We still don't have a truck. Turns out that the people who sold it to us are complete frauds and it only got 94 miles down the road before the engine blew. We need a new engine. Sixteen thousand dollars.
Thousand. Thousand. Thousand. Thousand. Thousand. Thousand. Thousand. Thousand. Thousand. Thousand. Thousand. Thousand. Thousand. Thousand. Thousand. Thousand.
It looks worse than that ^, really, it does, but that ^ gives you an idea what sixteen thousand looks like. (sense of humor... still got one, but barely)
There is now an attorney involved. That's the very short version. The longer version includes lots of stress, irritation, (giving way to) murderous rages, heartburn, research, the development of ulcers, and the writing of letters - and it takes place over the course of... well, October 23rd and counting. On the upside, my brain is working in ways it hasn't in years, and if it weren't happening to me it might almost be fun. I considered law as an occupation when I was younger, but lacked the confidence and didn't pay attention when my mother told me not all attorneys argued in front of a judge. Oh the naive innocence of the young... I may have missed my calling and I can't even blame my mother - what is this world coming to?
But this wasn't a blog to grouse about the truck (hiss), it's a blog to grouse that the maiden voyage we planned after Christmas will not be happening. We're bummed. We were excited to take CC out for the first time and get a taste of what it will be like for the long haul. We had a nice RV park all picked out and everything. Now we'll be staying in a hotel room. *sad face*
Wait.
*happy face!!!*
Because in just two 'short' days, my stepson and I fly to Scotland to meet up with my favorite husband and tour my favorite vacation spot in the entire universe. We even spend the first night in my favorite place, in my favorite vacation spot, Birnam/Dunkeld and we eat at my favorite restaurant in Scotland - the Atholl Arms Hotel (looks like someone with a lisp cursing doesn't it? I can't be the only one who thinks that). It's been six very long months and it's been hard on us, but I have a very considerate husband who goes out of his way to keep in touch with me, and we are able to talk almost every day, which makes it bearable (but not easy). Anyway, we will have three weeks together and are planning to do a lot of traveling to see family and friends, as well as our land in TN, so our foul moods are slowly giving way to smiles and good humor again.
Forgot to mention - yesterday at 10:30 am we officially became TN land owners!!! Now the fun really begins... we have a building kit to put together and utilities to run and septic to install. No rest for the wicked.
Anyway, since this is a season to be thankful, I want to end by saying that we are extremely fortunate to have some amazing people in our lives. From kind acts by strangers, to friends so wonderful that we probably don't deserve them, we are reminded daily that we are the lucky ones. 2011 has been a good year for relationships; I've reconnected with people that I've wondered about for years, and spent more time than ever with my family, both of which make me happy, though there are people I still miss and hope to see again soon. I'm lucky that my friendships are pretty much eternal. Whether I see them every day, or once every year or two, every friend is important to me. So thank you to everyone who has touched our lives, whether you know it or not, but especially to our friends and family.
So have a merry Christmas, or whichever holiday you celebrate, and may 2012 be our best year ever (capped off by the election of a new President just before the world ends on 12/21/2012). ;p Next time you hear from me I'll be posting pictures from our trip.
