In my last post, I had mentioned we've had some "interesting" trials lately, and well, when I think it couldn't get much worse, it does. If you continue, you might think of this as an "airing your dirty laundry" or "Negative Nancy" post, so beware.
It all began with the wheels...back in July we cracked two wheels on the truck on our trip from Seattle, to Salt Lake, to Great Falls and back. Two wheels, which were only a year old and which had brand new tires on them. Now mind you, wheels and tires on a Ford F-350 are not cheap. Cost was around $2,000. We had two very stressful breakdowns (one in the middle of nowhere Montana with no cell service). However, BOTH times we were very fortunate to have two very nice people help us. We ended up gimping home on two spare tires and officially had the road trip from Hell. The wheels were under warranty, but the manufacturer was trying to tell us it was because our camper we were carrying was too heavy and there was nothing they were going to do for us. After a drawn out ordeal (almost 2-month long ordeal), they finally agree to give us a credit for 4 new wheels, but we are now out two tires, because when the wheels cracked, it blew out the tires. AND you'd think we'd just be able to purchase the two exact same tires, but nope, because they are now discontinued, so we have to buy 4 new tires...AGAIN. This is all following the fact that Keith had very reduced hours for 3 weeks in July, because there was a lull between projects at work.
Now upon returning home from this trip, we find a letter in the mail from our neighbor's lawyer stating that we do not have legal easement down the road we are currently using to access our house, and we have until August 10 to "cease and desist use of this road at which point it will be blocked by a locked, cabled barrier," or pay him $20,000 to purchase the easement. Apparently the developed road that leads to our house is not our legal easement. We do have a legal easement, but this neighbor's house is SITTING ON IT. What an idiot. So, after consulting with a couple of lawyers, we are within every right to sue him, the people we bought the house from (because they knew about it), and possibly the county and title company, but guess how much it costs to sue? Upwards of $20,000. Let me just wip that out of my back pocket. So, as of yesterday, we are going to try to negotiate something with this guy, but it's costing us an initial retainer of $2,500 and will be more depending on how far this goes. So much for good relations with the neighbors. In the meantime, I am driving across his front lawn to get in and out of my house. Convenient, huh?
ALSO, on our last camping trip, we had to take the Durango with a trailer to haul our stuff, since the truck didn't have the new wheels/tires yet and wasn't safe to take. About 30 minutes into the trip as we were coming up over a (small) mountain pass, the engine dies. We pull over, it starts up again, but now has a HORRIBLE knocking sound. We turn around, go home, kids are bawling, because they're so disappointed, I'm bawling because I just spent my whole week getting ready for the trip and packing and also because I can't believe we are having this much bad luck. After talking to my dad (who was already at the campground in E. Washington), we decide to get up early the next morning and just take the truck, bald, spare tires and all. Now, this all happens literally a few days before we decided to sell the Durango, because Keith is losing his work van and we have to buy a commuter car. Since the Durango is paid for, we thought we'd just sell it for around $9,000 and pay cash for a commuter. Guess how much it's worth now? The dealership told me they'd give me $2,500 trade-in for it, because according to their mechanics it needs a whole new engine to the tune of $5,000 (mind you the car is 8 years old, but it only had 80,000 miles on it). Lovely.
Now, just when you think it can't get worse, it does. On this same camping trip, Keith blew out his knee while wakeboarding. He's been doing this for 15 years and has never had an injury. He can't walk, can't put weight on it, so we take him to the E.R. in Grand Coulee (so glad we went there instead of Spokane. We were quick in and out - it was tiny hospital...quickest E.R. visit I've ever had). Thanks to my brother-in-law Donavon who is a medic in the army who drove the "ambulance" there. :) The good news was, the doctor didn't think anything was torn, that it was probably just a bad sprain. However, he is going to need a Dr.'s release to go back to work (down side of not having a "desk job"). Luckily, he only ended up missing 1 day of work, and the doctor at home said the same thing - bad sprain, but gave him a release to go back to work. He was in a huge amount of pain, and had we not just had the above-mention happen, he probably could've stayed home for a week to convalesce (no sick leave in the union, just a lump sum of money they give you to do whatever you want with). It is still a bit swollen and painful for him, but he seems to be on the mend.
It all began with the wheels...back in July we cracked two wheels on the truck on our trip from Seattle, to Salt Lake, to Great Falls and back. Two wheels, which were only a year old and which had brand new tires on them. Now mind you, wheels and tires on a Ford F-350 are not cheap. Cost was around $2,000. We had two very stressful breakdowns (one in the middle of nowhere Montana with no cell service). However, BOTH times we were very fortunate to have two very nice people help us. We ended up gimping home on two spare tires and officially had the road trip from Hell. The wheels were under warranty, but the manufacturer was trying to tell us it was because our camper we were carrying was too heavy and there was nothing they were going to do for us. After a drawn out ordeal (almost 2-month long ordeal), they finally agree to give us a credit for 4 new wheels, but we are now out two tires, because when the wheels cracked, it blew out the tires. AND you'd think we'd just be able to purchase the two exact same tires, but nope, because they are now discontinued, so we have to buy 4 new tires...AGAIN. This is all following the fact that Keith had very reduced hours for 3 weeks in July, because there was a lull between projects at work.
