Start a Revolution...

I played hooky from work today. I just could not muster the strength to go in. I told my boss it was because someone keyed my car, but that was only partially true. The biggest reason is because I had no desire to be there. Everyday it is a struggle to go into work. The atmosphere is one of hostility and tension. And this past Saturday I was informed that I am not the only one that feels that way.
Last night I was IM'ing Joe (gay boyfriend) and he informed me of an incident that occurred yesterday at work. You see I had Sunday and yesterday off so I had missed the latest crew upset. Seems one of my co-workers had an argument with another crew regarding work responsibilities. They tattled to their boss who in turn tattled to ours. Instead of taking my co-worker aside and asking his side of the story, our boss immediately sided with the other manager and reprimanded my co-worker. I wish I could say that this is shocking, but unfortunately that is his usual M.O.

You see our boss has no spine or balls or hair for that matter. He always sides with a manager over his own employees. We can tell him something over and over again regarding work procedures and he will tune us out unless a person with the title of manager says the same thing. One of my co-workers asked if it was a woman thing since a majority of our crew members are women. I said, "NOPE! It is a manager thing." You see his departmental equal down in Houston is a female and he values her opinion. He has even taken her side when she has called to complain about some one in our crew. Again instead of pulling that person aside and asking their side of the situation, he just agrees with the manager.

This way of managering has caused unnecessary tension and much disrespect for his authority. When any of us have to go to him about departmental issues we tend to roll our eyes and expect nothing to come of it. Now that our crew is much bigger than it was in the beginning we have two managers. The other one is female and she has brought along much of her own managering issues. While we have nicknamed our male boss 'Dilbert', we have yet to come up with a "cute" nickname for the female boss. So for now I will refer to her as 'Ms. S'.

Homophobic narrow-minded person asked me which manager was better. My honest answer was that it depends on the situation. Both managers have strong points don't get me wrong. And believe it or not our crew is divided on which employees prefer which manager more. I stay on the fence. Again depending on the situation, determines who I go to for help.

If you need a killer spread sheet created or any sort of paper work done, Dilbert is your man. If you need time off from work, Dilbert is your best bet. You need to get ahold of a boss outside of work hours, Dilbert is always within reach. You need someone on a conference call he is your guy. Getting some of the necessary information to do your job (like contact names or numbers, list of procedures) Dilbert will have that for you.

Ms. S is all about getting the job done correctly. You have a problem with the system or work procedure, you take it to her. She will listen and try to correct the situation. She admits when she doesn't know about something and will actually try to learn when you explain it to her. She will supported our crew when it comes to implementing our procedures despite what other managers demand.

You'd think between the two of them things would function properly in my crew. NOPE! Not at all. Dilbert constantly changes our work schedule to his benefit. He has different rules every time we have to pick our work tours. He also has decided on what days off we are allowed to have. This has caused a lot of unnecessary grief. If he would just follow the union contract and not try to get away with some sort of ridiculous agenda things would be so much smoother.

Ms. S is all about the rules. If she can find a way to discipline you, she is happy. She has had formal discussions with and written up more people than necessary. She has non-challantly threatened several of my co-workers of possibly write ups. Which of course has led to extremely angry and disgusted employees. I myself am almost done with my year probation. I would not be surprised if they are not trying to find something else to write me up for. They seem to get off on having you under their thumb.

I know every job has their issues. This is not the first corporation I have worked for. However, sometimes it amazes me the craziness that comes from some people with the title of manager. Joe says Dilbert is just trying to wear the pants at work since he is not allowed to wear them at home. And Ms. S is just miserable so she wants the rest of us to be miserable too. I just keep hoping a job promotion will become available for me soon...or at the very least one if not both of them will retire! Then everyone in my crew would benefit...

Karma

Last night on my way home from work I stopped at Shell and filled up my gas tank. I was walking around my car to see if the rain washed off the dirty birds' shit. That's when I discovered it. SOMEONE KEYED MY NEW CAR!!!! I was shocked. I have not even had this car a month and some jealous mother fucker has keyed it. I immediately called Joe.

