car – Site Title

It Was Smooth Sailing!

I did the test drive and came off looking like a winner. It was nerve-racking when I got there and the guy at the dealership asked, “Ready to do the test drive?” with a big smile on his face. I stuttered, “I think so.” He laughed and said, “I’ll be right next to you so nothing will go wrong.”

The car wasn’t exactly like the one I’m looking at. The guy reassured me that it will be ok. I CAN drive this one too. It had a few new-fangled things but I decided to ignore them and hoped they would ignore me too! I took my seat, adjusted the mirrors like a pro, fastened the seatbelt and started the engine! So far, so good. I had to make the car move which meant taking my foot off the brake pedal and that took some time coming. Finally, we moved out of the parking area, into the short street leading to the main road and I told myself, “Calm down!” I waited till I could merge and took off.

Surprisingly the car was very quiet. He said it was on the electric mode and that little symbol on the dash shows you that. Where?!! He went on to explain that it does it automatically so nothing to worry about. It had some nice features, it showed the temperature outside, it showed the speed limit I should be doing and did a tiny beep or two when I exceeded what I was supposed to be doing. It was compact, it handled well, and I liked how it felt! I was so comfortable that we talked the whole way during the drive. He also mentioned that I was driving the car like I had been driving it for a long time and not just today. Wow! Sales pitch? I don’t know but I liked driving the car. Doing the reverse was a breeze and this thing had cameras everywhere!

We pulled back into the park place at the dealership and I was almost ready to say, “I’ll take it!” Knowing me, I took the cautious route. We went back into his office and he offered me more than I expected for my current car. Hmm….I couldn’t believe it but still I couldn’t make the “horse drink from the water.” So, I asked a few more questions. He told me the guarantee was for 5 years and I could pay to have it for 10 years. Then he went on to say, “What could go wrong? You have a new car.”

ME: “A lot could go wrong according to what Google told me and the well-meaning friends who have been helping me.”

However, I kept my mouth shut. Am I taking it? I asked for a day or two to make up my mind. He agreed and said, “I will hear from you on Wednesday?”

ME: “Yes, I think you will.”

As I left his office, I was glad to be out of there. It felt like I had accomplished something. Basically, the test-drive that had been taunting me all weekend, I achieved it without batting an eye and I gave myself a pat on the back for that. Have I made up my mind? What do you think?!!

I’ve roped someone else to go look at some other cars tomorrow. Why? Just because it is a lot of money and I want to be absolutely sure I’m making the right decision. Just like the guys I date you say?

Exactly.

It’s Sunday!

Didn’t we just go through Sunday? Well, it’s on a loop and comes by sooner than expected! To put it succinctly, time flies. I made up my mind to have a quiet one today. No intrusions of any kind including my overactive mind.

Tomorrow is going to be a nerve-racking one. I’ll be test-driving the new car and I’m not looking forward to it. The weather is supposed to be rainy so that is not going to help matters much. Last Friday, I went to look at another car. Why? I told you, my mind keeps jumping around and it keeps me on my toes. Look at all that is out there before you make a decision, it says. I agree but pair that with well-meaning people who keep sending me information on what to look out for and yours truly on the Google mode and you’ve got horror in the making! I KNOW what not to buy and that is almost every car! So, now I’ve decided to put Google aside although it keeps begging me to come back, just like cheesecake does. Today, there will be no Googling and no well-meant advice. I’m on my own with my trusted Chachi, the cat, for company.

Monday will come soon enough and I’m not going to sweat bullets, well, I never do but that is besides the point. I will meditate for all I’m worth and go into a quiet space to psych myself up but without thinking too much. Make sense? No? Never mind, I know what it means.

I woke up feeling a little under the weather. It could be my overactive mind playing tricks on me. If I can’t get you through overthinking, let’s try another method! It’s not going to work. I’m going to go test drive that car, get it over with, and come hell or high water I’m determined to do it. I may decide against it afterwards and just have my current car repaired. I DO NOT like changes and that is the pull there.

Today, I have good intentions of being in my safe zone, taking it easy, breathing like a monk, and leaving tomorrow where it belongs. It hasn’t happened yet so why spend time on it. WHY?!! Because I’m wired that way! Okay, deep breath, let it out slowly and here we go into the quiet.

Fingers and toes crossed!

The New Car Headache!

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No, I haven’t got one yet, a new car I mean but I’ve been looking and have narrowed it down to two. One is a SUV with some new-fangled features that do not set well with me but it looks like the one I have now, just a newer model. The other is a sporty, steel blue one that is brand new and doesn’t have all the features I don’t want or need! It is smaller than what I have now, more compact and is supposed to be perfect for city driving. The autobahn is another story altogether! It seems the noise level goes up, the faster you go!

