I discovered a tiny dent in the rear door behind the driver's door and am kind of surprised that the discovery didn't upset me much. The way I look at it is that it's certainly not the last one that will mar my pretty little car over the next many years and I'm realistically accepting that the car is just an object, one that will be a sitting duck in any parking lot I leave it in. I'll bet that's where most dents and scratches are put on your car.
It kind of unnerved me when I thought the car was perfect. It was like a blank canvas just waiting for the first little imperfection that some careless person would put on it. At least now it's been broken in and if a teensy dent is all it suffers while it lives at my house, then I'm very lucky.
Because of my less than perfect knees, I have a handicapped tag which allows me to park in the larger, safer handicapped parking spots. Unfortunately, it expires in July and I'll have to ask my doctor to approve me for an extension. My knees, now not too bad, will really never be normal again so I'm hoping that he will give me a permanent extension. Not only will that give added life to my knees but also to my car. I've found that being able to legally park in the handicapped spots is very convenient.
Years ago, when my knees were normal, I was looking for a parking spot in the mall and Tyson, about 6 years old and sitting in the back seat, asked why I didn't park in the handicapped spot. I told him I wasn't handicapped. He replied, "Yes you are. You're old". I guess a lady in her 50's is old to anyone under 40.
These days, I couldn't care less if people see me as old or handicapped. I am what I am. I'm here and I'm dear.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Reaquaintance With Nolan
Kim and I took Nash out in the afternoon to buy him a belated birthday gift from me (his birthday is Feb. 24th) but I'd waited because I'd wanted to be with him to get it. We took Nash out for lunch and then home for his nap...he was an angel the whole time and smiled lovingly at me but wouldn't let me touch him. He really doesn't like anyone but his parents and Nolan but he tolerated his Gramma, Kim, that day because she was all he had.
Nolan was waiting for us when we dropped Nash off. He had his little suitcase all packed and couldn't get in the car fast enough...I think he thought he was going to Kim's, though. We drove to my house and Kim used the big box that came with the new child car seat for my car to make a playhouse for Nolan. Kids love to climb into big boxes and Nolan was no exception. He played with that thing all day so I might have to keep it somewhere, maybe in the basement when I get my work area cleaned up.
The more I was with Nolan, the more I learned of his little idiosyncrasies. It's so cute to hear him say, "here am are" instead of "here I am". He chatters constantly and is still a little difficult for me to understand but we did manage to have some conversation. He was so darned good the whole time and the only time I thought he might be a little homesick was when he'd occasionally say, "Daddy loves me". Children are so precious and tender and it made me wonder why he felt the need to comfort himself that way. I guess it was just a reminder to him that his Daddy hadn't abandoned him and would come for him soon. So sweet.
He wouldn't have an afternoon nap, playing at full speed until we went to bed at 8 P.M. I put him in bed with me and settled in to watch some T.V. Almost immediately, his little eyes glazed over and he was sound asleep until 8 A.M. He wasn't anxious to get up then, either, but did so with the promise of breakfast. He's such a little guy, already with his own personality. I watch with amazement as I see this tiny little boy developing in front of me. He's a combination of his father (in looks) and his mother (in outgoing personality) but still his own self.
All morning, he appeared completely at ease being with me but, when his parents arrived at 11:30 to pick him up, he ran to them and happily clung to his mother as though he never wanted to let her go. I know he was fine here with me but nothing can replace that bond between a child and their parents. My house will be a place to visit and be loved by his GG but home is where his heart will be.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Home
As I sit here at my computer, like I do every morning, I'm smiling because my heart is at peace. I'm home.
There is a certain serenity that we only feel when we're in our "home". Our home reflects the past and present of our life and the familiarity of our home affects us in a positive way...unless the home is chaotic. I live alone so the only chaos is that which I produce myself, usually the mess on the computer desk.
I think it's the familiarity of my surroundings that calms me when I'm home. Of course, these days I look around to see what I can do without because I'm still in discarding and downsizing mode. Even spotting things that I'll get rid of is a nice feeling because I can envision how much neater a spot will be once the excess is gone.
"Home" is a collection of our stuff that we accumulated for reasons known only to ourselves. Our stuff has meaning to us. It could be pictures, books, ornaments, or pretty much anything that we once thought we couldn't do without. Then there comes a time when some of it loses it's lustre and we know we can let it go.
A cold, perfect and uncluttered house isn't really a home because there is nothing to connect to. When I walk into a home teaming with family photos or piles of toys I see the life there.
My home isn't perfect and never will be because I tend to let my interests consume me. Things set aside "just for the moment" often take up residence in their temporary spots. But it all spells out "Pat's place" and people know when they come in that this is who I am, maybe a little disorganized but still okay.
Home, it's where we can relax and be ourselves.
There is a certain serenity that we only feel when we're in our "home". Our home reflects the past and present of our life and the familiarity of our home affects us in a positive way...unless the home is chaotic. I live alone so the only chaos is that which I produce myself, usually the mess on the computer desk.
I think it's the familiarity of my surroundings that calms me when I'm home. Of course, these days I look around to see what I can do without because I'm still in discarding and downsizing mode. Even spotting things that I'll get rid of is a nice feeling because I can envision how much neater a spot will be once the excess is gone.
"Home" is a collection of our stuff that we accumulated for reasons known only to ourselves. Our stuff has meaning to us. It could be pictures, books, ornaments, or pretty much anything that we once thought we couldn't do without. Then there comes a time when some of it loses it's lustre and we know we can let it go.
A cold, perfect and uncluttered house isn't really a home because there is nothing to connect to. When I walk into a home teaming with family photos or piles of toys I see the life there.
