All Aboard the Ark

 

Friday, March 14, 2025

Today is the day we begin the process of filing the lawsuit against the manufacturers of Kia. If you follow the blog, you have read that we have had our brand new Sportage in the dealership for repair four times now, each time lasting a month or longer. 

Our car is now almost two years, with only 14,000 miles on it. The repair shop tells us they really have no clue what is causing our issue but keep on looking at it each time for at least a month. Last time they located a faulty oil pressure switch which was leaking oil, leaving us with only three quarts and no indication that was happening. 

We do have a loaner from the dealership and I am grateful for that. Terry and me are hoping to get out from under the loan and get into another make of car. Possibly a Toyota or a Nissan. We have nothing against Kia except for the frustration we hold each time we get the car back. Every time it returns, we know we probably only have a short time with it before it blows again. 

Since this is our fourth time, the attorney did see that it falls under the Lemon Law, protecting consumers from such situations. Our hope is not to get anything other than our money refunded and to release this loan. We really want to look elsewhere for the vehicle we need. 

***

Well, folks. Anyone who lives around here knows that it may be time to board the ark. It has rained consistently for the past few days, following such beautiful spring-type weather. Oregonians call it the spring tease. We all know it's just a prelude to what will come along in a few weeks. Warm sun caressing our faces and getting us in the mood for gardening, house cleaning, and just laying in the warm sun. Then BAM! The heavens open and buckets of rain flow down on us, reminding all of us that we are not worthy of the warm weather just yet. 

So grab two of each creature and hike up the ramp. With the flooding and pouring rain, cold weather, and miserable features that are bound to hit for the next month or so makes an ark seem like a very good idea. 

By the way, the picture of the ark was taken by me as Mallory and I drove to Eugene to request all of our paperwork from Kia. That was fun. After grabbing the paperwork, Mallory and I headed to Junction City to see my granddaughter's new home. 

***

My granddaughter Jess, her husband Brandon, and their two girls moved into a beautiful home out in the country. They have pastures everywhere to add animals to their family once they are settled. Five chickens were purchased already to begin the menagerie they want to work up to.  

In the photo above, Chicken Nugget is begging for treats from Zyrah. The chickens are beautiful and have a very nice area to run that is fenced in and attached to a barn for their comfort and protection. Eventually they would like to add maybe a goat or two and possibly a mini horse or a highland cow. Can't wait to see what they end up with. 

The girls do have a large coop to hang out in. 

The brown hen is Chicken Nugget. I forgot the name of the black and white, but the three white hens are simply named "The Dixie Chicks" to cover all of them since they are difficult to differentiate between them. 

Zyrah adores the chickens. She tells them goodnight and good morning every day. 

I got to see my other cutie patootie great-granddaughter, Novalee. She is growing so fast! That beautiful face is one I want to snuggle with! Love the girls dearly. 

After eating some pizza Jess had purchased for us and visiting for a while, we packed up to head back home. There had been snow around Eugene and Lowell and various other places the day before. Temperatures had dropped and the cold winds blew through the area. I wanted to get on the road before we were facing any type of snow or ice on the drive home. 

As we began the drive, we saw snowflakes hitting the windshield along with the rain. Eventually the snow disappeared but we were continually hammered with pouring rain until we got closer to Sutherlin where Mallory lives. I dropped her off and headed for home. At one point along the drive, we could see the cloudy skies literally opening up to the sun. I asked Mallory to snap a few photos for me. 

Then as quickly as the sky opened, it zipped itself up again to hide that beautiful sun. Further down the freeway, it cleared up completely and I saw sunshine. Didn't last long but it made the final stretch of road nice to drive on. It was dry and I could see out of the windshield much better. 

All in all it was a wonderful day. We got the paperwork from Kia to begin our journey with that lawsuit, then the visit to Jess' home was awesome. I was planning on working a bit while in Eugene, but between how long everything took and the weather, it was a bit too late by the time we were ready to leave. But that's okay. It was worth the trip. I had a chance to see Dawn, Jess, and the girls and Jess and Brandon's new place. That alone made my day. 

***

I'm leaving this Friday post right here. We will see what happens for the rest of the weekend to know what other fun things are worth reporting. We hope you all have an amazing, happy weekend, rain or shine. Speaking of shine, be sure to shine this weekend! We can use all the light we can get. Take care. Until our next post ...

Strut your stuff. Let the world see the real you.