Hello December

After leaving this page in the background for all of November, I am finally back to write some more. The Dallas Cowboys are on a roll after a great game against Oakland on Thanksgiving, and can put the NY Giants out of the race this weekend with a win in NY. My fantasy team is also in desperate need of another win this week to have a chance at a playoff spot, and I have a tough opponent. As for me and My family, we all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with family and my kiddos really loved seeing their Mee-Maw and Great Grandma, and especially staying with their Auntie Heather, who took them shopping and tried on clothes and shoes. After returning from the holiday weekend, I continued spending most of this last week with them still, as I still have not found any work, and a sitter was needed for a little girl at their mothers house while she was at school this week. I was happy to help, and ended up helping out in a vehicle crisis as well when Uncle Tim needed a ride to work, and Wendy's tire and spare were flat. I was glad that my presence was well needed, and made me feel good about spending a few days away from home again. My utilities have all been turned on again there, and all is well, except for the heater broke right when it got cold outside. Funny how things like that happen, but at least the oven works! Go Cowboys!

new car total cost

Here's what I paid for my '93 Toyota Corolla, $400 for the car off of Craigslist, $181.26 for a new windshield, $58.11 to fix the exhaust, $14.07 for a new turn signal cover on the front, $63.49 to change the oil and brake pads, $15.89 for new wipers, $10.04 for the putty to fix a wobbly taillight, $39.75 for the inspection fee, and finally $137.50 for the registration, title transfer and new plates. Total cost, $920.11 for a running and legal ride that I now hold a clear title for.

Well, my phone is turned off now, and the water and electricity are still off, but that should be fixed soon. I had to get a new copy of my social security card so I can get a job, but now thats taken care of, and God willing, I should be able to find work soon. One foot in front of the other, thats all I can do for now. The girls are with their mom for a while, and that should help me get things back together over here. The weather is great right now, and I couldnt ask for a better time to be without power. I have been cooking on my propane stove in the evenings, and it feels kinda like camping, but in a house instead of a tent. Fun times all around!

shakey tail light

I almost got the car legal today, the emissions passed, the brake works, but my wipers were old, and apperently my tail light needs securing. Trying to be optimistic, but im getting a little frustrated. New wipers are on the car now, $16.00, and I paid for the inspection, $39.75. There is a little piece of metal trim missing on my light, a piece that was in the trunk,... oops, its for the other side! No worries, I flattened it out, flipped it around, and got it to where it should fit on the drivers side now. Ill find out tomorrow if I'm right. Too wet, too dark for now. Tomorrow is the day! (fingers crossed)

workin on the Corolla

I have been tinkering with the new car this week, trying to get my stickers. Still not there yet, but getting closer. The first thing I had to tackle was replacing the brake pads and shoes, and fixing the stop lights that wouldnt turn off. The brake pads were straightforward for the most part, although there was one wheel that I had to heat with the blow torch and pound with a mallet to free it up from the studs. What can i say, when they sit for a while, they rust a little. The break light issue was a little trickier, but also something that I've done on the Civic, so I was aware what to look for. Those little rubber pads on the brake pedals that rest against the brake light switch get old, and eventually fall apart. Its silly in my oppinion to look for them, since nobody makes or sells them. Instead, I use my 2 cents to fix it. Thats right, I use two pennies and a little but of JB Quick Weld to remedy the problem. Just stick the pennies togeather with the JB putty, and then to where the rubber stopper was, and problem solved! I love JB Quick Weld because it sets so quickly, setting in as little as 4 minutes according to the package. Its more like 15-30 minutes in my experience, but since the brake pedal will spring back and hold it in place, you dont have to worry. It is a little tricky to get underneith the steering wheel and dashboard to get to the area however, so you gotta stand on your head a bit to reach it, unless you feel like taking the driver seat out first. Changed the oil and filter, then I had a new shiney windshield put on to replace the busted one, and I thought it was ready for inspection now. Well, not quite, the exhaust manifold is cracked, so it leeks a lot, heat and power. The parking brake wasnt working anymore after working on the rear drums. Good thing about that, is that the console is already pretty much gone in this car, so it was easy to adjust that and get it fixed. The manifold is on order, $60 to ebay, and hopefully it will be here by friday or saturday. That is being very optimistic, since I paid for it last night, but if they ship it today, then it might make it (fingers crossed). I have the signed paperwork in hand for the lost title and the power of attorney, so all I need to do is make it to Carrollton to switch it over. Today was rainy, and I have to admit, I slept till 1 in the afternoon. If the exhaust gets here by friday, then I can pop that on pretty quick and get it all taken care of (barring any surprises) and ill be back on the road only out about $720 to now. $400 for the car, $320 on parts so far including brake pads, oil and filter, exhaust, glass, and a signal corner light. Figure another $50 for inspection, and $24 for taxes, maybe another $15-$30 for title transfer and plates. That should put my total cost at about $820 all in all.

well, after a few weeks of being without a car, I finally found one on craigslist. $400 later, and I'm the proud owner of a beat up jalopy that purrs like a kitten! I am super stoked about being able to get around now, and if I play my cards right, I might not have to drop ALL my classes this semester after all. That would be awesome in itself. So tomorrow I get to change out brake pads and oil, and hopefully get the brake lights to turn off so I dont have to detatch the battery cable when I park it. It has a few minor issues, like the doorhandles being broken, and the headliner that I just ripped out. No radio, but I usually drive in silence most of the time anyway and since I have to leave the window cracked to open the door, that just means there is less incentive to break into it. I'm happy, and since it cost me less than the other car would have been to get back from the dealer, I've got a leg up too. My car! Now I need to get the title and stickers taken care of, and hopefully within a week, I'll have it legal to drive it. Woohoooooo!

without a car

Since being without a car has kept me from attending school for more than a week now, I have had plenty of time to think about my situation and where it will lead me. Mostly, it has led me into the kindness of others thus far. People I have never met or seldom seen, have been my greatest support this last week. A family from church who has watched my children, brought by a meal one day. An elderly woman from across the street has allowed me to drive her car to take my daughter to school. A woman from the school called to help me get Hannah on the school bus route. Things unasked for, but provided by mercy, and generosity, have lifted my spirits all the week long, so that even while things grew more difficult, they were made more bearable. Thank you to all of my friends and all of my family, who have been there for me, even if only by listening to me grumble.