Our little adventure: Celebrate Monday with a story

 

Well...............it wouldn't be a good story without a photo.

So. There's the photo. My children had a week break from school last week. (Fall break all ready? They started Aug 5) I load them into the car to go to Grandma's house, a day’s drive away. We are driving a 13 year old Saturn Wagon with 178,000 miles on it. We made it through the mountains with no problem. On the way down the mountain, I get dash board lights. Battery, thermometer and coolant level. I call my DH, he says "pull over". Just in time, a truck parking area shows up. Perfect.

I pull over and he uses his google-fu to assess the problem. He thinks it is a blown fuse. He patiently walks me through checking the fuses after I text him a photo of the fuse box. (my phone fritzs out and we use DS's phone to finish the job) It's not a fuse. It is cooled off enough for me to check coolant level. Full. Crap. (poop) He says get back on the road, let's see what happens. I get back on the highway, temperature gage back up to hot and now- no power steering. He says, "get back off the highway." At this point I've exited and turned around. We pull off and stop at the truck parking on the other side. We decide I should call Geico, he thinks it is a fan belt.

I call, wait 2 hours for a tow. It is now 5:00 pm. Tow truck driver (with a flat bed!) loads up the car and heads us into the nearest town, bringing us to the dealership that dispatched him. Great guy, courteous, clean and friendly. The dealership GIVES me a loaner and points me to a hotel. I negotiate the room rate by calling the hotel down the street for a rack rate and then calling back as I sit in the other hotel's parking lot. Success! $8 below the military rate with free wi-fi and hot breakfast.

The next day? They don’t even look at the car until 1:00 pm after I phoned three times to inquire about it. I finally showed up and had a little discussion with the service manager. At 1:30, he phones me and tries to charge me for 3 hours of labor for a job that involves removing a few bolts and replacing a belt and a tentioner. When my husband phones? The price is suddenly much lower. Classy. Overcharge a stranded woman with two kids. We finally did make it home on Tuesday after spending most of the day sitting in the public library. (don’t forget about the library when you need to kill time in a strange place!) What an exercise in patience!

__________________

How do we do it?

I got an email this morning from one of the women who helped raise me. She was concerned as I hadn’t updated the blog for a few weeks. I started a new job at the beginning of August and I am still figuring out how to juggle everything. I’m not quite sure how my mom went back to college, got another degree and then taught Kindergarten. She didn’t have the resources I had, but she did have good friends to help her.

I started thinking about the things that make my life a bit more manageable—perhaps I should let you in on them?

1. e-mealz- this is a menu planning and recipe resource, each week I get a new menu based on what is on sale at the store that I choose. I pay $15 for three months of this service. I hit the store once each week so I save money as well. I’ve completely eliminated the “what’s for dinner?” issue at 5:00 each night.

2. Jazzercise—I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. Jazzercise keeps me in shape, gives me bonding time with other women, introduces me to new music and reduces my stress level. I’m healthier and happier. This is one hour a few times each week, just for me!

3. Motivated Moms- this is a downloadable household organization checklist type thing, it turns housework into a “get it done” situation, little brain required. I find this especially helpful as I have less time at home to get stuff done.

4. Facebook- hokey, I know. I love being able to check on friends and family all in one place. I might not have lots of time, but I do at least get a heads up on birthdays. I also have a good idea of who might need some support or encouragement.

Do you have any other resources that make your life easier?

August 12 of 12 Layout

Just in the nick of time----I finished it, but forgot to post it. Don’t forget: Sunday is the 12th!

 

A funny from my email in-box

I try really hard not to forward emails to everyone. This landed in my in-box from my friend, Jen. She and I have been known to polish off red wine by the bottle, but this one involves margaritas! This weekend, I’ll take an appropriate photo for this!

 

Important women's health issue.

Do you have feelings of inadequacy?
Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by the world?
Do you suffer from shyness or awkwardness in some situations?
Do you feel tired and overworked?
Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Margaritas.
Margaritas are the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions. 

Margaritas can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about anything.

You will notice the benefits of Margaritas almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live.  Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you
had.
Stop suffering and start living, with Margaritas.

Margaritas may not be right for everyone.

Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Margaritas.

However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or
becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.

Side effects may include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Incarceration
- Loss of motor control
- Loss of clothing
- Loss of money
- Loss of virginity
- Table dancing
- Headache
- Dehydration
- Dry mouth
- And a desire to sing Karaoke
WARNINGS:
- The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you are whispering when you are not.
- The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.
- The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to think you can sing.
- The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you can logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting.

365: August 30

Aaron brought me outside this morning to catch the beautiful Southern sky!

365: August 29

 

We’ve enjoyed our visit, time for my folks to head home. Be careful!

365: August 28

The boys hit the range with Max’s gift from Papa. Heaven help us, Aaron is a decent shot as well. I think we’ll be spending a bit of time here!

365: August 27

We told him “no cell phone until you are 13”. He was so surprised to get it a year early. The jury is still out on how smart this was, but he is really responsible and I think he’s ready. Happy Birthday buddy, we love you!

365: August 26

New accessory that is being sported on all exterior doors. Aaron has been sleepwalking. I woke up at 3:30 in the morning to the sound of the garage door. He was in the neighbor’s yard before I caught him. Scary.

365: August 25

He’s a blur. Aaron got a new bike for his birthday.

365: August 24

Another homework perspective.

365: August 23

My baby is 9. NINE. He was barely seven pounds and now he’s Nine. sigh.

365: August 22

The P-U’s are here for the upcoming birthday festivities!

365: August 21

The local gals showed up to scrapbook today. A great time was had by all of us!

365: August 20

Fish tacos with avocado and tequila infused sour cream. Mmm!

365: August 19

photo also missing, it’s been a busy month- will find it!

365: August 18

My husband spent part of August 18 connecting with an old friend. It’s nice to know that Randy is alive and well, we’ve missed him!

365: August 17

Flat worn out from school.

365: August 16

Photo missing, will have to find it!

365: August 15

Bacon on the bar pan again! This is the easiest way to cook it, let the bar pan cool, but don’t let the grease solidify. It’s an easy peasy clean up job!

365: August 14

The dogs don’t like mustard!

365: August 13

Dan has taken to posting on FB while I’m at work!

365: August 12

 

I’ll get the 12 of 12 layouts up soon, but here’s a little preview. I’m still in training for food service and get to wear the lovely white polo shirt that shows every splatter and spot from the kitchen. I always seem to miss the apron!  Once I get a permanent position, I go to a blue shirt.

365: August 11

 

We’ve had 53 consecutive days over 90 degrees, not that I’m complaining-----don’t have to shovel sunshine. I am grateful for central A/C!

365: August 10

A happy accidental, he moved photo. I want his eyelashes!

365: August 9

My morning. Now I can have my Bailey’s in the morning in my favorite coffee cup!

365: August 8

Ron White has a bit in his routine about the smoke detector and his wife’s cooking. When the smoke detector goes off, he knows that dinner is done. We like to cook bacon on the bar pan in the oven, but it sets the alarm off when we remove it from the oven! When this happens, Aaron comes flying from wherever he is in the house saying “Dinner’s ready!” We wave the hot pads in front of the alarm, hence this photo!

365: August 7

Dan can squirrel watch from the back of Max’s chair. Bailey is not allowed at the table during meals (he likes to sit on my lap), but Dan gets away with this. The youngest one is always spoiled!

365: August 6

My husband makes a mean bowl of chicken noodle soup. When we were in Ontario, all the kids that happened to be in the house would devour the whole pot!