What a lousy week upon returning from Florida.

First, the weather is awful--snow and cold. Next year, I'm wintering a month down south.

Then there's the hassle with my rear-end collision accident. Going to the insurance agent. Getting estimates. Contacting the adjuster. Returning to the agent, etc. etc. I dread having to take the truck in to the body shop. One bumper costs $700. I pay $250 (deductable).

Since my ride down and back was less than smooth (plus, I needed an oil change), I took my vehicle in for inspection on the cause. They recommended (of course) I buy new tires. The originals had 62,000 miles on them and had "cupped", explaining the vibrations I was experiencing. $577 later, I'm driving away on brand new Firestones! Whew!

A stop to the court house to pay property tax cost me nearly 700 dollars. I paid an optometrist bill, and my Visa bill is over $1200, not including much of my vacation bills. It included air fare to Hawaii in a couple of weeks. Ouch.

The good news is I don't have house or truck payments to make any more. Nevertheless, my pocketbook took a hit this week. I'm just thankful I have some reserve money. I'm a little concerned about how I'm going to pay for a new septic system ($7000+) when the ground thaws--if it ever does. Who keeps saying "it's only money"?