Here's something new that this "country bumpkin turned city slicker" experienced today....

Thanks to my mother's Christmas gift every year, I have been a member of AAA (American Automobile Association) since 1993. For all those years, I haven't had too many occasions to use AAA services, but when I have, their services have been INVALUABLE in my estimation!

Today I had to call AAA today to recharge my mini-van's dead battery. (I attempted to start the vehicle yesterday at 10:30 am and found it quite DEAD!)

I've had some warning signals in the past month that the battery might be screwy, but after taking the van to the place where I purchased it they assured me, after a test, that both the battery and the alternator were fine. Today confirmed for me that the battery is, indeed, NOT FINE! The AAA service man reported that a cell (inside the battery, I learned) is dead, which means the battery will no longer hold a full charge and likely not start again. (That is my interpretation of the serviceman's explanation...from my very limited understanding of cars and batteries!). Anyway, the AAA man said he could put a new battery in for just over $100.00 or I could find another place to have that service done. I opted for the 'other place', thinking I could save some money, and decided to run into my house, with the motor running and prepare to head to the nearest autozone or back to my dealer. After a few phone calls, I realized that $110.00 wasn't too bad of a price for the convenience of having the service done IN MY DRIVEWAY! Autozone, locally, wasn't able to install the battery, the dealer wasn't yet open for business and on and on. My decision? I called AAA back and asked them to come back and install a new battery for me! I'm happy with my decision. Yes...it will cost a bit more but this is SO EASY and CONVENIENT. I'm willing to pay for that service on this cold and frosty morning as it is! I am now waiting for the AAA serviceman to return and install the new battery.

Now, the new thing that I learned this morning (among other miscellaneous auto details) was that here in the CITY in CT there is an actual AAA service center that sends out their own service van's, equipped with all the batteries, jump cables and whatever else it is that they use to assist clients. Back in good old rural PA, AAA is normally performed by a local service contractor. You know, a "service station" that contracts with AAA to serve their clients. Back 'home', the customer calls a AAA hotline number and the AAA organization then contact the nearest local contractor to serve your needs. I think in the town where I grew up, there was ONE service station (out of only 4 stations in town) that was associated with AAA service! So, I learned something new and was very happy with my service!

Now....my next question was, "Do I tip this guy, or what?" Ah....in the spirit of the holiday....I gave him a nice tip and wished him Merry Christmas!

It has been a good 'day off work' so far and no matter if I need a new ($100.00) battery or not, I am enjoying the holiday already!

Season's best to you all!