VAN-tastic!!

Well, the big news here is a SHOCKER!! Who knew that when our van clunked and wouldn't shift on our way to church last Sun nite, that it was the final straw for our head of the household! I had my final straw in June, after being stranded in Sedalia, MO--Jess and I wanted to push the dead van over the train tracks, but we didn't make it. ANYWAY, who would have guessed that this Sunday we would be driving a shiny, silver, new to us, 05 Dodge Caravan with only 22,000 miles??? We went out looking on Tuesday nite and then Thurs nite--after it quit hailing and the tornadic winds that took off some shingles in our neighborhood subsided. We had done our internet and Consumer Reports homework, drove the lowest mileage one on the lot with the "stuff:" we wanted and we were ready to deal. Mark would have made my dad proud by dickering with the salesman. We picked up our van on Friday afternoon. We laughed at how quickly they drove our old white van (with only 2 hubcaps) to the back of their lot. We have enjoyed finding all the cup holders, enjoying the working air conditioning--without a horrible stench that we had in "whitey". The girls can recline the seats, Em has a more comfy and safe car seat. They had a little glimpse on the DVD player---the radio must be on or it won't work. We listened to CD's on the way to and from services. We have never had a working tape player much less a CD player--sweet!! The stow and go storage will be really handy when we haul the "college girl" stuff. The back seats fold down flat and there is storage under the front seats too. NICE!! We didn't even know what features were out there. Things have changed in the 5 years since we looked at vans, much less 10 since our old van was new. So you can tell that we are excited about our new wheels---so comforting to know that we can get home when we head out of the neighborhood. We hope to never see another odometer turn over to 200,000 miles. Guess that means we will have to get rid of M's truck in the next 14,000 miles. :)

I laughed about us being so excited about an "almost new" vehicle. (We open the garage door and look at it.) If 50 is the new 30, then I guess it's not that weird that we are still learning how to survive in this ole world and delighting in new treasures. Of course Mark is a LOT closer to 50 than I am, but I'm still enjoying the ride on the "knowledge train." (I just made that up--no idea what it means). I do remember that my dad used to get "new car fever" every couple years and would have to go out and "kick some tires." Then before too many months, he'd come home with a new car. He had NEW cars, while we have "new to us" cars, but he would be pleased at the deal we got. The ladies at the credit union were impressed--what more do ya need?

Other than finishing my meds and getting to wear my contacts and MASCARA--not much else is new. H is running in a couple track meets every week. Kat started softball tonight---coach looks ok--team is inexperienced, but may be ok. Abby starts on Thurs. Em was playing Slap Jack with her imaginary friend, Sarah, today. I don't know why Sarah still plays with her, Em always beats her. So funny to see Em slap the pile for herself, and sometimes for Sarah. :)

The ball game is over---who really cares??? So I'll head to bed!!