A Bit of a Pickle

Alright Internet friends I need your advice.

Here are the facts:

Chris and I have a car that we paid £300.00 for a year ago. It has been a great car and we've not had any problems with it. It has around 84,000 miles on it, which is quite good considering it is a car made around 1994.

I finally got my license and right now we are tying to get the car up and running. So far we've paid £109.00 for a new exhaust for it and today we got back from the mechanics and we are looking at another £300.00 to fix it before it can be taxed (tax is £66.00).

The lovely mechanic said that he'd do us a payment plan (£40.00 a week) until paid off.

So we could pay to get the car fixed (more than we paid for it and HEFTY weekly repayments)

OR...

We could go down to the car dealership, trade in the car we have now for parts and get a newer car for LESS than we would be paying to sort out the car.

This means we'd be in debt for the car and add to our budget another chunk of money.

So what do you think? Should we pay to fix the car we have now, or should we cut our losses and get a newer car with less repairs??

What do you think?

I'm Too Old For This!

In January Chris and I got, what we now call "the letter", saying that our current car insurance would not be able to cover me driving in England any longer and that I needed to get my UK drivers license. Chris and I had been under the impression (for nearly 3 years) that I was okay to drive in the UK as long as I left the country every 12 months - WRONG. We found out that a USA license is only valid for 1 year from the time you move into the county.

Here in England they do things MUCH more different than they do in Utah. I first had to take my theory test. I didn't feel like studying much for that test and, of course, waiting until the last few days to study and then being VERY frustrated that every sample test I took, I failed. Here are some of the things in the Highway Code:

*Motorized Scooters should NOT be used on motorways (freeways).

*When riding your horse on the road, make sure you can control them.

*Make sure that children in the car are kept under control.

*The rules in the HIGHWAY CODE do NOT give you right of way on the road (you mean just reading a book doesn't give me right of way??)

*Note: Night is considered the hours of darkness.

*Be patient, everyone makes mistakes.

*Never use a handheld microphone while driving.

*You MUST ensure you do not hit anyone while opening the door.

*Give way to sheep.

Yes, they are all in the handbook we are meant to study. After passing the theory test (even with the silly questions) - I then had to start on the second leg of my testing, taking driving lessons and taking the practical test.

I was lucky enough to find a great instructor who I had great chats to, the whole time I was in the car (luckily he liked Americans). He was so positive that after the first 2 hour lesson I booked the test scheduled for April 30th. Herein lies the problem - Chris and I have a wedding to go to on the 16th of April and I needed to drive by then. So I was "lucky" enough to get a cancellation spot - ONE WEEK AFTER MY FIRST LESSON - panic ensued...

My instructor packed in 5 more hours of lessons this week in preparation for the test today.

I was so nervous... shaking, sick, speechless nervous! I know I am a good driver - 12 years, 4 countries, 5 cars (sick and auto) - and no accidents later proves this but, this test shook my confidence... like and earthquake!

It shouldn't have - I passed, and in a test where not looking in the mirrors enough, hitting the kerb, lane discipline can not only give you point off but fail you - I only got 3 points off out of the possible 15. I even managed to have a great conversation with my examiner during the test.

I am so pleased it is done! I can get the car fixed (tomorrow - I don't waste time!), tax, and MOT it and I AM FREE AGAIN!!!

I may be eating rice for the rest of the month, but I will be free!!!

Insert Witty Title Here

I am too tired to think of a witty title... Here is what has been going on with me.
First we got a new car!  We took the car back to the dealership but not without him warning us "DONT EVER BUY A CAR HERE AGAIN!"  Hey, no problem, didn't he realize we were bringing one BACK?!?!  But luckily we had a call from the lovely mechanic we took with us to look at the "trade" the dealer offered earlier last week.  He told us there was someone selling a "pucker" car - in England that means a really good one.  We totally trusted him and took the money to him the next day to buy the car he told us about - and we weren't disappointed.  It is a cute red Citron (French car) and has a radio and only 75,000 miles (which is good for a 1994), AND the horn is on the end of the blinker -- needless to say I have pounded the steering wheel for no reason it will take some getting used to.  It has been a great car so far, and fingers crossed it will take us all around the country without problem.  3 cars in 18 months?  We deserve this one...
Bridget the Car - named by Elder Jones
Today has been a hard day though, we said good-bye to both of our amazing missionaries - one going home (back to Utah) and the other to Wales.  I was overcome with emotion as we said goodbye, mostly because I was so homesick and I was super jealous of one of them getting to go back to Utah.  It is something I want so badly but I just have to wait - which, as many of you know... is hard for me.
Things here keep moving along though, I cant believe it is February.
But, anyway... here you go, here are some pictures of my cute niece...
  
 
Starting tomorrow I will be doing the 30 Tiny Moments photo project that many of my favourite blog authors are doing. (www.kerflop.com and www.mandajuice.com)
What it is, is a picture a day for 30 days of just the simple things in life.  That means, for at least 30 days you'll get a photo from me - so keep watching!

Bits and Pieces

I guess I keep this blog going because, one day I will want to look back (fondly) at all of the unfortunate things that happen to me and when I am 80 I will probably not remember the following things:

At the first of January, Chris and I got another car - Bella was getting too problematic to fix for the emissions and inspections (read: M.O.T. in England). Chris' dad, John, helped find us one that I was quite hesitant about but, we got anyway.  WHAT A JOKE!  Three weeks later, and we have already found out that it needs its alignment done, new front tires (tyres), new fan belt, leaky trunk (boot), its overheated three times, etc. etc. etc.  So we went back to the car dealership today and Chris pretty much said, "Fix it or give us our money back!" (It is so nice to have a husband to do stuff like that).  And the dealer said, and I quote, "Yeah, we'll give you another car for it or a refund - I HONESTLY SHOULDNT HAVE SOLD YOU THE CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE." (my jaw still drops!)  Can you believe it!?!?  I guess maybe some of you can.. but I think I still might have a "rainbow and butterfly" idea of the world... why would he do that?  At any rate, he wants to "trade" a more expensive car, for this one (Chris named the car Shirley).  What do I do?  I don't trust him as far as I can throw him, and we do still have Bella, should we spend the money to fix her up?  She has been PERFECT for 18 months (oohhhh I better bite my tongue)!

Just as side notes:
I just lit a small bonfire in the trash can in my bedroom - who would have thought even after the incense in burned out it could still create flames and burn unwanted receipts -- I now do, and so do you - LEARN FROM ME!
The other day on the way home from work I drove for about 8 blocks on the wrong side of the road in the dark.  I didn't even NOTICE until I got up to the junction and had to turn left and realized that the car in front of me, that was turning left, was on the opposite side.
I got acupuncture last week, it hurt a little when she was sticking needles into my hands and FEET (yuck yuck yuck) but the ones on my calves, neck and shoulders didn't hurt at all - even when she twisted them to stimulate them.  It was strange, tiring, relaxing, and helpful all in one - who would have thought - needles. 
Oh how I miss my disposal and dishwasher....

Other Updates?  None - Chris is still looking for a job and interviewing - but is keeping quite busy with his church calling?  Have I told you?  I'm married to the Elders Quorum President.  With that calling and mine (Councillor in the Relief Society) all we need is a home in Provo and 2.5 children.  We love it though - last weekend we got to go to a wedding, reception and baptism -- all for the same lady all on the same day (and a branch activity after that) - being in a branch is eye opening, that's for sure!  I am doing fine too.... working and sitting around (HEY! it takes a lot out of you!)