Drama

The day started out really well. The kids got up and went off to school. I popped in my Walk Away the Pounds DVD and walked for 19 minutes with Leslie. I took a shower and was in a great mood. I checked to be certain Tim's SSI money was direct deposited, wrote checks to pay bills, and filed receipts.

Tim and I headed out to the post office and then to the bank. We went out to lunch at a local pizza place because Tim said he was really craving pizza. I ordered two individual salads (at 90 calories each) and some baked chicken strips so I could make my own chicken salad. I didn't count on the Ranch dressing being so high in calories and hadn't brought my own because I didn't know this was where we were going. Need to plan better next time for that. I avoided the breadsticks (almost 150 calorie each) which I generally eat 2-3 of dipped in nacho cheese sauce. Tim was so sweet! To keep me from sticking my finger in the cheese (he knows me so well) he poured some dried hot peppers into it.

We got home about the time the kids came in from school. They changed and off to work they went. Ceci arrived about an hour later. She's now learned to open the drawers in the kitchen and had a great time unloading them over and over again. She certainly is a persistent little bugger! We had planned to take her out to dinner with us at the restaurant where the kids work. Jared Yates (a local who was the first eliminated male on American Idol last season) was performing there and my aunt always goes on his nights. She'd been wanting to see Ceci so I thought this would work.

Now comes the drama. About an hour before we were to leave for dinner I get a call from Mandi. She's in tears. She's hysterical and it takes me a while to calm her down. Evidentally, there has allegedly been money missing out of the cash register drawer at the end of the day to the tune of $700 over the last month. (Remember, this is the restaurant my cousin owns and Mandi has had problems with my cousin's wife in the past.) Anyway, the wife all but accused Mandi of stealing the money. This is likely the farthest thing from the truth. As a matter of fact, I KNOW Mandi would never take their money. Anyway ... Mandi is now upset and wants to quit. I told her she'd manage if she does (she worries about paying us for her car insurance, her gas money, and helping us when we fall short). I assured her we'd be okay but encouraged her to talk with my cousin and find out if she is actually being accused of stealing the money. She said she'd call me back and let me know what he said.

About 30 minutes later, the phone rings but it isn't Mandi calling. It's a co-worker asking me can I come get Mandi. I said of course. She said "I mean come get her right now!" Ah ... the drama. I grab Ceci and load her into the car. We head down there and when I pull up I see a police car. My stomach sinks. Mandi is sitting on a bench outside, crying hysterically (no coat). I go inside but my couin and the wife are nowhere to be seen. Evidentally, they were outside with the police officer.

Mandi tells me that her boyfriend called the police because the wife "put her hands on me". Now I'm livid. This woman weighs at least 300 lbs and Mandi weighs less than half that! The policeman walks up and tells me that the witness (who is Mandi's boyfriend) said the wife didn't hit Mandi. She may not have hit her, but she did grab Mandi by the arm. Anyway ... Mandi no longer has a job. (Thank goodness. I've wanted her out of there for a LONG time. Sadly, we don't know what kind of reference they will give and she can't exactly leave them off her applications. She has two years at that damn place!) Ends up, Mandi's boyfriend told the policeman that the wife didn't hit Mandi but did put her hands on Mandi, grabbing her. Ah well ... politics and all. Mandi has been in tears all night. I want to go kick that b**ch's arse! It won't solve anything, but I want to do it anyway.

Mandi cannot go back on their property. If she does they can have her arrested for trespassing. I get the lovely job of going back in for the next three weeks to get her paychecks. I know how my cousin and the wife operate. They think it's cute to tell people the accountant has to hold the final paycheck for two or more weeks and refuse to give it out. I'm saying right here and right now, that had better not freaking happen. I am betting that legally they cannot do this. I'll be checking with the IL Dept of Labor on this in the morning.

This sucks, but I'm glad she won't have to put up with the crappy they treat employees. What makes it the worst is this is family! I ate a decent dinner (actually didn't even eat half of it) so I handled the stress okay. I just wish Mandi wouldn't worry so much.

As I said ... ah, the drama!