Expense
There was, of course, also a parking ticket. So I ended up paying $100 for parking on my own street while out of town one night. As eniastoa guessed, the towing company claimed notices had been posted "a few days ahead", but nothing was posted Thursday morning and my car was towed on Friday. I wish I had more gumption to fight stupid situations like this, but with so many other challenges at hand my emotional resources are already running shallow.
For the first time since I can remember I just came home and paid the ticket online immediately, rather than having it hang like a bitter cloud over my head for several weeks. I will be working many extra hours this month so it won't cut into my budget, but it's a shame because I'm trying to set aside extra funds for the vacation (my first in three years) to Manitoba next month.
This is a new season in my financial affairs: planning for necessities, planning for emergencies, sticking with the plan, rolling with it, and moving on. Enough whining over spilt milk.
Now I'm off to Toronto.