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Wednesday was supposed to be a day off added to my scheduled four off in a row would have been a sweet five days of escape from the never ending flow of tow services that must be covered.

But I had been asked to be available to come in because of a weather forecast of 3-7 inches snow expected. Well it sure seemed clear Tuesday night. At 2 am there was a light coating on the ground and no snow falling so my hopes rose. It was going to be a busy day ahead.

I arise at 7 am to find the car covered and at least 1 inch snow on the ground. I locate the shovel in the laundry room and have at it for ten minutes. The snow is coming down and Ruth's school time is 9 am. I grab the paper and sit in the spare bedroom which is used for the computer and Ruth's study room and watch for her school to responsibly call off class for the day.

As every other school does. It's actually fun to watch the schools go from 2 hour delay to closed all within a half hour. This will be a busy morning for first shift at AAA. Many winch outs and accidents in their future I'm sure. I'm getting that occasional panic attack I get from wondering if I can still deal with tow drivers, members, and the unforgiving clock for one more winter but that old car bumper sticker echoes in the brain cells: I owe, I owe so off to work I go. (Disney buffs will recognize the homage I'm sure and are probbaly humming it already cursing me because now they are trying to name all seven dwarfs--HINT--Happy is the least remembered one.)

Ruth's future alma mater goes unannounced but a 8 am phone call to the school gets no answer so there's a very good possibility that no one is manning the fort. So no school today.

Based on Ruth going to school I had our appointment set up for 2 pm. The plan was to take the 30 minutes usual to nod agreeably to everything the loan officer drones on about and come alive when the check makes its grand entrance. Be still my heart. Then race across the county to my garage and present the fruits of my labors and get Ruth's car back from the brink of the bone yard--which surely is its next journey if it dies again--hang the used car sales.

Between destinations would be a selfish visit to the Bookery to spend at least a portion of said bounty, drop Ruth at her place of employment where I would learning a lesson later that evening and hightail it to work for the free pizza I can't eat because there's too much sauce for this fussy eater. (Note to Logos--When you finally charm me away from Ruth I can be settled down with hamburger--yes we are a cheap date.) Hopefully no later then 4 pm. With plans to desert the ship by 10 pm if things start settling down. By goofing off on Monday by using a sick day the overtime will be at the regular rate of pay. You have to physically put in the sit time for 40 hours before the overtime rate kicks in. Still something better then nothing unless its cucumbers being offered. (I'm sure I've noted somewhere that every reference in the King James Bible to cucumbers is in the negative!!)

We arrive at Citi-Financial at about 1:45 and loan officer Jeremy has a whole folder ready to go and he is beaming. I ask him if my last payment finally arrived. Yes headquarters in Nevada had it. Posted it today--Wednesday. Said glow of satisfaction lasts three minutes.

Glitch.

Small glitch.

By starting the new application Tuesday afternoon in anticipation of my Wednesday arrival the computer refuses to print the loan check. I still owe $121 even though the computer (on Wednesday mind you) also claims the money is posted. But the applied for loan from Tuesday data still reflects Tueday information. We suspect HAL from 2001: Space Odyessey probably starting his trip to meltdown land from such conflicts of data as this.

Jeremy smiles and takes about one minute longer then I thought he should to call for help from headquarters but he did have a good game face on while moving the mouse around before making the call. Nice enough fellow and I'm sure he took it as a small defeat on his end to have to call it in.

Tech support is all smiles. Why yes the money is there--thanks for asking. Why no the check can't print--you asked for it too early. Why of course we can fix it. Three to four hours soon enough??

I put on my sad hungry face and pretend to be starving. That doesn't work I may not eat well but it's apparent my skinny high school days are long over. I play the must get to work card. And my wife too. Yes yes use the poor long suffering wife approach.

Jeremey's smile is no longer the thrill of bonding business deals joy it was but he plays with the data a couple of minutes then puts the second phone request in. I volunteer to do background noises like a disgruntled AAA member wanting the world and the tow truck NOW if it will help the cause. Jeremy assures me this aid will not be needed. Hang in there.

Results: 15-20 minute wait should do it since we were on site expecting to be impressed. I tell Jeremy a 12% penalty fee for the stress and time spent would be a great inducement to continue our happy times together and Ruth continues to blush wondering why everyone thinks I'm so cute (before they see the dark side-sigh).

It's ready in 10 minutes and the credit union down the block cuts the garage the cashier check for $2400. I got a slightly higher amount to work some of the Bookery file that's been building up, give $200 free of marriage benefits clauses and off to the Bookery. We leave there with a ton of stuff and left poor customer/friend Rob who really wanted to talk but I had to cut it short. The News Outlet had called while all this had gone on and the last two Shadow novels form the 1960s revival had arrived and I paid for those two plus advanced paid on John Mortimer's Rumpole Misbehaves due in Thursday.

Too late to go by the garage--the check was delivered Thursday and the car might be ready Friday. We stop at Subway where my favorite clerk is there along with her son--poor kid got some teeth knocked out by a bully so I got to meet him and ooh and ahh at how the dentists are earning their keep. Brave little tyke. Drop the box off in my library room--grab some sodas and drop Ruth to work and finally arrive at AAA at 4:15.

While the first hour was steady it was no busier then a regular Monday evening. Busy is 30 calls on the board at any one time and by 7 pm people were getting finished for the night.

At 8:15 we are down to 14 calls and I get permisison to reclaim my life. The roads aren't too bad and I thought about getting home for some uninterrupted reading but didn't want the hassle of going back to pick Ruth up so I got really stupid and arrived at 8:30 to window shop. She gets off at 10 pm.

In my prime years I could walk some miles and think little of it. But 90 minutes of walking all around the Meijers and not look like a shoplifter or a stalker is wearing. I now have a new found respect for the physical exertions my wife endures day after day of being on her feet 6-8 hours a day.

Also no respect for Meijers DVD collections. No Untouchables, no Wild Wild West, no Pinky and the Brain Vol 3, no Scrubs Vol 6. Wasn't going to buy any that night anyway had money set aside for fuel and the movie Enchanted tomorrow--great family flick. Brandy didn't think I'ld like it because it was a 'girly' flick --and I thought she knew me better then that. I love girly movies--makes the long suffering one think I'm a little less shallow. I notice it's me that tears up when love goes wrong or right. Definintely buying the DVD of that one when it comes out.

We finally come home. I start to read mags but the cats want attention and it's been a long day so I put the books away (one of the very rare times Jonah Hex doesn't get read immediately) and off to bed with cats for leg warmers.

Thursday morning the car needs a jump--it's been so cold out. I confess to whining to God that I don't do testing well so what's the point--it must be confessed but 15 minutes later it's jumped and running. We are back to I knew you'ld come thru Lord. We are at least a cheerful hypocrite. Oddly enough I haven't ranted yet about the whole stupid car thing (I'm all sicky sweet Christan about the setback first day then fussing the next if I'm true to form) but not this time. I don't believe for a moment I'm growing mature at this late stage of life.

So it must be grace.