What's going on here...

Things are slowing down- spring time is my reprieve. The kids are so active in things which relates to alot of running around. But this time of year- the middle of May is when things start to end for the year and I can breathe a sigh of relief.

About a month ago, my car died. It's getting pretty old, it's a 97 Buick Park Avenue with about 165,000 miles on it. It's a love/hate relationship with that car I would say. Since about the first week, we have had to make repairs to it and it's long outlived it's repair value. But it's gotten me from A to B alright with the exception of being stranded in Flint, but otherwise- it's paid for. We figured we would run it till it dies. Well, one night a month ago- after Tyler's jazz band concert- it finally quit. Paul thinks it's the head gasket- an expensive repair even for a mechanic because of the costly head bolts. So we decided to get my old Cutlass dusted off and put back on the road. I used to drive it every summer since I was 16, but hadn't had it out over the past 5 years. Would it be road worthy? That car- it has always been so dependable. Paul put some carb clean on the carburator and it started right up! So I have been driving that. At first, I was nervous. I feel funny in it I guess. It's a nice car- a pretty shiny red with a nice black vinyl top- it has big tires on it- a real street rod. Well I've grown up and I'd like to think matured since 16 and the car has stayed the good ole same. It's noisy and fast and I get alot of looks in it. But that's what I now don't like. The memory of the life I lived back in my teens and early twenties are not years I am proud of. I don't reminisce about the good old days like alot of people, because they are years that I wish for the most part, never happened. There were some good things, but really- not so much. But that's a blog all in itself. And then there's pride. I think I have humbled since those days as well which would explain my desire to hide under the dash or look down when people are gauking.
But the good side of driving this car is how fast I can pass, the intensely comfortable ride, the rich history of General Motors and the quality of cars that were built back then as apposed to now. One guy told me yesterday at the gas station, that he wished more old cars were available to buy now adays because he'd rather buy it than a new car. They were built tough, heavy, and weren't complicated to fix. And maybe, just maybe if other old car owners across the country dusted off their old GM's for this week- maybe Americans would wake up and realize that letting this icon go down without an American fight is a travesty. Maybe, just maybe- some GM big wigs would realize that those old timers had the whole idea right. Good quality for reasonable costs equals success. It wasn't rocket science.
Today Paul finds out if his dealership will close it's doors. It's GM mandated across the country to meet Obama's requirements for June 1st. We're not worried about it- we've prayed though and are confident that no matter what, we'll come out alright. I have a husband with a strong (some would say workaholic) work attitude that can allow him to work from home if need be. And through this far of the recession, the Lord has blessed us.
Gigi has ridden in my Cutlass- she pats the hood on her way into walmart. We have to get a picture of her in it- the new grocery getter:-)