Phone Calls + Car Batteries

We got to talk to Craig this morning; he's alive and well, which is always good to know. And, he was already done with his workday while we were just waking up! Crazy time zones.

When Craig was in Kuwait, he called once a week and that worked well for us. We used email daily so by the time he called, we'd already discussed all the week's happenings via email and didn't have too much to say! I suppose it's just nice to hear each other's voices. Although, my voice is on the nasally side, so I'm not sure that it's ever "nice" to hear me speak. And with my current sinus issues, the combination of a nasal voice plus the fact that I sound like I smoke two packs a day, aids in an even sweeter sound. However, Craig called mostly so he could to talk to Caroline, since he misses her more than me. ;) However he called during breakfast AND while she had her eyes glued to The Weather Channel, so their conversation was short. Actually, all phone conversations with Caroline are short. She's pithy. When she's done talking, she's done. She says "bye" and is ready to hang up before the person on the other end has a chance to finish their sentence.

It's kind of funny. And a little bit odd.
That's Caroline for you.

Speaking of odd, Caroline is fascinated by the Weather Channel. Fascinated.
Midwest storms, high pressure systems, wind in the plains, rain in the southeast...it's all so interesting to her. I asked her if she wanted to be a meteorologist when she grows up and she said "no" in the most horrified way. I didn't realize that question was so objectionable.

Anyway, we spoke with Craig. He's doing as well as one would imagine. He doesn't have internet access at work, besides being able to check his email, so he's been missing out on all my intellectually stimulating blog entries. He *should* have internet access soon, so until then, I'd like to take the time to trash talk him while he can't read what I'm typing.

Oh, I kid.

In other news, Craig's car won't start. With my expansive knowledge of cars, I've deduced that it's the battery. Actually, I called my dad and asked, "if the car goes click-click-click-click and sounds like a machine gun, and won't start, does that mean it's the battery?" He said yes.

I helped a neighbor out when their battery died a week or so ago and evidently the jump start took all the juice out of our poor six year old battery. It's terrible when a neighborly good deed comes back to bite you in the butt.

I like having two working cars, but I haven't exactly done anything about the car with the dead battery yet. At first, I was going to call for road side service and have the car towed, but I got to thinking that this plan sounded really inconvenient and not entirely enjoyable. Which led me to this crazy idea: perhaps *I* could change the battery, instead?

It sounds somewhat preposterous, but I'm not a total air head. I fixed our toilet, for crying out loud. I can replace a car battery, too.
Right?

I clued Caroline into my big plan and with wide eyes and a look of doubt, she said "I don't think you can do that."
Those are words that shouldn't ever be muttered in my direction. Stubborn girls don't like to be told what they can't do.
The challenge has been administered and I guess I'm going to change the battery.

Game on, Caroline. Game on.

I watched a You Tube video and it looks surprisingly easy.
Now all I have to do is buy the new battery and get started.

Um, yeah, I'll get to that soon.