Oil and Water

I am to a motor vehicle as oil is to water.  We do not mix.

Yesterday afternoon, I get in the car for a trip to the grocery store.  I turn the key and nothing happens.  Nothing! No radio.  No dashlights.  Nada.  Nothing.

My son decided to disconnect the battery cable and reconnect. 

The car started right up. 

Everything my son is learning about cars comes from his mother's oil and water syndrome.

This morning I attempted to make a run to the gas station for some caffeinated, bubbly goodness. 

 The car wouldn't start. 

This time I had lights, radio, etc but there was just a clicking sound instead of the engine starting.

 I tried the battery thing - just in case. It didn't work.

I looked through my Haynes manual to make sure it wasn't something other than a dying battery - which I bought 7 months ago. 

 I called my sister to come over and give me a jump start.

  The car started and all was right with the world until she said, "Is your tire flat?" 

Sure enough my right rear tire was incredibly low.  Thankfully, I was able to head to the gas station for air. 

 It was free.  I hate paying for air.

So now I need a new battery and a new tire(s).

The positives - and I hope I don't jinx myself here:

- The car started after being jumped.  No major (costly) mechanical failures.

- I have cans of caffeinated, bubbly goodness in the refrigerator. 

- I spent time outdoors while trying to get the car started.

- We had a little snow today, should have a little more Wednesday night. I like snow.

Where have I been?

I spent Monday through Thursday of last week in Washington state - just north of Seattle.  My friend Shae lives there and it is always a fun time when we can get together.  We do our crafty things, shop, wine tastings, and talk, talk, talk.  She was in Utah for a few days so I rode back to Washington with her and flew home.   It's probably a good thing that we had the car to ourselves on the drive.  I don't think our conversation let up once.  It felt like the fastest 12 or 13 hour drive ever. 

While I was up in the Pacific Northwest, I had dinner with a guy I met through and online dating site.  He lives part time here in Utah but has his business in Washington.  It wasn't a disaster.  It wasn't wonderful.  It was nice.  There was no pressure because neither of us are looking for a relationship.  We decided we would make good friends.  I am no longer on the online dating site though and he is the only person I met.  Online dating is not for me.

I loved my visit but was happy to get home to my son.  I think he missed me.  Lucky for me - and him - the house was pretty clean when I came home.  It's nice to be able to trust my son enough that he can stay home alone and I don't spend the entire time worrying.

Today I went back to work.   I was dreading signing into my computer and checking my e-mail so I put it off as long as I could.  After wading through the 200 plus e-mail that was waiting for me, I realized it wasn't as bad as I thought.  Had a meeting with my boss and will be getting a small raise in July.  It should be just enough to make up for the higher cost of my insurance premium each month.  Woo hoo!

I am now watching the rain delayed Daytona 500.  There was a big wreck on the second lap and I doubt it will be the only one.  We aren't even halfway yet.  In case I haven't said it be for:  I love NASCAR.

And it's on...

Just finished watching the first NASCAR race of the year.  Not an official points race.  That will be the Daytona 500 next week.  Tonight, it was the Budweiser Shootout.  It was only a 75 lap race but what a race it was: 4 big wrecks, Jeff Gordon sliding down the track on the driver side then barrel rolling to land upside down, and finally a last second pass by Kyle Busch for the win. 

I am not a Kyle Busch fan.  I have a hat with his name and number on it but only because it is black and pink, with the cute green M&M chick on it.  Back to the point, I am not a fan of his; however, I wasn't impressed with the fans who booed him when he got out of his car.  I am not a fan of booing.  I am sure I have done it a time or two....but still not a proponent.

The driver I picked to win the Daytona 500 didn't do too badly in tonight's race.  Hopefully, he will do well next week for me. Just for me.  I am sure he knows who I am and that I have faith in his ability to win at Daytona.  Yep, it is all about me. 

