Sooner or Later…

Grits and Dh (her dad, my dh) left for a *flying* trip to Illinois in the *now* Chicagoland area.  They left last night around 7 pm and will be heading home around noon.  Why?

Well, Sister C. (my sister) called about two weeks ago to let me know that her future fil was selling in 1990 station wagon.  The car is in great shape as he is meticulous about upkeep.  The oil & other maintenance were always done on time.  If something needing replacing, it was replaced with new parts by a certified mechanic. (He’s union so is very passionate on the idea of not taking another man’s living.)  The cost is $1,000 and did we want the car?

What a question!  Our current family vehicle is a 1993 ford aerostar.  It is an automatic 4-wheel drive which is great in slippery conditions, but otherwise it not so great on mpg, though it is much better than suburbans and the like.  It has extra space behind the rear seat so is very easy to pack for trips or grocery days.  But, unfortunately, the poor van has seen better days.  When going up steep hills–a la trips to mil’s house–it rattles and bogs down.  Dh believes the mains are going.  I vaguely know what he is referring to but do understand enough to know it is expensive to fix.  So we were hoping/planning on at least one or two more years before purchasing another -used- vehicle.

So how did we answer her?  At that time it was a very sad “No”.  If she had called even two months earlier it would have been a resounding Yes!, but we had just finished expensive dental work on one son and had started the work on another.  Even with insurance it was *ouch* for the bank account.  If we had bought the car first, then we would have paid the dental work out in a different manner.  So I answered–if the car was still available at tax time then call and we would gladly become new car owners, but now we are rebuilding the bank account.

So what happened?  Well, the owner had two buyers look at the car.  One would only give $500 though the car books at $1500.  The other also wanted to pay $500, but he intended to enter it in the local demolition derby.  This really bothered my hardworking, money careful, future bil.  He suggested to Sister C.  that he would rather have the car go to someone who would take care of it than see it go to the derby.  So he is willing to wait until tax time for the payment.

Wow! I was surprised & wanted to tread carefully.  To quote the Lion King “There’s one in every family, two in mine.”  We have a brother who seems to think the world owes him a living.  If the world won’t pay up, then any relative who has a good paying job.  If they won’t pay up, then regular family will do.  So I am very careful about how we handle money matters with family–I do not want to be the second one.  “Does he feel we are taking advantage of him?” To which my sister explained the situation.  Whew!  So is that a blessing or what?

When Sister called the second time there was more good news.  Future bil’s grandfather had passed away recently (not good news) and after the estate auction there was some furniture left (good news).  The local charity group does not take furniture that isn’t in pristine condition so there it sat.  Left were several bookcases, a small recliner, and two chairs.  Sister thought I’d like them and they were mine if I did.  Hmmm…my home is decorated in early marriage accented by small children.  It wasn’t a hard call. 

So…why the rush?  Well dh and I would both like to have the new car here before the baby arrives–in about 26 days.  I have never been happy with buckling the new babies in the middle bench seat.  It is one side or the other–not the middle–and there is no way to easily check on them.  I have sat in the back, but then it seems like dh is more a paid driver than a husband.  Not to mention how crazy it is when I am the driver. Zach was a high maintenance baby & neither he nor Lin rode well.  Now we can put the carseat in the front-middle and if we have another queasy baby it should be easier to handle.

Grits called to let me know they had arrived fine and when they planned on leaving.  I asked about the furniture–she is confident that I will be pleased.  The really nice thing is that my sister & Grits know me well enough be able to say “you will like it”.  I know I will. 

We don’t raise our kids with the idea that we are best friends, because we are not–we are their parents.  But now that the older ones are grown/growing it is a joy to have them around.  They are not clones of us–which is extremely fine by me–but are just interesting people.  Grits once said to me “we could decorate each others homes” and it’s true.  It is nice to talk and not worry that someone will be offended or think *weird*.  I wonder why it is so hard to have/find friends *outside* family that are as enjoyable.

Anyway, sometime after 8pm the rest of us will be able to see the new car.  The younger set are excited.  I haven’t told them that dh will be home earlier than expected so it will be a nice surprise.