Furby Wranglings

But this most recent pending repair, added to the imminent collapse of the exhaust system and the on-going transmission drama has tipped into the area of diminishing returns....

Husband and I are in talks with our local dealer in regards to a 2017 Toyota Camry.

Riza, love, you are a wonderful little Malibu -- it's not your fault that your manufacturer was a money-grubbing moron; maybe you'll find a new owner who can afford consecutive multiple repairs at $2000.00+ per pop, or is mechanical engineering genius enough for DIY.... I could not have made it thorough the past nine months without you, but seriously, the financial stress of keeping you on the road and functioning was almost as bad as the stress of my sister's terminal illness.

We made a good team, kiddo. I'll miss you.

 As if learning about the death of one of my favorite TV actors wasn't bad enough, last night when I went down to CVS after work to straighten out a prescription, some careless individual in the parking lot apparently backed into Riza's front bumper!!!! Didn't even have the decency to leave a note --- probably didn't even notice it!  Fortunately, Riza's bumper seemed to do what it was originally designed for -- absorb the impact, and it appears the only damage was to the license plate and holder.  When I got home, steaming mad, Husband was able to remove the license plate and holder and hammer out the dent.... looks, well, not as good as new, because it's at least five years of on-the-road and MidWest weather-wear, but the damage isn't noticeable unless you look for it..... My Husband, my Hero!

If 'Riza' didn't fit so well as a name, I'd be tempted to change it to 'Kirsch', in memory of Stan.

Dang it, lil' Bro!  Am really wishing I'd gone to that Highlander convention in Indiana years back --- if I hadn't been so broke, and it hadn't been Daughter's birthday that weekend.....