It's Gettin' Hot In Here...

So after two months and two days of being without my car, I finally got it back yesterday (Thank You Jesus!)

The guy who repaired it did a good job. New hood, new bumper, new front headlight. Looks great.

Even with the latest repairs, my "Kenya" still needs a lot of work. She drives very sluggishly, and the air conditioning doesn't work. I need to get both checked out, but as always...there's just no money. So...I make do until.

Today I went to AutoZone to get some of that stuff in a can that's supposed to flush the A/C system (or something like that.) The little can thingy cost me $59.04 with tax, which I thought was pretty pricey, but hey...it's summertime and I need A/C in my car, so...I paid it.

Of course, since I know absolutely NOTHING about cars, I asked the guy in the store how to use the stuff. He explained and then I just asked, "Is there someone here who can show me?"

Thankfully, he said he would.

So we headed out to my car, he hooked up the "can thingy," told me to start my car and turn the air on FULL BLAST. I did, and nothing blew but HOT air. At that point he told me that there's "something else" going on with my A/C and that I'll need to have it checked out elsewhere.

Great...I just spent $59.04 on that "stuff." Now what?

Again...he very graciously offered to give me a refund.

He also gave me some numbers of places I can call to see about getting the A/C checked. Of course...none of those places will look at it this weekend, so I will have to wait, and keep riding with the windows down until some time next week. Thank goodness I wear my hair "natural" so a little bit of wind won't hurt it.

One thing's for sure. I seem to have more money going OUT (or at least NEEDING to go OUT) than I have coming in. There's just never enough for everything.

Here's a list of what I need:

* A/C fixed in my car
** New refrigerator
*** New clothes (so that I don't have to keep rotating the same five outfits every week)
**** New furniture (it's so old, it's embarrassing...which is why i NEVER have guests over...EVER)
***** New TV (My current on (and the ONLY one we have is TEN years old at LEAST. And it only displays about 60% of what's being output. It cuts off part of the picture on both the left and right side, so I only see what's directly in the middle. As an example...a HERSHEY'S commercial came on one day and all that I could see was the SHE in the middle. The HER and Y'S were cut off.)

So yeah...those are just a few things that I need but they ALL have to wait. When you live paycheck to "almost paycheck" as I do, a WHOLE LOTTA stuff simply WAITS.

Even with all those NEEDS, I still manage to keep a smile on my face. Folks who see me outside of The Dialogue Den have NO IDEA about my life and all that's going on in it. Quite honestly, there's whole lot going on in my life that I don't even write about here. I just don't think people are ready...nor do they care.

If you see me in passing, or at an event and ask me how I'm doing, my knee jerk reaction will always be "Fine," even when I'm not.

Most times the smile is genuine. Many times it's not. That's just where I am right now.

If I had my way, I'd start that Go Fund Me campaign that I wrote about a couple weeks ago. But I'd only do it if I knew that folks were going to contribute and not judge or criticize me for what I need the money for. Knowing that the money would go toward HELPING ME get to a better place mentally, and financially should be enough. But I know the world doesn't work that way.

So...I shall continue to wear my smile and know that "this too shall pass."

Through it all...God's got me.

On this "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 19" - I am THANKFUL for God, who walks along this tough journey of life with me.

Now Let the DIALOGUE begin: Do you know of any INEXPENSIVELY priced auto shops in the Los Angeles that can fix my car's A/C? INEXPENSIVELY priced are the operative words.

Talk to me!

Til next time...

On The Road Again

Today's post is another quick one.

Bottom line...on this "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 18 - I am THANKFUL for FINALLY having my car back after being without it for the past 2 MONTHS and 2 DAYS!

I think that's enough right there.

How 'bout you?

Let the DIALOGUE begin: Since having your own car, what's the longest amount of time you've ever had to be without it, if ever.

Talk to me!

Til next time...

*Sigh*

Two months ago today my car was hit while I was on my way to work.

I was coming out of my driveway as traffic to the left and right me was clear.

I proceeded to go straight, and just before I crossed the intersection, the guy in opposing traffic hit ME as he was turning left. Instead of YIELDING to oncoming traffic as he was supposed to do, he decided to GO, and...here I am.

