I'm so stressed out this last week it's not even funny.

My grandparent's bought a van last week that they were told needed an oil pan replaced. It had been sitting for 6 years without one in it. I've been working on it for the last 8 days, replacing the pan, reinstalling the transmission, troubleshooting this, fixing that. Got it running and went to fix the bad brake line. Fixed that brake line and another one blew out while trying to bleed it. Fixed that brake line and TWO MORE blew while bleeding it. Finally tonight after about 12 hours of replacing brake lines I go to pull it out. Nothing. Hoping it's just out of trans fluid but the parts stores were closed so we'll try that in the morning.

It's stressing me out because the need this van (their other has a rotted out frame where the steering gear bolts on and it's unsafe to drive) and them and my parents are riding my a$$ to get it done. It hasn't been easy work either. It seems every single thing I do on this thing I struggle with. The worst part is that I'm not even getting paid. I'm doing this out of the goodness of my heart because I know they need help. I know they didn't realize it was going to need as much work as it did but it's still hard not to feel taken advantage of.

My bank account is drained and my bills are due (or past due). The only one I can afford to pay is my tool bill. That leaves my phone bill, my insurance, my student loans, and other personal debts and me scratching my head wondering how I'm going to make it work.

I've also got to pay a speeding ticket in Pennsylvania so that Ohio will release my license privileges and clear my NDR (national driving record) so that I can get my license renewed in MI. I can't do that before I make a payment on my drivers responsibility debts here in Michigan or that will be another $125 fee to get my privileges reinstated here. (this is kind of a long story but ask if you'd like to hear it)

My bike is torn down right now. I was able to do all of the body work with stuff I had at the shop. Now I need to figure out a way to buy paint so I can spray it and get it back together before spring.

To top it all off I had an accident today. I was going to the parts store and pulling in the a$$ end of my step-dads truck came around on me and and took out the rear hatch (just the hatch thankfully) of one of my parts guys van's. Now I could have acted like nothing happened and left and got away with it but that's not how I was raised. I went in (two people working and and empty store) and I told him man I just hit your van. Got what I needed and we went out to look at the damage together. Nothing I can't fix. I have to call around in the morning and see what I can find for a hatch. There wasn't any damage to the truck. I'm guessing I'll have to come up with another 300 bucks or so to find a good used hatch. And I'll probably have to get that painted too.

I'm so stressed out right now I could just about cry I feel like Karma is making it a special point to kick my a$$ but I can't for the life of me figure out why. I don't screw people and I always do everything I know how to be a good guy.

Sorry for the long read but I had to vent

 

Dude call me

 

Thanks man. I usually do just take in in stride and take care of things when I can but it's all coming back around at the same time and it's killing me.

 

JP - I lost my grandfolks over the course of the last couple years and trust me - just do what you can for them. You probably have no idea how much the appreciate it until they get real old and feeble and you realize how much they need and appreciate people like you.

As for your personal bills - take a step back and relax. These things have a way of working themselves out. Just don't do anything stupid financially and you will be just fine.

 

Breathe. Lay in your bed and look at the ceiling. Then be happy that you have a bed to lay in and a ceiling to look at.

Then think about riding your bike.

 

Cheer up JP!

 

Seaford- I know what you mean about take care of them while I still can. I do a lot to help them out. That's how I was raised and it makes you feel good. They still heat with wood to every couple days I go over there and bring wood up by the house for them.

Zilla- Nice vid

Everyone- Thanks for the encouraging words. It's just so frustrating to not be able to take care of things that I should. I mean lots of those things are insignificant and it won't be a big deal one way or the other if they get paid but there are other things that say a lot about the person you are and I just feel like I was brought up better than that

 

I know you're doing what you can. Just one step at a time buddy... And Meggers is only 2 hrs away if you need a friend. :-)