Cars

One significant event was left out of my year-end summary... I added another fun car to the family! :-) The new one is the replacement for the '97 VW Cabrio, which has had multiple mechanical problems and finally hit the point of costs adding up more than the value of the car. I still have the Cabrio, as I am working on import tax paperwork before I can legally transfer it in the UK. I think I have decided that I will be donating it to a UK charity, who will fix it up and sell it at an auction to raise money. I debated trying to sell it myself, but didn't really feel comfortable selling a potentially dangerous (bad transmission) car, even if I didn't ask much money for it. Donating to charity just seems like the right thing to do... I don't need the money, and I will be happy knowing that a car I have loved for the last 6 years will be benefitting others now. I plan on giving it a good wash and a final photo shoot before it goes, so you can expect a blog entry with all the great memories I have had with the Cabrio. :-)

And in case anyone was wondering... yes, I still have the bright yellow '79 Mini! It is great fun to drive, but not really the safest car in winter (lightweight, tiny tires, tiny tread, no airbags) or on major highways, so I needed a replacement for the Cabrio as a daily driver. So... what is it, you ask? Drumroll please...

Ta-da! My new baby, a 1992 Honda CRX, better known as a Del Sol in the US. It is a UK-spec (right hand drive) 2-seater coupe with removable hardtop roof, so I'm not giving up having a convertible! It is in excellent condition inside and out, and so much fun to drive. Martin, who is a "car guy" and does all his own mechanical work on his two prized Nissan Skylines, checked it out with me before I bought it and agreed it was a great little car for a good price. I bought it in November and have been driving it on and off with the Cabrio, to become my primary car after I say goodbye to the Cabrio within the next month or two. And yes, for anyone who is counting, that means I currently own 3 cars for one person... what can I say? I am (proudly) my father's daughter... ;-)

Since you're probably tired of car talk, I have a couple other interesting bits of information to share. First, I signed up for a half marathon! Martin and I both wanted a goal race to get us back into serious training, so we picked the best combination possible - a race in a city we already wanted to visit! We will be running the Prague Half Marathon in the capital city of the Czech Republic on April 2nd. Excited!!! Running is such a great excuse (as if we needed one) to travel.

The other bit of news is somewhat related in the sense that I may be able to start looking at fall marathons... I happened to find out yesterday that the only deployment tasking for a weather officer in my "bucket" this year has already gone to another base. So... unless that person is disqualified for some reason (not outside the realm of possibility by any means), chances are I am not going anywhere. I'm slightly torn as to how I feel about the news... a deployment would be a great experience for me and good for my career, but I can't say I'm disappointed to be spending more time in England instead of a desert. I'm happy that it means I will likely get to come home in May for Lisa's college graduation, and hopefully see some extended family and friends at the same time. I'm not buying tickets yet, as things change very quickly in the Air Force, but it's nice to have some kind of indication instead of just waiting and wondering.

I'll end with a Good List today...

Good List:

1. Cars (the movie). Just a coincidence that is the title of today's blog. Martin and I happened to catch it on TV last night, and wow... what an outstanding movie. I had forgotten how good it was. Absolutely brilliant writing, and the best combination of hilarious and heartwarming you will ever find.

2. Using a George Foreman grill as a panini press.

3. Running. So excited to get going again!

4. The Hielan Coo (Highland Cow) hat I got in Edinburgh for New Years. Warm, fuzzy, and adorable... pictures to come!

5. Long emails.

6. Nintendo DS. Martin got me one for Christmas, and it is SO much fun... I will never be bored on a train or plane again!

7. Bed.

8. Amazon.com sales.

9. Long fuzzy warm socks. Thanks Mom! :)

10. Excitement of a new year and things to come!