God's 2x4...

So, I've told you about my car, right?  Well, the wonder that she is recently made the trip from New Orleans to OKC in one day, carting a ton of my belongings.  Before the move I was noticing that she had trouble starting.  I'd turn the key and there'd be this little click and then nothing.  Fortunately, it would always start eventually, but it stressed me out.  I kept telling myself she just had to make it to Oklahoma and then she could break down all she wants.  But then I got a job in Oklahoma and breaking down here seemed like a bad plan.

So, even though I knew she was pretty messed up and that one day she just wouldn't start at all, I kept pushing her, thinking if she could just get through one more day, we'd be fine.

Last night, in my haze of stress about my car starting (and while talking on my cell phone), I locked my keys in the car at the gas station.  I haven't done that since I was 16.  Now, I know, we all do it, it happens to everyone, but I still felt really stupid.  Especially because my AAA card was locked in the car.  So I called my wonderful fiance who came down and attempted to use his expired AAA card (which failed) so he called his awesome dad who used his AAA card.

Despite having all these amazing people in my life in OKC willing to help me out, I was pissed because I was (finally!) facing the fact that something was wrong with my reliable old Corolla.  Then I started thinking: Maybe this was a good thing.  Now I can have the AAA guy look at it and tell me what's wrong with it, so I can face reality and stop stressing about the unknown.  (My mom said sometimes God has to hit her with a 2x4 to get her attention and maybe this is my 2x4, hence the title.)

So, my new AAA friend told us that my battery was shot and leaking acid.  There's still a problem with the starter that needs to be looked at, but he said he was amazed that my battery hadn't blown up or ruined my alternator.  He replaced the battery (after unlocking my door) and told me I had 24 hours to get the starter fixed.

Because I follow the teachings of Dave Ramsey, we have an emergency fund to help with these unexpected costs (although if I'd really been a true disciple, I would have recognized my car was malfunctioning and started saving for repairs a month ago).  Philip has agreed to stay at school late for the next two days so I can drive him in the morning, drive myself to work, and pick him up when I'm done.  I've already got a message in to an auto shop to hopefully schedule an appointment for tomorrow to be looked at.

So, while I'm irritated that I have to dip into my "do not touch" emergency fund, I'm comfortable knowing that A) a lot of people here are willing to help me out, and B) if I hadn't been stupid enough to lock my keys in my car, my engine could be ruined today.

The moral of the story is: when you do something that you think is really stupid, try to find the good in it.  And also, find someone to marry who has a super awesome family so that you can be helped from all angles.  The end.