Chores

I raised my two kids and four stepkids with the concept of chores - every one needs to do chores.  Kids need to learn to do things on their own to make them successful adults. They need to pitch in and know the value of teamwork.  Families stay close when you balance chores and fun.  And IMO, people of all ages need to feel needed. 

That being said, we watched Mr Z and it was a gorgeous day in the Valley of the Sun, so we decided to wash my car.  He'd never helped wash a car before, so we hauled out the hose, filled a bucket with soap and water to make some suds and got to work. Personally, I think he liked playing with the hose more than anything.  What 7 year old doesn't?

But what made me chuckle is when I picked him up from school.  We walked to my car, and he looked it over and said, "Man, we just washed the car and now the birds have pooped all over it. Again."  Hehehe he has a way about him!  

Cruze-in'

Nearly two years have gone by since I purchased my Chevy Cruze.  I have just over 13k miles on it, because I'm the proverbial "old lady who drives to work and back".  lol  Getting older has made traveling a little more difficult than I anticipated, so I don't drive as many places as I once did.  Traveling alone just doesn't make much sense, either.

Today, I took my Cruze into the dealership to have it's annual checkup and oil change.  While they were at it, I decided that a new air filter and wiper blades were in order.  I had no idea there was a separate air filter for the "cabin" of my car.  When the tech brought it out so I could see it, yuck!  It was dirty and yes, please replace that one too!  Turns out, it was nearly $70. lol  But after 2 years, (and a dog) that inside filter got plenty dirty as well.  

When buying cars, I have always went with something that had 6 cylinders, because every car I've ridden in with a 4-banger just didn't have the "get up and go" that I wanted in a car.  When I'm merging on a freeway, I want there to be power behind that pedal!  But I've changed my tune since then.

My little Cruze only has 4 cylinders.  Granted, I don't drive as many freeways as I used to.  Besides, now that I'm nearly 60, the impatient drivers can be a little patient with me if I need to merge these days -- perhaps a little slower than I used to, but not by much!  But the best thing I've enjoyed with my Cruze is the gas mileage.  I've always hated stopping for gas.  In my Impala, with a 6 cyl, I was stopping every other week ---- IF I didn't travel much more than back and forth to work.  With the Cruze?  every third week.  And it's costing a lot less to fill the tank as well!  

I purchased this at Earnhardt Chevrolet in Chandler, on my lunch hour.  They were easy to deal with, met my goals and my price; they even took care of turning in my rental car to Enterprise.  Their service has been excellent - on my new Cruze, and on my 2009 Impala (which I purchased from the same dealership)!   "Earnhardt:  It's a name you can trust and that ain't no bull. Tex Earnhardt"

We still need a car to get around, but we can change our thinking about our options.  I'm glad I changed my mind, I love to zip around town in my Chevy Cruze!