Feeling a little down

about the car. I got the okay to drive, and now I can't go anywhere because my car's oil pressure light is on. I'm heading quickly into the 60% of income time when I go onto short-term disability (I'm on extended illness right now). I have a little windfall coming that the car obviously sensed [isn't that always the case?], but it's already spoken for. But I need the car fixed before I go back to work if at all possible, although if I did have to take the bus to work after my leave is over, at least PT is right down the street and that's a shuttle ride (I specifically asked for PT to be at UK Kentucky Clinic to help with that). It could be something minor, say, a clogged oil filter, or it could be something much worse. The last time my oil light even flickered (in another car, and it didn't come on steady at all), my engine blew. I'm certainly not driving it anywhere, since that could happen. I may see about having it towed to my mechanic and having him look it over to see what's wrong and see if it's a simple fix, at least, and then go from there. If it's big, we can just have it towed back. I think that's doable.

I had let my AAA lapse because I wouldn't be driving and because their recovery unit pissed me off so royally (at one point calling me three times within the space of five minutes while I was at work after I told them I planned to renew in the autumn) to the point where I don't plan on renewing now, but I have roadside assistance through my insurance that has actually been more useful this year. At one point, I got stuck on the ice and got an occurrence at work when AAA abandoned me and wouldn't come down my street. I finally got out on my own, but it was after the four-hour mark, so I'd missed too much, and it was an occurrence. I told the guy from my insurance who came out to jump my car that, and he said a lot of the big trucks don't actually have 4-wheel drive, and he'd never actually had trouble with the ice this year or gotten stuck because his was a smaller truck with it. I pay $12 a year for my insurance assistance vs. $185 or so for AAA. I need to see what the limits are for it. AAA is 4 or 5 calls a year, I know.

I know it's a short-lived window because the next surgery would be four weeks away anyway. Still, I'd hoped to have some time to drive where we'd get groceries and food, and I'd be able to go to appointments without having to rely on others. To those who have been helping, thank you so much. I'd already called and let those who had appointments lined up know I could drive yesterday, and then I'd had to call them back and ask them to take me to them again, and even had to add one for Tuesday, where I didn't have one lined up yet.

It'll all work out, I know. But it's still a bummer. Still, I'm going to focus on what I can do, which is call Kenny at Mitch's Auto on Monday and see what my options might be and go from there. I trust him. He's got a guy who'll tow for a lot lower than most, too, if it's going there.  And in the meantime, I'll just do the bike, keep working on my recovery, go to my appointments, and rely on my wonderful friends. Thank you all. I'll figure out everything else as it comes.

Dang it

...and my low oil pressure light is on in my car, so I am not driving after all. Harumpf. Also, randomly, my gas cap light is on, even though it is screwed in. The car is not idling correctly and smells like it is burning oil. There is oil in the car. It does need an oil change, but it's not over by much. This is a job for Kenny at Mitch's Auto Repair, but I can't send it over just yet, till I get paid.

I am not sure what the universe is trying to say here.

It was inevitable, of course

What a day. I woke up late and just made it to my appointment, the day got better as we ran errands until I hit a pothole I didn't see on Landsdowne, of course on the side the doughnut tyre was, with an emphasis on 'was'.

Sigh.  That was at 1:20.  The car was towed at 3 pm.  There was only room for one of us in the tow truck and I offered to take the bus. I got home at 4:15 or so.

I'm going to eat and then take a nap. Maybe it will be better when I get up.  But at least we're home--no one was hurt, the car is fine, and I'll probably be able to get new tyres next weekend.   I'm off Monday from work, but I have to go into UK for an appointment.  So it's the bus for the next week.  Thank goodness, I had a couple of dollars tucked in my purse as an emergency fund in case I needed to get home. :)

So I had a flat tyre tonight

It took me 2 and 3/4 hours to get home. So I'm too tired to write tonight, really. Perhaps I'll have better luck tomorrow. 

So yesterday went better than I thought it would

After work one of my friends and co-workers, Feliz, took me to the credit union, which was half a block from where she parks her car, and then out to PetSmart at Brannon Crossing to get some food for the kitten.  While we were there, I got some Gumbo Ya Ya for dinner to bring home and grabbed a few things from Kroger, and then she took me home. I'm very grateful.  I used to take her home often when she didn't have a car, so that worked out well.

