Worth A Thousand Words

There have been some changes in my little world recently. I could go on and on, but aren't pictures better? Now don't get excited yet, I still plan to be a little bit wordy about each picture. Thought you were getting out easy huh?!

Charlie

Charlie is the newest addition to my little family. Toby has been really great about me being at work all day and him being home alone. But, sometimes, I just know he wishes there was more to do...I know this due to some bite marks and other naughtiness found around my house. So, because I was at the end of my rope with him, I decided to get him a friend to have for company. Enter Charlie...an adorable 10 week old kitten I rescued. Last night was his first night with us and after a few minutes of hissing and growling (yep, cats growl...who knew?) the boys settled right into a friendship. The played all night and were playing this morning when I got up. I think this is going to be the perfect solution!

Ike

Thankfully, any effects from Ike are starting to fade. I have my power, debris has been cleared away, and things are starting to return to normal. Despite all that, I wanted to go ahead and post a picture of the damage that happened around me. This tree is less than 100 feet from my front door. I was very lucky. As you can see, there was some minor flooding of the sidewalks. Also, that thing that looks like a big eye next to the roots is actually a part of the lamp post by my apartment. Ike hit very early Saturday morning and I took these pictures about mid morning Saturday. With the debris and such I probably shouldn't have been out walking around, but sometimes you just have to get a picture.

Wreck

When I went to the body shop to snap these pictures, I had a strange feeling. Perhaps it was because I was PMSing, overwhelmed by the prospect of buying a new car, or simply grateful that the car took the brunt of the accident instead of my body, but I was a little emotional about turning this car over to be totaled. I took all my things out of it and pulled off my two car magnet things and waved goodbye. This car was a good little car. It saw me through college, my first job, and always got me home safely when I ventured across the state to see my parents. While I'd been planning on getting a new car, I wasn't really ready to let this one go. But, looking on the bright side (see...I am trying) I wouldn't be able to get a new one until I got rid of this one. And I've decided that, while a little unnerving, the whole buying a car process excites me!

So there you go...my world in a few pictures.

For The Honk Of It

After all this time, you guys probably know just how easily amused I am. Usually that amusement comes from things I see or hear, but today I was totally amused by myself. Being able to laugh at yourself is a sign of a healthy self esteem...or so I'm told. Well, today I'm extremely healthy!

A few weeks ago, I had to have my car put in the shop (code words for I had to spend an exuberant amount of money...). I had originally decided to have it looked at because my horn had all but given up the ghost. Seriously, this would be the best post to make audible. I'm sure you'd be highly amused to hear me wheeze and whooo like my practically dead horn, but alas I'm not that technologically advanced. So, just imagine me sitting here making wheezey and whoooy noises. The replacing of the horn was needed so my car would pass inspection. Well, I am definitely going to pass inspection!

Today after school, I needed to run to the little mail shipping place I use to drop off a package. The box was kind of bulky so I didn't want to wag in more than necessary. I grabbed my purse (also kind of bulky) and set it against the steering wheel to dig out my checkbook. Now, pre-outrageous amount to fix car (can you tell I'm still a little bitter about the loss of that $680?) I could have sat on the horn and it wouldn't have made a peep. Well, post-fix the horn is how shall I say...sensitive. Apparently the edge of my purse was pressing against the center of the wheel. When I reached into the pocket to grab my checkbook I pressed a little too hard I guess.

Now, here is the part that just tickles my funny bone. I didn't realize it at the time, but there was another lady parked next to me that walking in front of my car at the exact moment I pressed a little too hard. My horn, now fully functional and loud, tooted big time. Startled, I looked up to see her jump and I guess I hit it because before I knew it the horn was going off...again. I couldn't get my purse off my lap fast enough. By that time, I was tickled by seeing her jump and then me jump and then that horn going off again.

I did manage to get out of the car, with my checkbook, and the box without further incident. I apologized to her once I got inside the building. Thankfully, she was super nice about it all! Even she joined in with a little chuckle of her own. She did say it was a good thing she's worn her Depends. You just have to like a woman that can laugh at the fact that she needs "leakage" protection!

If all that wasn't bad enough, on the way to my next stop I hit the horn again. Now, if you knew my family you would understand this total "Mimi moment". Several years ago, my Mimi had this van that must have been possessed. The horn would just go off at random times. No one ever wanted to ride in that thing, but it sure was funny when you did! So, needless to say, from here on out (or until this horn goes all wheezey and whoooy) I will make sure I'll watch exactly what I put against the wheel!

Show Me The Money

Ever have one of those days where you feel like everywhere you turn someone is demanding "Show me the money!"? Well, today was my day.

My car is a good little car and I try my best to take care of it, but today I had to take it to the shop. I went in for one little thing...the horn. See, when I got the car it had this sickening little wheeze of a horn sound. Well, after several years and just maybe one too many honks, it gave up the ghost. I also need to have the thing inspected and I knew that without the horn it wouldn't pass. So, how much could it cost to fix the horn? I wouldn't know, because it was also discovered that I needed a new headlight thing-a-mah-bob, the fuel filter and some plugs needed replacing, and the timing belt needed to be replaced. These guys are reputable and do outstanding work. My parents have used them for years, but when he said the total was $680 I just about fell out. That is more than my rent! More than my rent and cable and phone put together! I guess this is what savings accounts and rainy days are all about huh?

