I need to remember that I am a writer and not a math person. I am also not my father.

I sold four auctions on eBay, and I took in roughly $73, which included shipping costs. Or so I thought. I spent $76.48 to ship out the items.

See, when I estimated shipping charges I only considered shipping charges. I didn’t think about the cost of the packaging. And one of the items I sold was a large neon Marlboro sign, aka breakable. And so I wanted it to be professionally packaged. I hauled it into my local package place and they took it from me and began wrapping it in bubble wrap and measuring it and not saying anything to me.

When they finally took my information, they let me know the cost of the shipping and I was only a penny off. I had estimated $25 and the actual charge was $25.01. Good. And then they told me my total which included $11.45 for the box and $6.90 for the shipping peanuts and another $6.36 for the bubble wrap. Whoops. Keep in mind I sold the sign for $20 plus $25 shipping.

When I told hubby how much I spent in shipping, he told me I should have said no. Except it was too late because by the time I knew the cost, the items were already boxed. Let’s just consider it a lesson learned. From now on, I’ll stick to buying on eBay.

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I am driving around a car because my van is getting repaired from when the deer ran into me.

Keep in mind that my family vehicles are 1) a truck that you step UP into and 2) a minivan.

So, I got into the car and realized I had to sit DOWN to get into the vehicle. Cars are low. Did you know that? It’s so weird driving from such a low perspective.

Then I get to the college and I realize that the car doesn’t even have automatic locks. So I have to walk around to all four doors to make sure they are locked. Normally I just start walking away from my van and push the little key fob button to lock it when I’m several feet away. Walking all the way around the vehicle is a PITA.

Not to meniton, when I arrive somewhere I have to reach in to unlock the back door so I can get my stuff out. I have lots of stuff that I haul around with me: laptop, camera, bag, school books, and a milk crate full of assignments to grade, books to read, etc. It’s a lot of stuff.

So while I am grateful to have a vehicle to drive while my van is being fixed, I am also very grateful for the minivan I normally hate because of the many little perks that I have grown to love like the automatic door locks, power windows and the CD/tape player perfect for all types of audio books. Not to mention the sunglasses I left in it that I’ve needed for the past two days as Northern Michigan experiences beautiful sunny days.

I get the van back next Tuesday. Thankfully.