Today I'm going to try to get the car fixed.  They've just opened.  I'm going to call Kenny at Mitch's Auto, get a tow truck over to the house, where the car is unlocked and the key is with YKWIA, and then see how bad it is quoted.  If it's just a hose, it may be very cheap.  If it's more, well, we'll see.  I had a PTO request in for today for a now-rescheduled appointment where I was leaving at 3 pm anyway, so I can leave here and get over there to get the car (assuming I can get it fixed),

Okay, I just called YKWIA to make sure he's awake, and Kenny to get the ball running with the car. Wish me luck!!!

I hadn't realised how long it's been since I posted

It's been a little busy.   The 30th of March YKWIA, Brenda, and I all went out to Masala for a birthday buffet.   I had my actual birthday on Tuesday, April 2nd, and while it was just another day at work, it all went well.  Last weekend Brenda and I went to the Central Kentucky Home and Garden Show, which was all well and good, but we were disappointed in the sheer lack of garden stuff (there was a plant sale of mostly generic geraniums and a few plants at a few booths, out of three major arenas).  But hey, it was free, as we got coupons out of one of those coupon envelopes you get in your junk mail that turned out to actually be useful.

My car has a vacuum leak and has been getting steadily worse.  Yesterday I went to pick up my contact lenses from the optometrist, and the car died as I pulled into my parking spot--not just idling at a light or something.  So today I'm on the bus.  Not sure how to get all I need to get done today, but I'll try.  But even though I came a little early I'd better get off of here and clock in, as it's just a few minutes away.  I'll try to write later.

Sigh

So on Friday, the same day my phone went out, my check engine light came on. I went to Advanced Auto Parts today and had the codes checked, then came home and used my roommate's phone to call my mechanic. (The replacement has not arrived at T-mobile yet). It could be a vacuum leak. But it's nothing that's going to leave me stranded somewhere, so I'll try to get it fixed as soon as possible, but I can't right now.

Apparently

This is the week for things breaking.  The other day it was the windshield wiper.  Yesterday it was my cell phone.  Also, yesterday, although I'd forgotten until I went out today to search for a turnip and four Belgian endives (to no avail) that my check engine light popped on.  That's usually emissions, although I should take it to an auto parts store and see what codes come up.  Still, things are pretty tight right now, and I don't have the money to fix anything, really.  The windshield wiper was just $12 and the phone will take about $5 since it was insured.  But the car is a whole other story.

I feel awful, and it's my fault

I've gotten off on my meds the last few days and I over-ate tonight.  My blood sugar just now was 295,  four hours after I ate. I've taken my nightly meds and filled my pill planner box for the next week. I  made sure I had plenty of insulin with me for tomorrow.  I may have to start sending my values to my endocrinologist again. :( But hey,  tomorrow is another day,  even another month. I won't give up,  and I see my endocrinologist in a few days, anyway.

I'm also topping off the charge on my Kindle,  as tomorrow I am dropping my car off at Mitch's Auto,  a coworker is picking me up there and bringing me to work,  but I'll have to take the bus back over there from work because the other coworker who was going to take me there had a niece born today and so won't be at work after all, which is fine.  I'll just leave early enough to get there before they close.  It sounded to the mechanic I spoke with on the phone like a heat soak problem with the starter,  which can have a few causes and fixes.  But at least he had more of a clue than the last place.  (Tire Discounters called me on Monday and I explained what happened.  The guy apologised and said they would work on communication in the future.)

Okay, I'm meeting my coworker at 7:40 tomorrow morning.  Better set an alarm and go to bed.  Good night!

Argh!!!!

So frustrated.  My car has had intermittent starting issues.  Wednesday it wouldn't  and I actually called roadside assistance but it finally started and I did my errands with my friend in the car and the car running. Thursday I took it to a place on the way to work but their mechanic who did that was off,  so I made arrangements to bring it in today.  I took it in at 9 am, was promised it back by 1 or 2, refilled the lost paperwork out,  walked home,  and didn't hear from them and called at 1; they hadn't even looked at it.  Still no word an hour before they closed so I walked back over there.  They couldn't reproduce the problem,  so couldn't tell me anything after having my car for 6 hours. But at no point did they call to tell me. So not taking it back to Tire Discounters for anything beyond oil changes and rotations,  if that. I have a regular mechanic I trust (Kenny at Mitch's Auto),  but they're not open on weekends.  Guess I need to check and see if I have any time off left to get it fixed during the week. :(

The last two days have been rather frustrating

Last evening, a little before 6 pm, I took A to T-Mobile to answer a question about his phone. When we left, my car wouldn’t start. Now, it’s been doing this thing where it’ll be fine in the morning, and maybe on a couple of trips, but on days when I’m making several small trips it can get slower to crank each time and eventually just stop. Lights come on, nothing happens. Then in about 5 or 10 minutes, it’ll start right back up.

