A shout out to John's Car Wash in Salem, OR

Scot and I both buy wash cards at John's Car Wash, a great deal over paying individually.  We run the metal stallions through there when they need it. (Ok, usually well past the point they need it, but better than never, eh?) To make a long story short, the attendant accidentally broke something on my car before I entered the wash. He was quick to note it, apologized profusely, had me fill out a form.

Cory in management called me the next day. We both figured this would be a $30 fix. No big deal, I said, I'd have Mike at German Motors take care of it in a week or so when I went in for an oil change (and new wiper blades... the damn blades on the Beetle are IMPOSSIBLE to put on, and I say this only after watching the service manager at DeLon try for 30 minutes after I had failed miserably the first time).

Only thing is... It's more like $300. Yikes! Regardless, Corey is making it right. He's been very helpful in getting it resolved, and that's some great service.

Accidents happen. It's what a company does in the addressing of the issue that makes or breaks their service. And John's Car Wash is on top, they are awesome.

My love/hate relationship with the concept of Pringle Creek Community

I saw a job posting for Pringle Creek Community today that caught my eye. And it stirred in me a struggle I've felt many times before.

In reponse to that job posting and its relevance, I offer this. Anyone care to discuss?

Good luck in your search to find a good match for your needs. I mean that. But this boggles my mind.

Consider this: if this position were full time, it would pay $17,680/year. Post tax (take-home) of 67% of that amount would equal $987. Let's say we have two wage earners in the home. That makes household take-home pay $1974.

The monthly mortgage payment for the most modest of your cottage houses is $1066 (plus insurance, and there may be homeowners association fees, and...). That's a $240,000 home, 10% down, 4.28% interest 30 year fixed. In other words, the cheapest home there, and the best financing available.

Even with two earners at that level or anywhere near it... it would not be even remotely  possible for that family to live within Pringle Creek.

That seems wrong to me. Good enough to produce your food, to help you make money through the sale of that food... but not good enough to live there? And the position calls for things way beyond basic physical labor, such as planning, organizing, teaching.

The post was great and warmed my heart until I got to the wage and then I was... taken aback. Disgusted, even.

Do you really place so little value on the production of your food?

Does sustainable have to equal elitist?

I have yet to see Pringle live up to its third principle: Encourage Social Diversity. With your lowest priced offerings coming in above the median home price in the area (and how many homes are really at that level -- most seem to be higher when I've seen those for sale), the reality isn't matching the stated goals. (I remember reading one fluff piece long ago that really rung with me, and that was something like [paraphrasing here], "Laborers living next to doctors.")

And yes... this is a bit of sour grapes -- I moved to Oregon six years ago having heard a great deal about the development. It's beautiful. I love it. I covet it. But once I stuck my nose into the project as it was developing, it struck me as yet another way for the well to do to live well.

I ♥ Trader Joes.

I was on a boat when the official press release came out. With the application for the liquor license, I knew it was going to happen. But a part of me didn't want to jinx it, so I didn't fall fully into belief...

But it's true.

Come 2011, I shall never again have to run to Tigard or Corvallis for my beloved Double Cream Gouda. Or the Australian beef. Cheap organic orange juice. Cornbread mix that must have crack in it. Cheap gourmet foods like an Italian cured meats sampler for just a few bucks. Triple Ginger Cookies!! Or the bazillion other TJ's products I adore. Reasonably priced, high quality, from a company that treats its employees very well. A score for all. And a boon for south Salem. That will no doubt improve the retain situation and draw more foodie interest to the area.

Congratulations, Salem! Perhaps all those emails and petitions did some good?

Does honesty pay? It better.

This evening I received a newsletter from Salem Cinema that drove an icicle through my heart, and brought tears to my eyes. Such heartfelt and frank communication is refreshing, and startling. 

As it should be. Salem Cinema needs your help. To be frank, many things in your community which you love and cherish need your help. 

Economic struggles have affected almost everyone in some way or another, I'm not trying to downplay that. But many in our culture remain in the comfortable area that gives them choices. (And some who think they have no choices have simply shackled themselves to things, by choice... and might benefit from rethinking if those choices best forward their live's goals.) 

