Thankfully, I've mastered the bug-a-boos of the car to allow it to go longer distances without stalling on me. So after several months, I was finally able to visit my aunt and cousin at their respective houses for the afternoon.
Unfortunately, my aunt's car, which should be rising into the clouds by now, had to be repaired again. She's basically in the same boat as I was back in the Grand Am days; believing to be nothing better out there, keep feeding the cash cow. She's been talking about upgrading to a new car for over a year now, and I drove her down to the new car lot in Woodhaven today.
It's been awhile since I've rode along in a new-car test drive, as the rule now says the salesperson has to ride along with you. The poor guy was having his patience tested for sure. My aunt tried out a new Chrysler Sebring, but spent ten minutes idling it in the car lot while trying to figure out seating adjustments, mirror adjustments, and such. We tried to explain things to her, but I guess that car may be too new for her tastes.
She was understandably nervous throughout, and didn't even know what to say at the end. If her kids (my cousins) complain about her still having the LHS she's had for years, at least I can tell them I was there to find out why there might be reluctance beyond the price tag.
I didn't budget two hours at the lot, which caused me to miss Jenni at the nearby Wal-Mart by just 15 minutes. Aggggh! Oh well, I still had fun nonetheless.
I visited Rose at her house as well. For years, I saw her house and thought "grandma's house" because it belonged to my grandma when she was alive, and Rose hadn't changed much there over the years. But now she's made modifications to where I can look at that house now and truly say it's Rose's.
My frequent absences from Downriver are frustrating. But they churn out an even greater reward when I finally do make it down there.
Happy summer, everyone!
