Ever feel like you are hanging by a thread?

The good news is, the day is ending on a positive note.

But it's been a day where I've felt like I am hanging by a thread. It started with not being able to sleep last night.

I've been working really hard on consulting projects so that I can completely enjoy NASCAR weekend guilt free. Problem is, sometimes the work leaves me wound up, and it might be 1:00 am until I can sleep. Last night was such a night.

Add to that, Amanda refused to go to counseling last night. She was exhausted. She's been complaining of fatigue since early Sunday. I just don't know how hard to push her, and ultimately I cannot push something that refuses to move. Her doctor didn't seem to mind all that much, and advised me to give her the benefit of the doubt that she's really feeling bad. Today she called me from school at 11:30 from the nurse's office wanting to go home.

~sigh.

As her day goes, so goes mine. Today has not been the best of days. I worry so much about her.

Today was the deadline for our Fall IPEDS submission (US Dept. of Education), and there was a problem with our data. No matter what, I kept getting a fatal error. I double checked everything with our system office and the numbers were correct. Still, IPEDS didn't like them. That meant more time on the phone, and I hate being on the phone. I ultimately had to get an override from an IPEDS administrator (with just 90-minutes to spare).

We had a conference call with our system office this afternoon. Things aren't looking good economy-wise and we've already had to cut 5% out of our operating budget. We may have to cut more, which at this point means eliminating positions. First to go will be the part-timers, one of whom is my wife. Let's just hope it doesn't come to that.

Every Tuesday I have my weekly meeting with my boss and I always dread it. Today was no different. But, it went fine, much to my relief.


I am SO ready for the weekend.


And finally, because I know the suspense is killing you, here are the latest cup standings after five races. My man Stewart fell further behind. I'm so depressed.


The next race is in Martinsville, VA and yours truly will be there. My source for all things NASCAR told me that Dario Franchitti is entered in the truck race on Saturday. That means there is the possibility of an Ashley Judd sighting. Can it get any better?