Finding My New Ride

Come 525am I was well slept but still a little groggy. That might be because I woke about an hour before after hearing what sounded like moaning coming form Bella’s room. Sure enough, she was moaning in pain. Said her mouth hurt. I woke Mindy asking her to check her out. And just like you’d expect from a caring mother, Mindy promptly headed to her side.

I shook of the cob webs and headed downstairs to get my return to work started. I hadn’t yet prepped coffee, so that was the first thing on my agenda. After that I checked out the weather – clear skies – and slipped into my exercise shoes.

I completed sit-ups and push-ups while waiting on the coffee to finish brewing. I checked the weather too. It was 67 degrees with an expected afternoon high of 91 degrees under sunny skies. Looked like a gorgeous summery day in store. Check for any word from Germain – nothing! Checked Glenn’s blog too. Still no updates since June 22nd. Sent him an email shortly after mom left Monday evening to make sure that he was OK.

I enjoyed coffee from the PC reading the Daily OM as well as a few other headlines. No movement on the NFL lockout. Getting down to the wire already. Hard to believe that football’s slated to begin in about a month.

Did a beneficial meditation and stretch routine over the next 15 minutes. Uplifting and cleansing! Prepared for a run next. Was ready to go by 630am. I ran the full 4.1 miles. Seemed like a long run. No problems or issues, just seemed long. Felt pretty darn good as a matter of fact. I had the early AM irrigation system cycle disabled after Sunday’s brief rain. I planned to turn it back on after work.

Back at home, I started my breakfast. Mindy was nice enough to prep a salad and fruit the evening before for me. All I needed for my lunch was some sliced cheese and a banana. I made another spinach and cheese omelet for breakfast. It was incredibly good. Finished breakfast around 720am and headed up for a shower. Took Mindy a cup of coffee. Mindy's a light sleeper. Each morning, I walk in about as quietly as possible and maneuver over to her side of the bed like a stealth fighter. She wakes almost every single time. Not sure that I would do the same.

I headed in for a shower. Didn’t take long. Was ready to go after about 15 minutes soup to nuts. Mindy opted to stay in bed and didn't join me downstairs. Said she slept very poorly. Her plans included going to see her old high school pal, Christa who’s in town from Wyoming. Going swimming at her aunt’s pool in Westerville.

Left for work right at 8am. It was a gorgeous drive in – sunny and 72 degrees. The morning plodded along nicely. Spent most of my morning mulling over customer reports/stats working to develop just the right format for my customer.

Talked with Mindy just as I was leaving the office for lunch and heading to Golf Galaxy. She was in route to her friend’s house in Westerville. I was hoping Golf Galaxy would have the Taylormade Rescue 5 wood to complement the Rescue 3-wood I already have. They don’t carry it online any longer, but often times one of the stores will still have a few at a discounted price. They didn’t have one.  :( Only had it in a 4-wood. I consider that a waste – just a three degree difference in loft. I moved on.

I left Golf Galaxy and headed to the Macy’s at Kingsdale curious to see if they might have the golf polos I really wanted. There selection might’ve been even more limited than that at Tuttle. I ended up buying four new cotton polos, however. Need them for work. No longer am I interested in paying through the nose for a designer logo. Just doesn't make any sense.

Received a call from Lindsey during my drive back to the office. I guessed it about the Casey Anthony trial after hearing a blurb on the radio stating that a verdict was in and that it would be read near 230pm. Like my mom, she’s addicted to the trial coverage. I was 100% correct. Wanted me to know that a verdict was in. GET A LIFE!

I was gone from the office for about 70 minutes. Meanwhile, it was a gorgeous afternoon, and it had to be near 90 degrees – very warm! I was back at my desk by 210pm enjoying my salad, fruit, and cheese. I was a little surprised that I didn’t get a call from Germain. And while I knew they were closed Sunday and Monday, Chris seemed eager to get a deal done. Hmmm? I was still willing to wait on them to pursue me. Don’t want to seem desperate because I’m not. In fact, I could wait for the 2012’s if necessary.

The afternoon moved swiftly. Stayed busy all afternoon with reporting related stuff. Left for home around 455pm. Checked Yahoo just before leaving for home. Shocking! Casey Anthony found not guilty of all felony charges.  I didn’t have time to read the details. Figured I’d get the scoop from TV or others later. Checked my phone. Mindy sent a text indicating the verdict too. Cult like following, much like the OJ trial years ago.

Arrived home around 515pm. Mindy was busy starting dinner, and still in her poolside attire. Definitely looked like she’d been swimming. Bella was whimpering about her mouth being sore. I asked if I could take a look. She wouldn’t let me see.  Said she couldn’t eat. I went to check my email while Mindy grilled the inferno chicken outside.

Received an email from Germain around 1030a stating that he hadn’t been able to locate the black on black Honda EX-L V6 as of yet, but wasn’t giving up. Said there were now only 3 non-demos in all of Ohio. Also went on about how the 'dealer cash' expired after today, and then about how the price might have to change. Said he’d keep me posted through the day. Well, it was the end of the business day and there were no more emails. I went ahead and responded but only that I was still interested if the agreed upon terms (price and rate) were met. I was serious. I don’t NEED a new car right now, though it would be convenient and nice.