Because I only had liability insurance coverage, and was deemed to be "at fault" because I was coming out of a private driveway, I had to pay for the damages on my vehicle.

My hood was dented, the front left light was broken, and the front bumper needed to be realigned. As you can imagine, this was pretty costly.

One guy gave me an estimate of $1800 for the repairs. That was waaay more than I could afford.

Another guy (who was recommended by a friend) gave me an estimate of $565.

Quite a difference, and with MY budget, I had to go with the lower estimate. Plus...this guy was referred by a friend. And...he's Black.

Now maybe to most folks that wouldn't mean much. But here in Southern California, MOST auto repair shops are run by Hispanics, and the workers are Hispanic. That's great...and I am sure that they are getting a majority of the business.

So...whenever I can support a Black business, I do. Otherwise...that Black business may go out of business one day. I don't want that. Now I know that my one little repair isn't enough to keep the man's business running...but if it helps, then I've done my part.

Most folks who know me would say that I am one of the most PATIENT people they now. I would agree.

With my car situation though, my patience is running just a wee bit thin.

I dropped it off last Wednesday. Mind you, I would have LOVED to have dropped it off the Friday before that, but he brought to my attention that Father's Day weekend was coming up he didn't really want to work on that weekend, so he asked if I could take it on Wednesday. Why I couldn't have taken it on MONDAY when the weekend was over...who knows.

So...Wednesday it was.

He told me I'd have it back on Saturday. Cool!

Well...Saturday was approaching and he called to tell me that there was a part that was not available as "aftermarket" so he'd have to get it directly from the dealer. Since my car is ten years old, the dealer had to special order the part. Fine.

The part finally came in and he told me that I could pick my car up TOMORROW after 3:00. YES!!!

Nope. Not so fast.

He just called about an hour ago and told me that he forgot about a doctor's appointment that he has tomorrow morning that he can't miss. Told me that he usually paints the cars in the morning, but since he'll be at his appointment he won't be able to paint it until FRIDAY morning.

UGH!!!

As I said...my patience is wearing thin.

I can't fault the man for needed to keep his doctor's appointment. Heck, I know how difficult it is to even GET an appointment these days. And I do hope that all is well. But MAN! What next???

So...another day I wait. It's been two MONTHS already...I imagine one more day won't hurt.

I am praying that nothing else comes up before he is able to fix my car and I can pick it up...not one more thing.

Now Let the DIALOGUE begin: Do you know a reliable, reasonably priced mechanic who does TRANSMISSION work? I think I need one.

Talk to me!

Til next time...

SIXTEEN DAYS

One month and a day ago, as I was on my way to work, I was in a car accident right in front of my home.

I'm ok. My car is not.

I live on a busy street so as usual, I watched left, right, left again...and proceeded to go straight (which I am LEGALLY allowed to do).

As I headed STRAIGHT, the car coming from the opposite side of the street HIT ME as he was attempting to make a LEFT turn.

Ok...so lets's stop right there and take a little poll. I ask...WHO WAS AT FAULT?

According to everything I knew (and have read) about the driving laws...someone making a LEFT turn is supposed to YIELD to oncoming traffic. That means bicycles, cars, pedestrians. The guy who hit me CLEARLY did NOT yield.

In his statement to his insurance company, he even told them that he "saw me at my gate waiting to come out." Okay...so riddle me this...if he SAW me at my gate...then WHY didn't he WAIT to see what I was going to do. WHY didn't he WAIT for me to cross the street COMPLETELY, BEFORE he came out to make his LEFT turn?

It makes no sense.

After the collision, he immediately got out of his car, and apologized profusely (that's a sign of being at fault if you ask me).

We exchanged information, his daddy came down the street to see what happened, saw that the damage wasn't bad at all, and he was able to DRIVE away.

I, on the other hand, could no longer start MY vehicle due to the damaged caused by the impact and had to be TOWED back into my driveway. Yes..TOWED!

After weeks of battling with my own insurance company, who was absolutely HORRIBLE, and completely USELESS...it was determined that *I* was at fault because I was "coming out of a private driveway". WHAT?!?

Yes. That is the reaction that I have received from EVERYONE I've told my experience to. NO ONE had ever heard of such a "rule" until now. We were ALL with the understanding that if someone turning LEFT does not YIELD to oncoming traffic, then that person who was turning LEFT is at fault.

