It sounds to me like you got plenty done despite the car troubles! But I know I find it frustrating when I can't complete a final step on something (or know there's no point starting something I'd hoped to get done in a certain timeframe) because of a lack of something necessary, and it sounds like you felt the same way.

Glad to hear you've got the car fixed and have been able to deal with some of the outstanding issues. And good luck with using the incentive of your friend staying to make some more progress -- I hope you have a great time when he visits.

I'm feeling very accomplished because I managed to finish going through the boxes of photos and family papers. Found another wedge of bits and bobs to get rid of, and pulled out some nice photos I want to frame. Which is the next job -- going through my large stash of photo frames and deciding which to keep and use, and which to donate.