Woke up extra early today to take the new van to the dealership to have some rear impact airbag modules replaced due to a recall order. I guess the originals are more faulty than useful, so I am without wheels for four to six hours today, while the service techs dismantle my car interior to get at the two to four tubular inserts that need to get swapped out. The notice we received in the mail says it’s a two hour job, but the service desk tells me the folks that wrote that notice must do drugs because it’s a long tedious process, and could take up to six hours to do. Sounds like fun.
I was under the impression that I was going to have to wait at the service desk for the whole operation to finish, but they have a shuttle (which I was not aware of), so I opted to get a lift home, and then once the job is 30 minutes out, they can call me, then come bring me back to the dealership. Much preferred this route. I have the ability to work, eat, sit comfortably, and use my own bathroom for the six hours. Nice. Much appreciated. The other option was to find a corner to camp out in, and slowly sip my Gatorade, and nibble on snacks from my computer bag while I read, or watch stuff on my computer/phone. Being home is the far better option.
It is Friday January 9th, 2026. Almost double digit days into the month. I have had some new work come in, which is always good. I am waiting on one slow European client to pay an outstanding invoice from November, but we knew they were slow to pay going in, and I can sit tight on that for several weeks longer if I need to. I’ve had discussions about it with my primary client whom subcontracts me the work, so we’re on the same page, and I don’t direct my ire, or dismay towards him. If I get short, we know whom it is we are actually unhappy with. Managing expectations saves us a whole lot of animosity. Open communication!
Speaking of which, it’s early January so word is getting back to me of the small pockets of divorces, and trial separations that have been initiated. Made it through Christmas for the kids, and now they are parting ways. I guess this gives you the longest amount of time to get sorted out before the next Christmas season rolls around. It’s a thing. I brought it up at school pick up earlier this week, because I found it interesting. It’s legit a thing that people do. Quite common actually. I asked friends about it, and had an enlightening discussion. Informative. I’m not looking for a divorce, but it’s good to know the signs to be on the look out for, or to take this time to have a sit down with my spouse to make sure we too are on the same page, and are both getting what we need out of our relationship, and circumstances.
I see there is this “grass is greener” phenomenon when people see others get split up, and start to live “their best lives”, and people get drawn to it, and upend marriages because the single, mock twenties lifestyle seems more appealing than the daily married grind, with work, kids, life, beating on you 24/7. The appeal is having your kids only 50% of the time, so you can have date night(s), dance, drink, go clubbing, or just get out of the house child free with friends far more often. But then you have courts, lawyers, assets to split, losing your home, disruption to your kids lives etc… in some cases it’s for the best, you know with DV, or infidelity. But because you are envious of your circle of friends having new found freedoms, seems — idiotic. But I digress. I know life is tough, and having kids which you are actively engaged in parenting is tiring, and uses a massive portion of your daily lives. But as the kids get older, and more self sufficient, we get our time back! These last two years my spouse and I have actually had the ability to date one another again. Private meals, shows, movies, and it’s really great. We did go years without that, and it’s tough. Not particularly pleasant at times. Felt like roommates. But we worked through that, and now we are seeing the benefits. In another year our oldest can start to babysit legally, and we can try to go out a little more, like once a month, rather than once a quarter, or twice a year. Like I said, it’s getting better. Twice was better than none, four times better than twice, twelve better than four.
We aren’t real big on concerts, or the bar scene, but to be able to do a movie together, or a dinner once a month is going to be so much fun. We can try new restaurants, because we will know we can try again next month, instead of playing it safe on the two nights out we got in a calendar year. That could prove interesting.
Now I sit and wait to hear from the dealership. Two hours down, two to four hours left for the job to be completed. Let us pray it is finished, and I can pick it up, and get home in time for school pick up this afternoon. I’m hoping so! I took the time to empty out the van to make their lives easier. Wonder if that will pay off!
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