Monday, April 19, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Oh, Marty - People Watchin.
Marty’s List:
Fix Trunk
Speed Odometer
Heater
Marty’s list is getting shorter, so that’s a good thing – especially now that Marty is safe and no longer in danger.
The last four days have been rather interesting, without wanting to go any faster than 40-45mph I wasn’t making too many friends on the road. I never realized how impatient people are, how fast people drive and I gained compassion for older people who drive slowly.
Here I was driving down the road enjoying the scenery, listening to music and driving 40mph; I was enjoying life and soaking in the fact that I can now drive myself. And behind me are 3-4 angry cars; honking, hitting their sterling wheels, and riding Marty’s tail – these cars were in a hurry and were upset with me driving so slowly.
It really made me think; A) how often do we pass up moments to just soak in our surroundings and praise God for the things he’s created, B) how often do we feel like we’re more important than someone else and C) how often do we pass people by because they’re being an inconvenience to us.
I’m guilty of all these things.
I always focus on the task at hand, the situation or the problem and I fail to sit back and look towards God. I forget that’s he’s in control and not me. I pass moments to sit in the presence of the Lord, I pass moments of sitting & chatting with friends, I pass moments of growth and all because I’m focused on the final destination.
It up-sets me when someone at work comes in late for their shift, because I have to stay later than I planned. It irritates me when I’m closing down the store and someone comes in right before I’m about to lock the doors and now I have to wait and serve them. It frustrates me when someone doesn’t answer my text right away when I’m trying to find information out.
Sometimes I avoid people at church because I don’t have the time or don’t want to hear their problems and drama. Sometimes I’m short with customers because I know if I get them talking they’ll never shut up. I only call certain people every so often because I don’t want them in my life.
For me, all of these things are ‘people’ surrounded. I’m a people person. I love to help and serve. I love to encourage and lift up. I love people. But, when I look at the ways of how I blow people off or how I avoid certain people; it breaks my heart. How can I love people so much but leave out the ones I deem as an ‘inconvenience.’
How can I pass people by so effortlessly?
Yes, people were passing Marty and I by, but it didn’t bother us. We were happy and enjoying life. But how many people do they, do I, do you, pass by that aren’t having a good time, who aren’t having a good day, who needs a friend and someone to talk to.
How often do we pass people by who need us the most?
Who’s been an inconvenience lately?
What needs to happen until you need or are forced to slow down?
$300 slowed me down. How about you?
Oh Marty; we'll get through this adventure of life together.
Fix Trunk
Speed Odometer
Heater
Marty’s list is getting shorter, so that’s a good thing – especially now that Marty is safe and no longer in danger.
The last four days have been rather interesting, without wanting to go any faster than 40-45mph I wasn’t making too many friends on the road. I never realized how impatient people are, how fast people drive and I gained compassion for older people who drive slowly.
Here I was driving down the road enjoying the scenery, listening to music and driving 40mph; I was enjoying life and soaking in the fact that I can now drive myself. And behind me are 3-4 angry cars; honking, hitting their sterling wheels, and riding Marty’s tail – these cars were in a hurry and were upset with me driving so slowly.
It really made me think; A) how often do we pass up moments to just soak in our surroundings and praise God for the things he’s created, B) how often do we feel like we’re more important than someone else and C) how often do we pass people by because they’re being an inconvenience to us.
I’m guilty of all these things.
I always focus on the task at hand, the situation or the problem and I fail to sit back and look towards God. I forget that’s he’s in control and not me. I pass moments to sit in the presence of the Lord, I pass moments of sitting & chatting with friends, I pass moments of growth and all because I’m focused on the final destination.
It up-sets me when someone at work comes in late for their shift, because I have to stay later than I planned. It irritates me when I’m closing down the store and someone comes in right before I’m about to lock the doors and now I have to wait and serve them. It frustrates me when someone doesn’t answer my text right away when I’m trying to find information out.
