a snow plow in the engine?

So, I'm noticing today, on my way to meet Aunt J, that any time I brake it sounds a bit like a snow plow going by.  Yeah, I'm guessing a last minute trip to the auto mechanic is probably in order.  So, yay for sitting in the dingy, dirty little waiting room for hours with two kids waiting for it to be done.  Oh, and don't forget that I also have to take TO, LE, and CD to their dentist tomorrow morning at 10am--nothing like an appointment smack-dab in the middle of the morning to throw a wrench in the whole situation.  After I take the oldest 2 back to school, I'll have to take the van in for repairs and pray that I can be home by 4pm to get the kids off the bus.  So much for spending the remainder of the day at home cleaning before our weekend trip.  Why is it that whenever I plan for a trip it ends up seeming a lot like work?   Arg.