is going to youth group and is worried about me because her aunt, uncle, and Steph's friends are always late. 

• 9:30 a.m. - Several months ago, The Kid and I discussed my atheist mother and my church-going experiences. She worries about leaving me alone like I might be struck down. I assure her I can fend for myself, thank her for her concern, and send her off. I sit down. There are only 5 people in the sanctuary. What the what??? The pastor says it might be due to the weather. Hmm…it is snowing and sleeting but barely. If I can get here, the rest of this town needs to be here!

• 9:40 a.m. - Steph's friends arrive and sit behind me, tapping me on the shoulder. 

• 10:30 a.m. – It was a lovely service, but I kept thinking of Kip during the whole thing. Religion played a big part in his life. I kept replaying conversations, reliving his funeral, and remembering his "I'm blessed" response to anyone asking him how he was. Odd really. I didn't know Kip well, but sometimes I feel like I did. Maybe through his book? His sister and her husband join us. I like them. She is sweet. I find him intriguing. Like Steph's friends, I think these two are mystified about me. Marriage, children, and life intervened, and communication between Steph and me was limited. We emailed. I kept in touch with her life via her parents. I met Kip when they came to Florida once. We visited them once. But not until my visit with her sister and mother did we fall back into a more hey-let's-seriously-keep-in-touch friendship. I'm sure these people had never heard of me, and now I'm suddenly popping up, giving a funeral speech about knowing Steph for 54 years and nannying her daughter. I find it kind of funny. It's what I've said for years, using the Girl Scout motto - Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver, and the other is gold. No matter how long or far apart, some friends can come together and delve straight where they left off without a hitch. If you don't have that, you don't get it. So, I'm conscious of this suspicion and tread lightly. Besides, The Kid loves all of us. There is plenty to go around.

• 11:00 a.m. – Good Lord! These people can talk! The Kid and I are starving, and I desperately need coffee! We manage to finagle them toward the door, and as she has done this entire time, The Kid directs me to the country club for brunch. I can tell you, my girls could not have gotten anyone around town at this age. Hell, my twenty-five-year-old can't get around town now without a GPS. Seriously. She has no idea of street names. I've decided The Kid is something special. And so is her mom, who raised her to be this self-sufficient. I'm sure Kip had some fingers in there too, but, let's be honest, it's the mothers who sacrifice it all. Thank goodness my girls are capable adults, or I'd be second-guessing myself about now. Maybe too, it's the small-town living. There is something to be said about that. I, too, ran amok at 13 in Indiana. Huh. How about that. 

• 12:30 p.m. – Brunch was lovely. I wasn't sure how the country club thing worked here, but back in my day of that "luxury" and working for the club, it was all done by membership. Since I'm not a member and Steph is no longer a member, I didn't offer to pay. I did thank them kindly. Maybe I could follow that up with a thank you in a Christmas card. I'm laughing hilariously right now after typing that last sentence. I still have a box of thank-you items for my SIL from my visit to her house this past July! And my blog readers know that I can't get birthday cards out on time. A shame, really. My mother taught me better than that. And one of these kind folk will take me to the airport tomorrow. I hope my sincere thank you holds some weight.

• 1:00 p.m. – I am watching football. The Kid is getting ready to go ice skating. I inquire as to whether she knows how. She "reminds" me she was a figure skater. I have no memory of ever knowing this information. See! If the family and friends knew this, suspicion would increase! The Kid demonstrates some moves, twirling around in her socks on the hardwood floors. I'm intrigued. She says she will send a video of her skating today.

• 4:00 p.m. – Ugh. The Steelers lost. Both quarterbacks went out with concussions. I stalked The Kid several times, now used to her running amok. She did send a video of her skating. But now the app shows her at her school again. What the heck? Who is taking them from place A to place B? The Kid went with Friend EF skating. His mother took them, and for some reason, I pictured her sitting there watching them. Jeez, am I that out of touch? Did I drop off my kids at 13? Well, maybe I would have for ice skating since the only rink in Florida is at the mall. I would've gone shopping! Or would I? I can't remember. But today is Sunday, and while this school is Catholic, I hardly believe The Kid and her friend are attending mass. 

• 4:55 p.m. – The Kid calls. Can I come and get them and take them downtown? Wanting to pretend I'm the authoritative figure, I ask for what. She says food. That sounds great because I am starving and need something more than the chocolate I keep consuming. This town would kill me if I lived here. I'm going to go cold turkey and outlaw chocolate when I get home. No. Wait. I'll do that in January. The holidays will have too much chocolate for me to do it now.

• 5:06 p.m. – Does this school ever close? I mean, it's Sunday! This is the day of the Lord! And the Lord says we rest on the 7th day. And this Catholic school has, once again, tons of cars in the parking lot. I think there is more going on inside that building than education! I have been here in some capacity every day this week! Could it be a cult thing? Drugs? Human trafficking? Does her mother know? I shelve the issue since The Kid's plan is to return to public school next school year, and she seems to be okay.

