The Newest Member to Our Family

Ladies and Gentleman,

I would like to introduce to you the newest member to our little family...

Her name is Lola, she is a showgirl.

She is a 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser. She has 29,000 miles and is still under the original warranty. I bought her today, ALL BY MYSELF!!!

After our old car went to automobile heaven, we went without a car for a week. Then in a stroke of genius, (mine of course) we decided to rent a car until ours would be fixed.

We rented a PT Cruiser because Matt has always wanted one. I wasn't sure it was for me...until I drove it. It is so big and roomy inside. It sits up high like an SUV and drives so smooth. I knew I had to have one.

We got the news that the car would cost more to fix than it was worth. In fact, it wasn't worth anything. A 1996 Ford Escort wagon? Imagine that!

I found Lola on the web and Matt and I discussed it. I should go and buy it and put it in my name because I would be the one driving it and it would be something to boost my credit.

I was scared, I have never done this alone. I have always had Matt or my Stepfather with me.

I walked in there armed with some research from the web and my smile.

Well, it turns out that I haven't financed anything in over 5 years. The last car we bought, Matt paid cash. The car before that, I bought from my father. The fact that I have no credit, is worse than having bad credit.

They suggested a co-signer, but I didn't want to do that unless I really had to. They contacted a few banks and were waiting to hear from one in particular. They suggested that I went home and they would call me if they heard anything. I was no sooner out of the parking lot when my cell phone rang. My new very good friend, Dave had worked his little fingers to the bone and the bank was going to do it, but they needed a few items from me.

1) Proof of insurance. (no problem)

2) Proof of income. (I got paid yesterday, so I had check stubs in my purse)

3) 6 personal references (can they be family members? Yes? Then no problem)

4) Proof of residency, a utility bill in my name (UH-OH!)

This morning, I went through all of our bills and thankfully, the cell bill and the Internet bill is in my name. I called all of my references and made sure it was OK to list them, and I walked into the dealership today with a pretty pink folder full of my homework assignment.

I walked out of the dealership with a great sense of pride and a set of keys!!!

The girls named her Lola, isn't she beautiful?

Hooray for ME!!!!