Now more than ever, the votes we cast with the dollars we spend matter, especially within our own communities -- be that physical geographic communities or other niche communities that are connected by technology. 

Think about where your dollars are going. Do they represent your heart, mind and values? If you value the arts and independent cinema in Salem, do your dollars spent on cinema reflect that? If not, why? And is there something you could do about it? 

If you go to movies once or more a month and have any interest in non mainstream movies, do you go to Salem Cinema at least once a month? If not... give it a try. Try something different. If you don't... in the future you might not have the option. 

In our world of ever available abundance (or what is at least marketed as such) we often take things for granted, not to notice their importance and value until they are sadly gone. In our zeal for more more more at a lower and lower price, we create a race to the bottom in which true value is thrown to the wayside, not even considered in lieu of a low price tag. Should we wake up and realize one day that, hey, wait, in a commoditized world there IS a great value in quality and service, we find that our choice is gone... and we are left only with the cheapest option that comes without quality or service. 

Wake up before that happens, again. I do not believe that a future occupied only by Wal-Mart and McDonald's is a foregone conclusion. 

Loretta's heartfelt message has made me realize that even while I strongly feel and share that sentiment... my own actions need a revamping. 

Thanks for the wake-up, Loretta. 

Nightlife in Salem, OR.

On Thursday night I sat with a handful -- and I mean just a handful -- of people at The Grand Theater watching Sonos, an inventive acapella group. For $10, I would think this wonderful group would have drawn a much larger crowd... and a more diverse crowd. The pieces were a time or two negatively impacted by a bad mix (lead vocal being drowned by a backup), but the energy, skill and inventiveness shone through. I love watching people of talent and skill really putting energy into a performance; I'm moved by their commitment and energy. Makes me remember that so many wonderful things are possible on this rock, despite all of our troubles.

Afterward, around 9pm, we stood on the sidewalk out front talking. The night was warm and breezy, very comfortable. The streets were dead. Not a person seen in any direction you look. I'd see more people on the street in my neighborhood than you find downtown.

Two great Salem businesses that deserve mention.

From the daily email of mouth watering specials at Word of Mouth (a fantastic place to eat that I have not been to enough lately):

Troy and the good people at Santiam Bicycle, 388 Commercial Street downtown, graciously donated a bike rack to all of our bike-riding customers. It is in the side yard of the bistro, the State Street side. Now you can ride your bike to breakfast, eat all the Creme Brulee French Toast you want and burn it off on the way home. In fact, you might have enough calories to make it to Woodburn. If you ride your bike here and forgot your lock, feel free to open the back gate and stash your bike in our back yard. 

How cool is that? Awesome. I love Santiam Bicycle; we bought our bikes there when we moved here and they were so helpful, and gave me no gruff about being a fat girl looking for a bike!

So eat at Word of Mouth. And buy stuff at Santiam Bicycle.

When diving, bring along a great photographer.

Crossing the Desert
Originally uploaded by SubaquaticPhoto

In any group of divers, there are photographers. Even if you don't have a camera, this means you'll be able to see photos of your travels thanks to the friends and fellow divers who were on the trip with you. I really enjoy the variety, from informal shots by amateurs to the highly polished productions by pros, and everything in between.

Stephen Wood is a fantastic photographer, Salem local and seemingly all around great guy who I met as a divemaster in my OW class. (He's now an instructor.) I've had the pleasure of chatting with him a time or two (while hammock swinging in Cozumel or enjoying the post-fog sun at Les Davis). He's posted some great shots via Facebook, and he's publishing amazing shots on Flicker (as SubaquaticPhoto).

I can't stop looking at this photo from Cozumel. It's a perfect depiction of what I love about diving: it feels like flying. Flying through space.

Keep an eye on him. He sells prints, offers underwater photography classes, and more. Check him out.

Stampin' Cat's "Make and Take" for a buck.

Stampin' Cat (Salem's most awesome papercraft store, if ya didn't know) always has something to love. Twice a month, they have "Make and Take Mondays," a quick little walk-in mini class that costs only $1, and the end result is always a spiffy little card.  There's always something I pick up at these little quickies: a technique, a tool or just a combo I'd never thought to try.

