hospital chicken in the land of flat tires

"Okay, your vehicle is ready", he said with a smile.

"Thanks, uhm...", I looked at him expectedly, "I haven't paid yet"

"Right, we don't charge for fixing flats", he replied, still smiling.

I figured he was joking, so, "haha", followed by *pause*

"Need anything else today?", he queried.

Omigosh, he was serious.  I didn't owe anything.  Thank you, Discount Tire.  I'll be back.

I'd walked out to the parking lot to see my rear passenger side tire was flat - the silver head of a large screw nestled within the treads.  I called AAA because I can, and then set to work.  The friendly road-side assistor appeared relatively quickly.  By then, I had my car jacked up, lug nuts removed, and doughnut at the ready.  But the tire was not budging.  I asked if I was missing something.

"Oh, yeah, it's just rusted on there", he replied as he retrieved a primitive mallet from his toolbox.

He proceeded to perform a highly technical process of removing the flat tire - giving it a few good whacks with the mallet.  Soon I was on my way and stopped at Discount Tire where they (surprisingly) fixed and installed my flat tire for free even though I didn't buy the tire there.

This incident marked my third flat tire in two months.  Firstly, I discovered the front tire of my mountain bike was flat shortly after we moved.  That's a mystery to me since I hadn't ridden it in a few months, and it was fine when we packed up.  It went flat on the moving truck?

Oh well, fixed it and all's good.

Then last week, I had a flat on my commuter bike - first flat in the two and a half years and who knows how many miles.  Oh well, fixed it and all's good. I'm hoping that's the end of the flat tires for a while.  Does Fort Collins just have an unnatural amount of sharp road crap?

In other news, I started a part-time job last week working in the culinary department of a small hospital.  I'm enjoying it, it's fun, and my coworkers are a talented and friendly bunch. There is potential to progress to bigger things, so we'll see. 

For now, I appreciate the opportunity and the ability to cut back on the tutoring, which I've been doing since 2008.  The burnout is real.

cruising with Pablo

Wolfgang has left the nest.  Again.

He'd been living back at home since last summer while considering his employment options.  He had an engineering internship that continued after he graduated last spring, but he wasn't really feeling the love for a long term position at the company.

But at least they have a fun bowling team and an annual chili cook-off...

In the meantime, he's been living the good life of free room and board at our place while perusing job openings and such.  He landed a position at a firm a couple of hours away from us, secured an apartment, and move-in day was yesterday.

Wolfgang rented a U-haul and got all packed up, but one issue remained.  What to do with Pablo?

Pablo is Wolfgang's lovable 1989 Toyota 4-speed pickup.  He's a spunky little reliable truck that has been a faithful companion for two or three years.  He hasn't spent a lot of time on the highway, however.

Pablo - stud

Luckily, it's spring break for me, and Magnum also had yesterday off.  We could help Wolfgang move - yipee.  After considering some options, we decided that Wolf would drive the U-haul, Magnum would drive Ellie Mae (our awesome Honda Element), and it would be Pablo and me to round out the convoy.

Honestly, I had my misgivings.  How would Pablo do on such a long (for him) trip?  What about Monument Hill?  All those sustained RPMs?

We got the U-haul loaded up and headed out, with me checking to make sure I had my AAA card handy...

But that little chicken truck?  He was AWESOME!

He just hummed along - up Monument Hill, hardly needing a breath.  Through the crap traffic of Denver, then further up the open road to the new home.  I could almost feel his joy of the wind in his hair!(?)

I was alone with Pablo for the trip, and he was loud.  He was loud because he was built before sound insulation was much of a consideration for cars.  Even with the windows rolled up, I could hear the wind rushing past us and the sounds of other cars going by.  It was way cool!

But I could also hear Pablo's engine, it was happily purring the whole way, not a sputter to be heard.  At about 50 miles from our destination, I saw the odometer roll over to 188K miles.  The trip only used a quarter of a tank.

with Pablo -
the first to arrive at the destination

We got Wolfgang all moved in and stocked him up with a few groceries and such.  It's a nice new beginning, and I'll miss having Pablo... er... Wolfgang around.

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Linking up with Mama Kat for the prompt:

6. Write about the last thing that surprised you

a mountain, a sweatlodge, and a sacrificial deer

First, we had to wait for Wolfgang to run up a mountain...

