Our Luck Has Finally Ran Out
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
November 20, 2012 12:45pm CST
I wish I was one of those people that's lucky all the time. You know the type..they're never short of money and sail through life without any hassles at all.
Not so with us two.
Yes, John has his new promotion and he seems to be enjoying the extra responsibility BUT his car is playing up now.
If you remember, his Dad bought him a Ford Focus a few months ago for £500. It's from 1999 so not as old as his previous Honda that went for scrap.
Now, John is quite an aggressive driver. He doesn't mess about but I'm always conscious of the fact he 'gives it some welly' when he's driving although he IS safe and never puts himself or us in danger.
Having said that, the heating system has packed up in the car and this, in turn, is affecting the car's performance. Basically, some pump or other will need replacing and when John drove the car home from work he 'only just managed to get it home.'
So, tomorrow he will have to commute by train to work and he will take the car (after work) to his Dad's to take a look at as it's due its MOT in a few days' time.
Why can't we go a few months without anything going wrong? It's so frustrating.
2 people like this
12 responses
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
20 Nov 12
I know the feeling. Things always hit when things are finally going well...
Last year we were living with family, which was not good but my husband was working, we were saving money and about to get out on our own again. THEN, my husband calls me to tell me his hand was cut to shreds on a saw! He has been out of work since last December, had to have surgery from this injury and just finally is back to work as of last week.
I am never surprised when something hits anymore, I am pretty used to it although I don't like it. I am just hoping things go well for us until after Christmas so my kids have a good Holiday!
We are definitely not lucky like some people I know!
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
20 Nov 12
Oh, I feel so sorry for your husband, what a terrible thing to happen at the WRONG time as well. It's always the case isn't it?
I'm sure your Christmas will be awesome though. Why? 'Cos Janey says so, that's why!
@marguicha (223776)
• Chile
21 Nov 12
I guess we all feel this way, Janey, and many of us have bigger problems than that. But it is also true that we always think that our misfortunes are more than what we can bear
. I have discovered with age and after having money problems but also other losses, that money is not that important, unless you don`t have enough to eat and have a shelter. As I said once to a friend that called himself poor: we cannot say we are poor if we have enough money to have running water, gas and electricity and, as an excess, the posibility of getting in the web. We eat well and have clothes to keep us away from cold. Everyone of us here is lucky. We are all able to read and write which is a lot more and what several million of human beings have. Aren`t we lucky?
. I have discovered with age and after having money problems but also other losses, that money is not that important, unless you don`t have enough to eat and have a shelter. As I said once to a friend that called himself poor: we cannot say we are poor if we have enough money to have running water, gas and electricity and, as an excess, the posibility of getting in the web. We eat well and have clothes to keep us away from cold. Everyone of us here is lucky. We are all able to read and write which is a lot more and what several million of human beings have. Aren`t we lucky?@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
21 Nov 12
Thanks for putting things into perspective..in a nice way, which I appreciate.
I do feel bad about feeling bad (if that makes sense) but my husband tries so hard and would probably win 'Employee of the month' every month, if there was such a thing. His dedication and loyalty know no bounds and I just feel he's not being appreciated for his efforts. I agree we are a LOT better off than millions of people around the world but I still can't help having a bit of a moan lol.
I do feel bad about feeling bad (if that makes sense) but my husband tries so hard and would probably win 'Employee of the month' every month, if there was such a thing. His dedication and loyalty know no bounds and I just feel he's not being appreciated for his efforts. I agree we are a LOT better off than millions of people around the world but I still can't help having a bit of a moan lol.@marguicha (223776)
• Chile
21 Nov 12
We all tend to feel bad for our own small problems. I suppose that we could not bear it if we were capable of thinking all the time about the world`s problems. And I think that I have more perspective because I`m older. I remember how I nagged my husband because he left his shoes under the dining room table. And I missed so much those shoes when he was not there anymoreDo count your blessings, dear. I have read your posts and you have a handful
Do count your blessings, dear. I have read your posts and you have a handful
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
21 Nov 12
I don't know if praying will do the trick my friend..nice thought though.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
21 Nov 12
I think that rather than view it all as disaster, think about the positives in your life. You have your basic needs covered, a man who loves you and - at least on your side - a loving family. A car is so much tin and whilst obviously commuting by train is more inconvenient and probably more expensive at least John has a job to go to. Something will come up and you'll get straight again. I believe that we make our own luck to some extent and as one door closes another opens so they say. In the meantime come and rant here.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
21 Nov 12
Thanks for that lol.
You're right though, I do have more than a lot of people and I should be grateful. John is incredibly hard-working too..always has been, even when I was in work myself.
Hopefully, by the time he gets back home on the train (his Dad took him this morning in his Jag lol) the car will be fixed. I know it's not something drastic but these things always lead to something bigger in the end...but I try not to think about that.
I do think that the training courses that John has been earmarked for will probably be in Carlisle as that's where H&H HQ happens to be, so that will save on petrol for a start.
