I’m back at it this morning after dealing with the car on Wednesday. Let’s see…they had to replace the rear brake pads and rotor, plug a slow leak in the right rear tire, replace the battery, and do an oil change. $730. Yikes. The work on the rear brake and the rotor was by far the most expensive part of the job, but it all had to be done. We need to have at least one vehicle that is dependable and safe to drive.
But it was stressful, as are most things that I used to consider fairly routine. I don’t handle stress and worry like I used to. I wish I did, but both Don and I have noticed this about ourselves. Things that we used to be able to handle easily aren’t so easy anymore.
Anyway, I’m glad it’s fixed. I have to come up with $730 to replace that amount of money in our savings account and I’m not getting any work, so I’ll have to put on my thinking cap. Remember that my car was my Dad’s car and it is a 2012 Honda Accord. It only has 40,000 miles on it. Dad didn’t drive much and when he did it was in his neighborhood. I don’t drive all that much, either. So it’s like a much a newer car.
Anyway, I ended up taking it to a local facility just down the road rather than the dealership. The brake was making too much noise and it was worrisome so I didn’t want to drive too far, plus the dealership is usually more expensive.
We finished watching all 3 seasons of Ted Lasso on Apple+. I had sort of a love/hate relationship with it for a while, but it really grew on me. I think the final season was the best. It was such a wonderfully uplifting series. We are still mourning the fact that it’s over.
It’s a gray day today with freezing rain and maybe some snow flurries. Most of the snow has melted so the landscape looks bleak rather than white and pretty. January has been a pain in the tush, so I’ll be glad to see it go.
The puzzle is coming along nicely. For me, it’s the best form of meditation: calm, calm, calm. I can shut the world out, and let’s face it, so many of us need to do that right now. It’s just too painful.
Don has been sick all week long, but he began to feel a bit better yesterday. I suspect he’s on the mend and shall soon be fine.
My friend Jan has moved into hospice care within the complex in which she was living. She has a studio apartment and Joe has furnished it with some of her favorite pieces from her former apartment. He said she was in better spirits now that she was out of rehab. I’m going to try and reach her today.
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
Claudia, glad Don is feeling better. So sorry about the car repair bill. I hate anything having to do with car maintenance and repair. My husband used to deal with all that and now when I try to get my daughter to do it, she won’t most of the time. She doesn’t believe in coddling me when I am perfectly able-bodied and mentally functioning! She doesn’t believe take my car in for oil changes, however. With my hearing not as sharp as before and the mumbling young men working on the car, I can’t understand if I should turn on the car, gun the engine, or turn on my turn indicators!
I’m sorry to hear that your friend has moved to hospice care but Joe is quite the dedicated friend making Jan’s space friendlier for her. I hope you have a good conversation with her.
Thanks so much, Wendy! Sometimes I can talk Don into taking my car in for me – but I figured I needed to deal with it this time, so I did.
Have a lovely weekend, my friend.
Stay safe.
Sorry to hear about the car repairs…seems like that’s always a constant worry around here, too, especially with used cars. Jim’s able to fix quite a bit, but not everything. What would’ve been a simple oil change in past years, is no longer simple, and I’m not mechanically inclined, so I’m no help at all lol.
I’m hoping you are able to have a good chat with Jan. I’m sure she appreciates that. And I’m glad her studio apartment is lifting her spirits.
Enjoy your day! ;)
Thanks so much, Donnamae!
I had a good chat with Jan today.
Stay safe.
Cars are so problematic and expensive to repair. I often wish I lived where I grew up. We walked everywhere but then I remember I would miss the woods…
I’m glad Don is feeling better and I am sending good thoughts to your friend, Jan. May she be comfortable and feel safe.
I need to get my sewing room organized so I can quilt again. I need to do something that does not allow me to ruminate about the state of our country.
I just finished a great book which always helps-The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. About a midwife who is ahead of her time!
Stay warm and dry!
Looks like you’re doing what’s necessary – finding escapes in reading and crafts. Good for you, Betsy.
Stay safe.
I had a Honda once and loved it. $730 is a lot when you’re trying to save. Hopefully you can make up the loss. Glad your husband is feeling better. We’ve been fortunate and had no sickness. Have a great weekend. Take care.
Thanks, Leslie. I’ve had 3 Hondas and Don’s car is a Honda, too. We really like them.
Stay safe.
I am glad that your car is fixed and good to go. The price is a chunk of money. Saving money is getting harder.
It is good news that Don is feeling better.
I hope you get to visit with your friend Jan.
Take Care,
Kaye
Thanks so much, Kaye.
Stay safe.
Good news about Don. Not so good about the car expenses but I hear you on the necessity. Until I got Rick’s mom’s car, I had a 2001 Toyota and when I sold it a couple of years ago, it only had about 60,000 miles on it. With ongoing maintenance, it has a lot of life in it!
I wonder if today’s freezing rain and snow is coming your way. Hope not! Have a wonderful weekend!
We already had freezing rain yesterday. I wonder if more is in store.
Thanks, Jeanie.
Stay safe.
I’m sure you were right taking the car to a local garage. My experience has been dealers charge a lot more unless you’re on their maintenance plan. It still hurts though. Glad Don is feeling better. Yesterday it was in the upper 50’s here and today back own in low 30’s. No snow on the ground but February is always our worst month for snowstorms. This has been a weird winter! Glad your friend is happy with her surroundings and it sounds like she has a wonderful friend looking after her.
Take care,
Kay
I think we have one day – maybe Monday? – when it hits 50 degrees. It’s all so strange.
Thanks so much, Kay.
Stay safe.
Hope Don’s improving and soon feels like himself again. Sorry about your expensive repairs on the car.
It’s difficult when those you are close to are experiencing serious illness. It must be a comfort for Jan knowing that you’re there for her to talk to. My future daughter -in-law’s mother had major surgery for pancreatic cancer last week so it’s been on my mind a lot.
Take care
It still seems unreal. And really, we just chat when I call, as if nothing terrible is happening. It’s so sad.
Thanks, Dee Dee.
Stay safe.
I agree about not managing stress as well now that I am older. I never understood why my parents stressed out so much about little things but now I do. Perhaps it has something to do with losing confidence. My life is safe, no bombs dropping on my head, still I feel stress.
I am so sorry about Jan. We are at that age. The apartment at hospice is a nice solution to her end of life care.
We are at that age, indeed.
Thanks so much, Kay.
Stay safe.