Can you see it?

It's rather difficult to spot in photos, but the problem with this new fireplace isn't that the metal was left off. As the salesman informed me about my 25-year-old version, "Oh, your insert is SO 1990s with the brass and the louvers." Well, it was installed in 1996 after all. This more modern style has clean lines and actual brick inside it. I had other options but I went with the traditional. In this close up, can you tell that the cover (face?) is higher on the right side? I noticed it when I felt a weird sense that something was a bit off without knowing exactly what. Then I compared the tile coverage on each side. The company responded immediately to my email last night (they were closed) and wanted to come today, but Mom had an appointment. So, they'll try to adjust it tomorrow. Fingers crossed that they can! Now that I've seen it, I can never unsee it. 

This newer unit is extremely powerful so I turn it off periodically. Mari dislikes that and takes revenge by commandeering the recliner! If you are noticing her colored nails, those are claw protectors. A few readers have wondered why I use nail polish on my cat's claws. The answer: I don't--do people think I'm THAT crazy? Wait, don't answer that...

One of my neighbors thought I would be interested in admiring his new $100,000 car. Can you spot what it is? It looks nothing like the old versions and is actually quite stylish. However, I happen to believe that it's totally wasteful and idiotic to spend that much on a car. Of course I didn't say that to him. ;) 

It's a gaudy vibrant color, isn't it? The engine is in the back and it has a fancy computer that took him four hours to figure out. No, thanks! Incidentally, this guy's garage is cleaner and neater than my house. 

In other neighbor news, these youngsters are often playing on their dad's truck with no adults around. I nearly had a heart attack seeing that little girl up there. Should I have told them to get down? I wanted to but didn't since the parents don't seem to mind. Apparently, they aren't worriers like yours truly.

My feelings lately vary between this statement, combined with...

It's already been a hard start to this year. I'm hoping it gets better or that my attitude does. Que será, será, eh?

 

  

 

Comments

[sillygirl]

Oh the male ego and their cars. It always amazes me that my husband can't find the milk if it is next-to the place he usually finds it but in a one second drive-by can tell you the make and model of a car going the other way on the freeway!

[Ed]

Very subtle but I can see it now that you point it out. I suppose they probably have leveling legs under the front that didn't get adjusted or just need to add some sort of shim. As for your neighbors car, I'll race him any day in my AWD minivan on the snow packed streets of our town in the river bluffs. I'm pretty sure I would win. Buying a $100,000 dollar car is like taking a pile of 100,000 one dollar bills and feeding them through a paper shredder one at a time. It would never occur to me to do that. If I'm going to shred my money, I would rather do so as slowly as possible by buying a low cost car to start with that doesn't depreciate as fast.

[AC]

I see it now, and I get it. But I don’t get the car thing. I figure cars are for getting there and back. I guess I am not able enough. 😜

[DrumMajor]

Nope, wouldn't let my kids on top of the cab of the truck! Wouldn't let them on top of the hood since dents can occur. Wouldn't let them "play" in the back either so they don't get the habit to do so if it were moving!
Couldn't guess what kind of car that is. A Camaro? It will be useless in the snow.
I thought your fireplace framing was more noticeable at the bottom, where it sits on the floor. Put a brass strip on top to even it out (measure it) from the tile squares. Or a black strip.
My grandcat loves the fireplace too. If there's a remote to the fireplace, can you set it on low? Certainly don't want kitty to bake too much!
Linda in 5 degree Kansas.

[Donna W]

Vehicles are made with such thin coverage, I would think those kids would dent the truck. I wonder how their father will feel when they decide to climb onto his $100,000 car! I like our little Honda Accord just fine. What kind of guy goes around telling people how much his car costs, anyway?

[Matt]

Well that is a bummer about the fireplace. You are right about not being able to unsee it once it has been seen. I hope they can fix it.
I am not a fancy car person so your neighbor's car would not do much for me. Both of our cars are over 10 years old. I would much rather not have a car payment but I guess when you buy a car for $100,000 then you probably don't worry much about car payments. Take care, Margaret.

[Joanne Noagon]

I would call Children's Protective Services.

[Susan]

Good to know your fireplace tech will make the correction. Anything slightly off like this would bother me too. Your neighbor must have money to spare and a very expensive hobby. Men and their toys! What are the parents thinking to allow their children to play on the top of a truck cab? If the kid got seriously hurt, they would never forgive themselves.

[Tonya Watkins]

I can't tell what kind of car that is, but it's cute. No, I would never want one. (And 100K?!) Actually, red or yellow are smart colors for cars like that (even John's Solstice) because they are low to the ground and bright colors make them more visible in traffic).

I didn't notice the issue with your new stove before, but now that you pointed it out, I can see it. And like you said, once seen always seen.

Those kids! Those PARENTS! Grrr.

[Pixie]

I'm not a fan of conspicuous consumption either, although I do like the color.

Those kids, well, I have no words.

And the pandemic, I'm done too.

[Ally Bean]

We have the dated shiny brass with louvers look on our fireplace, house built in 1999. Hope they fix your problem soon. That'd drive me bonkers.