The Mimi Mobile

Wow, after more than two years, does it ever feel great to have this freedom available to me once again, to know that I will be able to go places on those days when I feel up to it , whether it’s doing errands, just going for a drive, or going to visit others. It wasn't the kind of vehicle that I had in mind, and it is too big to fit into my small garage, but it is a blessing nonetheless! A blessing for which I am very thankful!

I so appreciate all the help that my older son and my daughter-in-law have been and continue to be to make this possible for me. I thank the Lord, always, for the blessings of family and friends who are so kind and willing to help me along the way, sharing their time, talents, skills, and other help as needed.

Just for the record, I have never been one to “name” my vehicles, until now. I knew when I saw the picture of this van that it was going to have a name. I also knew what its name would be…lol - hence, the title of this blog post.

It’s an older, but nicely equipped 7-passenger Grand Caravan. There is definitely plenty of room for the grandchildren who, by the way, were very excited when they first saw it and got to look around inside. A few of their first comments: “Mimi is that your new car?” “Wow, this is awesome!” “We can go through the drive-thru now!” How sweet and funny they can be.

     

It was also decked out with a couple of stickers: a “Nightmare Before Christmas” sticker in the lower corner of that back window, which I chose to remove, and a nice Hibiscus sticker on the back window. It got to stay J

How it became mine: A week ago this past Friday evening, my older son saw this van posted for sale, knew the owner, and asked me if I might be interested. Surprisingly, I was. I told him to check it out. He contacted the owner and made arrangements to meet him for a test drive on Saturday morning. After driving it and checking it out, he called to let me know that he thought it would be a good deal for me. I said alright then, let’s do this. I trusted his judgment and wasn't even going to test-drive it myself, but he said he would prefer that I did. Just to be on the safe side.

I found myself feeling very excited about this vehicle after talking with my son! I sent a message to the owner right away confirming that I was interested, but, as my son had mentioned to him, I wouldn't be able to test drive it myself until they picked me up later in the week (The kids had already planned to come and get me and have me stay a few days).

I did need to make sure that the design of the driver’s seat did not trigger Fibro Pain Points or put pressure on the area of my back where I have a vertebrate/disk problem – this had been an issue with several other vehicles that I had test driven.  I also needed to make sure that I could open and shut the sliding side doors and back lift gate without any problems since they are manual and not power.

While messaging back and forth, I felt like I should ask the owner if there was any chance they would be coming this direction before I could get down there later in the week. They offered to drive it to Indy that very afternoon! Said they had family here and could go visit them, too. Amazing how it worked out that way and that fast! So, I got to drive it….it felt comfortable enough and handled well. I really liked it. They were okay with me not being able to complete the transaction until the following Wednesday or Thursday. Needless to say, I was quite excited. I let my son and daughter-in-law know.

My daughter-in-law picked me up Thursday after lunch. When we got to Bartlesville, she dropped me off at the owner’s house and we completed the transaction. I got in the van, checked the fuel gauge (had around an 1/8^th  of a tank), and headed to the kids’ house where I would be spending the next few days.

A few blocks down the road, I heard the low-fuel warning sound. I quickly considered going on to the kids’ house and having my son go fill it up later. It would be easier for me, and I know he would do it for me if I asked, but it would add to his already busy schedule for the evening.

I don’t like pumping my own gas because the hoses always seem to be twisted/tangled and hard for me to handle, but I chose to tackle it this time. Wasn't too bad and didn't even end up with my hands smelling like gasoline. That was a good thing.

I drove the van several times over the next few days. On Friday, I  drove the grandchildren around the neighbor once and later that morning we ventured out on a short trip to Wal-Mart. On Saturday, I did a couple of short-time-frame errands by myself. Then rested after returning to the house.  

Sunday: Time to pack and get ready to go home. The kids loaded up my stuff and I left around 10:30 AM, after checking the forecast. It had stormed earlier that morning. The timing was a good choice – I got left before the next bout of heavy rain fell in Bartlesville and arrived home after the heavy downpour here - and there was hardly any traffic on the highway.

Another plus - the neighbors were not at home when I arrived home, so I had the full use of my side of the driveway and was able to pull up to the garage and my gate access without any problems. More to be thankful for!

I was quite tired once I got home, though. And unloading my stuff, and having to go up and down those back steps several times really shot the pain level upwards. May have to call on some help next time for that part of it, or spread it out over several hours instead of trying to get it all done in one short space of time!

As of today, my body is still experiencing quite a bit of pain and fatigue. Hoping it will pass soon and won’t be a long and drawn out period of intensity.  

Later Sunday evening, I noticed the neighbors van parked on the street. I was surprised – they do not normally park there. It was still in that same place when I took Bella out for the last time before going to bed.

Now, since I have a vehicle once again, I am thinking, hoping, that my neighbor lady will be more respectful with the way she parks – that she will park on their side of the driveway and not on mine…..

Guess not L  Monday: She returns home mid-morning and parks in the driveway at an angle-the back end of her van  is over on my side of the driveway, and her vehicle is so close to mine that I do not think I can back out without hitting something – either her van or the corner of my fence! Then, she left, but returned in just a few minutes ….again parking in such a way that it would be quite difficult for me to safely back out should I need to go somewhere – and I did need to go get some salad and veggies from Braum’s.

Hmmm…what to do?????   I could call a friend to do this errand for me. No, I really want to do it myself! I’ll just wait and see what happens. Maybe she will go back to work. ***

And, yes, I admit, seeing her parked this way totally annoyed me…there is absolutely no excuse for her behavior. It really is beyond my comprehension as to why someone would choose to continue to be so inconsiderate and disrespectful like that.

Attitude check: Loving your neighbor isn't always an easy thing to do…..but, still, it is what we are commanded to do by our Lord. Doesn't mean I have to like what she is doing or that it is ok, but I am to continue to pray for them, seek God’s wisdom is this situation, and not allow anger or a root of bitterness to take hold in my heart.

Oh what an “adventure” this shall be. I was thinking later, after I returned from completing my errand, that this almost feels as if I am in the midst of a cat-and-mouse game – feeling somewhat like the mouse who has to sneak out and get back before the cat catches me!!!!!   Sometimes humor helps.

***As it turned out, about four and 1/2 hours later, she did leave again. I grabbed my purse, got in my van, and headed to Braum’s to get what I needed. Sure was a happy camper when I got back home and she was still gone – I could pull in and park again, unimpeded!

I do wonder….between the difficulty of getting up and down the back steps and this continuing issue with the neighbor….perhaps it’s time to seriously consider selling this house and finding somewhere else to live….

Could it be that the Lord is using this situation with the neighbors to prompt me toward moving instead of moving them? Or does He have a different plan and purpose?  

Heavenly Father, please show me Your will and Your plan concerning this matter.