FREE official photo

Last Saturday was the annual running of the Pikes Peak Ascent.  Thirteen miles up the mountain.  (The marathon - up and then back down - was run on Sunday).


This was Wolfgang's third time doing the race, and he managed a new PR of a very respectable 3 hours 15 minutes, being the first of his buddies to finish and taking 6th in his age group











Eventually, his two friends crossed the finish line, and they all got off the mountain.  In the meantime, we'd been packing up the van for our trip north to the eclipse.  We made it out late Saturday afternoon, arriving in Chugwater rest area late that night.  Good ol' Chugwater.

It wasn't much further to Manters Camp, so we had most all of Sunday to play around and explore after we set up the large tent and got our campsite humming.  All of us except for Chaco, who somehow managed to get a decent sleep at Chugwater, needed a siesta.

We napped in the tent, not realizing that we hadn't removed the outer coverings of our windows, so the breeze did NOTHING.  We awoke in pools of our own sweat.  I just decided to refer to it as Sweatlodge time rather than naptime.  Supposed to be healthy, right?

Thusly refreshed, we trekked out to the surrounding boonies and found a real pretty getaway spot.  As it happened, Wolfgang had a gimpy foot that he'd injured while training for the Ascent, and the foot was really whining after running the thing.

As such, we didn't traipse around as much as we might have so as to not "leave the cripple behind".  Still, Chaco got in a bit of a climbing fix

Spot him?

That tippy top scared me, but I got close.


We were in an area of national forest and  broke out our camp cookware and ended up having our dinner there and just hanging out.

By the time we'd cleaned up and packed up, it was nightfall...  *foreboding music goes here*










Chaco was driving the country road back to our campsite, about 10 miles away.  Suddenly, a deer went scampering across the road in front of us.  Immediately, I thought,

"Hmmm, usually where there's one, at least one more is behind it"

Yup

We got him.  The sound was horrible.  I was pretty sure he was dead since we hit him just as he was emerging onto the road - in the head.  Chaco pulled right over to inspect the van and to make sure the deer wasn't suffering.

As expected, it looked like the deer had died instantly - hardly any blood.  His body lay "peacefully" parallel to and alongside the road, facing behind us.  I'm pretty sure we hit him in the head, and he spun around.

He took our passenger side headlight with him, but didn't damage the engine and only left a couple of small dents in the side door.

A clearer view in the morning,
after the late night duct tape job

We'll have to have the panel surrounding the headlight fixed before we can repair the light, but all in all, the damage was pretty minimal.

After we returned home, I took the van to the shop for an oil change and a once over.  As I explained the deer incident to the service guy, a young man in the waiting area chimed in.

"That happened to me once!  I wasn't sure if it was an elk or a moose, so I called it a 'melk'!"

So I replied, "Oh.  Yeah?"

I mean, what else do you say?

driving miss hazey

First of all, I want to wish a Happy Father's Day to all the good dads out there!

I know it's really another Hallmark holiday, but it is nice to take a moment to appreciate our dads.  I had a wonderful dad and can't imagine growing up without him, but I know that's not the case for everyone.

And my years spent working in a hotel restaurant demonstrated the contrast between Mother's Day and Father's Day.  Mother's Day brunch was a huge affair while  Father's Day consisted of our manager saying "Happy Father's Day!" over the PA system, then handing out cigars to the guys quietly drinking coffee.  So a shout out to good dads!

On another note, y'all know I've been teaching Meego to drive, and we got a gently used manual transmission civic for that purpose a couple of months ago.  He's been doing well, and yesterday, he completed the Master Drive skills course.

This is really a great program, and I recommend it or something like it to anyone who has a new driver in the family.  Chaco and Wolfgang also completed it, and I immediately noticed improvements in their skills and confidence behind the wheel.

The skills course teaches how to deal with unexpected conditions -  obstacles, accidents, bad road conditions, etc.  They learn responsive techniques for steering, braking, and getting out of slides.  They experience what it feels like to lose control of the car during hydroplaning or sliding on ice, and what it feels like when the ABS engages, all under the watchful eyes of knowledgeable, friendly coaches.








The class lasts all day - most of it spent behind the wheel - and culminates in an afternoon "graduation".  Just prior to receiving their certificates, the new drivers take parents for a demo drive.