Valentine's Day is almost here. Joy! 

Vacation has left me so energized my brain's about to explode. In addition to a day's worth of cleaining, a little freelance work AND errands, I wrote, I doodled, I sketched and I planned some projects. I do NOT want to go to bed, but know I'll have to before midnight because of work tomorrow.

Tonight I stormed the kitchen and made a very light chicken parmigiana.  Rounds of polenta were cooked to a light brown in a pan with butter and garlic. Then, chicken tenderloins were dredged in egg and pressed into a pile of finely ground bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and Penzy's Italian herb mix. I coated the cast iron lightly with olive oil, then dropped them in at a high heat so they cooked up crisp on the outside, moist in the center. I braised some mushrooms, stacked it all up and dribbled a little marinara on it, and put a toasted slice of farm bread on the side. YUM.

Halie Loren in Salem, OR at Boon's Treasury.

Wednesday we hung out at Boon's Treasury after work to listen to Halie Loren. (That made my fourth time seeing her perform.) She played a song by Regina Spektor; she described it as a wonderful song, and while she didn't understand the first bit, it was worth it to get to "the chocolaty center." She was right. The chorus almost brought me to tears right there.


This is how it works
You're young until you're not
You love until you don't
You try until you can't

You laugh until you cry
You cry until you laugh
And everyone must breathe
Until their dying breath

No, this is how it works
You peer inside yourself
You take the things you like
And try to love the things you took

And then you take that love you made
And stick it into some
Someone else's heart
Pumping someone else's blood

And walking arm in arm
You hope it don't get harmed
But even if it does
You'll just do it all again

It's from 2006, so you're probably heard it (I don't really do radio, so if I don't stumble over it, I never hear it). If you haven't, listen. I wish Halie's version was available, or I'd share it because it was even better.

Peter Cetera and Oregon Symphony Orchestra

So much great stuff in Salem is keeping me busy I hardly have time to write about it. Time to slow down, perhaps? Nah! For some, the fair is done and gone, put to bed for another year. But this is worth sharing.

Last weekend I was gifted with tickets to Sunday night's performance by Peter Cetera backed by the Oregon Symphony Orchestra. This child of the 80's, band geek, lover of music backed by strings was all atwitter--in that way that does not refer to microblogging. Thanks Salem Creative Network!

The rain loomed large, but we decided to forge ahead. After four years, are we not true Oregonians, no longer scared off by a little mist, a few raindrops... a monsoon? We experienced all of those, interspersed with rays of sun and, yes, rainbows, in the hour leading up to the show.

Not a drop spilled from the sky during the show, however. Huzzah.

Our seats were nice, the crowd was small but enthusiastic as you might imagine those who would brave possible rain would be. Cetera gave a good performance, a 90 minute set of Chicago favorites and a few of his solo successes. He assured us that he didn't mind doing the old favorites; he, too, liked to go to see performers do their tried and true, so he understood. He also assured us that he wrote more than ballads, but it was us who made the ballads the hits, so we only had ourselves to blame. Honestly, I'd loved to have heard a selection or two that was new, or near and dear to his heart. He threw in a Beatles medley, too.

His traveling assets, The Bad Daddies, were awesome (Kim Keyes deserves her own show), and the Oregon Symphony Orchestra... well, of course they were AWESOME. There were some nice solos including a lovely cello piece, and they really let loose near the end with 25 or 6 to 4. I was giddy with excitement when the brass stood up. Here it comes! Knocked us off our seats. WOW.

I was so very glad to be listening to it from the tenth row instead of my hammock out in the back yard a mile away. Between fair entrance and two tickets, we had a $90 gift from Salem Creative Network.

The only downer was that our dear old* Peter, despite living in Idaho, cannot pronounce Oregon. He says "ORE-a-gone." He tweets, he blogs, but he can't pronounce Oregon. OMG.

* Old as in born in 1944, as in almost older than both of my parents, as in makes my 37 seem positively childlike. I swooned over this guy in high school. What's happening to this world? Let me off this crazy thing!

Why don't you have an account with Oregon Community Credit Union?

On another blog, someone talked about their frustration with banks. I threw in my support for my credit union, and thought I'd expand/repeat that here.

