MY DAZE

As I still do not have a baby to show off all over the internet even though I am 8 days past my estimated due date based on last menstrual period and 4 days past my EDD based on conception date, I decided that I would use up my time showing off new baby toys.

Disclaimer: I was not born a carseat whore. (although sometimes looking back at this life as I am about to have my third child, I often dream of the life where I became a shoe and/or purse whore. Perhaps a MAC make-up whore? That, however, is an entirely different post) As I was saying, not born into the life of carseat snobbery. My first child was born almost 13 years ago and at that point manufacturers were still trying to decide what types of bungy cords would best help the car seat to stay down as it flung wildly around with every corner the car took. By the time my second child was born 10 years later, car seat technology had come a long way. Not near as many pool noodles and bungy cords were required to engineer them into staying within the car in a proper position. Around the time my son was born I also became friends with a carseat technician. This helped improve the carseat positioning even more so. I was feeling so much safer putting my baby in the car.

Then, it happened...
She gave me this for my son when he was able to ride facing forward.
Did you see it? Did you feel it? Did you sense it? RIGHT THEN, when I became a carseat whore? When I fell orgasmicly in love with straps that would never twist? When I knew that pool noodles, towels, and receiving blankets were not necessary equipment that one must purchase separately to make a carseat function? OMG, I am officially a carseat snob! (I won't even get into our interchangeable covers *Zebra!*)

Lesson for the day, if you ever become close friends with a carseat technician, remain friends throughout all of your childbearing years! This is vital. I do not care if she purposely runs over your dog or accidentally falls asleep while watching your toddler. Get a new dog and hire a babysitter. This might sound harsh, but when someone who is this dedicated to safety while riding in the car finds out you are pregnant again and states that they would like to buy you the carseat for the new baby, this is invaluable! A person who says that they can put no price on safety and to please help them choose what style would fit best in your car and which fabric you like is a person who must stay a close friend until you decide to schedule your hysterectomy.

Therefore, without further ado, meet my new carseat. Again, it would be far cooler if I had a baby to decorate it with. Yet, as my first child was born around 43 weeks and my second at 41, I wasn't holding my breath or anything.

I am in need of a new vehicle. I am currently saving up and plan to make a purchase sometime between March 2009 and March 2010. I have been looking at a few different vehicles and am interested in some more opinions. (This is not the place for one to go, BTW, when searching for more opinions on anything, as my 1-2 readers are not very forthcoming with their information and insight!)

Things I need in a car include (but are not limited to),

1. Pretty -I know what you are thinking. WTF!? Why is this NUMBER ONE?! Well, if I spend the most money I have ever had in my life on one object I want it to shimmer and shine at me every time that I walk towards it to get in. I want melodies to play in my head about sunshine and lollipops every time I look at this grand expense.

2. Not a Mini-Van -Again, I hear you thinking, "Lady, you got your priorities wrong, this is number two!" Here's the thing. I am single. There are certain things a mini-van broadcasts about your personality, about your lifestyle. As someone who has 2 children, is family orientated, and a soccer mom, I sure as shit do not not need to go around broadcasting that stuff! I'm not looking for a mate at the moment, but this car has to last awhile. When I do start dating, I would like to date someone cool. Let's me honest, a mini-van is not gonna make 'em come running! No, it's not all about men....it's kinda like wearing polyester pants when you get old. It's just one of those things I've promised myself never to do. ...then before you know it I'm 70 and have been driving a mini-van in my comfortable polyester pants for the past 35 years.

3. Lowest Gas-Mileage Possible (while paying close attention to #1!) -fairly self-explanatory.

4. High Safety Ratings -Did I mention I have kids?

5. Roomy Enough -I don't do a lot of camping or throwing bikes in the back or other things that require EXTRA cargo space, but again, I have kids. I don't want them sitting on my lap while I'm driving, if ya know what I mean.

6. Let's Revisit Pretty -I don't like boxes or squares that are disguised as automobiles. It doesn't have to be a triangle or linear by any means, but somewhere in between is nice. 90 degree angles are NOT necessary. -I have been sedan-ing it for quite some time. I am quite intrigued by small SUV's and cutesy wagons or hatchbacks. It might be fun to try something new.

7. All of the other stuff -I will cross that bridge when I come to it. I'm not interested in AWD vs. FWD, navigation, Sirius satellite radio, or other options. Since I have some time to think on this, I am trying to just do a little narrowing down of what I like.

Honda CR-V

Honda Fit Sport

Toyota Matrix

Toyota Rav4


These are some of the types of vehicles I like, but they are not the ONLY choices. Notice all the honda-toyota? Yeah, I would like to have one of those vehicles that is generally more trustworthy and doesn't depreciate in value quite as quickly as other brands. Again, this is not a die-hard rule.
(speaking of die hard, Karinda enjoys all 3 of those Bruce Willis films, but still doesn't believe she has seen the 4th.)

Oh, yes the voting....

Please see the sidebar on the right side of my blog to vote. You can also leave comments as to your opinions and reasonings concerning the type of car I will be driving in the future.