Ode to Nicole

No, my heart definitely belongs to Tanja, but a man can grow to have a very special relationship to his car. Mine just happens to be named Nicole. She is a red-head, and definitely doesn't like getting pushed around on the highways. She has been known to honk and curse at other vehicles that cut her off. She has a particular pet peeve of motorcycles that do not obey the rules of the road and try to create third lanes of traffic in between two lanes of cars. She has taken me on adventures both mundane (to the grocery store, etc.) and exciting (on vacations, hikes, etc.) during our 29,200 miles together. And because of my diligence in picking up loose change (aided by my loving wife and beagle with a great nose) and then putting a little extra toward her on a regular basis, the credit union has no more claim on her. She is paid off six months early and she is mine! It is quite exciting to have a non-zero checking account balance at the credit union now!

Here is hoping for many more years of fun!

P.S. Tanja thinks it is strange that I have named my car. I guess she just doesn't get it.