It’s Hard to Find Good Help.

One of the things I hate most in the whole world is car problems. I HATE dealing with mechanics, I hate being screwed by mechanics, I hate the whole process of taking a car in and wondering what the hell they’re doing to it.

I have found a very reliable mechanic, though. I have learned my lesson (more than once) about taking my car to a dealership for service, and thankfully have found an independent mechanic in the town where I work. The guy that owns it is a super nice guy and a good mechanic. There used to be another guy there who was also a good mechanic and he is gone. The new guy is very creepy and not so great – or at least doesn’t care as much.

Yesterday, I dropped my car off for an oil change and tire balance. Tire balance because I have been having issues w/ the car vibrating at high speeds and it’s not fun. So I pick my car up and drive off only to hear the sound of metal rubbing on metal coming from the right front. I can hear it clear as a bell. I hate it even more when I leave a place where my car was supposed to be fixed and it comes back with new problems!

So I take it right back and the new guy says he’ll check it out. I hear him taking the tires off and then banging on something – hard. Then he pulls it out and drives it up the road a bit and comes back and says I’m good to go. He said there was some loose rust on the BACK LEFT wheel (making metal noise) so he took care of that and he swapped the two front tires and that should take care of the pulling to the left. I wanted to say, Don’t bullshit me! Rust? Really? And how come you didn’t notice that when you were balancing the tires? Or did you notice and just figure I wouldn’t? And what the hell were you banging on? And don’t tell me you were trying to get the tire off because you just had the damn things off!! Or should have!

But, no, I’m such a loser. I said, Ok, thanks. And left. And it still vibrates at high speeds and it still pulls to the left, altho not as badly. Grrr. I’m going to talk to the owner and request that only he work on my car.

You know what else makes me mad? I sent E an email yesterday that said that it was the first time ever I’ve had to take my car back to this particular place (just to let him know something had been wrong). He didn’t even ask me about it when he got home. He talked and talked all about his day and golf and his friend’s new boat. And didn’t ask me about my day until I was going to bed. Nice.

Healthy Eating.

Recently, I made a conscious decision to not eat anything with aspartame in it. And, overall, I’m making an effort to stop eating fake stuff. I’m tired of low-fat/low-calorie/low-sugar and it’s all replaced with something not from nature that’s not so good for you. I just want to eat regular food, in moderation, and enjoy it.

I’ve been eating more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, organic food, etc. More than usual, that is, although the organic thing is fairly new. I decided to start trying different things to see how it tastes. I’m not dieting – I hate dieting anyway. I like having a healthy diet – as in, eating healthy foods – but not dieting.

And, the result of having a healthier, non-fake-food diet is that I’ve lost about 4 pounds so far. Yeah!

I’m not saying I’m giving up the pizza, iced chais, or ice cream, but everything in moderation, and everything a little healthier and a little closer to it’s natural state.

I just need to convince my co-worker that the 4-6 diet colas/day are not doing her any favors, and maybe it’s why she CAN’T lose weight.

Food, Bikes, and a Road Trip.

Not exactly sex, drugs, and rock and roll, but this weekend was very wonderful and relaxing and I loved it and wish I could have one every weekend.

I took Friday off. E and I met with the financial guy (small things) and a lawyer Friday morning. We are getting our powers of attorney in place – which, in itself, isn’t such a big deal. It’s the part about, if E’s on life support how does he want it handled? And the fact that I have to carry out his wishes. I get teary-eyed when I think about it, so moving right along.

Friday afternoon we left for the western side of the state. We arrived at our destination, checked into the hotel and then headed out for dinner at our favorite place there. Dinner did not disappoint. Then we went to the local brewery for some brews and live entertainment. The opening act was great – just a couple of guys and a couple of instruments. The main act wasn’t really my type of music, but the girl who sang AND played violin was very impressive. And the people-watching was very entertaining.

Saturday we went to the area race track where they were having a sport bike festival. E thought they might have more street bikes for sale, but it was more track time for those racing. So we didn’t bring home any new toys. I’m a little disappointed. I think it would be fun to have a motorcycle.

Afterwards we drove into another town for lunch and spent some time at the beach doing some more people-watching. We made it home by early evening. And I still had Sunday off to be absolutely lazy. Altho I did do some laundry and grocery shopping.

Today I ordered the books for my Spanish class. I start in two weeks. I waffle between being excited and thinking what the heck am I doing? I know it will be good for me either way. I need to give my brain a little exercise. I think Sudoku and crossword puzzles were getting old.

 

 

Are You Smarter Than a High School Graduate?

Question today from an 18-yr-old recent HS graduate:  So, is Russia really at war with, like, the state of Georgia?

Me: Noooo….

And then I pulled out my trusty world atlas and gave her a geography lesson. 

Yes, I did.

Something Stinks.

E and I have been hosting some visitors for the past few weeks.  We finally took some steps to encourage them to leave and it might be working.  E said that after messing around by the shed for a while, the one here finally wandered off into the neighbors’ yard.  Phew.  They can go find another place to stay.