What a day!

On Saturday evening I was on my way to get something to eat when the AC in my SUV (I sometimes call it my truck) started going in and out. I was about one exit away from my apartment when I noticed the radiator gauge needle was on the "H". For those mechanically challenged (I'm not insulting you, I'm part of that group), that is BAD. I called one of my guy friends and he told me I needed to get it to a mechanic right away. He said NOT to drive it if the needle was on the "H". So, I took today off work to go to my mechanic. Unfortunately he was closed today (not sure if it was because it was the first day of school or he had another family emergency). So, I had to go elsewhere. I took it to a place that I've been to before and the "prelim" report was that it was a leak in the radiator. The nice guy at the shop said it was going to be a few hours before they could get to it for an estimate, so he offered to have someone drop me off at home so I didn't have to wait in the waiting room all day. This was about 9:00am.

I'm so glad they let me go home. They finally called me about 1:00 with the final report. I need a new radiator, new thermostat and the hoses replaced. The guy was very honest. He said the radiator HAD to be replaced today. He said I could hold off on the thermostat and hoses but he couldn't swear that they wouldn't break tomorrow. I actually knew a few months ago I was needing a new thermostat soon. I decided to bite the bullet and take care of everything at once (I drive entirely too much to worry about my car breaking down). The guy was very sweet. He took $150 off of the labor portion to help me out, but it still came to over $600. I joked on Twitter that I was now accepting applications for a Sugar Daddy. ;)

So, I've pretty much spent all day in my apartment (it's too insanely hot to be outside). I'm supposed to have my car back before 6:00pm tonight (I have a friend who is taking me to pick it up). I did decide to go check my mail  though and had a wonderful surprise. A few weeks ago I won a gift from Vic at Freckles and Fudge and I received the package today!! It totally made my day!! Vic is a true sweetheart. She gave me a wonderful shout out on her blog on Friday (thanks again girl!) Even though we only know each other through blogging, we have become great friends. If we lived closer, we would TOTALLY have drinks together every week!! :) Or ice cream. Or both! :) You should check her blog out here.

Here are the goodies that I received:

 

 

 

 

 

Once I get my car keys back, I have a new key chain! :)

 

I love this. I am so putting this on my car!

 

I saw these hair clips on her blog and told her how much I loved them. I don't remember if I told her blue was my favorite color or not (if not she did a great job picking which one to send!) I love this!! Sorry the picture is blurry, it's hard taking a picture of yourself with an iPhone! :)

 

A Sarah McLachlan CD. I promised to send Vic a review of it!

 

The sweet note she included with the gift.

Thanks again girl!! You have made my bad day so much better!!

TGIF!!!

Have you ever had one of “those” weeks? You know, one of those weeks where you just want it to be over with. One where you are screaming “DO OVER!” and it’s only Tuesday? I am so happy that it is Friday that I’m not sure I can even put it into words. Well, obviously I’m going to try. But I honestly feel like I should be in a Judy Blume book. “Are you there God? It’s me, Rachel.”

It started Sunday with the “Great iPhone Near-Disaster of 2009”. Then Monday I had to leave work early in order to get my car worked on. By the end of the day, I was $157 more in debt, but my car problems were fixed, at least for now. It’s amazing how much work has to be done to a vehicle AFTER it is paid off. I paid my truck off in March. Since then I have had to replace the starter, the battery, the timing belt, miscellaneous thing-a-ma-gigs under the hood, and the flux capacitor. I guess I can add a new tire to the list now. Oh, despite my car woes, I need to give a big shout–out to Randy at Petrik’s Auto (located on Main St. in Duncanville). He’s getting a shout out because 1) he was nice and didn’t treat me like the dumb car-clueless girl that I am, and 2) he didn’t charge me for the brake fluid or advice about my tires. Sadly, at Discount Tire, they did not take pity on me and give me a free tire. But Nate, the kid that helped me, was very nice.

Tuesday I went to the dentist and found out I need to go back next month because it's time for my yearly X-rays. I don't understand why they couldn't have done it then. I mean, I was already there and no one was in the waiting room. But no, I had to set up another appointment. But on a more positive note, I still have a credit at the dental office from when my insurance overpaid them when I got my crown.

Wednesday I got my second jury duty notice of the year. I went over 30 years and never got called for jury duty, now I've been called twice in less than 6 months. It's not that bad, but I do have to serve the week of Thanksgiving, that is kind of a bummer. At least it's the Tuesday before and not the day after. The first time I got called for jury duty was for a murder trial (obviously I didn't get picked). Maybe I'll just remind them I'm a conservative Christian who is pro concealed handgun laws and the death penalty. That seemed to work last time in me not getting picked! :)

So, on top of all the "petty stuff", it’s just been one of “those” weeks at work. I try not to complain because I am thankful I have a job, and that I no longer work at the evil place that is AHFC. I’ll just leave it at I’m having work woes. I won’t go into gory details. Who knows who might stumble across my blog on the Internet!

So after a week of feeling like God is sitting there, looking down, going, “Okay, nobody move, no one help her, she needs to figure this one out on her own”, I think I figured it out. I thought of this verse last night. “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) Be STILL?? As in, SLOW DOWN? My friends joke that there is a 2 month waiting period and a down deposit just to spend time with me. They are kidding, of course, but I do tend to overextend myself. I mean, I have had friends plan events from house warming parties to weddings around my schedule before. I can’t help it, it’s in my blood. There are other members of my family (who shall remain nameless since they can read this blog too), who tend to overdo it and take on too much as well.

Last night I was going over my plans for another jammed packed, fun-filled weekend in the life of Rachel, and I got exhausted just thinking about it. Couldn’t I just stay home on Saturday and clean while watching the Texas/OU game? WAIT- CLEAN?? “Georgeanne? Is that you??” (for those who don’t know, Georgeanne is my mom. She is a cleaning queen.) Okay, now that has to be divine intervention when I would rather clean than go out with friends and watch football. So, new plans for the weekend. Besides going to church on Saturday night, and my friend’s house warming party afterwards (which yes, was semi-planned around my schedule), I’m taking a “me time” weekend. God obviously wants me to slow down, so I plan to be obedient and do so. I have no clue what He wants me to hear or get out of this weekend, but I guess I need to “be still” and listen to find out.