Soccer Dad & Business trips

I forgot to post about this! Over a month ago, Tom's car finally died and we got another vehicle. We knew it was coming, but it was VERY bad timing. Not only was he running around without A/C but the cost to repair the thing was going to be INSANE. We just got rid of my car payment so I was enjoying the prospect of not having a car payment. Ha!

Anyway, so we went looking for something for him to drive. I detest car dealerships, just hate them with every part of my being. We thought about trying it with just one car, but it's so hard, especially now that I have so much running around to do for business and Jamie in school. It was just too hard to try to schedule things around my appointments and everything else that goes on in our lives. Just too much to live with only one set of wheels.

Anyway, I highly reccommend CarMax. Not only did we manage to get zero down, but they also got our payment to where we can actually afford the thing. I liked their 'no haggle' theme. Like I said, I HATE car dealerships, so they made it easy. Tom is now 'the' soccer dad *laugh*. We got a used (2005) Ford minivan, it's white with 14k miles on it, but it works. The kids love it. It's not fancy and doesn't have any of those fancy self opening doors and stuff, but really, who cares... *laugh* It has A/C and runs!

Of course, now MY car is making a couple of funny noises. I just hope it holds out for a little while longer.

I was really worried about the whole vehicle thing. But sometimes good things happen, I suppose. It's really perfect timing because I haven't seen my family in a long time (I know, I really need to get back there more often, I totally suck) and we are planning on driving down late this year and spending some time there. I don't know if my car would've made it. The van was perfect timing.

They say that everything happens for a reason and if you put positive energy out into the world, it will come back to you. Finally, some of it is flowing in this direction. *laugh*

I drove up to Dallas with a couple of colleagues for a business conference last week and got back Sunday... Tom had the rugrats to himself and I got to see some people I only know (and work with!) virtually. It was a really good time! Our next one is in April to San Fransisco for the IVAA Summit. Tom's coming with me for that one! I can't wait. I've never been to San Fran. I'm considering leaving a day early or staying a day late and seeing some of the city. Haven't decided if we can afford to bring the kids and get a nanny or whatever while we are there. We'll see. I'd love to take them to San Fran though, see the Pacific Ocean!