I knew the day would come. I have four kids and they have to be taken places. This limits your vehicle choices temendously. Those gas efficient sedans, cute little SUV's, and middle age crisis sports cars: no, no, and no. The choices include a giant SUV that has less than stellar gas milage, which we already have, or the dreaded (shall I say it) MINIVAN.
I just started a new job which requires me to leave earlier and drive a little further. This meant my hubby now got the pleasure of dropping the little angels at their designated locations and I had to give up my (super cool) Suburban driving up to him. Now instead of being super cool, I am the Altima. Now close your eyes for a moment and picture an Altima, not too bad huh? Now erase that picture and begin to picture this: a tan 2003 Altima, 3/4 door handles missing (just the outer part so the door still opens if you sneak your fingers under the inside part), lovely cracked pain around the back windows, peeling patches of the glossy coat (I am sure there is a technical name for that) on the roof, I lovely rattling noise any time you are stopped. I could go on, but I think you may get the picture. However, we had both cars paid off and I kinda liked that.
We had been going back and forth about getting a new (used) vehicle since whoever had the car is limited to 2 kid pickups, but didn't want to add a car payment. Both cars have around 130,000 miles and we began to worry that at some point they both would need replaced at the same time. I REALLY didn't want 2 car payments. We decided the time may have come to replace our beloved Altima. (I use the term beloved lightly). It had served its purpose for the 8+ years we had owned the salvage title vehicle. We looked at SUV's and the 3 row models were a tad bit on the expensive side and the gas milage is not so good. Then it happened, I don't know what came over me, I guess I have gotten practical in my old age, but the words came out of my mouth. "I could drive a minivan". What happened to me? I used to be cool and I just said I would drive a minivan.
Well, we began looking and yada, yada, yada. I won't bore you with the details, but the Altima is now I am sure headed to the salvage yard, and we are the proud owners of a Honda Odyessey. Here comes the worst part, the confession. I am kinda pumped about it. Don't tell anyone, it's a bit embarrassing, but I like it. I like it a lot. I don't feel cool driving it around. It is not my dream car nor does it become the envy of many people around me, but it is convenient and practical. Yep, it happened I am old, practical, and I think logically. I am pretty sure I am going to start a club. A minivan loving mom's club.
FYI, you can ask my husband, I don't proofread well. My commas are in the wrong spots, words are spelled wrong, and I may or may not use an extreme amount of run on sentences. I don't care and I don't need correction so deal with it :)
Beth
ReplyDeleteI can tell you from experience. While you may not feel cool in the mini van, I doubt anyone does. You do what is needed for the sake of children. I went from a sort of sporty 2 door Grand prix which did not work with car seats at all, but I really loved that car) to a 2 door suv (because the kids couldn't open the doors with anyone in the front) to a mini van (which I never really enjoyed but it did get good gas mileage) then to a 4 door suv (that rolled and kept me in 1 piece) to a sports car. Well because it is cool and I really like it, but sitting on the ground driving is not for everyone. I am looking at maybe moving back up to a small suv. So I guess my story is, it is not a life sentence and in no time you can have the car of your dreams once again.
Dana