Washington

or have the institution call your bank overseas and get worked out?

Isn't it amazing how we can be made hostages to our cards? I too, always make sure that I have cash available and nearby (because if you need cash, and go to get it out of the machine, that machine may be out too).

You never know what may happen. I know that during my life, there's been 5-10 times where cards I used couldn't be accepted due to the fact that communications links at the business couldn't be used for some reason (a digger cut the lines, or some disruption in the Internet, so forth, ad nauseam excuses).

And kudos to your wife in supporting that young mother.