After so many setbacks and disappointments, things are finally settling into a good place for me. I don't want to be complacent, because I know situations can change without warning (as they have several times in the past few years), but I am cautiously optimistic.

Things are going well at work, which is a very good thing. I'm consistently one of the top producers in my department, which of course pleases this Leo. I've always been a little competitive. I've been making bonus every month since I was hired on permanently. It's so nice to not constantly worry about money for a change. That's a new thing for me.

I finally took the plunge and replaced the last big thing that needed upgrading: my car. The Santa Fe served me pretty well, but was teetering toward an expensive repair so I decided that money would be better put to use toward a newer car. I decided on the Kia Soul, after a couple of my friends bought them and said good things about them. I started looking at used Souls (and that conjures a few interesting images in my head), but the cars available that had the features I wanted were only a couple thousand less than a new one, so I figured I might as well look at new cars, too. New cars come with a nice long warranty, for one thing, and I wouldn't have to worry about how it was treated by a previous owner.

I went to the Kia dealer on Sunday and test drove a pretty green Soul, which I promptly fell in love with. They had just gotten her in a couple hours before, so she was brand-spanking-new. Five miles on the odometer! So I took a deep breath and started the process to buy her. I picked her up after work yesterday, and squeed all the way home. She's so pretty! And shiny, and new, and full of fun new features like a backup camera and Blue Tooth connectivity! The guy at the dealership showed me all the controls and how they worked, and connected my phone. I can listen to my podcasts in the car now! Whee!



I haven't settled on what her name is yet, but I'm leaning toward "Fern." I want to drive her around a bit and get to know her before I decide for sure. Ferns are one of my very favorite things.

I'm looking forward to all the places we'll go, and the adventures we'll have together.

The iPod that I won arrived today!




It's one of the new ones that takes video. *rubs hands together*

Unfortunately, my computer at home is too old to be able to use the latest version of iTunes, so I have to wait until work tomorrow to charge it up and use it. I can't wait!!!

Isn't it purty? And so cute!

I want to play with it now! *Must be patient*

Thanks, Post Secret!

OMG - I won an iPod Nano today! I really wanted one, too! It's from Post Secret. All I had to do was post something on Twitter with #postsecret in it. I don't usually do those sort of promotional things, but I like Post Secret, and I know who he is, so what the heck, right? If nothing else, he gets a lot of publicity. Except that I won this time! Hmmm, maybe I should buy a lottery ticket on the way home...