I missed out on "this" - for a rubber dummy?

I had to do a combined CPR/First Aid course for work last night and I'm so ticked off at their timing! It sucks wieners!

I mean, y'all know how hard I work, right?

I quite often work 24 hours a day, with emergency care kids, parents who do shift-work, plus my regulars and 2 permanent part-time boys.

Like the Donna Summer song says : I "Work HARD for the money."

I LOVE what I do... and I do it well.

But....

I think working 120+ hours a week with the children... planning, scheduling, paperwork and case notes is asking for more than enough. Then on a night when I have absolutely no children, no worries , no dishes or cleaning up to do...and the much-needed chance to kick back with a TV program (in my clean house) with a few nibbles and a drink... I have to attend a course.

At the office's discretion.

I don't get to choose what night/nights are more convenient for me. I'm required to do as I'm told to do. AND I'm expected to pay for the sucker, myself. It wouldn't be half bad if they were paying for the course, or at least paying me for my 4 hours of time.

Unfortunately, it just doesn't work that way. Like I said, it sucks.

I know it's necessary and I know that it's good, but still.... I just wish it was up to me when I have the training.

I know my schedule... like no one else does.

See, what's brought this all on is that the Australian version of "Farmer Wants a Wife" was on last night... and it was the episode where the farmers ask one of their potential partners to leave. Or whatever it is they do. You gals who watch The Bachelor probably have a better idea of what I'm trying to say, than I do.

First there were 10 suitors, then there were 5 and then 3 were invited "home"... and then last night the farmers were paring it down just a little bit further. Down to 2.

Now, it's count-down time. We're heading down to 2 contestants.

Last night, I should have been biting my nails, pacing the floor and screaming at the TV set :

"NOOOOOO! Don't pick her to stay! She brought high heels, for crying out loud! To your FARM! No boots, no sneakers, only 37 pairs of sandals and high heels. SHE'S not the one !! And the make-up? My Gawd, does she LOOK like she could shear a sheep, bare-faced? Pick the other one who looks at you with puppy-dog eyes! She's the one you need to keep!!

I missed all that last night.

Now, I know that I can watch it on-line today, but that's not the point, is it? I wanted to watch what I wanted to watch, when I wanted to watch it. It's all about me, you know.

(well, not really)

While people's future lives were being decided and some of the farmers potentially finding their wives/husband, I was forced to practice putting my entire mouth over a rubber, pretend dummy child's nose and mouth. Not that I would have any qualms whatsoever about doing that... because it's the right - and necessary - thing to do.

I would do whatever it takes to save a child's life... and there are times that I know that I could even sacrifice my own life, if it would make a difference to theirs, you know?

But c'mon...

Kids have boogies. I have never met a little kid yet who didn't have some sort of mucus emanations going on with their nose, most of the time.

Runny, drippy, crusty, watery... it's just so yuck.

And I'm just not into the whole swapping spit, not to mention boogies thing anyway.

Unless it's on "Farmer Wants a Wife".

There would have been some serious spit-swapping going on last night... and I missed it!

Darn it all!

I just want to choose my own time.

Is that really too much to ask?