A boat load of money just sailed away

Conversation between JR and me last weekend:

Michele, you need to take the car in before you leave and at least get the oil changed.

Right, I’ll do that (yawn)

No! really, take the car in!

Okay, I will

I hate to take the car in to get serviced. Invariably they find something that is wrong that will cost me a boat load of money. This time was no different.

“Mrs. R, before you take your trip you should really get the radiator replaced. It’s leaking, the hoses are shot, and the belts need to be replaced.” Says nice concerned young repairman

“What’s that going to cost me?” (me, inwardly cursing JR because that boat load of money has just sailed)

“If we only change the oil and all the stuff I listed it will only cost $700. If we do the service on the fuel system and the transmission that needs to be done also will add another $300 to the total.” (looking like he’s worried I’m going to have that heart attack that I’ve been threatening for years)

“Groan”

What can I expect? The car is 14 years old and has 153000 miles on it. It’s old. It’s tired. It's parts are wearing out. I know just how it feels. Unlike the car, $1000 is not going to get me up and running.

I shouldn’t be complaining. We bought the car used for next to nothing and we’ve put even less into it. About every 4 years or so we drop a grand or less to replace parts but that’s about it, though these parts replacement hits are getting closer together. Last one was about a year ago.This car has been a good deal but it looks like it’s getting to be time to move on.

I shouldn’t be sitting at the Whole Foods eating my organic (because it’s Whole Foods) pumpkin whole wheat muffin, my organic (can you say expensive, because it’s Whole Foods!) Bartlett pear and drinking my organic 1% milk (because it was cheaper than the organic Whole Foods coffee) getting all sentimental about a car. It’s a car, already. Geesh, I hate menopause.

Across the street is a Lingerie Superstore. I am SO tempted to walk over to find out what it so super about the store. Is it just an uber porn shop? Okay, that’s it, I have to know. I’ll report later.

It is not an uber porn shop. It is all lingerie, sexy costumes, and hooker shoes. Not a video or a sex toy in site. Kind of disappointing really, I was hoping for something outrageous. I’ll have to wait until I can get up to Cape Cod Girl’s area to visit an uber porn shop and the fall leaves (my dream vacation all wrapped up into one. CCG I'll be heading your way. So pull out the hide-a-bed. LOL!). I was happy to see that they had a whole section of organic lotions, oils and lubricants. Trying to cater to the Whole Foods crowd from across the street I guess.

Hey Becky, next time you are looking for a pair of fishnets I know just the place. They have fishnets in very color of the rainbow. This place carries full body fishnets. What more could you ask for. And, these are the good fishnets, very fine mesh, not the ones that would catch tuna but the ones that would catch sardines. Ewwww…I just gave that sentence some more thought. Sorry.

I was in awe of their selection. They offer more than the typical panty-less cheerleader costumes and milkmaid outfits. So if you ever get invited to an Oscar party and want to look like Cher at the 1986 Oscar’s this is the place to find them.

I could have done without the 3 saleswoman literally attacking me at the front door. I wanted to browse, maybe secretly take a couple of pictures, do a little blog recon but NO! I had a saleswoman wanting to follow me around the store telling me about their inventory clearance sale. So sorry, no pictures.

So 5 ½ hours and $700 later I drive out of the repair place with a brand spanking new radiator, all new hoses and belts, and an oil change.

JR: “How did it go at the car repair place?”

Me: “I had to get a new radiator. It took 5 ½ hours and cost $700. Thank you for asking.”

JR: “What, did you buy the gold plated one?”

Me: “Grrrrr………..” (flips him the bird)

Love,

Michele