Joe (a.k.a. gay boyfriend) has been jokingly threatening to key my car since I got it. Well, I informed him that someone beat him to the punch. The scratch goes from most of the front passenger's door to all the way across the rear passenger's door. I am not sure how deep it is. I hope it isn't too deep and can be buffed out. Man I ain't even made my first car payment.

Why would someone fuck with my car? Joe seems to think it was probably done by kids since it sounds like it wasn't too deep. If it was some one wanting revenge it would have been deep and to the metal. I am not sure when it happened but whoever did it I pray Karma gets their ass. I strongly believe that what goes around comes around. And I hope whoever did this pays dearly.

Time Flies

Well he is gone. Homophobic narrow-minded person left today go back home to Houston. Yesterday we were supposed to get together. He was to drop off my green car and then go to dinner and a movie with me. I kept telling him we would go see Brokeback Mountain. He adamantly refused to see it, even if I paid for it. Unfortunately though I was sick all day so I had to canceled our plans.

Today we planned to grab some lunch before he left town. He was supposed to call me before he came over. Typical man! He just showed up while I was still sleeping. He claimed he was too busy packing up to leave to call me. There I was with my hair all over the place still in my pajamas. I ran to throw on some clothes before I let him in my apartment.

He finally brought me my Valentine's gift. I had asked him last night if it really existed since he kept conveniently forgetting to give it to me. He assured me that is did. Turns out it he bought me this wonderful candle and incense set. I loved it. My first instinct was to thank him with a hug & a kiss on the cheek but I didn't. I down played my appreciation. I did not want to give him the wrong idea.

He asked me if I still wanted to get lunch. I told him of course. So he volunteered to wait for me to take a quick shower. He was pretty tired anyway and wanted to take a little nap before hitting the road. Seems he has been staying up late almost every night watching 24. I lent him the first season. He bought the second season, rented the third and I decided to lend him the fourth season which I have not even watched yet. Talk about obsessed. I told him he could NEVER tease me again about my addiction to TV.

So while I went to take a shower, he fell asleep on one of my sofas holding the fourth season of 24 against his chest. I got ready in record time and hated to wake him up. Poor guy had dark circles under his eyes and looked so exhausted, but he did it to himself. Of course I can understand why. I was the same way with Queer As Folk.

So we decided to get Mexican food for lunch. I planned to take him to an On The Boarder near the campus where he was staying. Sadly I discovered that they turned it into a Wells Fargo. We ended up at a place called 7 Salsas. There was a small wait but the food was great, inexpensive too. I told him that he was rather pleasant to be around when he doesn't talk about politics. Of course that made him want to talk about politics. So I asked him about the whole Bush and port issue.

He tried to pay for the check but I refused. I gave him my half of the meal in cash while he paid with a credit card. I then dragged him with me to Cingular to buy myself a new earpiece for my cell. Oliver chewed up my other one. Afterwards I dropped him off back on campus. We hugged good bye and I drove off to work.

I sent him a text message saying I missed him already. He responded with a lecture about me driving in the rain while texting him at the same time. I told him I was talented like that. He told me I was over-confident and deserved to get into an accident. I then told him I changed my mind and don't miss him after all.

But that was not entirely true. I liked having him around. It reminded me of all my guy friends in high school. Some I had crushes on and others I just liked being around. Females can be too superficial and judgmental. They can also be jealous and petty. Male friends tend to be much simpler.

So he is back in Houston. The last thing he told me was that while I was in the shower Oliver confessed to him that he was a Republican. That Oliver is thinking about leaving me to stay with him. I told him not to lie about my baby. He said Oliver does not believe in cat food hand outs. He earns his food by walking around looking cute and showing me his belly. I responded that I needed a refund.

Take Two...

