My husband noticed a puddle under my car a week or so ago. I waved it off, figuring if there were a problem the "check engine" light would be on. Well, the puddles under the car kept growing bigger and bigger and when we returned from a weekend camping trip in hell (oops, I mean Camper's Paradise in Cook's Forest), there was no denying the lake that had formed under my car.

Now, my husband is a handy guy -- he put an entire second floor on my house -- but his auto knowledge is limited. He can change spark plugs, brakes, oil, wipers, but anything beyond basic maintenance requires a visit to to the auto repair shop.

Now, it's 9:51 and I'm awaiting "the call" -- you know the mechanic's diagnosis & "what should we do" call. I'm running all these scenarios through my head and hoping it's simple hose problem and not a radiator or transmission problem.

If it is a major problem, buying a new (or used) car is not an option. We're still paying on the husband's truck and can't afford two car payments at once. So, whatever it is...we've got to have it fixed.

Will I be happily writing a check for $100 or somberly withdrawing $1,000 (or more) out of the savings account? At this point, I just don't know.

As Tom Petty sang -- the waiting is the hardest part.

(Yeah, you're welcome, now that song will be running through YOUR head all day too).