I miss my car!

If you haven't read about my New Car Nightmare you can catch up HERE and HERE.

I'll preface this post by saying I love this car and I think I just got really unlucky! I still have no buyer's remorse!

I would love to say that all the issues with my mommy mobile are resolved, but that's not the case.  Right now my 2014 Honda Odyssey is in the shop.  We dropped it off last weekend to once again have the error lights diagnosed.  Yes, that's right, 6+ months later, the lights are still haunting me. 

I hadn't really gotten into much detail before of what was going on.  I won't bore you, but a brief rundown is that my Front Collision Warning (aka hey airhead- step on your brakes!), Lane Departure Warning, and Vehicle Stability Control (keeps me from tipping over I guess?) lights all come on.  As soon as they do, my estimated miles to empty gets cut in half.  Of course this always seems to happen when I have a full tank.  It's costing around $65 to $70 to fill my tank so.. Poof! There goes a chunk of money.  

I've discovered through this process of trying to get it fixed that it's not really what you know, it's who you know.  Through a friend on Facebook, I was able to get ahold of the dealership owner's daughter (you still with me?) and she's pulled out all the stops to help me, when my own attempts were proving useless.  I'm so grateful and finally feeling hopeful I may get this resolved!  

The dealership was working with Honda engineers this week and it looks like they may have figured out a possible problem, and they are hoping to get the part in today.  I'm a Honda lover, but boy is there a huge difference between my cushy Odyssey and the CRV I'm currently driving as my rental. Let's just say I'm really looking forward to getting it back! 

Also, the bumper got fixed a few weeks ago. Well, okay, mostly fixed.  It isn't dented anymore.  The paint is still cracked but to be honest, I don't even care about that.  It took Joe about 20 minutes and my old hair dryer in the driveway.  Who knew? :) 

I have lost a little something since childhood

Isn't it amazing how life changes when you become an adult? I can remember waiting until I would have my own house, my own car, my own tv, my own phone.. too bad all of that comes with your own bills too!

It has been pretty cold here this week and I have been stuck in the house with Dawson because it has been pretty icy out.  I love watching the snow fall but I no longer love it to stick more than a dusting.  As a kid, I silently prayed for snow.  I wonder when it stopped becoming fun? Now I think of snow and think of how it gives me cabin fever, what shoes I will be able to wear outside (because let's face it, I am a girly girl), and how I will bundle Dawson up.  I know this seems silly, but here in the Pacific Northwest we are not used to snow or freezing temps for more than a day or two before it warms up and the rain returns.

My Christmas shopping has had to be mostly done from home this year.  I'm mostly okay with that.  I don't like the crowds this time of year anyway.  I started using Bing Rewards to earn Swagbucks this week.  I also signed up for Ebates.  I wish I had found that before! I am not the biggest fan of Swagbucks Shop and Earn.  Ebates seems to be much simpler.  I was able to order Dawson two toys for free using my Swagbucks, which leaves me with only a couple of things to buy him.  Shopping has been better this year.  I haven't enjoyed it much the last few years but this year I am excited to see everyone light up when they open what I got them.  

On a not so happy note, Joe and I got parking tickets yesterday.  Our driveway is very short and a sidewalk goes through it.  Our cars both hang into (and admittedly block) the sidewalk.  This is pretty common for people in our neighborhood.  I honestly hadn't thought much of it until I got the ticket.  Joe was able to pull my car forward enough to not block the sidewalk at all, but now getting Dawson in and out will be interesting.  Let's just say I am glad I have sliding doors.  I am trying to decide if we can fit the minivan into our ridiculously tiny garage.  With some organizing, I think we can.  Then Joe could park the Kia right behind me in the driveway.  Otherwise, he is going to have to park on the street. First world problems, I guess. 

Trichy Tuesday

Just a quick update on my trichotillomania..

