New used car?

My pimpin' ride will be hitting 100,000 miles in just over 500 miles. With school's start in the near future (even with two weeks of no use while I'm in Sweden), I should be at that mark by August 12ish. That means I'm in the market for a used...ahem...new-to-me car. No, I don't think my Ford will blow up when it turns past 100,001. No, this is not a mid-life crisis. Yes, I'd like to trade in my vehicle before it's worth less than a paycheck.

There's a 98.2% chance I'll be buying another Ford. Why? Let me count the reasons:
1. It's a comfort thing. I've been driving a Taurus since 2001. First, it was a station wagon (with the third seat in the back so friends could wave to cars behind us). Then, I got my current baby. I remember when we bought it the salesman was trying to make a sale by saying "The spoiler makes it less of an old lady car." Dude, if I cared about driving an old lady car, I wouldn't be crying over turning over my station wagon...
2. I can afford a Ford. I've heard magnificent things about Hondas but I'm afraid I couldn't get a used newish Honda in my price range. I also hear great things about Toyotas (aside from that acceleration pedal thing) but they are too much as well. Also, I drove Katrina's on our way back from Canada and really disliked it. The windshield felt like it was caving in on me and the steering wheel was terrible. I always drive with my hand resting on the very bottom part of the steering wheel. In her Rav4, there was no open space at the bottom of the wheel for my hand! Talk about uncomfortable.
3. I don't like change.

So now that we know I'm buying a Ford, let's discuss my options. There are only two: a Taurus (2008 or later) or an Escape. I've been seeing a lot of dark blue Taurus-es on the road lately and I like how they look. I'm also intrigued by the Escape because it's got a bit more room in the back than my current ride. I'd really just like to bring home a Christmas tree on my own without having to borrow dad's suburban or bother someone with a truck. Tying my precious tree to the roof is out of the question. I feel a decently sized tree could fit in the Escape and also in a Taurus provided the seats fold down. That's a must-have in my next car. It's a pain in the butt that right now I can't fold down my backseats and take my old dining room table to school like I want. Ugh.

Now that I've blogged my thoughts, they will come true. However, I am open to suggestions on what you'd like to see me drive. Color opinions are always good too.

I'm pleased with myself

Check out my bowling scores for tonight:
151
160
130 ish (I don't remember exactly...I was at an 86 in the 8th frame and was ticked off but somehow I recovered nicely)

That's all I have for tonight. I'm bragging. Got a problem with that? I didn't think so.

Oh and my average (before tonight) was a 124...in case you were wondering...

P.S. Dave, your bowling doppelganger was wearing a cut-off shirt tonight. I think it was so he could show off his XXX tattoo. Yup, his tat was taken from a Vin Diesel movie. Really, Bowling Dave? At least it matches your earring?

Itchy

I hate mosquitoes or whatever bugs bit me while I watched fireworks on Sunday. Why did they bite ME? I was just minding my own business, waiting for the sizzler fireworks. I had even applied bug spray to my legs and arms...but missed my back...underneath my shirt I guess. Yeah, they were adventurous little bugs. I had to wake up and find my itch relief stuff at 3 am because I thought I was going to itch all the skin on my back off while I slept.

In other news, I only have a week until I depart for Sweden. I've begun the packing process by purchasing my travel toiletries today. Tomorrow I'm counting my unmentionables to make sure I have enough to last me two weeks without laundry access. Such a booked schedule I have, right? I might even add "Make a friends' address list" to my list of things to do tomorrow. We know Britta will be getting a postcard and Dave (because you haven't moved out yet : ( ). However, Brett, if you (and not your sister) are interested in a postcard featuring some hot Swedish tennis-playing female, I'm going to need your new addy. Uh, Becky, I guess I'm just sending yours to Jackson, MI...

In bowling news, Jennie and I made friends last week. Some (married) guy who was just hanging out with our opponents while they bowled introduced himself to us and told us it was shot time. You can't turn down that offer. Especially when he said it was going to be a Flamin Dr Pepper shot. There were no flames...Bob the Bartender must not be allowed to light anything on fire. It was like an Irish car bomb I guess: shot glass of rum and amaretto dropped into a glass of beer. It took a long time to chug. I was impressed I finished it without taking a mid-shot breather. Jennie won't be bowling this week. That means I'll have to maintain this new friendship on my own. It also means I'll have to be my own DD. I guess I won't be taking any shots...

Oooh, I have to change my laundry before Deadliest Catch starts!