I really am fortunate

I must have some good karma or several guardian angels on my side! Lee (the awesome honest mechanic ) showed me the parts he removed from my car. I'm truly amazed. The brakes were almost gone! The spark plugs and wires were fried. The routers (sp?) were warping and in bad shape.

I know more "hands on" on older cars but the Volvo has always been a mystery. My ex (fiancee) acted like he knew what he was doing but for the most part NO! I went without a horn for most of the time I owned it. (three years) The most exciting part for me (Marta's World) Is Lee checked everything and things that didn't work do now. My heater was not very warm. Ex and his friend told me it was a cold blooded car and that was all I would get. He had a Volvo too and his was always warm. Anyway Lee said it was a bad thermostat and replaced it. I have heat!

I got my car back on Wednesday with time to get to workshop. I had to be downtown for an appointment and was kicking around in case I ended up taking the street car to Csz workshop. It was pretty easy to take MAX and get off three blocks away from Hi-Tech Auto Repair. No trying to find someone to give you a ride. I am simple huh?

The car runs and feels different but in a good way. I'm very pleased with Lee and the smooth ride. There were a few little things he wanted to finish for me but is waiting on the parts. I highly recommend Lee and his family crew for all your car repair needs. I've had both good and bad mechanics so when you get a good one hang on!

Now I'm ready for that road trip I've been itching for! I just need to burn a few CD's, get some snacks, pack up and away we go!

Glad I went and other catch up stuff

Boy have I gotten around the last bit of time! I will give you a smattering but really got things to do!

I took the James Bailey workshop Saturday. I wish I could have taken them all! He is a great teacher and a super nice guy. I jumped right in and soon you couldn't shut me up. I really got a lot from his class and hope to take more in the future.

The CSz show was a lot of fun. The folks that had taken the workshop put it into play. We even played Beastie Rap using the tips taught right before the show. It went well and made it even more fun.

The mechanic is awesome. (thanks Deeg) He has figured out the electrical bugaboos that have annoyed me from the beginning. He is taking care of my list and confirming things I was worried about. He still has the car as we speak. I hope he is done in time for me to go to workshop!

I signed up for the show Saturday but haven't seen lines yet. I do know I'm playing the Halloween show (Sunday) in Portland. (doors open at 6:30 show at 7) It should be a blast.

Off to prepare for another whirlwind day. Hope things slow down a bit so I can enjoy things, people and fall.

Oh, Thursday night at Roscoes in S.E. it's the last night of the Comedy contest. Adam Higgins is in the top 5 with a chance to win! It starts around 9pm so come out and support a fellow CSzer. No cover and reasonable prices. See ya!

Simplicity

I'm so excited about today! I'm taking my car to a mechanic for general maintenance. I haven't done anything except oil change for two years. I made an appointment almost a week ago. Since then I have been making a list of things I know need attention. I have been fortunate, in the last year especially. If anything had happened to my car I would not have been able fix it. That would have left me unable to have my kid time. I'm so glad I got the Volvo instead of the cute Honda CRV.

Now my car will be set for a road trip..... mmm... ;)

I missed driving My car!

I'm enjoying Driving again! I missed the short trips most people do everyday. What I'm itching for is a destination road trip. The kind that is headed for something great - like Disneyland.

My car is pretty plain jane compared to my old rides. The seats are really comfortable and I have a decent stereo. Since it's a Volvo its like driving a tank. The only complaint is no cruise control. Oh, and no seat heater.

I had a 1959 pink Edsel convertible with continental kit. I also had a 1959 Edsel wagon and a 1962 red Ford Econoline Camper van. The last two were everyday drivers.

The last road trip I took was to the shopping Mecca known as IKEA. It was in my last cool ride. It was a 1974 International Travelall. School bus yellow with fake wood sides. The interior was in mint condition when I got it since the original owner had plastic covers on the back seat. It was green and beige woven cloth insets on vinyl. This car had it all! Two gas tanks one in the front = 35 gallon capacity. The front seats were captains chairs that ajusted forward and back as well as recline but the added feature was lumbar support! The back seat was bench that would fit three comfortable. Lots of leg room all around. The trunk could fit a queen size bed flat but even with the seat down it wouldn't quite fit lengthwise. It had power windows (including tail gate window) power steering and brakes (and cruise control) which made driving a joy. There was even a working CB radio. One of the best features was the b*tching stereo system. Each door had a speaker as well as the dash and very back to blast the powerful Pioneer eight track player. I owned over 40 eight tracks I got for less than a quarter each. Yes, I loved that car the most. I sold it reluctantly when I moved to my old apartment. I'm glad I sold it when I did because otherwise I wouldn't have been able to. It got 12 MPG tops on the freeway but 8 or less in town - ouch!

Back to the road trip. I came back with the furniture I (mostly) own now. The seat was down and we had it filled to the roof as well as some things tied to the roof rack. That was a fun road trip during a (brief) good period not too long ago. I feel one of these monumental road trips coming on in the near future. Good things may happen in Marta's World making things better. Keep your fingers crossed for me!