Living so far away from home has been so hard these past few weeks. It seems everything that could go wrong has. Not only that, there is so much going on at home that I am missing out on.
It all started a last week when my car started making a horrible squealing noise. This noise is not something too new, I knew it was most likely the serpentine belt on my car. However, I am what seems to be a million miles from home and the people who can help me with these things. I tried to get my car in at work, but they couldn't get it in for a few weeks. So i decided that i was going to change the belt by myself. I was outside for roughly 2 hours trying to get the new belt on. Turns out its pretty much impossible to change it by yourself, unless you have three hands. Finally a guy walking by came over and helped me get the belt on. This is what my hands looked like after that whole ordeal.
I walked around for days with grease imbedded in the grooves of my hands. I looked like i had the hands of a hobo for a while.
Then...
Yesterday, I worked a late shift--so i didn't have to be to work until noon. I get into my car to drive the half hour to work, and i have virtually no brakes. This is just great. In order to stop, I have to put the brake pedal all the way to the floor, shut my eyes, and hope to hell my car will stop. I finally make it to work in one piece. I ask around at work, inquiring as to what could be wrong, and where i should take the car to get fixed. I determine its probably a leaking break line. I hope i can make it home after work, right. Keep in mind, that i live in West Virginia and my drive to work includes Mountains. Living in the mountains, i use that brake pedal more than i use the gas pedal. I finally get home, after driving like a grandma. I have no clue what to do--apparently mechanic shops aren't open on the weekends around here. I have no one here to help me, and i don't know what to do.
So, on Saturday i call around and find the only place near here that is open on a weekend. They tell me that they think that it is just air in the brake line, but that i also need back brakes. They don't know how long it will take, they say it might not even get done today--they aren't open on Sunday, and i need it to drive to work on Monday morning. This just gets better and better. I say okay--can you give me a ride home? They say no--and claim some kind of insurance liability crap. This is just Fabulous! So, I start the long walk home. Now, just picture this...me, walking in the 40 degree weather, in those brown ugg slipper things, on a five lane highway in the mountains of West Virginia. I can't even tell you how many rocks were in my shoes. I get about half way home, when some one from work passes me--thankfully she recognized me and picked me up. The mechanic called me about 2 hours later, they were able to finish it--and it wasn't too expensive. They ended up having to put on new back brakes and new cylinders on both sides. I guess the brakes in the back were just soaked in the leaking brake fluid.
Oye Vey.
I also got my orders at work to head to the Academy Boot Camp. Which sucks. I had to buy some new clothes for it--because you can only wear certain things. I had to buy new shoes, because i can only wear shoes that i can shine. Then i got especially sad, because apparently there is a big graduation ceremony and dinner at the end of the 3 weeks, and everyone gets to invite all their family and friends to watch them graduate. I will be the only one there who has no one.
Not to mention all the fun stuff i will be missing out on in the next few months. Birthdays, Graduations, Mother's Day, Easter (of which i will be at the Academy for), Fathers Day, Baby showers, girl's nights, Babies being born....i could go on and on.
I just keep trying to think positive and stay focused, but its getting really hard. I miss you guys so much! you all have no idea how much.
I hope you had fun at this Pity Party.
