Monday, June 24, 2013

trucks, bikes and sons

I now own 1 '94 Ford Ranger and 3 Honda bikes, '81 Passport, 2008 Rebel and the '13 Metro, all need the oil changed, I am working on carburetors on 2 of the bikes, which means they also have no gas in the tank, and my truck has about 1/4 of a tank, it had over 1/2 the last time I drove it.
Son Jake's jeep is in the shop, he is running my truck, I don't mind except he does not like putting much gas in vehicles, think he got that from his dad.
Son Ben wants to ride my bikes and meddles if he is here and I have a bike project/maintenance job going, he also is very good at burning the gas I paid for and not replacing it.
So, this am I need to run to J-ville for bike parts and gee, there is my pickup, finally home and gee, not much gas, Metro is too small to run that far and back in a reasonable time, and I am Not happy Mommy...but I will get gas $ from Jake, be very happy he is the current 'at home' son as he does NOT want to ride, meddle with or otherwise have anything to do with My Honda rides.
I do have the Passport up for sale, and I do owe $$$ on the Rebel, but the Metro is almost paid off, and the $ I save on gas running here in town is great, so life will get better, I will resolve the carburetor problems, replace a gas line or 2, get bikes back together and gas in their tanks and I will get gas $ from Jake this morning.  The sun is out and I have a good life, despite the bike issues, the nearly empty gas tank in my truck issue and work issues.  My finances are not good, but they are livable and most of the time I am happy, would be happier if 2 or 3 of those bikes were running this week, like in the next day or so...   

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

screwed up my finances

can't blame anyone for this one, I did it all on my own, standing in the rain, bidding on a 2008 Honda Rebel, motorcycle that will need work, that has a huge debt load on my paid off credit card, no funds for the DMV costs like sales tax, title and plate fee and I have NO valid license for running a bike this size.
It is sitting on my bike patio with the tank on the glider, the seats, it has 2, in the house, the carb gasket kit waiting for pickup in Jacksonville and me knowing I am going to be starving and struggling for months if not longer over this indulgence.
She's different build than that Nighthawk I had and loved so much and rode so much, Ben will not be riding this bike, Jake doesn't worry about Mom, knows her love of such thing and thinks she manages to keep her finances on track, I won't tell him different at this time.
Today is the panic and stress day, but I will get through this, get the bike running and licensed, insured and get that valid license for enjoying it out on the roads.
I did put the Passport up for sale, for a lot less than I paid for it, and if/when it sells, that will help a huge amount, and I need to write up ad for work that puts the radial arm saw, band saw and wood planer up for sale and try and get them sold and out of the house.  Selling them was on the plans anyway.
I will pull from savings, keep a tight budget, scramble to be practical and thrifty and get through this.
A bit of work and this new ride will take me out of town, just running the roads to escape, to enjoy and to be me, like the smaller bikes here in town but have missed the bigger bike.
I didn't think, after the accident I would ever get back to where a road bike was possible but I am to that place, healed, gained back far more of ME than I ever thought I could, know I am not the woman I was before that damn car accident, but I am far better, stronger than I was a year ago and far harder and tougher than I was before the accident.
But, my life is also far more about me and what I want and were I want to go with that life, more self centered and more selfish, and I am ok with that.
So, I will shuffle, and push the funds, will whine and grouse but all in all, I will get through it and be ok with where I am taking my life and with who I am.
Today is a bit of a down day, but it won't last long, did get part of the do list done, will not sweat the stuff that did not get done, know I manage my life so it works out, and pull through the messes, get things back on track and working.
Jake will get his jeep out of the shop and quit running my truck, I will get the laundry done, the dog fed, the Passport sold, the new bike licensed and running and I will enjoy the summer.