as of tuesday, we are once again a single car family. which means honey drives our single vehicle to work 30 minutes away each day. leaving the kiddos and i at home. all day long. but, we can go outside on walks so at least it's springtime. i've done this thing before... for like 8 months. i can do it again, i just would rather not. ; ) it's only been two days and i feel the gloom setting in {to put it plainly, i've been an unhappy camper}. in an effort to look on the upside, i will. because there are worse things in life than not getting to go where you want to go in the daytime. it's all about perspective, i tell you.
:: this could be an awesome opportunity to clean out every single closet and drawer in our house; we will have a really clean house.
:: i don't have to take as many showers {sorry if that sounds disgusting... my hair resembles a five year old matted mop so i like to avoid having to do it as much as possible}.
:: we will save money on gas and insurance.
:: we can go to our neighborhood pool everyday and fool everyone into thinking we've been to the bahamas. {and if you saw our pool along with the pool crowd you'd laugh really hard... there's nothing vacation-like about it. lets just say that the adult supervision rule is never enforced}.
:: get to see God provide for us just as He always has.
i'm sure i'll come up with some other benefits. here's to hoping. : )
i'm linking up with sweet Rachel ~
because when you get lemons you have to make lemonade... to find joy and to be thankful. it keeps things in perspective; i'm trying to embrace the upside.
30 {comments}:
I've been following along for awhile, but am finally de-lurking :)
We are also a one-car family and as much as that sometimes gets me down, I have found it is great for us! I can't go anywhere with the two kiddo's (other than wherever we can walk to), but it limits spending of money and allows us to really spend time together!
Hope you can continue to find the joy in a one-car situation!
I kind of wish that we HAD to be a one car family ... it would give me the excuse to do everything you listed and more! I'm all about saving money right now. :) Go you for finding the good in the midst of the not-so-good!
Hey sweet friend! That is so true m motto too when life gives you lemons make lemonade, sorry life gave you a lemon if the shape of a car this time blech...hoepefully that problem will reside soon and you will be back to traveling around town! Hey you will get to go to the neighborhood pool more, won't have to worry about loading and unloading two kids and your gonna have the cleanest house EVER!
love you
Sums
Nice thankfuls :)
I have noticed a lot of families out there are one car families. It's something I've thought about doing but since I work part time and the kids are in school, it's not possible with hubby working over the bridge at the beach. {we live in town} It's a great way to save on gas, insurance and just the over all up keep on a car!
I'll never forget one of the brief times that were a one car family...I was being all "mature" about it and rode my bike (with toddler) to meet some women from my 'then' group of friends for lunch...it was one of those places that Everybody goes to lunch. Yeah, I live in South Florida...I showed up sweaty, my hair flying all over the place...everyone was standing outside when I was looking for a place to lock up my bike. COOL!
It's okay to be bummed...
I really can't imagine being at home all day with no car. Not to be dramatic, but I think that would be REALLY hard. My hat is off to you and your effort to look for the positive. I will be thinking about you and praying for you! If anyone can make the best of it...you can! :)
there are seasons in life and hopefully this single car season will be a very short one. looks like you've got some great perspectives there so keep lookin' up. God will provide when you're least expecting it.
happy friday friend.
xo,
alely
Your attitude is amazing. We've done the one car family as well. And sometimes we're forced into it -- like when we've had to wait to have the big vehicle fixed.
I did it for many years when Hannah and Chloe were little. At first I was squirming because I wanted to be busy with all of this stuff, but as the summer wore on I began to find myself loving the quiet. We explored our neighborhood, had a super clean house, and great dinners.
I will pray for you. For provision, for outlook, for surprises, and for a content heart -- which it looks like your are cultivating right now.
Thanks for linking with me today as well, Carissa. :)
Rachel
Way to look on the upside, girl! If i lived closer, I'd drive over and we'd go to the pool together, except I would hide in the shade...and then we'd go window shopping at Pottery Barn...online of course! But then neither of our houses would be exceptionally clean. Hmm...
Jehovah Jireh! He always provides what we need.
oh that is the pits. for mom's i think getting out of the house is really important. when my kiddos were little the days i stayed in were the days i fought depression the most. if i was there i'd sweep you and those kiddos up and we'd go to a fun park or to the mall play area. anything. call a friend. i know you'll find the bright side. you have that happy spirit in ya girlie.
