This was the first year Amy and I cut down a tree for our house. Last year we moved in in early December, so we just bought a tree from a nursery on Sheridan. We knew we needed a skinny tree, but we didn't really consider how tall it could be...apparently we should have:

It was OK, though. I figured we could just cut the top off with the big scissor things that trim trees...only we don't have any of those, so we used kitchen scissors (we as in Amy...me+sharp objects/high places = disaster)

Beautiful, right?

Until we tried to put the angel on...we decided it just looks like she's praying over all of your presents:

Dear Ethyl

We've had some good times, we've had some bad times, and we've spent a lot of time with me sitting outside of you. But, you're old. And not safe. It's time to break up. I'll always hold a place for you in my heart, but you're being replaced. By this:

Amy and I went to the Ford place today to test drive some cars. I had narrowed it down to a few cars that I wanted, and of the ones I wanted the Escape was the one with the best lease deals. The CR-V, the car I really really wanted, isn't available for lease, apparently. And, really, the way I drive, no car will last longer than 3 years :)

So, we went to test drive. I woke up scared this morning. I was already thinking about driving a car that didn't belong to someone who has to love me unconditionally (or, at least love me.) I spent all day thinking about it. So I decided Amy could test drive it and tell me how she liked it. She didn't think that was such a good idea. But I made her pull out onto Southwestern Blvd. and into the Ambulatory Care Place, so I only had to take right hand turns in the un-paid-for-car that didn't belong to anyone who has to love me. It was still stressful. Because I had to park this car. But I did it, without hitting anything. Yay me!

Anyway, I went in and said yes, I want it, the cheapest one with 4WD and no I don't really care about a moon roof. But, those people at Ford...they can sell stuff.

I have a moon roof. I'm not sure how. Except it, apparently, is free. It was the satellite radio, (something that I'm already paying for, which is all hooked up in Ethyl,) that was the expensive part of that package. Don't ask me why they're packaged together, or how I ended up with said package, but, apparently, I did. Amy assures me it's OK, that she wants my Sirius anyway, so it all works out, even better actually because I get Sirius for free for 6 months in my new car now, so, whatever, but, I was confused.

Then, I wanted Pearl Black. I really liked the Pearl Black. Mostly because it's Pearl (which in my mind is white), but it's black (which in my mind is...uh...black.) I ended up with silver. I guess if you mix Pearl and Black together, you get silver, so it all works out, right? Side note here -- until very recently, I always thought that you decided on all of the stuff you wanted and they made your car, then you went and got it...I mean, that's why it took so long for you to pick it up, right? So, if I want pearl black and they don't have my package in pearl black, they just make it, right? No, apparently it doesn't work that way. I get silver, or I pay more. I got silver.

So, they asked if I had a car to trade in. I laughed (sorry Ethyl.) Kelley Blue Book said Ethyl was worth (being very, very generous...like, I lied and said she was in good condition) $800. I figured we'd get about $300, but, it'd be about a payment, so, great, right? The guy took it to get it appraised, came back and said, "it's worth more than I'd give you for it." Well, gee, thanks, I guess. Ethyl is worth $600 to Ford! Ridiculous! I should keep her! Or...not.

So after I got all of my packages worked out it was time to go to the credit woman. I was worried, honestly. I don't have a credit card. I don't have a mortgage. I pay a student loan, but that's it. I don't really have any credit. The last time I applied for any type of credit (a credit card) I wasn't approved because of a mortgage in 1992 or something, when I was 11. I was pretty sure Amy was going to have to co-sign. The credit woman was kind of amazed that I didn't have a credit card, but she took all of my information, took some blood, did a DNA test, checked my urine (ok, that may be a slight exaggeration...)...and I was approved almost immediately. Weird, huh?

The credit woman is also in charge of selling the warrenty-type packages. The first one she told us about I was like, "Uh, no, thanks." But then I listened to what she said. And to what Amy said. And it made sense. I mean, I need oil changes, right? Why not pay for them monthly? I'm sure there's other stuff in there too...like anything that goes wrong with the car other than if I run it into something...they fix it. And free windshield wipers and wiper fluid whenever I need it, and all of that stuff. So, I said OK. Then everything she said sounded good. Tire protection? Well, I have gotten a flat tire before. Road salt protection? Hey, I live in Buffalo! Acid rain protection? Of course! Haven't you seen An Inconvient Truth? Ok, so, I didn't actually get any of these packages (the crazy ones...I did get the wiper and fluid one...because I like clean windshields.) But I was tempted. Thank God for Amy...for so many reasons, but, today, for convincing me my new car won't melt in acid rain.

So, I leased it today. Well, I picked it out and test drove and whatnot today. I pick it up Monday. If, that is, I can find the title to Ethyl...