The Katy Khronicles and The Journey of John: Cash for Clunkers!!

Well, we can now say that we appreciate at least one thing the government has done to help out the economy! :) Yesterday Tim and I took advantage of the "Cash for Clunkers" program and bought our first brand new car! Our 96 Tahoe had provided us a good service (generally speaking) for the past 3 years, but recently it had been "deciding" on its own when it was going to start. As well, the AC was out (hello Im 5 months pregnant and it was 91 yesterday!) and one of our side boards had just fallen off on the highway. The poor thing needed to be put down, but we were trying to hold off because it was paid off. We dont owe anything on the other car, either, so we liked having no car payments, however with the new baby coming and having Katy in the car with me, we thought the time was coming for a new (used) car. Sunday night we saw a Jeep ad on TV saying that they were giving double govt. rebates for the clunkers, so we made a date to go see what was out there. We did not think we would be getting a new car yesterday--"just looking", but the deal was so great and the govt. rebate money is quickly running out, so we jumped. Crazy thing is--soo many people have been taking advantage of this program that the Waterville Jeep dealership was out of EVERY car that qualified (there were restrictions on the MPGs--you had to get better MPG than your clunker--our old one was only 12mpg, so basically most qualified, but some--those with the best mpgs-- got us more $ than others). Anyhow, we spent all day hunting all over Maine (by phone--did I mention the no AC and the 12 MPGS??) for anyone with a Jeep Patriot (our 1st choice) or a Jeep Compass. Everyone was out--oh--except for two places--one was a stick (can you imagine me driving a stick while trying to entertain two babies in the car??) and the other was longhorn orange!. The Compass was all out every where --prb. because it gets the best gas mileage for any "mini suv" out there. So our other option was the Dodge Calibur. It is the same car as the Compass. (Can I just say--why do manufacturers do that?? The exact same car just different name--esp. when they are sold at the same dealership---Chrystler/Dodge/Jeep ?? Hello??) Anyways, too our delight a dark blue one (not my first choice, but it is really growing on me) arrived in Newport at 2:38! hahah! No one would trade with another dealer...soo...we packed up poor Katy and drove a little to get the car with the really great deal! When all was said and done we ended up getting $8000 for our 96 Tahoe and leaving with a BRAND NEW cross-over (technically a car but more like an SUV) with a lifetime warranty for the price we would have paid for a used middle of the line care! :) It is sooo nice--even haas that smell!!! I have never had a new car, so I really feel spoiled!! I told Tim that it is my "Birthday-Christmas-New Baby" present! :) I am all set! God is GOOD! :) Ok, so here are the pictures.