If you haven't guessed, this job is taking a lot out of me. I'm still trying to get into 'job' shape. It's like going back to the gym after not working out for a long time. Only it's 10-12 hours of working out at a time. I will be able to do more than work, drive and sleep at some point. Right? RIGHT????
This weekend was a fairly low key one at the Millie's. We went to dinner and a movie Friday night with friends from our RESOLVE group (A Prairie Home Companion, if you must know...Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin rock the house...and I always, always, always love John C Reilly. Two thumbs up, but only if you like the radio show).
Saturday started off with a brunch with some gal pals. There were 3 of us and we have way too much in common these days. Now I love these women but wish we weren't so synchronized. For a while we were all pregnant together. With due dates a mere 2 weeks apart. Now we're grieving together. I so wish it wasn't so for any of us. It was very therapeutic to hang out, shoot the breeze and eat blackberry pancakes.
One of them had most excellent advice that got me thinking.
See the mister and I have been talking about getting a new car. Ours are very very old. My new job cracked the door to this possibility and an unexpected settlement offer for a lawsuit we didn't even have to join to profit from has blown the barn doors wide open.
We've been eyeing cars and talking about them. Even doing a bit o'internet research. Hmm. Ok, a lot of internet research. This all got kicked up a big ol' notch Saturday afternoon when the mister opened the free money letter.
We've thought about all kinds of cars. We're very practical folks. Neither of us has ever bought a new car. We both value practicality over flash. I love my Subaru with it's fanstastic AWD. We'd been thinking of another Sub (a Forester, to be precise) because I have an inexplicable need to 'haul stuff'. Well, we do have two dogs and are known to camp.
So we debated small SUVs with fairly decent gas mileage (in which case we'd toss the big SUV which guzzles gas) and small sedans or hatchbacks. The mister even offered up a few luxury cars that he wanted to consider.
Since we don't often buy autos we want one that will last a looooong time. And that can easily hold a baby (or two) and gear. 'Cause we figure sooner or later we're gonna get us one of those kid things.
So our first choice was tossed aside. But then everything else seemed like a compromise, second rate, second or third or fourth choice. NOTHING came remotely close.
My wise friend had apparently had the same thought. Regarding the same car. Her man said "why not? we can always sell it once we get a baby."
And that was so very freeing to hear. And I decided we'd compromised enough these last (nearly) 4 years. And given up a lot. And gone without even more. It's at least a year away until we need to fit a carseat in the backseat. And this will make us happy and be fun. Oh so fun. Oh so very, very fun.
It's not a done deal. We're thinking we should probably at least test drive it first. That would be the sensible thing to do. I think we're throwing sense and sensibility out the sunroof. There will be time to be practical. Later. Beep beep'm beep beep yeah.
I'm sure it gets good gas mileage and it's very cute. Good for you.
Posted by: chris | Monday, 26 June 2006 at 18:03
Hell yeah! That is a sexy little hellraiser of a car and I know you'll look divine in it.
Posted by: Wavery | Monday, 26 June 2006 at 18:55
Oh I've always wanted a mini!! They look like so much fun!! Congrats-- you deserve a cool car!
FYI if you're still looking... Mr Limbo and I just bought a new (well, new to us) car over ebay (thru an actual dealership) and ended up saving a buttload of $$. I still can't believe we did s/t so crazy-- I've never even bought shoes on Ebay. But the car arrives tomorrow...
Posted by: mm | Monday, 26 June 2006 at 19:59
We bought our last car (a new Jeep Liberty) through carsdirect.com and saved a boatload of cash also. We picked all the options we wanted online and they found us exactly the car we ordered, then we just went and picked it up, signed a few papers and were out of the dealership in less than an hour. Just food for thought. LOVE the Mini!
Posted by: Donna | Monday, 26 June 2006 at 21:46
The minis are adorable. I've seen drummers fit their entire kits in the back so a kiddy seat would be no problem.
I personally like the subs better as I love to go to Tahoe and feel a bit safer on those icy roads with AWD. We're also both really tall (5'10" and 6'2", so we need that head room, too). We have an Audi Allroad...it's got plenty of headroom and it's so fun to drive!
Posted by: linda | Tuesday, 27 June 2006 at 00:14
I can see you doing an Austin Powers in a cute Mini. The new ones are a lot more roomy than the old style too. Vroom vroom!
Posted by: Pamplemousse | Tuesday, 27 June 2006 at 02:59
Very cute. I'm glad you're having fun with this!
Posted by: thalia | Tuesday, 27 June 2006 at 04:18
The Mini drives great and is heavier-duty than you might expect (being made by BMW and all). I think you'll love it. Also, an infant seat would fit in the back easily.
That said, I drive a Forester myself. It's my fourth Subaru and my second Forester. And I love it!
Posted by: susie | Tuesday, 27 June 2006 at 05:57
I'm so jealous! My husband wants a Mini and I had this secret plan to get him one for his 30th birthday, but the plan is falling apart as 30 looms nearer. Enjoy the Mini! They're so fun and so cute and get great gas mileage.
Posted by: EJW | Tuesday, 27 June 2006 at 07:47
I have a mini and I LURRRRVE it. I expected the fantasy not to live up to the reality, but I've had it for 3 years now, and I still love it. It is fun to drive and not as small as you might think. Because it's so boxy, the back seat is much roomier than most small cars. It gets great gas mileage (although you are supposed to use the high end gasoline...) And I agree with the previous comment about how solid it is. You can tell it is from the BMW family, but for the price, you wouldn't expect all the extras that you get. You should go for it.
Posted by: SusanG | Tuesday, 27 June 2006 at 09:02
I KNEW that would be the link! I LOVE minis! Too cute.
We just got a car and saved THOUSANDS by going through this broker http://www.hammerauto.com/
They charge $375 and do all the haggling and searching for you. We got our car for $3,500 less than our best price on our own. If you go with a new car, you may want to investigate them (near Stanford).
I am so happy for you! New cars and new kitchens are great distractions!
Posted by: Julianna | Tuesday, 27 June 2006 at 09:49
Great idea. I love those little minis!!
Posted by: PBfish | Tuesday, 27 June 2006 at 09:55
I love Minis and John C. Reilly!
Posted by: Bonnie | Tuesday, 27 June 2006 at 16:51
mmm...sunroof!
Posted by: elana | Tuesday, 27 June 2006 at 17:07
Cute!!!! Good for you for doing something just for yourselves.
Posted by: fisher queen | Wednesday, 28 June 2006 at 05:48
Not much on my mind recently. Basically nothing seems important. So it goes. Today was a complete loss.
Posted by: kit | Tuesday, 16 October 2007 at 16:58
Lot of useful points are there. Its really keeps me updated.
http://themotoring.com
Posted by: Account Deleted | Tuesday, 27 September 2011 at 09:35