Wednesday, February 9, 2011

We've Gone a Long Way, Baby!


If automobiles had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce would today cost $100, get a million miles per gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside. ~Robert Cringely

I went downstairs to our garage to put on my barn shoes—no, we don't have a barn, but that is what they would be if I did—which I do each day to feed the rabbits and I was just thinking about what I might make for dinner tonight since my husband would be home for dinner. I looked up surprised to see Pegasus (our white mini-van) in the garage and for a fleeting moment I thought: "Now how is my husband going to get home?"

It is so strange to realize that as of this morning, we now have two vehicles!

Until three years ago, we had a company car and our own; it had been that way for many years, until he lost that job. For the last three years, we have had only one vehicle. Often it has caused a juggling act of our time and resources with his traveling. For instance, when he worked in town and I needed the van most of the day on Thursdays, I would have to drop him off at the office and either fill the time or go back home, picking him up at the end of the day after my errands. If he was flying in, I would do my shopping after the Princess' piano lessons and then go on to the airport. Somehow, it always worked out.

I really did not think we would have only one car for so long, but it just was not within our budget to have two and we adapted so it was not really necessary. I could not be involved in some things that I would have like to have been. I could not go out just because I would like to do so. Although, I must admit here that even when I could, because my husband had flown to another state or country, I did not use the van much unless it was necessary just because our finances were so tight.

Having a second car is a necessity now because of the change of employment that will take place next week for my husband. He will not really need the van until he gets back from training in the U.K. in about three weeks, but this way he can get the van checked out and have any repairs done that need to be before he leaves.

I am hoping we have chosen wisely, that we have chosen the vehicle my Lord prepared for us. It seemed right. It was in the price range we wanted and with the mileage we wanted and all went well with the purchase...well, they did overcharge us for something we did not need, something that their computer system automatically added in, but they caught the mistake themselves and made the $500 correction before we left. It looks much like an updated version of Pegasus, white on the outside, but with a sand interior rather than gray. It is a bit longer also. It is ten years old, two years younger than Pegasus, but with just 45,000 miles on it!

It has some nice additions that Pegasus does not: keyless entry, built-in garage door opener, outside temperature gauge, compass directions, and a CD player. I really missed having a CD player and the keyless entry is so nice! Eventually, I will be driving this one and my husband will be taking Pegasus, who also needs some work first.

~ My Lord, thank you for all that You provide, those things You have provided long before we were aware of our need. ~