New Outlook

Yesterday, I was forced to give up my dying little Saturn sedan. We have been together for eleven years. I had it paid off even before I met Steve. I can certainly say that we had a long relationship with very few issues. On Monday, it just started shutting off while I was driving. I coasted to the side & started it right back up, but I had a feeling this was an indication of much bigger problems. We took it to the shop that night and were told that the cost to repair it was going to be over $1,000, which is more than the little car is worth. We decided that it was time to shop for a Saturn Outlook, something we were planning to do this coming summer. Don’t worry about my poor little car; I sold it to the mechanic who was very excited because his family only has one car. It makes me feel better knowing that it is going to a good home.

We went to two Saturn dealerships yesterday and found exactly what we were looking for at the second one, well minus a dvd player. They are going to put one in for us though. Since I plan to keep this vehicle FOREVER too, it feels like I am starting a new phase of life. I am excited that we have a vehicle that we actually fit comfortably in, and that it will be more difficult for the kids to fight because they can’t reach each other, and that we can actually go on a driving vacation if we want to. Today, I am in love.

Next month, when I have to make the first payment after seven and a half years of not having one, I’m sure I’ll cry.

Random Points

I'm keeping it simple this week:

1. Don’t call anyone in the Houston area when you are excited about low gas prices like Steve’s friends and dad often do. Ours are usually lower - $1.77 today.

2. This week, I was responsible for a playgroup. A chic that I never liked in high school was in town and brought her 4 year old to it. Even though I realize that we clashed for silly teenager reasons, I still don’t want to like her. Her daughter is adorable though. I had to laugh because within seconds of meeting her, her daughter was hugging and climbing on me like she was my own. The other funny thing was that her son was wearing the exact same shirt as mine. hmm...what does that mean?

3. As Thanksgiving approaches, I have been thinking a lot about the last time I saw my dad (exactly 3 years ago). I have also been remembering several of the odd happenings that occurred around that time, especially one particularly bizarre thing. My dad was diagnosed with brain cancer right before we found out that I was pregnant. When we picked Lexi’s name, Alexis, it had been several months since I had e-mailed him. Right about the time he died, I noticed that my dad’s e-mail was lexis@....com. Fate? A pit in my stomach formed.

4. I am working on Jordan’s first birthday party. The idea of a kid themed party doesn’t appeal to me right now, so we’re going with a Christmas party. It is going to be on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Lots of food trays and friends sound like the perfect celebration for a one year old. Next year, we’ll do the kid themed thing. Don’t worry; there will still be plenty of kids and fun.

5. My car (Saturn Sedan) has officially made it to the eleven year mark. Why would anyone keep a car that long? It still works great. Plus, I paid it off eight years ago and now I can’t wrap my head around the idea of car payments. The car is showing its age (cosmetically speaking) and is way too small so one of these days, I’ll have to bite the bullet and give it up.

6. This year, we have been invited to have Thanksgiving with one of my best friend’s (from high school) family – as in with his parents. His wife quickly invited us once she heard we’d be in town. She was a little too excited about the idea. I immediately got the feeling that we were going to be a buffer. His prodigal sister and her new husband will be in town. I am sure we will have a great time though.

I guess that is enough randomness for today.