More and More Car Problems

Yesterday, Havelock was very kind and got up early with Grig so that he could drive Grig to work and bring the car back for me. I was very grateful, because that way I didn't have to wake up Kevin. I needed to take it to the repair shop so they could figure out what the codes were that were popping up and give us an estimate of how much it was going to be to fix.

My grandparents were kind enough to follow me and Kevin to the shop, and then to drive us back after we dropped off the car. Yesterday, all Kevin wanted to do all day was cuddle. It could have been frustrating I suppose, but actually it was kind of nice. We had a snuggle day. He's been really great at giving hugs lately. At night, after he's eaten a little, he get up and stumble over to his father and collapse on his chest and then give him kisses. Grig really enjoys it. It's pretty tender.

We love Kevin's hugs. The dog doesn't always, but she's pretty patient about it.

Anyway, just after Grig got home (a coworker gave him a ride) the auto shop called, so I let Grig talk to them. It's not that I don't know somethings about cars, but when you start talking at Catalytic Converters and things like that...I just kind of start glazing or feeling frustrated because I don't know what they're talking about. Also, I trust Grig's clear head.

So, our catalytic converter is broken and needs to be replaced. That is going to be about $900. Also, our thermostat is broken and our check engine light was smashed to pieces. Together, those two will be about $200 something. This could have been discouraging news, because we also have to pay for new tires and brakes, but after my last post, I kind of feel benign about it all.

I've already come to terms with the fact that this is going to cost a lot of money, and I'm just grateful that we have the means to deal with it right now. Grig needs to go to college and in order to do that he needs his residency. So, our car needs to pass these inspections. Also, these could potentially be very harmful things to our car, and as much as fixing it can be a pain, it will be cheaper than buying a new car.

I love this car. A friend sold it to us for an incredible price and it has been wonderful. It has had very few problems and pretty great gas mileage. The fact is, we need it. We told them we might wait until tax returns arrived to get a new catalytic converter, but he told us it would be cheaper if we replace the thermostat while they already have the car opened up, so the car stayed overnight at the shop last night.

That meant that Grig walked to work today.

We had a special fast at church this week for more moisture. Last night it began snowing. Is that a coincidence? I think not.

However, as wonderful as the snow is, that meant that Grig had to walk through snow for 1/2 an hour to get to work at 3:30 this morning. He is a pretty awesome, responsible guy. He made it safely, in case you were wondering.

We have a great kid with a lot of love and happiness. He loves to share that with everyone he meets, and most days I try to return the favor. I have a new goal along with my other goals. I am now instigating 'no technology time.' This is the time of day after Kevin wakes up from his nap where my computer is shut down and I don't touch it until after Grig gets home. This is so I ensure that Kevin gets my undivided attention. That's not to say I'm on the computer the whole morning either, but I do blog, and then while Kevin is napping I am trying to work on my stories and animations. I've just been feeling like I'm spending too much time electronically with my son, and not enough time playing with him.

So, we're working on it.

Yesterday was supposed to be the first day my goal happened, but he didn't go to sleep until 2:30, and by the time Grig got home, he was still sleeping. Thus the period I was supposed to turn off the computer never happened. That's okay, if that time doesn't work, I'll do it earlier in the morning instead.

Goals are awesome! They keep us going in life and give us direction. Grig is going to become a resident and so we are going to fix our car.

It's going to be okay.