What’s the problem? I am. I’ve been Googling as I do with all things new or things I need to know more about and my fingers are telling me to stop it! The first car, the grey number, looks great on the outside and on the inside. I hate the new features because it means getting used to it and since I hate changes, I’m dragging my heels and they are not about to come loose any time soon! I keep saying, “this is not going to work!” Negative thoughts feed more negativity? Exactly where I’m at with this one.

The steel blue sexy looking car looks like it might work. Even though new, it does not have all the fancy thingamajigs or rather the whatchamacallits that I will have to wrestle with. Looks like it might be easy enough to operate and that is the appealing part. The other thing is that it is a hybrid but according to the guy, I wouldn’t have to do a thing. It charges itself! How? He says, “Don’t worry. Just tank it and it does the rest naturally.” Scary? My feelings exactly!

Anyway, I have to test drive this car on Friday and I am not looking forward to it. The weather might just help because snow is supposed to get here on Thursday and if it stays, I will cancel the appointment and move it to next week. Either way, sooner or later, I will have to come to a decision.

My other thought was to have my current car fixed, fork out almost 2,000 euros to fix one headlight. Unbelievable? Yes, I couldn’t believe it either but it has some fancy lights.

Here’s the other thing. That Google adventure I have been on has given me more information than I wanted to know. I got more negatives than I thought was possible and I’m at the point where I’m thinking both “cars” could be a problem. If you’re thinking that salesman is going to have a problem with me, you’re right. I’ve got 10 questions written up ready to be fielded come Friday! I bet he’ll be happy to see me go, hopefully with the keys to the new car in hand.

Hmm….I don’t know about that. If you think I am complicated where relationships are concerned, it doesn’t get any better with settling for another car either. Blame it on Google! Gone are the days where you walk in like a sheep being led to the slaughter and let the salesperson sweet-talk you into parting with your cash. These days, you are an expert with Google’s help of course!

We’ll see how this turns out. I’ll keep you posted.

Have a great day.

A Day Like Any Other

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It started out like any other day. I was prepared to stay in my “zen” zone as I got ready for the day ahead. No frustrations, no anger and definitely no stress. When has “life” ever listened to me and it was ready to show me different! It said, “Enough with this taking it easy stuff! Time to learn more lessons!” and it went downhill from there yesterday.

Shopping was at the top of the list, shopping for groceries that is. I got that done and I still had a smile on my face. A few more chores later, I returned home and just as I approached the garage, all hell seemed to break loose! The onboard computer went crazy and a loud beeping sound signaled something was wrong. The message said, “Engine overheating! Have it checked out.” This is one of those times when I hate being single! I needed someone to be my side to take care of the problem.

Anyway, I left the car in the garage, rushed in and called my car service place. They suggested that I call my auto club first. I did and was told, “It’s going to take about 3 hours for the technician to get there. It’s cold outside so there is a lot going on. We’re very sorry.” Two hours later, the guy shows up. He seemed to know what he was doing. Finally, he said there is no water in the pump and there seems to be a slight leak.” Hmm….my stress level was rising! He added, “You can’t drive the car until it is checked out. I have to call a tow truck!”

Okay guys, this was not going well at all. Forty-five minutes later, the tow truck shows up. A tall, lanky, young and handsome blonde type steps out with a smile on his face. He was bent on making conversation so I obliged and kept it friendly. He said, “Nice car, would you like to sell it?”

Me: “No, I like my car. I just want it fixed.”

Him: “I would buy it.”

Anyway, out of the blue and just as suddenly he put his arm around me and pressed his forehead against mine! I pulled away shocked and put it down to being overtly friendly. I didn’t immediately jump on the “ME TOO” bandwagon. Is this sexual harassment? It was uncomfortable to say the least but I kept my composure. and asked, “Should I pay you?”

Him: “No, it’s coming from the heart.”

Ugh? Long story short, car got loaded up onto the truck and he took off. However, the incident stayed on my mind causing a sleepless night. Yes, I overthink things but more importantly this question kept floating around in my mind. “Did I instigate his behavior?” I have a tendency to smile at strangers but that is just me being friendly. So I keep wondering what this was about.

Let it go? I will so I’m going to put on my shoes, bundle up and go freeze my you know what off! Perhaps, that will help to get me back to my “zen” state again.

It started out like any other day but some days you have to expect the unexpected.

Have an amazing day.