Last night I had a date. It wasn't a romantic date mind you. Just an outing between two friends. Yesterday was my day off. Homophobic narrow-minded person and I made plans to hang out together. I tried to find something fun we could do. I decided that we could go to the Comedy Improv. I have never been to see a stand up comedian and I thought it would be something we both could enjoy. Plus we would not have to talk much. Usually are discussions turn political and eventually heated. They are bad enough over the phone so I was not wanting to experience one in person.

Anyway, the comedy was not scheduled to begin until 7:30 pm. So he volunteered to come over early and help me put my elliptical together. I told him he did not need to do that, but he did anyway. Actually he did not help me put it together. He put it together all by himself. I just read the directions to him. Of course Oliver had to participate too. He played with the bubble wrapping and got in the way. Sniffed around everything and was a general nuisance. But we enjoyed his presence none the less.

By the time the elliptical was put together, we did not have time to get dinner before the show. We decided to grab something at the show if it was possible. We played a little with Oliver before heading to the comedy club. I had already reserved and bought our tickets for the show online the day before, we just needed to be there by 7 pm. We ended up leaving later than we should have. Being late caused us to have a little argument in the car. I swear it sounded like we were married.

We arrived about 10 minutes after seven. We were seated at a table with 3 other couples. Luckily we could still order dinner so we did. We both were starving so we ordered an appetizer first...good thing too. Being how I had never been to a comedy club before, I had no idea the comedians came out back to back. So while we had time to eat our appetizer before the show began, I never got to eat my actual meal. Of course that did not stop homophobic narrow-minded person. He wolfed down his dinner and then asked me if I was gonna eat mine. I had planned on it. But when I almost choked on a fry while listening to the second comedian perform, I decided to wait.

The main attraction was a comedian I never heard of called Nick DiPaolo. Homophobic narrow-minded person liked his politics. He laughed at pretty much everything the comedian had to say. He complained afterwards that his stomach muscles ached from laughing so much. While I did find the comedian funny, I obviously did not laugh as hard. My stomach did not ache but maybe it is because it contains mostly fat and not muscles.

When the show was over and we started to leave, we forgot to pay our bill. We immediately went back up to take care of the bill. On the way back to my apartment I almost killed us by accidentally running a red light while I was looking and talking to him. He told me I could never criticize his driving again. I told him I never have criticized his driving. He has never driven me anywhere...well not in a car away. Now mentally crazy is a whole other blog.

He briefly stayed at my apartment watching the last half of The L Word with me. Then he left itching to get back to his marathon of 24. We made plans to get together on my next day off...Thursday. He leaves on Friday so I want to spend more time with him before he goes.

I thanked him for his "help" with the elliptical and told him to drive carefully backed to the campus. Our second encounter was actually quite pleasant and fun. As much as he has aggravated me over the phone I was worried we would strangle each other in person. I am glad my fears have been unfounded. Of course there is still time....

Camlaw Financial

Welcome to Camlaw Financial. Where you are guaranteed a loan that you are not required to pay back. If you do choose to pay back your loan, there is no interest or penalties associated. Here at Camlaw Financial our motto is: How can our customers screw us over?!

I am tired...emotionally tired that is. My family drives me insane. My mother came over yesterday morning and woke me up. She informed me that my sister is not happy with her car. She is calling it a piece. My mother said that they went and had the serpentine belt replaced and was told the brakes needed to be replaced. They were quoted $350 and told they had a month or so before it was completely necessary. That of course is for a regular driver, not a crazy heavy footed teenager.

So I called in to work and then went to see what we could do about getting the brakes fixed. I took it to Just Brakes and they quoted me $650+. Seems they were worse off than we thought. The mechanic showed me the holes, leaks, metal to metal pads and rusted rotors. So I went ahead and okayed the repairs. Luckily my friend finally paid me the money she owed me and we received a bonus at work allowing me to afford it.

