phew!

My washer was repaired by 9:30am today. He came in, listened, identified the problem right away. It was a broken coupling. He got in there and saw that the pump was leaking and recommended changing it--said if we didn't, he'd probably be back next week and we'd have water all over. I looked at the pump and he was right. Any minor leaking would have been brushed off as my own clumsiness (I spill vinegar and water from time to time). The bill wasn't high and my washer can now attend to the vacation pile-up.

The Ford dealership called and said the Crown Vic's brakes are fine. They must've just been dusty or wet. That's good to know. They did the recall work and we can pick the car up later today.

My week is now significantly better. :)