A little background in the unlikely event there’s anyone out there who doesn’t know our vehicle story. We have a “newer” vehicle, even though it’s now 4 years and has all of 18,000 miles on it, and it has a fantastic air conditioner. It will freeze you out in a heartbeat no matter how hot it is. But, Vince doesn’t want to drive it and he hyperventilates at the thought of me driving it . . anywhere . . any time. It could have something to do with the fact that there’s residue in my car from every fast food meal I’ve enjoyed while driving for the past 10 years and 2 months in my Honda. More likely, it has to do with his fear that someone will open a door and make a ding in the Highlander, or I could run over a nail and get a flat tire. Did I mention on here about the day I wasn’t sure the sunroof was closed completely and decided to squirt a water hose up there to see if it leaked? It leaked — gallons! Vince did not find that incident amusing at all!
And, we have the Honda CRV that’s 10 years, 2 months old. My plan was to drive it til it has 150,000 miles. It only has 85,000 miles now so I’m thinking I’ll be driving it for a very long time. But, the air conditioner is just horrible. Every summer for at least the past 7 years, I’ve had the car back to the Honda dealer or to our mechanic saying “Please help me! My air conditioner isn’t working!” They always check it and they say “Your air conditioner is working fine. This car has a lot of glass. It’s very hot outside.” No joke!
When the car has been sitting in the garage, it’s not so bad but when it’s been sitting out in the hot sun with the windows up . . it takes forever to cool down!
Every time I start to go to Joplin or Kansas City or anywhere, the first thing Vince says is “You’re taking the HONDA, aren’t you?” Most of the time I do because if something spills in there, it’s not a big deal. Since I drive the Honda mostly, I’m more comfortable driving it, as long as I can keep the sweat from dripping into my eyes!
So, Vince is coming home for the weekend. The heat index is going to be about 110º. I have to pick him up at the airport in Joplin. The car will be parked in the airport parking lot, then we’re going to drop off some quilts, then we’re going to eat and who knows where else we might go . . as many stops and starts as I can legitimately make. I’ll wear capri pants, a thin shirt and sandals. Vince will have on jeans, tennis shoes, socks and probably a knit t-shirt. I’m guessing he thinks I’m driving the Highlander to pick him up. My thinking is . . after we’ve gotten in and out of that car and he’s flipped the a/c over to high and realizing it just isn’t cooling down, he might be a bit more agreeable about me driving the Highlander during the summer. Think I’m correct?
Actually, when we get to Texas I’m probably going to go ahead and trade the Honda for something. I have no idea what. If we get the land we’re wanting to get, I’ll probably get a full size pickup. If we end up in the city . . well, I’ll probably be living in a jail cell if that happens and won’t need a vehicle at all! 🙂
Chad asks me, “Mom, WHY do you want a truck?” My response: I need a truck so I can take my cow to the vet! He doesn’t believe I’ll really get a cow and I’ve yet to determine if a cow has to go to the vet but if I’m going to live in Texas with 40 or 50 acres, no matter why . . I need a pickup! More important than what I get, it needs to have a good air conditioner since it’s summer at least 12-1/2 months each year! 🙂
Sibyl says
AMEN sister, preach on. We use our a/c on average 10 1/2 to 11 months out of the year. I can have the heat on in the morning, and a/c on in the afternoon during the winter. And get you a crew cab full size pick up. I have one—yes I’m in the city, but love it. It is 10 years old, and has a whopping 30,000 miles on it. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. When I need to get something that I don’t feel comfortable putting in my Expedition, I use my truck. (er should I say my husband’s) But that’s ok. I think in all the years we have been married, we have always had a truck, really can’t ever seeing us with out one. Hope it doesn’t get that warm, but maybe the Lord is just preparing you for when you get down here.
Karla says
The heat index here in central texas is supposed to be 106 degrees, I highly recommend one of those sun shades which does help keep the car just a little cooler and oh yeah a tree with leaves if you can find one. I think going to pick up Vince in the Honda is a hoot, yep let him know how it feels after sitting in the hot sun. My dad in Springfield said it has been hot down there. Hoping when i go home in Aug it will have cooled down some.
Sherry V. says
If you have a cow I think the vet may come out to you. . . but I’m not sure.
Good luck with picking Vince up in the HONDA!! he he he
Michelle L. (Momof11) says
Large animal vets make barn calls….but a pick=up is useful for country living anyway!
Becky says
Yes, large animal vets do make barn calls. My husband is a cow vet way up in NNY near Ontario, Canada.
shirley bruner says
while in Texas….etc. you will NEED a pickup…trust me. if you want to be taken seriously in texas….get a pickup. yep….pick him up in the honda and make at least a dozen stops. perhaps he will get the hint. smart woman….i love it. LOL
Sandi P. says
Oh yeah, sometimes (just like with our kids) we just have to let them experience our reality for them to understand what we are talking about. LOL Good luck with Vince’s lesson.
