Everything Breaks

But does it all have to happen at the same time? In the last few days, I noticed that, with all the rain, my car is leaking. He's an old boy, but I love him. He is falling apart a bit, though, and I need to have most of the interior replaced. I don't think it will cost a ridiculous amount of money; the problem is finding the time when I can spare my car. While the leak is a new problem, I've known for quite a while that I needed interior work done. The smart thing to do would have been to drop Fernando off before I had my foot surgery so we could both recover at the same time. It just didn't work out. The heavy rains have also led to my discovery of an interior house problem: my dining room window has a small leak. I'm hoping I can just have some caulking or other minor repair done on it and not have to replace the entire window.

Two days ago I noticed my dryer making a big racket. I checked to see if there was any obvious problem; there wasn't. It still seemed to work, so I let the load finish drying and have used it since. No more racket, but I won't let it run when I'm not home. I'd hate for something to break and start a fire. Maybe that's an overreaction, but seriously better safe than sorry. Yesterday, as a load of wash spun, I heard a horrible screeching sound. I think the agitator (or some other major part) is about to go. Today I started browsing for new appliances. The set I have was here when I moved in and for who knows how long before that. I'll let them keep doing (or trying to do) their thing until they just can't anymore.

On the upside, despite these distractions and my cleaning/organizing efforts, I managed to get all my materials prepared for my class that starts on Monday. I have everything ready except the roster, which I won't print out until the day before class starts. The last time I checked, several students hadn't paid for class yet, and I'm supposed to deny them entry if they try to come in. That should be a good time. I still haven't figured out the pacing of these classes and all the different sessions. In the spring I taught a class that met twice a week for twelve weeks. It met for an hour and thirty-five minutes. The twelve-week class I'm starting next week meets with the same frequency, but for two hours each day. And since I hadn't heard anything about my contract (and I'm not making excuses here, but not hearing about my contract for my current class was one of the reasons I didn't know it started when it did), I asked my department. Contracts aren't ready -- for my new class or the one that started nearly a month ago. That makes me a little nervous.

I suppose technically, nothing is broken, only "injured" and still hobbling along. I don't have to worry about it today -- so I won't.