Well...live and learn.

Once again, I have learned the hard way, and at a very expensive price.

Since I didn't have collision coverage for as part of my policy, I have to pay for my car to be repaired. As a result, my car is still sitting in the driveway where it's been since April 29th while I scrape and scramble to get the money together for the repairs. That probably won't be for another TWO WEEKS. Even though I get paid tomorrow, that check will go completely to RENT. As I've mentioned in earlier posts...although I get paid TWICE a month, I am only able to LIVE off of ONE.

So...my car will need to sit for another SIXTEEN DAYS before I can get her fixed. Til then, I'll continue to become an expert at our local transit system. Long Beach Transit, and Metro have become my BFFs lately. Looks like that relationship is about to get even stronger.

That's all for now. As usual, there's always SOMETHING going on in MY world. Good or bad...there's always SOMETHING going on.

Now, let's Let the DIALOGUE begin: When was the last time you took public transportation?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Miracles DO Happen!

So...

Last Tuesday I wrote about the horrible experience of finding that my car had been towed. So as not to leave you all on a cliff-hanger, I'll let ya know how that whole thing turned out.

After walking home from the library, and then to the Sheriff's station, I was advised where my car was and that they were closed for the day so I'd have to begin the process of reclaiming my car on the following day.

I wake up on Wednesday morning, and walk to the tow company. They advise me what needs to be done and I realize that I am in for a VERY Long day. My next stop was to walk to the "top secret" location so that I could get my registration (although expired) out of my car so that I could then take it to the DMV.

I arrive at the "top secret" location where I am greeted my a gentleman who ONLY SPEAKS SPANISH. GREAT!!! Thankfully, I know a bit of Spanish but have never had a full-on conversation with anyone. Getting my paperwork was important though, so I made it work. After about 20 minutes, I was inside my vehicle and was able to get the registration.

On my walk to the DMV all I "had a little talk with God", and thanked Him for giving me the words to say IN SPANISH that I didn't even know I knew.

I arrived at the DMV minutes before they opened. I stood in the line that wrapped AROUND THE BUILDING in the hot morning sun. As I stood there, DMV employees came out to advise is that the computers were down STATEWIDE and there was NO ETA as to when they would be back up. GREAT AGAIN!!!

My whole reason for even being at the DMV was to get a "One Day Permit to Move the Vehicle" or something to that effect. Every 20 minutes or so, a worker would come out to update us, with the SAME information. Computers were STILL down, with NO ETA. I was determined to stay, no matter how long it took because I HAD to have my car THAT DAY in order to get done what needed to be done.

Thankfully, after about an hour and a half the computers came up and we were IN.

I got my permit and shortly thereafter, my niece very kindly picked me up to take me to my next spot...the Sheriff's station.

We arrive at the station, I show them my "One Day Permit" and they give me "the clear" to go get my car. So...back to the tow company we go.

There, I paid the RIDICULOUSLY OVERPRICED FEE to get my car back and we headed to the "top secret" spot once again, this time to retrieve and drive off with my car. Phew!!! Thank God!

Next stop was to get my smog check.

I arrived at the place, the guy looks at my paperwork and says, "I can't do the test here. You have to take your car to a 'Star Certified' station."

What??? What's that?? And WHERE is it?

He told me where the nearest one was and I headed that way, only to get THERE and be told that the gentleman would not do my smog check there because my "check engine" light was on.

Are you kidding me?!?

He told me to take my car to a mechanic, get it fixed and come back. I was about to crumble. I had no money to get ANYTHING fixed on my car...and everything needed to be completed THAT DAY. *TEARS*

So I hop in my car and head home, not knowing what to do next, but knowing that it was HOT and I needed to change clothes.

I get home, changed into something cooler and decided that after all my poor little car had been through, she deserved a bath. So I took her to the drive-thru car wash.

When the wash was over I drove forward and happened to glance at the dashboard. Would you believe...the "check engine" light was OFF! What?!? YES!!!

So I hopped on the freeway, making my way BACK to the smog check station and praying the entire way for the light to STAY off.

I pulled into his shop and said, "Look. The light is off now. You can do the test."

He looked at me and asked, "What did you do to the car?"