I made a short video to summarize our ride with Meego.  You can't really see them in the video, but there are lights along the course that flash suddenly and randomly to simulate some sort of unexpected situation, and the drivers are to respond accordingly.  As a passenger, it feels a lot like a carnival ride.

On a side note, Wolfgang and Meego commented that my video editing resembles "an elementary school video project".  Well, I reminded them that I didn't have video projects in elementary school, so I'm making up for lost time.

All aboard!






 .

something to admire

Remember when I logically predicted that this would be MY year?  My fave number is 13, I started this year - 2013 - by getting 13th place in a race, then I turned around and won a buncha groceries mainly because I didn't want to clean my house.  Add to those things our freshly acquired no-named black cat, and I'm the luckiest girl around!

But wait!  There's more!

I broke a mirror.  YES!  Oh, I absolutely maimed it!

It was a couple of weeks ago.  We'd had a snow day that day.  By the evening, I was delirious with cabin fever and ventured out into the blizzard only to get into a nasty car crash!

No I didn't.

I went out to run a quick errand, and when I returned home I clipped the driver's side mirror on the driver's side garage.  WHAT?!  STU-pid!  I  BLAME  THE  WEATHER.

I have never, in 33 or so years *COUGH* as a driver, had so much as a scrape / scratch / fender bender.   Okay, I've killed a couple of batteries and once took out a Sonic tray with a truck.  But other than THAT stuff...

Alas, there it was, the mirror, or rather, pieces of the mirror scattered about the garage floor.  For the past two weeks, it's been held in place with duct tape, rounding out a nice White Trash ensemble for the Civic.  But today, that all came to an end.  I took her to The Shop.  The duct tape masterpiece was removed, and we have a boring factory mass produced driver's side mirror again.

The luck just keeps a-piling up!  As more proof of that, of our vehicles that actually have mirrors, this was the cheapest to fix.

How lucky is that, right!?  It's already working!!

.

gettin' some!

Let it you-know-what!  We woke up this morning to  this white fluffy stuff.  I'd almost forgotten what it looked like.

Not a major dumping, but more than a dusting too, so we'll take it.

I also had to jog my memory to remember what one wears in such weather when one is a crossing guard (who strangely refers to oneself as "one"?).  I remembered the leggings-under-the-jeans at the last minute, and it would've been annoyingly uncomfortable had I forgotten.

In related sad/suspicious news, June informs me that her awesome leopard patterned earmuffs have gone a-missing.  Hers too now!?  Clearly, there's some sort of crossing guard earmuff theft ring afoot!  I've pretty much given up hope of ever finding mine, but the trail for June's is still warm - pun intended?

As I worked my post, I noticed a bit of slipping, sliding, and fish-tailing.  The crosswalk is on an east/west hill, with the little pedestrians commuting north/south.  Each time a pack crossed, my mantra to the cars coming down the hill was please-stop-please-stop-please-stop-please-stop... moreso than usual.  They thankfully managed to do that.

No sooner had I thawed out, that I had to pick Meego up for a Heavenly Orthodontist run.  Broken retainer wire - had to take it to the "shop".  I'm glad to say that The Element, which has yet to have much winter-driving tests, did fabulously.  Ate those slippery, snowy hills and laughed at them!

Okay, there may have been a little booty-shaking in some spots, but I assure you, that was on purpose.

Whee!  Let it snow!
.

like a hillbilly

I was with her Monday evening.  Just seemed like another typical Monday.  Until the drive home.

She wasn't feeling quite herself.  I'd planned to stop for gas anyway so we pulled in to a station where she proceeded to expel all kinds of fluids.  Yeesh.

We were only about a half mile away from my house, so I urged her to get that far, and then we could better see what was what.  What a trooper.  She made it up the hill, and just after I pulled into the driveway, she passed out.

I'd never seen her like that before.  She was usually so full of life and energy.  But I had to admit, she's not as young as she used to be.

The next morning, I called the ambulance to come get her.  I watched as she was loaded onto the gurney and driven away.  A few hours later, I got the diagnosis.  It's pretty bad as expected, but not terminal.  She should be home in a couple of days.

