Just when you think things can't get any worse.

I've been on medical leave from the airport for almost 3 months now. It SUCKS. I have WAY too much spare time and NO money.

On Sunday I put $4 in gas in my car using nickels and pennies (the gas station attendant was NOT pleased).

That afternoon, on my way home, I ran over something that put a 1 inch slice in one of my tires. LUCKILY I was in my apartment complex. I could hear the air rushing out of my tire so I hurried to my parking spot so I could park the car before all the air was gone.

I then set about collecting all the stuff I needed to change my tire. I lost my lug wrench YEARS ago, but thought I had replaced it. Apparently I was wrong. In desperation I hoped that my cordless drill would do the trick. It didn't.

I live behind a strip mall that includes a Checker Auto Parts, but I can't afford to purchase a lug wrench. Out of options, I threw everything in my trunk and decided I would just ride my bike to work on Monday.

I pulled the bike out of the storage closet, and discovered 2 flat tires. Not a big surprise, I haven't ridden it in a couple of months. I filled the tires, collected my stuff and headed to work. It's a good thing I live so close to work. :)

I was about a third of the way to work, on the freeway over-pass/on and off ramp, when I lost control of the bike. After PRAYING that I didn't fall over in the road in front of all these people, I got the bike stopped. I looked down and saw that my front tire was almost completely flat! I couldn't believe it! I rolled down the overpass, trying to steer as little as possible and made it to the shopping center at the bottom.

I knew there was a leak in the rear tire, but it is very small. I had my tire pump in my backpack because I was going to have to fill that tire before I could go home. I filled the front tire, then rode the rest of the way to work.

A few hours into my day my boss pulled me aside to speak to me. The company was having another "Reduction In Force" and my department was included this time. I would lose my job some time in either the first or second week of April.

This was the MOMENT when I hit bottom.

Things turned around when she offered to lend me the lug wrench out of the back of her car. I rode home at lunch, changed my tire (put on the donut spare), and DROVE back to work. I can't afford to buy a new tire, but at least I can drive my car.

Once again, it is a good thing I live so close to work! :)

Oh, and I will be released back to work at the end of the month. Worse case scenario I will be working a MILLION hours a week at the airport again. :(