2001
| It was not a rapid-rising day. It was Wednesday - hump day. I lagged in movement. I was slow to take my pills. I was slow to dress - although the clothing rack in the living room helps. It's leaning against the weight machine. Next to the military bench and second set of weights that my son was taking to San Diego. Now collecting dust while he struggles in rehab. I got myself together, fed the animals, have a meeting at 11:30 that is important so I really must get my headache under control. It's cold - very, very cold. I am grumpy when it's cold. There are ice crystals on the redwood stumps framing the front yard. There is ice on the roofs of the houses. The dog's water dish is frozen. So is the rabbit's. My stomach hurts - a stitch got loose. I wiggled my toe and popped or tore a tendon on my right foot. I chipped a tooth (molar) in December - it's still waiting for attention. I ran out of facial bleach and a few spots are coming back with a vengeance. Sun damage. Hormones. Whatever. I am a virtual mess. I pull out my suitcase - clothes, food, medication. I spend about $20 per day feeding the kid - who hates hospital food. I will buy him anything - as long as he eats. I load the truck from the back, check I still have soda and water there, walk to the front and drive off to U-Turn at the corner and head back to the other exit from the cul-de-sac. I have the radio on - loudly - to wake me up. The car feels funny. It sounds funny. I turned down the radio. It sounds like.......flapping. TIRE! I stop - and sure enough, my driver's side rear is stone cold flat - I am driving on the rim. Well, that tire is history! It was fine last night when I was doing 75 on the Dunbarton in the dead of night. (Speed of the traffic - I am the slow car.) I return and call AAAPlus - I pay that little extra - they can tow me to hell and back at no charge. An hour later, they have the spare on (it was flat), pumped it up, and thrown the dead tire in the back of the truck next to my suitcase and I get to work for my meeting. I had emailed the office - alert - I am coming..... Took me two days to find a place to get the tire checked (bubbles in the sidewall - yep, dead tire), get two new ones, a wheel balance and the information that I need shocks. Great timing. I was looking at new trucks. I read Consumer's Reports. They hate the new Tacoma. Guess I won't. Because the van needs a transmission - Toyota forgot that little detail when they examined it. Teeth are definitely missing. My truck's air filter is dirty. Well, it is due for that service. My brakes will need resurfacing soon. Read dollar signs. 100,000 miles on the odometer. I now have three old cars. One driver. I always wondered how that happened to people. |
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