Margarita Is Dead

Well, the money pit can't get any deeper really. First, we have the wedding bands to pay off, then the regular monthly bills including morgage, phone, electric and water. Of course we need food for us and the dogs too. With the addition of the wedding costs this year, we've been saving and pinching where-ever we could. (Please note that when I say "we" I mean "mostly Josh".) Josh is really good at it too. Took me making him watch a couple Dave Ramsey DVDs but he caught the saving bug and hoarded as much as he could in the safe. With the new Domino's part-time job he's been happy to receive some generous tips and gripe when he receives a dollar fifty. He had a significant amount saved, not millions, but enough for an emergency which is exactly what occured when I was driving home this weekend. The "Check Engine" light came on about 30 miles from Mount Pleasant.

Now to clarify, I know that cars need the oil changed often, the tires require air to roll and the basic theory of changing one, and which tube to pour the windshield wiper fluid in. Sadly, that's majority of my knowledge though I am learning more with Josh's instruction. After taking the car to the AAA down the road on Sunday, we learned that the transmission needs to be replaced, the radiator needs to be replaced, the timing belt needs to be replaced, the car needs a general tune-up and the oil is about due to be changed again. Keeping in mind that my car is 12 years old, it could be worse. The main thing is that we don't have the $3,000-$4,000 needed to repair it. So my faithful, freshly-cleaned Margarita is basically dead to me.

Josh's plan now is to buy a used transmission that would fit my car and fix some of the minor things, then sell it for what we can get and move me up to a newer car. Dum dum dum. I'll survive, but I'll miss Margarita. We had some great times together; learning to drive, going to school every morning, taking dogs to the park or doggie wash, driving to Charleston from home and home from Charleston, and trips to the beach with college friends. But now that I guess that our time together is coming to a close, I suppose that I should wish for another faithful and reliable car just like Margarita has been. Off to cartrader, craiglist, kbb and all the others!