While credit unions aren't perfect, far fewer have failed than banks in this economic downturn. If they are members of the NCUA, they are insured just like banks are insured by the FDIC. Over 98% of credit unions ARE a member of the NCUA, by the way. And of those few that have gone into conservatorship, many didn't actually serve customers directly, but acted as a service lender to other retail credit unions. No, they aren't perfect, but they tend to keep the loans they make, thus always having to run a balanced ship, instead of selling off their risk.

For most of my adult life I've been with a credit union; first 15 years with Indiana University Credit Union, and now with Oregon Community Credit Union. The draws have always been the same: excellent service, lower fees, better rates, and a business model that doesn't siphon off profits and send them outside of the community.

If you don't have a credit union account, and you are pissed off at your bank for one reason or another, I urge you to consider if Oregon Community Credit Union is right for you. I'm just a happy customer, in no way affiliated otherwise. We have been with them for a few years now, after switching away from what was then WAMU.

Today, right now, we are earning 3.01 interest on our Remarkable Checking. No joke... every month we see a nice little DEPOSIT. Are we going to retire on it? No. But if I found that amount of cash on the ground would I snatch it up? Hell yes!

The account has NO min balance and NO maintenance fees; NO ATM FEES (use ANY ATM) and requirements that meet our style of bank usage:

- no paper statement
- log into Internet Banking once per cycle
- make one ACH or direct deposit per month and
- at least ten debit card transactions per month).

And if you don't do these, you just get a lower interest rate, that's all; no biggie. Admittedly this type of account won't work for everyone; if you still think that ATM cards are some newfangled device of the devil that won't catch on, then this probably won't work for you.

I threw our savings into the checking and just made a line item entry out of the ledger so we don't "see" it there. It beat the hell out of the Internet bank we were at that had good interest rates but that dropped them a few months ago to abysmal levels.

THREE POINT ZERO ONE PERCENT, TODAY! It was 6 percent when we joined a year ago. Compare this to other local places that tout a huge interest checking of like 0.25%. Whooptiedo.

My paycheck is direct deposited, and I use the debit card for all my gas, grocery, etc. purchases so this one is a no brainer for us. Free money.

They only have one location on South Commercial which is a bummer, but they are a member of the credit union network that allows you to do basic banking transactions at all other member banks (which in Salem includes OSU FCU, Oregon Employees FCU, Unitus and various 7-11 kiosks). See CUSWIRL.com for credit unions that are part of the Share Branch system. They are all over.

I rarely, if ever, need to visit a teller, especially considering you can withdraw/deposit for FREE using ATMs at banks that are part of the network. And, you can withdraw for FREE from ANY ATM; they credit the charges back to you at the end of the cycle.

We refinanced a new auto loan through them, too, and it was quick, easy, with great rates.

I can't say enough good things about them. I'm just a customer, in no way affiliated with them in any other way. (Yeah, I know I already said that, but it needed repreating.)

Go get your FREE money each month through their great interest rate, and support a community credit union which works locally to support you, your neighbor, etc.

Marion County Dog Control Shelter

Aside from sending in $$$ in exchange for jewelery for our furkids, I'd thankfully not had any contact with the Marion County Dog Control Shelter. It sounded icky... Dog Control. That's the dog catcher, man! Remember the Ren and Stimpy cartoon that talked about The Big Sleep!?

Recently Scot and I found ourselves making the absolutely crazy choice to spend our Saturday, after the Salem Saturday Market, doing a little animal shelter hopping. Tempting fate, it is!

Having never gone to the Marion County Dog Control Shelter, I pulled up in trepidation. My mind was thinking of some of the not-so-nice facilities I've seen in my time.

Walking through the door I was... shocked. It's... cute. It's... warm. It's... welcoming. It looks like a spiffy veterinarian's office. Neat as a pin, clean, well maintained and with very nice accommodations for the dogs. The volunteers were super nice and helpful, and all in all I really couldn't find a single thing I'd suggest differently. Wow!

They handle all the stray dogs; this means if you find a dog, this is where you take them. Willamette Valley Humane Society will direct you there if you try to stop off there first.

