Last night Matt and I went to test drive a car. We have been looking for something to carry a car seat for quite some time now. As we drove the clunker that sounded so good in the paper and so bad upon start-up, Matt made the comment that people selling used cars are very much like Indonesians. One of the most frustrating things we faced in Indonesia was never getting a “straight answer.” Everyone would tell you what they thought would make you happy.
“When will the cd I ordered arrive?”
“Oh, next week.” (Two months passed, it never came.)
“When will we receive our salary?”
“Tomorrow.” (Or next week)
Dealing with car sales people tends to go about the same.
“Has it ever been in an accident?”
“Just a little fender bender.” (This really means a head-on collision.)
“Is there anything wrong with the car?”
“It has a few scratches and dings.” (And the back center seat belt and one of the door handles are missing, the engine is corroded from spilled battery acid, the bumper is about to fall off, the glove compartment doesn’t close, and the list went on.)
In other news, we are doing well. Matt’s “Will work for Health Insurance” sign worked. He spends 8 hours a day making appointments for people and then making the same people pay for those appointments. We found someone to take us up on the offer to exchange service for paying for health services. We clearly got the better end of that bargain. All of the medical expenses they pay double Matt’s salary, at least.
My garden is growing big and strong. I have spinach, squash, tomatoes, and bell peppers growing in five gallon buckets on what I like to call our veranda. The baby is also growing big and strong. She likes to knead the inside of my abdomen. It’s fun to watch my stomach change shapes as she moves. We start the third trimester next week. In all the things I’m learning, the thing that stands out the most is that books on pregnancy (especially labor and delivery) do NOT make good bedtime reading. Those are some of the strangest dreams I’ve ever had.
Some people have expressed interest in seeing a picture of me now that I’m round (is it really such a novelty?). I’ll try to get Matt to post something sometime soon...maybe.
3 comments:
hi melody and matt,
i'm sorry i couldn't see you when i was in AR. when i'm back around, i will give you a call. i hope everything is well.
Heath and Andrea just bought a minivan. You should read about how mean Heath is to jerk car salesman on their blog. Mel, you'll be glad to know that my stomach is moving about as well- I'm pretty sure that I'm twice as big as I was 2 weeks ago.
cool.
also, pictures would be good.
once i thought i saw you come out of your brother's apartment, but it was really just his new roommate. what tipped me off from the distance i was at was her unpregnant self.
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