Well, they ended up having to keep the car overnight. My sister had to borrow my mother's car again to attend school. My mother was not happy. She kept complaining about her own brakes making noises. I told my mother as a gift to my sister I would pay to have her speakers replaced in the car, since they were pretty bad off. When I tried to explain this to my sister after school, my mother kept interrupting me. I asked her to shush and let me finish speaking (in a very friendly manner). Well, my mother responded with, "What makes you think you are so special that everyone must cower down to you?"

I became livid. I asked them both to leave and told my sister that I would talk to her later. As soon as they left I went to my computer and sent my mother the following email:

You really pissed me off tonight. The comment you made about me thinking I am so important that everyone should cower to me was totally uncalled for and completely off base. As much as I have done for both you and Christina and you have the nerve to say that to me?! Hell, tonight alone I bought you dinner and filled up your gas tank. Did you even thank me? NO!

You talk about how ungrateful Christina is, that she expects things to be handed to her and does not appreciate the things we do for her, but you are EXACTLY the same way. I listened to you gripe about Christina using your car. I found a car for her. Now it needs a few repairs. I am taking care of that. And instead of being happy that I am helping out, you act jealous because your car is not getting the attention. It is like no matter what I do, you are not happy. You always got to find something to gripe about.

Once the brakes are fixed and the speakers are replaced in Christina's car, I am done. I am not bending over backwards for you guys any more. Both of you need to grow up and stop expecting me to do things for you. Since you feel that my treatment towards you is so unfair, try life without my generosity. I got my own problems and bills to attend to.

My mother responded with:

I apologize; I was out of line. (In explanation I was not finished talking, but I was mad at being reprimanded of interrupting you by Christina.) I said something about you when I was really mad at her! You have done a lot for Christina and me. Thank you for the gasoline and dinner! I was embarrassed always having to do for us! Always having to buy for us!

I am mad about her brakes being fixed because she messed up my brakes! I am very grateful you are paying for her brakes! She needs it the way she drives! I can hear something is wrong with my brakes. I go slow so I did not feel it but I can hear it. I had my brakes done once a long time ago! She drives so bad and brakes so hard. I do not have the money now to get my brakes done. I was hoping to finish school and get a job after May and be able to pay for my brakes. I want to do a lot to my car after May! Please let me take you out to dinner or at least buy you dinner when I get a job after May! I don't know if I am going to grow up. Maybe when I get a job after 18 years I will feel whole again. I still have trouble with my legs, have a crazy eye and take medicine everyday but I will feel better when I can pay for things! Yes, I do find something to gripe about because I do not do the child thing of being taken care of very well! When I start working again maybe I will feel like an adult again. I am just a grumpy old lady!

You need to take care of your bills and problems! Put yourself first for once! Stop worrying about us! You have done enough!!!!!!!

Can Chris (your friend from work) help you but the elliptical together? Can you ask him to help you? I think you will let it sit on the floor if you do not get help!

I am very sorry. Please forgive my silly mouth!
Love Mom

I accepted my mother's apology. I have already had a problem with friends taking my generosity for granted, and now it looks like my family is the same way. I keep thinking that I should do unto others as I would have them do unto me. However, I keep surrounding myself with users and selfish individuals. Where are the other people like me????

Let's Get Ready To Rumble....

I am so exhausted. Yesterday I wore myself out that I still have not recovered. Even though I didn't have to be at work until 2:30pm, I woke up early to run several errands. I dropped the Accord off at 8:30am to get the accessories put on. I ran into an old co-worker of mine from when I work at a dealership. He looked exactly the same. We flirted a little back and forth and I told him to take good care of my car.

The dealership gave me a 2005 Accord V-6 as a loaner vehicle. It seems smaller than my car, has about the same engine power, and is not as smooth riding as mine. The rear window is completely covered with this dealership advertisement which makes seeing out the back window kind of difficult. Plus on one of the back seat windows they have the sticker price on it which also is another vision obstacle.

