strange noise?

About 3 weeks ago (may 20) Jamos and I took our 1999 honda in for service - the 120k check up- along with getting new engine mounts- we spent a great chunk of money on this...and today, Jamos called me telling me that the car was making a strange noise. Well, personally, I HATE when something is wrong with my car. 1) I have NO idea how to fix it 2) it usually is expensive 3) I rely on my car so much- I dont want it to have something wrong with it!!

So, me, being OCD- After work, I called the local car place around the corner- they are really nice- family owned- and I wanted them to listen to the car, to see if it was going to blow up or something, he told me that it was either something within the timing belt (which I had replaced 1.5 years ago) OR the alternator.

Called the honda dealership AGAIN and asked if I could bring it in ASAP (tried to make an appointment earlier in the day, but no such luck) the guy, david, was REALLY nice- he said, sure, bring it in! So, Jamos and I drove with all the traffic leaving the city to the dealership- he ran a test and found out that it was indeed the alternator. DARN IT! I am like, gee whiz. He also saw that my battery was not putting out at full speed- SO, because I also got that 1.5 years ago and it is a 3 year warranty battery...I get a new battery for FREE.

I really really was frustrated with the whole situation. Like I want to deal with a car issue- I wish Jamos understood cars, but he is as clueless as I am- actually, I may be better at car stuff than he is- but when I pictured as a little girl- my marriage, my man actually KNEW how to fix cars! So, like my dad said on the phone tonight, I should just embrace that I am good at getting car work done. Not like it is hard, you know anyone will take your pay check for 2 hours of labor and $50 parts..

I also was able to return some stuff tonight to target- from Jamos' birthday. Well, just floor mats and the cool steering wheel cover I bought him. I guess he doesnt like stearing wheel covers... :)
And, we cleaned the dealership floor mats with oxy clean- so we are just good to go!!! :) And, we can put this money towards Jamos' new alternator....

ha ha ha.

Anyways, tomorrow is yoga at 7am- I am excited. Not excited to wake up so early, but pretty excited to relax!!!

Whelp, I think that is all folks.

Oxy-CLEAN!!!!

Below: "looking foward" a statue in downtown houston- very cool and very large.

Me in Michigan, with a blue gill I caught.
Okay, BELOW: this is my CLEAN car mat after I cleaned it with OXY-CLEAN!!!! I tried to do a before and an after, but, no such luck while uploading the photos. The below picture is the "before" and you can see, nearly 10 years of stuck on dirt, grease and grime- I tell you- they look like NEW!! All four mats and SOOOO clean. it is amazing.

And, the reason I am posting my husbands car mats on my blog is because I am in love with Oxy Clean. I cannot help it. This product is GREAT!!! I can't believe what it got out on the car mats, and my laundry looks AWESOME too- like, all those set in stains...MAN. They have COME OUT!!!! So, take my advice, go to SAMS and get the huge tub of OXY-CLEAN and you can use it in your laundry, to clean your deck, carpet, etc., it is awesome!!!! :)

I had a nice day today. Worked all day, and then, had to go BACK to IKEA (I did a little shopping on Sunday at IKEA) and return most of what I bought because my 'plan' isnt going to work out- I have really been wanting a corner hutch so I can display my beautiful china that I got for my wedding. Currently, it is still in the box it came in- stored in the closet- and that takes up a LOT of space that we could be storing boxes, etc., So, my plan was to find a corner cabinet with glass and doors at IKEA- but I had NO luck. I am totally bummed out. So, I thought I would get some shelves instead- strip them and then, stain them to match the coffee table. Well, my logical brained husband scratched that idea for me- after explaining that we probably shouldnt put our $150 per place setting china on a small shelf hanging on the wall. Plus, here at the apartment we dont have a TON of wall space- where a shelf would look good. So instead of saving all of my finds from IKEA- I took them back- which was probably VERY SMART! :) I also bought what I thought was a shadow FRAME- but it turned out to just be a PICTURE frame- and the random picture was the one you were to keep. I basically pulled all the staples from the back of the frame before realizing that this was not gonna work. I wanted to put some shells in the shadow box and hang it above the flat screen TV. Again, not gonna work! :) So, after IKEA, I made my way to the mall, to hallmark for some fathers day cards.... And, back home in time to make spaghetti for dinner with bread sticks. It was good!

While I was gone up north, jamos cleaned and organized the entire house, including my desk area. Well, now that I have been back and actually working again, my area does get a little MESSY. He has been on my case all day about how I have 'trashed' the house that he cleaned. I am like FINALLY you understand how a woman feels after cleaning all day for you men. So, I spent some time tonight cleaning up and that really does make such the difference- just a little pick up here and there before hunkering down for the night- makes you feel pretty darn good!

OH! I almost forgot, I had my first YOGA experience! A lady is teaching Yoga at our apartment complex. I went and thought I did a great job. I am SO NOT flexible at ALL. You should see these other ladies, touch their TOES. I can hardly reach my KNEES. Who are we kidding. Yoga is very relaxing, but also works your body. I enjoyed it and will be going back on Thursday! :) I get some ME time and it is FREE- so I better take full advantage! :)

Well, I better get back to writing fathers day cards, and bills for insurance. I am so sick of BILLS.

Has anyone drank Aloe Juice? I bought some and am just wondering if anyone else finds it ...interesting:)

96 degrees

Wow. I was out and about today after church- and MAN, I was sweating and looked at my car temp reading- and it was 96. who knows how much MORE or less it was actually- but I doubt very highly that it could be anything less than the 96. it was HOT.

