(no subject)

Well, that was interesting.

I've never ridden in a tow-truck before. (dun-dun-dun)

We took the new van out for a drive yesterday, and it was fabulous. It was the perfect vehicle. Comfortable, had lots of neat little things, like a flip-down thingie for change, Sam was delighted that she had her own light and her own heating and cooling vent, that she could control as she liked.

Everything would have been wonderful if the engine hadn't started smoking and burning what smelled like oil. Luckily, we were at a stop-light, and were able to get across the intersection and stop on the side of the road with no problem. Jeff and I got out, we looked at the engine and the engine looked right back. Checked the oil, and while it wasn't *full*, it wasn't empty or terribly low either. Checked the transmission fluid and really couldn't tell one way or the other. Got back in the car while discussing options. Jeff turned it on (and the engine turned over beautifully) and couldn't get it into gear (and it's an automatic)...it simply wouldn't move. Oh, feh.

We got a limited warranty when we bought it, 'cause of the great price. But, we're pretty damn certain we can convince them that this was a preexisting condition. Actually, I don't think it'll take any convincing. We took possession of the vehicle on Friday, for Ghu's sake.

Jeff called Geico and then took a short walk, to find out exactly where we were, so the tow truck could find us. Sammy had a bit of a bad moment, as she wasn't sure how we'd get home. We reassured her, and there were lots of cuddles. It was also good for us to have someone to take care of for a moment, as it snapped us out of the depression-cloud.

The truck didn't take too terribly long to arrive. It was the flat-bed kind...which doesn't actually *tow* anything, but that's okay.;) The driver was a very nice guy. Jeff got in first, and then Sam. Then I squashed my backpack into the foot-well and myself into the seat. It's a really *good* thing the three of us like each other. I closed the door and we readjusted...I got to know the door *really* well. Sam had another bad moment, just 'cause it was all so odd for her. I pointed out that she got to ride in the *front* of a vehicle for once, and she did think that was cool. She asked how we were going to put seat belts on. I said we weren't, that there just wasn't space. Then I pointed out that this was a huge, huge vehicle, and if there was a crash, we wouldn't have much to worry about, *and* that the three of us were wedged in so tight that we probably wouldn't move anyway. She had a pretty good time, looking around and reading signs. I was *very* very pleased with her behavior and praised her greatly once we got home and I could think again.

The driver let Sammy and I off at a parking lot down the street from the townhouses. I was a bit worried about this, as it was very high (there were two steps to get in) and we were kind of braided together. But, I managed to get out and get the kid out without falling. Jeff went with the van to the mechanic. Which wasn't open of course, but it seemed a good place to leave an ailing vehicle.

Sam and I walked up the small hill to the housing development. I did not like that one bit, as we were walking on the side of the road, in dark clothes, at night. I had her walk in front of me, and we did fine. I was very relieved when we got to the little strip-mall in front of the houses. We made it home with no mishaps and Jeff got here twenty or so minutes later (he does have such long legs). So far, that's all I know.

As I said...interesting.

~~~

The AV Club taste tests the Bacon Chocolate Bar. I have to admit to being highly intrigued. I'd buy one if I saw it in a store. I was going to get one for darthgeek, but the shipping was high, as it was just *one* candy bar. I'd buy more, but all the stuff seems so good that I'd probably go overboard.

~~~

Woke up with my left arm aching. I can't think of a reason why...I don't believe I used my left arm any more than my right yesterday. Vexing.

~~~

Poor Sammyface. There will be no trick-or-treating at the mall for her this year. Jeff has training Tu-Thu, and there's no way he can get home by the time it starts (or even midway), no matter what our transportation is like at the time. And me getting us there would be...oh, let's just say fraught and leave it there. But, there is a pumpkin decorating thing on Saturday, so I'm hoping we can get her to that.

There are a lot more houses around here than there were last year (with people in them yet), so on actual H'ween there should be a bonanza of tricking, treating and candy. I think she'll survive. :)

~~~

Dear Spammers,

Titling mail "Your colon emergency" will *not* make me want to read it, ever.

Much like you're not reading this.

Still no love,

The chick who's colon is just *fine*, thanks.

{Besides. If I *was* having a colon emergency, I rather doubt that I'd be reading e-mail!)

~~~

Hee-hee. I really enjoy Disapproving Rabbits. One day, I shall probably acquire the book.

~~~

Oh *this* is just neat. A dollhouse, meticulously decorated, down to half-peeled potatoes in the kitchen, that's also filled with scenes of murder, to help teach police officers to notice small details. So, she's like a sane Miniature Killer. (Yes...I just tossed out a CSI ref with no warning. I'm like that.;)

(no subject)

Well, that was interesting.

I've never ridden in a tow-truck before. (dun-dun-dun)

We took the new van out for a drive yesterday, and it was fabulous. It was the perfect vehicle. Comfortable, had lots of neat little things, like a flip-down thingie for change, Sam was delighted that she had her own light and her own heating and cooling vent, that she could control as she liked.

