Broken Windows = New car

It started out as a nice relaxing, sleep-in-late, kind of Saturday morning. Until around 11 something, when Rachael went out to her car and came back in moments later.

Her passenger side front window had been smashed in; there was glass all over the place and a Walmart bag that had been used in the crime along with the rocks that had been in the bag lay next to the pile of glass in the street. (They also smashed her windshield.) What a rude awakening for all of us.

I gave my car keys to Rachael so she could get to her noon lunch appointment and simply started evaluating the situation. Prayers for wisdom where running thru my head and heart as I went outside to start the clean up.

It was a nasty day yesterday, snowing, windy, feeling bitterly cold compared to the warm temperatures we'd been blessed with this winter. Kathy joined me in the clean up and then we moved Rachael's car into the garage to continue cleaning up the glass inside.

Thoughts of the cost to repair/replace the broken windows vs. the value of this battered, barely running car was rushing thru my mind. Also a casual conversation I had earlier in the week came into play. I had stopped into D’Archangel Auto Sales last Monday concerning business and as I left, I spoke briefly with Dale, the owner, about a car he had on his lot. It was his personal car, which is always for sale. Hey, when you own a car lot, any car can be your own personal car.

When I left D’Archangel on Monday, I wasn’t planning on buying that car, I didn’t need one. Neither did Kathy, or Abby, and I had bought and given a car or two to Rachael in the past, and wasn’t planning on buying her that one.

So back to Saturday. As Kathy was helping me clean up Rachael’s car and put some plastic where her window used to be, we talked about whether it was worth it to fix or replace her car. We took a coffee break at Higher Grounds and while we were there, Kathy mentioned we could check with Dale at D’Archangel Auto Sales. Those were the magic words.

See, I did not need another car; there is nothing wrong with mine. And because I was prayerfully asking God to guide us yesterday with what to do, to be good stewards of the finances that God has allowed us to have, I saw Kathy’s question as guidance from God to move in that direction. I did some checking to see how and how much we could afford and then called Dale. He was closed, but he was still there, and so when we drove over there and we told him the broken glass and needing a replacement car, he was more than willing to stay longer to help us out, (And of course sell one more car!)

Kathy and I spoke about swapping cars around. She would get my car, which she really liked, I would get the new used car, and Rachael would get Kathy’s car.

Negotiating with Dale was fun. I let Kathy do the negotiating, and we saved $700 off his original asking price. I had a price in mind which I did not tell anyone, and when all was said and done, price of car + sales tax – trade in for Rachael’s old car = the price I had in mind + $9.00.

So today each of us are working and cleaning out cars and swapping keys and by the end of tomorrow, everything will be transferred, and all that fun stuff.

And that’s how Broken Windows = New (used) Car.

Pictures, Pictures, Yup, We got pictures....

These are of the new house, with the previous owners stuff inside, just to give you an idea of what we are starting with

A Better View

Okay, a note of explanation for my dear daughter Tiff and the rest of the world. For the past 46 years that I have been roaming this planet, I have learned a couple of things:
1. There are very few absolutes. When someone says the word “Always” or “Never”, I tend to dismiss them. Years ago my Mom taught me this lesson. Sort of like the sentence, “If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a million times, don’t exaggerate.”
2. Stay true to your values. If you wander away from them, turn around and run, no sprint back to your values. Your own values is one of the few things that make you distinctly, YOU.
3. Know what your priorities are, so that when opportunities for change come up, you can decide with your head and your heart.
4. God does not leave us or forsake us. We are the ones that leave. And He always welcomes us back. This is one of the few absolutes in life.
5. Listen to your spouse and others whom you love and love you. Even if you totally disagree with what they say or what they believe, there is so much to learn from each other and there is a reason for what they are saying and believing. Listen not just for the words, but also the belief and passions behind those words.
6. Forgive. Yourself and others too.
7. And, Always be a student of Life.

My last posting detailed the quick decision that was made to move from our home to another house a couple miles away. In five days we went from my wife checking out an open house on her way home, to our offer on that house being accepted. We did not tell anyone in our family until the 4th day, because we did not want to send out any false alarms.

It was only a few weeks ago, that Kathy told me she wanted a “better view”. Our discussion became very passionate in that I bought this house as my final home (see # 1 above) and in the 4 years we have lived here, all the upgrades and personalization’s that Kathy and I made were for our pleasure, not for resale value. We have:
• Re-carpeted the living room.
• Painted/wallpapered 7 out of 10 rooms plus the hallway.
• Added central air.
• Painted the exterior.
• Added to the driveway to create another parking space.
• Added a hot tub.
• Built a brick patio.
• Added an outside storage building.
• Planted another flower garden.
• Built a privacy fence.
• Built a front mini-deck.
• Numerous furniture changes…. Well, you get the picture.

So I was shocked and upset when I was first informed that she wanted to live somewhere else. That weekend was not a happy one.

In the days and weeks after that weekend, I continued to listen (see #5), and we talked, I thought and well, had to decide what was most important (#3). That is what was going on behind the scenes that lead up to last week. So while our original intent was to make Blackhawk our final resting place, this new home may be our final house. And we are both happy and excited about it! (and yes, I love my wife, very, very much!!)