Sometimes I avoid people at church because I don’t have the time or don’t want to hear their problems and drama. Sometimes I’m short with customers because I know if I get them talking they’ll never shut up. I only call certain people every so often because I don’t want them in my life.
For me, all of these things are ‘people’ surrounded. I’m a people person. I love to help and serve. I love to encourage and lift up. I love people. But, when I look at the ways of how I blow people off or how I avoid certain people; it breaks my heart. How can I love people so much but leave out the ones I deem as an ‘inconvenience.’
How can I pass people by so effortlessly?
Yes, people were passing Marty and I by, but it didn’t bother us. We were happy and enjoying life. But how many people do they, do I, do you, pass by that aren’t having a good time, who aren’t having a good day, who needs a friend and someone to talk to.
How often do we pass people by who need us the most?
Who’s been an inconvenience lately?
What needs to happen until you need or are forced to slow down?
$300 slowed me down. How about you?
Oh Marty; we'll get through this adventure of life together.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Oh Marty - Shake, Rattle and Roll!
Marty’s List:
Alignment
Squeaky Band
Fix Trunk
Brakes
Speed Odometer
Heater
Lower Arm Control
Two things have been taken off this list and one has been added on. The one on the bottom no one could have known of unless you looked very closely at the car and had Marty lifted up high in the air (which, by the way, Marty doesn’t like).
I took Marty to the store and got him new shoes (tires) and changed his oil. When the mechanics were done, one called me over and showed me the front left tire. You can completely turn and jiggle Marty’s front left tire – not good. The mechanic said he had no clue what that meant, but that it had to be taken care of immediately. Which, by the way, was the same mechanic that was making fun of Marty in the first place because his trunk doesn’t close (it’s currently tired down with a piece of rope – ha ha, yes a rope).
So Marty and I geared up and headed to the second auto shop of the day. They couldn’t get us in to do an alignment, which turned out to be a blessing because I would had paid them for nothing. Marty and I leave the second auto shop and headed to the third one. Who knew finding an auto shop down Route 69 would be so hard? After three failed attempts –yes, three attempts– Marty and I wound up where we needed to be.
I walk in and have no clue where to go; the auto shop is a warehouse with many doors and tons of cars. I find someone and ask for help. I explain to him what I came for (squeakiness and speed odometer). He talks to me for a minute, not really sure what he can do for me. I explain that one of my customers is the owner of the shop and that he said he could help me. The man asks me who it was (apparently there’s more than one owner). I don’t know the owner’s name but I know his wife’s.
We figure out who the person is (Sean) and then the man takes me to Sean. We walk into the back and the man says: “Hey Sean, there’s a girl here that says you would help her.” Sean pulls himself from under a car and looks at me. With a sly smile he says: “Nope; never seen her before in my life. Never, ever.” I smile at him and shake my head. He walks out to the car and I explain to him about the speed odometer, the squeakiness and now the tire.
I sit in the waiting room as Marty get’s hosted up and looked at. A few minutes later Sean walks in and says that Marty is really messed up. He explains that the lower arm control is extremely loose and can go out at any moment if it’s not treated correctly. Basically, the arm that holds the left tire in place is woren out and if I speed too quickly or make an extremely sharp turn I can take the arm off the screw and I will go completely out of control.
Oh Marty…
Sean calls his parts guy as I sit in my chair and try to breathe and think; this cannot be good – financially. Sean's on the phone: “That’s my price?” Whistle. “Wow, that’s not a cheap part.” This is not good, not good at all.
Oh, Marty…
Sean gets off the phone and shakes his head: “Alright. I can help you. We can get the part and have your car fixed tomorrow. I can pick up the car (Marty) in the morning when I get my coffee and have him back before you get off. Now, you’re a sweet girl, I’m going to help you as much as I can.” He takes a deep breath. “The part on my end is $350…” I take a DEEP breath. “I’ll charge you $80 for labor and I’ve worked in the price of two belts (the squeakiness), the total cost will be $487.50.”
