Car troubles

Really, on Monday morning?!?!?

On Monday morning I was on my way to my brothers to drop my dog off so that I can dog sit all week long and I was running just a few minutes late so on my way I had called one of the girls from work to say that I was going to be a few minutes late. In the midst of that phone call I started hearing all of these squealing noises and then a thumping and I was smelling burning rubber... I immediately hang up on that phone call and get stopped at possibly the longest red light ever. While I was waiting I called my dad who advises me to pull into the closest parking lot and pop the hood.

So I get the hood up and see things I know are bad and things I have never ever seen before. I realize that one of the belts is starting to fray pretty bad or at least bad enough that I probably shouldn't drive my car to the shop and that I need to call a tow truck. In addition to that I see something I have never ever seen before in my car, I am concerned by this but not traumatized. Let's be honest do I really do my own car work, when was the last time I looked in this it could have been there forever.

The fraying belt...

The different part that does not look good... turns out this caused the problems

As I waited I realized the irony of the fact that I was sitting in front of a liquor store waiting. I look like a super alcoholic but at least I had the dog. I mean really what else does a girl need on a Monday morning to get the day started off on the right foot. It was not that bad mostly Lily and I just sat around and hung out.

Hanging out waiting for the tow truck

However, when the tow truck driver showed up the story changed. Poor Lily is not sure what is happening, she doesn't like loud noises and I keep trying to get her into the truck, which is very high off the ground. So we wonder around the parking lot for a few minutes while he put the car on the truck. Then I have to toss her up into the truck and she hops onto the seat where I am just like sorry dude. He said it was fine so the three of us drove over to firestone.

Once we got there I called my grandfather to come and pick us up. There was a lot of waiting... there always is when the car is in the shop. At the end of the day it turns out that my motor mount that I had just had them put in about 7 weeks ago was a faulty part and it exploded (my word) and caused lots of damage.

Here are the brightspots for this:
-I was not on the highway
-No one was hurt
-Because this was a faulty part, I didn't have to pay for this.
-The AC compressor was damaged and is now new... I am sure that would have gone out soon.
-I didn't have to go to work
-I have AAA so the tow was free

I have been trying to find the brightspots in odd things that are happening in my life so that I can fully enjoy them and not get as disappointed when things don't go my way, yes I do realize this is making me a grown up.

Netflix

I am going to be honest and tell you that I have Netflix and in my list are a variety of movies. One of the best parts of Netflix is that for the most part unless you decide to share it your list is private. Here is the catch for that. When you are watching someone else's streaming they will know what you have watched at their house. Now this can be both good and bad.

I find that when I am dog sitting and people have steaming Netflix I do want to partake of this so I tend to watch movies. The worst part of this is knowing that they will know what you have watched. So now every movie or tv show comes with the stipulation that they are going to know what you have seen. Uhh sometimes you want things to be a secret. Case in point I would kinda like to watch charmed but do I want my brother to know??? I this case I didn't mind so much but there are other movies I don't think I want him to know about and I realized I am too ashamed to even tell you. This should indicate that this is super embarrassing.

Well I am sure that you too have has this debate in your life. Although I am tempted to rate lots of things with five stars and totally pollute his rating system but as this is my brother the retaliation would be swift and brutal and sometimes it just isn't worth it. Oh well I am going I get back to figuring out what to watch next. What are you watching I am always looking for new shows to enjoy.

Rainbows and Sunshine

On Sunday I had a chance to get together with a friend of mine from college and on the way to get together with her I had a chance to see some of the best sunsets and rainbows I have seen in years. The majority of the day had been pretty rainy and once it finally cleared up it was AMAZING. 

I don't think I will waste words on these great pics

Very good sunset

The rainbow was really bright

From the otherside of the car 

So pretty

Great double rainbow

The other end of the rainbow 

A great sunset on the way into Ft. Worth

I love this one

It was a great moment to see the rainbow, I wish I had time to pull over and take better pics. I could see the end of the rainbow from either side of my car, it was so pretty. I loved every single second of this view it reminded me of several different things that God promises me. I just thought this was too pretty not to share with all of you.

