And Now For Something Completely Different…

Well, not really.  But really!  I guess it all depends on how you look at things.

As if my litany of woe from my previous entry were not enough…this morning Chickie came running into my room and woke me up.  (We had a day off from school and I was SO looking forward to sleeping late – at least 8 am!)  Her car was screaming.  Screaming? 

I went outside with her and – sure enough – her car was screaming.  Oh – the engine was off.  Had been for nearly 5 minutes by the time I got out there.  Eventually it ran out of breath….and I packed Chickie off to work in my car while I set about my day.  The car?  $458.00 later, it’s fine.  See the thermostat was malfunctioning which caused the fan to run continuously – even when the car was off.  The additional wear and tear on the fan caused the bearing to not be able to "bear" it any more.  So it started screaming.    Actually – it’s TWO fans as one unit (the better to charge you $$$$$ with, my dear).  So the thermostat, the fans and an oil change while you’re at it…..$458.00.  Sigh.

BUT = Daddy dearest will contribute $150.00 as a birthday present to Chickie and go with her to the credit union to redo the loan he cosigned for her to get the rest

AND I got a wonderful plumber out today – who charged me the lower "CLEAN CLUB" rates even though I wasn’t a member – and helped me fix another leak for free.  He even put on new handles on the faucets and was generally just pleasant.  He also informed me that there is a problem with the CITY’s equipment – he was unable to turn the water off at the street as he should have been able to do.  My income tax refund came in today – so I could actually pay for it!  (although I had been hoping to buy a new digital camera……grumble).

AND I called the water department where I got a slug who specializes in customer dis-service.  She was stellar – at the DIS part.  And then I had to call ANOTHER department cause they don’t actually TALK TO EACH OTHER, even though they are all part of the water department.  Growl.  Eventually, we reached a temporary deal – they are investigating the problem with THEIR equipment and I paid $200.00 pending the outcome of the investigation.  THEN I sat down and fired off an e-mail to my city councilman DETAILING just how CRAPPY the people at water and sewer are.  (pardon the pun – heh).  I hope somebody slaps them one.

AND I talked to someone about refinancing the house – and we may be able to work something beneficial out there.  I hope so.

AND Chickie is still a brat…but she talked to me like a human being today – and we talked about her father who is trying (AGAIN) to worm out of paying back support owed…. and she has decided to write him a letter detailing how she feels about the situation.  If he still won’t pay….then she says she’s done with him and doesn’t want to talk to him any more.  Sad on one level, but he brought this on himself and I am staying out of the middle.

AND my sister called to offer me a trip to the state fair tomorrow – on her.

AND I started the process to drop Chickie from my insurance at work since she is covered by her father’s which should save me $300.00 a month once it goes through (with the usual amount of BullDookie and paperwork and hassle).

AND my second job at the Little League Concession stand will start back up soon – not a lot of money but it’s not taxed either which makes it worth more.

SO…..life goes on and I go on with it.  SOME DAY I will get even and maybe even – a quarter inch ahead.

Oh – and just for you Falling Dog.  When I called Daddy Dearest today to tell him about Chickie’s car and get him to cooperate…..he said "I told you about that car.  You should never have bought it.  They saw two women alone and….blah blah blah."  I listened for a few seconds and then informed my beloved parental unit that OF COURSE he was right and a god in his own right but the whole "I TOLD YOU SO" thing wasn’t working for me right now.  Not to be side-tracked he replied "But it’s working for me!"  Thank you Daddy dearest.  So I agreed that he was probably having a great time with it but I would really appreciate it if he would simply shut the hell up with it now.  And he laughed.  I’m guessing I have a few more years of "I told you so" to go on the car before he tires of the game.  Long after the car is gone, I’d guess.  Gotta love the man – ya know?

So thank you one and all for all the wonderfully supportive notes.  This really is one of the most wonderfully supportive communities on earth!  And for my private noter……July, huh?