Value-Added

Thelma is notorious for hating car rides. We've carted her to Southern California with us a few times, and she would literally whine the entire way. When she wasn't whining, she would turn her back and ignore us completely.

Pouting

Car rides only got worse when Wynn came into the picture. She picked up on the whining game real quick. ...So yeah. Volume is our friend.

But we took the pups for their first ride in the new truck this weekend, and the whining was gone! (Well, mostly).

This new discovery has got to be my FAVORITE feature.

An Early April Fool's

On behalf of Matt and myself, I would like to thank the IRS for officially scaring the crap out of us.

After I posted last night, I started googling all of the reasons why the IRS might send you a certified letter. And in sum, any and all certified letters can be considered bad. Very, very bad.

But what I want to know is how the IRS messes up and sends these evil documents to the wrong address. April Fool's came a bit early for us this year, it seems...

Nice way to end your day...

Matt and I came home to a notice of a certified letter waiting for us at the Post Office. From the IRS. This can't be good news.

Evening Wear

Every single day when I get home, I change into my after-work "uniform". I don't care that I'm not presentable if ever a knock comes at the door. I am concerned with my comfort, and my comfort alone. In fact, this habit is not unique to nights after work. Yep, I can and will don these for a full day at a time if priorities permit.

...I got these in Vegas when we went to see LOVE, and they've fast become my favorite article of clothing. To be honest, at first I was hesitant to wear them because of their souvenir status and because they have The Beatles' Yellow Submarines all over them. But that's kind of like buying candles to look at and not burn.

SO Excited!

Usually, we're advised not make a decision if we haven't shopped around... Well, Matt and I have been internet-browsing for months and months now. Does that count?

Yesterday we made a trip down to San Fran to take a look at a car we found on the net. It happened to be the first car we looked at and the first car we bought!

!!!!!!

If it's Broken, Move On

So the moment of truth has arrived. Matt's Jeep brakes needed replacing, plus he wanted to get that pesky, random power off problem looked into.

The mechanic's verdict? Our beloved junk-of-Jeep is toast. Not even worth a brake pad replacement.

So after work today, Matt and I will be hitting the pavement in search of our next chariot. This will be the first car that Matt and I have ever purchased together and there's definitely been some difference in opinion regarding which vehicle we'll ultimately be selecting... Me? I've been a steady Nitro since I saw one for the first time in a parking lot. Matt? ALL OVER THE BOARD. So, needless to say, it's made things..... Interesting.

The one thing we can agree on (now) is an SUV. We have two 60-lb. mutts and a lot of snowboarding to do, so 4wd is a must and then there's 'how are we going to tow all the big stuff you buy at Lowe's home'? Certainly not on the roof of a sedan. ...Now it's which SUV. And it's not as easy as it sounds.

On the flip, the only down side to acquiring something new and shiny, is that it may slightly dip into the vacation savings we were SO excited about. It's a possibility that Fiji will be out of our reach this year, and we're now looking at the more affordable all-inclusive resorts in Mexico or the Caribbean. But time will tell. It's a possibility our paradise-laden trip will be scrapped for good. Sometimes priorities suck.

New and Shiny report developing...

It's True!

No Doubt is touring again! They happen to be playing at this cool little venue in the sticks about 30 minutes north of us... AND WE GOT TICKETS!!

I am thoroughly excited if you can't tell.

...Now I just have to practice some patience and wait it out until July... Which wouldn't be a problem if patience and I got along a little better.

I’ll Believe It When I See It

I am thoroughly excited about the prospect of Spring being right around the corner. Well, technically it’s here, but until rain is fully off the forecast, I’m not convinced.

Northern Californians will tell you that we need the rain. And they’re right. But can’t we strike a deal with the rain gods to handle their business during sleep hours only?

The World is Our Oyster Syndrome

So Matt and I are determined to get the F out of Dodge at some point this year. We're looking at half way around the world as a prospect, but to be honest, we are are being so indecisive. Suffice it to say, we have a good 7 months to plan, but that's not the point... There are so many beautiful, gorgeous, (recommended) places to choose from. I've come to call our lack of direction "The World is Our Oyster Syndrome". Certainly not a bad ailment to suffer from, I know.

Fiji is at the top of the list. We actually Amazon'd a book about it because outside of it being a "tropical paradise", we really don't know much more.

But then there's New York and DC, both of which Matt hasn't seen. And what about the Caribbean? We've never even been to Florida, let alone the surrounding islands.

We thought about a cruise... I think I finally convinced Matt that a trip to Mexico might be a good idea. This was no easy task.....

The only experience Matt's had with Mexico is the time we were in San Diego and we had 4 hours to kill before heading home. So it was my bright idea to take a trip across the border so we could grab a margarita in Tijuana, you know, for the cultural experience. So crossing the border was fine, but once we got into to Tijuana and Matt started experiencing Mexico's finest, driving like we were in a bumper car cage - He sort of freaked. ...I remember there was this one round-about, where in America there would be actual lanes, but not in Mexico. No, that would be too logical... And without lanes, it was a free for all. Every man for himself. We were being cut off left and right and could practically feel the wind the car next to us created as they squeaked by at 45mph. Needless to say, our TJ moment was kind of ruined. I don't think we stepped foot outside the car because it took us so long to actually find downtown through all the traffic. ...And the topper - We turn to leave and end up sitting in a 4-hour line to get back to America. The only highlight were all the people running up and down the lines selling sombreros.

...So my point is... For Matt to even consider giving the border another shot is a miracle.

I digress. Spain, New Zealand, Brazil, London, Morroco? ...Suggestions anyone?

Time to Go Shopping

Now, I can't be sure of today because Matt is not home from work yet... But his car has been breaking down on him once a day for about 3 days running. He'll be sitting at a stop light and the damn thing will power off and then start up fine.

Over the past two years of us not having a payment on his Jeep, I keep insisting that we make up for those payments in repairs. It's a '98, so it's got some wear but I think he has finally managed to run the piece into the ground. For instance: His engine fan is hardwired because it wouldn't run otherwise... This may explain why he overheats at least twice a week in the summertime... Or it could be the cracked radiator. At one point his steering wheel had to be "tightened up", because it came so loose it was unsafe to drive. I won't even get into the strobe lights Matt's brake lights have become.

We got to laughing the other day when we were discussing some errands we need to run over the weekend, and a new car suddenly became a consideration. Who knows? Maybe it will last another couple of months. But one thing's for sure... Matt won't be spending money on another vehicle until this one is rendered useless.

Slip Away

Matt's band spent last winter recording, and it's been a long time coming for them to officially release their work.

Out of three, Slip Away is my favorite...

If you're interested in hearing more, visit their iTunes set up.