Zoom...Zoom

Yesterday started early. I was at my parents' house at 8 a.m. to empty my car, truck, side pockets etc to prepare myself to leave it behind at the dealership. I was then off to meet Sophia. I was told the dealership opened at 9 a.m. so I thought I would get over there a bit before and look around, but then 9 a.m. came and went and no door opened and no Sophia...not a good start. So after I was told that Sophia was out sick (did she have that GOOD a picture of what she was up against?...) So Barbara was put in charge of me and I asked her to show me the best value on the lot new and old and she did and I bought the new. 2007, Mazda3 sedan, old school (no power windows, power locks), 65 miles, white with tan interior for under what I had hoped to pay. I never realized what the power window, power locks option package adds to new cars. It is like why I don't have ESPN on my TV - basic cable to cable that would include ESPN - the "get" people with that approach, but I was happy to take the "stripped", new model. So at 1:30 p.m. I was driving off the lot - leaving my 1999 Mazda 626 with 153,000 miles AND that check engine light that has been taunting me for years - in my new car. I felt very different in my sporty white car than I did in my tan 626 - interesting transformation. It is also amazing to have that whole new car thing behind me. I do have a car payment for the first time in 4 or 5 years, but I have been thinking about that like it was the worse thing in the world. I don't think it will kill me. Now I am ready for the beach and NC vacation trips in June, my weekend trips to the beach, I can get my state park beach sticker and not worry about having to transfer from one car to another. My only "issue" now is I lost my Flagler bumper sticker and my CCSU Blue Devil sticker.

I did get a long walk in yesterday and finished up most of a mailing project at work on my way home. Then I called my neighbor who I had cancelled out on for Friday night and/or Saturday a.m. and told her I was walking over to the package store to buy a 6-pack of beer and did she want to meet me out "on the stoop" and have a beer and see my new car. She joined me and we ended up drinking and talking. She and her daughter both liked my car. Then I walked back upstairs and put all my paperwork in the right place, reviewed what I had done today financially, and cleaned up my dining room table that had become "car central" as I planned this weekend. I ended up where I needed to even with all my fusing and fuming.

Now I can get on with my life including going to church this a.m. to see if it is "God's will" that I become part of the Parish Council. I am keeping my fingers crossed that God will pass on me this time around. Again, I think all elections should be decided by praying over names and picking out of a hat.

After church, I will be off to Carvel Ice Cream to buy my contribution for our family luncheon today - ice cream cake. I am thinking my mother is going to be very surprised when the rest of the gang show up. My brother called me last night and said he and his daughter will drop by after their AAU basketball tournament games today, but it might be after the gang leaves - he did not sound sad about that prospect. I still don't know if my son decided to come up with the NYC group or not.

After Carvel, off to parents' house and let the day happen then my plan is to stop by work and get my mailing finished up. I labeled all the return envelopes last night so I should be prepared to get the majority of it out tomorrow a.m. only waiting on paper goods to finish up the balance.

My parents' 87 year old neighbor came across the street to see my new car yesterday. She had just gotten back from her 70th reunion from Kingwood-Oxford School. Looks like most of the area private schools had their reunion this weekend. Avon Old Farms honored one of their graduates - Pete Seeger. I wish I had known that he was going to be in our area just to see him in person. Westminster had their reunion too. One of my co-worker's two brothers and boyfriend were in town for that - she will be a bit "tired" on Monday. Ethel had its prom. All the girls were out on the front lawn having pictures taken when I was pulling out of school - quite a sight. Big buses were taking the girls and their dates off to the prom location, just down the road from my parents.

What a weekend!