Now that the race is over, I need to finish packing.  I always wait until the last minute. If I don't, it takes me twice as long because I think about it too much.  If I don't have a ton of time to think about it, I do much better.  Sometimes procrastination can be a good thing.  Although I think I need to run to the store for toothpaste.  If I hadn't procrastinated, I wouldn't have to run a late night errand.  A double edged sword.

Have a great Sunday!

Planning?!?!

I learned WAY to much about trusts, wills,  living will, financial power of attorney, and advanced medical directives today.    I have none of the above.  I need all of the above.  It costs a lot to have an attorney create all of the above. 

Oddly enough I am not overly worried about most of these things.   I only have one child, and he is the beneficiary on all of my life insurance, etc.  THAT is what worries me.  Not because I don't trust my son but because he is a minor.  I asked an estate planning attorney what would happen to these things if I pass away before my son becomes a legal adult.  It turns out that his new legal guardian would have control over those assets.  His legal guardian would be my ex-husband.  You read that right...my ex-husband.

As soon as my computer booted up, I logged onto my employer's HR site and sent an e-mail to find out if I can get my beneficiary changed for the life insurance, pension, etc that I have through them. I then logged into my investment accounts and changed all of those. 

I know this doesn't give me the same control as a will or trust but until I get those cared for this will have to do.  At least I will know that if something happens to me sooner rather than later, my ex will have no control over anything.  That at least leaves me with some piece of mind.  I have no doubts that the person  I designated will take care of these things responsibly and as I wish.

Soon I will take care of my financial power of attorney, living will, and advanced medical directives.  It has always been in the back of my mind that being single, there is not another adult who knows my finances or what to do in case I am incapacitated.  I guess I just assumed my parents could handle my affairs.  I am learning that it is best not to assume. 

If I think about it too much it makes my head spin, gives me a headache, and I start to worry.  I mean really, really worry.  Especially because I am traveling next week.  I always worry more about these things when I travel.  

But I am not going to worry anymore tonight. I already took care of one thing. Now  I am going to watch Alcatraz On-Demand and relax. 

Valentine Surprise

Someone was thinking of me on Valentine's Day!

A handsome man knocked on my door at 10 am. 

He brought chocolate.

I ate one..

He visited with me while I was working.

He took me to lunch.

I can't remember the last time a man brought me something on Valentine's Day.

I am happy.

Someone was thinking about me today.

Feeling Crafty

It snowed Sunday.  Finally the weather felt more like February than April.  It was  perfect day to spend indoors and try to get over my icky cold. Austin helped with the laundry while I sat on the sofa with yarn and hook, and watched a Firefly marathon on the Science Channel. 

Austin was being  a little more helpful than normal because I was making him an Angry Birds hat.



Then I made some Star coasters.




And this is a purse I finished last weekend.



Other than being a little sick still it was pretty good and productive weekend.  Too bad it is over now but I only have 3 more workdays this week and all of next week off.   

I'm just a big baby...

Miss Cranky Pants has left the building - for the moment.  I feel to cruddy to be cranky.  Woke up with a sore throat yesterday which has only gotten worse today.  I went to the Doc today for a follow-up appointment for my heel.  Everything looks good.  But I had him check an ingrown toenail which led to the removal of said ingrown toenail.  The numbness wore off about a hour ago, now it just hurts.

I am kind of a baby when I don't feel well.  Between the sore toe and sore throat, I am really not feeling well.  Times like this I miss being a little kid. I miss having Mommy take care of the hurts.  Told ya...a big baby.  

I wonder if we ever get over wanting Mommy (or Daddy) to help heal our hurts.  I hope not.  I don't like to think there will come a day when my son doesn't need me or want my help.  Already I struggle with him becoming a man.  It baffles me that he will be 18 in a mere 8 months.  It seems like yesterday that he was just 18 months old. 

Tonight he is at the movie.  None of his friends could go with him so he went by himself.  I like that he doesn't depend on other people and will go do what he wants to do by himself.  I offered to suck it up and go with him.  He would rather go alone than be seen at the movie theater on a Friday night with his Mom.  I can't say that I blame him.  It just makes my heart a little sore. 