This is also the first place you should check if you've lost your dog. You can even search their found dogs online! There are listings with photos of those dogs at the shelter, and also a listing of dogs that have been found by individual citizens who are housing them until an owner is found.

All dogs that make their way into the shelter spend time as strays awaiting claim. After that time is up, after evaluation they may make their way into the adoptable list, again something you can search online. But nothing beats going to the shelter and shaking a paw or petting a head. Even if you just want a dog fix, these guys will enjoy the attention.

PS - Penny is still available for adoption. She's so wonderful, please adopt her!

Tooting my own horn: writing for Salem Monthly again.

This horn tootin' is a bit belated. This month marks a return to writing for Salem Monthly. After a failed attempt at lunch with the man, Eric Howald, who appeared to be driving some exciting changes in the paper, we finally met up at the first Ignite! Salem. Maybe it was a universal alignment, or maybe it was just because he's so damn cute (and married--please understand I mean no offense to the matrimonial boundaries, I'm just sayin'...) but I found myself saying yes to his invitation to again contribute.

The next question flummoxed me: what was it I wanted to contribute? My response rivaled South Carolina in the Miss Teen USA 2007 competition in its brilliance. Alas, I do not have her good looks to back me up. I listened to myself as I flubbed a very easy question, one that doesn't even have a specific correct answer.

My lack of ability to answer coherently with a solidly backed passion (or passions) was disturbing and telling at the same time. I was--and am--going through a period of flux, where the old me is falling away in bits and pieces to something new and different... but I don't quite know what the details of that new self really is, nor are the pillars that power its passions clearly defined.

To be fair, a key element of my personality is that I am always searching for growth, for new input, for exciting discovery... that perhaps IS my passion, is change and nourishment through the introduction of fresh waters. Instead of having my own agenda to push, I often am happy to be pointed in a direction and let loose.

So I fell back onto an easy crutch: tell me what you want/need, and I can do it. The assignment was two pieces to do with wine, something I know just enough about to get me into trouble. Of course one must do a great deal of painstaking and detailed investigation and *hiccup* researsch on yers subject *hiccup* matter. [Sound of empty bottle falling off table onto floor, accompanied by the thud of the writer following suit.]

So I give you, Wine for a Sweet Tooth and Wine Pairing for the Challenged.

Whether it's my articles or any other, take a look at the contents online, and throw your two cents into the ring through comments, an option after each article. We have a good--and improving--local, independent paper and its success is dependent upon YOU! Visit it online, pick it up at your favorite distribution spot (or write to them to suggest a new distribution spot).

A Salem, OR weekend.

The weekend play-by-play: Saturday started with a run out to the Independence Farmer's Market to pick up some bread from The Bread Board. The usual six booths there had grown to almost double, with a bountiful array of peppers, tomatoes, honey, tomatillos, and melons. Samples of melons were being extended at every turn, and Scot scored a gigantic cantaloupe with a flavor that made him swoon.

Even the smell of those makes me gag, so I abstained.

On to the Salem Saturday Market, at which we devoured a fantastic meat/cheese and veggie quesedilla at one of the vendors. We topped it off with some marvelous spring rolls (how DO they get them so crisp?!).

The spirit moved us to visit the shelter. Off to Willamette Valley Humane Society we went, where we spent forever in the rabbit room speaking with volunteers and playing with buns. After a quick trip through the kennels (they never seem to have many dogs... is this a good thing?) we headed out to the Monroe County Dog Control -- I'll write more about that surprise later -- and to make a long story short we almost adopted (another) dog.

But we didn't.

Not yet, anyway.

Today Scot threw together the most fantastic lightweight summer chili, and we went to see District 9. Thoroughly disturbing.

Salem Progressive Film Series is Back!

I'm eagerly awaiting the return of the Salem Progressive Film Series as they start their new season. We went to a number of the films last year, and it's a great chance to see the lovely Grand Theater, meet a diverse and active segment of the Salem community, and see some issue flicks you might not be exposed to otherwise. Less than a month away, it starts on September 10th! Check it out!

Garden giving you too much bounty? Here's what to do with it!

