Update

So, on my way home, on the day after the oven and microwave joined the disposal and the dishwasher in the kitchen appliance medical / surgical ward, I picked up my car which had been in for Pennsylvania State Inspection and 60,000 mile check-up (the latter being premature as she only has 58,390 miles). New rear brakes and something about a transmission drip pan later, I was $832 poorer, and still had yet to hear what was happening in my kitchen. Turned out that someone at the fifth or sixth place DH called actually answered the phone and agreed to send someone out.

$627 later, the dishwasher and disposal have received organ transplants of various sorts. The oven / microwave are still in surgery and I know these surgeons don't come cheap. Some reader suggested scrapping the microwave and getting a new one; I'd neglected to mention that the oven/microwave is an all-in-one wall unit, so it wasn't that easy.

I believe my salary increase for the coming year is gone in the space of one day. Along with our [miniscule] tax refund.

Oh, well. Nobody died and nobody's sick and my tuition for the upcoming White Oak getaway is paid in full. And I have enough fabric to last me until the cows come home for a little while. Soon (and very soon) I'll be able to bake me some yellow cupcakes with strawberry frosting, which have been in my mind.

So be it. Life is still good. And will be sweeter by the weekend!