I'm not sure where I was going with this post but I better stop before I get too mired in the depths of self pity. 

I hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend.  I am going to curl up on the couch and hope the rest will make my aches go away.

200

Yay! Post 200!. 

 Too bad I don't have something fabulous to blog about just some Random Ramblings.

My work day started horribly.  But the dog and I went for a walk to "blow the stink off" as Jo would say.  The rest of the day has been slightly better.

I haven't been in a very good mood lately.  In fact, you could call me Miss. Cranky Pants and it wouldn't be far off the mark.  I am cranky about work, taxes, politics, work, and a bunch of other stuff.  Any advice for getting rid of the cranky - ness?

In the past few weeks,  I have cut down on my Coke addiction. I even went an entire week without the cold, brown, bubbly goodness.  I lost a few pounds.  Now I have fallen off the wagon.  I thought the lack of caffeine was the cause my cranky-ness but I am back on the bubbles and still cranky.

I think I need a vacation.  I thought about going to Washington for a week.  It is being nixed.  I was going to go to a baseball tournament in southern Utah in March.  It is being nixed.  Why? Because I need to come up with money to pay taxes. 

I hate taxes.  The system is flawed.  'Nuff said...I could rant all day.  

On a more positive note...I am making a purse from a pattern I found on Pinterest.  It is almost done and will be way cute.

I also decorated a little bit for Valentine's day.  I usually don't. Not my favorite holiday. But I did this year.  See the cute garland I made for my railing.

And finally - NASCAR starts again soon.  The Budweiser Shootout is on the 18th and the Daytona 500 is on the 26th.  I would love to head to Vegas again for the race in March but ....maybe another year.  I am still excited.  I love me some stock car racing.

Sharing A Classic

Last Saturday, I introduced my niece Lexi to Lucy Maud Montgomery's classic Anne of Green Gables.  Growing up, this was one of my favorite books.  The first porcelain doll my Grandmother made for me is Anne of Green Gables.  Whenever I see the movie version on television, I hunker down on the couch and ignore whatever else needs to be done. 

When I showed Lexi the book I thought she would shrug her shoulders the way she does and want to run off to play.  Instead, after explaining a little bit about what Anne is like, Lexie sat in the chair with me and together we read the first chapter.  I would have kept going but my sisters and I had a movie to see.  As we read she kept asking where I was on the page, because she was following along and kept getting lost.  When I would stumble or lose my place, she would point out exactly where I was.  I told her that if she really likes the book, then she and I will have a girls only sleep-over and will watch the movie. 

Earlier this week my sister sent me a text, "Lexi loves that book.  She says we have to read two chapters every night."

I spoke to Lexi on the phone today and she stated  that she was only on chapter eight because she didn't read last night or the night before but she really likes the story.  When I asked if she was reading it or if her mom was reading it to her, she told me they were reading it together.  Her mom picks up when Lexi gets tired.  I might have to include my sister in the sleep over.

I am so happy that she is enjoying the book and is looking forward to having a sleep over with Aunt Amy.  I hope this book introduces her to the joys of reading and she continues to find more books she enjoys.

Not having a daughter of my own, I enjoy sharing my more girly interests with my two nieces.  Sissy is my crochet buddy and now Lexi can be my reading buddy. 

Now I really must clean my house but I am thinking I should head to the library and find the rest of the Anne series to enjoy after the housework is finished.

Happy

What made me happy today?

1- Having my son paged at Wal-Mart:

"Austin _____ please meet your mother in the Valentine's Section. "

Finding out that three of his friends were in the store at the same time.

Incoming text:

"Hey. :) :) You're mom just had you paged to meet her at the Valentines. :) "

Being a Mom is awesome!

2- Two daisys. One stem.

3- Budweiser "Lamb Streaker"

4- A new book

Catherine Anderson is one of my favorite authors.

5- The bubble bath I am slipping into, with my new book as soon as I get off the computer.

I will not log on to Pinterest. I will not log on to Pinterest.  I will not log on to...Just thought of something I need to pin.

6 - Crochet patterns on Pinterest.