Today was about 70 degrees in the sun, slightly breezy, with some high clouds, with very light humidity. The flowers are in bloom and birds are happily tweeting away.
In other words, it was perfect. And it’s also days like today that remind me of how beautiful the Cape can be in the spring, which is my favorite time to be here.
Find me a place to live like this year round, and I’ll figure out some way to move there.
As you may know, the Frickin’ Van II is a conversion van. More specifically, it started life as a 1996 Chevy G1500 cargo van, and was modified using parts from a now-defunct company called Glaval. The top was chopped off and replaced with a high-rise fiberglass cap that enabled the company that made the van to install a TV and about six inches of additional headroom, and it has amenities like a thick carpet, wood paneling, special lighting, and big, comfortable “Captain’s Chairs” in the front and middle, as well as a bench that can recline into a bed.
Well, the Frickin’ Van II now has 235,000 miles plus on it, and amazingly, the drivetrain is still going strong. Say what you want about Chevrolet, but they know how to build heavy-duty fleet vehicles. I wish that the rest of the van was holding up as well as the engine and transmission. At 14MPG on a good day, the van doesn’t get very good mileage, but it’s been a solid performer and is quite comfortable. It even made it to Florida and back last year.
A lot of the electrical equipment doesn’t work right anymore — the second stereo in the back is shot, for example, and the bench no longer reclines into a bed. The A/C doesn’t work and we’re starting to have starter problems. Plus the “Service Engine Soon” light comes on, and my mechanic can’t figure out why — it doesn’t have any emissions problems or other major issues, so we think it’s just a faulty sensor somewhere. Again, with 235K miles on it, and given the price I paid my sister in law for it, I have limited expectations.
The latest problem happened on Sunday. We were driving to my mother’s to pick up James, who had slept over the night before. On the way I leaned back to grab the cell phone out of my pocket so I could call her, when I heard a loud snap.
The driver’s seat is one of those captain’s chair style contraptions I mentioned, and it’s mounted on a power platform that enables you to adjust distance from the pedals, tilt and height using a short joystick. The seat itself is mounted on that platform using four anchor points. Apparently those anchor points have been slowly cracking or breaking over the years — I’ve felt the seat getting gradually “looser,” if you will, but that push I gave it yesterday was the straw that broke the camel’s back. The last anchor point finally broke free entirely.
The first thing that happened was that the seat dropped a good four inches to the floor, and swung upright quickly. Driving 40MPH down the road, that caused a few moments of sheer terror, I can tell you. I think I’ve finally gotten it into an acceptable position for now, but clearly I have to get it fixed quickly.
I’m dreading the calls I’m going to have to make tomorrow. Finding a place that can service the specialty parts on conversion vans is difficult enough; finding replacement parts for Glaval conversions is possible, but it’s going to be one of those things that requires more time and more money than it probably should.
It’s been a stressful-as-hell few weeks, and this weekend hasn’t been any help, unfortunately. Despite the fact that the kids have been able to break up the weekend with sleepovers and playdates, we still had quite a busy weekend. My cousin Cara, who I haven’t seen in several years (since our cousin Jennifer was married), dropped by, and we were happy have her by, though the house was (as usual) in total chaos. Still, we managed to get the kitchen and living room half-presentable.
The biggest crisis we’ve had was last night — James got a stomach bug from somewhere, we’re not sure where, and ended up spending several hours throwing up and having diarrhea. So that was pleasant. Having experienced a similar problem back in January, I felt really bad for him. Today he’s okay, although he’s still a bit whiny and, not surprisingly, his appetite is off. But we’re just trying to keep him hydrated and keep the complaints down to a minimum.
I ended up going grocery shopping last night, and I’m constantly amazed and horrified by what it ends up costing to feed the family and keep clothes clean for a week. Last night’s tally totaled $175, including a few bottles of detergent and household cleaners (always the most expensive portion) and that’s after coupons.
That was the third big shop I’ve done in a seven day stretch; a week ago I’d grabbed almost $250 worth of groceries, and mid-week I’d stocked up to the tune of $80 or so. Plus a trip to K-Mart to stock up on two 300 ounce bottles of All detergent, which were on sale for $10. That’s a great price, and it’ll keep us well stocked in day-to-day laundry detergent for a while. Bonnie keeps the washing machine and dryer going practically non-stop every day usually just to try to stay on top of all the kids’ laundry, so I guess it’s little surprise that my electric bill regularly tops $200 a month.
Earlier this month. Obviously.
Clerk: “What’s today’s date? May fidth, right?”
Clerk 2: “Yeah.”
Delivery guy: “Cinco day Mayo.”
Clerk: “Whassat?”
Me: “It’s a Mexican national holiday.”
Clerk 2: “Ain’t that like Spanish New Yeah?”
Me: “A big victory over the French back in the 1800s.”
Delivery guy: “Well, alls I know is I’m goin’ out drinkin’ latah.”
Clerk: “Ahh you shuah? I know some Spanish people and they ain’t nevah mentioned Cinco day whatevah befoah.”
Me: “Are they Mexican?”
*blank stare*
What was it that Marx said? The working class is revolutionary or it is nothing. Well, in this case, it sure as hell ain’t revolutionary…”
Nstar arrived today and hooked up the lot across the street to electricity, so they’re able to work without having a gas-powered generator running. I can still hear the construction workers run their circular saw, and the compressor comes on occasionally for their nailgun, but the difference in volume level is quite remarkable.
Construction in the lot across the street from us continues at this hour. For the first time in three days it;s nice enough for them to work, so there’s a swarm of guys putting together the house across the street.
I can’t fault them for their efficiency, but one thing that I really dislike is the noise. I threw open the windows this morning to let in the sunshine and fresh air, and since about 7:30 it’s been an endless stream of noise — the hammering of a noisy gas-powered generator they’re using to power their electric tools.
It’s enough that I had to close the windows — I couldn’t hear Bonnie asking me questions, much less my own thoughts!
It definitely makes me think that I absolutely *don’t* want to live or work in this house if and when we ever do any major remodeling or addition work.
So Applebee’s has a new ad pushing a new cheeseburger made with 100 percent Angus beef.
James saw this ad and a moment later asked, “Mummy, what’s anus beef?”
I have a treadmill, and I have a desk, but this looks like a better solution — one I might actually use.