Yesterday, however, I went straight over to their house, got A, and went to T-Mobile. No other trips since I’d left work. And it wouldn’t do anything when we came out, anything at all. After 5 minutes, nothing. 10, nada. 15, I called roadside assistance, the first time I’ve done so with this service through my insurance. They were very nice, took down my information, and dispatched a tow truck. I was going to have them take me a block down the road to Tire Discounters, because while it is probably a starter issue, there could be something with the battery and electrical system, and they sold me the battery recently. After I got a text telling me the ETA was an hour, I tried the car one more time, and it started up, and while it wasn’t enthusiastically, it started. So, I called roadside assistance back, cancelled to distress call, and then (keeping a person in the car at all times and running the engine the whole time):

1. Took A to get a couple of books of stamps at Kroger’s (and talked to the tow truck driver and explained that the car had started)
2. Went to the library to pick up a CD I’d had on hold
3. Drove to Gumbo Ya Ya and used their card to get them food, and my card to get me some
4. Drove to their house, where I locked the door while the car ran (thankfully, because a bad transponder key can be the problem as well, I’d brought my extra key with me—neither of which worked when it wasn’t starting)
5. Picked up my backpack and laptop (I’d left everything there except my wallet and phone) and headed home

As I backed out of their driveway, the gas light came on, and at that point I was just praying to get home. I did, got everything in the house, at my Cajun food, called them to let them know I was okay, talked on the phone for awhile, and then headed for bed. I’d had enough of the day.

I didn’t really sleep well last night. I should have taken some ibuprofen for my wrist. I also didn’t take my Lantus, which meant my blood sugar was higher this morning than it has been in quite some time.

As far as this morning went, I’d gotten my refund from the federal government (small and paltry compared to the usual, but something, at least), and YKWIA had offered to loan me any additional money I needed to fix the car, so I got up early and was there at Tire Discounters when they opened. Unfortunately, the mechanic who diagnoses such problems (and with starting problems, it can be a host of things), was not going to be there today. I have to take someone to an appointment tomorrow, so I can’t do it then. So I had them put me down for Saturday and will try this again. Fortunately, the car started back up (I’d also stopped for a bit of gas before going over there, figuring that the Kroger fuel centre was next door, and we could probably push my car if needed rather than getting it towed for about 20 feet, if they’d be okay with that). Then I headed to work, got there a half-hour early as a result, and it started right up when I left today. But I wasn’t taking any chances, so I just came straight home.

I haven’t been home at this time of day in quite some time. Granted, it’s raining, so I don’t have the usual sun streaming in, and I have the lights on, but it’s good to be home. Still, looking around, my poor plants really need water, the living room needs some attention, the bedroom is a wreck, and the dining room and kitchen need some help, too. I need to take the trash and recyclables out, and it’s rainy and icky, so I may see if it clears up any in an hour or two.

For now I’m going to eat a veggie burger (I have some nice Mediterranean chickpea burgers from Morningstar Farms) and then go from there. Oh, and I definitely want to work on the game notes some more tonight. I got a good start on Monday, but tomorrow is the appointment (which is usually short enough it’s not worth taking the laptop), followed by ‘Grimm’ night. I don’t want to wait until Saturday. It would be better to just get it out of the way and be able to relax a little then. Okay, I’m going to go. I may write later tonight. >br/>
What am I saying? I'll be at the repair shop most of the day Saturday; I can probably take the laptop and get anything left finished. But, it would be nicer to get it taken care of tonight, and then I'd be able to read while they're working on my vehicle, right?

Feeling better today

Happy and having a good day, but not too high and weird. I went to the pharmacy after work and got some medicine for a friend, and then another friend paid for us to have a meal at Long John Silver's. We watched the movie My Babysitter's a Vampire, which explained the backstory to the series. It'a a fun Canadian kids show that mocks Twilight mercilessly. :) Then I went to Kroger and got a few things, along with some creamer, and talked to a nice Jewish man and his father who was buying pomelos and the strange spiky melon we once tried at the game that was so weird. Now I'm home and listening to Jesus Christ, Superstar again (it's the movie soundtrack), and I'm early into the recording, at 'Everything's Alright'. I paid a slew of bills today, and I'm trying to make every dollar stretch as much as I can so I'm not hungry again, while working in my budget.