Everything would have been wonderful if the engine hadn't started smoking and burning what smelled like oil. Luckily, we were at a stop-light, and were able to get across the intersection and stop on the side of the road with no problem. Jeff and I got out, we looked at the engine and the engine looked right back. Checked the oil, and while it wasn't *full*, it wasn't empty or terribly low either. Checked the transmission fluid and really couldn't tell one way or the other. Got back in the car while discussing options. Jeff turned it on (and the engine turned over beautifully) and couldn't get it into gear (and it's an automatic)...it simply wouldn't move. Oh, feh.

We got a limited warranty when we bought it, 'cause of the great price. But, we're pretty damn certain we can convince them that this was a preexisting condition. Actually, I don't think it'll take any convincing. We took possession of the vehicle on Friday, for Ghu's sake.

Jeff called Geico and then took a short walk, to find out exactly where we were, so the tow truck could find us. Sammy had a bit of a bad moment, as she wasn't sure how we'd get home. We reassured her, and there were lots of cuddles. It was also good for us to have someone to take care of for a moment, as it snapped us out of the depression-cloud.

The truck didn't take too terribly long to arrive. It was the flat-bed kind...which doesn't actually *tow* anything, but that's okay.;) The driver was a very nice guy. Jeff got in first, and then Sam. Then I squashed my backpack into the foot-well and myself into the seat. It's a really *good* thing the three of us like each other. I closed the door and we readjusted...I got to know the door *really* well. Sam had another bad moment, just 'cause it was all so odd for her. I pointed out that she got to ride in the *front* of a vehicle for once, and she did think that was cool. She asked how we were going to put seat belts on. I said we weren't, that there just wasn't space. Then I pointed out that this was a huge, huge vehicle, and if there was a crash, we wouldn't have much to worry about, *and* that the three of us were wedged in so tight that we probably wouldn't move anyway. She had a pretty good time, looking around and reading signs. I was *very* very pleased with her behavior and praised her greatly once we got home and I could think again.

The driver let Sammy and I off at a parking lot down the street from the townhouses. I was a bit worried about this, as it was very high (there were two steps to get in) and we were kind of braided together. But, I managed to get out and get the kid out without falling. Jeff went with the van to the mechanic. Which wasn't open of course, but it seemed a good place to leave an ailing vehicle.

Sam and I walked up the small hill to the housing development. I did not like that one bit, as we were walking on the side of the road, in dark clothes, at night. I had her walk in front of me, and we did fine. I was very relieved when we got to the little strip-mall in front of the houses. We made it home with no mishaps and Jeff got here twenty or so minutes later (he does have such long legs). So far, that's all I know.

As I said...interesting.

~~~

The AV Club taste tests the Bacon Chocolate Bar. I have to admit to being highly intrigued. I'd buy one if I saw it in a store. I was going to get one for darthgeek, but the shipping was high, as it was just *one* candy bar. I'd buy more, but all the stuff seems so good that I'd probably go overboard.

~~~

Woke up with my left arm aching. I can't think of a reason why...I don't believe I used my left arm any more than my right yesterday. Vexing.

~~~

Poor Sammyface. There will be no trick-or-treating at the mall for her this year. Jeff has training Tu-Thu, and there's no way he can get home by the time it starts (or even midway), no matter what our transportation is like at the time. And me getting us there would be...oh, let's just say fraught and leave it there. But, there is a pumpkin decorating thing on Saturday, so I'm hoping we can get her to that.

There are a lot more houses around here than there were last year (with people in them yet), so on actual H'ween there should be a bonanza of tricking, treating and candy. I think she'll survive. :)

~~~

Dear Spammers,

Titling mail "Your colon emergency" will *not* make me want to read it, ever.

Much like you're not reading this.

Still no love,

The chick who's colon is just *fine*, thanks.

{Besides. If I *was* having a colon emergency, I rather doubt that I'd be reading e-mail!)

~~~

Hee-hee. I really enjoy Disapproving Rabbits. One day, I shall probably acquire the book.

~~~

Oh *this* is just neat. A dollhouse, meticulously decorated, down to half-peeled potatoes in the kitchen, that's also filled with scenes of murder, to help teach police officers to notice small details. So, she's like a sane Miniature Killer. (Yes...I just tossed out a CSI ref with no warning. I'm like that.;)

(no subject)

darthgeek just got a call from the mechanic. The van was ridiculously low on transmission fluid (seven quarts!), which is why it was grumpy and wouldn't move. Which is a good thing, 'cause if we'd kept going, the transmission would have burned up. Which would have been...oh, I think BAD covers it.

So, while my rocketboi is still going to go have a stern word with the dealership, as this whole thing was ridiculous, the van is okay, and we don't have to rent a car and so forth and so on.

The wild thing was, Jeff had been looking at rentals at that moment and had been about to make a reservation when the mechanic's called. So cool.

(no subject)

darthgeek just got a call from the mechanic. The van was ridiculously low on transmission fluid (seven quarts!), which is why it was grumpy and wouldn't move. Which is a good thing, 'cause if we'd kept going, the transmission would have burned up. Which would have been...oh, I think BAD covers it.

So, while my rocketboi is still going to go have a stern word with the dealership, as this whole thing was ridiculous, the van is okay, and we don't have to rent a car and so forth and so on.

The wild thing was, Jeff had been looking at rentals at that moment and had been about to make a reservation when the mechanic's called. So cool.