Friday, April 01, 2011

Goodbye March...

...and good riddance!

March has been a rather unkind month. It was bad enough that there were approximately 21 days of rain...this other stuff had to happen.

First, my cell phone blew up. Ok, it didn't blow up. It got unnervingly hot and then shut down and wouldn't turn back on again. I received a replacement and it's acting kind of funny. Not to mention that it keeps sending me the same old email as if it was new mail. I think I will have to brave Verizon and do a complete upgrade.

Second, I am still without a laptop. I haven't been able to bring myself to go shopping for one because I hate dealing with the purchase and set up of technological and electronic devices. They confound me. I can use them...I just can't set them up without a fair amount of swearing and hair pulling and a high desire to throw things about. This weekend though...I will prevail. I hope!

Third, I took my 15 year old car to the mechanic because I felt it had a recurring issue plus other things I thought were wrong but was too scared to really find out about. He was very nice. He came and picked up my car from work, did an oil change and checked things out and then flatly informed me he will not fix any of the things wrong with the car and it was time I got a new one. Seeing as my car is maybe worth $2,000; it's hard to justify dropping a grand on repairs. So...time to shop for a car for reals. It would be nice to have a car I feel safe in, that will allow me to take road trips, actually had a sun visor and a working stereo system. I'm excited about that. I am not excited about having a car payment though.

So...phone, laptop, car. Umm...that's a lot of money. I may just end up having to become a hermit and forgo any vacations for the year since I won't have money for much else.

Lastly, I spent all of Sunday in the ER with my mom. She took a bad fall and fractured her pelvis. No fun. Her mobility is pretty compromised and it just makes things that much more difficult and stressful.

So, I'm a bundle of nerves and stress and anxiety. The only bright spot in March was the trusting nature of a stitchy friend but I'll tell you all about that later.

Stitching has been progressing. Part 3 of Mary Wigham is complete. She was a pain in the knickers...seriously...what possessed me to do this?! I can only hope that Mary stops having tantrums as I get farther along. I've started the next block on my AotH. It's coming along. I just love the little shamrocks! Pictures will be forthcoming...can't really do all that from work.

I'm looking forward to spending time with one of my stitchy groups tomorrow. I'm hoping it will help alleviate some of my stress. And if I can get a laptop and do the 4 loads of laundry that are calling at me...the weekend will be a success.

Hello April...please be sweet.

Happy weekend everyone. I hope to be back soon with some pictures!

Until next time...

26 comments:

Maggee said...

Just wanted to pop in and say that I am sorry to hear all this bad stuff happening, especially your mom's fall. Hope she recovers quickly, and fully! What kind of car are you inclined to look at? I love our sun roof on the explorer! Hope April is full of sunshine and hope! Hugs.

Jackie's Stitches said...

Sounds like you've had a tough month. I'm sure April (and Mary) will be kinder to you!

Hazel said...

Hope April is a bit better month for you. x

Branlaadee said...

Hope your mom is feeling better soon! And I hope April is a much better month! At least it's started out warm and sunny!

Margaret said...

Oh I 'm sorry, Valerie! How awful! I hope your mom recovers well and soon -- poor thing. And all those expenses! Ouch! Can I suggest you getting a Macbook for your new laptop? Seriously, setup is a breeze and you're there. I guess there are always issues with not having a windows computer, but Macbooks are soooo nice! And easy to use! Good luck with everything. Can you upgrade for free with your cellphone? I hope so. :(

barbara said...

Ugh! Oh, March was obviously the pits! I have all 10 fingers and all 10 toes crossed that April will bring wonderful, happy things!

staci said...

Wow Valerie...March had been VERY unkind to you. I hope April is much better :)

Unknown said...

Wow - I am sure you are glad that March is over. I am very sorry to hear about your mom - that is really tough.
The one thing about the other issues is that you are going to have months of having wonderful new things - whoo hoo!

Glenna said...

I'm so sorry about your month--they seem to run like that, with everything happening at once. I know lots of people who hate their phones because they do weird things like that. I can highly recommend Best Buy--I got my computer there 2 months ago--and I paid a little extra ($70?) to have everything installed and set up, because that stuff just isn't my strong point. All I had to do is take it home and plug it in--and all things considered, it was cheaper than my last laptop. The car: I drive an old one myself, and I keep crossing my fingers that I don't have to replace it, so I know where you're coming from. Best wishes on all of it, especially for your mom.

Myra said...

Wow! You have had quite the month. I am sorry to hear about your mom's fall - sure hope she mends soon. Here's to a happier, kinder April for you.

carol fun said...

I hope you can leave the problems in March and move ahead to a better situation on all fronts. Stay strong and know that we are all sending you wishes for a sunny April.

Theresa said...

Sounds like you had a rough month.... I hope your mom is feeling better.

Take care and hope you have a better April!!!!

Catherine said...

Valerie,
I'd say you had more than your share in March! I hope that your mother is feeling better. Hopefully you will find a good computer and a reliable car!
Good riddance March - Hello April!

Danielle said...

So glad to see you back blogging, although I am sorry for all of your stress and anxiety. I hope April is smooth sailing for you and that the laptop and car purchases go well and you love what you get!

Deb said...

What a month you've had! I hope that April is a lot nicer to you!! And that your mom is feeling much better soon!

Melanie said...

I'm so sorry you're going through a rough patch. :(
I hope your Mom recovers quickly too. *hugs*

Carol said...

Oh, Valerie--I hope April is being "nice" to you so far. Sometimes we just have months like that, don't we--where everything seems to go wrong. But, it is the bad stuff that makes the good seem so much more special.

I hope your mom is recovering well--falling is such a worry when you're dealing with an older person. My mom's balance is not good at all any more and with her brittle bones, it is a constant concern.

Any luck on the computer, car, phone upgrades? That is a lot of money to shell out all at once... good luck deciding :)

Lois said...

Sorry to hear that March turned into such a horrible month. I will be wishing you a much better April.

Giovanna said...

I'm sorry you're going through all this hassle and frustration - I hope April will treat you more kindly. Stitching-group therapy is always good :-)

Daffycat said...

Whoa, you've had a time of it, Valerie. I hope your mom recovers well from her injury, poor thing!

Here is wishes for a better month in April!

Julie said...

Hope April is much better for you and mum is healing

Michelle said...

Big hugs, my friend! What a rough month you've had. I hear you on the car payment. I just keep my fingers crossed that I can limp my little car along for a little while longer. I am hoping you can get a free upgrade on your phone and find a great laptop that will be easy to use. Wishing your mom a speedy recovery and that your stitching brings you comfort, rather than frustration!

Shelleen said...

Sorry how March treated you and hoping April is much better.

Siobhán said...

Ugh! I hope April is much kinder to you than March was. Big hugs on all the new things that you need to buy. Car shopping--ack! So thrilling yet so unnerving. Then physically sickening when you have to figure out how to pay for it! :P

Meari said...

Wow, you did have a bad month.

How's your Mom doing? Better, I hope.

Have you started car shopping yet? Hopefully, you can find a good, affordable, used car so the payments won't be atrocious.

Pumpkin said...

Goodness Valerie! No wonder you wanted March to be over with :o( I hope your mom is doing better and that April will be a better month for you. ((((HUGS))))