Cash for Clunkers... wonder or blunder

*Update* I realize I did not put in the cost of parts and repairs for the older vehicles!

hmmm. Admittedly I am tempted, after all there are cars out there you can get for $5000 brand new after the government credit! So why do I hesitate, the gas mileage would be alot better than my Nova (which by the way is never an option for trade in or sale) My van is decent mileage about 18 or so on a good day. It would be prettier than my van that is for sure, poor little work truck, filled with gear, waiting for a little more in the budget for her makeover.

So I couldn't help myself... had to figure it out. Now I am no accounting wizard here just gathered some information from what I knew personally regarding parts and from what I got when I called local shops.

So here it is check it out I think you would be shocked as I was! The money alone we could save... would fix the air conditioning in the van, brand new paint job, and reupholster the whole thing in just a couple of months of what I would save if I opted to not get a new car. The Nova by the way is perfect in all those departments

The figures for monthly expense includes what you would need to put away for replacement of wear and tear. Most people say well older cars are not dependable. On our newer car we learned that everything is much more expensive; from simple oil changes, inspections, etc. From talking with other people at the time our car payment was considerable low at the time. All in all these figures I believe will be different for each person, maybe your car payment is higher or maybe your gas mileage is better. I think it is better to hammer out the long term factors before considering Cash for Clunkers.

For me I'm thinking maybe not, because I can put the van in perfect running order with new paint and interior and not only, not have a car payment but save other expenses as well.

Good Luck in your decision

Alzheimers

I love the radio, especially KDUV morning show, its a fun but Carrie & Dale also take time to talk about important stuff.

This morning they briefly touched on the donation by Jeanine Mason's 250,000 to Making Memories, an organization for Alzheimer's. I probably mentioned before I was raised by my grandma, I was raised to believe that she was my momma till I was about 15. She is still my momma though. I remember momma as she got older she was "forgetful".

It wasn't till later when I was about 18 or so that I realized that it was more than that. When I moved out and would come over to visit, she would forget that I didn't live there anymore, when I would explain to her and try to remind her of the times she came over, she just couldn't remember. Most times she had trouble remembering if she had even eaten. Later I joined the Marine Corp, I would call, her voice so soft, we would talk a little before asking my name again.

I remember the day when I came by while on leave to visit, like it was yesterday, she moved in with my mother by then, and she looked at me blankly. I knew what was coming, I didn't want to hear the words from her, I couldn't bear the pain of my momma not remembering me and our whole lives together. As if it was drawn out on a dry erase board, one quick swipe, and essentially my childhood, my life...gone.

No witness to the times we would laugh and laugh at the way my dog chased her tail till she ran into the dresser, sitting around watching episodes of Cops on TV, shopping together, or the times when I cried and cried over a boy. I remember though, I will always remember her smile, laughter, and the way she would hug me so tight, telling me how much she loves me.

I couldn't bear the pain of that loss, oddly similar to death "momma, do you want me to get your coffee" she smiled... "yes honey" Momma passed away several years ago, I miss her, I miss us. But I am happy that now she can remember everything!

I love you momma!

Stage 3

Well, its Stage 3... Surgery in about a week. very sad... don't know what else to say.

What a beautiful day!

In spite of all the craziness! it is so beautiful... no ac.. all doors and windows are open. I want to take time to enjoy this and maybe even finish the garden. No garbage, no drama, just quiet time.

The breeze is just right, cool, it is supposed to stay this way all day too! The kids are outside, mine, and the ones borrowed for a sleepover... I can here them laughing, and yelling at each other, about stepping over some safe zone. A bike bell just went off and star the neighborhood dog just came out to join in on the fun. Her bright red fur shines in the sun... must have had a bath. The kids all yell out her name, welcoming her like Norm at Cheers. You can tell she loves it, her big dog smile and wagging tail gives her away as she plays, bouncing around from kid to kid. She lets them get just close enough to pat her head before leaping away.

We have lots of trees in our neighborhood, big oaks and a few smaller ones, I don't know what they are called but they are beautiful. When the wind blows it is almost as if they are cheering, I wonder what team they are on boys or girls. On the porch the cat is laying there switching her tail as she stares at the bird sitting on the fence, contemplating lunch... And me, I am just sitting here taking it all in.

These are rare days in the summer. Maybe even go to the lake and check out the fish, I don't know I feel a little invigorated today. I want to write about it so that when I am feeling bad I can remember it.

Get off the computer silly... enjoy the day!

AAARRRRG!

Oi! I really need to pay attention cause those of you who follow must be aware of the bombard of blog posts... it is important to make sure that "save in drafts" in not checked when you click post.... then it doesn't go anywhere. I think this is like the 3rd time now.... hopefully 3rd times a charm and I don't forget again.

Cleaning woes

I am trying to clean get caught up on housework... but here I sit. I am not looking forward to this at all, but I beat myself up a little for not having it done already. Weird little place I have myself in. Really I am just trying to keep busy till Wednesday or at least till Thursday when she has the appt. for results.

My goal is to get everything cleaned up... light cleaning. Then on Wednesday I will do the blinds and the bathrooms. I am also trying to put better effort into dinner. You know make some really fabulous we never had this before... Your the most amazing mom/wife on the planet.

But I don't want to aim to high... aim for mediocre I always say.... then when you do something good then really its more like WOW! not really but it sounds fun.

Support the Arts!

Illness' again

Well I can't really say who, in case not everyone knows yet, but someone I know and love has got breast cancer... Well it looks like cancer, feels like cancer, and is growing at a crazy insane rate like cancer... the pathology report will be out Wednesday.... aaaarrrrgggg!

I am crazy worried about it, I don't know what to say or do, you would think that after all this time and friends & relatives who have had it or died from it, it would be less shocky, but its not. I think it is because of the uncertainty, you live or die, maybe next month maybe it will go into remission for 20 years or forever, you just don't know.

I feel like a little kid, stomping her feet... now now now.... go away...... it would be nice if it was that easy.

Trying to stick to my guns

I am trying to stick to my decisions here but its hard. Since I have been voted on as Treasurer there is some things I need to do that is time consuming, which means I dropped from some committees. Which means Art Trail, it is awesome to see it grow but from the sidelines I admit will be difficult.

You know those dogs you see on the side of the road... staring at all the cars going by and then boom he takes off chasing one, wagging his tail like crazy... well I think I know now how he feels. You know he's gonna get hurt, or in trouble... he probably knows too, but.....

Pondering

I have spent the weekend pondering, I need to scale back here. All these things... so choices, what is most important...

1. Family- love them, be there often, feed them... etc

2. Work- gotta do it to help provide, plus my clients would rather have solidity

3. Art- for myself, sanity, and its what I love....

-volunteering the classes a the DV shelter and the cafe

-ACofTC before all of this I became a Board Member and this is a great community program.

All others have to fall off, have to I think this is alot more than what my family and doctor would like me to keep! I had to lose nearly 10 things... one being a studio tour I put together, that one was hard to let go of, because if I don't do it nobody does, (no volunteers) and I received a grant for it, so I must return the check. And the Art Trail... but the Arts Council is taking that over! yeah!

I just can't believe I had all those things on my plate... it was more like a platter really! Wish me luck for strength!