Saturday, August 15, 2009

I wish I could blame the fog of pregnancy brain, but I think I'm just an idiot...

I lost my wallet, and I have no idea when or how it happened. Well, I guess I do have some idea of how it happened. Most likely it fell out of my purse. Normally I don't zip my purse so I have easy access to everything I need and can hear my cell phone ring. I know, I know, it's a bad habit that I definitely plan to break now! Luckily there was no money in the wallet (last time I lost my wallet, there was $100 bill that my step-dad had just given me, which of course disappeared, but I was very fortunate to have my wallet and all cards returned to me that time), but I did have two credit cards, which AC has already canceled (much to his annoyance--the new cards should arrive in a week), my CA driver's license, and my dependent military identification card. There were also a few other random items, like library cards for Arkansas, doctor's cards, appointment reminder cards, my student id from San Jose State, and a few coupons. Honestly, that stuff is unimportant. The driver's license and military id card are another matter.

Considering that I don't go out all that much, you'd think it would be pretty easy to trace where I may have potentially lost the wallet. I know for sure that I had it on Tuesday because I shopped at the commissary on base and used both my military id card and a credit card. That was the last time I remember actually using or seeing my wallet. I've already emailed the Commissary (no one answers the phone there), but so far haven't heard back. Tuesday evening AC and I attended the Infant Care Class, and I suppose it's possible that I could have lost it then, but unlikely, as I remember zipping my purse up during class. Also, they have my contact information and would have called by now had it been turned in.

On Thursday, AC and I went to hang out at the bookstore. My dad called while we were there, and I got up to walk around the store while I chatted. I took my purse with me and had it open but tucked under my arm the entire time. Later, I was sitting at a table in the cafe with my purse between my feet, and I suppose it's possible it could have fallen out then. We've already been back to the bookstore to ask, and so far, no one has seen it. I left my name and number with an employee in the cafe in case it shows up. Ironically, while we were there looking for it under the tables in the cafe, we found someone else's wallet and turned it in. I also called the front office of our apartment complex in case it fell out in the elevator or while walking to the car--they said nothing had been turned in, but that they'd contact me if it showed up.

AC is extremely annoyed with me, and I can understand why, although his cold, sullen attitude, combined with the pregnancy hormones, is making me pretty depressed right now. I cried for a while this morning, feeling like such an idiot. If I can't even keep track of my wallet, how can I expect to look after another human life, a baby?

Plus, now I can't drive without the risk of being pulled over and fined or worse, arrested for driving without a license! Getting a new military id will also be a pain because AC will have to drive me on base, and his start times are really early these days, like 5am. Since he's already so annoyed with me, I might ask my Russian friend if she can drive me, but that would probably be pretty inconvenient for her, what with her two kids. I definitely need to get a new military id before I leave though since it basically serves as my health insurance card. I actually have a copy of it scanned on my computer (I had to send a copy to a doctor for some reason), which I should probably print out and carry with me in the meantime.

Replacing my driver's license will be more difficult. Supposedly I can only do it in person in California, which means I'll have to wait two and half weeks until I fly back to California (right now I am set to return on Wednesday, September 2nd). I did find some information online that indicates that the DMV might be able to send me a replacement in the mail under special circumstances, but the office I need to call is closed until Monday. Plus, even if they send it, I'll be lucky if it arrives before I'm scheduled to leave. Not having a license wouldn't normally be that much of a problem for such a short time because I don't tend to do much driving, except that I happen to have two doctor's appointments this week. AC definitely wont be able to drive me to the ENT on Monday and most likely wont be able to drive me to the MFM on Thursday either.

I did a little research online, and some people suggested reporting the lost wallet to the police so there would a record that could be checked in case I was pulled over. They also suggested carrying another form of identification. Thank goodness I have my passport here! I'll also have to use it when I fly to California now.

I feel like such a failure right now. I guess all I can do is try to learn from this mistake and be more organized in the future. One thing I definitely plan to do from now on is make copies of all my important cards and keep them in a safe place at home, so that I at least have a record of what I've lost. Right now I don't even know what my CA driver's license number is! I also clearly need to stop leaving my purse unzipped and probably should carry my wallet in the zippered compartment rather than in the body of the purse. I thought I had learned my lesson the last time I lost my wallet (it fell out of my jacket pocket while walking on campus at San Jose State), but I guess not. Since then, I don't carry a lot of cash with me, and I usually keep it separate from my wallet (so I guess I did learn something, since this time at least I didn't lose any money), but obviously I need to be even more careful. I am so full of self loathing right now! I think the only thing that's helping me keep it together is the thought that stress isn't good for Ziggy and that I need to stay as calm and relaxed as possible for his sake.

No comments: