Idle...

That's what my car has been doing....idling HIGH!!! It's ridiculous! I got an oil change at Valvoline in early December. I usually go somewhere else, but had a coupon, and with the way things are these days, who can't stand to save a little money!!! So, I went in, they did the oil change and replaced a PCV valve. Whatever...I'm such a girl with all the mechanical stuff, but it did look clogged and it wasn't that expensive, so, go for it, change it! WELL, after that, my car sounded different. I thought, hmmmm, that's odd. Maybe it's just cold, or whatever. I mentioned it to hubby, so he drove it and thought the same thing, but he said maybe it would correct itself so give it a week or so. Sounds as if the engine is trying harder or something. Well, I needed gas too, so I filled it up and went on my merry way. A couple weeks went by and I was on E, so I filled up again.....noticing that my overall mileage was considerably less than what it should have been for a full tank - about 35 miles less to be exact! I thought, odd!!! So, after filling up, I reset my odometer as usual.
Little Hauss must have been playing around with the interior lights while getting out the car one evening, and ran down the battery, so then the next day, it wouldn't start! This was actually a GOOD thing, because when Hubby went to jump it, we notice the antifreeze was leaking.....so I immediately drove it to the garage, they looked at it and tightened the hose.....not really "leaking" but just was loose! So, I asked about the idling....they told me to bring it in the following Monday and they'd check it out.....HERE's where it gets wacko!! I literally drove the car about 10 miles that day total, and noticed that my tank was already down almost a quarter tank!!!!!!! WTF???? So, I call the mechanic (yes, I have his home number) and told him what was going on.....he told me to park it!
NOTHING!!!! is what he found! Diagnostic tests, O2 sensor, fuel line, air filter, all the obvious things - they checked it......
I've now had it checked by a mechanic, tires rotated and balanced, air filter changed, and I even called Valvoline asking if they could have possibly done anything out of the ordinary to make this happen. Of course they didn't, but it could be a clogged fuel filter that they would gladly replace for the low cost of $79.99!! Bull shit they will! They are so not touching my car!
BUT, now after some research on my own with the help of a few car tinkering friends, I think the PCV valve is BAD!!!!! Yes, all the typical signs of a bad PCV valve!!! idling high, bad gas mileage!!! I called the garage...they didn't check the valve because I said that it just was replaced....but they are gonna check it now and Valvoline is gonna get a piece of my mind but no more of my business! And I'm gonna get some money back!
I've now decided that Hubby and I will take matters into our own hands with the cars....he KNOWS how to change oil, so there is no reason that we should be paying someone else to do it!!

Thanks for letting me vent!

The Grouch!

There is a grouch that has found its way into our workplace and I don't like it! At. All.

He doesn't even work in my office. He's all the way accross the street in a different office, but nonetheless, he grates my nerves!

He's too sensative, whiney, and everyday is a bad day. He doesn't speak, but mumbles, is careless and STILL can't figure out what job he's actually supposed to do!

Everyone has their fair share of bad days. You vent, you deal! You don't let it linger around all of your co-workers. It makes everyone else grumpy.

So, learn how to cope! Leave your issues at home and smile, even if you don't want to! Pretend!!! Its not that hard because the rest of us have all done it! So, I tell you grouch, it is possible!

How can you say NO to this?

Just put Little Hauss to bed, and inevitably, he always finds ways to NOT go to bed....water, bathroom, one time it was even to wash his hands!!! SO, I was leaving his room, and he says, "May I have one more thing?" I say "what?" in an annoyed voice, and he says "One more hug and kiss"!!!!!!!! Awww, just melt my heart! Love it!

The Baby Store

What do you think this is? Well, some might say, a store where you buy goods for a baby.....ya know, cribs, clothes, bibs, diapers, toys, etc.

Well, that's not quite it according to Little Hauss!

