Dating

Right now, my profile is on three dating websites. One, I don't subscribe to. One is free. The third is eHarmony. So far, I've received over 40 matches in just over a week. There are some promising matches out there, but it's only been a week so, so far, it's just email and Dr. Neil Clark's "Guided Communication".

eHarmony has all these helpful hints on how to get a man, keep a man, and improve your life. I took a 6-question survey called the Marriage Clock. Here are the results. I guess I have something to look forward to.

complaint regret

I shouldn't complain about the new car, really. There are more good things about it than bad. I guess I just expected perfection for $20k.

Good:
Great miles per gallon!
Stereo buttons on the steering wheel!
MP3 hookup!
Heated seats!
Sunroof!
Cool dashboard with blue lights for the speed and stuff!
Heated side mirrors!! How cool is THAT?!
CD Player!
Big trunk!

And... it's silver, which means:

Infrequent trips to the car wash!!

Brand New Car?

I got my brand new car on Monday night. I went to maybe pick it up on Friday and there was a paint chip on the door handle and some purple paint spattered on the side. They fixed the chip - not sure if it was repainted or replaced. They washed the purple paint. I went to get it Monday night and there was a little part missing - a key-hole cover. Someone had put a piece of tape over it. The salesman took one of another car.

Today, I was driving to work and I heard a squeaking sound coming from the door. The door is rubbing against the frame and making a squeaking noise right in my ear. I can actually move the door panel and make the noise myself with just one finger. So, tomorrow, I have to call the dealer and get it fixed.

Oh, and I've already scratched the thing, inside, on the door panel. Low, so it's not totally obvious. I must have swung my briefcase too far or something.

So, I guess a brand new car can still have some problems.

Other than that, it's sweet. I used the heated seats this morning! Nice.

Twitter

If ever I get married, I hope the proposal isn't done over Twitter.

Actually, Grateful

The neighbors came over today to give me a thank you card and some chocolates from France. I guess I just wasn't patient enough. They're forgiven.

Ungrateful?

Last week, my neighbors went to Paris. Lucky them. They asked me if I'd feed their cats while there were gone, so of course I said yes. It was a natural transition from having Noel here to checking in on their cats for a week. And in a way, easy because they were staying at their own house. So, I went over there every day for a week and petted them, and gave them each a can of wet food. And filled the water bowls.

I thought they were coming back Saturday but I guess it was Sunday. At around 6 pm Saturday night, I went over and did my thing, and then, checked in again on Sunday afternoon. I hoped they were coming home on Sunday, but it was hard to say because they had left their cars here while they were gone. Then, Sunday night, I was talking to Dad outside and he noticed that a light upstairs had just gone off. So, phew, they were home. I was done.

Monday night, my car died. It was towed to the mechanic and there it's sat. I had Dana's car during the day for a couple of days but not overnight. So, maybe they don't think I'm home. I'm saying this because it's Thursday night and they have yet to call me to say "Thanks for watching our cats. They were well fed and alive. Oh? You checked in on them every single day? How nice of you. That's more than you probably ask your family to do when you're on vacation. Anyway, thank you very much."

Nope, no phone call. Maybe they think I'm out of town. Maybe they're pissed because I may have lost their house key. The husband thought I had one, but I couldn't find it and so we just left the door unlocked all week. They apparently didn't have time to make a spare.

I just think it's rude. That's 2 instances of rude in one week. Not that I'm counting.

When I do happen to see them in passing, I'm sure I'll be very nice and say it wasn't a problem.

Cruise Time!

Amanda and I are going on a 7 day cruise from Boston to Bermuda! I just added a countdown on the blog. This should help me stick to an exercise plan and instill panic that I need to shop for an entirely new wardrobe. And get a week's worth of library books! I can't wait! Only 9 weeks away.

Milestones

In the past week, I've reached several milestones in my life. Today's post will be in list format.

• I had a birthday a week ago. I'm 36. Which means, I'm closer to 40 than 30, but I still consider myself in my mid-thirties, not "pushing forty". I had some great celebrations (dinner out - great company, great food; wine with friends and family; great gifts; a fun party) and learned a valuable lesson. Always, always take your birthday off from work. I'll remember this next year.
• I finally went to the Super WalMart in the next town. The last time I tried to go, which was also the first time, they weren't open yet. It was a lonely drive through the parking lot for me. In my formerly awesome CAR, which...
• Bit the dust yesterday. I was driving home, took a left off the main road, almost home, and the car slipped out of gear and got stuck in neutral. In the middle of the road. I managed to get it up the street after turning it off and on and sending it through the gears a few times. I had the bright idea that it was fine, just a fluke. So I decided to try to take it to the Y. I made it a block and a half. So... I borrowed my brother's car, went to the Y, and called AAA to have it towed to the local mechanic. Diagnosis: Transmission is shot. Repair cost: $2,500. The milestone here is, it was the first brand new car I owned, a 2001 Honda Civic, and it's gone. If I had known it was my last ride, would I have been more appreciative of the car?

Stood Up

I've been stood up for a date w/Cat Allergy guy (he's allergic to cats). We had plans to go out for dinner tonight, plans made last Sunday. I guess they weren't firm to him because it's 6:50 on Friday night and I'm not on my way to dinner. I'm on my way to WalMart. That's right. I'm off to buy storage for my knitting supplies. :) There are some benefits to being stood up. I can work on clearing my clutter. I can turn brain off for the night. I have a new movie from Netflix. Plus, I won't be tired or hungover for my birthday party tomorrow! Still, though, it is kind of rude.

The Bobbsey Twins

Amanda and I went for a walk at the Rail Trail. We wore the same outfit. An older couple said "Hi, Kids" when we passed to us.

Laser Tag

It's pretty dark in the video, but look closely. Noel loves the laser pointer toy.

Just Can't Get Enough

Curiosity

Sam's nose, trying to figure out what the hell is going on in the dining room. Some hissing, growling, and general malaise occurred, but he was easily distracted by food and water from the tub faucet.

The Week That Was

Here we find Noel in one of her favorite vacation spots: The Dining Room Table Cave. It's cheap to travel here; you don't even need to get on a plane. And someone give you three square meals a day. Granted, there's not much variety, but sometime they even play with you!

"Hmm, should I get up off of this chair, or am I feeling too lazy?"

"Let's check out this little toy. Oh! There's something delicious in it. Is that catnip I smell?"

The catnip takes effect...

During the week, I gave Noel a change of scenery. I blocked off some rooms and she was able to explore the lands of Kitchen and Pantry. She enjoyed it.