Because It Is Not Every Day You See a Giant Hot Dog on Wheels...

The first time I saw the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile was while I was driving past the University Hospital in the U-District of Seattle. We were both driving in opposite directions at the time, and I was working, so I did not have an opportunity to take any photos.

Stockings hung by the makeshift chimney with care upon entering the mobile.  Blurry because I only had my iPod to take photos, and I was in a hurry so I may not have focused right.

Imagine my surprise, when a couple of years later, I see the unusual vehicle in the Bothell parking lot!  I immediately had to check it out.  There were about two or three people standing outside the vehicle to answer questions and hand out little Oscar Meyer whistles. 

Above: Oscar Meyer Weinermobile Whistle (Among my Fisher-Price Hallmark Ornaments, I think it fits well among them, don't you?)

I asked if I could take some photos, and I was told I could take as many as I would like.  I asked if I could go inside, and was told to "Go right ahead!"

The vehicle I saw only sits about 6-8 people.  It was roped off towards the back, so I could not go all the way to the front, but I could still see everything just fine.  It was all decked out for the holidays, both inside and out, which made it even more special.  I am so glad I got a chance to really see it!

My New Car!

Okay... so it is not the beautiful Lamborghini, as seen above, which I saw outside of work one day. I really do like the car above, but I needed something a little more practical than that. ...and in my price range?

My mind was pretty much set on a Toyota Corolla. I even looked around at a local dealer about 3 months ago. Nothing really felt, like: "This is it!" I was worried I was going to have to settle.

My friend, Trina said she was looking into a Toyota Corolla as well, and we decided to go car shopping together. She said the 2009 cars were about the same price as some of the used ones I had been looking at. That sounded like a deal.

She wound up going before me, and unfortunately, they had no more 2009 cars. She got a nice, new 2010 car, at a higher price. Then, she went with me, while I decided on something different. Her advice was very helpful, and having her there, with me, made the process a whole lot easier.

I wrote in a previous blog about how I paid a significant amount of money back to my grandfather, and in return, he put a significant down payment on my last car that I had: A 17 year-old car, that I owned for 15 years. I have to admit... despite all it's problems (in latter years), especially in winter, I really loved the car.

• My old car leaked, so much that I had a portable swimming pool riding around the spare tire.

• It froze inside and out during winter, making it nearly impossible to get into it, until later in the day (scraping the inside of my sharply sloping window while sitting inside the car, was no picnic either).

• The horn blared, without me touching it.... (I had to get that removed).

• The radio went out. That was long after I got a tape stuck in the tape player.

• Sometimes in the summer the key would not turn in the ignition, but it always ran well. I never had trouble with that.

So, fortunately, I was able to sell it. Amazing. I was going to donate it to charity, but someone decided to buy it from me. I am happy, because I think even though I am not giving it to charity, it is going to someone who might appreciate it, instead of being turned into scrap metal.

I really hope it does not give the new owner too much grief. It was very comfortable to sit in - I was noticing as I drove home from work on Friday, but I knew it was time to say, "goodbye."

Purchasing a car has been a totally new experience for me. Thanks to some of my friends and family, bits and pieces of advice, plus TONS of research. It all helped me find the exact car I wanted for the price I was willing to pay. I hate the fact that I am in debt again. I don't like it. I have managed to avoid it most of my life, but I suppose, sometimes it is unavoidable. Maybe even worth it.

So, here is my new 2007 Honda Civic. It looks just like the newer cars at the place I work at (for the drivers there, except without the decals). Since I used to be a driver, I am somewhat familiar with this car (though I never got one of the newer ones - only got to borrow for special deliveries!). I am excited, and a little overwhelmed. It is the nicest car I have ever had.