...new cars and broken cars

No pretty picture today I'm afraid - mainly because the only picture which could possibly be appropriate given today's turn of events would be a picture of my slightly wonky looking car or a picture of my very sad face, neither of which are going to inspire that Friday Feeling in anyone!

The reason for the sad face is that, in the same week that I win the Lottery Bonus Ball draw at work (£96!!) and my little brother buys his first car, I discover that a fairly minor (so I thought) 'bump' into a kerb last week may have left me with quite a significant and costly amount of damage. After a few days of fairly persistent - but not too alarming - squeaky brake noises, I decided to take my little car into the local garage for the car doctor to take a look at. Expecting nothing more than some minor alignment issues and a bit of brake dust, I was rather taken aback to discover that I have a "big problem" and that "the steering really shouldn't do that, you know".......actually, no, I didn't know. Turns out I've been merrily driving my car all around the North East of England without the faintest suspicion that there was anything wrong with it despite the fact that - "now you mention it..." - there is a slight pull to the left when I'm driving and the front passenger side tyre does look a bit wonky. Fast-forward a few days and I'm now being advised to take her to a bodyshop garage asap and that my "big problem" aint gonna be cheap to fix!

Poo pants!

Why does life always seem to throw up these crazy symmetries? I just wanted to be able to celebrate the day my brother buys his very first car, and perhaps treat myself to a few creamcakes with my little windfall, and now I'm going to spend the day sulking petulantly about all the money I'm about to fritter down the drain just because I couldn't park next to the kerb like a normal person!

Aaaaaaaand........relax.

If anyone else has some horrendous car tales, please do share them. I would take great comfort in knowing that I'm not the only person who seems to spend more money repairing her car than actually running it!

Time for me to slink off into a darkened room for a few hours. When I return, I will bring tales of colour and sparkle and joy!!

Thank you for listening.

X X X

P.s. I hope you're all having a truly Fantastic Friday and looking forward to a blazing hot weekend of BBQs and trips to the seaside!

P.p.s. I do realise that this is not a huge problem in the grand scheme of things. I really do. But, for now, I could definitely weep a little at my own misfortune (stupidity).