The Stories of the Car Sales

This is probably going to be long--go get your cuppa (whatever) and have a sit down.

Many of you know I've had some issues with automobiles for the last few years. Well, yesterday I sold my Explorer...a very long story, and today I sold my father's Lincoln Towncar.

I received a call at 10:am yesterday from a woman who said she was very interested in my Explorer, but wanted to take it to her mechanic. I agreed it was a good idea, and then found out her mechanic is in Santa Monica (at least an hour's drive from my home). She wanted to come, drive it to her mechanic, then maybe buy it. I said I wasn't comfortable with that (duh!).

She called again, and said if I would drive it to Santa Monica, let her mechanic look at it, she would drive me home after she bought it. I said that would be fine (I didn't want to do laundry yesterday anyway).

I got there; the mechanic too 45 minutes to give the car a full physical and emotional exam. When the woman showed up, she whined and moaned that it would need not quite $1,000 to fix it. I came down $600 (in an effort to split the repair costs) and she still demanded I pay the smog check (a mere pittance of $60).

Then she demanded that I drive her to the smog check place, the bank for the money, and then the DMV with all the forms so she could make sure there were no tickets on the car. I did all that, in my Explorer, and then she decides that she doesn't want to take me home. Mind you, I've driven now nearly 100 miles for her benefit and she can't drive 50 to get me home.

She was gracious enough to find out what buses it would take to get me to a train to get me to other buses to get me home. If I left at 5:00 pm, I'd be home at around 8:00. Mind you I hadn't seen my daughters since noon. It was too long when we all thought I'd be back at 4:00.

So, I got on one bus that took me to another bus that took me to a train. I made several phone calls, and it just so happened that a friend was driving home in that direction anyway, and he offered to give me a ride from the train station to my home. What a great good friend he is!

The woman who bought the Explorer finally released me from liabilities on it at around 5:30. By the time I got to the end of the train line, it was already 8:pm. I got to finally see my daughters at nearly 9:pm! And, I had the "adventure" of travelling through some of the dankest areas of the bowels of Los Angeles with cash. A lot of cash, in my humble opinion, too. I made it though, and kept a great attitude about it all. Then when I got home with my girls, and Scott got home just a few minutes after us, I sort of realized all that I had done that day and how stressful it was. I wanted to sleep, but couldn't, so updated my blog and got to bed about 12:30am.

Fortunately, I was allowed to sleep 2 extra hours this morning. I heard the phone ring and decided to ignore it, but Sarah came into my room and said that I had to get up because someone was on the phone about the Lincoln (my father's Town car, aka, Pseudolimo). This poor woman, said she had been wanting a Town car for a very long time, but didn't have quite the money I asked for it, would I take less. I've yet to come across someone who would pay me what I ask for a car I'm selling.

I said we could talk, and since the car needed some repairs (1991 Lincoln, a/c doesn't work, needs power steering pump replaced), I'd probably come down on the price a little.

They came, the whole family, and I could tell she really wanted the car. I caved. Sold it to her for 1/2 what it's worth. Looked everywhere in the house for the title (pink slip) and couldn't find it. Called the Dept of Motor Vehicles and was informed that a duplicate title could be submitted, got all the necessary forms online, and off they went, two hours after they got here, the new owners of a nice old car.

So, nothing has been done in my house for two days, but I can park our two remaining cars in our garage!

I'm updating my blog, I think I have three more entries to make, but I've made a few entries already. I've had a life these past few days, and I think I want to run away. I don't even have any Calgon!

SOLD! TO THE LOWEST BIDDERS!!

Blanche and Pseudolimo are both gone. Yesterday, June 21, 2005, I sold my Exploder. You might say it was Sarah’s first car, since we bought it 3 days before she was born. I did negotiate, and when the inspecting mechanic gave his estimate of what it would need (at the same time saying it was a great car for the money), I came down on the price a bit. However, it’s not in my garage anymore, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll get OUR two cars back into the garage again.

Today, June 22, 2005, Pseudolimo left us. I came down, way down on this price, but I knew it had some problems to be fixed, so I’m happy in two areas…it’s not blocking my driveway anymore, plus, someone who really loves the car has it and will treat it great. And another thing: Poppy has another month's rent in his savings account. He has a whole year to live! (there)

We are again, a two car family, and can fit both of those cars in the garage again!!

