Directional Tires...Say What?

So, remember when I was all excited on Christmas morning because I got new bike tires? So excited that I left them leaning up against the tree until, well, until it got warmer outside and I could get excited about going out in the cold to put the new tires on the bike. Well, the weather never warmed up so I brought the bike inside and went to work the other night.

...and that is where she still lies.
I got the new front tire on with no problems. There should be no problems since I am a pro at changing flats, but I thought since they were new they might be a little tighter, but no issues. BUT...my elbow tendonitis has really been flaring up, so I was in pain while I was doing it. The frustrating part is pumping up the tires. I am still having the worst problems with my presta valves. My last pump I finally threw away in frustration. My new pump is no better. GRRRRRR. I finally got it pumped up and husband came in and asked me if I remembered that he told me they were directional tires. Uh? What?
Ya. They go on a certain way so they are rotating in the correct direction.
See the red arrows?

Oh. Crap. I put it on backwards.

Steve says to just change out the thingymajig that attaches the tire to the bike but I figure I'll lose a washer or something in the process, so I go about removing the tire and I manage to flip part of it inside out. Don't ask. Anyways, part of it's twisted and I can't get it right side out. By this time my elbow is throbbing and I'm crying and swearing (it might also be that TOM) and I say I'm heading to take a hot shower while he and the kids say they'll pump up the tire for me. I say "thanks, just don't break the valve" and head to try to create my own steam room. I return feeling better, find that they've hooked my tire up to the compressor and broken the valve off my tube and I realize I won't be riding the bike for at least a couple more weeks anyways, so this is where I left it...

oh...and then I googled "directional tires" and everything I read says the tread on road tires is so minimal it doesn't really matter...I imagine I've been putting my old tires on the wrong way, too :-)

I'm seeing the doctor today for a regular check up and to find out if I can do something different for my elbow and to find out what the lump on my finger is. I think it's a flexor tendon sheath cyst. It's at the palm at the base of the finger. It is bothersome when I drive and I'm thinking it might give me issues on the bike. I'm wondering if it could be a result of the elbow tendonitis or if it is something completely separate.

Did you know that some tires are directional?
Have you been riding backwards this whole time like me? :-D
Have you ever removed the thingymajig and is it easy to put back together?