Ep 138_ Car Talk and End of Summer Musings

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It’s Official: The Unofficial End of Summer Is Here
Happy Labor Day everyone!
This Labor Day was special for me. My daughter passed her swim test at the YMCA summer pool and can now go off the diving board and the 3-story slides. You have to swim the length of 25 meter pool without stopping to get the wrist band for the dive/slides
She was on schedule to pass the test next year but she wanted to give it a shot. She did it.
She passed the test on Sunday and we returned today for the last day of the outdoor pool. Yes, even in Vegas we shut down pools. Now the casinos, flush with money, can heat and keep their’s open. We can’t.
As the day progressed, we counted down until 5 pm and the closing of the pool. Needless to say we partied like rockstars, the two of us and shut dow the pool right. My wife was with us, but she doesn’t swim. She had an accident in a pool years ago and is now afraid of swimming. AND she comes from a family of people afraid of water. Bless her heart, she made sure that our daughter doesn’t have that fear and I take her swimming regularly.
My suburban battery died at the pool yesterday and had to be jumped. I’m not the least bit upset. This is the second battery my car has outlasted, and at 135,000 miles, I opted for the 3 year battery and hope my car outlasts it as well.
When things begin to fail on cars, people get upset and think of getting a new car. That is a very foolish and expensive proposition. Celebrate wearing parts out on a car. That means you’re using it up. The new battery was purchased at wal-mart and cost 107.00…that’s cheap. A car payment is $300-400 dollars a month and that’s EVERY month. I think I’ll pay the hundred and keep on the maintenance plan. In a year’s time, I don’t anticipate more than $500 in labor/repairs. Thais a savings of $3,000-4,000 over a payment on a new car.
Think about that the next time you wish for a new car.
Also, Walmart installs the battery for free. I had to use this service because I didn’t have my toolkit in the car and my socket extension was at home. Lesson learned. The tool kit STAYS in the car and HAS to be returned every time I’m done cleaning out the back of the car.
My wife suggested we start looking for a replacement for the car. I agree. Looking isn’t buying. And I hope to buy a new car in three years..although it is possible that we will need to buy sooner.
A few weeks ago, my wife’s keychain failed and she lost the back-up set of keys to my car and the fob (remote control car opener) somewhere.
That’s a $100-200 fix at the car dealership with parts and programming/labor.
I know a better way:
I went to ebay and purchased the correct year replacement fob NEW for $20. I had a key made for $2 @ the hardware store.
The fob seller e-mailed the programming directions and I programmed the fob myself. Total cost of repair: $22. Savings: $100-200 @ the dealership.
And it’s easy to do, folks…

get in car, close all doors
put key in ignition
press down driver’s door unlock button and keep down
turn car to setting before ignition ( I call that turning to alternator) off and on twice quickly.
the car will lock and unlock
let go of the lock button.
pick up your fob and hold down the lock and unlock buttons simultaneously for 30 seconds.
the car will lock and unlock itself again
the fob is now programmed.
remove key and exit the vehicle.

How cool is that?

Okay folks, Labor Day (here in America) marks the “real” end of summer.

Couple of thoughts:

Embrace the next season and look forward to it.
There’s no use in lamenting the end of summer
Get out your calendar and mark all of the holidays and events to look forward to in the upcoming season.
Find a festival or event or two and plan on attending. That’s how you get into the spirit of things.
Winterize your house. If summer was too hot to do repairs, fall won’t be…use this time wisely
Fall means harvest. When’s a better time to stock up in your pantry? Store and save..the squirrels do
Cooler weather means less heat. Get in that garden, do that work, go take a walk. Exercise.
Get a rice cooker. All of that stored rice means nothing if you don’t enjoy it.
Consider One-pot meals with your rice cooker.
A frozen-solid chicken breast does wonderfully in a rice cooker. Add seasonings and it will fully cook and be delicious when the rice is done
I’m a black beans and rice guy. Add a can and a whole sliced onion with spices (I like 1/4 c of tabasco). When done, I top with sour cream and cheddar cheese.

My international listeners: Stop in and say hi. I see my South African, Asian, South American, etc visitors, but I want to hear from you, too…My Aussies get an A+ for messaging. New Zeland, what gives? Say hello.

Ep 138_ Car Talk and End of Summer M