Well, I think this week has finally caught up to me, here I sit, listening to 70's love songs with tears in my eyes...But then I look at my most recent blog posts and realize that "this week" has actually been going on for more than a week! No wonder I'm headed for a straight jacket and padded cell.

You can read my previous three posts to see how my week and a half started out...but let me update from Wednesday...

Wednesday morning went okay, but on the way to work that day I started to notice some potentially serious issues with my vehicle (it's an old van). It seemed as though I had lost a lot of power and the transmission was having trouble shifting gears. If you know anything about cars then you will understand why I began to seriously freak out.

I made it through work fine, but on the way home I really paid attention to the car, and, sure enough, I had been right about it having trouble shifting. It freaked me out enough that when I got home I emailed my boss and asked to switch my day off so I could take my car into the shop and have it looked at (of course she said that was fine).

So, all day Thursday I felt (and probably looked) like I had ADHD...I couldn't sit still, when I got on my computer I went from one program to another to another to another to the first to the third to the first to the second; at about that speed. I had taken the van to the local mechanic and he had initially agreed with me that it sounded like a transmission problem..."but let's not worry until there's something to worry about." Great advice...too bad it turns out there's something to worry about.

When I called him at 12:30 (because I couldn't stand waiting any more -- believe me, it was torture to wait that long) he said he couldn't find anything wrong with it...ehm, what? I told him the problem really shows up between 40 and 55 mph. So he said he'd take it back out and get it up to speed and see what he could see...

Two hours later, fit to be tied, I put on my coat, left the house and walked to the shop...the van wasn't there, so I knew he was out driving it around. I walked around the block, and when I got to where I could see the shop, I saw that the van was back. I walked back up there, and as soon as he saw me he said, "there she is," in a manner that filled me with dread...(this is my only transport and it is vitally necessary for me to do either of my jobs!)...we walked out and he told me that once he got it up to highway speed he could finally understand what I had been telling him...I was right -- it's a transmission problem. ...

So that was my Thursday...or was it?

Actually, the torment began bright and early Thursday morning when I did my papers...it seems as if at least once/winter we get this crazy, psychotic weather that produces some of the worst paper-delivery conditions possible. This year has been no different. We've had roller coaster temps that produce sheet ice. Both of my routes are on the side of a mountain and people tend to not bother with snow and ice removal. I was a little surprised I managed to live through that morning. What with my van rolling down hills and such...

Yeah, so, Thursday...it was probably a good thing I didn't go into work that day.

But it's not like the next three days have been much better...Friday was another horrible delivery day (not as bad as Thursday, but bad enough), and the drive to work was a misery. Had I not spent the day yacking with my co-worker I'm pretty sure I would have wound up curled into the fetal position crying.

Saturday, papers were better...but it rained and then snowed all day. Pshaw! There's no problem with rain turning to snow! I took back roads to and from work so I wasn't quite so freaked out about the worsening transmission...(did I mention it's already getting worse?!)

And then there was this morning...thanks to the bipolar weather, papers this morning were crap. But it gets better! See, my boots disintegrated yesterday...y'know, the boots I wear to do the papers? I didn't realize just how bad they were until I got home, but I couldn't help but be a wee bit ticked off when I stepped on the grass and suddenly my left foot was soaked to the ankle...

So I had to find some new boots. I have a pair of combat boots that I haven't worn for ages because I'd never properly broken them in. Now I'm breaking them in the hard way. Figures.

I'd make some stupid comment like, "it can't get any worse," but I've said stupid things like that before and always been proven wrong. Yes, it can get worse. But can it please, oh please get better?

While delivering the papers on Friday morning I came up with my own version of "If You're Happy And You Know it." I'll end today with my new version, as it pretty well sums up my last week and a half...

If you're stressed out and you know it, drool a bit.
If you're stressed out and you know it, drool a bit!
If you're stressed out and you know it catatonia will show it,
If you're stressed out and you know it, drool a bit.

If you're stressed out and you know it, rock a bit.
If you're stressed out and you know it, rock a bit!
If you're stressed out and you know it rocking back and forth will show it,
If you're stressed out and you know it, rock a bit.

If you're stressed out and you know it, chew your nails.
If you're stressed out and you know it, chew your nails!
If you're stressed out and you know it chewing to the quick will show it,
If you're stressed out and you know it, chew your nails!