It was another dreary, rainy day here yesterday. Hubby is working on a huge project at work, which is long, drawn out, very time consuming, and will be the major focus this year. As such, he had to go into the office after breakfast, so I had the day to myself. Nothing unusual since most days are that way, but this was SUNDAY! I just puttered around the house and finished reading a book. Yes, an actual print on paper book. I was just finishing up my lunch of a fish stick sandwich. Don't laugh, fish sticks make a good "fish filet" sandwich. I always get the Trident brand. They sell them at Costco in a big bag. But that's way off topic. So as I was finishing my sandwich, the phone rang. It was Ashley inviting us (or me in this case) to dinner. Now I am falling behind because they had us over last Sunday as well. I happily accepted, though - as if I would turn them down? Ha!
While dinner was being prepared, Ashley and I went to play games with the kids (Kevin was doing the cooking). We played Jenga. You remember the game where you stack logs by three's, alternating directions each layer and then take turns removing one log at a time until it falls? I'd never played before, and it was easy to learn but harder to actually "do". Playing against Michael, Ashley and I took turns toppling the tower. Next out came checkers, and I played against Michael. Mind you he's just six. Now I haven't played checkers in over 20 years, and then didn't play often, but I know the rules. However, I misjudged the skill level of my opponent. Remember, he's just six years old. I was suffering. I moved and he countered until I had no moves without risking capture. I did manage to get one of my men kinged (he had about 3 plus had taken about 5 of mine). I got a few of his, but I was in trouble, and the call to dinner saved me from complete humiliation. Kevin offered to take a picture of the board so we could continue later, but I said I need to brush up on my checker playing skills first.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Quote of the Week
Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
- Robert Brault
The more time that passes, the truer this statement becomes. Life is not built on the occasional major events like cruise vacations or the long-awaited promotion, but a composite of the small moments like watching your kids (or cats) play, sunsets or long walks on a beautiful afternoon. So pay attention to the moments for they are your life.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
My Quest for Wheels
Ever need to buy a new car, or a replacement car? It's easy, right? Just go down to the nearest car lot, pick one out, haggle with the dealer and drive away $$$ poorer, but at least driving. Wrong! For me anyway. There is so more to consider than just "oooh, pretty car". Is it good on gas? How many people will it seat? Then there's size, and yes size matters. If it's too large, I can't park it comfortably. If it's too small, I can't pack enough stuff or haul enough people, etc. So do I get a minivan, a small SUV, a crossover, or stick with my comfort zone and get a regular full size 4-door car. When I got my Cutlass Supreme in 1997 it was classed as a mid-size. Now cars that size are considrered full size. Growing or Shrinking?
The Test Drives
I drove a 2002 Honda Odessey (red) and a 2006 Chrysler Town & Country (blue). Both nice minivans, but for comfort and drivability, I preferred the Town & Country. The downside was the 119" wheelbase which would make parking between two cars in a 90 degree parking space at best a challenge or possibly a nightmare. I've learned more than I ever wanted to know about the importance of wheelbase and turning circle in everyday driving. So even though a minivan can carry 7 people or lots of trip stuff, it doesn't seem practical for my every day use.
Next I drove a 2000 Honda Accord (gold). Nice car with leather (a must for me). It drove all right although the acceleration was more sensitive than I'm used to so I pulled away from the traffic lights a bit more aggressively than normal - unintentionally. I felt rather low to the ground, and it also has visible body damage, so I left that one with the dealer, too.
Yesterday I tried out a 2002 Toyota Highlander 4WD (blue). It was nice but the steering felt a bit mushy (that is compared to the pickup I've been driving since that fateful day in November). It also made weird squealing sounds when you turned the steering wheel back and forth. It also stalled out while my husband was parking it so he was leary of driving it too far. When I did drive it, I was able to nail the parking in a 90-degree space, granted there were no cars to park between, but I hit the space on the first shot. The reason being that the wheelbase and turning circle are similar, if not smaller, than my car.
On to the next vehicle - a Ford Escape (silver?). This is a relatively small SUV as well, but unlike the Highlander, it drove more like a truck (built on a truck platform). The Highlander was built on a Camry platform. The Escape was comfortable enough and had good acceleration (bigger engine), but I really want something with a more car-like ride. I'm spoiled - I've driven Oldsmobiles for 20 years!