Marty…
“Now, while we have him up, I’ll look at the breaks, the check engine light and we’ll try to fix you’re trunk. I promise, we will get him working safe for you and I’ll do as much as I can for you.” Sean is a very nice, kind, sweet caring man. When you talk to him, you can tell he is very sincere. The concern in his voice for me and Marty is strong. Sean explains to me how cautious I need to be while driving Marty in this condition.
He reassures me that everything will be okay and that Marty will be in safe working condition in no time. I get in Marty and am about to drive away when Sean stops me and comes to my window, he’s on the phone. “You can’t get the part today or tomorrow? When’s the soonest you’ll have it? Monday. Okay, that… that will have to work. Thank you.”
Sean looks at me, “Alright sweetie, Monday. Be careful. Drive very safely and slow. Don’t do anything too wild or crazy. Just be safe and cautious and you will be fine.” I take a deep breath and nod. I put Marty in reverse and drive away.
I take Marty on the back roads home, no highway for us. I drive no faster than 45 mph; only driving Marty now if I have to, no leisure driving for a few days.
Oh, Marty - we will get through this together; I promise.
Alignment
Squeaky Band
Fix Trunk
Brakes
Speed Odometer
Heater
Lower Arm Control
Two things have been taken off this list and one has been added on. The one on the bottom no one could have known of unless you looked very closely at the car and had Marty lifted up high in the air (which, by the way, Marty doesn’t like).
I took Marty to the store and got him new shoes (tires) and changed his oil. When the mechanics were done, one called me over and showed me the front left tire. You can completely turn and jiggle Marty’s front left tire – not good. The mechanic said he had no clue what that meant, but that it had to be taken care of immediately. Which, by the way, was the same mechanic that was making fun of Marty in the first place because his trunk doesn’t close (it’s currently tired down with a piece of rope – ha ha, yes a rope).
So Marty and I geared up and headed to the second auto shop of the day. They couldn’t get us in to do an alignment, which turned out to be a blessing because I would had paid them for nothing. Marty and I leave the second auto shop and headed to the third one. Who knew finding an auto shop down Route 69 would be so hard? After three failed attempts –yes, three attempts– Marty and I wound up where we needed to be.
I walk in and have no clue where to go; the auto shop is a warehouse with many doors and tons of cars. I find someone and ask for help. I explain to him what I came for (squeakiness and speed odometer). He talks to me for a minute, not really sure what he can do for me. I explain that one of my customers is the owner of the shop and that he said he could help me. The man asks me who it was (apparently there’s more than one owner). I don’t know the owner’s name but I know his wife’s.
We figure out who the person is (Sean) and then the man takes me to Sean. We walk into the back and the man says: “Hey Sean, there’s a girl here that says you would help her.” Sean pulls himself from under a car and looks at me. With a sly smile he says: “Nope; never seen her before in my life. Never, ever.” I smile at him and shake my head. He walks out to the car and I explain to him about the speed odometer, the squeakiness and now the tire.
I sit in the waiting room as Marty get’s hosted up and looked at. A few minutes later Sean walks in and says that Marty is really messed up. He explains that the lower arm control is extremely loose and can go out at any moment if it’s not treated correctly. Basically, the arm that holds the left tire in place is woren out and if I speed too quickly or make an extremely sharp turn I can take the arm off the screw and I will go completely out of control.
Oh Marty…
Sean calls his parts guy as I sit in my chair and try to breathe and think; this cannot be good – financially. Sean's on the phone: “That’s my price?” Whistle. “Wow, that’s not a cheap part.” This is not good, not good at all.
Oh, Marty…
Sean gets off the phone and shakes his head: “Alright. I can help you. We can get the part and have your car fixed tomorrow. I can pick up the car (Marty) in the morning when I get my coffee and have him back before you get off. Now, you’re a sweet girl, I’m going to help you as much as I can.” He takes a deep breath. “The part on my end is $350…” I take a DEEP breath. “I’ll charge you $80 for labor and I’ve worked in the price of two belts (the squeakiness), the total cost will be $487.50.”
