The Year of the Car

Yes, the western calendar changed over a month ago, and the eastern calendar changed last week, but for some reason, we seem to be stuck in a time warp, and it is still the damn year of the car.  Only now it's TWO cars, so it's twice as much fun.  Yeah.  Right.

Last Monday, we took "Kid," the Rodeo, up to get an oil change and to have the muffler looked at because he suddenly started making a bunch of noise.  Well, we didn't get Kid back the same day, because he needed two major parts of the exhaust system replaced, and one of the parts wouldn't be available until Tuesday.  Tuesday, we picked him up and forked over $408 for the priviledge.  We were also notified that the one remaining part of the exhaust would need repair eventually, but was okay for now.  The part new is $900.  If our guy can fabricate a fix, he'll only charge $200.  Nice.

Yesterday, we took "Ruby," the Subaru, up to get an oil change and to have the diagnostic thing done because the check engine light keeps coming on.  It will be on for a day or two, then go off for a day or so, then come on again.  It's been doing this for about 3 weeks.  Also, I figure I've only had her 2 months, and we didn't do a thorough check before we bought her, so I wanted Brian to do that too.  Other than that, Ruby drives fine, she handles well, and she has even avoided a couple of snow-related incidents that any other sedan would have been involved in.  Around 2:00, we get the call.  The fuel/air sensor needs to be replaced.  $308.  The throttle body and fuel injectors need to be cleaned.  $109.  The oil change is $28.50.  They hadn't done it yet, because with the fuel air sensor being on the fritz, it looks like gas is getting into the oil, so changing the oil without changing the sensor would be a waste of money.  What else?  The tires need replacing.  We knew that already, and I'd told them we were doing that next month, but they quoted us $384 installed.  The front brakes and rotors "are desperate to be replaced." $330.  The alignment is off.  $80.  I managed not to cry into the phone.

We talked about it and decided to do the first $450 in repairs, because they seem the most urgent.  Brakes & alignment will wait until we're replacing the tires.  Hopefully that will be late Feb, or early March.  But you know, this kind of SUCKs.  And not in the good way.

ETA: Final Bill was $468. ::sigh::

A New Family Policy

After last weekend's drama, I announced a new family policy. And the family seems to have accepted it gladly. I decided that everytime someone comes home, they get hugged by everyone in the house.

So Monday, I asked for my hug from DH and got it. Rupert wasn't around at the time, so I let it slide. Mavis wasn't home til much later, and when I went to give her the hug, she was all "what's going on?"
"New policy. Everyone gets hugged when they come home."
"Why?"
"Because sometimes you just need a hug when you come home, and you shouldn't have to ask for it."
"I totally agree with this policy."

All week, we reminded each other to give/get the hugs. Rupert won't ask for his, but when I offer one or ask for one, he wraps his newly-lanky adolescent arms around me, and he doesn't let go. Honest. He hugs longer than anyone else in the house. I figure he needs the hugs more than I ever suspected. And I'm glad he's getting them. I just need to remember for him until he's comfortable enough to do the reminding. Or until it's just a habit. Whatever it takes.

Mavis asks for hers before she even gets her coat off. They're nice and warm, and I'm glad she's on board with this. DH and I are just about equal in asking for or offering to each other, and it's a new dimension to our greeting ritual. We've always kissed goodbye and hello, but now we have full body contact on the hello. It's a good thing.