After leaving the dealership I grabbed some breakfast, stopped by the ATM and then headed off to the salon to get a hair cut and colored. I told homophobic narrow-minded person I would try to meet him for lunch if I could. Well, I got home after 11am from the salon. I did not have enough time to meet him. Plus he was not feeling very well from lack of sleep the night before. So we decided to meet after I got off work. I was to go pick him up at the training facility and bring him to my apartment to see where I live and meet Oliver.

I offered to loan him the Tracer to drive while he is in town. That way he won't have to use his company truck to run his errands and possibly get in trouble for using his company vehicle for non-company business. He agreed to borrow my car so I took it to the car wash to be detailed. Then I came home and spent the next hour and a half cleaning my trashed out apartment. I called my mom on my way to work and begged her to come over and clean.

By the time 8 pm rolled around I was struggling to stay awake. By 11 pm I thought I was gonna pass out. Anyway, I went to pick homophobic narrow-minded person up on my way home from work. He immediately gave me a hug when he got into the vehicle. My first impression: 'Man, he is tall.' My second impression: 'Mmmm, he smells good.'

For some reason I could not look him in the eye. I do not know if it was exhaustion or shyness or what. I know he must have thought I was really strange. Anyway, we stopped to get him something to eat and then headed to my apartment. Oliver was outside crying when we arrived. I quickly got to my door and found a note from my sister saying that Oliver was outside. (DUH!) I unlocked the door and immediately let Oliver in from the patio. I fed my boy and homophobic narrow-minded person took a tour of my small apartment.

He commented on my humongous bed (It takes up most of my room). He saw my desk top computer and pieces parts elliptical. We finally settled into the living room and he showed me this really embarrassing DVD he had from his child hood. He was showed me these "interesting" dance moves he and his twin busted out with during some family trip. It was so sad....funny as hell, but sad. He claimed he had a Valentine's gift for me, but he forgot it in his room. I told him it was okay, but I wonder if he really has one now.

Anyway, then we decided to watch this stupid movie I had from Netflix. He sat on one sofa while I sat on the other. Oliver came around and we petted and messed with him while watching the movie. All I have to say is I strongly do NOT recommend seeing A Life Less Ordinary. It had some funny moments but over all it was just stupid.

After the movie, I was nearly comatose. He decided to leave and asked for a hug before he left. At first I said I was too tired, then I thought 'why the hell am I turning down a hug from a good looking guy?' So I got up off the sofa and hugged him good bye. I walked him out to my car and watched him drive off. I asked him to call me when he got back to his room so I know he did not get lost trying to get back. I changed for bed and took my cell phone with me waiting for his call. I ended up falling asleep. Like a typical guy he forgot to call, so he texted me knowing I was probably asleep by the time he remembered.

I woke up a few hours later to discover the bedroom light was still on. I quickly grabbed my cell phone and noticed his text message. Now here it is, several hours later and I feel like I have barely slept. He is busy the rest of the week with training. He happens to be in class when I am available and I am at work when he is available. Not exactly leaving much time to visit. He did however borrow my first season of 24. So at least he has something to entertain himself.

Over all it was a nice first meeting and visit. I hope we get to find some time this weekend to hang out & do something together. He is a really attractive guy with a nice smile. Such a shame that he is a lunatic Republican!!!!!!

Smiles All Around

Well, Christina is the proud driver of a 1997 Saturn Coupe. We met my co-worker today to purchase and change the title of the vehicle. Christina was so excited when she finally saw the car. It has some body damage and interior faux pas but it is a good first car for her. Of course I have not seen her since we got back from picking it up. She went over to her friend's place and I took a nap. We did call our mother and inform her that the car was finally a reality. Needless to say she was beyond relieved.

I planned to do so many errands today, but I am just exhausted. I did call and make an appointment to have the accessories (i.e. tint, outside & inside coating & final theft deterrent device) added to my Accord. I drop it off tomorrow and get a loaner vehicle. I was gonna go get my hair cut but I thought I would try tomorrow. It so needs a cut and coloring. My roots are beyond just showing and I need to hide my white hairs.

