#Jeeplove

I have a Jeep. I LOVE my Jeep! She has taken me everywhere I've wanted to go; around San Diego, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Sunset Blvd, Red Sox games, and finally Salt Lake City. Sheila is her name, 8 cylinders, silver colored, tan leather interior, heated seats, and an awesome stereo is what she is made up of. I bought her in 2008. How I acquired her was a bit of luck and maybe some fate. She was born in 2002, her previous owner, it seems bit off a little more than they could chew financially. But who wouldn't want a car that has that reputation of quality? ( I've heard some people talk bad of Jeep, but until you own one, it's hard to understand the love) So, at the 15,000 mile mark ( maybe a little under, as we need to account for driving her from place to place possibly) that owner wasn't able to keep her. Sheila was repossessed. She traveled from repo lot, to auction, to auction, to finally the lot I came across her at. She had only been there for 1 day prior to us seeing her. I had been without a car for approximately a year (that is another story, for another time). I was working as a pharmacy technician at Mercy Hospital, crazy hours, long days of work, multiple pay periods without a break. During that time of riding the bus, I learned to appreciate the basics of owning and driving a car, regardless of what it was. And at some points, grateful for not having to pay $5 a gallon in gas.Once we acquired her and settled into the responsibilities of owning one again, off we went on exploring the world! First big trip-Las Vegas. Of course, right? My boyfriend and I wanted to get married, but at the time it was probably a hasty move. We went through the steps but choked on the last legal part of making it official. I suppose some inner part of ourselves knew it wasn't the right time (the right time, it turned out was 3 years later). We then drove to Malibu to watch his sister take her vows. Fast forward many years later, San Diego was becoming to expensive for us and all signs were pointing to time to leave. But where to go? How do you start a life all over again in your early 40's? Well, that my friend, takes some research. What do you want to do, where is it the most profitable, and cost of living friendly. This isn't a easy decision. I looked into many places and our final decision was Salt Lake City. So here we are! Sheila had been getting the usual wear and tear issues and I was really wondering if she could handle to 700 mile drive. But with a lot of prayers and blind trust off we drove. And made it! Not without the usual challenges and worries that come with going into a future that is unknown. I'm sad to report ( although not totally surprised) Sheila got sick, major sick; a broke timing chain. It's only a $300 part I've learned, but $1500 in labor to change that part. Decisions, decisions. My heart says "keep her, save and repair" but my wallet says "well that can't happen in the near future" (I'm currently unemployed). So!There are many little steps I need to take for her to get back up and running. I am willing to do them, but I am a little lost in where the funds can come from at the moment. For now, I will save a nickle here and a dollar there and see where that leads. I guess if you have a car you really love, it feels like a child of sorts, you want to do all you can until you can't do anymore, and for her I think I can do a little more, I just need to give the universe some time to put things into place to get the ball rolling. With much perserverance and savings when I am able to, she can be back home by summer of '16. At least that is my ideal. Thank you for spending some time with me learning about my experience with her. Have a great weekend, and talk to you soon!