can the doggies come out and play?

Today was one of the most beautiful days we've had in a long time. It was sunny and above freezing most of the day.

We went outside to play and I busted out my camera to remember this. In past february's I remember getting some pretty amazing weather. There have been many a february where it has gotten up in the high 60's to sometimes even *gasp* the seventies!

But for today, we still have snow. However, the sun made me feel so good that I actually started hoeing (pronounced HO-ING) out my car... the entire winter's worth of garbage... the actual scrub-down will have to wait for the next sunny day.

This picture is not entirely unrelated to this post... but mostly I just wanted to post it cuz it's so cool. At least I think so.



The pups wanted to come out and run around, and holy smokes, they may have almost jumped the fence.

I have been dying to find an application for this action too. It's one of the pioneer womans actions called "seventies". ugh, now that I've shamelessly plugged her, I suppose it would be polite of me to go find her site and link you up right? You should all go and check it out, ps actions will change your life... only if you let them.

That's all I have for now! (not true actually, but i'm saving the rest for later) so I'm out!

the story of my car

THIS is my car. It is a lovely 1995 Eagle Vision. I have owned it for 3 1/2 years now... and today it almost came to its end. I've had a few close calls with her in the past few years, struggling with thoughts of saying goodbye, but none ever as close as today.

Last night whilst driving home from small group, the car stalled two times. Once when I was parking the car, instead of me turning it off, it decided to turn off by itself. I am not sure yet if it thought it was being cute or funny, but i can assure you that I found it to be NEITHER. The next time it decided to do this was over the bridge on 390 between avon and lima. It was dark, and there were a lot of cars oddly enough.

After that, it continued along at it's usual pace plus some intermittent "jumping" as it was having an issue with shifting into the next gear. *LOVELY*

When i got home, i explained all of this to my dad. He in turn looked very solemn and confirmed my worst fear and exactly what i had presumed. The transmission was a goner.

So this morning, i woke early and cleaned out the car (not the way you think, like when you move into another one. i was just taking the garbage out of it so that whoever had to get in it didn't have to see what a slob i am) and left the house with my mom's car. Which by the way has an automatic starter that i was able to utilize and consequently enter into a fully heated car.

My dad took the car up to the mechanic and they did the diagnostic on it which produced the conclusion that there was nothing wrong with it. That was odd, since there most surely was something wrong with it. They took it out on the road and drove a few miles while it was hooked to the diagnostic and all the while the car exhibited its symptoms and the test kept reading negatory.

So they opened the hood and started poking around only to find a loose belt that has something to do with the air conditioner. Just as an aside, the air conditioner in my car has not worked since before i got it. Hence my alternative of 60x4 (60mph times 4 open windows) and a sweaty back all summer.

to make this long story end, the final conclusion to the problem was to cut the wayward belt that served no actual purpose OFF. And the car now works fine.

I am really really happy about this. I mean i was totally ready to go and buy a car this week, and while technically i can afford to do that, i have been trying very hard to save that money for something else... and i didn't want to have to blow it on another stupid car.

more mail sorting

so i spent another couple hours cleaning and sorting today. i found a ton more mail that was buried amongst all the clutter. So i sorted through all of it and then began the daunting task of shredding all of it. my brother has instilled the importance of shredding into me and on the one hand i am grateful for it, but on the other hand it is just such a pain in my butt! i hate shredding stuff but there is something in the back of my mind CONSTANTLY that won't go away unless i shred it all!

so here's the good part...

monday i found the $103 check from state farm. i also found a $10 old navy cash certificate.

so last night i cashed in on my old navy cash and got a new wallet and some chapstick. but tonight i found MORE old navy cash!!!

$20!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME!!!

surprises amongst unsorted mail

this morning i brought a laundry basket to work literally overflowing with mail and other such fun things from my desk at home. when i walked in the door Mo asked me what it was and when i told her she responded by telling me about her similar "laundry basket."

hers was the back of a station wagon.

i felt slightly better.

so today i worked on sorting through everything and low and behold i found a check from state farm for $103!!! I read everything in the envelope to make sure it was for real and sure enough, it totally is!!!

my day has been made :)