On the run
This might be the end of the Mazda. I brought the car to a service center today to have it smog checked (which, apparently, they don't do on Sundays) and have the oil changed. I also had noticed that it was leaking what I thought was transmission fluid, so I asked them to check.
Sure enough, it's leaking transmission fluid. They recommended having the engine steam cleaned and bringing it back to try to pinpoint the problem. That sounds expensive. (Does anyone know roughly how much the steam cleaning would cost? I suppose I can call them and ask.) I have a feeling that I'll pay for the cleaning and diagnostics to find that the problem is too expensive to be worth fixing.
The leak is very slow, so I'm still driving the car. And I'm figuring out how I could get another car. The timing is not the greatest. (At first, I was thinking that the timing couldn't be worse, but when I wasn't working or really sick would've been much worse). I might be able to swing a new Honda Civic. I'm also considering used cars, although one wouldn't last as long, and I'd be in this situation again. I want to wait until July to get another car, if possible.
Anyway...My work hours have been creeping up again. All the products that the department in which I work supports are shipping this summer, so we'll be in crunch mode all summer. I did wind up staying until 3 AM once doing an online help build, but I worked from home the next day and slept late, so that wasn't so bad. As I said to Erik, as long as I usually can keep my weekends free, I'll consider it a moral victory.
Speaking of Erik, he and I got together for dinner to exchange paperwork. It was a really enjoyable time. He met Harlee, who came over to say hello and check him out. (I'm so proud of her.)
Harlee is breaking my heart. When she hears me come out of the bedroom or (sometimes) in the front door, she comes running over to see me. And then she curls up against the gate, looking forlorn. I've got to make time this week to clean out the living room so that I can let her out.
And finally, I've put the primer coat on part of my garage. It's a start. I also cleaned my patio furniture. I originally had planned to give it to Goodwill, but they won't pick it up. I've decided to offer it for free to people in my complex. My next step is to make flyers to post by all the mailboxes. I would think someone would be interested. I'm hoping to get rid of it before the roof work starts, which was supposed to start now, but I haven't heard anything.
I've spent too long writing this, so...later.
Sure enough, it's leaking transmission fluid. They recommended having the engine steam cleaned and bringing it back to try to pinpoint the problem. That sounds expensive. (Does anyone know roughly how much the steam cleaning would cost? I suppose I can call them and ask.) I have a feeling that I'll pay for the cleaning and diagnostics to find that the problem is too expensive to be worth fixing.
The leak is very slow, so I'm still driving the car. And I'm figuring out how I could get another car. The timing is not the greatest. (At first, I was thinking that the timing couldn't be worse, but when I wasn't working or really sick would've been much worse). I might be able to swing a new Honda Civic. I'm also considering used cars, although one wouldn't last as long, and I'd be in this situation again. I want to wait until July to get another car, if possible.
Anyway...My work hours have been creeping up again. All the products that the department in which I work supports are shipping this summer, so we'll be in crunch mode all summer. I did wind up staying until 3 AM once doing an online help build, but I worked from home the next day and slept late, so that wasn't so bad. As I said to Erik, as long as I usually can keep my weekends free, I'll consider it a moral victory.
Speaking of Erik, he and I got together for dinner to exchange paperwork. It was a really enjoyable time. He met Harlee, who came over to say hello and check him out. (I'm so proud of her.)
Harlee is breaking my heart. When she hears me come out of the bedroom or (sometimes) in the front door, she comes running over to see me. And then she curls up against the gate, looking forlorn. I've got to make time this week to clean out the living room so that I can let her out.
And finally, I've put the primer coat on part of my garage. It's a start. I also cleaned my patio furniture. I originally had planned to give it to Goodwill, but they won't pick it up. I've decided to offer it for free to people in my complex. My next step is to make flyers to post by all the mailboxes. I would think someone would be interested. I'm hoping to get rid of it before the roof work starts, which was supposed to start now, but I haven't heard anything.
I've spent too long writing this, so...later.