You handed it the best way that you knew. You called a friend to help you. Your friend was there for you. It is okay to have a rest day at home. Both you and your daughter probably need it.
You are not weak, you problem solved what needed to be done. Your Mike would have been proud of you.
Get a warm blanket and a hot coffee or hot chocolate for both you and your daughter and enjoy a mother daughter day. Watching TV, doing your nails or just talking.
I am thinking of you and sending you lots of hugs.

oh yes this sounds so familiar. Darn. Well, step by step I seem to be moving forward, and get stronger each trial. I feel like I took a lot of what hubby did for granted, wow so much. My hubby went to heaven 10-24, storm and lights out two days right after, then dog needed emergency surgery 3am, then horse died, now battery dead, what the heck. This site helps so much to see I am not alone. The bible says the joy of the Lord is your strength, so my setting here crying does not help actually makes it worse. Thank God for gkids and kids.

This just seems to have been a bad week for everyone. I did get my car winterized before the ice storms hit. Got half my house sealed off. No sense in heating what I don't use.

Last night I couldn't sleep more than 1 hour at a time. Up and down all night. No reason for it either.

Mel, I hope you get things together soon. I am so sorry.
Sandee

Need to take a deep breath. We will always be hit with these types of situations, it just didn't seem as bad when we were part of a couple. In the beginning of widowhood, we have people in our lives wanting to help but then suddenly, it is us against the world! Recently had bees in my house, problem with a neighbor and a heater that sounded like it was going to explode! As time passes, we are able to handle these problems with less emotion and it doesn't feel like the life is being sucked out of us all the time. Keep your chin up, don't believe you are weak--we do the best we can. Can you get AAA where you live? For me , it is worth $49 a year, (I just have the basic) I haven't had the need to use it yet but it gives me some peace of mind.

Mel, did you not get that memo yesterday? It clearly states that Murphy's Law is going to be strong this week.

Murphy's Law ( from what I learned in engineering school ) is that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. { Engineers usually add - and in the direction to cause the most harm }

But seriously, any one of those catastrophes would be enough to ruin anyone's day. But you got the trifecta! Dead battery, other car won't start, no heat. This is not a day for you to purchase lottery tickets.. I'm just saying...

But, if you still want some advice -

(1) get the heat fixed and then call the day a success.
(2) The dead battery is easy - just buy another one don't bother trying to recharge it because you will end up buying a new battery soon enough.
(3) "His Truck" - let that wait until you can have somebody who knows trucks can tell you if its worth fixing or not.

-------------------------------------

If you have already figured this out, let me send you a vitual **hug**, as you too are a Zena, Warrior Princess ( if you even remember that show ).

Bob

Mel, I think anyone would have felt overwhelmed with all you had to contend with. I am sorry you had such a bad day. :( I hope you and your daughter were able to make the best of it. I had a few days like that with my boys....

After Cliff died, my sister gave me a AAA membership. It was a godsend. I had flat tires, dead battery, and all I had to do was call them. And when a woman calls, they ask if you are broken down somewhere safe, too. If you can, get a AAA membership or ask for one as a Christmas gift. I hated needing it, but was glad I had it.

Depending on where you are and which utility/type of heat you have, you may be able to get the utility company to come out. Tell them you've got kids, sometimes that prioritizes whether they will come out. It's worth a shot.

I am sorry it was a not a great day. I hope you are able to get things squared away without too much trouble, and that you and your daughter at least had some fun relaxing together.

Love and Warm Hugs,
Martha

Mel, I know exactly how you feel. My Friday consisted of a frozen car, a dead battery, tears, a flat tire, a frozen air compressor, another dead battery, more tears, my store closed for the day, lots of tears, a trickle charger, and a partridge in a pear tree. I didn't get out of here until 5 pm, but luckily it was in time to get to the bank to make my weekly mortgage payment, and most importantly, to my favourite chocolate shoppe.
It was a very bad horrid day, but it planted the seed of someday sharing my life again with some hung handy guy. I might not feel like that in the warmer months, but this time of year it has definite appeal. Hang in there, you are not weak at all, you have courage and grace, and you have exciting things to look forward to! It will get better. ((())) Sue

OMG, not hung, that was HUNK eek!

where is edit on this thing?????

Hi Mel,
I am so sorry that all this pushed you into feeling vulnerable. I know you will handle it all, and I also understand you feeling like you can't handle it all and that you needed Mike to lean on.
I think you did wonderful and I have always heard things happen in three's so you are done! At least I sure hope so... If not be sure and get on here and look me up and vent all you need to. I am always willing to listen and I have had so many awesome people step up for me to do the same. So please vent, have your breakdown and allow us to pick you back up and dust you off, and let you know you did wonderful. Hang in there! God Bless...
Best wishes and many hugs,
Mary

I remember that kind of days and they still happen. Life throws us curve balls and some we don't catch until they hit us. Each bruise will heal with more strength to catch the next one. Sharon

Rainy... maybe that's what you were thinking?.... brought a chuckle to me. That's what we all need. A rip-roaring rib hurting, roll on the ground laugh.....

I really appreciated something a good friend told me early on this journey. He asked how I was doing and I gave the standard reply that I am doing ok - some days are better than others. He wisely reminded me that I had good days and bad days before my husband died - and that made so much sense to me. Sending you thoughts for a better tomorrow.

These are such wonderful, thoughtful replies. Thank you all! I am better. At the end of the day 1 car is running and the heat is working. The truck can wait. I made it to work a half day and my daughter got a half day at school.
1. Yes, it did make me stronger.
2. The guy in Getmany also referenced Murphy's Law.
3. Hung- bahahahaha! I wish too! Stupid auto correct!
4. There is something about 3's.
5. A friend brought me a wonderful gift tonight. I had a margarita with another friend and good conversation.
6. Instead of cooking, I ordered pizza!
It was a fine day. Started off rough, even though I was in a good mood. Tears are helpful. I handled it and learned more patience.
I can truly say that tomorrow will be better. :)

Mel, sending you a (((hug)))!!! Glad everything got better by the end of the day. Definitely those type of days can be very stressful. Remember say a little prayer for strength and guidance and it will work its way out!!! God bless Susan

Sending you a hug or o three Mel. What a way for the day to start...well it least it started. As for missing the magic that our partners did , I right with you. I got stuck with a dead battery on the otherside of town.

Rainey ...I'm with Sandy...on the floor, Freudian slip?