We've all heard of Murphy's Law but what is the law that states that all appliances/electrical devices/etc will fall apart at the same time? Why does this happen and why at Christmas when my monetary resources are focused elsewhere.

Our washer and dryer are continually acting up with more regularity during the last year. Why? Because they are 10 years old and it should be expected. However, in my mind they are not that old. The latest--the washer motor needed new brushes (again) and when it still didn't work, we found a wire had worked its way loose so no power was getting to the motor--thankfully an easy fix. Actually the very latest is that I just noticed that the dryer had tripped the local switch--signaling several months of headaches to follow. This has happened before and the problem was never properly fixed since we never were able to really figure out why the dryer was continually tripping the breaker. It means that I have to run up and down the stairs to switch it back on every now and then. Pain in my ass!

The other day I went to get a CD out of the car radio and found that I couldn't. I had been able to about 30 minutes earlier but somehow during my driving, the radio had lost whatever it is that commands it to spit my CD out. This sucks especially since the CD that got stuck in there is a Christmas one--not a bad one but Christmas music gets old fast as well as that whole seasonal thing. At least the Barbie CD didn't get stuck in there. And now I have an excuse for not putting said CD into the player.

This isn't our only car issue. A couple months ago our car check engine light came on. We have had more problems with our damn car in the past year or so. We took it to the shop and found out it was a simple fix requiring an inexpensive part--a part on backorder that wouldn't be available for 90 days. But the car was running okay and the shop said it would slowly deteriorate. If slowly means fine for 2 months then within 24 hours going from fine to driving like you have the emergency brake on, then I guess it went slowly. Now I am the little lady on the highway who can't get the car going faster than 55. Don't curse at me if you come up behind me on the highway.

Two days ago Shaun came out of the bathroom and said simply "The water heater is leaking". If any of you know Shaun, you know that he doesn't usually say anything simply. He usually has a lengthy diatribe/joke/explanation/etc. It is also interesting that he even noticed in the first place. We haven't even had much time to determine if it is really leaking, if we have some condensation issues, or if the pressure valve is blowing.

This is only the latest in our bathroom saga. If you have seen our bathroom, you will say that we have lots of bathroom issues since it isn't even finished and we have Tyvec on the wall in the shower. But our hot water handle on the sink faucet finally gave out. We simply turned off the water supply but that was unacceptable for guests. So we replaced the faucet and, while doing that, the sink came off the wall and onto Shaun's head. He put it back on but then had to realign the drain which is a pain because it is old. We were having leaks there for a while and now it seems to be clogged. Fun!

There are of course other things including old kitchen appliances, Shaun's bike needed almost all new parts, and just the general whole-house-needing-to-be-finished thing. Can anyone tell me if it ever ends? And don't be pissed when you open your Christmas presents and find McDonald's gift cards!