Tomorrow there's work, which should be fairly light. I may do some cataloguing and try to get my pile of new books down since I'm about to start back in scheduling. Then my friend has an evening appointment, and then there's 'Grimm', I'm assuming. So far, I don't have any weekend plans. I don't know if we're playing the game this weekend yet. Saturday there will be the grocery run with A. I also may stop by Tire Discounters and have them check my battery cables, as every once in awhile my car cranks slowly, but then if I get it a little rest, it starts right up. The battery's just two months old. I'm hoping it's as simple as a loose connexion, and not something like the starter or alternator.

I think I'm going to get comfy, go into the bedroom, and do some reading, while finishing with the album. Good night. Oooh. We're up to 'This Jesus Must Die'; I love Caiphas' low voice, and his and Annas' voices play off each other, as Annas is a high tenor.

I didn't sleep hardly at all last night

I was worried about the choice between fixing the car and paying rent. Since the next time I should supposedly get paid is within the timeframe for paying my rent without being evicted, I decided to fix the car,  although that means most of next pay cheque will be taken up by rent and fees.

Today I took my car to a Tire Discounters and had the oil changed (long overdue--they didn't put a sticker reminder in last time). I had them check the battery, EGR valve, brakes, replace the battery, replace a brake light, and rotate the tyres.  Everything was fine except for the battery, which was cold cranking at a fourth of regular amount. I got out of there just under $200. But the car is starting much better and with no hesitation.

Okay,  I'm sleepy and I want to get going early tomorrow morning. Good night!

Since I'm stuck at home

I plan to:

• Do the game notes.
• Straighten up the house.
• Watch 'Grimm' (by myself) :(.

But first I need to eat something, and there's very little in the house. Tomorrow's plans were:

• Go by the bank.
• Pay my rent.
• Help a friend put up his Christmas tree.
• Make latkes for Chanukah.
• Go to the grocery store with a friend.
• Watch the last two episodes of 'Scream Queens' with friends.

Now I'm not sure about that. And with my rent, I don't really have any money to fix whatever is wrong with the car, so I may be doing all this by walking and riding the bus tomorrow, assuming I can get some cash from the bank to use as my fare, plus I'll have to get the ingredients for latkes from the grocery and take them over there. But I will do so if the car doesn't start. I just didn't want to get stranded over there tonight, even though I do have AAA. No lights came on to indicate the problem, except the one that's been on that has to do with the EGR valve. That may have finally become a pressing issue. But it may be the battery. I don't know.

Wow

In the two hours since I got off work:

• One person tried to make a one-lane area two lanes at Rosemont Garden and Southland.
• A motorcyclist straight from the left-turn lane, bypassing those of us who were in the correct lane at Southland and Nicholasville.
• The traffic lights at an intersection were dark, and while most of us knew to treat it as a four-way stop, there were several cars that just barreled through the intersection on Alexandria Drive.
• Someone else tried to merge into my lane where I was in the lane at after Harrodsburg and Rosemont Garden.
• My car did a strange coughing shake when I started it while at the pharmacy.
• My car barely started while I was at the Tates Creek library branch to pick up a book for a friend.

So...I went to my friend's house, gave him his medicine and the book, but left the car running. This means I won't be visiting tonight or watching 'Grimm' with him. On the way home, my other friend called to get a ride home. I was almost home and had to decline, as I'm not sure the car would continue to run, for which I'm very sorry. He understood, but it does mean that on the bus it'll be nearly 8 pm before he gets home, and he called me about 5:30. :(

I'm going to try to keep this short

because it's been an exhausting day, and I'm ready to turn in for bed.

