Sunday, May 08, 2011

Artsy Weekend!

It has a busy but fun weekend!  I always enjoy the first weekend of May for Artfest on Walnut St.!  Friday night was the Downtown First Friday Art Walk the the weekend was the Artfest.  Also on Saturday was National Scrapbook Day (NSD).

Artfest on Walnut St.

My sister and I went downtown and checked out a few venues full of art.  It was really busy so it was hard to see all the art.  Parking is always an issue downtown.  There are no cruising signs up every where but I am waiting for the day that I get stopped for cruising when I am only trying to find a place to park my car!  It makes me wish I was able to push a button in my car like George Jetson.  He turns his car into his briefcase.  I never understood why he was always trying to find where he parked though.  Shouldn't he just have a button in his briefcase to turn it back into his car?  I didn't notice that till I was older and watching The Jetson's one day when my nieces were younger.

Saturday I went to the LSS to celebrate NSD.  I attended Super Saver Scrapbooking, did the make-n-takes and then did a little shopping.  I almost over slept as I decided to take a nap and slept through my alarm.  I am glad that I woke up and made it to my class!

After my scrappy fun, I went home to pick up my dog and went to Artfest!  It was a fun adventure but Phoebe always gets so hot!  She makes me nervous since pugs can't tolerate heat well.  I was glad that various artist had bowls of water out for the dogs.  I will often buy bottled water and make sure she gets lots to drink.  We will also sit in the shade and just enjoy the people and music!  Phoebe just loves adventures!

Then we went home to chill for a bit and then I took Phoebe to the park.  We just walked around and I was noticing some areas to do some photography someday.  Since we have had a lot of rain, the ground was quite soggy!  Here is a picture of Phoebe in my car.  She gave it her pug approval!  :-)

Phoebe

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Saturday, May 07, 2011

Finally after 10 years . . . . .

I have been busy with work and also a little vacation in April.

While i was on vacation in April, the car I had for 10 years irritated me.  I had just went to Sam's, had a trunk full of various items including perishable items.  I get home and the trunk on my car decides to not open!  The release button sounded like the motor was stuck.  GRRR!!!!  I had a hatchback so I was able to crawl into the back seat and lower the seats to get my items out.  I worked with my key some more after getting my items out and figured out a way to get the trunk open.  Phew!  It was annoying and inconvenient.

Then a few days later, I was heading to St. Louis.  I just hoped my trunk release behaved and didn't go out anymore than it already had.  I have been told by people that I needed a new car.  This Integra had been the best car I had owned.  I also like the fact that it was paid for!

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When I got back from St. Louis, I decided to at least look at used cars at Acura.  I wanted another Acura as they have been good cars for me.  I had an '86 Integra prior to my "98 Integra.  When I looked at the cars, they had gotten bigger and more expensive in the last 10 years.  After talking with a salesman, I test drove an Acura TSX.  It had all the luxury features like seat warmers, leather seats, bluetooth and more.  It was nice but I just wasn't in love.  It was too much car for me.  I was more curious about seeing an Acura RSX but they don't make them anymore.  They didn't have one on the lot.  I was content with not coming back and just keeping my car for another 10 years that day.

A few days later, the car salesman calls me to tell me they had an RSX on the lot!!  Someone had traded one in.  I was excited to see this car and was able to the next day.  The car was very sharp and had been taken car of.  I liked how it drove.  After talking and doing some dealing with interest rates and my payment options I asked If I could take the car out again but without a salesman.  I wanted to make sure this was what I wanted before making a final decision.  I drove it around and even took it over to my parents house so they could see it.  They thought it was a nice car.  I was pretty sure I was going to buy the car at this point.

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I went back to the car lot and said I would buy the car since they were giving me the interest rate and working with me on my payment.  I was trading in my old car for a down payment.  They only gave me $1000 for my old car but it had a few exterior blemishes that needed repair.  Like the power antenna, trunk release, side view mirror was busted, the misting on the windshield wipers was wimping out.  It was otherwise in good shape.  I signed all the papers that night but I had to take my old car home because they hadn't had time to detail the car for me.  I got to pick it up two days later.

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As I was driving my Integra home after driving the RSX all day, I could tell that the RSX drove better.  I am not excited about having payments again but I like the fact that everything that wasn't working as well in my old car, worked in this car.  I will miss my '98 Integra as has been the best car with minimal repairs.  I just hope my new car treats me the same.

I keep checking to see where my old car has ended up.  I have noticed that Acura hasn't listed my Integra.  I have been doing searches on cars.com.  This morning I have been up since my pup woke me up and checked cars.com and found my old car!!  I can tell it is mine for the dent above the rear passenger side wheel.  I had a little mishap backing into my garage one day quite a few years ago.  Oops!  I can tell from the pictures, they fixed the side view mirror.  It looks great!!  I am just curious who will end up buying it.  I miss my Integra but love my RSX!


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