cars

7-20-09

Where do I start?????

Let’s start with my eye. My right eye is infected. I went to the doc and he gave me some drops which I would have hoped would have made it even a little better by today, but quite honestly, I have not seen much improvement. It is still red, oozy and puffy. It also goes through periods where is feels like I have something in my eye. Ouch! It is really sucky, too, since I will be on the computer today, and truly, I have one eye. I know a headache is imminent.

My Friday afternoon was hectic, but good. I left work at noon so that I could run by the PT and look for some warranty paperwork, get down to the doctor for my eye, get to the car rental place to return the car, and then walk home. When I got home, I cleaned the kitchen and took a shower, and went to get the boys. I was going to clean more thoroughly, but I gave up. The reason for the cleaning? I mean aside from the house needed cleaning. Stephanie was coming over with Sabrina, and we were leaving Ken in charge of the munchkins while we went out for dinner!

We determined this was our first outing sans kids with one another, which is funny, really. We went to Acapulco, and had some drinks and grub. There margaritas are pretty weak sauce. I had a big ol raspberry one, and didn’t even get a buzz. I switched to Morgans and Coke and was much happier. We talked and laughed for a few hours, exchanging stories. It was fantastic! I had so much fun! This may turn into a tradition, since her hubby had poker night, which is what helped to inspire the outing. Ken said Sabrina was easy. The funniest thing about her is you just can’t hear her! We are used to our screaming banshees, so anyone who talks at normal levels is whispering, and she actually whispers! When we got back, Dax had already gone to bed (he really is much more scheduled that Bobby) and Bobby and Sabrina were watching Lazy Town. Kids were happy, Ken didn’t look frazzled, and everything was good!

Saturday morning, kids slept in to 7! It was so nice. And when they came in to our room, they were both so dang cute. So we got up, and over the day got most of the laundry done, cleaned the boys’ rooms, cleaned up the desk, kitchen, living room, re did the pool, went to Target, went to Lowe’s, and set Ken’s kits for his birthday party on Sunday. Busy day. The kids splashed in the pool a lot while it was refilled, so that tired them out.It meant they crashed out really easily. Especially since we also took them out for Cold Stone. Matt had given me a $25 gift card for my birthday, so I thought ice cream was in order. We all got a treat, and I got a pack of ice cream cupcakes for another time, and it cost $24.75. Woo hoo!

Sunday morning was bowling and then after we went to Don Jose’s with my folks. YUM!!

We had the boys nap and got them up around 1 so we could go to Ken’s birthday party. Ken dropped us off at my folks. The kids played and had a lot of fun. Then Ken came and got me so we could go look at cars without the boys having to be bored. We went to a couple of dealers, but we also stopped at this place, Gulliver’s car sales, that is basically a consignment lot. We had seen several vehicles that were in our price range and in decent condition. So the plan was to go either tonight or tomorrow once we took care of loan stuff.

We picked up the boys and headed over to see about renting a car for today. Our local Enterprise was closed, so we went to the airport location. Did you know that a $30 car at our local one costs like $80 at the airport due to airport taxes and stuff??? Makes you want to get a bus when you get a rental after your plane ride to a car rental site out of the airport! So we opted not to rent with the plan for Ken to drive me to work, then come get me at 1, so I could drive him back to work and then come back to work and then go get him later. Not fun, but for one day it wasn’t a big deal.

On the way home, Ken pointed out we could go by the car place and see what kind of numbers we needed for the bank info. So we headed over, ended up test driving my car, and 2 and a half hours later, I was driving my new car home. It was not bad with the kids. We had picked them up some food, and in the car place there was a kids area. So they ate, played, and even watched a bit of Madagascar on their tv there. It was perfect! They didn’t want to leave! That is how much fun they were having. They had a crap load of toys and a toddler slide, so the boys enjoyed rolling the cars down it for like an hour. One of the toys was this Ronald McDonald on a tricycle. It was clearly some Happy Meal toy. Dax feel deeply in love with it. He didn’t want to let it go. Without his or anyone else’s knowledge, I took said toy. It is in my new car so that I can present it to him later. Criminal are cool mom? You tell me?

The car is nice. It is a 2000 Toyota Sienna. It is white, and even has one of those automatic side doors. The seats don’t fold into the floor, but they are easily removable. It was owned by a smoker, as there is a small cigarette burn in the drivers seat. There is a small dent in the back, but it looks good other than that. It only had one owner before, and not gobs of mileage considering it is almost 10 years old. It is pretty. Today after work I need to take it back to them and get it smogged, and then I think I will drive by the old car to pick up the car seats. I want those installed right away. Then maybe we can go to the “elmo” car wash. This would be the car wash that the boys like because I told them the red things washing the car was actually Elmos. The car just needed a nice once over. I also want to put in air freshener so it smells more like what I like. It smells, well, too new. LOL!