Here's where I'm at.  I see no difference from last week, but I've been mostly pull free.  I've slipped a few times but definitely have had more success catching myself and reversing the behavior.  I wish it would grow faster but for now I just have to accept where I'm at.  It's better than it has been, but not as good as it can be.

Triggers this week:

My insurance company.  They are morons.  They decided to (without contacting me) call State Farm and demand payment for the repair that they said they paid for.. except I didn't have my car repaired at their shop.  Nor did I ask that it be repaired there.. in fact, I told the woman handling my claim that I did NOT want it repaired there and that I would go straight through State Farm.  Fast forward to calling State Farm to set up my rental and they were totally confused because they paid Esurance (my craptastic insurance) because they stated I already had it repaired.  Um, no.  I clearly still see a giant dent in my bumper. GRRR.  Switching insurance after the first of the year..

Christmas shopping.  This isn't really a BAD trigger, as in its a good thing (fun) for me but I tend to over analyze how much I'm spending on each person versus whether or not they will be happy with what I bought them.  I need to stop thinking about it.

Keeping the house semi-clean.  This is a constant battle for me, and a constant trigger.  I have to learn to not care so much.  Dawson is fed and alive and safe.. he's not going to care in 20 years whether or not Mom kept the TV stand dusted or the crumbs off the floor.

Christmas pictures.  We have them scheduled for Saturday but of course today I woke up with a giant cold sore.  I'm attempting to be rid of it as fast as possible and hope for the best.  It's a good friend taking our pictures so I suppose if it doesn't happen this weekend it can be some other time.  I was just looking forward to having cute pictures of us all.  Also, I have been searching for the 'perfect' outfit for pictures and realized I have no idea how to dress myself or pick out anything flattering since I had Dawson.  Thank goodness for girlfriends that can say "That looks terrible" so I don't leave the house looking like a disaster :)

That's about it this week.  Almost all things I can control, or at least I can control the thoughts around.  Seems like first world problems, for sure, and I am thankful for that!

Five Years

Dawson and I went to meet my mom at the mall today to buy the boy yet another pair of shoes (what?! It's only been 2 months! Growing like a weed!) As I passed an exit in my lame mom mobile with my cruise set to the speed limit, I saw a little sports car just like the one I used to drive merging onto the freeway at what now I would call way way too fast.  

Five years ago I was the person in that car.  My little two seater with the music blaring probably headed to the mall to buy myself a pair of new shoes.  I had to laugh, because so much has changed in five years and I would have NEVER pictured myself in a minivan with my old boots and just whatever I could find to wear on with a little one in the backseat (dressed far better than I am, I might add.)  

Five years ago I was not married yet nor was I thinking I was going to have children soon.  It made me wonder how much more will change in the next five years.  I hope to have another child by then and be in school.  Or maybe I will be that mom that volunteers her time at the school.  The possibilities are endless.  

I miss my sports car.. I really do.  As I listened to Dawson giggling in the backseat about his Tom and Jerry DVD he watches on silent I thought "I would be missing so much if I still drove that little sports car." 

I feel very at peace with where my life is right now.  I can't remember the last time I felt that way.  I will take the lame minivan (which I don't care who you are, it's awesome) and my old boots and clothes off the bedroom floor if it means I get to spend each day with my boys.  I am blessed. 

New car? Nightmare.

I never thought I would say I miss my Honda Accord but here I am.  I still love my new Odyssey of course but everything that has happened in the last month is making me a little crazy (short road, I know.)

 My NEW minivan now sits at The Honda dealership being diagnosed.  Except of course now that it's there, they can't seem to get it to act up at all.  Since it's a new car they contacted Honda corporate to see if anyone else had reported the same issue and JUST my luck, no one has.  So they are driving it around some more trying to get the error lights to come on.  It makes me a little sick to know that even after this I have to take it to get the body damage fixed.  It sure would be nice to open my back hatch though!

