Floating Leaf (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
floatingleaf) wrote2009-12-28 11:25 pm
floatingleaf) wrote2009-12-28 11:25 pm
Entry tags:
I will survive
OK... looks like the ultimate financial disaster has been postponed for the time being. It was the alternator, and it cost 'only' about $250 (plus $150 for the towing, of course, but that was technically paid by my mother, who had put some cash under the Christmas tree for me). The most optimistic scenario under the circumstances - which, of course, doesn't guarantee anything whatsoever for the future... but then, I'm not sure I have enough free brain cells left to worry about the future. The present keeps my mind busy enough, thank you very much.
So I got my car back already - which, of course, means I actually have TWO cars parked outside my apartment building right now, because my dad's car is still here too. It has to go back home at some point - but that will involve me driving to my parents' house, taking my mom back here with me, and then staying here while mom drives the car back. About five hours of driving altogether (given good traffic and weather conditions). We were planning to do this today, since I had taken the day off anyway - but I didn't get the car back until 5:30, and my mom goes to bed at around 9 p.m... so it just wasn't going to happen. Same problem about tomorrow and Wednesday, because I don't leave work till 5:30 (today was my last available vacation day for the year). On New Year's Eve I finish work early, but my mom works till late. So we're gonna have to do this either on New Year's Day or the Saturday after - and on the Sunday after I have to drive to my parents' house AGAIN anyway to spend the night, because I'm taking my dad to see the doctor on Monday the 4th. *sigh* Unless something unexpected comes up, I'm pretty sure I won't be making that trip anytime soon after this - probably not till sometime in February.:P
As for the positive aspects of this holiday season... I did manage to have a lovely dinner at Cracker Barrel withakashaelfwitch, jades_tempest, taelyn_sass and Nancy (Namarie120) last Saturday. I almost didn't make it because of the car incident - but, luckily for me, Akasha's friend Paul was on his way to join the ladies just as I got back home from meeting the tow truck, and he swung by my apartment to pick me up. I admit I wouldn't have gone otherwise, because the restaurant was far out in the northern suburbs, where I've never been before, it was snowing, the roads were bad and I was still shaking with nerves after the drive back from my parents' place. So Paul was a godsend.:) It was great to catch up with everyone - especially Nancy and Taelyn, whom I only get to see once in a blue moon (they were both visiting relatives in Chicago for the holidays). I got some lovely gifts, including Nancy's latest Dreamspinner book, Checkmate (co-written with Ariel Tachna). But speaking of gifts - my sister surprised me with something really cool this year. She designed a mug for me, with my name and a picture of Lacrimosa (my fave goth rock band - in case there's anyone reading this journal who still doesn't know that much ;P). I took a photo of it, but LJ won't let me post it for some reason - so here's the promo pic she used:
You have to take my word that I indeed own a mug with this gorgeous image on it.:)
As an amusing side note, at least 70% of my Christmas gifts this year consists of various cosmetics. Mostly from my mom, but also from several other people. I swear I could open a little drugstore, LOL. Not that it's a great shock or anything. I do get cosmetics occasionally - like most women, I suppose - but never in my life have I gotten that many on one single occasion. And the irony of it - considering my recent attitude towards the cosmetic industry - does not escape me. Don't get me wrong - I love all that fancy, deliciously smelling stuff, getting it for free saves me a lot of money, and it's probably less harmful for the body than some of the food I enjoyed this Christmas.:P But still... where does that leave my New Year's Resolution of switching to wholesome, natural products?... In the dust, I suppose. Until next Christmas, at least - since I probably have enough skin care products right now to last me until then. Whereupon I'm sure someone will gift me with more.:P
So I got my car back already - which, of course, means I actually have TWO cars parked outside my apartment building right now, because my dad's car is still here too. It has to go back home at some point - but that will involve me driving to my parents' house, taking my mom back here with me, and then staying here while mom drives the car back. About five hours of driving altogether (given good traffic and weather conditions). We were planning to do this today, since I had taken the day off anyway - but I didn't get the car back until 5:30, and my mom goes to bed at around 9 p.m... so it just wasn't going to happen. Same problem about tomorrow and Wednesday, because I don't leave work till 5:30 (today was my last available vacation day for the year). On New Year's Eve I finish work early, but my mom works till late. So we're gonna have to do this either on New Year's Day or the Saturday after - and on the Sunday after I have to drive to my parents' house AGAIN anyway to spend the night, because I'm taking my dad to see the doctor on Monday the 4th. *sigh* Unless something unexpected comes up, I'm pretty sure I won't be making that trip anytime soon after this - probably not till sometime in February.:P
As for the positive aspects of this holiday season... I did manage to have a lovely dinner at Cracker Barrel with
akashaelfwitch, jades_tempest, taelyn_sass and Nancy (Namarie120) last Saturday. I almost didn't make it because of the car incident - but, luckily for me, Akasha's friend Paul was on his way to join the ladies just as I got back home from meeting the tow truck, and he swung by my apartment to pick me up. I admit I wouldn't have gone otherwise, because the restaurant was far out in the northern suburbs, where I've never been before, it was snowing, the roads were bad and I was still shaking with nerves after the drive back from my parents' place. So Paul was a godsend.:) It was great to catch up with everyone - especially Nancy and Taelyn, whom I only get to see once in a blue moon (they were both visiting relatives in Chicago for the holidays). I got some lovely gifts, including Nancy's latest Dreamspinner book, Checkmate (co-written with Ariel Tachna). But speaking of gifts - my sister surprised me with something really cool this year. She designed a mug for me, with my name and a picture of Lacrimosa (my fave goth rock band - in case there's anyone reading this journal who still doesn't know that much ;P). I took a photo of it, but LJ won't let me post it for some reason - so here's the promo pic she used: You have to take my word that I indeed own a mug with this gorgeous image on it.:)
As an amusing side note, at least 70% of my Christmas gifts this year consists of various cosmetics. Mostly from my mom, but also from several other people. I swear I could open a little drugstore, LOL. Not that it's a great shock or anything. I do get cosmetics occasionally - like most women, I suppose - but never in my life have I gotten that many on one single occasion. And the irony of it - considering my recent attitude towards the cosmetic industry - does not escape me. Don't get me wrong - I love all that fancy, deliciously smelling stuff, getting it for free saves me a lot of money, and it's probably less harmful for the body than some of the food I enjoyed this Christmas.:P But still... where does that leave my New Year's Resolution of switching to wholesome, natural products?... In the dust, I suppose. Until next Christmas, at least - since I probably have enough skin care products right now to last me until then. Whereupon I'm sure someone will gift me with more.:P
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