Saturday, March 12, 2011

Being a grown-up is expensive. Also? It sucks.

Last weekend, MJ and I started a big home reno project. Right now we had a mud room between our garage and family room that's pretty, well, sad looking.

Standing open on the right is the door from the garage; this is the view standing in the doorway to the living room. The green carpet from when we moved in, despite numerous vacuumings and deep cleanings, still feels squicky to me to walk across with my bare feet.  It's a great space, but we're making a bunch of changes to it. Beginning this past weekend, when we ripped out all those built-ins and shelves you see in there now and started tearing up the carpet.

Then Sunday night, we loaded the dishwasher and it made the most horrible noises. There was a distinct smell of burning.

Monday morning, MJ texted me to let me know the car had died on the way to work.

By Wednesday, we had a quote on the car that was equal to the actual value of the car.

By Thursday, we'd been to Home Depot twice. New dishwashers are expensive.

So.  Now my house is a mess, with the canned goods and extra toilet paper and coats that live in the mud room ordinary piled up in the family room. I have no dishwasher until we buy and install the new one. We have to shop for and buy a new car, which is pretty much hell for me.  We still have the non-minor home reno project in the mud room (ripping up carpet, installing a wall and door, painting, tiling). 

And, of course, there's still work and grad school.  We don't want to talk about how grad school is going - my manta is "Six more weeks" right now. I've postponed my planned vacation to Europe because there's no time in my work schedule for me to take two weeks off, so I'm vaguely hoping things open up in the fall, maybe?

I'll be a happy Guin when this particular season of my life is over.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh no. I hate when all the expensive things happen at once. It is one of the worst parts of adulthood. Hopefully everything will be back to normal for you soon. Hang in there

Unknown said...

What sucks is I know all to well that feeling!! When something happens it seems like the world around you is crushing! I'm sending BIG HUGS and hoping all is solved soon!

Andrea Mack said...

Not fun. This week we had to get a new van and replace a leaking toilet, so I know how you're feeling. That's why I like to escape into the world of my novel. Hope things start looking up soon!

Old Kitty said...

Oh dear!!! Big big big hugs all round!!! Let's hope your next season will be brighter and more positive!! Take care
x

dolorah said...

Sometimes life just sucks :)

I'm sure it will all work out.

......dhole

erica and christy said...

Gah - your early spring 2011 sounds like my early spring 2010. Don't worry, you'll make it through. A little poorer, yes, but think of how much longer your new dishwasher and car will last now...
erica

Andrea Coulter said...

That totally sucks. It never rains but it pours, right? Here's hoping things get back on track soon!

Guinevere said...

Thanks for all the kind comments, guys! I feel like such a whiner lately but... jeez. Things are crazy!

Ellen Brickley said...

Guin, you are totally allowed to whine when things like this happen! Sounds like you guys have had so many setbacks!

Hope the trip to Europe happens later in the year anyway, and that things look up in six weeks :)

Sarah Allen said...

*gulp* I just graduated from college which means I am just started on this part of my life...scary!

Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)