When we arrived at the dealership, a salesman asked if he could help us. They always ask that. We'd been working with Tim, so they paged him. He came out, we told him what we came to look at, and he went back for a tag so we could take it out. When he came back he said they'd asked him if he ran us off. He said "no - they adopted me". He's been nice and helpful and not pushy, and we (I) have been upfront that I'm trying out a lot of different types of vehicles and am not to the "buying" point yet. With that understanding out in the open, I feel comfortable driving first one then another to see what fits.
I have noted the color of the test cars for a reason. Yet one more thing to consider when stepping into the car shopping arena - Color! I don't want white, black, silver, or most reds. White and black show dirt, and I just don't care for silver. Red, eh...some are all right, but no fire engine red, please.
When you only have a few hours one day a week to get out there and look, and drive and then dissect the couple of cars you lined up, it tends to become a long, drawn out experience. I'll be glad when I actually find something "acceptable". To make this saga more interesting, my hubby is also looking for a replacement car. Stay tuned for the latest adventures in my Quest for Wheels.
The Test Drives
I drove a 2002 Honda Odessey (red) and a 2006 Chrysler Town & Country (blue). Both nice minivans, but for comfort and drivability, I preferred the Town & Country. The downside was the 119" wheelbase which would make parking between two cars in a 90 degree parking space at best a challenge or possibly a nightmare. I've learned more than I ever wanted to know about the importance of wheelbase and turning circle in everyday driving. So even though a minivan can carry 7 people or lots of trip stuff, it doesn't seem practical for my every day use.
Next I drove a 2000 Honda Accord (gold). Nice car with leather (a must for me). It drove all right although the acceleration was more sensitive than I'm used to so I pulled away from the traffic lights a bit more aggressively than normal - unintentionally. I felt rather low to the ground, and it also has visible body damage, so I left that one with the dealer, too.
Yesterday I tried out a 2002 Toyota Highlander 4WD (blue). It was nice but the steering felt a bit mushy (that is compared to the pickup I've been driving since that fateful day in November). It also made weird squealing sounds when you turned the steering wheel back and forth. It also stalled out while my husband was parking it so he was leary of driving it too far. When I did drive it, I was able to nail the parking in a 90-degree space, granted there were no cars to park between, but I hit the space on the first shot. The reason being that the wheelbase and turning circle are similar, if not smaller, than my car.
On to the next vehicle - a Ford Escape (silver?). This is a relatively small SUV as well, but unlike the Highlander, it drove more like a truck (built on a truck platform). The Highlander was built on a Camry platform. The Escape was comfortable enough and had good acceleration (bigger engine), but I really want something with a more car-like ride. I'm spoiled - I've driven Oldsmobiles for 20 years!
When we arrived at the dealership, a salesman asked if he could help us. They always ask that. We'd been working with Tim, so they paged him. He came out, we told him what we came to look at, and he went back for a tag so we could take it out. When he came back he said they'd asked him if he ran us off. He said "no - they adopted me". He's been nice and helpful and not pushy, and we (I) have been upfront that I'm trying out a lot of different types of vehicles and am not to the "buying" point yet. With that understanding out in the open, I feel comfortable driving first one then another to see what fits.
I have noted the color of the test cars for a reason. Yet one more thing to consider when stepping into the car shopping arena - Color! I don't want white, black, silver, or most reds. White and black show dirt, and I just don't care for silver. Red, eh...some are all right, but no fire engine red, please.
When you only have a few hours one day a week to get out there and look, and drive and then dissect the couple of cars you lined up, it tends to become a long, drawn out experience. I'll be glad when I actually find something "acceptable". To make this saga more interesting, my hubby is also looking for a replacement car. Stay tuned for the latest adventures in my Quest for Wheels.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Quote of the Week
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
- Dr. Seuss
Not to be taken extremely literally, because you could hurt someone's feelings. That said, there is a measure of truth to this statement. Those who truly matter, will accept you exactly as you are.
Not to be taken extremely literally, because you could hurt someone's feelings. That said, there is a measure of truth to this statement. Those who truly matter, will accept you exactly as you are.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Quote of the Week
Pay attention to your dreams - God's angels often speak directly to our hearts when we are asleep.
- Eileen Elias Freeman
Although I can't say that this has happened with me, I would suspect that it happens far more often than we realize. We just don't know how to "listen" to our dreams. Mine are often a reflection on what I've been focusing on that day. I do know, though, that dreams can provide insight or give us a sign, but usually only if we understand and act on what we've been "told".
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