Money makes the world go around

Thanks for all the commiserating on the driving, kids. It makes me feel slightly better about my judgyness (which I'm really, really trying to get over).

I won't lie and say the last few days have been easy, because they haven't. Nothing horrible, just lots of stress, mostly for Clark. It's the end of the semester and, technically, the end of his collegiate career and he has lots of final projects, presentations, and even had an exit interview today. The poor guy barely has time to sleep--and I mean this literally. It's all he can do to go to bed at 10 so he can get 6 1/2 hours before going to work full-time in the morning.

In addition to all of his emotional stress, is financial stress. You know when you plan on expenses (not necessarily budgeting, but at least knowing that your income is x amount and that that is your limit) and suddenly something sideswipes you? Yeah, Clark's car registration was due, which would have been, oh, $80 or so? But, no, his car also needed a brake job. Like, totally replaced. And he needed to get two new tires. And even though I suggested waiting on the tires and at least looking around because I've been places where they cost $55 each and that includes the company replacing them for you, the guy that Clark usually goes to said he'd find a good deal on tires for us and take care of it.

I was skeptical.

And right.

$80 per tire and a $15 fee per tire to put them on? That is NOT giving us a good deal. That is about $70 we didn't have to spend in addition to everything else. Which ten-upled our previously understood $80 for registration.


(That's his angry face.)

So, kids, just know that opposition likes to kick you when you're down. Now is the time that we could throw our hands up in the air and give up and blame everyone and lash out. But you know what? I'm going to post a happy picture. And then I'll say my prayers and remember to be grateful that we still have a warm home; healthy food; a beautiful, smart, wonderful, healthy baby girl; loving families; and each other.

In half an hour the world will know whether or not I remember how to drive stick. :/

Here it is, kids. The story, better than I could have ever told it. Enjoy.

Once upon a time . . .

Well, as some of you may know, I had a rather exciting weekend. One filled with damsels in distress, knights in shining armor, a broken dragon, distress calls for "Batman" and a few other fun elements.

But I'm still most excited that my camera can take pictures in sepia. I'ma have to steal Emily's lappy to upload pictures to this blog.

And maybe, if you're nice, I'll even let you know if folks lived happily ever after. ;)

Frustrated

Slow drivers are frustrating. But the reason I find them frustrating is because they're not going the posted speed limit. I mean, when you're stuck on a small back road, or whatever, and you're trudging along at a 15 mph pace when you know you can be going 30 (or even 45) how many of you don't roll your eyes and hope that they'll take the next driveway home?

The one thing even more aggravating then someone who is not going the speed limit is the punk who rides your tail even if you are already going over the speed limit. First of all, it's unsafe to be driving that close to someone. If something (like me, stopping suddenly) were to happen, you'd be all up ons and I would, hardcore, blame the accident on you*. Second of all, take a moment to look at the posted speed limit. Sure, it's frustrating that it's 25 mph which doesn't suit your expensive little sports car, but, hey, if you want to drive fast, get a job that requires you to commute for twenty minutes on the highway. I'm already being risky and driving 5 - 7 over and I don't appreciate you making me feel unsafe and squimish the entire commute.

*You is obviously a very loose term in this case. I'm 99% sure that anyone who reads this blog has never ridden my tail.

RIP Beepy?

Oh, my poor, dear, sweet Beepy. He's definitely seen better days. However, very few match the blackness of today (and I can say this because he's given me many false deaths before).

I think watching him die on Friday, bringing him momentarily to life, and not being able to start him for the rest of the weekend, though, counts as pretty much dead. For now. I'll try once more a little later in the mid-morning. Then I'll hire the caterer.

My sister is more awesome than your sister (for now)

Today was harder than most. I have some friends struggling and some lady rear-ended me, among several other things this week. I'd been fighting back tears for several hours and, after some comments made to me, they finally spilled over as I walked to my car for solace. Luckily, I have an amazing little sister who was willing to text comforting words to me while I debating on whether or not to just sleep in my car.

She's the best, and I can never express to her how much I appreciate and love her. (And, thankfully, I decided to come to bed.)