I have to start this post by saying that I do not give affectionate names to the cars I drive. I drove a car in high school however, that was given a name by the younger brother of a girl I dated -
STOMPER. It was a 1983, I think,
AMC Eagle hatch back. My younger brother and I paid to replace at least 6 clutches in that car between the two of us and my dad helped install all of them. That was really my first introduction to understanding the dynamics of car ownership. From that point forward a car to me has been nothing more than a form of transport from point A to point B. I think people who know me and who have seen the car I drive would agree. Having lived in Washington DC for two years and experiencing efficient mass transit, I would not own a car if I didn't have to. But alas, I live in Utah - the land of the Ford F350 Super Duty Diesel that is used to drive to the grocery store and back! There is no efficient mass transit in site. To take the bus to work is an exercise in futility, 1 hour and 20 minutes for a drive that takes 12 minutes in my car. So back to my car, which is the focus of this post.
On Saturday I was headed out the door to Home Depot to pick up a few things for the yard. Sidney, upon hearing where I was going jumped at the chance to ride along. As we headed toward the door she asked a question, a question that is rarely asked, "which car are we taking dad?" A little puzzled I responded to her question with a question of my own "which car do you think we are taking?" To my surprise and amusement she simply answered "the LEAKER". The leaker I asked, what is the leaker? Nothing gets passed these kids or any kids for that matter! She informed me that my car is now called the leaker because it leakes black spots on the ground wherever we go. As you will witness from the parking spot on the street in front of our home - my car is not allowed on the driveway.
My car has 140,000 miles on it and I know as well as anyone that it needs some help. In addition to
hemorrhaging oil, I need two new CV joints, a leak fixed to the air conditioner that has not worked in 3 years, the alignment corrected, new tires, should I go on? I'll spare you. But I had decided, at least in theory to drive the thing until the wheels fall off, refusing to put another penny into it - other than the necessary gas and oil of course. But the rules may be changing. When your four year old notices that
Haliburton may be setting up shop in front of your home to reclaim oil and then names your car,
appropriately I might add,
LEAKER it might be time for a change? Did I mention
leaker might need a little body work too?
You should not be in the zoo.
Paige had an optional school project, build a solar cooker to make smores. She was pretty excited to do it, so we went to work Tuesday evening. To make a long story short, her box cooker was the talk of her class. Everyone wanted to know how she made it, several wanted to trade and a few offered to buy it. I'm not sure if it was the skinny cow box or the oven bag we placed over the opening that made it so popular? I just think we spent a little more time and put a little more thought into it. By the way, it cooks great! Smores anyone???
As a side note, I remember my parents taking time to make sure our projects were the best. I always had the best diaramas, won best in show every pine wood derby, etc. Paige asked me how I was so good at making box cookers, I just answered ask your grandparents - they taught me :)
My car has 140,000 miles on it and I know as well as anyone that it needs some help. In addition to hemorrhaging oil, I need two new CV joints, a leak fixed to the air conditioner that has not worked in 3 years, the alignment corrected, new tires, should I go on? I'll spare you. But I had decided, at least in theory to drive the thing until the wheels fall off, refusing to put another penny into it - other than the necessary gas and oil of course. But the rules may be changing. When your four year old notices that Haliburton may be setting up shop in front of your home to reclaim oil and then names your car, appropriately I might add, LEAKER it might be time for a change? Did I mention leaker might need a little body work too?
Well, beat the drum and hold the phone - the sun came out today! We're born again, there's new grass on the field. A-roundin' third, and headed for home, it's a brown-eyed handsome man; Anyone can understand the way I feel.
Two months later! After locking down the blog I learned that several people were having trouble accessing it, including myself. So, in an attempt to keep everyone informed I have lifted the lock. 