Oh, by the way, he does have ONE perk. He joined Reeds 4 years ago (now part of the H&H Group of course) and, because of this he's due a Christmas Bonus. No idea how much but you'd think they'd sort out their hourly rate instead of chucking bonuses at them as they're taxed and insured as well.
They don't know their ar*e from their elbow lol.
You're right though, I do have more than a lot of people and I should be grateful. John is incredibly hard-working too..always has been, even when I was in work myself.
Hopefully, by the time he gets back home on the train (his Dad took him this morning in his Jag lol) the car will be fixed. I know it's not something drastic but these things always lead to something bigger in the end...but I try not to think about that.
I do think that the training courses that John has been earmarked for will probably be in Carlisle as that's where H&H HQ happens to be, so that will save on petrol for a start.
Oh, by the way, he does have ONE perk. He joined Reeds 4 years ago (now part of the H&H Group of course) and, because of this he's due a Christmas Bonus. No idea how much but you'd think they'd sort out their hourly rate instead of chucking bonuses at them as they're taxed and insured as well.
They don't know their ar*e from their elbow lol.
@Youreyes4Today (2356)
• United States
20 Nov 12
Try and see how things might be hard to deal with, still there is an income, there is work. You are still able to do your projects you have been working on. You are luckier than you think.
So this with the car, it might be happening purposely because there is another path you all need to take.
You have a home, you have meals you prepare everyday, you have clothing that you can change in. You have many blessings that you need to step back and look at.
There is many not as blessed all around the world..
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
21 Nov 12
Oh, I know that. People worse off than us. I realise that and do feel sorry for them (even though pity gets us nowhere) but we do have lots of bad luck. It's like we're a bit lucky for a short time then BOOM! something happens to bring us right back down again. Why? We don't hurt anybody. We're kind-hearted..so why do we feel like we're being punished for being us?
Oh well, at least his Dad will drive him to work in his Jag tomorrow..probably telling him how reliable it is all the way there.
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
20 Nov 12
I guess it's time for you to buy a new car. The promotion could be the substitute for your car. You can just save up for a new one. I don't think there are truly any lucky people in the world. Those people you're seeing, they only seem lucky but they also have their mishaps, too. Even rich people are unlucky in some way. They're only lucky with money, but in other aspects of life, I'm sure they're also wishing what you're wishing.
The promotion could be the substitute for your car. You can just save up for a new one. I don't think there are truly any lucky people in the world. Those people you're seeing, they only seem lucky but they also have their mishaps, too. Even rich people are unlucky in some way. They're only lucky with money, but in other aspects of life, I'm sure they're also wishing what you're wishing.@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
21 Nov 12
D'you know, you're probably right my friend. Money can't buy happiness and I'm sure there are MANY rich people without friends as they probably think that all of them are after their money.
Surely not!
@ElicBxn (63643)
• United States
21 Nov 12
A little research shows that your Focus is in the first generation of the car. Now, that can be a good thing, or a bad thing...
Since its a Ford, I suspect it isn't the greatest thing...
Of course, since it is a later model it is probably better than if it were an earlier Ford, some of the '80's models weren't worth the paint it took to paint them.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
21 Nov 12
Over here I believe Ford Focus owners loved the older models compared with the newer ones. Not sure why but there you go.
I just know John is going to wreck this car. It can't be helped but I'm hoping the in-laws will actually clean the interior when it's up there in a few hours' time as I feel I do enough cleaning in the house. Don't see why I should clean the car as well.
@inertia4 (27960)
• United States
23 Nov 12
Isn't that the way it always is though? When it rains it pours. I have noticed that when one thing goes wrong other things follow not long after. I had some battle with my car, although it was not my fault. I needed an alternator, I had it replaced three times. I was charged twice for it. Come to find out the alternators the mechanic put in were all faulty. So he did not charge me for the last one. And I can tell you this, even though the Focus is an awesome little car, the air filter is over 400 dollars to replace between parts and labor.
@changjiangzhibin89 (16788)
• China
24 Nov 12
"A new broom sweeps clean".John now gets tremendous drive,so he often drives at full speed.You can't refer it to luck that John's car has broken down.The car itself is second-hand one.It is time it plays up.
@Orson_Kart (6842)
• United Kingdom
21 Nov 12
Your hubby's not called Victor Meldrew, is he?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj2CPMqhPiE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj2CPMqhPiE
@francesca5 (1344)
•
20 Nov 12
you have had a few things go right, you are feeling healthier, your fireplace looks lovely, john got the promotion, and you never know john's dad may be able to fix the car, though that would mean you would have to be grateful to him, which would be a bit of bad luck.
wait and see what happen's about the car, and you never know there may be a silver lining in this cloud.
and at least john can get to work by train.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
21 Nov 12
Apparently, John rang his Dad when he was out playing billiards and he's going to take the car round for his Dad and his grandson to take a look at, then his Dad will drive John to work in his Jag, so at least he will be travelling in comfort.
He will catch the train coming home. So, I guess the Jag journey is the 'silver lining' you mentioned.
