New Wheels

For months I have been agonizing over what new car to buy. And for months Joseph has made me get past one obstacle after another, obviously delaying the inevitable. I'm totally excited to announce my new car purchase: a Honda Pilot.... let me just list every task completed before the purchase:

1) Study Consumer Reports.... well, memorize consumer reports

2) Test drive, and test drive, and test drive again (my doing)

3) Find this or that object packed away in unlabeled boxes in our attic and garage for Joseph

a) some angel given to us by a medical practice wanting to hire joseph

b) two framed cycling pictures (of pro cyclists)

4) Choose a car, tell joseph...reconsider....choose another car, talk to joseph....reconsider

5) Study consumer reports again

6) test drive again

7) Clean the Subaru

8) Sell the Subaru

9) Debate on which model car to get with Joseph.... "His advice.... "Wether you like it or not I'm getting a camper, so get whatever you want... you'll have the car until it dies"

10) Come to peace with my decision

11) Find out how much I can get the car for... I'm not a car person and I had no idea where to start. Thanks to USAA insurance and USAA's car buying program I found a starting point.

12) Negotiate with dealers.

13) Read thru dealers' BS.

14) Negotiate, read thru the BS

15) Investigate online what others are paying for the same car. I recommend reviewing the forum on Edmunds.com for assistance.

16) Finalize out the door price

17) Purchase vehicle

I should mention this whole experience has been eye opening and very rewarding. Stressful, but educational. So, I am available for hire should anyone need guidance thru the car buying process!!!

Oh, to the people buying the Subaru, we better seal this deal tomorrow.

Thanks Joseph for your support.

J+A=HMT

A few weekends ago we were visited by Jess & Avery Telligman and their new family member, Henry Miles Telligman. Sam got to hang out with her favorite Winston-Salem "auntie", Jess, who Sam confirmed was a girl, while Seth got to make friends with a fellow camper-to-be, Henry. Sam is just now learning the concept of boy vs. girl, and enjoys labeling us. Most of the time she gets it right! It was sooooooo great to hang out with our friends, meet their first born child, and observe them in their new roles as parents. They are doing a great job.

Shut In Ridge Run

Joseph recently ran in the Shut In Ridge Run, in Asheville, NC; an 18-mile trail run that will ruin anyone's quads...or ankles, knees, wrists, or fingers should one fall. Considering Joseph trained minimally for this race, he did great. Sam thoroughly enjoyed cheering on the finishers while I cursed every female finisher for having the dedication, commitment, and hardcore conviction I currently do not possess. I've always felt that the excuse, lack of free time, for not exercising really meant "mismanaged time" and "I'm lazy", but now I find myself saying that. Well, I do have the time. I can get up earlier and work out, but at this point in time sleeping just seems WAY more necessary. So, someday, I hope to re-prioritize my life and be fit again. But, for now, it's just gonna have to be "sleep" over "exercising" in those early morning hours. Congrats to Joseph for a great race and finishing with a very good time.

Halloween Pics

Pre-festivities

Monkey Boy- He filled out the outfit more than sam did two years ago.

Sam riding "Fred"

Samantha was Abby Cadabby for Halloween this year and Seth was a monkey, the same monkey Sam was two years ago. Rather than trick-or-treating we met up with friends at a Fall Festival downtown. We arrived early for the festival in anticipation of riding a pony. After entering the festival we made a b-line for the ponies. Sam, being one of the early-birds, got to ride a pony twice. She LOVED it and insisted we go back after her second ride, but by then, a line of kiddies was in the making. Sam's "BFF", Molly, also road a pony, but asked to get off after her pony sneezed.

Most recent visitors

greg making airplane sounds at the park

Aunt Mary

The site of the festival

Greg and Mary with Seth

If you want family to come visit then have a baby. Both brothers came to visit us this past month. Greg and my sister-in-law wanted to come the weekend after Matt and his family were here, but I told them back to back visits were too much. They gladly came a few weeks later. Greg, who's all about the "country club scene" really liked Asheville, our house, and our property. He didn't get to experience Sam's favorite activity, the "drum circle" like I had hoped, but he got the idea. I think the good drummers were at the LEAF festival, leaving the "want-to-be's" to lead the circle and keep the beat, resulting in a not so great musical improvisation.

Greg gave up his weekend naps to see some of the Asheville sites on foot. We kept quite busy walking, going to the park, eating at 12 Bones, and attending Stingy Jack's Pumpkin Patch Festival. Greg and my sister-in-law, Mary, witnessed Samantha go on her first hay ride. They watched Seth so I could go along for the ride. I played "horrible hostess" again, though. Poor Mary had to cook chili b/c I, a) am the worst cook and had never cooked chili, b) had nothing planned or prepared for dinner Saturday night.... As of last week I am no longer a virgin chili-maker. I made my first batch of chili and didn't even use a spice packet.... Sorry Joseph if the chili wasn't spicy enough for you. At least we were able to eat it :)