Homophobic narrow-minded person is in town for the next two weeks for training for work. He arrived last night. We will finally meet face to face and that really makes me nervous for some reason. I am not exactly sure why. He is just a guy. I talk and deal with guys all the time. And besides he is a warped Republican. My mother would be so hurt that I have a friend that is a Republican...

He says he has a Valentine's gift for me. I am scared it might be some propaganda supporting segregation and homophobic inequality. I was gonna get him something but then I changed my mind. Everything I thought about was too expensive. Besides I don't want him to think I am trying to buy his friendship (Cause we all know them Republicans are for sale, HA!). I told him that and his reply was I could not afford his friendship. Arrogant isn't he?

OH! The elliptical finally arrived and it is sitting in pieces in my dining area. I have not had the time nor energy to attempt to put it together. And now with homophobic narrow-minded person in town, all my spare time may be tied up entertaining him. That is if we don't try to kill each other at first sight. HA!

I think that is about it for now. Oh no wait! I got my old shift back at work (2:30-11pm Tues-Sat). I start tomorrow. I am so happy. I so hated working days. 5am is bed time not awaking time. Plus I get the 10% night differential pay. Lord knows I need every penny I can get now that I got this new car to pay for. And I will finally look decent again. I was always having such a hard time getting up with enough time to shower & wash my hair that I would just shower and throw my hair up in a pony tail or some sort of bun. I always looked trashed out and exhausted. But now I will be able to go back to my old routine. YIPEE!

OK...I really think that is everything now. And even if it isn't it is not like I cannot write another blog. Geez! Sometimes I obsess over the silliest things.

From One To Four

I am all vehicled out. Between getting my Tracer fixed, to driving my mother's Corolla, to buying my new Accord I am just plain sick of cars. But the frenzy continues.

On Monday I am meeting a co-worker to buy her daughter's car for my sister. I have already put down $300 towards the vehicle. It is a 1997 Saturn. Since I found this car, my mother has been bugging me non-stop about when we are going to purchase it. She is tired of my sister driving (and ragging it out, according to mom) her car. Christina drives too fast. She weaves in and out of traffic. She scares my mother to death. "She is gonna wreck my car!........I want her out of my car!"

I was waiting for Christina to get a job and pay for the vehicle. Supposedly she has a job at Taco Bell but has yet to work one shift. So my mother decided to cash in these savings bonds we purchased a long time ago for Christina's college education. Seeing how she is barely getting through high school, college seems like a unrealistic dream at this point. We had many of these bonds, but mom cashed some of them in for whatever reason. She gave me the remaining few to hold so they could not waste them on stupid stuff. Turns out there was just enough to pay off the remaining balance with $100 left over for anything else needed for the car.

Christina is not aware of this because we still want her to work. But now she will be out of my mother's vehicle and my mother will leave me alone about the whole situation. When we ask her about her supposed job, she says that she is hired but just waiting for the manager to call her back. Supposedly there was a mix up with the uniform they ordered and they had to send it back and get another one. The lady supposedly told Christina that she would call Christina, and not to call her. I have never heard such B.S. I told my sister to call her anyway. Of course she does not listen to me!

Unbelievable!!!!!!

I did it! I really did it! And I am asking myself what the hell was I thinking????? That I had waited long enough to do it. That I needed to do it. That despite the expense it was necessary. What did I do? I GOT A NEW CAR!!!!!

Yep. I did. My little green car died on me AGAIN and was costing me a fortune to fix. I got it fixed but I realized that the car is 10 years old and not as reliable as it used to be. I had to call into work and with my current attendance record, I cannot afford any more mishaps. So I broke down and decided to finally buy a new car. I did all this online research. Narrowed my choices to a Honda Civic or Mazda 3. Both had good ratings and great safety features. Plus they both were in my price range.

