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Iris from Sting My Heart wrote me this afternoon to check if our tackle projects need to be cleaning jobs. So I thought I would let you all know, “No, your tackles do not have to involve cleaning.” Your tackle can be anything that needs tackling in your life. Be as creative as you want. So funny you should ask that today Iris, because my tackle this week is a little outside of the box. |
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Project to Tackle: Van Upkeep |
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I have mentioned more than a few times that I tend to procrastinate – a lot! Hence the reason I started Tackle It Tuesday – I need some accountability and motivation to get moving on those projects that I just never seem to get done. Well, if you had been within a block of my van each morning as I started it up, you would have heard evidence that some things still are not getting done. Now in my defense, when I took my van in a few months ago for servicing, I mentioned to them that I thought my fan belt needed attention since I hear a horrible whirring noise for the first few blocks of my drive. But of course they never heard it and so they handed my van back to me unfixed. Did you notice I said a few months ago? Yes, it has been getting louder and more embarrassing each passing week. Last week I could bear it no longer. I phoned the dealership, explained the problem and made an appointment. Well, actually Susan did it when she heard the screeching as I pulled away with her precious daughter strapped in to this death trap. But I did ask her to call and gave her the name of the dealership to look up the phone number. So, I was somewhat involved. (Hey this is her blog too–she should have to contribute a bit to these tackles.) But apparently the people at the dealership don’t understand what a big deal it is for a stressed out, over-scheduled, suburban mom to get their van half-way across town, because at the appointment they told us they needed to hear it when it started up cold for the day. Yes I know – I tried explaining that to you over the phone! (I had phoned back later to reschedule and had clarified the problem to them.) And I had to bring it back on Monday and leave it overnight. Now I wasn’t surprised – I knew the engine screamed loudest first thing in the morning (don’t we all!) But really, do they know how hard this is for a procrastinating woman to do – twice!?! But ladies we did it (with the help of hubby to drop off and mom for lending me her vehicle tomorrow to get around while the mechanic hopefully fixes whatever problem is making my van so angry.) And just to show you all what a good sport I am – I even tackled the mess that had been slowly building up in my van since my interior van tackle in June. This is what I cleared out of my van. |
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What Came Out Of Our Van:
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And this is what is going back in. (Jackson’s toy box and change of clean clothes is still in the van. I was pressed for time as I grabbed out items in the dealership parking lot. But his items are somewhat contained in his box.) |
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What’s Going Back In Our Van:
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Note: You wouldn’t believe the huge attachment issues my son has to our van. He was absolutely inconsolable that he had to leave it overnight. He cried and cried, insisting, “I will wait from sun down to sun up on that rock right there.” After we made him get in the truck to come home, he whimpered and whined the whole way. Good grief. Who knew getting a van fixed would be so hard on us all! Let’s just hope this time when we get it back it is fixed. |
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crystal says
I LOVE IT!!! I am not the only mama with a nasty mess in her vehicle. I have actually had a “guest 5 year old” in my car tell me, “my Daddy would never let it be this messy!” My heart sank and I nearly cried. I then pulled it together and without my prompting or mentioning the story, my husband surprised me last weekend by letting me have a nap and he took the kids and cleaned the car, including vaccuuming it!! Bless my husband, a NAP AND A CLEAN CAR. could it get better?
Janice says
Okay – so the strainer is in there because of my son. Nope I wasnt washing fruit on the fly – my son made it into some sort of a toy along with one of those strange mushy ball things that you pull but they dont break. I dont know what exactly it was all about. but he seemed to have fun. I left the ball in his toy box and took out the strainer. Hopefully he wont notice!
Rena says
You wouldn’t want to see what would come out of my car! I’m afraid to look under the seats.
Becca says
The van…oh, the horrors! It’s amazing how gross a 3 week old half gnawed corndog can look. Not that I would know from sad experience or anything…
Sissy B. says
Thanks for stopping by and saying hello…..since the trip to the beach..I don’t WANT to know what lurks in the back seat of my car!!! 🙂
flipflopmamma says
Wow. Poor kid. I hope you don’t ever have to move! Imagine how he would be leaving his house behind!! I think, once we move and get all setteled, I’m gonna start Tackle it Tuesday!! I just have to. It’ll be the only way I get organized.
P.S. Those videos are actually called “Little Dogs on the Prairie.” sorry, not the prairie dogs like I said. And I packed them all up since we’re (hopefully) moving soon, so I can’t tell you the author offhand.
amelia says
I’m glad to see that my vehicle isn’t the only one that accumulates junk! If it weren’t for my husband’s Saturday clean the car ritual I’d be in serious trouble!!
Mom Nancy says
It would be amazing what I dragged out of our van. My daughter tends to eat in it while we’re out running errands and never take her dishes back into the house. Now, though, it’s her job to clean out the van. My tackle it is vastly different!
Jenny says
Uhhh…I think I would need several of those super-dooper size laundry baskets to rid my van of the junk! You may have inspired me to tackle the van…maybe…
MamaDuck says
Oh, sounds like my car, always a mess. Congrats!
Susanne says
It’s amazing the things that are hiding in a vehicle. Your boy cracks me up! “I will wait from sun down to sun up…” I know he was absolutely earnest but mine would have just said “I’m sleeping over there till it’s fixed”. Jackson’s going to be a writer with the way with words that he has.
Pass the Torch says
I love reading your tackles every week. And it’s funny how often I think about “needing” to tackle something now.
Your son sounds a lot like mine in terms of having trouble giving things up. Every time we’ve moved, or sold a vehicle or boat, he’s been very upset. But through the years, his emotions about change are diminishing. (Good thing, since there’s so much change in our family!)
My tackle this week? I switched to WORDPRESS! Ready or not;)
Kelly
My new address: 2passthetorch.com
Mom2fur says
Your son is about the most poetic kid I’ve ever heard. I always get such a kick out of the things he says.
Frankly, I think they should have just replaced the danged fan belt and not made you leave the van overnight! But then again, I don’t know a danged thing about cars. Hope you get it back soon!
Nancy says
The car is always a hot spot, but that is why my entry way isn’t so cluttered! Good job!
Erna says
That was quite the clean up. It’s amazing what can be hiding in our vehicles. The girls have a tupperware lid in our car . . . it’s a “steering wheel.” LOL! We have to get a basket for the car and load it up with toys and books that are for traveling only. Another tackle it idea for the future. :0) I’ll be visiting everyone tonight or tomorrow, still have another meme to catch up with too. :0)
Stephanie says
One small basket full from the van? That is it?! I’d need to make several trips with a basket that size! 🙂
Chaotic Mom says
Grrr… I’ll get mine up later, I guess. Blogger isn’t coming up right now.
Chaotic Mom says
Well, I haven’t tackled them yet, but for today I am planning to get caught up on bills, AND to put together a system for keeping them in order for the future.
Next tackle: Straightening up our checking account.
Jodi says
I had to laugh as well, can’t wait to hear why it is in there! I too know all to well the attachmentment boys can have to vehicles! Our youngest was so attached to my DH Bronco, it broke his heart when dad sold it. Oh what a day that was! *shaking head*
Janice says
I know!! I had to leave that in the picture for everyone to guess why it was there.
I will tell later – I promise.
eph2810 says
I am sorry – but I had to laugh when I saw your picture – a strainer (is that how you spell it????) in the van. Do you cook in your van :lol:…I am serious – I am cracking up over here…
Thank you for making me laugh before going to bed…
Have a blessed Tuesday.