Had a great time at church this AM- in our sunday school class- we are getting teaching from a great financial guy- who has a lot of interesting information in regards to finances and the biblical perspective on them. It was quite interesting- kinda boring, but mostly interesting and I can't wait to learn more about money managment.

Jamos got his PS 3 and has been playing it a lot this weekend. I went to IKEA with my friend Amy after church- I am looking for a CORNER HUTCH- I want to display my china...and well, of course, they did NOT have a corner hutch- so I am sad.

I have lots to do- it is super hot out- but, I need to sand some shelves I got at IKEA- so I can stain it and hopefully display some china on there...

Back to Tejas

After a wonderful week in Michigan, I am back in Texas. I flew home Thursday/night- had good flights- delayed out of detroit- due to the plane coming from Chicago- and weather issues. But, I made it home safe and sound! I have been sick since Sunday- and so the sinus pressure was AWFUL on the plane, mostly when we were coming into Houston, I thought my eye was going to FALL out!!!

It was really hard to say goodbye to my friends from work. We stopped for gas in Coloma- and that is where my dad came to meet us and pick me up. He even got all teary eyed- which was sweet. It was hard. And, I am still dealing with issues of living down in Houston, when I would rather be in Michigan.

I suppose in life, that is what you do- make sacrifices for your mate- which when I look at it like that it makes me sense, but most of the time I want to be selfish.

I will post pictures now, since most people dont want to listen to me ramble on and on! My husband is setting up his new PLAY STATION 3 .... He saved his birthday money and money from christmas to purchase this, and, well, we can watch blue ray movies, etc., so, I suppose it is worth it!! :) Later today I am sure we will be going to purchase a new GAME and a few other accesories for it...I am hoping he will stay up late playing video games and I can go to bed earlier than I have been lately- isnt that awful??

Michigan thus Far

These pictures are backwards in order- so view them from the bottom up! :) Michigan has been WONDERFUL! I am SO happy to be back here. I know that this is the state that I LOVE. I had a great and safe flight to Detroit, Jennie picked me up from the airport, she did a great job and actually met me before baggage claim- so that was a suprise! The office was decorated for my arrival, and people were waiting in the lobby to say hi to me. It was quite special and wonderful and I am SO thankful that I work where I work. After a busy day Thursday, I went home from the office with Rachel- we had a great dinner at Outback! And, then drove around Jackson to see what has changed. We actually went to my old apartment and Jack, my favorite maintance man was working on it- no one has rented it out yet- so, I knocked on the door and we went up! AAWWWW. My old apartment- I love it. It kinda makes me sad thinking about it now. But, hey, life does just move on. I tried to see my little lady neighbor, Ginny, but she wasnt home- or didnt hear the doorbell- one or the other! :)

Rachel and I went to a movie- we were like the only ones in the theater for a while and then, like 4 people showed up to see "baby mama" which was actually a good movie- not just funny humor. Actually had some substance to it. I really enjoyed seeing Rachel and spending time with her. She was a great hostess!!!

Friday I was able to attend the registration day so I got to hang out with my students and eat lunch with them, etc., That was AWESOME!!! I have missed that SO much. Although, it is strange to gain that perspective again, after doing so much phone work, etc.,

I drove to my grandma's on Friday after work- we had a nice dinner and I ended up falling asleep on her couch!! I woke up while we were watching tv and looked at her and she said "you fell asleep" :) It was sweet. I love my grandma.

On Saturday, we had pancakes at my dads, then, we all went to work outside- splitting and loading the wood my dad found along some random road somewhere. Hey, I guess it makes sense when you heat your home with it- and the price of everything is rising. That was a dirty job, but at least I got some sun and some excercise. After that, we went walking in downtown st.j and that was wonderful. We walked a long while- stopped at an Estate Sale, where I got the game, Jenga, for like 2 bucks and some movies for my husband. :) CHEAP!!! Then, we walked all along the beach, to the pier and back to the car. It was such a perfect michigan summer day!

That night, we had my grandma over for pizza- and I chose to have a photo opportunity in the flowers- since in texas we have streets, cars and tall buildings, not a lot of beautiful flowers! I love FLOWERS!!!!

After pizza, I met up with the Mitchells- to watch Justyc dance recital- it was good and REALLY funny at some points- only in the ways that a small town could be funny.

Today was church at RTL- where I got to see a bunch of people- which was nice- and of course, my in-laws which was fun too! Now that I actually LIVE with my husband, I see a TON of resemblance in actions and things. It is fun to watch. After church, I had lunch with my grandma, and then, washed her windows- which normally she has Jamos do- b/c he is like, the best window washer EVER or something- and I just dont get them as streak free as she would like. But, I would say I did a really good job. After doing my duties as a grandaughter, I drove back to my dads, where we proceeded to load the boat and go fishing! We caught 16 blue gill- enough to then, come home and fry up for dinner!! We had corn bread, asparagus (picked fresh from the fields here in c town) and, the fish. It was tasty! My dad and I had a good day together! I enjoy being outside with him- and doing things with him too!! :)

Now, here I am, blogging and I really need to get some rest, becuase my throat is killing me! I don tknow why- too much nature or something!!! :)

Tomorrow I am meeting back up with my office for our retreat/training. I am SUPER excited to see everyone again and spend more time with them hanging out!!!