TGIF

This morning, I had to apply the belt to my two youngest daughters because they were trying to man handle their sister for trying to get them out of bed so that they could get ready for school.  They managed to get out of here at a decent time, with everything they needed.

Well, today, I am bringing my car, Nelly (yes, I named my car; yes, it is named after the rapper, because I am NOT riding no woman!), to Wal-Mart for a new battery.  Nelly is a 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis.  For many, that may seem old, but for the price I paid for it ($1000), it is in surprisingly good shape.  I had put new tires on it, tuned it up, had the wires changed (the dealer already placed a new starter and alternator in it), and had the fuses changed so that all of the power features would work.  It runs really, really smooth.  It had a problem with burning, but I had the thermostat changed, and applied a good grade of antifreeze to the radiator; problem solved!  The only thing is that Nelly has no air conditioning, and with leather seats, Nelly can be practically unbearable in the summer.  I have one of those car fans clipped to the dashboard, so it helps a little.  My husband and I purchased a 1997 Chevrolet Suburban recently, which he drives most of the time, but I'd rather drive Nelly.  It has a much smaller gas tank ($25 fills it up), and the Suburban is mainly used for our frequent road trips back and forth to New Orleans and Mississippi (where his family relocated).  I want to try and see if I can get air in Nelly, have a wheel alignment done, and fix anymore problems the car may have, though relatively minor.  I really love the car, because I really believe God gave it to me.  Let me explain how:

In New Orleans, I always had to rely on public transportation, or someone else's transportation to get around.  People are funny with their vehicles, so I had to endure a lot.  I began asking Him for a car about five years ago.  I wanted MY OWN car, not a car belonging to someone else.  Years passed, and it looked like giving me a car was the least of God's worries.  I became frustrated, and even told Him that I would stop praying, because evidently, He didn't want me with a car!

Enter August 29, 2006.  Hurricane Katrina.  I lost my home.  My family, including my husband, lost all their vehicles.  We lost our jobs.  We had to relocate.  The money that we received from various agencies went to housing.  Wal-Mart gave me a grant for $1,000.  I had to take a 1 hour bus ride to the nearest Wal-Mart to receive it, in addition to my last paycheck, because I needed to purchase uniforms so that my daughters could go to school the next day.  It was a three-block walk from the bus stop to the store (ouch!).  The heat was unbearable.  Walking back towards the bus stop, carrying four extremely heavy bags, I pass this used car dealership.  I was almost to the bus stop when the Holy Spirit instructed me to go back.  I said, "Now, Lord?" And He said again, "Go Back."  So I went back to the dealer and, to make a long story short, the dealer sold me this car, with tax, title and license, for $1000.

Anyone who's been to Houston knows that it is virtually impossible to get around without a car, simply because Houston is so vast (it takes me 45 minutes to get to my mother's home from my house!).  So when I really needed it, He provided the car for me.  Nelly has served us well, even going all the way to Natchez, MS and back during the Hurricane Rita scare. Yes, we had to evacuate AGAIN.  Another story for another time......

This is why my car is so special to me.  I plan to have it for awhile.  It has almost no leaks, and the roof of the car's liner is still intact.  The seats have no rips and tears, instead for one hole in the rear passenger side seat.  The rug is slightly stained, but a good vacuuming makes it presentable.  It has a premium sound factory radio with a tape deck to which I attached my portable CD player (which was given to me at a shelter, go figure!).  The trunk is nice and roomy, and carpet-lined.  I cannot say enough about it, except that it's a miracle!  A good washing, and it is absolutely pretty.  And I love the model's square body, which makes it look almost aristocratic, and it's color, pale yellow or beige with a beige rag top.  It's as if the car was meant for me!

Anyone who's reading, pray fo me, cross your fingers, etc., because I received a call this morning from the TX Department of Public Safety advising me that they are going to test me for an available dispatching position Monday.  However, I have to track down a copy of my high school transcripts and apply for a Social Security card, all which was destroyed in the storm.  Wish me luck!  I'll keep you posted!