I Get the Car Back (Almost)

I slept in on Friday. When I finally woke up, it was still just about 60 degrees F. outside, so I opened all the windows to air out the house. I finally remembered to reverse the ceiling fan in the kitchen (you want it to run clockwise in the winter to blow the warm air down, but counter-clockwise in the summer to suck the cool air up).

I made a cup of Rick's coffee, ate a grapefruit, shaved and showered, read a magazine and generally screwed off until 10:30 AM. Then I got ready to go and get the car.

I picked up Jake at his work and we headed out. As I said before, it's not a particularly complex trip, but it does take 40-45 minutes to get there.

When we got there, I got the bill. In addition to the new oil cooler, heater core, rear shocks and struts, he told me they had checked the in-car filter and it was black. So, they replaced that, too. Funny, I never knew I had an in-car filter. I paid the bill (just under $3,400.00 US) and he went to get the car. That's when things went a bit crazy, again... Sigh...

He was gone a long while and when he came back, he said he'd been sitting there and ran through the various heating and cooling cycles. Some of them didn't work. So, he had a mechanic check the codes to see what the problem was. He said he didn't know if it was something that was screwed up before, or something they did, so they wanted to keep it but they would fix it for free.

I told him I had to get Jake back to work and turn in the rental car and suggested he give me the car and I would come back on my next day off. I'd just sit and wait until they fixed it, then. He said, no, they didn't want to let it go if it wasn't right. He offered me a loaner and said he would personally drive the car to my house and exchange it for the loaner car. That way I wouldn't have to drive all the way back.

What the hell! I said okay. So, they brought around a 2010 Volvo S40 and gave me the key. (Oh, God! It's fire-engine red!!) So, I drove the new Volvo and Jake drove the rental car.

We ran into quite the traffic back-up on Southfield (construction) but finally got moving again. We finally stopped at Enterprise and parked the Volvo. Then I drove Jake back to work (he was only about five minutes late). I mused on the way there if they had given me the loaner because they thought they screwed up, or if this was something they routinely offered. If so, I could have saved like $200. Jake told me I shouldn't think about that and to just let it go. Good advice, but, still...

BTW, thanks again, Jake!

I went to Enterprise and paid for the car rental. They asked if I needed a ride and I said no. That was lucky, because there were already three people waiting for rides. I got in the Volvo and drove about half way home (It's only like three miles) when I remembered I left my garage door opener in the rental car. Disgusted, I turned around and went back to get it.

When I finally got home, I changed clothes and lay down on the bed to eat lunch and get some rest (it was a stressful morning!) I didn't fall asleep, but I did lay there until about 3:30 PM. It felt good!

I missed the call from the dealership. But the voicemail from Justin (after three grand we are on a first-name basis) said it was some sort of module that failed. They've ordered the part and he should be dropping the car off Monday evening. He said to enjoy the weekend in the loaner car. The best part of it is that this one's absolutely free!!! Plus, I can use the new red Volvo to pick up hot chicks this weekend! (Note: The Captain was engaging in fantasies at this point).

Back to reality, I got out the push mower and cut the front lawn. It's hot (81 degrees F.), but with low humidity, so it wasn't that bad. I used the push mower to cut a couple of patches in the back lawn as well. Why? Well, after adjusting the deck height (side to side and back to front) I am no longer sure what setting to use.

So, I drove next to the push mower patches and lowered the blade from 5 to 4 to 3. The 3 setting looked about right, so I went with that. I cut the four turns around the back yard. At one point, I had to go into the front yard to turn around and I noticed where the riding mower cut, it was shorter than the push mower. Damn! Well, now I know. Number 4 setting would be better. But I am committed now to the number 3 setting, so that's what I cut the back lawn at. I got a LOT of grass clippings to deal with, but it's been hot and sunny for two days now, so they are all dry and not clumping up.

I put the lawn tractor away and got out the push mower again for the back yard. I cut around the reflecting pool, the raised bed garden and all the trees. I forgot to note the time, but I finished before 8:00 PM.

I was gonna make some soup for dinner, but it seemed like a lot of work at that point. So, I just ate some leftovers and watched TV until I fell asleep.