Well, things are on their way to being fixed.

I have an appointment for the a/c guys to come out tomorrow afternoon.

The mechanic called back - the transmission is on order. With parts, labor, replacing the fried filter and fried fluid (it burned EVERYTHING it could on its way out, I guess) it's going to be $4500.

Ouch.

A colleague of mine suggested it was worth calling around to see if someone could do it cheaper. But. It would cost a couple hundred dollars to tow it anywhere else (esp. if it meant crossing state lines). And I already told the guy to order the part. And dangit, I just want my car BACK. And this person will guarantee the rebuilt transmission he's putting in for 3 years. (I'm guessing the higher cost was because I said I'd take the Ford rebuilt with the longer warranty. But I really don't want to hear that "crunch" again when I'm out driving.)

The good news is the car should be done Wednesday. Which means my weekend plans (to go to a learn-the-butterflies workshop in Tish) will still be in effect. Which is good. When I got home Saturday and realized I might not have a car this coming weekend, and would have to cancel on going tot he workshop, I sort of cried.

So, I guess I don't get vinyl siding put on my garage (what the money was originally earmarked for) this year. Oh well. My "Martha Stewart" neighbor who drops subtle hints about me hiring her lawn service instead of just mowing my own place, or getting professional painters in to do my garage can just suck eggs. (Seriously. She has not SEEN trashy if she thinks my property is trashy. If she keeps it up I might just scrounge an old toilet, put it on my front lawn, fill it with soil, and plant petunias in it).

I might ask my dad for funds towards a vinyl reside for Christmas. Not as fun as yarn but it's something I need.