Just a Can of Hairspray

To Blackberry. Yes, I believe I’ll call her Blackberry. While I think she is the coolest car ever, she intimidates the crap out of me. The power and all the cool features have me a bit overwhelmed, but while I’ll never love her the way I loved my first Honda, she’ll find her way into my heart. I just know she will.

I loved you for 5.5 years and while I knew this day would somehow come, I am still sad to see you go. Nothing will ever replace the feeling of when I first bought you. Man, it was the best feeling in the whole world. To pull into the dealership and she was sitting there, waiting for me to drive her away. “Dad, look, there’s my car!” I remember saying to him. I was so excited. The sense of accomplishment. The feeling of pride. The feeling of working my tail off in college, and then waiting until just the right time to purchase her had finally arrived. I was so nervous at the thought of the commitment to buying her. 5 years is a long time. I was 22 and knew I’d be 27 when she’d be paid for. Back then I thought I’d NEVER live to see me being 27. So for whatever reason, me selling Blueberry, is sorta like I’m growing up. I’m getting older and this new car seems to represent it. And for that reason, it makes me sad.
I went through a lot of growing up driving that car. I laugh thinking of all the first dates she drove me to. All the boys she saw me with. We had some good times together. And we had some really rough times. Life changing moments. Nothing will ever take away those memories. I remember driving her off from the dealership and the song was on the radio, “I got me a brand new car, waiting in the driveway, shining like a bright new star, I’d been wishing on it everyday…”

I sold Blueberry on Monday to a family that my parents are friends with. It was a very easy sell and out of all selling situations, this one is the best. I hope the new driver will enjoy her just as much as I did. And I hope that he will love her, just as I did.

Thanks, Blueberry for all the fun, loyalty and memories that you gave me. While my new ride is much more ’sophisticated’, nothing will ever top the feeling that you gave me.

Yes! I am still here. I honestly can’t believe it’s been since November that I have blogged on here. What have I been up to? Well, let’s see:

1. I moved (AGAIN)
2. I got a promotion/new job at work.
3. I’ve gone on 6 first dates
4. Test drove 1 car
5. Had a birthday
6. Got 2 police tickets (neither of them speeding)
7. Bought new living room furniture (bookcase and entertainment console)
8. Been on an airplane 10 times
9. Finally visited the great city of Chicago
10. Leg-pressed 180 pounds

So, there you have it. An update on my life!

This is why I love America; no where else can you do this! This little part of my life, this little part is called happiness. It reminds me of what it felt like when I found out about my most recent promotion…

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”… Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence

I do not need anything.

I do not need anything.

I do not need anything.

After going through my place, looking to get rid of stuff that I don’t need, I’ve decided that I am in fact SPOILED! Yes, that is correct. I admit it. After years of my brother telling me that I am spoiled, I will accept full responsibility that I am in fact blessed and to the world spoiled.

So with that being said, I am taking over loads of stuff to Goodwill to someone who will in fact need it.

When the time comes that I do in fact need something, I hope I will still say that I am spoiled.

We never understand how little we need in this world until we know the loss of it.

It’s God’s car. I have to keep telling myself that. I still remember to this day my dad telling me that on the day that I bought her. Kate, it’s God’s car, so whatever  happens to her, is his allowing. It’s His.
My beloved Blueberry had her side window bashed in this weekend in front of my apartment. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to hurt her except I know that there are thugs and thieves that live among us. Missing from her was her brand new stereo and my beloved iPod.

I cried, I must admit, when I saw all the glass inside my car with my favorite contents missing. It still angers me. So far, there is over 1k worth of damage to my vehicle including the window and the console/dashboard that they so carefully tore up. These thugs were pros! I am thankful that I didn’t have more damage to her, but still, the thought of someone taking my hard earned possesions and violating my items just angers me.

Within 2 hours of discovering her all beaten up, my window was replaced and my car was looking somewhat better. I am quite thankful for the insurance company I have, as they have been quite easy to deal with. I am still waiting for all the estimates to be filed so that I can get her back to normal.

Every time we go for a drive, I first get angry all over again, but then I break out in laughter at how much I take for granted all the extras that I have been given. As a product of Gen Y or “It’s all about me”, technology and gadgets are apart of my everyday life. So driving around with my airvents all jacked up and falling to the floorboard with no music, has got me laughing. It’s all I can do.

The words of my dad still echo in my head…it’s God’s car.

I just have a hard time letting her go sometimes.

Ever had one? Man, it was the best cupcake that I’ve had…vanilla with chocolate frosting with chocolate sprinkles….mmmmmmm

After 5 years, 60 car payments and thousands of hard earned dollars, Blueberry is officially all mine!

Back when I was 22, (has it really been that long ago), I was dying to buy this car. I wait forever. I knew exactly what I wanted. A blue Civic with a spoiler and visor. It was all I could think about. I negotiated with a couple dealers until one just let me take my time in my decision.

I will never forget the day. My dad drove with me up to the Sherman area for moral support, plus, Dad loves car dealerships. I remember driving up there with my blank check in hand, him asking me, “So, are you going to buy the car today?” I was freaked. 5 years is a HUGE committment to me. But Mom’s words rang loud and true, “You can always sell it if you need to.” BAM. That’s what I needed to hear. I remember writing the check thinking, GULP, this is the biggest check I’ve ever written. Dad and I left the car there for them to install the spoiler and visor. We ran and got lunch and checked out the local Wal-Mart. Another thing my Dad likes to do. After about 2 hours, we pulled back into the dealership parking lot. There she was. All shiny! I said, “Dad! Look! It’s my car!” I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited about something in my entire my life. My Dad’s response, “Kate, don’t forget. This is God’s car. Whatever ding, whatever scratch my happen to it, it’s not yours. It’s God’s.” At the time, I didn’t really care. She was perfect! She was mine.

The car has seen me through some hard times. I major break-up, TONS of first and second dates, many tears, a couple job interviews, only 2 tickets and only once in the shop for repair.

How can you not love something that is so loyal???

So Blueberry, please keep on running! I still have thousands of miles left to get out of you!

They met in college at what was once Southwest Texas…

after 2 kids, 5 dogs, and way too many moves to count…

they celebrate their 31st anniversary.

Happy Anniversary!

From FoxNews…

NEW YORK — Mayor Michael Bloomberg was promised $354 million in federal funds Tuesday to help launch his ambitious plan to reduce traffic and pollution by charging extra tolls for driving into the busiest parts of Manhattan.

The catch: He gets the money only if he can persuade the state Legislature to back the effort, called congestion pricing. New York’s would be the first such toll program in the U.S., although similar programs already exist in London and Singapore.

Bloomberg’s plan would charge cars $8 and trucks $21 to enter Manhattan south of 86th Street on weekdays between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m…

What the heck?! Can you imagine being charged not only for gas in your car, but then to pay $8 a day to go to work?!

What a bunch of crap.