Marty…
“Now, while we have him up, I’ll look at the breaks, the check engine light and we’ll try to fix you’re trunk. I promise, we will get him working safe for you and I’ll do as much as I can for you.” Sean is a very nice, kind, sweet caring man. When you talk to him, you can tell he is very sincere. The concern in his voice for me and Marty is strong. Sean explains to me how cautious I need to be while driving Marty in this condition.
He reassures me that everything will be okay and that Marty will be in safe working condition in no time. I get in Marty and am about to drive away when Sean stops me and comes to my window, he’s on the phone. “You can’t get the part today or tomorrow? When’s the soonest you’ll have it? Monday. Okay, that… that will have to work. Thank you.”
Sean looks at me, “Alright sweetie, Monday. Be careful. Drive very safely and slow. Don’t do anything too wild or crazy. Just be safe and cautious and you will be fine.” I take a deep breath and nod. I put Marty in reverse and drive away.
I take Marty on the back roads home, no highway for us. I drive no faster than 45 mph; only driving Marty now if I have to, no leisure driving for a few days.
Oh, Marty - we will get through this together; I promise.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Oh, Marty!
I have officially owned Marty for two weeks now.
I’ve only been driving him for a week (had issues with the pink slip).
And he’s already stressing me out.
I knew when I bought Marty that he was going to need to be fixed up. I knew the beginning would be the most expensive. I knew some things would need immediate attention. I knew that owning a car meant taking responsibility in keeping up its maintenance. I knew that taking care of Marty would be a full time job. I guess; I just didn’t know it was going to be this stressful.
Marty’s List:
New Tires
Alignment
Squeaky Band
Fix Trunk
Brakes
Oil Change
Speed Odometer
Heater
This is a small list (not everything is listed), I’ve done small cosmetic work already, but I keep finding things on a daily basis that need to be fixed.
I guess, what’s making me stressed is trying to find time to take Marty to the shop. I work early mornings, so I need Marty to drive to work. I’m afraid if I take him in after work that I will be stuck at the shop for hours or that I will be late for my second job. I could drop Marty off early in the morning before the shops open and then walk to work (there’s a few shops near the coffee shop), but I don’t like the idea of A) leaving Marty somewhere so early and B) having to walk early in the morning along the highway (Route 69). I know these fears are probably nothing, but I still have them.
And with helpful people constantly stressing/reminding me of the things I need to do to Marty, it stresses me out even more.
Oh Marty… we will get through this together.
I’ve only been driving him for a week (had issues with the pink slip).
And he’s already stressing me out.
I knew when I bought Marty that he was going to need to be fixed up. I knew the beginning would be the most expensive. I knew some things would need immediate attention. I knew that owning a car meant taking responsibility in keeping up its maintenance. I knew that taking care of Marty would be a full time job. I guess; I just didn’t know it was going to be this stressful.
Marty’s List:
New Tires
Alignment
Squeaky Band
Fix Trunk
Brakes
Oil Change
Speed Odometer
Heater
This is a small list (not everything is listed), I’ve done small cosmetic work already, but I keep finding things on a daily basis that need to be fixed.
I guess, what’s making me stressed is trying to find time to take Marty to the shop. I work early mornings, so I need Marty to drive to work. I’m afraid if I take him in after work that I will be stuck at the shop for hours or that I will be late for my second job. I could drop Marty off early in the morning before the shops open and then walk to work (there’s a few shops near the coffee shop), but I don’t like the idea of A) leaving Marty somewhere so early and B) having to walk early in the morning along the highway (Route 69). I know these fears are probably nothing, but I still have them.
And with helpful people constantly stressing/reminding me of the things I need to do to Marty, it stresses me out even more.
Oh Marty… we will get through this together.
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