That was this morning.

As I mentioned before, I'm having to have my wisdom teeth extracted (sounds more dramatic!) this summer. Today was the pre-surgery consult. Well, the oral surgeon I'm using will file my insurance, but they don't accept it as payment. That means I shelled out $125 for the visit and the three second X-ray. I also found out that my bottom teeth are embedded in the jaw bone so the extraction will be a "bony extraction" which means I have to be put to sleep and the teeth have to be cut before they can be removed. I found out all kinds of scary stuff. Like, I'll be put to sleep. The surgery will take an hour and a half. Because of the position of my bottom wisdom teeth (they lay flat instead of standing up like good teeth) it will most likely being a swelling and painful recovery process. My doctor even said, "You'll probably be cussin' me for the first few days." Thanks, but that wasn't encouraging Doc. As if all that information wasn't enough...the receptionist laid the boom on me. The total (before insurance...which mine might yeah MIGHT cover only 80%) is $1645. Yeah you read that right.

I figured I'd better come home and stay put lest anyone else come find me and say I owed them money! Feel free to start a collection in my name. Okay okay I figured that one wouldn't go over, but please do send up thoughts and prayers that my insurance will cover the full 80%. My checking account and I would really appreciate it!

A Right Trial In The Kitchen Department

Remember a few weeks ago, my gracious neighbor put my new battery on my car in exchange for a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies? In theory that seemed so reasonable and easy to do. In actuality, well it was my usual kitchen disaster. Okay, perhaps the word disaster isn't quite right since the ultimate result was pretty sweet.

Saturday I picked out a recipe (www.foodtv.com was a huge help since oatmeal raisin cookies aren't in my recipe box) and checked to see what ingredients I'd need to buy. Yes, I picked the recipe that had the least ingredients...is that wrong? Anyway, after a quick trip to the local grocery store I had my oats and raisins and I was ready to go.

Along time ago, my mom taught me that you double check all ingredients and equipment before you start mixing to make sure that you have everything. Well, all I can say is thank goodness I checked. And that's when I discovered that I had the hand held part of the mixer but the beaters were mysteriously missing. How the heck am I supposed to cream the sugar and butter without the beaters?! This was almost enough to make me scrap the whole idea of cookies.

I didn't think I could put off this any longer...I mean I've been driving that car for several days and I figured he'd need some cookies soon too. So, I grabbed a whisk and decided I could cream anything if I beat it long enough. Off I started on those cookies. I was doing great until I came to the flour part of the recipe. I opened the canister and dipped in my measuring cup and came out with flour and some tiny moving things. What the heck? I'm not great in the kitchen but I'm pretty sure flour isn't enriched with bugs. I quickly dumped the whole canister of flour and took the trash out. Thankfully I had a bug free new bag of flour in the pantry.

At this point I was beginning to wonder if perhaps cookies were such a smart idea. No beaters and unexpected bugs (which my mom later clarified as weevils). But when you've got a bowl full of cinnamony oatmeal cookie batter you've got to follow through. I put in the first batch and prayed that they came out okay. Amazingly, the first batch came out and smelled pretty good. I let them cool and then gave them a taste test. They weren't bad so I kept baking.

Four batches later I had several dozen cookies cooled and ready to be delivered. I haven't heard anything back from him about the cookies but I didn't hear any ambulance sirens in the night either. I guess I shouldn't go on and on about what a bad cook I am (I mean I can cook) but it usually comes with some amusing story or the smoke alarm going off.

Now if you'll excuse me there is an oatmeal raisin cookie calling my name!

It's A Guy Thing...Right?!

Let me begin by saying that I mean no offense to those girls that kill their own bugs, know a spark plug from a sparkler, and remain completely calm in the face of minor home repair. Let me also say that I'm not that kind of girl! So, I truly admire you chicks.

Yesterday was a little bit of a no bueno day...starting with the fact that my car wouldn't start. Sitting in the car listening to the sound of nothing as I turned the ignition I immediately wished for a man...any man. A man seems to make those bug, sparking, and home repair situations so much more easier to deal with. Anyway, the battery was dead. Unfortunately not horror movie dead but really dead. Thanks to a sympathetic co-worker I made it to work on time and safely home with a new battery.

And even more importantly, the guy next door was willing to switch them out for me for the small price of a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies (I think I'll leave out the part about my cooking skills!). But, he did mention that I should replace the battery terminals. More specifically the hot end of the terminal.

Are you picturing how blank my face looked?!

Well, anyway I took myself down to the local Auto Zone after work and felt like I was entering some sacred man place. I must have had some awed expression on my face because the sales guy just smiled and asked if he could help. I told him that I needed the hot end of a battery terminal. Then he started to ask about the number of connectors and he lost me. I simply handed him my sassy girl sticky note and said this was all I knew. Hopefully I've gotten the right part.

So, my question (any guy feel free to answer!) is does car knowledge come along for the ride with that Y chromosome? I mean do guys "just know" or does someone teach them? Whatever it is I sure am glad guys have it and that they are willing to take some pity on girls that don't!