Let me set it up:

Hubby and are are talking about talking about having a baby! Does that make any sense? Well, we've started looking at timing, and when we MIGHT want to bring another baby in this family, but that's as far as it goes. We haven't really settled on much yet, but I do want another one, we're just not there YET!
So, sometimes we'll see friends with babies or talk about babies or whatever, and Little Hauss picks up on this and we'll ask, 'do you want a baby brother or sister?' and he sometimes says yes and sometimes its no (all depending on his mood). Tonight this is how it went:

Little Hauss: I'm a good big brother
Me: You're not a big brother. Do you want to be a big brother?
LH: Yeah, I want a baby brother.
Me: Ok, I'll have to talk to your dad about that. We'll see how it goes.
LH: Ok, can we go get one at the baby store???????
Me: Speechless!!!!!!

I just had to laugh. He was so serious and its so darn cute to see how those little minds work!!! Now, let's see if I can convince him a baby sister would be good too!!!! Hehe!

Is it possible....

For a person to become ONE with a piece of furniture, like a couch?
I'm pretty sure my arse has affixed itself to the couch this weekend and it is going to take A LOT to get it to work tomorrow!

Seriously, I took full advantage of no work, Little Hauss feeling a little under the weather, and Hubby being home for 4 days, and we've just been completely lazy! I am hoping that Little Hauss can go to school tomorrow. I mean, I'd love to have another day off work, but that means, I'd have to go in on Friday.....yuck, so we'll see how it all works out! He's not really feverish, but just a little tired and clingy. It is kind of nice to just lay around and watch movies and cuddle, except we've seen 'Cat in the Hat' about 4 times and his personalized 'Spiderman' video about 12 - not kidding!

I have made good use of my couch sitting time by being a little travel agent for Hubby and friend for their trip to Austin, TX in march for a wedding! I will find the best deal possible! I love it but sometimes it can take a while! We have finalized a flight and now are working on hotels! Um, I will NOT allow $250/night for a room just because that is where the groom will be!!!! There are perfectly suitable alternatives within 1/2 mile of that hotel that are MUCH cheaper!

Other than that, I've been checking on school info - yes, I've decided to go back to school - all in another post! and working on our own little vacay sometime this summer....SO, I've not been completely lazy.....my fingers have done alot of work!! Now, I think my coffee is ready, so I need to get my arse off the couch and fill up my cup!

Sweet as Oranges!!!

GO HOKIES!!!!!!!!!!!! Tickled Orange they won the Bowl Game!

Now, gotta figure out a way to get tickets to the game vs. Alabama come September!!! Hmmmmmm........that'll be interesting! We'll be sitting with my parents and uncle (BAMA fans)...who cares as long as we're there!!!

New Years "Campout" 2008-09

Picnic with "camp" food (hot dogs, tater tots, chips, veggies, fruit, and cheese)

Little Hauss' first tent (a tad small, but he didn't notice)

Roasting Marshmallows (in our wood stove) for Smores

SMORES! Little Hauss doesn't get chocoate very often, so this was big treat!

Helping Daddy blow the fire off the marshmallows....Zoey watching hoping for some crumbs!

Zeus and Zoey trying get in the tent with Mommy and Little Hauss

Our "Campout" was a success. Little Hauss LOVED his tent and making smores! We watched 2 movies and some football, played some games, and just hung out! Little Hauss made it until about 10:30, and finally zonked out! I really wasn't too far behind him. I can't remember the last time I saw the ball actually drop??? I'm getting old!

Today, we've already undecorated the house and it always makes me a little sad! I get used to the normalness eventually, but the tree, lights, and all the specialness from the Christmas decorations just makes the house seem so much warmer. I guess I'll just have to keep on redecorating to finally get it how I want it to be all the time!! I'm sure Hubby will LOVE that. More work for him! I'm hoping to get the light fixtures hung tomorrow!

So, on another note, the HOKIES play today in the Orange Bowl at 8pm! We are having our bestest friends over to watch with us. We haven't seen this couple in way too long.....so it should be fun! We usually see them on a weekly basis, but with all the hustle and bustle from the holidays, its been about a month! I've got turkey and beef sliders, baked beans (mom's recipe), veggies, and kicked up brownies (extra chocolatey with icing) on the menu. Can't wait.