“Nonni’s an Angel”

Sarah said, “I think Nonni must be an angel. You want to know why I think that?” Of course I said yes. “I was in the house, and it was very quiet, and I know I heard her voice. I couldn’t understand what she said, but I am sure I heard her voice. So she must be an angel.” Out of the mouths of babes…

Summertime is here!

Ten minutes. That’s all it took: ten little minutes for the girls to begin to get on each other’s nerves after Sarah came home from minimum day on the last day of school. I decided we’ll have to arrange for more daytime activities than originally planned. I won’t be able to take the arguing and the “fussing” at each other for such small issues. The screaming, the wailing, the “NO!! YOU CAN’T HAVE THAT!! DON’T TOUCH THAT!! MOOOOMMMMMYYY CMERE!!!”

So, for starters, today we went to the sunny beautiful beach. It was a perfect day. The girls and two friends played in and around the water, while we two moms sat under the umbrella so we wouldn’t burn. We talked and laughed and had a great time. It was a perfect day, really, until just about 3:30, when we decided to pack and go home. By the time we convinced my daughters they needed to help, it was nearly 4:00. At 4:30 the dog groomer closes, and I had promised Poppy to bring him home for dinner. Then my two “darling” daughters began to fight over a tube of peanut butter. They wouldn’t stop! I lost it and screamed a few obscenities, and then forced Sarah the Older Sister to give Emily the Younger the d*** peanut butter tube. I was livid at Sarah’s inability to be generous or gracious at that moment.

Still reeling from the PB outburst, I got in the car, said goodbye to our friends, and drove out of the beach parking lot. A car stopped suddenly in front of me, causing me to quickly step on the brakes. I hear a thump. Then I heard crying. Emily got thrown forward into the back of my seat, cutting her lip on the plastic handle (the one that’s supposed to help you out of the car). Then I realized she had not been wearing her seat belt. She had a reason, of course, but it wasn’t good at all. We got her calmed at least to the point that it was only sniffles, and I am sure hoping she won’t do that again!

We finally got the dog, after summoning the groomer from home. We apologized and went next door to the clock shop, filled with clocks from what looked like everywhere. My father had left with me an old ship’s clock to get fixed, so I figured, No time like the present, and took it in to give him a look. He took it from me, looked at it, and said he’d call to let me know what the clock needed.

Then, we drove over to Poppy’s home to get him for dinner. He said he hadn’t eaten yet, so home we went to finish off the prime rib and potatoes I made for Saturday dinner.

We had quite a bit of food, and for that Poppy was grateful. I didn’t get him home until 10:30pm, and I will guess he fell right asleep.

That’s just what I plan to do in about 3 minutes. G’nite

Summer Reading—right on time…

I’ve finished a most worthy book, entitled The Stars Dispose, by Michæla Roessner. It tells the story of Tommaso, son of the head chef of the Medici family in Renaissance Florence. What a great read! Now, I read Amazon.com's reader reviews, and the reviewers seem to not agree with me. I enjoyed the book--added my own imagination of the Italian/florentine father, Gentile ("jen-tillee"), unlike the reviewer who thought Ms. Roessner didn't give Gentile's character enough definition. I didn't think the book was finished when I read the last page, but then every author has to choose when to end her own book.

Now, the week that summer starts, my summer reading list continues. On to the Time Traveller’s Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger. Last year’s best seller list, I believe, but I’m about 10 years behind in my reading, so to read a best seller from last year is quite the coup, I think!

Political Gauge

I just took the Political Brew Political Gauge and came up as a Moderate Liberal on Non-Fiscal Issues and a Moderate Liberal on Fiscal Issues. You can take the test at http://www.politicalbrew.com/politest.cgi - let me know your results! It helped me see more clearly (mostly) where I stand on some of our (meaning United States') political issues.

Medical Marijuana Ban

Yesterday, the Supreme Court banned all use of marijuana, including medical uses that were legalized by individual states.

Most of this blog has been by me, about me, and for me (well, and my 6 readers). Once in awhile, though, I must speak out either for or against a decision made by my government. This time it is strongly against this Supreme Court Decision.

Where are their heads?? Don't answer that.

If marijuana is banned and made totally illegal, then tobacco should also become illegal. Tobacco has been shown by many studies to cause more disease and death than marijuana has ever done. Tobacco causes cancer. Marijuana helps glaucoma. Ok, yes, that’s sort of short-sighted (get it? “short sighted”—glaucoma??), but I don’t have all day to go into my reasoning here.