I've been busy...

Sorry I was a little remiss in my postings last week it was a tad bit crazy around here. I will give you a little taste for what is to come and where I was over the last few days.

I was busy making this...

Game day dress

Looks even better on!!!

To wear to the game...

The Ags taking the field at the start of the second half

AND the Aggies WON!!!!

Banana Bread

If you have bananas that look like this make banana bread

As you know I do not love having cereal for breakfast and I love to have bananas for lunch. Over the weekend one of those great moments where you can kill two birds with one stone, I had mushy bananas so I decided to make some banana bread to use them up. Sometimes I make some oatmeal banana muffins and I will eventually share that recipe with you when I make them again but for today you can get the banana bread I have been making as of late.

I am not too sure where this recipe originated but I got it from my mom. When I was a kid my mom made lots of breads for us and muffins so I think that is why I really like eating them. I have been enjoying this bread recently and if you don't over cook it, the bread is very moist.

Banana Bread

Ingredients
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 cups flour
1/3 cup shortning
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
3 mashed bananas
1 tsp vanilla

Directions
1- preheat oven to 350
2- Sift first four ingredients together
3- Cream shortning and sugar (I use an electric beater or my mixer)
4- Add eggs one at a time, beating throughly after each egg
5- Stir in bananas and vanilla

6- Add the flour mixture, I tend to add 1/3 at a time and then mix it in before continuing

The batter

7- Spread into a greased loaf pan

8- Bake at 350 for 50 minutes (I find that it takes almost an hour in my hands but this could be due to the loaf pan size)
9- Wait until cool to slice... I like it warm as well as cool (the next day).

Just after baking

Had this for breakfast the other morning

I hope that you enjoy this bread as much as I do. I really do love a little variety in my morning breakfast so I  would guess that they are several different recipes for you to eventually try. I have also been enjoying this as a snack after work a few different days this week. Let me know if you try it.

How does the apartment measure up?

Over the last several days I have wondered how does the apartment that I rented measure up to the list of items that I set out for my perfect apartment. Since I have this handy blog I went back in cyber space and looked at the list that I gave several months ago. I have to admit I did pretty good...

Here is the original list:
Needs:
-pet friendly-two bedrooms-close to the interstate or a major highway
-walkin closets
-patio
-nice kitchen with lots of counter space and cabinets
-washer dryer or hookups
-lots of grass nearby
-fans in every room
-rent to be under 1100: hopefully that will include any of the extras water, trash, sewage, etc.
-large bedroom, with lots of space


Wants:-
Washer dryer in the unit
-first or second floor apartment
-separate dining space, not a whole room but a space for a table
-gym on the property worth using
-pool, preferably a saltwater pool
-separate storage space
-close to work
-a large garden tub


Bonus:
-dog park, I didn't even know you could get this
-Second bathroom
-built in storage, like shelves
-recycling, gotta be green-window seat


Things highlighted in red are items that I did not get in my new apartment. I highlighted two items in yellow because I kinda got them. The kitchen is nice sized but there aren't any lower cabinets, I am still working on addressing this with extra storage. The unit does not come with a fan in the living room (unless a previous tenant put one in and left it) but they will install one (I purchase) at not additional cost. The other items I didn't get were bonus items and in some ways that is why they are bonus. I do hope that they allow recycling soon because that is important. 

Well I have to admit that I am getting very excited about this apartment, only 7 more weeks until move in day. I still have so much shopping to do.... AHHHHHH

Fall snuggles

It has finally gotten below 80 at nights here and that is fantastic!! I am loving that lily and I don't get super sweaty on our morning walks these days. Additionally we are able to go for long walks after work and not die from the heat. But one of my favorite parts of the fall weather is that Lily wants to snuggle more often. She tends to get on the bed while I brush my teeth and warm my spot then she moves over ro her side. Yes she has a side.

I am also loving the morning snuggles that I have been getting the last several days. She is sooo cute.

I attached a pic of her laying on her side of the bed. I just love her head on the pillow. Also yes I am writing this from bed. Too tired after work to get the computer out.