Sometimes Being a Woman Rocks

My 1st car was a 1984, Red, 2 Door, Hatchback, Standard, Honda Civic. I'm not sure if it's because I just never paid attention or that I didn't care, but I went my entire first year driving it without changing the oil. I had no idea that this was needed every 3 - 5,000 miles.

It died suddenly on the side of the road, never to be resurrected.

My 2nd car was a 1986 I was moving up in the world, Silver Blue, 4 door, Hatchback, Fully Loaded, Automatic, Dodge somethingorother - I drove it one year, changed the oil and kept gas in it.

I should have kept this car because it ran well, was incredibly comfortable and was paid for but I was a car snob I wanted something a little more... um, 20 y/o-ish...

...So, I traded it in for my 3rd car. A 1996, White, 4 Door, Tan interior, Fully Loaded, no hatchback Standard, Volkswagen Jetta - My. Absolute. Dream. of a car. I loved this car. I changed its oil, washed it, vacuumed it, and drove it into the ground in 5 years.

This leads me to my 4th car. A 2005, Silver, 4 door, Hatchback I'm starting to see a pattern, Almost fully loaded, Standard, Scion XB. Yes. That's that little milkman truck, safari car, box on wheels thingy. I'm not really sure what I was going for here other than a reasonable car payment and some security that my car wouldn't break down in the middle of nowhere as I was traveling a lot that summer. I drove it for 2 years and after a year of dating Mr. R, he convinced me I needed to trade it in while I could still get a decent trade-in price on it. And I did.

Lastly? My 5th car. A 2007, White, 2 door, Black interior, Fully Loaded, Hatchback, Automatic, Volkswagen Rabbit. I've decided I'm a serious VW girl. They are sporty, easy to drive, durable and fun cars. I take pretty good care of it... Oil is always changed at 5,000 miles {even though the kind of oil that was used says I can go 10,000}, I don't clean it as often as I'd like... but that's life.

Anyhow...

I had my first 5 oil changes done for free by VW as this was part of the deal. It would cost me $80.00 to have the dealership change it and well... I thought it would be easier if I bought the stuff and Mr. Realife did it. Not so much.

I bought the oil from Sam's Club and thought I was set. Mr. R informed me I needed an oil filter, too, so I went to Ace Hardware I'm not kidding and asked if they had one. They were incredibly polite at least to my face and said that I'd need to go to an automotive store.

Napa was across the street, so I mosied {we mosey in small towns} on over. The line was long, but I went in with my game face on now. With men everywhere, I didn't want to look like an idiot, so I stood there looking like I knew exactly what I was doing and what I was there for.

After standing in line for 20 minutes, I was summoned to the register. I folded my hands in front of me and set them on the counter and said in my most serious voice I need a Fuel Filter. He diligently looked on the computer to see if they had that part and he looked at me with a disappointed glare. I'm sorry ma'am, we don't have any in stock.

With my pride a little hurt again and a little taken aback that such a large automotive center did not have what I needed, I replied I'm really shocked you don't have such a common necessity for a car! I've waited 20 minutes really hoping you'd have this item. He apologized and after giving me another referral, I sort of pouted my way out the door.

Feeling distraught and really slightly annoyed, I walked into the new Automotive Store {name is slipping my mind}. Not. a. person. in. sight. -- The very kind looking man stood behind the counter smiling How can I help you, Ma'am? Humbled by my last two experiences, I finally let my gaurd down and just asked I need to get my oil changed and I need a Fuel Filter, do you have one of those?

He grinned and said I think what you mean, is do I have a OIL filter.

I think I died a little on the inside that day and so did my husband.

I think I'll stick to counseling.