Automotive genius, Miss Priss, and Girls' Night!

Current mood: rejuvenated

Since we got the SUV, we try to drive the car for any significant distances that we travel without the kids. For example, I drive it to school (approximately 15 miles) and Stefan drives it to work (30+ miles). Since we have instituted this policy, the miles have sky rocketed on the car and now it is finally needing some regular maintenance.

It now has 83K miles, but Stefan has been checking the brakes since 40K thinking they needed to be done. Thursday, on my way to school was the sign he has been looking for all this time. They were making a scraping noise. You know the one. That sound that comes right before the high pitched squeal that dogs from a five mile radius hate to hear. We called our bargain mechanic up the street but he was going to charge almost $300 (not bad) . So, Stefan decided to tackle the job with the help of my dad. The only thing is Stefan wanted to do them on Saturday and my dad was only available on Sunday. So, Stefan decided to do it himself...and he did. It may have taken him the better part of the morning but he completed the task and the work. Well...at least the car stops so we THINK they work. Needless to say, Stefan's automotive prowess ego has been blown up to biblical proportions.

On a side note, while Stefan was working on the car Lexi felt the need to be involved somehow. At one point she went out in the garage and sat in her Lexi-sized chair to read a book.

When Stefan made some noise she said, "Daddy, keep it down. I'm trying to concentrate."

I think you can guess what his response was. Later, she decided to have a tea party in her playhouse in the back yard. Again, Stefan was making too much noise, so she went in the garage and said, "Daddy, stop making all that noise. I'm trying to have a tea party."

Last night was girls' night out for me and friend/ex-neighbor, Susan. She and I left the boys and kids at our house while we went to The Melting Pot. It was good and the conversation was continuous and on an adult level - something you miss terribly when you stay home with the kids most of the time. When we got back, the kids were all asleep, the boys were watching a movie, and (amazingly) the house was still intact.

We got news this morning, that Stefan's grandmother had a fainting episode today. She's under observation at the hospital for the day but some things have been ruled out already. Please keep her and Stefan's family in your prayers while some sense is made of this situation.