We've had that Subaru for 13 years now.  I remember when we got her, mainly because I was preggars with Meego at the time, and I remember the yummy lunch.  But still, she's been a good car.  She's gotten us through some dicey winter road conditions. She taught both Chaco and Wolfgang how to drive a stick, taking plenty of bruising and grinding along the way.

Watching her get loaded onto the "wrecker" (what a name) was a sad event.  She seemed embarrassed at being unable to move under her own power, hoping the neighbor cars wouldn't see.

Driving isn't something I particularly enjoy.  I just do it for practical purposes, preferring a bicycle to a car most of the time.  But since I drive so little, I want the vehicles I do spend my time in to be good ones.  That Subaru and I have some history.

In my driveway is an oil stain from Monday night.  She left a trail all the way up the road from the gas station, but she got me home rather than leave me stranded.

And up through the ground came a bubblin crude. 

Oil that is, black gold, Texas tea. 

I was like Jed Clampett, but not in a good way.
.

Gentlemen,... don't start

A small woman in a red car beckoned me while I was with China on her beauty walk this morning.

"Kin soup?", she asked.  At least I think that's what she asked.  

"Wha?", I replied

"Kin soup?", she said once again. Aha, I was right.  Using my super powers of translation, I correctly translated this to

"Excuse me.  You look like a friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful person.  Can you please tell me how to get to King Soopers (supermarket)?"

The gears in my head began to spin.  I calculated that there were, in fact, three King Soopers equidistant from the exact spot we were at.  As I contemplated which one would be easiest to direct the small woman to, she interjected

"Dry lice?"

Oh!  Well, this threw an entirely different wrench into the situation.  I adeptly translated to 

"I'm actually looking for the driver's license place.  I was told it was near King Soopers".

There is no DMV anywhere near any of the equidistant King Soopers.  There is, however, a nearby DMV located in an Albertsons (another supermarket) shopping center.  I then attempted to direct the small woman there.

"YOU  NEED  TO  GO  TO  ALBERTSONS!",  I shouted, because we all know that shouting the English language makes it more understandable to those who aren't fluent.  

I continued on with directions to Albertsons, all the while gesticulating exaggeratedly.

"Take THIS ROAD to RESEARCH PARKWAY!  Then go RIGHT!  KEEP  GOING until you see AL  BERT  SONS!"

All the while, the small woman was mirroring my gesticulations - etching it all into her brain.  

"There's a DRIVER'S  LICENSE  PLACE there!".   

To which she replied, "Thank you so much.  Enjoy the walk with your beautiful and patient dog", or close enough.  I honestly didn't have much confidence in the outcome.

What made the whole thing kind of eerie, though, was that I was thinking of the DMV just prior to this exchange.  I need to make plans to go there for Wolfgang to get his license.  

He's had all of his required driving, etc. completed for a quite a while, we just hadn't gotten around to his driving test.  We finally did that yesterday, now we must go to the loathsome DMV.  

HE thinks he will borrow our cars willy nilly to go have good times with the buddies.  WE think he will mainly be Meego's chauffeur and resident gopher, thereby filling Chaco's recently vacated exalted position.  

Either way, we must first deal with the DMV.  The one near AL BERT SONS!  can't accomodate us either. No, we must go to the sleazy one for new dry lice.  

I need motivation.

.

the thing what happened

CRIPES it's cold this morning!  Wind.  Blowing snow.  I felt that wind all the way through my windpants AND my Miley Cyrus leggings.  Hug a crossing guard if you come across one today.

Speaking of snow, there was that little run-in with the law over the weekend...

We were returning home after a nice time in the big city, and I felt him before I saw him.  I was driving the rocking van - Chaco and Wolfgang are NOT insured to drive it, do you know what insurance premiums are for 18 and 16 year-old males?!?  Anyway, I felt this dark sinister SUV sort of sidle up beside me, like it's going to pass.  Instead, it pulls back and falls in behind me.

I check my rear view and say to myself, "Frick it's a cop!" all the while exuding an outward calm.  More specifically, it's a county Sherrif's deputy in a dark sinister SUV.  The lights come alive and start a-flashin'.

