Oil Change

I got the oil changed in my car today, and I must say, it was a wonderful experience. I usually hate having to take care of car-maintenance issues because I feel so clueless. Is it normal to have one area of knowledge so totally off your radar? It probably shouldn't be, at any rate. Nonetheless, I know almost nothing about cars. The one exception to this is changing a tire. Thanks to Daddy, I have been able to change a tire by myself since I got my license. And unfortunately, I have done it enough times since then that I'm pretty confident in my tire-changing abilities. However, if anything else starts to go wrong, I get this sinking feeling in my stomach and immediately start to think of who I can call who might possibly take pity on me and help me out. And when it comes to taking my car into a shop, I'm a nervous wreck. I just know that the mechanic will take one look at me and know how totally ignorant I am. I hate the feeling that either A) You're being taken advantage of and sold unnecessary services or B) The guy just has no patience for you.

This is why I appreciate so much the place where I get my oil changed (called Time-It Lube, if you're curious). They have their female-customer-protocol down to an art. The guy who comes out to the car always opens the car door and the waiting-room door for me. Um, yes, please! The mechanic always goes over everything with me before I pay the bill. Example: "We checked your oil filter and it's good for another few oil changes, we checked the fluid levels in thus-and-so, and cleaned off the battery whatchamacallits. Your whatsit cap is on good and tight, and such-and-such and so-and-so." (It all makes so much sense to me :) ) Then after I have paid, they start the car, usher me in, and close the door for me. I come away feeling so feminine! On top of all this, they have a "Ladies' Day" on Wednesdays and give 15% off to any lady that comes in. I'll take that.

I've never paid attention to how they interact with guys that bring their cars in. I wonder how different it is. Probably just the opening doors part. I guess they can afford to give a ladies discount because so few ladies bring cars in. I sure wouldn't want to if I had a husband who would do it for me! But these guys are definitely a close second!

Welcome, Spring!

Say hello to our newest addition: The first bud on the Bluebonnets in my back yard. Love it!

I can't get over how the change from winter to spring is so substantial. It seems to affect everything! Not just the temperature outside, but people's activities and even their moods. At least mine anyway. When the sun started shining and we had our near-Easter cold snap, the one that usually signals the last of the cold weather, it was like a weight was lifted, and everything seemed to be okay. I can't explain it, and I don't have time because I'm off to work in a few, but I was just so excited to see one more evidence of spring this morning, I wanted to share :)