Place: Centreville VA 71/100
Main activity: Wed - Car, ACtS office, tree trimming
Notes: Quite a frustrating morning - got ready and headed out 745a for early pickleball (b/c of the heat). My car wouldn't open or react to the key fob but was able to enter using the little key inside (tho wouldn't start). I came back upstairs to get the other key fob thinking my fob battery had died but same thing w/ the other one and realized the car battery was dead. Back inside and requested AAA service but what they sent out was only for a jumpstart so called and got that switched to one who could bring a new battery (mine came w/ the car from Carvana over 4 yrs ago). Got later and later, was finally after 10a when they showed up - $235 later for a new battery (seriously?). Headed directly out to ACtS office to pick up my mouse USB and drop the sunflower name tags - couldn't get there until just after 1030a and her first patient was already there so was a brief hello only. Noticed coming back out that my brake lights were still on ... but then forgot about it. Tried to hit Trader Joe's on the way back - lot being redone and was nowhere to park and cars circling everywhere ... was all I could do to just leave and get out of the lot. UPS quick dropoff and then drove thru ATM nearby - that didn't work either and had to park and use the building ATM. Finally back and AAA guy was still parked there. I got out, headed in and changed to try to go to the pool - he called before I got back out tho and noticed the brake lights still on again. I took the keys back down and he checked something, said I'd need to take it in somewhere, something about the brake light relay. I got my stuff and was heading back out when the guys trimming trees pulled up and were starting out front and asking about one of the cars they needed moved - I contacted Julie to see whose it was, they weren't able to get anyone to answer the door. I drove back to the nearby car place that did my oil change (where Michelle goes, I've not been super trusting of them since getting my car back last week). The AAA guy said it was a simple fix and I shouldn't even need to leave the car but this place said they'd have to do $150 diagnostics test and wouldn't get to it for awhile. I said no and left, looked on my phone and drove to the Sunoco w/ a service station near TJs. What a difference! Guy said it was one of 2 things, looked down by the brake pedal and knew what it was immediately, had his guy replace a little plug and it was good to go - no charge! Unbelievable. Came back and started to go to the pool again, realized I'd forgotten the fob for the center door, went back yet again and got all the way back and didn't see anyone in pool - remembered they're closed on Wed (again - ridiculous and that doesn't even cover my experience there last time). A bit exasperated to say the least, went back, showered, warmed up some food and relaxed. Quite loud for awhile as the chainsaws and tree trimming right outside took awhile  - they ended up removing the whole tree right in front of the unit and our balcony so looks a lot different. Mid-aft, prepped and steamed broccoli and then added it to the beef w/ more mushrooms in the crock pot for a beef & broccoli meal ... also made up the last of the Napa cabbage (from the Manassas farmer's market weeks ago!) into a salad w/ mandarins and sesame dressing. Michelle got back ~345p and said my taillights were on again when she parked. Was not happy about that! Called the place I went and they had ordered some new ones but didn't expect them until tomorrow - they suggested I call the dealership near here, which I did. They didn't have either and couldn't get in until Mon - w/ the lights on all the time, the battery would just run right back down. Decided to take it to the nearby Sunoco and leave it there so they could jump it and fix the part tomorrow. Headed over and Michelle followed - big storm had come thru and cooled it off a bit. When I arrived, the guy said the part had just been delivered and they could go ahead and do it for me, which they did - took a bit and Michelle headed to TJs to get a few things while I waited. Was only $5 but I gave them $20 to put toward a lunch or something - they didn't charge any labor and got me in right away both times. Rinsed off when I got back and then we ate the cabbage salad and beef & broccoli, watched a bit more Weeds. Decided to do the flatbread recipe on the new stoneware square and added a big batch of kale chips - got those ready and then did an Essentrics while they baked. Stoneware worked great, slathered it generously w/ coconut oil to season well for the first bake - def pleased w/ it so far!