I signal to indicate that I intend to pull over, but I know I have to stall.  I tell Magnum, "We're being pulled over, you know what to do".  Instantly, he springs into action and checks the hidden compartments in the door panels.  Then he efficiently disperses the extra loose bags of cocaine to each of the kids, and they adeptly tuck them into their properly pre-determined orifices.  Well trained, they are.  Once I'm confident that the contraband is properly secured, I slow to a stop on the shoulder.  I put on my boring housewife persona while watching in the rear view as the deputy approaches.

Okay that last paragraph?  It didn't really happen much like that.  It was more just me slowing and pulling over while various earbuds began popping out with everybody saying, "Why we stopping?"  It's just that this story is, in reality, quite boring and a little embarrassing, hence the embellishment...

The deputy, he was very Bruce Willis.  Think tough-looking and hairless.  He speaks through the passenger window and tells us that our registration sticker is expired SINCE   *COUGH*  AUGUST. 

He takes my license and the van registration and returns to the dark sinister SUV.  I know precisely the database he is checking.  I am, after all, a woman of the law.  Well, a highly sporadic volunteer at best, but still. 

He returns and tells us he's confirmed that our registration is up-to-date, but we really need to put the sticker on.  Next time, it will be a $95 fine. 

The remainder of the drive is uneventful, and once we get home, Magnum thoroughly adheres the registration sticker that's been in the kitchen basket SINCE *COUGH* AUGUST.  Then, he does similar with the registration sticker for the Subaru.  *sigh*

With that, we invite the neighbors and all of their kids over for a wild night of narcotics.  No one has slept since Friday.
.

to be continued...

I was back to the DMV today.  This time, we set a new P.R. of just over 4 hours.  Good times.

I was there with Chaco and crazy Meego, who decided he'd come along even after having experienced the last not-so-long-ago visit with Wolfgang.  Chaco's had all of his "prework" for his license completed for a while now, we'd just been putting off the DMV for the final step.  Today, we bit the bullet.

While there and waiting, I decided to get a new tattoo:

It reads:  "ME  DMV  4 EVER"  with a little passion flower, just above the left knee.  I just needed something to remember the day by (that and I was extremely bored and the stationery store next door to the DMV had a sale on pens).

Weird things happen at the DMV.
.

today, we take the battle to them *

We deposited a ready Wolfgang off at his second phase of driving school this morning. Him and the car.

He did the classroom portion, passed the written test, spent 3 lovely hours at the DMV to get his permit, now it's on to round 2:  the "Skills Course", or as I adoringly call it, the "Crash Course".



He gets to learn crash avoidance, controlling a skid, the hand-to-hand feed, the slip-and-grip, all kinds of things over the next two fun filled days.

Our car is a manual transmission and I've been learning him the finer points of driving such a thing over the past few days.  We pulled up amid a few wimpy minivans, some crossovers... some kid is in a Hummer.  No worries.

Our Subaru Outback is ready to take them all on.  Pardon the attitude, but recall that I just saw "Transformers 3".

As I pulled the car into the ready position for the start of class, I heard one of the instructors comment, "Op, we got us a clutch". 

I handed the keys to Wolfgang, "From here on, the fight is yours...**"

* Optimus Prime
** same guy
.

what about the van?

We're planning a little road trip. Nothing major, just a getaway to have it officially feel like summer.

So as I brush the cobwebs off of our big butt van, I'm thinking it needs a little personality. The best road trip vehicles are vans, of course, and the more personality the better.

Our van is just your basic monocolored Econoline. No curtains, no Christmas lights, no outer embellishments.

Maybe it needs a little customization to make it more roadtrip worthy?

Any suggestions? I was thinking maybe...

Or how about...

Okay, maybe not.

.

Silverliningness Sunday

First of all, Happy Spring everyone! Even though we got hit with a snowstorm and temperatures in the teens, I DON'T CARE. The guy on the radio said that spring officially began yesterday at 11:30-something, and I'm going with it!



"generic bird of spring"

With the arrival of spring coincides spring break for the kids. As I previously mentioned, we have no biggie plans, but it's nice to have a break from the usual day-to-day.

On the work front, I finished off one class and started another this week. The class that just started is one of high school kids. While I've private tutored many a high school kid, this is actually my first classroom-full. All my other classes have been grad students, and these high schoolers are a real fun bunch - even when in a pack. Who knew?!

Meego's parent/teacher conference was positive, and that's typical for him. Conferences for Chaco and Wolfgang are optional, and we felt no need to confer this quarter for either of them. "Uneventful" can be a good thing.