  I know I probably sound ungrateful at this point, but not having a car makes me feel... trapped.  I really am grateful to get to drive a new car (or really any car at all.) Joe works his butt off so I can not only have everything I need but things I want too.  I guess I just like things to go smoothly and this is a very small bump in the road.  My anxiety over such things gets the best of me sometimes.  You would think having a child would have taught me to EXPECT things to go wrong! :) 

Dawson and I are getting cabin fever, but we will survive! I do get to get out of the house tonight for therapy, so that's good.  I feel encouraged by the last few weeks regarding my hair.  As much stress as I have been under, I am still keeping a handle on my pulling and I have a lot of new growth, especially up top.  The cold season is obviously beneficial to me with all of my hats and gloves.  I am still having bad days but they are no longer outweighing the good.  Baby steps.. 

Flu shot or not?

Yesterday was a wasted day taking my car in.. I have to take it back next week.  They wanted to keep it a couple of days and give me a honda cr-z for a rental car, because that's totally car seat friendly.  (Insert eye roll here)

Anyway Dawson and Grandma K were at Kohl's scoping toys out while I got an estimate for body damage.  $1044.68.  Thankfully State Farm will be taking care of that bill.  After we left there we decided to get some lunch at Red Robin.  Dawson was just really snotty and his cough sounded worse so I made him an appointment for this morning with his doctor.  The poor kid has been sick more on than off for 6 weeks.  Sure enough he has a sinus infection.  Poor little guy.  Grandma bought him this cool new toy and that sure made him happy.

 I was going to ask about a flu shot but forgot.  I haven't gotten one since I was pregnant with him but I rarely get sick.  Dawson had one last year but not yet this year.  I'm trying to decide whether or not to get it for him.

How do you feel about the flu shot? Worth it or no?

Yep, feels like Monday

Joe just left for 3 days for work.  Dawson is sick as a dog.  My house is a disaster.  All I can say is thank goodness for Grandma K.  She will be here this afternoon and that always seems to perk Dawson up a little.  Oh, and I haven't managed to get coffee yet because Dawson is glued to me.  When does Grandma get here again? Ha!

Tomorrow my minivan goes in for repair.  I wish I could say it was going in for the dent my neighbor put in it but no, that's not it.  Instead it's for a bunch of lights coming on & screwing up my gas mileage.  Sometimes I think technology is a curse.  The front collision warning light, vehicle stability control, and lane departure warning lights keep coming on.  Sadly this started happening with only 800 miles on it.  To top it off, one month to the day after I bought it, my neighbor smashed it up.   First world problems, I know, but I hadn't even made the first (outrageous) payment yet.  Now I just have to convince State Farm that the value has been diminished because it has been in an accident.  All of this is just such a hassle.  I wish she had hit my old car.

Okay seriously.. I have to get coffee..

I live such an exciting life

Here I sit on a Sunday afternoon while Dawson sleeps.  He caught some kind of nasty cold and the poor kid can't seem to get enough sleep.

Anyway, Joe and I had our satellite tv suspended to try out huluplus, Netflix, and amazon prime streaming about a month ago.  So far no regrets! We have been spending evenings and nap time when possible, watching Revolution on netflix.  Now I have to say I would so NOT watch this show if I had to wait week to week for a new episode.  On Netflix it's even better than having tv shows recorded on the DVR.  I am sold! Our satellite tv used to cost around $150 a month with showtime and when we bought my awesome new car (mommy chic.. The minivan) we decided to cut some costs that just really aren't needed.  Needless to say, tv was the first to change.

Anyway, Revolution reminds me a little of Fringe but more on the this-could-really-happen line of things.  It's about the DoD releasing something that causes the power to go out.  15 years later the United States no longer exhists and there's war.  It doesn't take long to get to the point but there are a lot of flashbacks and you find yourself thinking "why is this important?" It might take several episodes to figure that out.  Hence why I say I wouldn't watch if it wasn't on Netflix.

Here is the link to NBC for more info Revolution.  Check it out!

I feel sort of lame that this is what Sundays have become but I love my little family.  Sometimes I don't even know what we did before Dawson.