Community Harvest Swap
Saturday, August 15th, 2009 – 1:00pm – 5:00pm
First congregational United Church of Christ – 700 Marion St. NE

Join the Salem Creative Network and City Repair Project of Portland for a free event in the parking lot of the United Church of Christ downtown. CRP’s T-Horse, a traveling art exhibit offering free tea and conversation will be a focal point of the gathering, and we will be creating a giant chalk drawing in the parking lot with a natural theme. Neighbors are encouraged to attend and participate in the drawing.

Please bring excess garden produce to swap with other gardeners and donate the leftovers to MPFS (Marion Polk Food Share).

Stop by and help build your community!

Salem's cool, and getting moreso by the day.

Last night I shared a lovely back deck buffet of local Salem restaurant favorites with fellow writers and foodies from EatSalem.com. I'd met Salem Man and Vegan's Nightmare briefly at Ignite! Salem, but spending some real time with them, both K and N of KandN, Liseanne27 and her partner was a nice, relaxing treat. Kids and dogs, too!

We each brought take-out from a local Salem venue. Represented were Christo's, Venti's, Word of Mouth, Thai Fusion, topped off with a Blackout cake from Konditorei. We talked about how this simple pitch in was like our own little Bite of Salem... better than the real thing.

My favorites from the evening were the red curry from Thai Fusion and the spinach artichoke dip from Word of Mouth (sooooo creamy). It was all good, though, and while a very particular chef would have a conniption at the mish-mash of flavors being lumped together, it was a joy.

The company was even better, though.

My apologies to the universe, my car, and the staff at Volkswagen of Salem.

Excuse me, for age is making me cranky, like an old dog. Crotchety, even. The cost of a turn signal repair made me a cranky moment in some poor woman's day. Not like screaming-mad, crazy-banshee-bitch; just a little more wry than perhaps the situation called for.

But it was kind of funny, in retrospect.

This morning I swung into Express Lube for an oil change. They are often too quick, and this time it was clear why. As Josh tells me how my car passed all the checks, including the lights, I point out that was odd because the front driver's side turn signal was out.

Busted! He act like, "Gee, how could someone not have caught that?" Indeed; the turn signal flashes and clicks quickly when a bulb it out... not to mention IT DOESN'T LIGHT UP, so clearly the staff was cutting corners. Given the place was empty, that doesn't say good things about the quality of the service. It's one thing to rush when you're busting arse to serve everyone, and quite another when there is plenty of time, but you're just being lazy.

He went to recheck it and... surprise! It wasn't working. While eating his crow, he pointed out the lens was cracked, so he sent me over to the parts/service guys at VW.

Whether under the flag of Delon/O'Brien or whoever, the staff over there have always been really friendly and helpful. I like 'em, although I was brought up to be suspicious of dealerships. As I was standing in line waiting for the counter, I spied Steve, a service tech with thick, wavy blond hair. Handsome. Slightly rugged looking, but softened by that "I'd rather be surfing" hair. It's rare to find someone that, on presence alone, makes me stare. But there I was, oogling this poor guy like I'd been crossing the desert all day, and he was a cool, tall glass of water.

So then *I* was busted.

Once at the counter, the staffer comes out to the car; sure enough, the lens is cracked with a hole in the top. (Does it speak to how soft I've gotten that I didn't even LOOK? I just knew to take it in. Gee, I'm helpless. But seriously, after the snaffu of trying to replace wiper blades on this car: 60 minutes of fine manual dexterity failure capped off with me standing in my drive screaming obscenities as I beat the limp and lifeless replacement blades on the windshield... I've learned to not even try self service.)

He gets someone else to help, and just my luck Steve comes out to give us a hand.

Oooh la la. I wonder just how committed they are to complete customer satisfaction, and have to laugh at my own hormone driven raunchiness. Youth truly is wasted on the young.

I've always felt odd in repair situations like this. To me, the solution is obvious... the bulb will just burn out again if water can get in, thus we have to replace the lens first, then the bulb. No point in doing one without the other. Maybe other people balk at that, because I'm standing there and the counter guy seems to be suggesting we replace just the light, but we could look at the lens, too. Um... no. Light and lens, please!