As for the PT, at this point I think we need to have it towed home. We are still going to look for the warranty paperwork because if this repair is covered, we could get the car fixed and either sell it, or keep it as a backup. If it isn’t covered, we are going to need to get rid of it, which may mean selling it whole, selling parts like the fairly new tires, or just who knows. Either way, I think that towing it now so I can clean it out at my house as opposed to the shop would be better. But regardless of when it is towed, car seats needed ASAP. I need them for tomorrow so I can go to my folk’s house. Plus just in general, it is nice to have the car ready to go.

My street is closed tomorrow, so I have to park on the next block, which kind of sucks, especially since I am leaving before it is dry. I guess they start at 6 in the morning, and won’t be done till 6 at night. So Ken will also have to park down the street, but tonight since he leaves at 8. Luckily I can get home probably after it is done, same with Ken, but what a pain!

I am supposed to go to Conner’s tonight, and was really looking forward to it, but due to car stuff, I don’t see it happening. I have to break the news to him. I feel bad since I keep flaking, but this time, there is good reason!

MaryAnn just saw my eye and said it looks worse! Not good. I will try to go tomorrow. Either that or I might put a patch on it to see if that helps.

I also seemed to injure my knee. I twisted it and it hurts. I iced it last night, but it still is sore. Bleah.

On a sad note, I found out yesterday that my Uncle Bill passed away. I don’t know a lot of details. They were light with details with Grammie because they said since she wasn’t next of kin, she wasn’t allowed the info. Lame. My cousin, Billy Jay, is in Iraq, so the info I guess went to his wife. Billy Jay is now on his way back from Iraq. Sean is in a lot of shock. Understandably. Even though Bill was in poor health, are you ever prepared for your dad dying? My mom is doing ok. She is less upset than with Robbie. I still see her tear up from that. With Billy, she seems at peace with it. Either that or she just hasn’t processed it. I know they were not as close, but to lose two or your sibs and a father in the span of 5 years, it has got to be tough. The last time I think I saw Billy, sadly, was when we spread Robbie’s ashes. Seems a shame the next time I see him will also be in the form of ashes. My family isn’t exactly prompt when it comes to burials. I think we did the tree for Grandaddy almost a year later, and Robbie took like 6 months. Of course, it could go quicker due to the fact that Billy Jay may need to get back to Iraq. Although, I don’t think he should go back. Dude is 32, 3 kids at home he has spent maybe 6 months with, already was severely injured once and his dad just died. I say you have spent your time, you can stay home now.

I won’t know any details for a couple days at best. I may email Grammie to send my condolences. My folks leave Saturday for a week, and then I am gone for almost a week. I hope I don’t miss a gathering, but it is certainly possible.

Ken starts Star Wars week this morning. What this means is he is swamped. This is the most popular class they do, and it has like a million kids. He will undoubtedly be late all week, and wiped out. Of course, he also loves Star Wars week, so it is fun even though it is tiring. I may take the kids down there one of the days, as Bobby would love to see it. Maybe Thursday.

I am not going by to get the car seats now. Ken pointed out the PT may be back today, so no reason to go to the trouble of getting them. Plus, Ken said he will just put the car seats from his car in my car for now.

When I go get smogged, I need them to look at the belts that sound loose. Nothing bad, but maybe they will either replace them real quick or just something simple like WD-40 is needed. I will be late picking up the boys, but things happen.

My bangs really are styled wrong. They seem to be covering my good eye while letting my bad eye shine through. Kind of backwards!

It has been determined that Larry Wilcox can wake me up. I was super wiped out, already asleep while Ken watched M*A*S*H. I love to hear the sounds of my beloved BJ Hunnicutt as I drift off. But this particular episode happens to have a small part for Officer Jon Baker! Ken was going to wake me, but no need. I actually kind of shot up when I heard his voice. I am glad Ken was there to witness this because seriously, who else would believe that I woke up to Larry Wilcox?

I have sitting next to me a copy of a book I helped write!! My name is on the cover and everything! I know I helped on a lot of it, but man, this book is thick! I had no idea that I helped that much. Granted, a lot of it is tributes and things like that, but still, the fact that I have words published, wow, that is crazy. Tammy said I can have a few extra copies, too, so I am going to get 5 or 6 I figure. Ken gets a copy at the door for the banquet (I don’t get another one there as I have that copy now), so I will have a few to give to folks. I don’t know if anyone really wants a copy, but a few to have on hand is a good plan.

My stomach hurts weird. Don’t know what that is about.

Sure enough, I also now have a headache. It is from my eye, this is for sure.