A Survey of Auto Ownership: Age 16 to the Present

Through high school and college I drove a 1986 Chevy Cavalier and a 1986 Buick Skyhawk. And, because nothing screams sexy like a Buick, (Exhibit A):

or a Chevy, (Exhibit B):


you may be wondering why I fell head over heels for a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero (Exhibit C):



So, of course the 2 door Alero was totally impractical for hauling a baby around, I've since been driving around a 1999 Nissan Altima (Exhibit D):

which you know, doesn't look that bad really. It was a step down from my hot little Alero, but Forrest still drove that and from time to time, I could hop in it and push the V6 engine hard as I drove to Babies R Us for diapers. However, I must tell you... I have just traded all of my dignity and purchased something I swore I'd never own (Exhibit E):



Yes, dear friends, we have been busy working our way through the auto lots of Northern Virginia, scouring everywhere for that perfect mini-van that wasn't, well, mini-van-ish. (Does such a thing exist?) We finally have settled on the Mazda MPV for it's size (smaller than traditional mini-vans) and the fact that the back seat folds into the floor. Granted, my coolness factor totally dive-bombed, but I have maintained a shred of dignity, as the engine in this baby is a V6 and MAN! does it drive nice. With it's fold in the floor rear seat, I have MUCH more room for stroller, groceries, and whatever else is needed when lugging around a 21 lb. soon to be toddler (y'all, 9 months, 4 days... I can't believe he's 9 months!!!)

We're actually pretty excited about our purchase, and it's sure to make a much more comfortable ride on our road-trip to North Carolina next week for Thanksgiving. As soon as we have the car in our posession (the guy is waiting on the Fed-Ex'd check from my bank), I'll totally have to post pictures. And I can promise, I'll totally be trying to pull off the I'm-not-a-soccer-mom-I-swore-I'd-never-own-this-but-I-really-needed-the-cargo-space-and-with-gas-prices-so-high-a-hot-little-SUV-was-out-of-the-question look. I think I totally can pull it off... yes? YES???