"I didn't do anything."

"Who touched it?"

"I didn't touch it. The light went off by itself. Now please, do the test."

"If I do the test and it fails, I'm still charging you."

"Fine. Just do the test. It won't fail."

He did the test, and it PASSED! Thank You LORD!!!

I was so happy! After all that had gone wrong, SOMETHING finally went right.

I drove my clean little, newly smog-checked car home and as I pulled into the driveway I heard an odd noise. I parked the car, got out, walked around the car and found...A FLAT TIRE.

Yep. Flat as a pancake.

At that point I was spent. Didn't even bother to deal with it at that moment. I went inside the house, thanked God for making the "check engine" light go out (HE was the one who 'touched' the car), for getting me home safely, and called it a day. Oh but that's not the end of it...I'll tell you the REST next time.

Now it's your turn. Let the DIALOGUE begin: Do YOU know how to change a flat tire?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

My Life, My Life, My Life, My Life...

Yeah...sooo...

Earlier today I posted about my experiences at the library and all that jazz.

Well, once I had completed my task at the library, which was to search and apply for jobs, I packed up my computer, picked up two books that had been on hold for me, and headed to my car.

Well...as I headed toward where my car HAD BEEN parked, I noticed that another car was now occupying the space. WHAT?!?

WHERE WAS MY CAR?!?

I headed back into the library and let the librarian know that my car was missing. She responded with, "Hmmm...it may have been towed." I then let her know that I had specifically parked in the area that did NOT have a time limit so I couldn't understand why it would have been towed. Hmmm again. So she called the police department, gave me the phone, and they proceeded to tell me that they car had been towed due to expired registration. GREAT.

Interestingly, the registration HAS been paid, I just don't have my tags because I still need a smog check and because the "check engine" light has been on I figured that that would mean something needs to be repaired in order for my car to pass the smog. Basically, one thing has snowballed into another.

So...I head home from the library so that I can drop everything off, then I head back OUT to the Sheriff's station where they tell me that they tow company now has my car and they proceed to tell me what I need to do to get it. Oh...but the tow company had already closed today so there's nothing I can do until tomorrow morning. And you know what all that means...MONEY. Money that I don't have. What little I do have was going to next month's rent. So much for that.

It's all quite a mess I've gotten myself into. No job. Now, now car. And possibly...not home. This is more than I can bare...TRULY it is.

But, God's grace is sufficient and if He brings me TO it, He'll bring me THROUGH it. That's really cliche, I know...but it's what I have to hold onto for now before I crumble. And I can't crumble because I have to make my son's birthday cake tonight. Can't go gettin' tears all in the batter, right?

I'll bet you can guess what tonight's question will be, can't ya?

Here goes...Let the DIALOGUE begin: Has your car ever been towed and if so, how much did it cost to get it back?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Pretty Little Pink Slip

So yesterday I was having a conversation with some folks and the subject of cars came up.

The other folks in the conversation were speaking negatively about they type of car the someone (who was NOT taking part in the conversation) drove.

He drives a KIA.

So the big ta-do was over the fact that he didn't want to leave his car at the airport while he traveled, for fear that something might happen to the car.

To this, one of the other folks said, "Come on! It' a KIA, who's gonna want it?!?"

Well alrighty then. Would you like to take a guess as to which OTHER member of the conversation happens to drive a KIA? Go 'head...I'll give you a minute {insert Jeopardy theme song here}. That's right...Yours Truly!

So...I very kindly interjected and let them know that I happen to be the proud owner of a 9 and a half year old KIA. Mind you, it could use some repairs...a LOT of repairs, but the bottom line is that it still gets me from point A to B, the heater and air still work, and the radio does occasionally. Yes, the cigarette lighter died some time back which means that I can no longer listen to MyPod in the car, but aside from all that...I love my little KIA, who I affectionately named "Kenya" the day I got her.

And on top of everything else...SHE'S PAID FOR!!! And as they say, I'm gonna drive her til the wheels fall off...proudly.

So I guess the biggest lesson that I hope those other folks learned is that you must ALWAYS be mindful of what you say because you never know how it will effect and/or insult someone else.

Now, Let the DIALOGUE begin: What is YOUR dream car?

Talk to me!

Til next time...