Car Update

We have a happy ending!  My car was recovered, and in one piece!  The thief (thieves) took it for over a 150 mile joyride, then ditched it in a residential neighborhood less than a mile from where they stole it.  They left the car mostly unharmed.  There was a plastic piece that holds the driver's side visor that was broken off, and the cubby on the driver's side door popped out--I don't know if that had anything to do with them breaking into the car.  Other than that, the car seemed the same.  They stole J's Bluetooth wireless speaker and a few cd's, although they left the majority of cd's behind.  They definitely rifled through everything looking for cash or something of value, but luckily, we don't keep valuables in the car for that very reason. 

He/She/They left only one clue other than garbage as to who he/she/they were.  A yellow sticky note pad with some writing on it that the police confiscated (after verifying it wasn't ours).

We honestly hadn't expected the car to be recovered, and figured that if it was recovered that it would be in pieces, so imagine our shock when we received the call that not only was our car found, but it was in driving condition!

We got the car back late at night and debated what to do with it.  Three cars! Just before our nurse left in the morning, he expressed interest in buying the car.  Then not even two hours later, one of our neighbors who knew the situation, wanted to know if we were selling the car.  Their oldest just graduated high school and needed a car for college.  Her current car is a gas guzzler.  They came over later and took the car out for a test drive and definitely wanted the car, so they bought the car then and there.

So less than 24 hours after I got my car back, I let her go again, but at least I know that she's gone to a good home and will be cared for. 

For the Love of a Car

My grandpa made this for my scrapbook

April 2004 I bought my little 1999 Honda Civic.  It was the first car I bought myself; my second car ever.  I loved that car and it took me to and from California more times than I can count.

With a growing family, a two-door car just wasn't practical.  It was a pain to get car seats in and out, but it worked for J's commute to and from work. When we went out as a family, we used our other car.  The outside was showing it's age, and it probably only had a few years left, having over 250,000 miles on it, but we had plans to hold on to it until we could get our SUV paid off, then trade it in for a newer car.

However, someone had other plans.  It was stolen.  12 years.  I had that car for 12 years and it was taken from me.  It had a full tank of gas, newer tires, recent oil change, and it had just been registered for the year.  The kicker--a few years ago we took off comprehensive coverage and went to liability only for car insurance--all to save money.  I mean, the car was old, but it was my car and I loved it.

I'm not a car person--I could care less about tires and engines and body, and whatever else.  I have no interest in any of that.  I know how to check fluids and change a tire, beyond that, I don't care.  But it was my car, and someone took it.  Just took it.

There was nothing of monetary value in the car.  A phone charger.  A blue tooth speaker.  About 30 of my favorite CD's, old--late '90's to early 2000's, many of them mixes.  Not worth much, but precious to me.  A picture of Kai and Zuri when they were younger.  A tennis racket.  All out of sight except the phone charger and speaker.

J's work is about 20 miles from our house, and he often uses his car during work hours for work related reasons, so he needs a vehicle.  I have appointments for Kai, carpool and extracurricular activities for Zuri, as well as errands like grocery shopping, so I also need a vehicle.

One car down leaves us with having to go out and buy another car, which was definitely not in our budget.  We have been doing some remolding to our home--and now that has been put on hold in the middle of the project.  Hopefully just temporarily.

The silver lining?  Well, we got a new car!  We really didn't have much time to look and our specifications were pretty specific, but we found a car that we love.  Although J is going to primarily be the one driving, it has the ability to hold all three car seats/booster seats for the kids.  Not enough room for the wheelchair though.  It has theft protection not only in the car, but through our warranty, because unfortunately, we have learned that crap happens.