WRECK 'EM. $816. TRAINS & an HOV LANE.

Well, it has been awhile so I will update!

First I would like to say, THANKS AND WRECK 'EM!!! MY GOSH was that an amazing game! When asked if Aaron was excited about the win... he says "I was really excited, but I had to keep the wife from having a heart attack." Seriously, that is how I was Saturday night. I would jump up and down and say "That's how we do it," or when Texas scored their last touchdown I threw the pillow into the ground and stormed off to put the wet clothes in the dryer. Needless to say, I am a very passionate Red Raider.

The Fry life has been CRAZY lately! Last week, Aaron and I didn't eat dinner until 11:30 p.m. That is really really REALLY late. But, between my school, his work, and us only having one car... that's what happens. Aaron doesn't usually get off work until I get done with school because I take him to and from work.

Speaking of only having one car, the check engine light came on. I took it today to have it diagnosed, and after the guy tells me what's wrong with it he says "Did I tell you how much the diagnostic is?" Uh no you sure didn't. Then he tells me that it is $89.95, but if we go ahead and get our car fixed today he won't charge us for that-- just the repairs. I then ask "how much are the repairs?" Well, then he proceeds to tell me what is wrong with the car, and I am not going to lie I couldn't regergitate it if my life depended on it, and that it will be $816 + tax. My eyes just filled up right then and there. I called Aaron and let him talk to the guy, and then with my skills, I worked out a "deal" with the guy. Their theory is "if you get your car fixed today then we won't charge you the diagnostic fee," but even if you decide you do want to get the car fixed there, but it is tomorrow-- you have to pay the fee. You basically have to get it fixed right then and there. Well, we couldn't technically get it fixed today because he had to order the parts. So I asked him if since we couldn't get the car fixed today could we just pay for the parts and pay the 50% LABOR after they actually fix the car, and them still not charge the diagnostic fee even though we wouldn't pay the other half for a couple of days. He thought about it, looked into my tear filled eyes and said "Yeah ok I will work with yall." The price still isn't any better, but atleast we don't have to pay it all in one payment. *I would also like to point out my tears were completely real and unstoppable. I didn't use them to get a deal I truly could not stop them from welling up and falling from my eyes.

I am sure I know what you, the reader, are thinking "If you have only one car... what about getting another one." GOOD QUESTION! But, quite frankly it scares the living daylights out of Aaron and I because we have never made a purchase like that in our lives. I know, it is just like ripping a bandaid off... we just have to do it-- I'll keep you updated.

So I will leave you with this story. Last Wednesday I had a huge meeting. It was a meeting that I have worked all semester towards. It was called "UH Media Homecoming." We had different media speakers that graduated from the University of Houston come speak to the organization I am the president of. The speakers were on a panel and I, the moderator, asked them questions. Well the meeting started at 5:30. 4:50 I get a phone call and the person says "We forgot to get ice." I thought no big deal I will just run to the Kroger down the street I have about 30 minutes. As I am pulling out of the Kroger at 5:00 I noticed the train tracks arm start coming down. Still, at this point I am thinking "No big deal." Well, at 5:25 the train stops, and here comes another train! Mind you, I am surrounded by other cars and a concrete median... I wasn't goin' anywhere unless everyone behind me backed up. So the guy in front me got everyone to do just that. He tells me what he is doing and in the process asks me where I need to go... I said UH (just on the other side of the tracks) he says "Oh ok follow me and I can get you there." So I did. He steers me to the HOV lane of I45 going South-- TOWARDS GALVESTON. (Once we got to this point it was all one way and we couldn't turn around after he realized he had made a mistake) For those of you who are unfamiliar with an HOV lane, once you get on there are very very limited exits AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE TWO or MORE PEOPLE! (I did not) It was also about 5:45.

I was so upset with God at this point, not going to lie I told him that I didn't want to talk to him for awhile. (awhile meaning a couple of hours to maybe a week.) I was so frustrated I just kept thinking "WHY ME?" "I have worked so hard for this meeting, it can't start without me because I have all the information and I am the one to ask the questions!" WHY ME!?!!?!"

It is 6:00, and as I take my exit for school I look to my right and notice that the train is still there. It hadn't moved since 5:30. If it hadn't been for the guy to steer me in the wrong direction... I would have still been sitting on the other side of the stopped train.

All that to say, all I needed was a litle faith. Not in the guy that was steering me "the wrong way" but just that God was in control. So maybe the next time something happens and I ask "WHY ME?!" I feel God is saying "Lauren Michele Fry, why not you? Just have faith in ME."

Hope everyone had a great Monday!!!

LAUREN