Wednesday, June 19, 2013

What ever happened to the $25 oil change?

Last week, in preparation for a couple long drives, I took my van in for that simple oil change.  The FrenchFry mobile (as I term it for that permanent smell it gets with kids) has 70,000 miles on it.  I had not had the "good" oil change in a while--so I sprung for the $50 oil change.  Of course, this yielded discoveries that I walked out of the place after spending $175.  Yuck!  Nonetheless, I felt safe knowing it was checked over before my trips.

But . . . it just couldn't be that easy.  It was rainy on our trip to Indiana.  Every time we (my husband drove TO our destination; I drove HOME) pushed on the brakes, the entire van shimmied . . . a hole bunch.  This has been occurring for some time, but my husband pointed out that this amount of movement is not normal.  I agreed to take it to the dealership this time to get checked out.

Well . . . the $90 brake inspection yielded two repairs totaling $1,200!

Nearly $1500 later, my van should be ready for this weekends trip to grandmas.  I am so glad I got that $20 oil change!!!!!!

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Where is Amsterdam?

Nearly every day one of my children says something that is funny, shocking, awe-inspiring, or just plain . . . uh . . . well . . . dumb.  My middle child were talking about a book that she finished (which I recommended).  I was thrilled that she actually read something!  But then it came . . .

"I didn't know Amsterdam wasn't in the United States!"




Can you hear the crickets chirping in the shocked silence?!?!?

"Uh no, honey.  Have you ever heard of Anne Frank?  Tulips?  Windmills?  The Red Light District?  Anything?"  Our education dollars at its finest.


Sewing restart?

I don't think I've really touched my sewing machine in about two years.  Not sure why.  I'm not very good, never had a lesson, but I come from a family (grandmother, aunt, and mother--who made my wedding dress!) who have excellent sewing skills.  Well--I literally blew the dust off my machine to sew an ipad cover.

We were given ipads for the summer because our school will be implementing them for all eighth graders for the first time in the fall.  However, we did not get a cover/case . . . those will be coming in August.  I could not wait for one, nor was I going to shell out money for one, either.  Then I came across a pattern/tutorial on Pinterest.  I've never really followed a pattern, but my result cost me ZERO dollars (scrap fabric and batting I had sitting around).  I bet it took me less than an hour.  Had some difficulty in figuring it out, but it meets my needs.  I pulled the top center down to see the black-n-yellow polka dot lining.  Now . . . what to work on next?!?!

Pattern I tried to follow can be found HERE.