Dehydrated
Today, two things happened.
First, we went to Pick n Pull to try and dig a resistor out of an old Nissan Maxima. It took us three cars to find the correct one my Pathfinder needed. Fortunately, I got in on the passenger side and started taking apart the glove box just before a man opened the drivers side door and started fiddling around with the radio and switches. I asked him what he was looking for and he told me he was in need of a resistor. Too bad for him I got there first. Besides, from our conversation he didn’t seem to even know what a resistor looked like. I tried to explain to him that the one I was pulling was a special kind of resistor for automatic climate control and he probably just needed one of the more common four prong resistors that I found in the other two Maximas. Then he switched his story up and said he needed one with automatic climate control. I wished him luck and was on my way as soon as I could yank out my part. I don’t think he did any research before going to the junkyard. Oh well.
Then I went home, dismantled my own glove box, replaced the resistor, and put the whole thing back together without any assistance from the boyfriend whatsoever. I’m happy to report that my a/c is now working perfectly and all for only eight bucks versus one hundred thanks to our adventure at Pick n Pull. I’m one happy girl.
The second thing that happened is I discovered the camera on my phone no longer works. I don’t know what happened to it, but that pretty much means that I won’t be able to post pictures for awhile. Of course, I could try taking it apart and figuring things out, but I think that’s little out of my league. But perhaps I’ll do a little research on it.
But it’s been a pretty good day!
Thistle
You see that beauty? That there is a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder. She may be a little aged with a few nicks and dinks in her, but she’s my baby. I mean, she’s got 4wd, great cargo space, a sunroof, cruise control, running boards, a spacious drivers seat, air and heat, a roof rack, plus okay speakers for my radio. Who am I to complain? But having an older vehicle does mean things start to go. For instance, I had a severe oil leak and had to recently replace a lot of junk under there (gaskets, seals, etc). Now, my a/c is running high and won’t switch to the other settings. The likely problem? Blower motor resistor. And of course, I don’t have a normal, run-of-the-mill standard resistor. Nope, I have an automatic climate control resistor which is fancy for it’s gonna cost me more $$$. Leave it to me to have special needs. Fortunately, there’s a place not too far away where I can pick parts from used vehicles. Besides, the good thing about driving an older lady is that I sure am learning a lot about how to do things myself.
FYI, I can now:
Change my own oil
Change my own spark plugs
Change a tire
Change a battery
Clean a corroded battery
Jump a car
Level my own fluids when the shop forgets to do it themselves (I’m a little bitter, yes)
Replace a blower motor resistor
Once upon a time, I couldn’t do any of these things. But with the help of Youtube, the boyfriend, and the helpful texts of some mechanic friends of mine, I am becoming ever knowledgeable on the workings and maintenance of my lovely means of transportation. It shames me to think that there was once a time that if my air stopped working, I wouldn’t have investigated to find the problem. I would’ve just gone without air and pretended that I enjoyed having the windows rolled down ALL THE TIME.
Now I pull out the tools to take apart my glove box
Locate the blower motor resistor
And remove the blower motor resistor
Now I can take those tools to Pick-n-Pull, repeat the whole process, then return home and do it all in reverse. With the help of the boyfriend, of course. But soon I won’t need his guidance at all! My grandma always wanted me to take a class on basic automotive mechanics. Guess her wish is coming true!
Lavender and burlap
Last night was a very special occasion. Sarah Beth, one of my good friends from college, got married! It was a simple yet elegant affair that took place at a beautiful vineyard nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The view was majestic. She couldn’t have chosen a better venue.
Of course, I kept things classy by changing in the parking lot. It’s possible the van driver got a couple sneak peaks. Guess I’ve always been a bit of an exhibitionist but in my defense I was only following the boyfriend’s lead. Oh well.
I’m pretty sure the reception hall was once a stable or carriage house. That’s the feel I got from it anyway. But I’m telling you, it was a pretty nice looking converted stable. Honestly, one of the best settings I’ve ever been to.
Aside from the fact that the place was just gorgeous, I’m sure the fact that Sarah did her own decorations only added a special touch of charm to the wedding. Her theme was wheat and lavender, her colors purple and burlap. I really liked that she used mason jars in her center pieces. I brought a few home I loved them so much!
Seriously, how cute!
It has become my opinion that all weddings should be held in the evening. I think it makes the event more magical, more enchanting. Maybe I’m just a fan of stars and candlelight. Plus, the favors were these adorable little s’more kits. I’m sure the fire pit looked nicer under the moonlight than it would have in the sunlight.
Of course, there is the matter of food as well. Savory pulled pork served on warm baked buns. Crunchy coleslaw and creamy potato salad. Fresh green beans served with red peppers. And last but not least, some of the best macaroni and cheese I’ve ever had the pleasure to taste. Needless to say, I filled up my plate with everything. Then went back for seconds. If I wasn’t so stuffed, I would’ve made a third round just because it was all so delicious. The caterer (or who I assume was the caterer) was as sweet as a button and we had a nice little conversation. She did good!
Yes, most definitely the best wedding I’ve gone to yet. And by far the most enthusiastic dance floor I’ve ever experienced. Those groomsmen know how to get down! Perhaps that’s one of the perks of getting married young. Most of us dancers were in our early to late twenties. But don’t worry. Some of the older folk joined in, too. Good DJ! Oh, and since the wedding was held at a vineyard, I took the liberty to enjoy a bit of wine. Their Crozé mixed with some lemonade was the perfect combination. That particular wine was described as being dry, but I found it to be more on the sweet side. The lemonade really helped to cut down that sweetness.
I just want to emphasize one more time what a beautiful ceremony the whole thing was. I really enjoyed what the preacher/pastor/reverend/minister/official (Aaron) had to say about love. I’m going to ask him if he has an available copy of his sermon/service or if I can at least have a list of his sources.
What a beautiful couple!
I only hope that one day my own wedding is such a success. I think I’m going to wrangle the new MRS into being my wedding planner. I think she could find a nice career in the business, haha. She has a wonderful eye for detail and creativity. Did I mention she did the whole thing herself (with the recruitment of her mama)?
I wish them all the happiness in the world!
Crafting after a long weekend
Today I decided I wanted to get crafty. My project of choice? Corona Glasses– or rather, Bud Light Lime and Platinum glasses. After all, living in a house where friends are sure to swing by over the weekend and knock a few back gave me plenty of bottles to experiment with. Good thing these guys like to keep it classy (otherwise I’d be stuck with a bunch of cans)
Anyway, I gathered up my supplies from around the house (yarn and fingernail polish remover) then went outside to dig up some bottles out of the recycling. I was REALLY excited to be trying this out. The boyfriend caught my enthusiasm, too. I mean, how awesome would it be to have beer bottle glasses? Especially since I would be making them myself. So cool!
So, I braided my yarn
Soaked it in fingernail polish remover
Then I slid it over my beer bottle
And lit that baby on FIRE!
I rotated the bottle for 30 seconds before submerging it into an ice bath. But I just could not get a clean cut
That’s okay. I have plenty of bottles to experiment with. I think part of the problem is my ice water wasn’t cold enough. I also read it’s better to use remover without acetone. One review said to rotate the bottle over a candle flame. Looks like I’ll have plenty of ways to keep my hands tied for a bit. I’ll produce a nice glass by the end of the week! What a nifty idea. Great for parties, I’m sure
armadillas 