Thursday, July 30, 2009

Allan James LaRue

My sweet, darling, funny, kind-hearted dad died today.

He was born on June 18, 1941, and died on July 30, 2009. He was 68 years old.

He and my mom just celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary on July 7.

He looks peaceful, for the first time in months.

I'm sad. But I'm grateful.

I love my dad and will miss him terribly, but am happy to know I'll be with him again someday when it's my time to go.

That's all.

Monday, July 27, 2009

My Car, Again.

I have a confession to make.

I have used a credit card and will now be making payments (AGAIN) to pay it off.

My E flat car was too loud for comfort. I decided I needed to get to Utah (which is where I am now) and driving would be cheaper than flying, not to mention I wanted to have my car with me while in Utah since I don't know how long I'm going to be here. To do this, it needed some help.

$773.14 later, the help came, but obviously at a cost.

It needed two tires, brake pads, battery, wheel bearings, lube/oil, and transmission fluids replaced (or transmission flush maybe?). The good news was the labor costs were less than the parts cost by about half. I feel like they were honest and good to me and I'm grateful for Dana Tire for making me feel that way. First time ever that I didn't feel like I got a lousy deal.

But I didn't have a spare $800, so thank goodness for an empty credit card that I could use and hopefully pay off quickly.

My house plan has been postponed for a few months - I was hoping to be able to seriously start looking in January, but with this new credit card bill, with my need to be here in Utah with my parents (for Dad's status, please go HERE - it's my sister's blog that she updated just today), no merit increase this year, etc., those plans have been postponed for a while - probably for another year.

I'm bummed a little, but I'm also okay with it. There are other way more important things for me to be focusing on right now and honestly finding a house is the least of my worries.

Back to my car. It no longer makes an E flat noise. I have found myself speeding way too much because of this. When it went higher than that sound, I knew I was speeding and immediately slowed down. No more sound - no more obvious sign that I need to slow up. Luckily I haven't gotten in trouble yet, but I do need to watch myself. I can't believe how much I came to rely upon that audible reminder...

Anyway, this blog is my confession to you all and I figured I needed to let you know.

As far as my dad is concerned, it is so hard to see him slipping away from us, yet I wouldn't be anywhere else and I don't want to be anywhere else and I'm oh so grateful for an employer who feels the same way and insisted I come here to be with him and my mom. I love having the ability to work from home and work with people who are kind and thoughtful and sincere and are willing to be "me" in the office when the need arises. I am truly, TRULY blessed.