When Having a Cell Phone Would Have been Beneficial

I'm house hunting for my sister.

Yesterday I took my children to see a couple of houses. It was about a 30 minute drive, driving to an area I'm not too familiar with. The directions the guy gave me were flawless. I drove straight to the first house.

And immediately wanted to roll up my windows, lock my doors, and run for my life.

Not the safest part of town folks.

A neighbor lady showed me the place. The house itself-not so bad. I could live there. It was just the neighborhood. It was a lil sketchy.

So, I drive on to the next house on the other side of town. Which actually put me in a different town altogether...

I check out the place. It's nice, she'll probably live there. But as I'm leaving...

I can tell the clutch is about to go out on my car. It just felt a wee bit funny. So, I dug into the reserves of all the things my husband has taught me in 12 years and one of those is how to drive a stick shift without your clutch.

He's pretty cool, I tell you.

And I felt that way, too, after driving around Yakima with no clutch.

I found a payphone, which I tell you are almost extinct in this cell phone day and age. Mind you, it's about 97 degrees outside and I have two small (needy) children. Both of whom are hungry, thirsty, sleepy and crabby...oh, and crying.

I put in my three quarters, yes, three!!! I remember when it was 25 cents to call someone who cared. For seventy-five cents they better care when I call!

The blasted thing ate my money.

I remembered I have a calling card. So, I used it to call Josh. Poor guy was quite worried about me. I felt bad for burdening him with my troubles but I just wanted to know that the car would make it home. He said, "it should." That was comforting.

Across the street from me was a car lot and a cell phone store.

I seriously considered going to both places.

I didn't.

After several rounds of pay phones, trying to reach that girl who I'm house hunting for, I gave up and headed home. I asked the Lord to just puhlease get us home.

He did. And I think He fixed my car while He was at it, because the clutch seems to be working just fine today.

And sister of mine, you know I love you. I only wanted to wring your neck for a little bit. :)