There I go last night...driving home, minding my own business, and there comes up my battery light all bright and red. Ugh. I knew this day was coming. So, we took my car to the shop to wait for them to tells us the inevitable..."Sorry honey, your car is just tired", just like he told us last time.
We got home around 8PM and hadn't even had dinner yet...and I had a little break down. I literally started tearing up because once again, our emergency fund is going to be nearly depleted, and we may be shopping for a new (as in new to us, meaning very used) car. I started moping and my sweet Caleb said word for word..."Kayla, stop. We have two full time jobs, a side gig, an amazing apartment, and two vehicles, even if they don't run that well"... and it really just put me into perspective. I have absolutely no reason to mope around about a silly car problem. So I decided to look at my recent photos and see what's been making me happy as of late.
Wedding selfies with my man.
Hanging with my sweet brother. This kid went to a drum concert last night and they held a competition for "Fastest Hands" and he won with 434 beats in 30 seconds. So proud of what he's doing and I know he's going to go so far in life!
Hanging out with this awesome couple on Saturday and doing the majority of their pictures in the cutest little book store I've ever seen.
Using my Bride tumbler, long after my big day. #sorrynotsorry
What I'm trying to say is, sure...my car may be on her last leg. Sure, its going to cost us a lot of money to either fix, or get a new used car, but you know what? I have a roof over my head, income coming in, and food in my belly every night. I truly have it good.
It's the small things, friends : )
So easy to lost sight of the small things...but it's the small things that can leave a smile on your face and keep ya happy and healthy!! And HOW CUTE were wedding photos in that bookstore? Adorable!
ReplyDeleteYES! I had my car almost die on me this morning (it's on its last leg, I fear), but you're so right! We have a roof over our heads, food, jobs, and our bills are covered. I really needed to read this this morning!! Thanks so much for writing it!
ReplyDeleteI so understand the stress -it's easy to let those things overwhelm you but HE always provides even if it's not how we think it should be.
ReplyDeleteI love that you were able to turn this into a positive! It definitely is a stress, but focusing on the good things certainly makes it seem less awful! I've been getting lost in the pity party lately, time to relax a bit I think and focus on the happy bits!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the smile this morning!
So sorry about your car! We've had to have many of those chats over the years.... "No one is going to lose their house. The electric is going to stay on." :) Good news is...maybe you'll get a "new" car out of the deal? :) Hope it's been a great week!
ReplyDeleteI know just how you feel - I feel like every time my emergency fund starts to get a little weight something inevitably happens. It sucks! But Caleb's perspective is something I could probably learn to remind myself here and there :-)
ReplyDeleteWay to stay positive girl, sounds like you have a pretty great hubby! God has got you :)
ReplyDeleteUgh, sorry about the car, but how stinkin' adorable to do wedding shots in a bookstore!!
ReplyDeleteI was in your shoes back in October and now I have to write that check for the car payment monthly. Even though sometimes it stinks, I know that I'm safer in a car that's actually running, and much safer in the winter weather in it. Your hubby has some great perspective :)
ReplyDeleteIt's never any fun to have to use your emergency fund, but at the same time...that's what it's there for! I always try to remind myself to be thankful that we have that money set aside. Of course we don't want to use it, but sometimes life happens and I'm grateful to not have to choose between paying for car repairs or medical bills and putting food on the table or having a roof over my head. I'm with Caleb, you guys have a good thing going, girly! :)
ReplyDeleteDitto, Tracy! ;) That's what the e-fund is there for! Also- your brother is awesome, how cool that he won that fun competition!!?
ReplyDeleteGreat perspective! Everything is going to be ok and you're awesome for looking at the bright side! Also, random sidenote, I was in band in high school so kudos to your brother! :)
ReplyDeleteSo true. I often get bogged down by my issues, which I know are legitimate, tough things to deal with. But relatively, I have it so, so good. It's nice to have that reminder sometimes. Love the wedding selfie!
ReplyDeleteI love your perspective on life. Sometimes when I get sad, I just look at pictures that also make me smile. Then, I'm back to my chipper self! Good luck with the car, dearest!
ReplyDeleteUgh, car issues are seriously the worst! I feel like I'm completely out of my realm and they could tell me I need a whole new engine and I would believe them. I hate putting money into a car because you get $0 back on your investment. I've had mine for 5 years and it is starting to show signs of being the end. I'm not looking forward for replacing/repairing either. BUT, they are very needed. And you're right, we are lucky enough to have them!
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel. The beast car has new tires and new brakes--we hate putting money toward it, but we had to buy a new (to us) vehicle this year already, and doing it a second time is not going to happen for a while. BUT, we can pay our bills, and we have healthy kids and food to eat. No complaints here!
ReplyDelete434 beats!?!?!?! How do you even count that?
ReplyDeleteUgh sorry about your car!!! :( But Tracy is right - it's nice to have that emergency fund and you will build it right back up again! I hope if you do have to go car shopping it's an process and you can get something great!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your car, but love the positive attitude!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your car! I do the same thing when I'm feeling down--I love looking back at pictures that I've taken recently to remind me of the small things in my life that have been making me happy. Congrats to your brother! Did your friends get married in a bookstore? That's so fun!!
ReplyDeleteHolly
findingmyeverydayhappy.blogspot.com
Sorry about your car. It's easy to get upset and forget how blessed we are sometimes. I do it and have to remind myself. Good luck finding the right car if it comes to that.
ReplyDeleteI HATE car trouble! My car died about a month ago so we have been trying to make it work with one car for a little while. Then of course last night a belt broke on our only working car. Luckily we were able to get it fixed quickly and cheaply. But, I hate car shopping and that's what we are doing right now.
ReplyDeleteI guess that's the point of the emergency fund? even if it would be nice to see it get bigger. Car trouble is THE worst thing ever.
ReplyDeleteFirst things first, congratulations on getting married! As for the car, I hope you found a good deal. Buying second-hand vehicles could be tricky, but once you know what you're looking for and are familiar with the red flags one should be aware of, you're safe. Be on the look out for spots, such as headlights, that look newer than the rest of the car. That means it has been replaced. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteColin Morton @ SeaPort Auto