My home isn't perfect and never will be because I tend to let my interests consume me. Things set aside "just for the moment" often take up residence in their temporary spots. But it all spells out "Pat's place" and people know when they come in that this is who I am, maybe a little disorganized but still okay.
Home, it's where we can relax and be ourselves.
Friday, April 27, 2012
My Pretty New Car
The first car is Kim's new one, a 2011 Hyundai Elantra and the next picture is me with my new baby, a 2012 Nissan Altima. The 3rd picture is the best one of the Altima. The color is prettier than I remembered, a medium grey with a touch of blue so I'm one happy lady.
The Honda was getting worse by the day so I guess I waited too long to buy another car but maybe good things do come to people who wait. I love my new car!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
New Car
Well, I'm the proud owner of an almost gorgeous 2012 Nissan Altima...the only thing keeping it from being totally gorgeous is the color. I wanted red but ended up with a darkish grey blue called ocean blue. It looks like a very stormy ocean, though. There are only 6,000 km on it so it's almost like a new car.
I ended up paying $21,000 for it after it was pointed out that I only had one air bag in the Honda which made it unsellable by the dealership. They're not going to resell it anyway but I didn't want to have to deal with putting another air bag in and then starting the buying/selling process all over again. I'm happy as pig in poo with my purchase and that's all that matters.
Gary went with me and test drove it. He was very impressed with how smooth it was and how much power it has. Believe it or not, there is no key to open or start it. There is a little device that unlocks the doors but you just press a button on the dash to start it. It will only start if the device is inside the car. How convenient!! There is also a button on the device which honks the car horn if you can't find the car. I can't keep calling this thing a "devise" so it will be referred to as a key from now on. LOL!
Pictures to follow!
I pick it up tomorrow at 4 P.M. and will take pictures to post as soon as weather permits. I love it!
I ended up paying $21,000 for it after it was pointed out that I only had one air bag in the Honda which made it unsellable by the dealership. They're not going to resell it anyway but I didn't want to have to deal with putting another air bag in and then starting the buying/selling process all over again. I'm happy as pig in poo with my purchase and that's all that matters.
Gary went with me and test drove it. He was very impressed with how smooth it was and how much power it has. Believe it or not, there is no key to open or start it. There is a little device that unlocks the doors but you just press a button on the dash to start it. It will only start if the device is inside the car. How convenient!! There is also a button on the device which honks the car horn if you can't find the car. I can't keep calling this thing a "devise" so it will be referred to as a key from now on. LOL!
Pictures to follow!
I pick it up tomorrow at 4 P.M. and will take pictures to post as soon as weather permits. I love it!
Back Again
I mnt to say "Google Chrome" but can't find anywhere to edit the blog. And now it's not looking the same...crap!
I'm Back...Maybe!
This is the new Blogspot format and it's been wicked trying to figure out how to post on it. I suppose this is what they call "progress". Somehow, the people who are in charge of changing things just don't get it that all of us aren't as computer literate as they are. Me, I'm a struggler at the best of times.
Anyway, my first problem began in Florida while using a dial-up AOL service which wasn't powerful enough to let me upload a new browser (new requisite of Blogspot). Then I got home to my more powerful service and was able, with difficulty, to upload Google Gold and now here I am hoping this blog will post without further problems.
Now for the update on my car, my trip home, and my new car.
On Monday, I set off from the park with 2 loaded suitcases (just in case the car broke down mid trip and I had to fly the rest of the way). It made for a neater car and trunk, I must say. I was really worried about how my car would handle the hills that dot the way from Florida to Ontario and cringed every time I saw one in front of me. Strangely enough, the car didn't have any problems with the hills because I was very careful not to press the gas pedal too far down. The weather was excellent, the motel was clean, and I arrived home about 6 P.M. on Tuesday.
Wednesday I began remaking all the doctors' and dentist appointments I'd had to cancel when I'd been unsure of when I could get home. Then I went out for lunch and did some car shopping. My intent was to find a 2012 Nissan Altima was was either a rental or demo so that I could save on the price. My limit was $20,000 including all taxes, etc. and I was able to find a few that were possibilities. Wednesday evening I received a call from one of the dealerships saying they had one for me to see and that would meet my financial limitations.
Today, my dear brother-in-law, Gary, is going to come with me to test drive it and I may just be buying a new car today. I'll be posting pictures once I get it.
Well, now is the time to end the blog and see if I can post the darn thing with this new blog format. Wish me luck!
Anyway, my first problem began in Florida while using a dial-up AOL service which wasn't powerful enough to let me upload a new browser (new requisite of Blogspot). Then I got home to my more powerful service and was able, with difficulty, to upload Google Gold and now here I am hoping this blog will post without further problems.
Now for the update on my car, my trip home, and my new car.
On Monday, I set off from the park with 2 loaded suitcases (just in case the car broke down mid trip and I had to fly the rest of the way). It made for a neater car and trunk, I must say. I was really worried about how my car would handle the hills that dot the way from Florida to Ontario and cringed every time I saw one in front of me. Strangely enough, the car didn't have any problems with the hills because I was very careful not to press the gas pedal too far down. The weather was excellent, the motel was clean, and I arrived home about 6 P.M. on Tuesday.
Wednesday I began remaking all the doctors' and dentist appointments I'd had to cancel when I'd been unsure of when I could get home. Then I went out for lunch and did some car shopping. My intent was to find a 2012 Nissan Altima was was either a rental or demo so that I could save on the price. My limit was $20,000 including all taxes, etc. and I was able to find a few that were possibilities. Wednesday evening I received a call from one of the dealerships saying they had one for me to see and that would meet my financial limitations.
Today, my dear brother-in-law, Gary, is going to come with me to test drive it and I may just be buying a new car today. I'll be posting pictures once I get it.
Well, now is the time to end the blog and see if I can post the darn thing with this new blog format. Wish me luck!
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