Oh what fun it is to drive...

Last night, as I was heading home after work, my car decided to spring a light. The check engine light came on and stayed on, despite me turning it off and back on. I'm a weird person...I can't stand looking at lights on my dash, so I took it to Auto Zone (a local car place here) and they put a meter on it to diagnose it. It was an "O2 sensor", which they did NOT have in stock. (boo, hiss!). This morning, I took it to the local auto repair shop down the street from my office. I was hoping beyond hope that it was going to be "small". HA! They diagnosed it for me (again). It's still the O2 sensor. I'm a bit perturbed because you shouldn't have this kind of problem with a "brand new" car. It's an '05, so I really don't think it should be doing this but...I'm not going to argue with a computer (I'd lose in this case). There are two of the silly sensors in the car and it was apparently one that wasn't in an easy to reach place.

The sensor didn't arrive at the car shop until 4:00. I didn't get a chance to leave work until 5:00...I was working with a technician on an installation that started at 1:30 this afternoon and ended just around 4:30-5:00. I do believe my customer was satisfied, but I was one UN-happy tech because I was supposed to have that tech in and out of the location within 2 hours. The tech did what he was supposed to do, I talked to the customer and he said he was satisfied. He has several ways to reach me, so if he has questions, he'll call me.

Went and picked up the car at 5:00. That was a relief! The car drives beautifully...I'm under warranty until either this time next year or 12000 miles, whichever comes first. As I don't travel very far, I guess it'll be next year.

This weekend is going to be spent cleaning house and getting ready for Christmas. I would like to decorate the apartment and at least make it LOOK festive in here!! I have a few plans for the weekend that also include finishing my Christmas cards. I wonder if I'll finish it...

Good things must come to an end...

...and so goes my vacation.
Today is my last free day of vacation. I can say that I have accomplished much during this vacation. I've rested (needed it!), hung out with the kids (needed that!!) and saw my father in law and his wife. I cleaned a bit, although not the way I'd envisioned. I'm not ready to have people in my house...but soon, hopefully.


Yesterday we went for a walk at one of the local parks. Tony took me out and told me to bring my camera. We went driving around. He wanted to get pictures of the trees that are extremely colorful at this time of year. Several maples, some live oaks, etc. We drove over by the skate park near downtown and found a neat walking trail that we explored. It was really quite nice to see. Plus, I got in some exercise yesterday!! I took several pictures while we were out.

These are a couple of my favorites.