
Thanks to Jamie for inspiring me to blog today with her Wishcasting Wednesday prompt...How do you wish to bloom?
I've been quiet here for a long time. I've been in a blogging lull, a rut, a boring, uninspired and uncreative headspace.
I've been feeling depressed, oppressed, discouraged, disheartened, bummed out and beaten down.
While I've always embraced my bohemian lifestyle of fixing up low-rent, run-down apartments, living cheap, shopping in thrift stores, attaining my furniture from yard sales and curbs, I have recently reached the 4 year mark of going without a car.
And that's the killer. With spring arriving and me facing another season without a car....another summer of not being able to go places, not being able to take my hatchling for drives out in the country, stopping at fruit stands along the way, strawberry picking and to nearby cities for unique shopping trips and visiting friends...it's really REALLY starting to get me down.
I've tried so hard over the past 4 years to stay optimistic, to use our public transit system that is never on time, never reliable, and never easy driving all over the city to get somewhere 10 minutes away by car.
It usually takes me an entire afternoon to shop for groceries, and by the time I'm let off at the nearest bus stop to my home (4 blocks away) and lug home my cloth shopping bags, I'm ready to scream and give the finger to all the people I see driving past me in their cars.
And I feel so bad being the only mom who can't take turns driving the kids to the movies, the mall, to each others houses, etc. I commend my hatchling for keeping up her self-esteem, and it's so hard to hide my own feelings of inferiority while taking her places on the city bus. I've always taught her that we are not defined by what we own, or what we drive, but that's kind of hard to believe when we're riding the bus and the only other people on it are handicapped. We live in a car community and plain and simply put, anyone who can drive, has a car....period.
And now for the good news....I AM BUYING A CAR!!!!!!! OMG!!! It's true!! In the past 4 years of struggling to make ends meet as a single mom, I have managed to save $600 in an old coffee can.(pathetic amount - I know). And the other day, I used it as a down-payment towards a used, but in great shape, Ford Taurus!!! Rejoice for me & my hatchling, fellow bloggers...we are beside ourselves with excitement!!!
My dad drove used cars his entire life, so I know what to look for, plus I have a supportive and helpful guy-friend who knows a lot about getting a great deal for a used car. And this car is fantastic. My self-esteem has eroded so badly that I almost felt it was "too nice" of a car for me. A used Ford...can you imagine that? That's how much my feelings of self worth, independence and self-sufficiency have suffered from not having my own car.
I am absolutely euphoric!!! I can literally feel the depression and feelings of defeat lifting day by day. I feel alive again, I feel hopeful about the future again. I will be able to access better employment in nearby cities!
My goal is to have the car paid off, with plates and insurance and be driving by Mother's Day! My hatchling and I have a great day planned.
Happy Blooming Wednesday!!!
19 comments:
As you wish, I wish for you also... and what a fantastic example of blossoming and blooming, trusting and growing...
zoom zoom zoom... love that Taurus into blooming along with you! YAY!
i can feel what you talk about, myself i dont have any personnal car and i panik when it comes to drive far
so please enjoy blooming with your car
Git 'er Done!!!! I have faith, you'll reach your goal because you want it so bad!!!
As you wish, I wish for you also. Freedom! Independence! Adventure! :D
Dear boho mom, I can feel your happiness from here, and I am very happy to see and believe that things can get better. Congratulations on making your wish come true! hope your next wish of getting a job will come true very soon! May all the good energy of the universe be with you. Take care!
Bloomin' and zoomin' - I love it!
As Boho Mom wishes for herself, so I wish for her also!
Oh my God!! I am beaming at this end and I am SO happy for you and hatchling!! Question of the day: what will you name your car?
PS: I'm thinking you should name it The Bohemian Bliss Mobile :)0
One of the best news I've heard thse days, Gabby, I'm so happy for you!!! I can feel your happiness through the screen, congrats!!
Kisses and lots of love from us.
Oh oh oh oh OHHHHHHH I am doing such a huge happy dance for you right now...OMG this is huge...as a member of the no car for years club (6 for us)I am over the moon for you hon!!! When we got ares last Fall I was so excited! Do you know since that day I have been wishing a car to you!! Every word you wrote about shopping..yes I can so relate..so glad we can both be footloose and fancy free this summer!
Here is to a wonderful summer with wheels! As Boho Mom wishes for herself..I so happily wish with her!!
Hugs and love and great big whoots, Sarah
Congrats on the car! That's great news.
As boho mom wishes for herself, I wish also. :)
As Boho mom wishes for herself, so I wish for her also. I am so happy for you and your hatchling, may you have many fun adventures in your car.
So happy for you and the freedom this will bring! I don't own a car, but there are certian times that having one would be so so appreciated, grocery shopping is a biggie. Also, no big purchases like furniture from garage sales :( and no country drives... I don't have any children, so I do ok (less running around to do when you're one person), maybe one day ill have a car, maybe a smart car :)
ooo, yes! and what's the car's name to be??
hooray!!!! I'm so happy for you!
You know, I used to work at a rental car agency and I have to say, I liked the taurus' we used the best...they were really, REALLY comfortable and seemed fairly low maintenence. I think you will really enjoy it!
YAY!!!! I'm so happy for you! I think the only city that i didn't feel the need at all for a car was Montreal- cuz the bus-metro system rocks.
here in Halifax... it's TERRIBLE. I cannot even think what it would be like to have to rely on the bus all the time.
The freedom you have now- and I know you'll continue to use the bus (such a learning experience for your daughter too!) but knowing you have a car if you need it (like for groceries!) will be fantastic :)
CONGRATS!!!!
~oh big shining budding blooms for you...through all this there was light at the end...a lesson of patience determination and being who you are and accepting what is is what you have taught your hatchling...as she continues to grow and branches out on her own she will value her assets far more than many...she understands what it means to struggle then ACHIEVE a GREAT gift...i am so very happy for you...may you have endless moments of driving down country roads....breathing the sweet air...feeling the wind blow through your hair...stopping along the way picking those strawberries aplenty and visiting all those quaint stands that have been missing you...what an inspiration you truely are...i do hope you know that...little by little you are always blooming into a beautiful blossom...inspiring us all...as Boho Mom wishes for herself so I always wish for you too...well wishes and brightest blessings~
Wow, I never comment but I just have to tell you how happy I am for you. All the things the 2 of you will do. It's so exciting. I think you are the best mom ever.
We have a Taurus and love it! I'm so very happy for you and your hatchling- enjoy it! Vicki
I am so happy for you boho mom :) I could feel your excitement all the way across the globe!
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