"Going to church does not make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you a car."

I've been spending alot of time in garage's lately...and I'm not a car yet. But I am getting to know them better! About a month ago I had stopped by my Studebaker shop and the guys and I were shooting the breeze when Bill pipes up and says why don't I come work at the shop. I wasn't sure if he was kidding or not - but I told him I'd be really excited to do that 1 day a week. He was serious - and thought they'd have lots there for me to help with.

I don't think I could do it 5 days a week, but 1 is fantastic! It's the perfect mix of physical, artistic, and problem-solving! The way my 4-5 different jobs have pieced themselves together in my life blows me away. It's pretty amazing that a number of months back I was thinking of switching jobs. I'm really happy in ALL of my jobs right now - and never could have imagined piecing this together on my own. It's pretty rad how things work out sometimes!

So far I've done a number of little odd jobs. Some re-wiring. And today I learned how to take off/take apart drum brakes (and then wire-brushed them nice and clean). I'm learning much and having fun. Most people who come through the shop I've already met, because they drop in on a regular basis. However there has been a couple people who were really surprised by a girl working there. Like the two young ladies who came in and exclaimed "A girl works here!...cooool!" or the weird guy missing his front tooth who just sort of oogled at me. It makes me chuckle. Just like I can't help but chuckle when I roll down my block and the rumble of my Stude's engine sets off a car alarm - I loooove that. Ahhh...simple pleasures.

Which reminds me of Thanksgiving (simple pleasures that is!) I was quite worried to drive the Stude to Bakersfield where I was meeting my parents on our way to Sacramento. (Stude is having some transmission issues). But she made it. The drive was very nice - being in an old car just slows down the pace a bit. Arriving in the country felt really good - the slight fogginess, the cold, the fields....I kinda just wanted to keep driving around as it makes for good reflection time. But...as it ends up, I met up with a friend, and then with my parents and Blaise, and from there we safely got to Sacramento and enjoyed the weekend with family. The kids are at crazy ages (2,3,4) so you can imagine it wasn't exactly a relaxing weekend. But was wonderful to be with family. Enjoy the pictures...which for the most part were taken by Trey(also included are a few Christmas tree ones :) )