Now upon returning home from this trip, we find a letter in the mail from our neighbor's lawyer stating that we do not have legal easement down the road we are currently using to access our house, and we have until August 10 to "cease and desist use of this road at which point it will be blocked by a locked, cabled barrier," or pay him $20,000 to purchase the easement. Apparently the developed road that leads to our house is not our legal easement. We do have a legal easement, but this neighbor's house is SITTING ON IT. What an idiot. So, after consulting with a couple of lawyers, we are within every right to sue him, the people we bought the house from (because they knew about it), and possibly the county and title company, but guess how much it costs to sue? Upwards of $20,000. Let me just wip that out of my back pocket. So, as of yesterday, we are going to try to negotiate something with this guy, but it's costing us an initial retainer of $2,500 and will be more depending on how far this goes. So much for good relations with the neighbors. In the meantime, I am driving across his front lawn to get in and out of my house. Convenient, huh?
ALSO, on our last camping trip, we had to take the Durango with a trailer to haul our stuff, since the truck didn't have the new wheels/tires yet and wasn't safe to take. About 30 minutes into the trip as we were coming up over a (small) mountain pass, the engine dies. We pull over, it starts up again, but now has a HORRIBLE knocking sound. We turn around, go home, kids are bawling, because they're so disappointed, I'm bawling because I just spent my whole week getting ready for the trip and packing and also because I can't believe we are having this much bad luck. After talking to my dad (who was already at the campground in E. Washington), we decide to get up early the next morning and just take the truck, bald, spare tires and all. Now, this all happens literally a few days before we decided to sell the Durango, because Keith is losing his work van and we have to buy a commuter car. Since the Durango is paid for, we thought we'd just sell it for around $9,000 and pay cash for a commuter. Guess how much it's worth now? The dealership told me they'd give me $2,500 trade-in for it, because according to their mechanics it needs a whole new engine to the tune of $5,000 (mind you the car is 8 years old, but it only had 80,000 miles on it). Lovely.
Now, just when you think it can't get worse, it does. On this same camping trip, Keith blew out his knee while wakeboarding. He's been doing this for 15 years and has never had an injury. He can't walk, can't put weight on it, so we take him to the E.R. in Grand Coulee (so glad we went there instead of Spokane. We were quick in and out - it was tiny hospital...quickest E.R. visit I've ever had). Thanks to my brother-in-law Donavon who is a medic in the army who drove the "ambulance" there. :) The good news was, the doctor didn't think anything was torn, that it was probably just a bad sprain. However, he is going to need a Dr.'s release to go back to work (down side of not having a "desk job"). Luckily, he only ended up missing 1 day of work, and the doctor at home said the same thing - bad sprain, but gave him a release to go back to work. He was in a huge amount of pain, and had we not just had the above-mention happen, he probably could've stayed home for a week to convalesce (no sick leave in the union, just a lump sum of money they give you to do whatever you want with). It is still a bit swollen and painful for him, but he seems to be on the mend.
These days are over. He'd better just stick to fishing. He's officially an old man.
So, by now you're thinking that's got to be it. Nope. No, just kidding, that's it...I think. Just the fact that the Durango still isn't fixed and I'm way stressed about this road thing, but the good thing is MacMiller is letting him keep his van until the end of the year, so that buys us a little time. In the meantime, I'm driving around the big beastly truck.
Ahhh...so, I've had my moments, but I'm really trying to have faith that everything will work out and Heavenly Father will watch out for us. I keep thinking, well, it could always be worse. What doesn't kill you, just makes you stronger, right? I also tell myself, it's all just money. I have visions of me being the 80 year old lady working the checkout at Walmart. Heaven help me. I hope at least one of my kids will strike it rich and they can take care of me! LOL!! Trying to have a sense of humor here. So, if you're wanting to send a few extra prayers this way, it would be appreciated! Promise the next post will be more fun - like Austin's baptism, cute pictures of kiddos on their first day of school, and a couple of yummy new recipes I've been wanting to share.
4 comments:
Oh gosh. You guys really have had a rough go the last few months. So sorry to hear. Hopefully things will get better soon and you'll have lots of blessings coming your way. We'll definitely keep you in our thoughts and prayers...
Blah, seriously I dont know anyone who has had more bad luck all in a row then you guys. I've been praying it STOPS and things start looking up soon! It gets old huh?
When it rains it pours huh?! Just know that you're not alone with bad luck! I can relate because right now we're having our fair share of financial "blessings" too. Life is so full of ups and downs. Maybe you're especially being tested right now because wonderful blessings are later in store for your family. :)
oh man! wow that is a lot of horrible things.. that easement thing is awful! his house is on your easement? CRAZY! I thought it was 2 flat tires, but 2 cracked wheels? that is horrible, too bad they don't pay for the tires as well!
and the knee! Ihope that is better. sorry to not be a better friend to you- while all this lovely stuff is going on... I am just in my own world!
your kids are so darn cute, great pictures.. and the recipes sound yummy... the soup sounds awesome!
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