I have misplaced my brain

It was a lazy Thursday afternoon. Some where in central TX, a stressed out mom (SOM) of three glances at the clock. It reads 3:30.

Bad words were uttered. Much scrambling took place to get shoes on kids, and kids in van. Driving was swift until... Evil cell phone driver pulled in front of SOM's van. Invisible dagger were shooting out SOM eyes. "Die cell phone driver. Die." was spoken aloud.

A few minutes later this van pulls into a parking lot. SOM gets out of said van. Dragging 3 unwilling children behind her. They enter an unassuming building. SOM quickly get the older 2 children seated, SOM saunters up to the receptionist desk. Slaps down her ID down like it's nobodies business. Then states in her best grown up voice. "I'm here for an appointment at 3:50 for the wee one."

Receptionist glares at SOM. In her best I'm bored with my day job voice says, "You're late. Your appointment was, um let me see. Yes, here it is, your appointment was at 2:30."

SOM is thinking goddammit. Instead, still using her grown up voice she says, "Can I reschedule?"

"I'm afraid not. You need to go home and call the appointment line."

Tomorrow will be better. Wont' it?

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It's a lovely, warm Friday morning. SOM informs oldest child that she will be picking him up from school mid-day for his orthodontist appointment.

"Cool. Can we go out to lunch too?" Over enthusiastic 10 year old exclaims.

"Yeah." distracted SOM says.

10 AM rolls around. SOM and 2/3 of her tribe arrive at school. SOM fills out several papers that were sent home yet never returned. OOPS! 10 year old arrives in office looking rather happy considering the orthodontist appointment.

SOM and children load into van. Make the trek to the next town to the orthodontist office. Strangely the parking lot wasn't as full as usual. The clock in the van is flashing 10:38. SOM tells 10 yr old to run ahead inside and sign in so as not to be late. She would join him in the waiting area after unloading the others. Half way through that task. 10yr old opens van door and exclaims, "the door is locked."

Exasperated, SOM vents "What the hell? I clearly asked to come to this office, not the office in Temple. Why are they not here?"

While muttering under her breath, SOM begins to dig through wallet to get phone number for very rude orthodontist. SOM finds the appointment card. In large easy to read blue letters it very clearly stated.

Appointment 11:20 Tuesday August 24 ,2004

Now SOM is in a rather bad mood. Twice in two consecutive days, she has messed up appointments. Not to mention unknowingly agreed to take children to Taco Bell for lunch.