Moving Limbo

Since I’ve been back in Cali, I feel like I can’t catch my breath. I am constantly moving from one task to another, to another. I’ve had a few days where I’ve had the chance to relax and have a ‘do nothing day.’ But mostly my calendar fills up so fast with plans that my agenda for the day is packed.

I’m constantly hopping back and forth from Palmdale to West Covina, and popping into neighboring cities that it makes my head spin. I got so overwhelmed today with packing my suitcase that I had to sit on the floor, take a deep breath and pray. I feel so unstable. I mean, I’m use to not staying in one place long. But this is taking it to the extreme.

I’m living half of my week in Palmdale, where I’m getting errands done. The other half of the week I’m in West Covina, looking for jobs. And then throughout the week I’m driving short and long distances for interviews.

I feel like I’m running in circles. Circles that are constantly changing sizes and directions. And the fact that all of my belongings are packed and scattered in two different locations is the icing on top of this topsy-turvy cupcake of my life.

I know this is a season. I know this won’t last long. But the stress and pressure of trying to find a job, find a place to live and ‘restarting’ my life might be getting to me.

Oh, Marty - You’re a brat!

Marty’s List:
Fuel Pump
Fix Trunk
Speed Odometer
Heater Core
Alarm Remote

I’ve come to learn that Marty is a very rebellious car. He just can’t seem to stay out of trouble.

I’ve also learned that Marty likes to be noticed.

Marty’s trunk is still not fixed, so this can cause some interesting predicaments. Today was rather windy, very windy in fact that the wind kept lifting up the tied down trunk. So, Marty thinks: “Oh no! Someone is trying to break into me. Must tell mommy!” So he sets his alarm off, again and again and again… EVERY time the trunk is lifted by the wind…

I’ve had problems with Marty’s alarm before. I didn’t receive a remote for Marty’s alarm when I got him, so there’s no way for me to turn him off unless I go to him and place my key in his door.

So, here I am, at work and the wind is messing with Marty’s trunk. His alarm sounds, then turns off after a few minutes and then comes back on after a few minutes when the mind messes with the trunk again. On, off, on off, on, off Marty’s alarm goes for about two hours straight…

Customers and business owners come in complaining about the car. I just smile and nod.

When my back up comes in, I run out and move Marty out of the wind. And then go back to work. Do you know how embarrassing it is to go to a car that has been sounding its alarm for the last few hours and turning it off?

Let’s just say, everyone knows what I drive now…

Oh Marty, you’re insane. But - we will get through this together.

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.

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.

Head Goes BOOM!!

I'm starting to think that my head aches might be stress related. When I was home I didn't have that many head aches. And if I did have a head ache it wasn't that bad. But here I am back in Texas trying to find a job, picking back up my counsloing, and trying to stay devoted to my daily growth and I have a head that makes it hard to breath. Every noise is stinging my ears and making my head POUND. Even the tippy tap of the key pad is making my head spin. I really need to figure this out. I've always had problems with head aches, just wish I knew why and how to prevent them.