Well, the vellux blanket didn't survive the wash today. We picked up this blanket at a yardsale for $2 a couple years ago. It was on the guest bed, not our bed.



I can't stand seeing anything go to waste, even if half of it is destroyed! So out comes my new sewing machine - yeah, had it for 6 months and haven't used it. I'm a little rusty and the stitches aren't great, but they didn't have to be for this project. A little time, the destroyed blanket, and 3/4 of a bag of polyfill I got for 25c... voila! A new snuggly pet bed! Now who wouldn't want to curl up in this? Well, maybe not today - it's 90 degrees! I used a third of the blanket that wasn't destroyed and cut up the rest of it to use as stuffing. No waste!

I just had a request for an update on the dealership overcharge, so here it is:

I called them last monday morning and left a message basically stating that the loan paperwork didn't match the purchase agreement. I asked them to please pull the paperwork and call me back immediately to resolve the problem. I didn't give them any more details than that. Within an hour the finance guy called me back, apologizing profusely! He said I was absolutely right and that they didn't update the "board" so he didn't know the price had changed. He said they would send me a check for $495 to which I replied "What about the sales tax you overcharged me?" His response was "Oh." He said I should expect the check by the end of the week. Sure enough, a check for $519.75 arrived on friday. I consider this a done deal and I am happy with the way they handled it. It was entirely their fault, a simple administrative error, and they apologetically cleared it up. No hard feelings. As far as the dates on the paperwork: not sure why they're that way, but they don't appear to be an issue.

As for my mom - her surgery was friday and it went well. She called me a little after 2 pm and that was a surprise! I didn't think she'd feel up to calling me. So she's home resting and I'm not sure how long she'll be out of work. She'll be out with full salary, so that's a GREAT thing! She still has to fill out the paperwork at the hospital to see if she can get any financial assistance. She's already on the hook for $1500 and that only brings her through the surgery, no extras and we haven't even gotten to radiation yet. ANY aid she can get approved for would be greatly appreciated. She can't even get caught up on what she still owes for heat for last winter, and next winter will be here before we know it - and worse! She's still in the hole $350 and can't seem to get any savings built up for next winter. Medical bills are an impossibility right now!!

Grrrr.....
The stupid dealership overcharged me on my car! Unfortunately, today was the first chance I've had to go over the paperwork they gave me. The original purchase agreement I signed had the agreed upon price, where the loan paperwork and everything else I signed the next day had a price that was $495 HIGHER than I agreed. I just went over this paperwork with a fine tooth comb and I am certain they made a mistake here. I was overcharged $495 on the price of the car, $24.75 in sales tax, and ??? on interest until this matter is cleared up.

I'm sure this was just an oversight and I have no choice but to give them the benefit of the doubt. With everything else that's going on right now, I really just didn't need this. Yes, I know it's my fault for not scrutinizing the paperwork on the spot, but I was not in the right frame of mind since the whole car buying experience was so stressful for me. To make matters "worse", I see that the paperwork I signed on the 15th is all dated the 12th and the P&S agreement that I claim is correct is dated the 14th. Obviously the paperwork dated the 12th is incorrect as I never even saw this car until the 14th. DH saw it the 12th though. His name isn't anywhere on the official paperwork though, as the car was being purchased in my name only.

Glad I'm still sitting on the customer satisfaction survey they gave me. This could get interesting.

Went to the dealership today to get my paperwork, get the car inspected, and get it vac'd & shampooed - no one there to do it on the weekend. It was free, why not? Also needed a second key and remote - we can't share! They told me the other day it would be $10 for the key and they had a remote for me that just needed to be programmed. Of course they conveniently "forgot" to tell me it would cost $46.50 to program it to my car. No choice, needed a second one. It's still not the worst I've heard those things costing. I did make sure the sales guy knew I was not happy that he didn't disclose this to me the other day when I asked.

Thank you to everyone who shared similar feelings about giving up their old car and getting a new one. I'm glad to know it's not just me. Koppur - I found it really funny that you also owned 2 Jettas! It's my 2nd day driving the new car and I'm getting used to it. Fun, peppy little thing! Just now waiting for my payment info to arrive. I know how much, I'd just like to know "when".

As for my mom... well, I guess I'll just throw it out here cuz I'm having trouble telling most people. We found out a couple weeks ago that she has breast cancer. She goes for surgery on the 27th to remove the lump. I really don't know much else right now. She's scared to death and an emotional rollercoaster. I don't know if it hasn't sunk in with me or what, but I'm not having much emotion about this. Maybe it's because SOMEONE has to stay sane and for some reason it always has to be me? One of these days I'm going to just snap because of this. I'm under so much pressure at home running everything (DH has ADD *SIGH*)and under pressure at work(Could boss have ADD too? *SIGH*). Now I have to be the one who has to think a few weeks into the future and make sure my mom's bills get paid. It's a good thing I took control of things several months ago and I know how things stand. I can at least make sure the basics are covered. Don't think I can get any money to the fuel company as there isn't any money to send them. Then I'm going to have to worry about getting the medical bills paid. She has insurance, but it doesn't cover everything. I don't even know what sort of impact this will have. She just doesn't have any extra money!! Well, all this doesn't really give me a chance to get upset about what's going on. Not yet at least. It's all just a lot of stress right now.

Well, I threw a bunch of stuff in a baking dish and I'm hoping it comes out resembling chicken pot pie. Also hope it's edible... lol... Gotta run and check on it.

Well, I sadly said goodbye to the Jetta today. It was a tough decision but I've spent a lot of money on it lately and it only needed more and more work. After a bit of research, we decided that the Hyundai Elantra would be a good little car for me. So we brought home a "new" (17000 miles) 2007 regatta blue (metallic navy blue) Elantra today. Still need to take care of some paperwork and the inspection, but that should be all set by the end of the week. It's a fun little car and loaded with options - well, many more options than I had before!! Tons of air bags, power windows, roomier, more powerful engine, better sound system! It has an auxillary input for my ipod as well as an in-dash mp3 cd player. Sure is gonna take some getting used to because it's not a VW!! I didn't really have to adjust my driving style much on the test drive though. It's geared more like the Jetta than DH's car is, and the shifting configuration has reverse in the same place as a VW. I think I'll grow to like it once I get over mourning the Jetta. It will be nice driving a car that doesn't break down once a month, but the gas tank is on the wrong side!!!



I'm still struggling with this decision even though I know, in the long run, it was the right decision. I just wasn't ready to give up the jetta yet, not for a couple more months. BUT, I'm not sure I could have gotten through a couple more months. I really loved that little jetta, but I didn't feel safe driving it anymore. That's not good since I have a 60 mile round trip commute each day.

I did NOT enjoy the car buying process. Oh NO NO NO! Sales guy was great, finance guy was great, sales manager was a complete jerk and I made sure the sales guy knew that immediately. I wanted to walk out of there just because I didn't like how I was treated, but this car was a steal. Comparable cars at other dealerships had more miles and less options for the same price - or more! Too good of a deal to pass up.

Well, I'm hoping after this week I'll be feeling better about this decision. I'll have driven the car for a few days and all the insurance/inspection paperwork will be complete. It's just a huge financial decision to make - not an easy one for me right now.