20 Years already? Time flies

[learnteach]

Feb 18th, 2009 was our 20th wedding anniversary. Doctors said my husband wouldn't live this long, but he is still going strong. He is losing the use of his hands and finds that very frustrating. I have to feed him more often. He can still hold a sandwich or burger sometimes.

We got the van running again (has his wheelchair lift in it).  I hate to drive it because it only gets about 8 mpg. He can't transfer into the car anymore, so if we go anywhere it is the van or call the bus company shuttle (which doesn't go everywhere on every day).  I got the brake repairs done at the nearby technical college, so they only charged for parts plus 30%.  I hadn't planned on the expense, but one of Ed's friends arranged for the repairs to be done. The van sat for over a year (growing mold inside - this is WA, and rusting).  The brakes had gone completely out and the emergency brake kept freezing up. Since the van is an 1983, one of the parts had to be made in a machine shop. They replaced the brake master cylinder and the rear wheel brake cylinders.

I had to buy a new battery and pay to get it registered, which I hadn't budgeted for.  I generally plan my budget 3 months in advance. I am going back to Texas in June for my 40th high school reunion so I was planning to buy a plane ticket early. Now will have to put it off.  Estimates at 2 brake shops were $1200 and $1400, so the final cost of $795 was a bargain. The cost of the battery and registration was over $100. Ed's friend gifted us $200 and loaned the rest of the money.

I am lucky I can pay it off over 3 months. Now I'm worried I will have to buy the plane tickets later. I have found prices of less than $200 for a round trip plane ticket if I buy it before March 20th. I haven't been back to Texas since I drove my Mom's car back in 1998. Her eyes were giving her problems and she didn't want to drive this huge car (1983 Chevy Caprice Classic). It gets 18 to 21 mpg city and 20 to 23 mpg on the highway. Not bad for an old car.