Saturday, July 28, 2012

When It Rains It Pours.

The bills from our recent vacation are starting to materialize in the mailbox. Even though the accommodations were free, we still had to pony up for airfare, meals, and other incidentals (read: rum). I don't expect a whole lot of sympathy, but the trip was an unplanned expense - albeit one that was too good to pass up.

However, this week we've also been hit was a flurry of other unexpected items. First, the submersible pump in our well called it quits. Cost to repair - $1600.

Then we noticed that one of our mutts was limping. The diagnosis: the doggie equivalent of a torn ACL. The fix: surgery. The cost: $2500.

Finally, our son chipped his tooth. He now looks like some inbred Arkansas hillbilly when he grins. Details about the incident are sketchy - something about a water bottle falling on his head. I'm sure there's a heck of a good story out there somewhere, but so far that's all we've been able to get out of him. He needs either a cap or a crown, depending on further examination. Insurance will cover some, but not all, of the cost.

We're fortunate enough to have sufficient cash in our emergency fund to get us through this rough spot (thank you, Dave Ramsey), but it did put a dent in our reserves. So it's beans and rice for a few months until we've built it back up to where it needs to be.

But we've got a roof over our heads and food on the table, so I'm not complaining.

Much...




10 comments:

Toejam said...

Make sure they're "Bush's chili beans". They come with some chopped onion and chili pepper already mixed in.

CenTexTim said...

Toejam, they'll be dried pinto beans - the kind you pick pieces of gravel out of and then soak in water all day. They're cheaper...

CenTexTim said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
JT said...

Right there with ya. One of our A/C units keeps freezing up, hoping it just needs refrigerant. $3k in car repairs to make one of our existing cars as bulletproof as possible for our daughter to take to college. Need to buy a car for this household (to replace the one she is taking) within the next three weeks. Shall we talk about college bills? Just you wait until next year...

I thought it was the college kid that was supposed to survive on Ramen, not the family they leave behind.

Anonymous said...

If canned beans are on the menu in Texas, they gotta be Ranch Style.

CenTexTim said...

Harper - Our daughter just turned 16 and got her drivers license. She now has my 2006 SUV, while I've been relegated to my old 1995 Ford pickup. Our fervent wish is that the old truck survives at least one year of Central Texas - Laredo commuting before it dies.

In the meantime, we hope the repair bills are less than new car payments - and that I don't get stranded on the side of the Highway to Hell between San Antonio and Laredo.

CenTexTim said...

Anon - I luv the Ranch Style beans. I make a mean bean & sausage casserole using them.

Pascvaks said...

I understand the Chinese will lend you all the money (USDollars;-) you want at no interest for 99 years; but there's a rumor that the "decorations" on their contract are actually ancient Chinese Script that say something about a pound of flesh and your immortal soul and eternity and anyone with your DNA forever. I have a Washinton DC lawyer who lives in Califronia who say's it doesn't mean a thing, so not to worry.

PS: there's talk that they want to get rid of a couple million tons of US paper; that it's deteriorating fast and contaminating the water supply under their land fills. (SarcOff;-)

PPS: 'Beans and Rice', I have a feeling 90% of the people in this country have no idea what you're talking about;-(

Pascvaks said...

Re: "90% of the people"

Should have said, 50% of the legal residents;-) May your days playing catch-up be short and sweet.

Old NFO said...

Here's hoping it's a short schedule of beans and rice! And another vote for Ranch Beans!