The new year has not brought with it all that I’d hoped it would.  I still believe that this year will be when life will finally settle down, but the last few weeks have been pretty crazy.

With having been laid off last summer and with jobs being in short supply my best friend and I have both been faced with some hard financial decisions.  To help cut costs she moved into my house with her son.  At the beginning of the year his car died so they’ve been sharing her vehicle. Recent events just show that when you think things can’t get worse they do.

Last week we had a storm that brought to our area nearly 2 feet of snow overnight.  After helping me dig out the driveway at home her son headed up the mountain to take care of the snow at his grandmother’s house where snow totals were even higher.  On his way there the smell of burning plastic started coming in through the heater vents.  He pulled over and shut it off.  He went to check the engine and was greeted by flames when he opened the hood.  The incident occurred near a huge field and one house.  Luckily the residents of the house were home and were kind enough to call 911 and provide him shelter while the car was being dealt with.

All her son could do was look on, helplessly, whilst the fire department handled the fire.  They did not even approach the vehicle at first as they weren’t sure if it was going to explode.  I arrived at the scene nearly a half hour after it’d started and it burned for another hour and a half.  The fire burned so violently that the inspector believes it was the gas main that went.  It was completely gutted.  The car was less than five years old.  With companies cutting back - how safe are the products they’re putting out?

Now my friend is left with no home, no job, and now no car.  Without a job she can’t get a car loan.  Having just lost her home she doesn’t have home owner’s insurance and therefor none of their possessions from the vehicle will be covered.  As they say - the important thing is that no one was hurt.

I REALLY look forward to things turning around for myself and those I love.  They also say when life gives you lemons you should make lemonade.  We have about 12 gallons now…anyone wanna buy some?