Melvin

As my husband affectionately calls our car, Melvin is very sick. We went on our trip-to D.C., Delaware, an unexpected trip to Pennsylvania, and to West Virginia. On Friday, as we pulled off the exit in WV to go to my in-law's house, Melvin started chugging (you know, that feeling like you're running out of gas). Except that 100 miles before we had filled up and there was no way our tank was empty. We made it safely to my in-law's and the next day Sam took Melvin to the shop. We extended our stay in WV, I missed a day of class and Sam a day of work, but were optimistic that Melvin would be ready to head back to Tennessee on Monday. Well, that's the thing about mechanics (sorry if you are one), but it is never done when you think it will be. We had to leave Melvin in WV and come back home. 

I must mention here, that there is NO PLACE LIKE HOME! As good as it is to see family and friends, when I walk in my door-there is no other feeling. 

Well, here we are on Wednesday, and we found out that the heads(?) in the car are cracked. Let me remind you that I know nothing about cars and don't really know what that means, but I know it's bad and I know it's expensive. We are so blessed to have such great people around us who have offered to help us out! God is good! Hopefully Melvin will be restored soon, and back in the same state as us! I'm just happy that things are working out!

On Cars and Fall Break

Normally, I don't stress so much about the car being in the shop. I don't know enough about cars, so I usually take them in and say "can you fix it?" Sam, however stresses a LOT about cars. See his blog about that here. Today, as I was on my way home from school, (We are now on Fall Break!!!) I was talking to Sam and he was explaining that even though the car has been in the shop twice in the past two weeks, there is a belt that is making a terrible sound and will probably break soon if it doesn't get fixed. 

First, it's time to change mechanics because they are obviously NOT fixing our car, and second, we are supposed to be going to D.C. to meet up with my parents then to Delaware to see extended family. Can I just tell you how ticked off I was this afternoon! 

Good news is, Sam is currently changing the belt on my car. (Again, I don't really know what this "belt" does, but I know the package said it was a serpentine belt and I acted like I was going to be helping Sam work on the car in front of the guy at the auto parts store.) I also know that it is really important and now I know that it is a little tricky to take off and replace. I am so thankful for our neighbor that had the tool Sam needed to work on the car (he had every tool but the one he needed) and I'm thankful that he is helping Sam, because I look really cute standing over the car, holding the flashlight and reading the book to Sam, but that's about all I'm good for. Plus it's getting chilly outside. 

The other good news is, we are going to leave tomorrow morning (which works out, since I hadn't even started packing!) Our travel plans got a little rearranged, but I think it will work out and we'll get to see a lot of family and I'll actually get to take a vacation for Fall Break!

God is good!