"Our House...In the Middle of Our Street..."

My husband was in a car wreck on Thursday...No...He wasn't hurt...But needless to say, our beater, piece of crap car (owned out-right, thank you!) was folded like a fortune cookie! Since my husband commutes to work everyday, which is an hour away, and since he leaves at 8am and doesn't get home much before 7pm, and since my children have lessons and other things that keep a mother employed as a taxi driver, and the fact that I don't do well with confinement, we decided we needed to get a replacement.

Well...this is all fine and dandy...and my husband is giddy as a teenager in his new 2004 Toyota Camry, in which we got a SLAMMING deal...BUT...this is what it REALLY means:

Cons:
1) I am stuck in my own private hell of a van for my mortal life.
2) A monthly car payment.
3) We might have to wait a little longer to build a house. (We want to have all our ducks/finances in a row so it will be an exciting next step, instead of having panic attacks about a hasty decision which leaves us penniless!)
4) We will have to stay in our house, in the middle of our street, a little longer.

Pros:
1) I still have a car, and my freedom.
2) New pair of shoes...Lime-green, slip-on "Pr!vos"...Hey...my husband got a CAR!!
3) I will be able to make sure I have thought of everything for the new house...Even though I'm pretty sure I have a good grip on exactly what I want...
4) We will have to stay in "Our House, in the Middle of Our Street..."

"Father wears his Sunday best
Mother's tired she needs a rest
The kids are playing up downstairs
Sister's sighing in her sleep
Brother's got a date to keep
He can't hang around

Our house it has a crowd
There's always something happening
And it's usually quite loud
Our mum, she's so house-proud
Nothing ever slows her down
And a mess is not allowed

Father gets up late for work
Mother has to iron his shirt
Then she sends the kids to school
Sees them off with a small kiss
She's the one they're going to miss
In lots of ways

I remember way back then when everything was true and when
We would have such a very good time
Such a fine time, such a happy time
And I remember how we'd play, simply waste the day away
Then we'd say nothing would come
Between us two dreamers

Father wears his Sunday best
Mother's tired she needs a rest
The kids are playing up downstairs
Sister's sighing in her sleep
Brother's got a date to keep, he can't hang around

Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, in the middle of our
Our house, was our castle and our keep
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, that was where we used to sleep
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house....


(Madness, "Our House," 1983)

There...I feel much better. ;)