Let me just start off by saying I have never bought a car before. My little Tracer was actually negotiated & bought by my aunt. She technically bought it, but I made all the payments. After 2 years we transferred the title and loan to my name and I paid it off. So I have never haggled with a salesman before. I thought I was prepared. I was confident and ready. I was so wrong.

My mother and I went to a Honda dealership that a co-worker suggested to me. I told my mother that we would not get much time to look around. You see, I briefly worked at a dealership when I first graduated college. Whenever we walked in front of the dealership we had to make sure our badges were worn and easily visible. Cause them salesman were vultures. They are under a lot of pressure to sell and they are ready to pounce on potential customers immediately so they can make their quotas and commissions.

Anyway, I asked for the particular salesman my co-worker recommended but he was not there. A gentleman came out, never introduced himself and asked me what I was looking for. I told him I was interested in a standard Civic sedan, green in color. He tried to push me towards the Accord. I told him I would love an Accord, but my budget is really along the lines of a Civic. That was my first mistake.

They had very few standards and no green cars. They seemed to have even fewer Civics. He kept showing me Accords. My second mistake. Then he tried to convince me to look at a 6 cylinder but I refused. I am lethal enough as it is with a 4 cylinder, I do not need anymore engine power. Plus as many tickets as I have gotten with my little 4 cylinder car, I can only imagine the amount I would get with a 6 cylinder vehicle.

So he kept showing me 4 cylinder Accords. Black...NOPE, too hot in Texas for a black car with black interior. Plus they show all the dirt. Red...NOPE, never liked red cars. White...NOPE, shows all the dirt also. They had a really pretty blue model, but it had black interior. They had a silver model, but it turned out to be a 6 cylinder. Then there it was...Carbon Bronze Pearl with Ivory interior. Contained a sunroof, wood trim inside, in dash 6 CD changer, steering column radio adjustments, cruise control, valet key, heated mirrors, lock wheels, etc. I was enthralled. My third mistake.

I took it on a test drive. It was so smooth, powerful, and very comfortable. When the we returned from the test drive, the negotiations began. I did not research the Honda Accord, so when he asked me what I was looking for in payments I was lost. I made up a number. I signed this paper saying I would take the car if they were able to meet my payment requirements. Back & forth we went until I was placed in the finance office where the real negotiations began.

The finance guy showed me my options with regards to buying versus leasing with and without money down and no trade in. He threw in different options to woo me. I held firm. Finally he reached a point where walking away was extremely difficult. I tried calling Joe, but he would not answer his desk phone. Hours passed and went back & forth until he gave me an offer I could not pass up. I finally agreed and he began the paper work for me to lease this vehicle. I ended up adding tint, Lo Jack, another theft deterrent device, and a EPP finish for both the inside & outside for the vehicle. I paid for the tint and EPP finish up front.

Before the paperwork could be all signed, I had to leave to pick up my sister & take her to school. We were down to one vehicle between the 3 of us (my mother, sister and me). The salesman and finance guy looked at me stunned. I kept telling them I would be back, but they did not seem to believe me. In the hour that I was gone, they managed to call my house asking what time I was coming back. To say they were desperate is an understandment.

So roughly 7 hours later, I left with a 2006 Honda Accord EX, Carbon Bronze. I will be poor from now on having to have fund raisers to make my payments and keep Oliver fed. Needless to say I have put off buying a house for now. But I figure if I did not have a reliable car, I could end up without a good paying job and then definitely not be able to buy a house. Postponement is a much more appealing deal.

So now I have 2 cars. Driving the new car is awkward and scary. The first day I drove it I was terrified that I was gonna get hit. There was a huge accident that shut down the freeway both directions and everyone was driving like crazy to get off the highway. They are predicting bad weather this weekend so I am driving the green car to work Saturday. They are coming out today to install my Lo Jack. And in the next 2 weeks I will get my tint and other items on the car. I cannot wait.

Although this is a big change for me both financially and personally, I have not had a new car for 10 years. Plus this is a Honda and supposedly worth it. I guess time will tell. In the mean time, all donations can be sent to...