So-called second-hand cigarette smoke has been found to also cause cancer and other illnesses, such as emphysema. Second-hand marijuana smoke usually makes people giggle, or at least smirk.

If the politicians, and yes, even the tobacco lobbyists powerful though they may be, would only get their heads out of their derrieres, they could find a huge benefit to these United States. Here are my suggestions:

Legalize marijuana use. Tax it just like tobacco is taxed now—even higher, and I’ll bet people will still buy it and use it.

Now, the idea is not to use the taxes paid for anti-smoking campaigns, which appear to be useless, considering that the rate of smoking among teens has risen in the last few years. Use a portion of the taxes to help tobacco farmers transfer from growing tobacco to growing marijuana. Use another portion to help fight hard and dangerous drugs, cocaine, crack, heroin, the others, and also use the moneys saved by not harassing marijuana users to educate in a productive way (not sure the D.A.R.E. and “Just Say No” campaigns have worked at all in my observations), how the hard drugs can devastate a life and a family.

Another portion of the taxes can be used for medical research into the uses of marijuana to help people with glaucoma and other illnesses, and to develop the perfect recipe for brownies. I had to add that. There would still be tax revenues enough left to help reduce/eliminate the national debt, help re-build other countries, and put some real money into our public schools.

Some of the profits from marijuana sales could be used to help those with cancer due to cigarette smoking. Maybe they could pay for burial fees.

Another thing, make the laws regarding tobacco smoking correlate to marijuana smoking. No smoking in offices or public places; smoking is only allowed in designated locations; no smoking within 15 or 20 feet of building entrances; no smoking in public transportation. No smoking in hospitals, except for areas deemed designated smoking areas, such as glaucoma treatment rooms. It’s only fair; not everyone is in favor of marijuana smoking.

Yes, I realize that some people would take it too far. Smoking right after waking, right after the first cup of coffee, just before leaving for work, immediately after coming home from work, once or twice during the evening, and then again, just before bed. But for those, we could arrange some kind of free “Tokers Anonymous” support group for unhealthy use of marijuana, which, from the exorbitant taxes charged, would be sponsored by our benevolent, and stoned, government officials.”

I also think that if the government officials would lighten up and smoke a little, diplomacy would be much better among other governments. People would be too happy to fight over dirt, or religion.

I might be rambling, and I haven’t read any other blogs about this issue, which were most likely written much more eloquently, but I’ve said my piece now, and will go back to writing about my simple, small, normal life, not worth making news on any of the blog watcher’s “online journals of note” lists.

The Mommy Test

I stole this (unashamedly, I admit) from a friend who actually gets to read other blogs...

fwd from another list:
THE MOMMY TEST

I was out walking with my 4-year-old daughter. She picked up
something off the ground and started to put it in her mouth. I
took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that.
"Why?" my daughter asked.

"Because it's been laying outside, you don't know where it's been,
it's dirty and probably has germs" I replied. At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked, "Wow! How do you know all this stuff?" "Uh," ....I was thinking quickly, "All moms know this stuff. It's on the Mommy Test. You
have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mommy."

We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently
pondering this new information. "OH...I get it!" she beamed, "So if
you don't pass the test you have to be the daddy." "Exactly" I replied
back with a big smile on my face and joy in my heart.
When you're finished laughing, send this to a Mom

Concern for My Dad

Oh, great.

Just got off the phone with my father, Poppy the Sailor Man.

He did sound as if I awoke him, but said he was already awake. I said he'd better go downstairs and eat, and he said, and I do quote him, "Ok, I'll see what Mama wants." I said, "Mama?" He said, "yeah, she's around here somewhere."

I then asked if he'd had a dream about her, and he said, "yes, sometimes it's worse than ever." and something else about an old friend named Henry who built several homes in Laguna Beach about 40 years ago, and who died about 25 years ago.

Then he asked me, "do you want to talk to mama?" I got very sad, and said, "no, I'll call back later."

I hope it was just transition from sleeping to waking that caused his confusion. Unless my mom really is visiting him, and pulling on his arm like she promised to do, in order to take him with her. If she's up there, or her spirit is travelling around these parts, she must be so disappointed in me.