My husband and I have been living on one car for almost two years now. Granted, we don't have children yet, Lord willing someday we will. However, we made the decision for me to be a stay-at-home wife back in August and having one car has really made that great lifestyle change easier. My flesh hasn't really enjoyed having one car at all, but God has been faithful in changing my perspective. I get to spend a lot more time like you said cleaning and organizing our home, I get to give preference to my husband most days and choose to joyfully allow him to use our car, I get to invite women over to my house more during the day to hang out with me, and we're saving money. :) Keep trusting the Lord and one way or another He will provide, whether it is with another car or another perspective.
what a great challenge to take on! and that's great there are things to do still while car-less... our town isn't big enough to do that and we have to drive 30 hwy minutes to the nearest pool!
He will ALWAYS provide. Great post today and got me thinking :)
Weve been a one car family for a couple years now. It is so hard sometimes but I defintely think its worth it for us. It allows me to stay home with my babies. If we had two cars, there is no way I could do it. I hope you continue to see the good in it!! Have a great weekend!
Yeah for you to be positive and find good things about your situation. That's often times the hardest part but the most important step to getting out of the grumps. Here's hoping you reap all the possible rewards of your life right now :)
One more great thing: you can try out new recipes on rainy days. :)
~bree
http://graphicsbybree.blogspot.com
Your perspective on everything always lifts my spirits:-) You are amazing you know!!! Super clean house and a tan sounds like a great way to banish the depression that comes from being "trapped" at home! Happy Friday!!!
I had to do that for 7 months--it was brutal sometimes, especially in the beginning but then we got used to it and it became less of a big deal.
Funny thing is now that I have my car back, we still stay home everyday and rarely use it. We got used to being mellow and hanging out at home, and found that we love it and no longer crave going somewhere everyday!
Finding things to do at home and being content with it is a gift--still choosing to do that when you get your car back--especially when it's my homeschoolers that beg me to stay home because they love being there--is an even bigger gift----the Lord always sends blessings in struggles, but often times I find they are in disguise making it so that you can't see it unless you purposely look for it.
So glad you're already looking! I'll pray that He lifts your spirits and blesses you tremendously in this challenge.
Hugs to you ; )
Bless your heart! Way to be positive, even though it's not easy to be that way all the time. God will most surely provide for you and your family and you will be better for it!
BTW-totally not judging you on the fewer shower comment...if I knew I wasn't going "out" I would do the same!
I can imagine how frustrating and challenging this is, but once again, you inspire me in your faith and belief that the Lord is up to teaching you something :)
I emailed you regarding the Love Dare by the way!
Oh the things that are thrown our way! Praying God provides exactly what you need at exactly the right time...your faith will carry you through the tough days. What precious lessons you continue to teach those sweet kiddos, though. The "stuff" isn't necessary. Our society draws us in like crazy to what we "need" when they really are just "wants/desires" of the flesh. Thank you for putting things into perspective for me once again!
Happy weekend!
Doing the right thing can be so hard at times. We've been there with one car and being at home with two kids alone. There is so much growth out of sacrifice...you can do it...God will help.
Ohh I love your positive attitude.. I'm sure it's a little difficult but I knowwwww yall can do it- God will provide!! I love the idea of playing outside more and running around the pool... Praying for yall!!
HI! Came across your blog and definitely been enjoying reading it.
Sorry to hear about going down to 1 car. I know it can't be easy! Hope things get easier as you get adapted to it. :)
whew! definitely a challenge! as of may 20, i too will be a stay-at-home mom, and our summer will also be full of stay-at-home days. i've experienced how challenging this is, so i'll pray for you! thanks for the example of joy you set. :)
wow, one car. that's gotta be hard, but you're strong. you'll stick with it. :)
Ugh, that's a toughie for sure! We're such a mobile society and I know this is a huge sacrifice for you. But, what an inspiring attitude you have and the Lord knows you are human and He understands your disappointment. I pray it will not be for long. Hugs to you!
I hope you find this time a sweet blessing - we've had times with just one car too and it gives a certain measure of peace and quietness that you can't have when you have plans for appointments, etc.
Like HSB said above, thanks for the example of joy you set, Carissa -- I couldn't have said it better myself!
Love your outlook :)
It is definitely so easy to focus on what we don't have instead of being thankful for what we do have. There is likely someone who would easily trade us the thing we don't have for something we do have that we take for granted. Such a good reminder to be thankful for the things God has blessed us with.
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