Finally caught a break

After 19 1/2 years of marriage we finally caught a break.  We FINALLY found an honest mechanic that actually cares about really fixing your vehicle.

Here's our story:

For years we have gone to all the big brand name shops to get our vehicles fixed,ie: Toyota, Chevy, Boubin, Linder (just to name a few).  After almost every oil change we are given a list of "Needed repairs".  Sound familiar?  I'm sure you've been through this too if you have a vehicle older than 2 years. In January of 2011 we were told by Boubin that we needed around $1600 worth of repairs done, that these things couldn't wait.  We believed them, but didn't have the money and this time we waited and hoped nothing would happen. In the early summer of this year I met a new friend who always takes her vehicles to "awesome mechanic". I listened to her stories of getting a great deal, but didn't go at first.  Why, I don't know.  Then after realizing that we really should get the repairs done that were on that list, I finally went to "awesome mechanic".  I showed him the list of repairs that Boubin said we would need done.

He could have agreed with the list and scheduled all the repairs for we didn't know better.  Instead he was honest, went through the list one by one and explained each thing, then would say things like this:

Oh this could wait another year, this doesn't need done at all, not sure why they checked this, this does need done, but you still have another 6 months, etc. through the list.  NOT one thing needed done yet and this was 6 months after we had Boubin check it all out.  The one thing that was super important was our Fuel Intake Gaskets.  Those needed replaced for they were leaking.

Boubin's price to get just this repair done was $987.79

Our "awesome mechanic" said he could do the repair for less than $500 so we agreed that after saving up money that we really needed to get this done since it was now 1 year since Boubin said we needed to do this.

We scheduled the repair and at the same time also needed a passenger side outside mirror replaced that had been smashed out.  Additionally, our inside panel of our passenger door was bent out and getting stuck so we couldn't open the door.  It was because the clips on the inside of the panel were broken and it was next to impossible to open the passenger door.

After bringing our van to "awesome mechanic" he said that all three of those repairs would be $450

He had the van for just over a day because he said the repair of the intake gaskets would take a little while.

While he was working with our van he noticed a break light was out and fixed it, he also noticed our wiper blades were in much need of repair and he replaced them, he also noticed our tires needed rotated and he rotated them and he checked out a few other things that I asked him to check. He also did an oil change (because when you get the intake gaskets redone you have to have an oil change with it)

He still insisted on only $450 for this entire repair, even though he had done at least 3 extra things that had parts and labor.

I was in shock and couldn't believe how nice he was to not only do all these things, but to still charge the lower amount.

We saved at least $550 to $600 by going to him instead of a big brand name shop and "awesome mechanic" went above and beyond in his repair.  When we picked up our van he explained everything he did, opened the engine and showed us everything, continued to explain everything so we understood all that he had worked on.

Even if you live far away from Iowa City, you should consider making the drive here the next time you need a massive repair done to go to our "awesome mechanic", because not only will you get to visit our family, but you will get the repair done by an honest person who is not trying to steal all your money away, and you will save hundreds maybe even thousands of dollars.

If you want his name and number send me a message.

Christmas Picture 2011

back row  Daniel, Caleb, Jared
front row  Brenden, Scott, Alyssa

Cookie Walk

Today was the most awesome event ever. There was a cookie walk at a local church here in Iowa City called Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.  Every year on the first Saturday of December from 9-12 noon they do this event.   My friend Brenda who takes my early morning body sculpt class told me about this and I knew from the second she told me about this that I wouldn't miss it. I took a bunch of pictures of this event today. I was amazed at all the different types of cookies. You selected either a small, medium or large box when you arrived and then got to pick as many cookies as you wanted. The cost was $6.00 per pound. Below are pictures. After the cookie walk Alyssa and I left for West Branch, Iowa, which is 10 minutes away so I could run a race. You can read about that HERE if you want.

Here is my friend Brenda bringing out more cookies for the walk of happiness!

Cookies!

Cookies and brownies!

A whole row of cookies and chocolate covered yummy things.

An entire room of cookies!

Pretty cookies!

Brenda and I.

Tasty cookies and candies!

More cookies!