I joined Mindy on the deck. She was watering flowers while waiting on the inferno chicken to grill. I offered to finish the watering so she could tend to the inferno chicken. She willingly agreed. Mindy shared that they might visit Zoombezi Bay tomorrow (Wednesday). Still not 100% sure, however. Supposed to be hot and sunny again, though.

Dinner was exceptional, especially the inferno grilled chicken breast topped with cheddar cheese. I cut up some chicken into small bitesize pieces for Bella, who was still whining about her mouth. She eventually let me have a look. Sure enough, I could see a little white sore on her gum right near the lip/gum transition. The wound was small but noticeably sore. Mindy figured her to be malingering. Bella’s spirits seemed to pick-up after dinner. Asked if I would cut up some more chicken for her. Sure.

During clean-up, Mindy headed up for a shower after swimming all afternoon. I headed out to the deck to read and possibly nap from the shady chaise lounger. I took a glass of lemonade too. From the deck, I read about 20 pages of my new Brian Greene book. I love that stuff! I eventually drifted off for a brief nap. Felt terrific. After waking, I did a little more reading. For whatever the reason, flies swooped in and were biting me like crazy, much like they do when it’s about to rain. The only thing is, it was clear and sunny.

Mindy came out with a magazine to read from the deck table. Asked why I was going in. Tired of getting bitten by flies. In contrast, reading from the family room chair with the AC on sounded awfully nice.

Before getting settled, I checked my email again. Chris from Germain responded yet again. Said they found the black on black Accord but needed some action on my behalf if they were to honor the deal we agreed to. I responded only that I was interested in knowing just what that was. I also received an email from brother Glenn detailing his goings on and why he hadn’t blogged or responded to our b-day VM message. Extra busy, more than anything. Just glad he’s OK.

I checked my phone. Still not sure how I missed a call from Germain Honda around 530pm. Crap. I checked in two or three times. No idea how that happened. I listened to the VM and then called Chris back, but got his VM. Once again, I wasn’t going to operate out of fear or an unnecessary state of urgency. Instead, I was willing to let the chips fall where they may.

Just as I was settling back into the family room chair for more reading my phone rang again. It was Chris from Germain. Wanted to chat about the Accord. Before delving into the details, he assured me that in no way did he want me to feel pressured or think this was a smoke screen, In fact, said he was very much against such tactics. Said that the dealership was willing to extend the price offer as well as the .9% financing after the deadline to show that. We then reviewed the details.

Essentially, they found the 2011 Accord EX-L V6 in Dayton and were able to trade for it. Said they’d have it in on Wednesday if I still wanted it. It would have about 60 miles on it from the drive up. If I agreed, said he would go ahead and order the extras I wanted (splash guards and side moldings) before he left for the night and hopefully get them installed after it arrives. Said we could complete the deal on Thursday. He’d be out of town on Wednesday in Cleveland checking out colleges and apartments for his kid. All he requested of me was completing a nonbinding credit app for the .9% financing. I agreed. He went on to share that if the car for some reason isn’t what I want when I arrive we’ll negate the deal. Nothing gained or lost. The black on black EX-L V6 is a hot selling car. They'll easily sell it to another.

I felt comfortable enough with Chris and the details, so it sounds like I’ve got a new car. Before terminating our call, however, I clarified my intentions of introducing my Trooper as trade to further reduce the amount financed. According to Chris, no worries, but expressed concern over the trade-in value. Shared that many are often disappointed and it ends up being a point of contention for potential customers. But said they'd give me a fair deal for sure. I only shared that if I didn’t like the value they proposed I could always do the deal without and then try selling it outright. At this point, the trade-in value certainly isn’t going to make or break the deal. I know I’m getting a good price point and an outstanding finance rate with or without the trade. Said he’d circle back with me Thursday AM. Cool.

I didn’t immediately share the news with Mindy until she asked a few minutes later. We sat in the family room with the kids watching How It’s Made and then a program about the expansion of the Panama Canal. Bella was eager to sit on my lap, but it didn’t last long. Mindy insisted they head to bed at 1030p. I was eager to get to bed too, otherwise I’d wake tired come Tuesday morning. Mindy gave Bella some Tylenol for her aching mouth.

We all headed to bed with Eiknarf bedding with Bella. I laid in bed for about 20-30 minutes unable to sleep. Not sure why, but likely do to the two naps I took earlier. I felt completely relaxed. Mindy scratched my head for a while, which usually works like a charm, but not this time.  After a couple more minutes I got up and headed downstairs.. Mindy expressed frustration for me escaping. I told her I'd only be gone 15-20 minutes, or long enough to back-up some computer files.

I hadn’t yet backed up May and June. I saw this as the perfect opportunity. I burned all of my May/June email, Jimmy docs, blog posts, and photos to DVD. Took a while. Program was acting buggy. It was after 1130pm when I finished and headed back upstairs for bed. However, I still wasn’t as tired as I hoped to be. Good night Panama!