Car thoughts

I'm home this AM, since I have Alan's evaluation this afternoon. On the way back from walking him to school, I decided to browse the used car lots that line Route 46 near me. No one bothered me as most weren't open yet.

The lots were full of SUV's and mini vans. The smaller sedans tended to be hidden behind. I'm not sure the glut of bigger cars was because that's what people wanted or because they are being dumped for more fuel efficient cars. Most of the cars were in the 1997-01 range and many had over 100K on them. Looking that them convinced me even more that I really want a sedan type car. (There are a few station wagon shaped SUV's - like the Lexus - that I might be comfortable in though).

Sadly most cars seem boring these days. I looked back on the cars that I've owned, most seemed to have personality

1984 new 4-door maroon Ford Escort named Vicki (from the license plate it ended in IKB) - graduation gift from my parents, owned until 1989 with 102K miles on it and a blown head gasket.

1986 used 2 door gold colored Oldsmobile Calais named Goldie bought to replace the Escort. Probably the least intereting car I've owned. Turned it in 1990 because we couldn't afford the payments.

1975 used Red Ford Mustang (no name) bought for 150.00 to replace the Olds. Had it about a year then the timing belt broke and my ex and I managed one car for a while. My ex liked mid 70's mustangs :(

1986 used 4 Door Blue Chevy Cavilier named Little Oceanic (or Little OC). This was my mom's that she bought new and I inherited when she died in 1993. I got rid of it in July 1997 as the axles were going. It was traded in (for 100.00) towards my current car. My mom named the car after her favorite cruise ship. It was a blue metallic color, although you really couldn't see the sparkles unless it was clean.

1995 Pink/Red Ford Escort named Rosie (or Rosie O'Car). Sports WPI license plate and window sticker as well as a thyca magnetic ribbon. Bought it for 9000.00 (8600.00 + 400.00 for the now disabled alarm) in NJ with 23K miles on it - my late dad gave me the down payment money. Paid very high interest on it - but once I moved in with Mark was able to pay it off early. This car has seen me through lots of changes since 1997 - from a seperated woman living in a rented condo in Staten Island with 3 cats to a married mom of 1 with no cats living in another paid off condo in Bergen County.

I'm not sure which car would be *my* car if we got a new one. I suspect we'd transfer the registration to the new car, but probably Mark would take it to work. I guess once we get a car, I'll ask about decorating one or the other with the license plate frame and ribbon (as well as a steering wheel cover and anything else I take from my car).

Reading

Anyone read the Da Vinci Code or Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. I finished Da Vinci Code and am 1/2 way through Angels and Demons. He must have spent hours researching the books - I don't think he made up the details of where things are etc.

( Possible spoiler )

Alan's evaluation

It went well - I think they agreed there was something to check out regarding his speech and will go visit his school to observe him with other children and get the schools input. He was very sweet with the grownups even saying take it easy on the way out and blowing a kiss.

The only thing that makes me nervous is that a social worker comes to the house and observes the child at home. Only one parent has to be home, but our place is messy. I get worried that they'd call CPS - so I guess I'll have to tidy a bit and hide junk in closets?

Strange Store Incident

Mark took Alan to the supermarket tonight. He was looking for my hard to find Diet Pepsi Vanilla and holding Alan by the coat hood to prevent him from running off. A woman came by and started screaming at Mark that he was holding Alan like a dog and would report him etc. I think both Mark and I have done this in the supermarket (or other stores) to keep him close many times. Were we right or wrong?