Budget Revision 4.0(b)

Accomplished: Handing over the letter withdrawing my two older Denizens from their before/after school care.

I don’t think I would have been able to make myself do it, if it hadn’t been for the family van.

This morning when I waddled out there to put my steaming peppermint tea and bag and phone etc. etc. etc. (how I can need this much stuff just to drop children off at school is a mystery modern science simply cannot explain), I noticed that the driver’s side door was unlocked. It was quickly discovered that the power lock on that door has gone from ‘jicky’ to ‘downright unreliable’. Ditto the back doors.

…Stupid locks!...

As I was loading up the children, I noticed that the cup holder liner next to Captain Adventure’s chair has been pulled out of its seating one time too many, has gotten cracked down the middle and won’t stay put anymore.

…Stupid falling apart interior!...

The carpet is pulling up near the side door runners, and Boo Bug caught her little shoe in it and fell flat on her face. She wailed. Captain Adventure thought it was funny. Which made her wail louder. Which made him laugh harder. Which made Eldest feel she needed to correct him on his lack of social graces. Which made Danger Mouse start shrieking, “You’re not the boss, ELDEST!” Which naturally created the Squalling Denizens situation, where everyone was screaming at everyone else about who was or was not in charge, and my best option was simply to drive as quickly as possible to get them off to their respective schools. Because I may be in charge, but frankly I’m feeling a bit hung over off my game this morning and I don’t want to put in the effort to maintain my Alpha Female status right now.

…Stupid carpet!...

And, to make absolutely sure I was paying attention to the cosmic message this morning, as I was getting out of the van to drop them off, my shoelace looped around the cracked runner and I nearly fell right on my nose. (This happens at least three times a week – you’d think I’d learn.)

…stupid piece of @*^&@ plastic pile of @*^&@ with the cracking @*^&@ and why I can’t just @*^@ get a replacement one is ^*@&ing beyond me STUPID VAN CONVERSION COMPANY!!!!! (Let’s not get started on this – suffice to say that repairing anything on this vehicle reminds me of owning a luxury, highly-customized yacht: Sure, we can fix that! First, you need to fill out these five forms and wait eighteen weeks, then take a little sail halfway around the world and wait another five weeks for the one person in All The World who can do this to have time to grace your vehicle with his talents, and THEN we'll charge you $600 and tell you that the doorknob we just replaced wasn't an EXACT fit but should be close enough; a little sticky, maybe, but just JIGGLE it and it'll work fine!)…

The thought that the cost of this before/after school care was about double the monthly cost in payment and insurance on a new minivan gave strength to my wavering resolve.

Pray for me, my brethren. The two older Denizens will be home with their loving parents after school starting September 18. I’ll be saving the $950 a month, and next year?

Odyssey Touring, baby.

It will be mine. Oh yes! It will be mine…