Thursday

It was snowing lightly when I went to work Thursday morning, but the roads were not slippery. It was cold, but you knew that.

I did make it to Kroger’s at lunchtime and stocked up for the weekend. I had just enough time to run home, drop everything off and grab a bite before I had to head back to work.

After work, I didn’t go straight home. I joined the rush hour crowd and went up Telegraph to 12 Mile. Going was slow! No wonder why Fred and Michelle are always late getting home.

I was going to the Nissan dealer to check out a sale.

Now, as you know, I love my Volvo. I hoped to keep it forever (or at least until I died). In fact, I had made arrangements over Christmas to get some surface rust fixed and have it painted in the springtime [$1,000 - $2000]. But, now the brakes are going again. If you add to that the cost of the catalytic converter I need [$600+], the new headlight unit [$250] and the heater control unit I have needed for years [$700], it’s just not worth it anymore.

So, Nissan’s having a sale on the last of their 2013 small trucks. As you know, I have NO idea what I’m going to do if and when I retire, but I’m pretty sure it will involve needing a truck. Maybe if just to deliver cradles and bird house benches…

And before anybody give me any sh*t about not buying “American,” NONE of the Big Three makes a small truck anymore. They made a conscious marketing decision to drop the Ford Ranger (I loved my little red Ranger), the Chevy S-10 and the Dodge Dakota to force people buy the entry level big trucks (and make them more money). I have heard that Ford and GM are going to reverse that decision soon, but it’s not soon enough for me. ‘Nuff said.

My goal tonight was to see if I could actually sit in one with the crip way I have to get in. I did, but not gracefully. So, I bought it. There are only a few left. The dealer in Canton, for example, didn't have any and this was the last one here.

I was a little self-conscious  about my entry "look," so I told them to put on some of the factory floorboards (they are dealer installed) and I would pick it up Saturday.

[Sidebar: They said the best that they could give me for a trade-in on the Volvo was $1,800.00. I had already checked Kelly Blue Book and Auto Trader and couldn’t argue.]

By the time we wrapped everything up, the rush hour was over and going home was a breeze. I got there just after 8:00 p.m. I made a turkey sandwich and ate that watching some taped DIY shows. Then I went to bed at 10:00. I was beat.