Yesterday evening I:

1. Watched Frozen, the DVD, with YKWIA, who enjoyed it a lot and was very happy when he realised the DVD was a present for him
2. Watched several YouTube videos with him
3. Stayed up late requesting free credit reports

Today:

1. I managed to get to work on time despite waking up a half-hour before I was supposed to be there
2. I spent three hours at the dentist, only to find out that:
   • My partials weren't going in because they were off, and rocking when they were put in (it wasn't user error)
   • I have to have a root canal, to the tune of 400 more dollars, in addition to the two crowns I'd already had in my treatment plan
   • After the temporary crowns were put on, my partials went in snugly
   • But after I took them out later, I couldn't get them back in again, which is very frustrating
3. The colour copier at work was fixed by a technician, who had to replace a drum, but the moment he left it said it needed toner but refused to load the toner, even trying two different bottles, so that it would print maybe 10 pages and then quit, saying the toner was depleted, when the bottle was obviously full
4. And of course, while dealing with this and trying to get my other work done, I suddenly had all these calls with information requests; don't get me wrong, I don't mind that--I want them to call me--but it was very frustrating in terms of timing
5. I had a co-worker for whom I've been picking up the slack who according to reports is apparently spending quite some time at her desk playing games online, so another co-worker and I came up with a strategy to track my work vs. hers so that it's more apparent who does what
6. At least my 'check engine' light finally went out after a quarter of a tank of gas with STP fuel injector cleaners in it
7. I went and got a friend from work
8. I picked up some fish sandwiches for us
9. I watched 'Star Wars: Clone Wars' with YKWIA, along with some YouTube videos
10. We watched the premiere of 'The 100', which I've been wanting to see since it was announced last summer. I liked it quite a lot. It's already got more depth and interest than the remake of 'The Tomorrow People'

Now I'm home, and I'm going to go to bed. Spending time with friends perked me up for a little bit, but I'm quickly getting tired. Good night. Oh, and while it's 50 degrees, the wind is howling appropriately for the last night of winter. But according to the calendar, at least, tomorrow spring arrives. Yay!

Such a busy week--I can't believe it's been five days since I blogged

Sorry about that. I've been over at my friends' house a lot. I can't remember what I've done day by day, to be honest. It's kind of a blur. We've watched some 'Dan vs.', some 'Star Wars: the Clone Wars', and lots of YouTube videos, especially MadTV ones. Friday I did a little shopping at Gabriel Brothers and then went to over to my friends' house for 'Grimm'. Yesterday was chock full of errands, and I was out for 11 hours, and then got home and crashed. I didn't even do the game notes till this morning around 6:30. Today was the game, of course, and by that I mean Call of Cthulhu, although many other people in Kentucky were no doubt watching the finals of the SEC tournament. So there was the game prep beforehand as well.

A winter mix came in today, with the temperatures falling throughout the day, and with rain turning to freezing rain, sleet, and finally snow. I had to scrape my car for awhile when I went to leave because there was some ice on it under the snow. Then I started home on snow-covered streets. I'd say it's about an inch right now, and it was snowing pretty heavily. I think I did 20-30 mph the whole time. My check engine light came on, which was troubling, but I pushed on because I'd already taken out the things out of the car such as the air mattress and backup CPAP machine that I had in case I got stranded at my friends' house during the winter. Maybe that wasn't such a good idea. But once I got home I downloaded my car manual and checked what it said about the light. It's apparently something triggered by the emissions sensors, and something was off. I didn't see anything blocking the tailpipe (I thought maybe snow might be), but it was dark and I couldn't see well. They said it could just be some water vapour in the gas and suggested filling up (I'm at about 1/4 of a tank right now) with high quality gas and driving at least three times from a cold start on city streets and highway to see if it goes off. If not, I should get it looked at. We'll see.

I am getting a little frustrated with my partials. They did adjust the bite Friday morning, so it's more even. The lower ones are still a bit tricky in that they sometimes come loose while I'm eating, but the Poligrip helps with that. But it's really hard for me to get the upper ones to seat correctly...they have to clip around a tooth, and if I don't get them right, they fall out when I open my mouth to talk. I thought I was getting them in okay, and sometimes (not often), they go right in. But on most days when I have a time constraint, I have to take them in a little plastic container with me and put them in after I get where I'm going. I tried that today, however, and it was no go. I simply could not get them in well. I realise it takes practice, but it's been over two weeks. But I'll keep trying. I'm going back to the dentist on Wednesday for a crown and will address the looseness and see if maybe they can line them or something. Friday I told them my gums were sore towards the end of the day, and they said it would just take some time to get used to them. I still talk funny, too, but it's not as bad as it was, or at least not to my ears.

Okay, I have a few things to do here before I go to bed. And my 'm' key is sticking (I have this trouble on my laptop, but it always moves around to different keys). Weird.