Well I Didn't See That Coming

I should've waited to publish that last post until..hmm..three hours later. Why, you ask?

I went to my grandma's house while waiting for Miss Priss to get out of Mother's Day Out and she tells me that she has been thinking and praying a lot about something. I wondered what it could be? She told me that she wanted to trade cars with me.

I drive a 2002 Hyundai Elantra and drives a 2007 Hyundai Elantra. My car has 84,000 miles and her car has 5,000 miles. The only time she drives is to buy groceries at Wal Mart and Kroger and to my house. She goes NOwhere else..ever! My car is more or lass falling apart. I'm constantly having to fix things on it. It's been driven hard. Of course I asked her if she was sure about this decision. It is kinda major. She assured me she was and that she didn't need a brand new car to go back and forth to the grocery store.

Now, I was in shock as I have no uttered a single word to her about purchasing a new vehicle. I didn't want to tell her until I was absoloutley sure of what we were doing. Noone else said anything to her either. The only person could have been my dad, but he swore he didn't say anything. So, I have to believe it was a blessing from God. No, her car isn't an SUV with a ton of room like I wanted, but we won't have to tap into our IRA to get money to buy a vehicle either.

There is a downside though. My mom was greatly looking forward to buying my car because she can no longer afford the payments on hers. =( So i'm in limbo. Do I accept a more or less brand new car with no strings attached or get our IRA money out and buy a new vehicle so my mom will have a vehicle? I called my dad crying because I knew my mom was unhappy about it and he said that it isn't my responsibility to take care of them, but I almost feel like it is. If I can somehow help, I would like to.

Anyway, so my exciting day turned super exciting, then really depressing. I managed to turn the crockpot of beans that i've been cooking all day to "off" rather than to "high", burn my finger on the hot glue gun, and eat about 3,000 Lays Potato Chips out of sheer helplessness.

You see, let me be really honest. My family is struggling. We have no been so financially drained since ..well I can't remember a time that is was this hard.

The vehicle was a need. My car is breaking down right in front of our eyes. Pieces are laying in my console that have fallen off.
The Christmas lists.. those are dreams! I want to give my children everything possible. I don't want them to know we are struggling. They should be care free and happy kids. Not sad because they can't get a great toy for Christmas.
We are paying our bills and that is what matters. The extras are..extras.
I did buy things at the consignment sale, but I used the money I made from my Hair Bows. We know how to stretch a penny into a dollar when the time comes.
I'm just in a melancholy mood now.

I know some people will judge me and that is fine. I had to lay it all on the line though and be real. I wish I was happy and bubbly all the time, but that isn't life is it?

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BIG {non pregnancy} News

We're getting a new vehicle!!!

I have been driving the same car since I was sixteen years old {that's 7 years for those of you who do not know my age} It's a wonderful car that I completely love! My grandpa and grandma bought it for me for my 16th birthday. I would never sell it or trade it in because it's meaningful and special to me. My papa died about a year and a half after I got that car, so I will always keep it.

However, it is becoming more difficult to get the kids in and out of that car because it's so tiny and low to the ground. We also have zero room for hauling things. Our stroller barely fits into the trunk. Getting groceries is always a chore because there's no room to fit them!

We've been discussing our options and we've decided to get an SUV. We're not sure what kind yet and I was hoping for some opinions from some of you. We don't have a lot of money to spend though, so it will be a used vehicle.

Last night, we were searching online and found a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox with 55,000 miles for $13,900!! What?! That's cheap. Is there anything wrong with these vehicles? It's not a big SUV by any means, but there is much more room than we have in my car! Also a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 28,000 miles for $15,900.

Now about my car. I said I wouldn't "sell" it per se, but I am going to sell it to my mom. It will still be in my family, so i'm okay with that. Her car is running ragged and she really needs something better so i'm willing to let her pay me payments that she can afford until she can get something of her own. My car was paid off by my grandparents, but her making payments to me will help us tremendously with our new car payment.

That's what all of the BIG News is about! I'm SOOO excited and can't wait to go test drive some things this weekend. Yay!

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