• 5:07 p.m. - The Kid exits the building and comes to the car with her entourage. There are three of them. Two I recognize, but the other I don't. He is tiny, and I decide he is a sibling of one of the others. I wonder if his mother knows he is with these older kids and in some strange lady's car. Well, the car might not be strange, but I am! Ha! If they only knew! 

• 5:10 p.m. - Dear god, for the first time, these kids are behaving like I remember 13-year-olds acting. Objects fly through the air. The giggling is loud. There is so much jumping and wiggling in the backseat the car shakes. I told them to buckle before I put the car in gear, but did they? It was dark. I didn't check. Maybe I should've Googled PA laws before I got here. Hmm...I'll add that to my Nanny resume. "Well acquainted with state laws." To distract them from misbehaving while I drive, I ask how they got from the skating rink to the school, where supposedly "basketball games" were being played. Yeah. Right. The Lord does not intend for basketball to be played on a Sunday unless it is part of the NCAA or NBA. Definitely, that school is doing unlawful mind-bending things. Probably teaching them to run amok! And guess what? Friend AB's father carted them to the school from the rink. I suspect he might play a leadership role in this cult school. Because did he ask where she would go from here? Tell her he would pick her up? Does he know she is about to run amok downtown? I don't ask this. I just keep driving.

• 5:25 p.m. - The restaurant of choice, which is these 13-year-olds hangout, is Chipotle. I park. They are horrified I am going in. I remind them I have yet to eat. They take off running so as not to be seen with me. Ha! The Kid should know me by now! When I enter, they are huddled in a corner, side-eyeing me. I immediately wave crazily, and then I go over and shout, "Oh, My God! I haven't seen you guys in forever. How are you? What brings you here?" The Kid gives me a look and says, "Cara!" I laugh and leave them, but now The Kid realizes I can pay for her food, and she won't have to use whatever her mother left her for running amok. She is now cool with hanging with me. I get roped into buying Friend AB's food. Interesting. Does her father ask how she ate? Does he give her money? I'm sorry I won't be here long enough to sit down with this father. He really could use Nanny Cara's advice. Hey! I could finagle a job out of this. Then again, I live in Florida. I'll tell Steph to give him my name if he needs something temporary. I learn that Tiny Friend is the same age as the others. Oops. Glad I didn't say anything in the car. The Kid is like 6 feet and towers over her friends, so that's my excuse for thinking otherwise.

• 5:30 p.m. – I am back at the house, leaving the children at Chipotle. I did ask what their plan was after eating. They do have school tomorrow, and that seems like something Nanny-like I should be on top of. As usual, The Kid responds they will eat and then be home. No later than 6:30. Boom. She shuts me down. I mean, what do I say to that? It's an hour. I nod, walk out the door, and laugh as my girls' voices shout at me in my head. I hope to hell Steph allows all of this nonsense. Otherwise, I'll feel stupid, but that's the fun of having a friend take care of you. I remember my mother's friend taking care of my brother and me. She let us have Twinkies and Ding Dongs, two things my mother would not have approved. It's all I remember of that time. The Kid will remember how I let her run amok. My job is complete! I eat.

• 6:15 p.m. – The Kid has returned. Early. Guess why? Yep, Friend AB's father apparently sat outside our door and texted his kid that he was waiting only a few minutes. She would have to spend the night here if she didn't get here now. Oh, yeah, he and I definitely have to talk. What if she had called his bluff? I've let these kids run amok! How does he know I won't make her sleep outdoors? This guy is a piece of work! I wish The Kid had filled me in before she got home. I would've gone outside and confronted him. Friend EF and Tiny Friend come inside. They all disappear upstairs.

• 7:00 p.m. – The friends are gone. I remind The Kid her school crap is in the car and inquire again about homework. I'm not sure why I bother because she has NONE. She did it at school! I do not believe this for a minute, although I feel guilty not trusting her since she is so self-sufficient. But then I remember the lousy test score (I don't know what it was, but she told me it wasn't good) of the test she took upon her return from sickness. I stop feeling guilty. I can't check things. Back home, at my other nanny job, I checked this information via a school portal. I had to because those kids were big, fat liars. They are 20 and 18 now, and the one just texted me her first acceptance into college, so I can pat myself on the back for checking that portal. Whew. Okay, that trip down memory lane assures that The Kid will graduate. She puts on her headphones, relaxes on the couch, and does stuff. I go back to football.

• 10:00 p.m. – I got tired of football, showered, and am now packing some stuff. The Kid has said her goodnight and is safely behind her closed door. Tomorrow night I will be in my own bed. That's hard to believe. This week flew by!