2011 so far

Well 2011 has been a bit of roller coaster ride of emotion. First my hot water tank died at midnight on 4th. With water gushing over the pan I had to call my plumbing  teacher friend at midnight, inquiring how to turn the water and gas off safely. His wife sweetly called in the morning to make sure we were still alive. The tank was thankfully replaced the next day by 6PM, almost seven hundred dollars later. So grateful to our dear friend for always coming through for us!

After spending almost a week trying to sort photos in some kind of organized semblance on a blog post, to find I need more photo storage. Even though its pennies to buy storage, it's the fear of losing five years of recorded poetry, art  and thoughts that's so upsetting.  Probably a needless worry. Do I buy storage and keep that going for years, or start a new blog?

This afternoon I was excited to know I won a lovely print at Tammys Studio . I love Tammy's blog, stop by and leave her a comment!  I feel there's a kindred spirit here, and love the beautiful girls she paints.

Late afternoon I called  to have the second of my five year free oil changes on my kia soul done only to find  I have to pay another eighty dollars to have tires rotated and something else done to keep up my warranty. On the fourth oil change I will need to pay 200 hundred bucks for more maintenance. NO ONE TOLD me this when I bought the car!!! I am NOT HAPPY! My trust of this company has diminished!  Still love my car, but not feeling the love with KIA....I've not finished with this issue. I'll keep you abreast of what happens! Sadly the two people I trusted at this company have left, darn it! 

I may have to change my word for 2011, after all the year usually defines the word. I just hope it's not FIGHT!!

My Slick's Soul mates having fun!

This sure made me smile!

I dared to be different with my NEW KIA SOUL!!!

Tara Richley with my new car

A Happy Birthday for me, my car is one week old today! With .415k on it!

The KIA SOUL stole my heart and pinched my money! Intimidated is an
understatement as a  woman on the hunt for a new vehicle. Men cloistered at the door sizing you up. Do I disgustingly  pimp out my daughter for a good deal, knocking them off their game as they ogler her? Or do I listen to a pile of crap spewing from the assuming salesmen who surmise abundant cellulite means  dumb and dumber has come to call!! Neither......

After a year of intense Internet research, picking the brain of every male I respected, and driving around car lots hoping a decent woman, or kind man with a touch of integrity would approach me,  I tagged along with a dear friend during her test drive appointment. Two of my best friends all needed new cars this month. One involved in an accident, no fault of her own, had her three year old car written off.  The other friend had her car die on Mothers day, while mine broke down the day before. I'd hung on a year too long, spending too much to keep mine  alive. I  was  well overdue for a new road warrior!  Not another dime could I sink into my eighteen year old money pit!

If you've never seen the inside of a black  Soul, this is it!

Tara Richley a young Kia sales woman won me over with her  friendly, efficient  and respectful demeanor, making a tough decision very pleasant. She was very informative too! ATTENTION car dealerships there should be MORE female sales personnel!!!!  Not testosterone wannabes,  like Fred (short for Fredricka) at the Chrysler Dealership who tried to baffle me with bull! Women who treat  others how they want  to be treated, that's who I prefer to deal with. After all, entering  a car dealership is like a pending root canal, done with much trepidation.

One friend bought an adorable Black Nissan Versa. She encountered a  salesman at a different dealership who told  her he believes all women deserve new vehicles,  informing her of the best color for her....laugh out loud.....What a Bozo!!  Yeah that didn't happen. A woman is usually more informed than she reveals, and knows exactly what she wants. She can spot the purse and shoes she desires from a mile off....cars and men aren't much different.

My Friends Forte Coup.... photo courtesy of google

We test drove a few vehicles, my other  friend bought a cherry red sports car on the spot. She knew instantly that was the car for her. Into extreme fitness, this car is a perfect fit for her style and budget! I wasn't buying anything until the following week. In the meantime I rented a 2010 black dodge Hemi truck, hard to step up  into, it was a dream to drive for a few days.

Google photo of the Kia Soul

More and more I was loving the appearance of the Kia Soul. A subjective vehicle people either love or hate! A loyal jeep owner for so long  it was difficult to deviate from a North American car. Attracted  to the boxy style, the  bells and whistles in the  fully loaded Soul won me over. I love the idea of built in bluetooth, even though I need a new phone to accommodate it. Built in ipod connection with USB is innovative and alluring too! Plus it goes like stink,  better than I expected.  

Great gas mileage and piles of room for everything works for me! We put a six foot seven relative in the back with head and leg room to spare...he was shocked at how roomy it is. It's a lot of luxury in a small package.... a mini SUV for me, the seats flip back. I'm still trying to figure out how all the lights work. The radio is okay, but when the Ipod is on that car is a rocking with fabulous sound.  The dash lights up red at night and the door speaker lights beat to the music an utter artists delight! I never had that euphoric feeling I got with my corvette or new jeep, but Oh mama I am falling in love with my Slick ( my Souls pet name), this car makes me so HAPPY!!! 

So far I really like the Kia dealership who lent me a vehicle while I waited a day for mine. Kudos to Nick for making the transition joyful and smooth!  Thanks Tara, I don't buy cars that often, you and Nick made it so enjoyable!!! I'd recommend both of you anytime!!

 

Here are a few favorable articles you can check out!

Automobiles review
Driving .ca
More detail at Driving .ca