Pounding the pavement

So Miss M's school is having an "event" this Saturday evening. "The children," as the administration always refers to them (never "the kids" or "the students"), are singularly uninvited; it starts at 8pm.

Naturally, we are in a babysitting panic, because it seems that my mother in law will be unavailable. I am going to play the nursing baby card and take AM with us, and hopefully we'll come up with a trustworthy teenager to watch over the sleeping Miss M.

But that has nothing to do with this post, it's just on my mind.

To do my part for the parents' association, I volunteered to help with the event. What was needed? To solicit prizes for a raffle. OK, whatever. I should have warned them that I am BAD at this.

I took a terribly written letter from the head of the school around to some local establishments. The manager of the liquor store rolled his eyes and gave me a bottle of cheap kosher prosecco to get rid of me. The manager of the kosher Chinese restaurant was downright hostile; clearly she doesn't need my business on any level.

I got several, "You're going to have to speak to the owner/manager/boss at x time," where x is an absolutely impossible time for me to be there. Seven in the morning at the bakery. (Are you kidding me? No, seriously. What are you smoking? Will it help me sleep and can I have some?) Nine at night at the pizza shop. (Would showing up in sweats a ratty, baby-sneezed-upon T-shirt and flannel pajama pants instill confidence?)

But really, I wasn't going to chase these people.

The problem is with the businesses that said yes.

The fast-food franchise owner twho promised a voucher for a meeting room, coffee, and donuts (worth!100!dollars!) TEN days ago. He has yet to deliver. I have been in this business establishment four times in the past ten days. The owner keeps breaking his promises to have it ready, but what can I say to him? It's not like I owe him anything.

$&@#

A friend of mine who owns a small business selling baby carriers offered a sling, even though she has no connection to this community or school. It was unexpected and very nice of her. But it's Thursday now. No sling. And she's not answering my emails.

%@(!

I was supposed to report to the head of the school this afternoon. What could I tell her? That, apparently, I am the loser of the universe who causes all verbal agreements to be rendered null and void? Am I wearing a sign that says "I'm diffident and non-confrontational, please take advantage"?

*sigh*

What am I going to dooooooooooooooooooooooooooo?