We all know that I'm not a fan of driving, and this week, I'm thankful I didn't get stuck in any traffic jams. The week prior, I got stuck in two such jams, so I'm thankful for a traffic jamless week.

It's sunny and 40 degrees right now. I'm going out to play.
.

Silver Liningness part X

Good morning to all and Sundry on this Sunday!

Another wonderful week providing much to be thankful for has passed. Roll 'em!

The week started with a lovely hike last Sunday. Magnum found a trail we've never stepped on before, so we went and stepped on it.

Magnum and Wolfgang on Spruce Mountain.

Thirty Eight Point Seven. THIRTY EIGHT POINT SEVEN. 38.7. Thirty eight and seven tenths. <---that's the miles per gallon that new-to-us little Honda is getting. Told you I love her.

Remember how I said we've started to teach classes online at work? Remember how I said I've been training? Welp, I completed the training and started doing it this week. Here's the inspiring view - taken with my webcam - that the students see of me:

What do you think? Makes you want to go move mountains doesn't it!

Okay, so I actually just snapped that picture a couple of minutes ago. And I haven't done much today rather than slog out of bed, eat some breakfast type stuff and sip half a cup of coffee. Serious bed head going on.

And in real life, I use a backdrop to cover the lovely room behind me. It's so cool! Teaching right here from the Man Cave. And I get to kick all of the men folk out!

Meego's class did a music program this week. It was the typical elementary-kids-on-the-stage-for-about-a-half-hour kind of music program. It was cute though, I suppose, if you had a kid up there. Meego seems to be sloughing off some of his shyness and getting into things now that he's a big time fourth grader.

Yesterday, we drove up to Denver to visit the much hyped 8-acre corn maze. I recall a smaller corn maze we visited years ago and got thoroughly lost in. Looking forward to another survival adventure, we found the much hyped 8-acre corn maze to not be much *COUGH* of a challenge. Okay, so like the cornstalks were about 4 ft. tall or shorter! Oh well, it was still kind of fun, making fun of it and all...
.

Silver Liningness, part VII

My cup runneth over!!

....No, really, anyone got a napkin handy? I just spilt some coffee...

Oh, but seriously, it's been another silver-lined week. Let's review, shall we?

Firstly, recall last weekend that I mentioned we were quite resolute about getting a second commuter car. Well, here she is! Isn't she cute?

It's not exactly an action shot. I just wandered into the garage a few minutes ago to catch this pic of her while she's sleeping. Absolutely NO frills '01 Honda Civic.

The trusty big-butt van has been relieved of its commuter duties and is back to RV status. It now resides in the backyard with our trailer. We finally have the white trash backyard we've strived for all these years.

Work is fun. I had some training last week. We've begun teaching classes online. How cool! I can teach right from here in the Man Cave! I will complete my training shortly, and yesterday, I picked up my flashy smlashy company provided WebCam. TOYZ!!

On a related note, I also kicked off another class yesterday. This one is the old fashioned, live OFFline version. Another nice group of students to bust down so I can build them up..

Remember that house for rent next door? Someone moved in yesterday! I have yet to meet them, but there was lots of activity with people and truckloads of stuff moving in. This could be good. This could be bad. Stay tuned.

.

the thing what happened

So we all know that Chaco is learning to drive, thus he's the designated driver around here. He circles like a vulture, waiting for some errand that needs to be run. If one is discovered, he gleefully assumes the position in the driver's seat while the designated parent and/or legal guardian rides outwardly patient at shotgun while inwardly having a massive cardiac event.

One thing he hasn't quite mastered is getting the vehicle back into the garage. Yes, we actually keep our vehicles in the garage. Furthermore, we back them in, Fire Engine style, so as to drive them out frontwardly, Fire Engine style.

This can be a tricky manuever for anyone, let alone, a novice driver. Chaco did make an attempt once, when there was no other car in the garage. He succeeded in cracking the full-length mirror that adorns the back wall of our garage. Yes, we have a full length (that's wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling) mirror on the back wall of our garage... but that's another story.

These fretful excursions typically end with Chaco backing into the driveway, followed by a Chinese firedrill of sorts as the parent and/or legal guardian takes over for the backing-into-the-garage-duties.

