For the Love of a Firebird

My "new" car back when I first got it in 1998.

I own a 1995 Pontiac Firebird.  I bought it in 1998.  It was the first car I purchased myself.  It was my dream car (at the time.) I thought I had such an awesome car that I even got a personalized plate: I8AVET. I didn't care that it really couldn't beat a Corvette in a race. I LOVED that car. I LOVE that car. Honey hates it.  He told me so the other day as he was trying to jump the dead battery.  You see, it was time for a state inspection, and the car hasn't been driven much since our son was born, so we go through this routine around this time every year. I have a soft spot in my heart for this car.  It has been with me through dating and marriage, buying two houses, having a baby and 3 different jobs.  And Honey wants me to sell it! The funniest thing about this is that out of all three vehicles that we own, the Firebird is the oldest and has the least amount of miles on it (117,450).  The coolest part is that it PASSED inspection only needing 2 light bulbs replaced.  While it was at the shop, I figured I'd mention the slow turn signals and the familiar whine of a dying alternator that I have come to recognize.  Sure enough, it needed to be replaced.  I also got the AC recharged just in time for this blast of 90 degree weather we're having this week. The firebird is back at home now waiting for more TLC.

Living Life On Call

Honey works for the local cable company and is on call every other week.  This means that making any kind of plans is always a challenge because one phone call can change everything.  Frank was NOT on call this week, so on Saturday, "the plan" was to participate in our community's yard sale, get hair cuts and go to Wesley's T-ball game (more on that coming soon).  But when Honey's co-worker, who was supposed to be on call, did not answer his phone when a problem came up, Honey had to step in and handle it, which ended up taking over half of the day! He didn't get to do any of the things that were planned. It's a sad thing when a Dad doesn't get to go see his son play ball on a Saturday. Saturday evening another problem arose, and again, the person who was supposed to be on call did not answer.  When he still didn't answer on Sunday, Honey ended up having to take a trip to the Eastern Shore and miss our family lunch to resolve the issue.  Don't get me wrong.  I love my Honey's dedication to his job, but I know that a lot of times his efforts are taken for granted and not appreciated by his colleagues. So, this week, Honey WILL be on call, and I'll be starting to prepare for our annual beach week vacation, so I'm sure he'll get a call...

A Mini Sunday Sermon

"Always aspire to inspire before you expire."

(on the sign at Bethlehem Christian Church - Holland Road, Suffolk)

Thankful on a Thursday

Okay, here goes...this is my first ever post in the blog world.  I recently rediscovered an old "journal" I wrote for a college journalism class, and my professor commented that I was "a good diarist.  Keep observing - watch the world. It's your material."  Thanks Dr. R!

So, this one's for Rachel (The Dirt Diva) and Jamie (Walkin' in High Cotton), two of my friends at work who blog and keep asking me when I'm going to start! I've got some pretty big shoes to fill...

Today I've been trying not to "sweat the small stuff" realizing that there are plenty of other people in the world who are worse off then me.  So, let's start with what I'm thankful for (realizing that I don't say it anywhere near enough): my wonderful, laid-back, patient husband - we'll call him "Honey"; my son, who is the most loving and smart little boy ever - we'll call him "Bubba"; my Mom, who is the best Mom in the whole world; my family, my friends, my job, my home and much, much more. Oh, and I'm thankful to have this outlet - this modern day diary.

So, you ask...what exactly is the small stuff that's bugging me today? I had to take a sick day today because my son has some sort of stomach bug, which also means he misses his T-ball game today.  I won't get into the gross details of this now 2-week ordeal, but if someone can tell me the secret to getting a 5-year-old to eat more starch, I'm all ears. I have tons of work waiting for me at the office (yes, I'm one of those people who actually loves my job...most of the time!). My lens fell out of my glasses, and I can't find the little screwdriver kit to fix it; my cell phone is dead, and I can't find my charger (Honey usually "borrows" it.) The pharmacy mixed up my blood pressure medicine, and now I have to wait for my doctor's office to authorize more refills, which means another trip to pick it up! My house is a wreck, and usually all I do is tell Honey, I need a maid or a magic wand.  I usually do let these little things get the best of me, and Honey just looks at me like I have two heads!

At this point Honey would say "no more complaining for the rest of the day" and the house isn't that bad, but "go pick a spot and start cleaning!" Thanks Honey...