June troubles

This has been a stressful month and I have been so off.  After getting my new car CJ and I decided that we would take her friend and go up to Biltmore of a picnic and relax.  On the way up there my car just quit working.  The check engine light came on and the car just shut down.  It was not in a good spot on the high way.  There was no where to pull over because it was in the middle of a mountain road.  We were out on the highway for a long time waiting for the police and tow truck to get there.  When the police got there he had to try to get us off the highway.  The only way to do that was to let my car roll down the hill about 150 yard and they he would push us across the highway into a turn off.  It was scary for me but for CJ and her friend they thought that it was really neat that the police had a semi truck pull sideways across the high to block traffic.  When she tells people about the break down that is one part that she does not forget to tell.  After we got the car off the highway the police contacted the tow truck to see how much longer it would be.  The tow driver said that it would be at least an hour and 45 minutes before they could get to us, so the police officer did not want to leave us out there in the 95 degree heat.  He took us home and the girl got to ride in the back of a police car.  Everyone has been picking on them about that we never what to see the girls in a police car again.

I had them tow my car right back to the dealership that I bought the car at.  They fixed the car, but it took almost 3 weeks.  At least they gave me a rental car to use.  CJ liked the car because it had a tough screen radio.  Jay hated the car because he could not get in with out bumping his head.  A Toyota Camry is off our list of cars to buy.  The service department was very good to us with this whole mess.  I am glad to have my car back but I am still a little nervous driving it.  I know I should not be because they did so much to it that it is like a whole new car.

While my car was in the shop we took the rental and went back up the Biltmore.  CJ and her friend, Chanacy, had a great time and like every time I go up there I learn something new and see something new.

 I have been so stressed about the car and money. With the car, Jay setting fire to the  grill and us having to buy a new one, CJ’s Hebrew school bill coming, Garrett and CJ’s birthdays coming up I did not know how we were going to come up with the money for everything.  So Jay told me that I should clean out the laundry room and have that thrift sale I had been planning on having for 3 years.  So I did.  I forgot how much work a thrift sale is.  But it was good and I was happy to get my laundry room cleaned out.  For me getting rid of clutter feels so good, after the sale we just took everything to Haven of Rest to be donated.  That way we did not have to mess with it or put the clutter back on the laundry room.

    

We went to the American Girl Club meeting.  Addy was the featured doll and CJ had fun playing games and making a necklace.  I kept calling Addy, Abby and CJ was so cute with telling me that I was saying her name wrong.  CJ knows her American Girl dolls.

We are still going to Family Reading at the library and her school.  At the library they had the Critter Keeper come and show all the kids his lizards, bugs, and snakes.  CJ did not volunteer for anything and did not touch any of the animals.  At one point the Critter Keeper had stuffed animal puppet that looked real and he was acting like it was real.  He the made it pretend to jump in the audience.  It landed right beside CJ, she screamed and jumped up so fast.  I was share she was done after that and we would be going home, but she sat back down and continued to watch the show.  I just had to laugh a little.

Last Friday we went to a birthday party.  It was a skating party and CJ still is scared of skating.  The skates did not last long on her feet. 

 CJ and I went blackberry picking and I decided I had a craving for Blackberry Jam.  I have never made blackberry Jam before, but I thought that I would give it a try.  It was not hard just very messy and I think for my first time it came out pretty good.

Friday we went down to Georgia for Garrett’s birthday.  He finely has moved out on his own, so for his birthday we bought him a bunch of new stuff for the house and some groceries.  It was fun getting him stuff we really thought he would need.  On the way down we stopped at the Uncle Remus Museum.  My museum volunteer was the neatest older lady I have ever met.  She had Jay and I captivated with her stories. Jay and I did not want to leave we could have listened to her talk all day.  I was never forget Ms. Georgia and I hope that someday I could meet her again.  At the end of our visit, Jay and I just felt like giving her a hug goodbye.  That was my favorite part of the trip. 

 Garrett new place was very nice, Jay and I both kept saying that his first place was much nicer than our first places.  We were both very proud of him for being out on his own.  We took him out to dinner and went shopping so CJ could get a new monster high doll with the money she made at the thrift sale.  We then went back to the hotel.  CJ got to go swimming a couple of time. The next day we went to the Bass Pro Shop and CJ got to play some games and make a craft.

Yesterday, we drove back home and then went up to the school to watch the firework.  This was such a great weekend for all of us.  We needed the get away and relax from all the stress around the house we have had lately.  I told Jay and July is going to be a better month for us.