“I don’t have pet peeves. I have whole kennels of irritation.”
– Whoopi Goldberg
I have been home and back at work for only two days, but I am already in the tiniest, littlest, most miniscule fight with the cosmos. It’s a small thing really: just our car needing $600 worth of repairs. This is the same car that required $1500 this past September. I’ve retaliated like a grownup – dramatically glaring at my bank account and (continuing to) refuse to unpack my suitcase, but for essentials, until the weekend.
All I can say, darlings, is that it’s a bloody good thing my vacation was so relaxing because if it had not been, Aunty C. might be in a bit of a strop. And we wouldn’t want that, would we, universe?
Small Dog Syndrome 
ugh, how frustrating. i’m also dealing with ridiculousness (of the academic variety, on this side) today. feel free to call me any time; we need to catch up anyway and i’d be happy to hear you rant!
Gross. I suggest a very swift kick to every single tire. That’s a mature, thoughtful response, n’est-ce-pas?
I am about to face a $600 dental bill and possibly a $3,800 (!!!) bill for the anesthesia for my hip replacement. Not like I can scrimp on that, huh?
Yikes! That sounds horrible! I shall kick a tire extra on your behalf.
Oh, that sucks. I vividly remember crying, stroking the wheel, and begging my old car to “Be nice, already!”. A broken down car is a bummer. A big repair bill is worth an hour or two of little girl weeping!