Crossed off the To Do List

Today was devoted to those little chores that I like to put off...and off...and off. Number one on my list was having the car’s oil and filters changed. It’s been a while, but, despite that, my air filter didn’t need to be changed and the oil was a rather normal color, too. It’s time for winter oil, anyway, so I had them change it all. My car always acts so cheerful and pleased after that little bit of attention.

Next on my list was an auto inspection, which was due on October 31. I didn’t even notice the inspection sticker had expired until Tuesday and then I started noticing a police cruiser around every corner. They, fortunately, had other things on their minds. So, I sat there in the inspection station waiting expectantly...only to discover that my car didn’t pass the emissions test. The only reason it failed is because the ‘check engine’ light on the dashboard burns brightly. Otherwise the emissions test passed with flying colors.

Well, I don’t know exactly why the ‘check engine’ light is on, but, unless it’s off, the car can’t pass the inspection. This is so annoying. I’ve had the engine checked over and tuned up and made all pretty...just not by Toyota. I’ll have to consult my owner’s manual to see if this is in some way related to a certain number being flipped over on the odometer and the need to have the car serviced (by Toyota) at that magical odometer number so they can switch the light off. If that’s the case, I hope my regular mechanic can do it because I don’t want to spend an entire day sitting in the Toyota shop up in New Hampshire. In any case, I have 60 days to resolve the issue and I have a temporary inspection sticker good for that length of time. That isn’t quite how I wanted this little chore to turn out.

The last item on my To Do List was caulking around windows—something I’ve been meaning to do for a long time and never got around to it. Today I did it and, as often happens with something that I put off, the chore took me less than 20 minutes. It’s done now, the difference is quite noticeable, and I won’t have to do it again for a very long time. Gradually, I am getting this house tightened up and draft-proofed. You wouldn’t think a reasonably new house would need draft-proofing. Well, on the other hand...maybe so. I notice that a couple of the back exterior walls are cold to the touch. I don’t think the builders did more than the minimum required for insulation in some spots. Why am I not surprised?

Next on my To Do List is purchasing some electrical outlet foam insulators. A rather alarming amount of cold air pours out of some of them. Maybe this weekend.