Sunday, July 30, 2006
"Week Past 07/24-07/30"
The Car
Mon, 07/24 I had to call W at home around 9:10 pm after work because my car battery died on me. I've been having problem with my brake pedal. It won't fully come back after I step on it keeping my brake lights on. I had it checked Sat, 07/22 but they said they still need to order the part: a vacuum power brake booster assembly. It'll cost me $600.00!!. The customer service attendant was helpful when he noticed that my mileage was just 39K. He said he'll try to see if he can discount the price. Probably he noticed my dismay. I told him that it doesn't speak well of the quality of their product. It's a major component and it's not supposed to break down that easily with a low mileage yet. Anyway I thought I had retracted the brake pedal when I parked at work. Apparently not. With brake lights on the whole day the battery drained. I had to jump start it so W to the rescue.
Mon, 07/24 I had to call W at home around 9:10 pm after work because my car battery died on me. I've been having problem with my brake pedal. It won't fully come back after I step on it keeping my brake lights on. I had it checked Sat, 07/22 but they said they still need to order the part: a vacuum power brake booster assembly. It'll cost me $600.00!!. The customer service attendant was helpful when he noticed that my mileage was just 39K. He said he'll try to see if he can discount the price. Probably he noticed my dismay. I told him that it doesn't speak well of the quality of their product. It's a major component and it's not supposed to break down that easily with a low mileage yet. Anyway I thought I had retracted the brake pedal when I parked at work. Apparently not. With brake lights on the whole day the battery drained. I had to jump start it so W to the rescue.
Wed, 07/26 I brought the car back to get it fixed. The attendant said that I have to pay the amount since my warranty expired. I again expressed my disappointment. I asked for a number I can call so I can vent my complaint. He gave me a number but requested not to call them yet since he'll again talk to his manager and see what they can do. To make an already long story short, the car was fixed and I paid $50.00 for the diagnostic. Car doctors are also expensive! I deliberately did not mention the brand and I hope no other major component breaks down in the immediate future. (Hint: It's not a Japanese, Korean or European car)
Weather
We've been hitting the 90's and 100's this week. Farmers have requested that the Governor declare an emergency so they can get financial aid. Pic at left is our outdoor thermometer. It reads 110 F at 6:00 pm, Wed 07/26. Weather forecasters issued a warning about excessive heat by end of week. Fri 07/28 I helped push carts outside. After doing just two sets I was sweating. It was hot and humid. It did not help that it was 12:00 pm. At home on Fri, Sat and Sun nights we decided to sleep at the basement where it's cooler. The heat and humidity just slams into you especially when you come out of an air conditioned building. It's like stepping into a furnace.
Sprinkler System
Our neighbor decided to have an automatic sprinkler system installed in their garden. Work started Wed. It's really convenient to have one especially if both husband and wife are working. That way you don't have to worry about not being able to water your lawn with this kind of summer or stay up late doing it.. I met our neighbor one evening while I was moving my water sprinkler and she was doing the same. She commented: "Isn't it fun watering your lawn at night?" Fri, 07/28 while I was manually setting up my sprinkler their newly installed sprinkler system came on. She'll be missing all the fun now.
Housing Project
Wed,07/26, 1:00 pm W and I met with the electrical contractor. We made a walk through the house to confirm where all the light switches, electrical outlets and lights would be installed. This is to ensure that it's done according to plan or if there are any changes we want different from the plan. Then we met with the contractor who would be installing the tv, telephone and cable outlets and did the same. It was actually quick. About an hour and a half and we're done with both. They've also poured the concrete for the basement floor. They were just done when we arrived that afternoon as seen from the pics. So nothing much have changed at the exterior. Sat, 07/29 when we checked the progress most of the work done were inside. Installation of electrical outlets, plumbing and drainage lines. Air conditioning and air exchange ducts. Probably nothing much would be done outside this coming week. They've poured the concrete footings for the deck. Maybe they'll start on it next week.
