i got a rock.

my favorite time of year (aka peanuts time) starts now! it's the great pumpkin, charlie brown is still charming 45 years after its television debut. i watch it every year - it'll be on while we hand out candy to trick or treaters tonight.

happy halloween!

sunday calendar

i'm drawn to the pretty watercolor washes on this 2012 calendar by ohmydeer. would love to see it in a poster size. keep track of my weekly calendar posts (and from years previous) here.

hope you're having a lovely sunday!

new pennants at rank and file!

fresh pennants in my handmade shop! new styles and new colors - and even some metallic gold. my new favorite is the cursive hello (that's hand-drawn by your's truly) and the new heather grey color. head over to check them out, and keep your eyes peeled for new garlands just in time for the holidays!

[rank and file handmade]

Should I Pay For a Diagnostic Charge/Rip off Scams

Have you ever taken your vehicle in for repairs and the auto repair shop could not fix the problem? And now the mechanic expects you to pay for his time spent on your car. This could be one of those rip off scams revealed and you don’t even know it. Many not all auto mechanics will spend a few minutes on your vehicle and say he spent 2.5 hours working on it. As a matter in fact I saw one auto technician take a customers car to lunch and returned with no clue what was wrong with the vehicle. Another example was a auto repair shop manager sprayed some degreaser on the timing chain cover and told the customer he replaced the timing belt which amounted to over $300. One more example is a car came in with a sensor unplugged and the mechanic just plugged it back in and the car was fixed after charging the customer for a new sensor, labor to install, and unnecessary shop supplies that were never used.

So the question still remains should you pay for a diagnostic charge if the problem isn’t fixed? Another example is a car came in with an alternator not plugged in. The auto repair shop owner instructed the tech. to pull the alternator off and repaint it in the back parts room. Once it was dry it was installed back onto the vehicle and charged the customer over $400. There are so many rip off scams out there it is unbelievable. Paying for a diagnostic charge where the repair shop could not fix the problem really have you in his pocket because until you pay him he does not have to turn over your keys to you.

The only defense that you have is to stand there all day and see how much time the mechanic actually spends working on your car. But who has time for that? Price and labor mark up is getting out of hand. You get charged twice the amount for the same part as if you walked in and paid for it yourself. Then if the labor guide calls for 2.0 hours to install the part the mechanic will try and get away with charging you 3.5 hours. If you can ask the auto repair shop manager if you can see the book time you are being charged. Chances are he will not let you in the shop due to insurance purposes. As I said many times before go to QwikTalk and ask the guys there if you are getting scammed on a car diagnostics.

Keywords: auto repair scams, cars and trucks, diagnostic charges, QwikTalk

austrian brass

i came across this shop yesterday that specializes in mid century modern figures made of austrian brass. i don't know much more than that, but aren't they charming?

Ask a Mechanic, Veterinarian, or Business Consultant a Question Now!

I found a new service while scanning the internet looking for answers. We all know how time consuming that could be looking for just that one answer. Imagine if you can call in and get your answers immediately which would leave you time for more things to do in this busy busy world. For instance if your car has been acting like it is going to the scrap yard but all you need is a automotive part under $25 to fix it, wouldn’t you like to ask a professional certified auto mechanic who has nothing to gain but give you the answer? Another scenario would be your pet from whom you love very much and has been there for you through good times and bad all of a sudden is very sick. One phone call to a Veterinarian could save his life! This new company called QwikTalk is there for you, your car, and your favorite pet. Business consultants are also available on call for that one question that will save you hours of research. Ask a Mechanic, Veterinarian, or a Business Consultant your question and if your not satisfied you will get a refund with no questions asked!

I can remember a customer bringing in their vehicle for a ticking noise. It was a well taken care of car too. The customer actually wanted to junk the car but I informed him that all that needed to be done is to pull the valve cover off and install a new rocker arm. He saved himself thousands of dollars on a new car he thought he needed and is still driving it today. I don’t want to bore you with old mechanic stories but one other customer came into the shop thinking his timing belt broke and damaged his pistons. He asked me the question, “Should I Junk it” I told him that particular motor will not damage the engine if the timing belt breaks and all he needs is a $20 timing belt installed. As you can see all it takes is a question and you can save big time money by calling these guys at QwikTalk.

This type of service offered to the public is something that I wished was there for me long time ago when I was attending school. There is always that one question that bugs the heck out of me. I am sure your favorite pet would also like you to have access to your questions. The best thing about this service from QwikTalk is you do not have sales people pushing unneeded services on you trying to drain your pocket. All they do is give you the answer you are looking for.

Keywords: QwikTalk, Mechanics, Veterinarian, Ask a Question

sunday calendar

happy sunday! 'tis the season for the great 2012 calendar hunt! i love shopping for calendars this time of year - there are so many good ones. and so the search begins with this amsterdam advent calendar by nouveau designs. i remember loving peeling open flaps on advent calendars when i was little - so satisfying and you couldn't wait for tomorrow.

hope you had a good weekend!

baby shower for arrow

here are some snaps from abby's baby shower i threw at my place a couple weeks ago. i was excited to help welcome baby arrow (who's due anytime now). what a day!

the weather was beautiful for early october, so we had food, drinks and gifts outside on the patio. we had a potluck, fun decorations and an arrow making activity in lieu of games. guests addressed envelopes (for easy thank you notes after) which were then drawn for little prizes. leftover craspedia in vintage milk glass vases, fantastic cookies by my friend brian for dessert, beautiful joia sodas and cucumber water for thirst quenching, and favors with deluxe chocolate bars and d.i.y memo clips served as a going away treat. i thought it turned out pretty darn cute!