I’ve been thrown a couple of patience-testing curveballs this week.
1) my 4-year old iBook completely bombed on Sunday night after a series of upgrades and new hardware installations…
…but on the up side, I happened to be in Huntsville, visiting with my family and had the option of leaving it in the very capable hands of my computer whiz cousin-in-law:
Chris: Does this make you wish you had a computer science degree?
Doni: No…?
Chris: Does this make you glad I have one?
Doni: YES!
So, I’ve been sans laptop since Sunday night. As a writer/blogger/Twitter addict/Internet whore, this means one sadfaced Doni.
2) I paid my 1997 Chevy Malibu off nearly three years ago. With the exception of a couple of minor-ish repairs, a little rust, and the fact that my AC hasn’t worked in a couple of summers, she’s been pretty reliable. Yes, my car is a she. In fact, her name is Pam. Anyway, Pam’s starting to act up a little, so I had to drop her off with the Midas man this morning. I’m nervous of repairs on a 12-year old car with 173k+ miles on it…
…but on the up side, for the first time in my life I have some savings set aside for just this situation, and I’m not overly stressing out about the repairs like I would’ve been a year ago.
On another financial note, I paid off my first of five student loans yesterday (immediately preceding the car freaking out at me… ironic much?). It wasn’t a big one, but it is now paid in full. Take that Firstmark - kaPOW!
I just ninja-kicked that debt, if you were wondering about the sound effects.
So, my car’s broken and my iBook’s in recovery mode, but on the up side – when I get the computer back it’ll have brandspankingnew RAM, HDD (160GB vs. the 30GB it had is a MAJOR awesome improvement!), new iLife, new iPhoto, and all the new OS X snazziness.
Oh, and my car will no longer be a death trap (Midas man’s words; emphasis not mine).
This writer/blogger/Twitter addict/Internet whore/wannabe road-tripper is quite pleased.
Oh, and I’m going to Vegas next week. Can’t be too down with anticipation like that!
I'm Doniree. I live in Portland, Oregon where I practice yoga, obsess about the local farmers' markets and vineyards, and work from home or one of my many favorite coffee shops. I also 
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I like that you added the "up side" to everything. Optimism is key!
I can't wait to pay my student loan off. It's a small one, but it'll still be so great to have it off my mind.
Oh, this loan was teeny tiny, but the sense of accomplishment is AMAZING. The whole debt snowball thing (pay off the smallest one first, then roll that payment into the next one and so forth…) is really working for me!
I'm excited to pay off the next one. 
Good luck!
Congrats on paying off the student loan! that's awesome and I'm sure feels wonderful.
We can't have you riding around in a death trap the week before Vegas, now can we =) Glad you're getting it fixed and will be safe.
oh, and your optimism is contagious. I really needed that todya!
We're about to sell my 2001 VW in favor of keeping my husband's 1997 Toyota. Sometimes older is better. At least that's the case with us. We have over 175,000 miles on his SUV and he'd like to see it through 225K!
I'm hoping my little Mal can make it through 200k! 225 would be awesome!
It's important to be the 'glass half full' kinda person. No matter what crazy curveballs come your way, there IS always a bright side.
Congrats on the loan….I remember how that felt myself!
I brought my '94 Honda (Maxine) in for the first time on Friday, and subsequently had to max out my credit card with the repairs. Sigh … BUT, it's so much better than having a monthly car payment! AMIRIGHT?
Congrats on the student loan payoff. Even if it's a small one, it's still a victory!
Your Ma & Pa are very happy fer ya. [like the suthern speak?] Just keep pressing forward; making RIGHT choices and decisions.
See ya Sunday for brunch & BUBBLY!
Pops
Wow, this is awesome.