Some of the cookies I selected.

Some of the cookies Alyssa selected.

Cookies that reminded me of my Grandma Mullin!

Even more to choose from!

Alyssa and I with our stash of cookies taking a picture of ourselves.

Alyssa with our boxes.  Don't these look amazing?  Right after the picture we both sampled them.  Every single cookie I ate today was absolutely AWESOME and I'm not admitting how many I ate.  Let's just say that I'm glad I had a race today so I could burn off a cookie or two.

2011 Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving day started out with everyone sleeping in except for me.  I got up super early and ran a turkey trot. Go to this link if you want to read about it: Turkey

I came home and we headed out for Tracy's home in Williamsburg. I took a bunch of pictures, but missed a few that I thought I took of all the men and older boys watching football.  The food was amazing.  I'm so thankful we have great friends that invited us into their home to share this wonderful holiday.  I also wanted to get a picture of Tracy's Mom Helen and her boyfriend Jim together.  You won't see any pictures of Caleb because he was working.  I think this was my first Thanksgiving without him. Jason was also there, but how he didn't appear in any pictures, I am not sure.

In the van on the way to Tracy's home.  Brenden and Jared are in the back with Daniel who ducked down.  Alyssa and Scott were in the middle.

One of Tracy's tables she had all pretty and set up.

My friend Tracy bringing out a hot dish.  Dinner was almost ready.

A bunch of the cold food.  We had cranberry bread, banana bread, celery, carrots and chips and crackers with dips, cranberry salsa, deviled eggs, pickle plate, cranberry sauce, two pumpkin pies, apple pie, chocolate cream pie, chips, mints, broccoli saled, pretzal salad.  Then there was a hot table of food.

Tracy and her Mom Helen.

Me attempting to cut the turkey.  Tracy had this fun electric knife, it was almost too much power for me.

Tracy's children Jakob and Erik, you can see the back of Dan's head, there is Steve (Tracy's husband in the background) and her Mom.  You can also see Alyssa and Jared.

Another picture with the children.  Alyssa is up front.  Brenden and Daniel in the back.  Jacob and Eric on the right.

Tracy and I in the kitchen.

A picture of our other food.  Stuffing, mashed potatoes, potatoe/cheese casserole, broccoli and cheese casserole, Ham, Turkey, Brisket, rolls.  I think I tried it all.

After dinner Tracy and I drove out to her house she is building.  She let me drive her fun little car.

Jared wearing a mask so he could play with the air soft gun.

Don't mistake Brenden looking grumpy for being bored because he was having so much fun running around the property playing with the guns chasing his brothers.

Daniel and Jared.

Scott looking so cute.  He ran around the property a bunch, chased Tracy's dogs and just had a great time.

Brenden wearing the mask so he could play with the guns.

Crazy Halloween week

It was a great Halloween for 2011. Now that most of our children are older they aren't all into the dressing up scene so I had fun taking pictures of other children from church at our Trunk or treat party.

Alyssa dressed up as a nerd during her school party.

another view of Alyssa

A few fun costumes from the party. I love Rupunzel's hair.

Fancy Nancy

The triplets in their banana split costume.    One of them has a chocolate scoop on, another has strawberry and then there is a vanilla scoop.  I love their whipped topping hats with sprinkles!

Fancy Nancy's hair (so fancy)

Another view of the triplets in their costume. This time they each have a bib on because they were being fed dinner.  They weren't very happy about being there, they were tired and hungry, but OHHHHH so cute.

Jason's costume.  He was a Hawkeye fan. Ok, not really, he didn't dress up, he was too cool this year.

Scott dressed as a Packer's football player with a little girl who was a chicken.  I loved her outfit the best. Check out her feet made from kitchen gloves.  Double click on the picture to see it bigger.

The best costumes of the night go to Kernal Sanders, Kentucky Fried chicken worker and their baby the chicken.  Take a look at the baby's feet.

The backs of their costumes.  What a great idea.

night shot

Scott, Alyssa and Brenden all carved pumpkins

Jason carved this pumpkin at work.

Alyssa with all her loot.  By the time I took this picture she had already given a bunch away.