Flashback to an evening last week. I was out teaching a class. An errand was run. A changing of seating arrangements took place in the driveway. Car keys were locked in the car with the engine running. Mayhem ensued.

I had the only other key to the car. My cell phone was off. I can only imagine the scene.

Eventually, they managed to break into the car, but before that happened, they searched around for the possibility of a spare key. A spare key that maybe I had stashed someplace. They rifled through all of my STUFF!

To this day, I am still finding my... my... my... treasures... strewn about in the frenzied wake! My jogbra section of the dresser! My secret stash of batteries! (wouldn't you like to know) My little box of special jewelry! My girl stuff!

I feel so violated.

"We know all your secrets now", Magnum told me afterwards.

I'm thinking maybe they made that whole story up about the car....
.

Silver Liningness, Vol. 2, part 2

It's all grey and overcast outside. A little misty. Like one big cloud from horizon to horizon. Perfect setting for silver liningness!(?)

Hard to believe that August is already coming to an end. The kids are well established into the school year now it seems. Had a back-to-school nite thing at Meego's school. I'm getting the vibe that it will be a good year for all of the kiddos.

Just yesterday, I kicked off another LSAT class. It's always nice to start another round with new fresh-faced law student wannabes. They all seem nice. Hopefully the feeling is mutual.

On that note, there was a parade going on downtown not far from where I was teaching yesterday. It was a Welcome Home/Military Appreciation parade for our local troops. I was giving the class a test after we had discussed not letting ambient noise and other things distract their focus, when along came three F-16's in formation to thoroughly buzz our classroom! What timing! It reminded me that I am thankful for our military. And thanks to those pilots for helping with yesterday's lesson. Twice!

Speaking of lessons, Chaco is coming along nicely with the driving. He's pretty much got his clutch/gas coordination thing down and is able to drive me around to run errands now. I think he takes pride in knowing how to drive a stick when he knows adults who don't have it. Yesterday's excursion featured hydroplaning potential, poor visibility, malfunctioning traffic lights, and a particularly bad driver in a parking lot. Chaco, I, and the car all survived!

We have a new dentist (oh boy!). Our insurance provider changed, so we needed to find another and did so. Someone right in the neighborhood. Magnum went last week and gives them good reviews. He's getting a crown that he's needed for a while. A gold one ("so I can harvest it from your body if you die before I do"). This is his first crown. I, on the other hand, have had 6 crown procedures in regards to the 3 crowns currently in my head. This makes me still and forever The Queen.
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in cars

It's Monday morning. Our car's in the shop.

I took it in last Friday because Magnum said it was vibrating (ooooooh) and pulling to the right when he applied the brakes. See, I rarely drive. I just take care of all the vehicle maintenance. So if he breaks something notices that something is awry, I make the appointment, bring it in, etc.

It supposedly needs new brake rotors, oh, and a couple of transmission bu$$hing$$.

In the meantime we have this grandma loaner car - no offense meant to actual grandmas. It's a white Oldsmobile sedan, so basically, it has absolutely NO personality. Oh well, I rarely drive.

And I mentioned in the previous post that we're also shopping for a cheapo beater car. Why, if I rarely drive, is so much effort going into automobiles? Well, Magnum's office recently moved. He used to work about a mile away from home, so he typically walked or rode his bike to work. Now he's about 20 miles away, so he drives - in a carpool - but he still needs to tow the line when it's his turn to do so.

I think I've mentioned here before that, if not for the kids, I probably wouldn't even own a car as I consider myself a bicycle commuter first, reluctant licensed driver second. Maybe Magnum and I would just have one car between us. But that "if" is pretty irrelevant since we have 3 kids. And Chaco just recently got his learner's permit. He is to log at least 50 hours of driving practice within the next year, and it's become very apparent that it's hard to practice driving when there is no car around.

Our other vehicle is a big butt econoline van, purchased mainly for road trips, and not conducive to learning to drive unless at bus driver school.

So we're perusing the want ads. There are some real pieces of crap out there. I can buy a car for less than what I paid for one of my bicycles. I can buy a car for less than what I'm about to pay the shop that's fixing our Subaru. I can buy a car for less than what my students pay just for their online access.

Many remind me of my first car. A truck actually.

Aah, the memories. And what a great personality.

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