Gwen says
You will definitely need a pickup if you are going to have animals on that 50 acres! The vet will make farm calls, but feed, hay and other things need to be picked up from the farm store. Most don’t deliver except really big amounts. We are on our second full size four door. I loved the first one even to travel in with the trailer. I don’t like this one at all. It is a 3/4
ton and nowhere near a comfortable to ride in. Have fun shopping!
Linda in NE says
My son has a 1-ton 4WD and you need a ladder just to get into the thing.
Kathy E. says
HAHA! I like your plotting, ummmm… THINKING on this!! Go in the Honda, and when he asks why you didn’t take the Highlander, just sweetly say, “Now Dear, you KNOW you don’t like ME driving the HIGHLANDER!!” I’m sure that will work to your advantage in this extreme heat and humidity!!
Kat in Tamale Land
Linda in NE says
Roasting Vince in the Honda might make him think differently about you driving it in the summer heat. 🙂 🙂
Pickups are hand to have. They can be aggravating too, when the battery keeps dying, even though it’s new, like ours. As for the vet and the cow, usually the vet comes to see the cow instead of the other way around……otherwise you’d have to have a stock trailer too, or a stock rack for the pickup. One thing kinda leads to another you know.
Cindy in NC says
Now that you’ve figured out how to get a new truck, what is your plan for getting Vince to agree to that Lab puppy?
Jane says
I’ve always wanted a truck. Even with just a city lot, you can always use a truck. Maybe someday. We have a Highlander, too. I picked it out, but then my hubby got it. Whatever.
Gwen says
Every farm needs a pickup, every pickup needs a dog! At least that seems to be true in Texas! Speck will try hard, just like my doxies, but the lab will really look fine in the cab or the bed!
Shirley Albertson Owens (sao) says
I hope you get your truck – and when you drive your cow to the vet, I want a picture! LOL
sao in Midlothian, VA
Carol says
Judy – it gets very, very hot in Texas. I have to tell you that I don’t miss the summers (or the other seasons) down there at all. You definitely need a vehicle with very good a/c. Also be sure to get an gun rack if you get a pick up so that you have a place to put your umbrella. 🙂
Alycia says
I totally LOVE your reasoning for getting a truck, but to take a cow to the vet you will also need a trailer…. another fun thing to purchase. You can get real fancy ones that have living quarters in the front of them – then that can be your guest house, and you don’t need as big a house 😉
And yes – Vets do make ranch calls – there is a price involved and patience. And sometimes you NEED to get that animal to the vet quicker than they can get to you ( personal experience talking here)
Michelle says
Doesn’t the vet come to the cow? I wouldn’t know — we’ve got chickens and they don’t get veterinary care.
Susan ~ Patchkat says
Our vet makes livestock home calls, but they charge, charge, charge. Many clients bring their babies to the vet instead. They have stalls, pastures and fences to contain animals that need to be watched/boarded.
Good thinking on a truck though…in a pinch it will hold much more fabric!
Seriously. It’s good to have a truck, BUT…if you make multiple stops and you’re shopping, then you have to be aware of what you can put inside the cab. Nothing like trying to shop while your mind is worried about what you’re offering up in the bed of the truck….should anyone be interested in taking.
HOT HOT HOT here. Still praying for rain and for you to find a place. Glad Vince has a few days at home!
Tracy says
Next time Chad asks why you want a pickup..just tell him “Real women drive trucks!”
Gwen says
When you get ready for animals on the farm. We can talk Longhorns. They are a ton of fun!
tammy says
if you decide to get a pick up, get a solid, basic truck. don’t get all the bells and whistles that you really don’t need. we bought a used ford f150 that had been owned by a farmer. it is the absolute best truck we could ever have gotten. no frills, not even power windows. it does have an air conditioner that cranks out the cool air – gotta love that! my hubby loves that truck to death. i drive a ford taurus and i love my car, but i would drive his truck in a heartbeat.. we are ford people, can you tell? haha.
Karen Langseth says
There is nothing wrong with chicks driving pickups……I love mine!!!
carol c says
we have a small pickup, and we NEED it, no animals as such, but we pickup stuff on freecycle, go to SAMS, and such. it is really helpful
and then tractor stuff. oh yeah, if you have any kind of acreage in TX, you need a pickup of some size, that befits your needs.
Charlotte B, TX says
I am currently driving my second truck and love it. I have a cover on the back which makes it the popular vehicle for loading up for quilt retreats….and I have room for 4 passengers.