To the parts counter we go; I stay away from the cute VW schwag for sale because I just don't need it, but am drawn to it like bugs to a zapper light. A ceramic VW bus is not something of necessity, but that doesn't stop me from wanting one. They have the bulb, and as he's looking up the cost of the lens I joked, "Don't tap that bulb, it's probably $12."

The lens was $49.16. And, my friends, I'm not joking you when I say the bulb was $11.50. A teeny, tiny little light bulb. Cost to replace a turn signal, $60.66.

Where are the days when I'd tear my 1980-something 5-speed manual Toyota Corolla with the self-applied rocker panel graphics into a car parts store, saunter in the door and up to the parts counter and not only get the light for free, but the tech would come out and install it for free, and give me a soda from the cooler, again free of charge.

Oh, wait... that was in 1989. 20 years ago, and I was not even legal, was a hell of a lot thinner and no doubt cuter, probably a hell of a lot better at shameless flirting, and that bulb only cost 50 cents and didn't require a $50 lens (and a special tool to remove it) to go with it.

Damn the endless marching forward of time!

For no good reason I was cranky. See again the getting old part. I said something about the car nickel and diming me to death.

When I got back to the car, I felt an intense sense of shame come over me. I mean, like, run-back-in-and-say-I'm-sorry kind of shame. Because let's look at the facts:

We bought this car in May 2006, and named her Catorce because it was a 14th wedding anniversary present from my husband. It's a hell of a lot of fun, gets loads of compliments, and in those three years and over 40k miles has hauled dogs, camping gear, a full load of friends and family, kayaks, bikes, you name it. I have paid for five oil changes (it's a TDI, so only one at 5k, the rest every 10k) at about $60 a pop for synethetic oil, a new set of wiper blades, two free headlight replacements (warranty), three free stops for a squirt of lube to ease the window rising that sticks sometimes, and now $60 for a turn signal. I'm due for a big tune up, but you know what, overall, this car has been a no-troubles dream.

So now I struggle with my private shame -- do I call the billing woman up and apologize for being cranky? Do I send her a card? Do I let it slide?

Or do I go out and start breaking things on my car on purpose so I can have an excuse to go in and ask that Steve personally attend to all my car repair needs?

Won't you be my neighbor? Wait, you already are!

Last night was National Night Out, an initiative by National Association of Town Watch aimed at getting neighborhoods together. Since the days of the welcome wagon are long past, in our ever-more-connected lives we often know the least about those who are closest to us. Even we are guilty -- and we greatly value friendship, connection, and place!

In 2005, the event was right after we moved in, and our neighbors Paul and Ester held the event. There hasn't been one since (at least not one that we've been invited to) so I'm giving a bit shout out to Jennifer for planning this one, and to Carole for assisting.

We met some very nice people, reconnected with some we haven't seen in a while, shared some big laughs, and were invited to harvest all we wanted from one neighbor's apple trees as she's sauced out. I'm taking her up on that one! We learned some great neighborhood history, such as why there is a private pool club in our neighborhood. Years ago, some families worked together to purchase a lot that was beside them, and put in a pool. They have a private club of 27 families max that pay dues toward the upkeep of the pool and have access. I'm assuming most of the families are from the Englewood area, but perhaps further. Stories of do-it-yourself cooperation like that always make me smile.

I was surprised, however, at how many people didn't attend. That made me sad. I've always been curious about our neighbors across the street. From quick peeks through the curtains from the sidewalk they have some great personality going on inside the home, but you wouldn't know it from them because in four years they haven't so much as returned a wave or a smile. And it's not just us... everyone in the neighborhood has tried and they just snub everyone. Bizarre.

Look at that clean floor!

Some highlights from today:

Look at that clean floor!
Originally uploaded by lavachickie

I had to move furniture out of the living room, so I cleaned, stripped and shined the wood floor. Yeowza, so that's what it looks like clean!

Lights!
Originally uploaded by lavachickie

The guys came and made a very quick job of installing the can lights in the living room. And wowza, the difference it makes!! Thanks, Angie's List!

Just desserts.
Originally uploaded by lavachickie

After a long, hot, busy and productive day, some pound cake with my new favorite freezer jam from the farmer's market with some Cool Whip on top. Mmmmmm.