Havall and Rashid made us a deal.

Day 3 in San Diego

Yesterday, I purchased my first car. It was a surreal experience, haggling/shmoozing for 5 hours straight, test-driving like 5 different models, playing hardball while maintaining both credibility and personal appeal and in the end, convincing the hard-nosed no-sense-of-humor manager to make us a deal beyond what I thought possible. We managed to trade in the 7-year old giant boat of a Chrysler that Tim has been driving into the ground on his Boonville trip over the last 10 months for $4000 which was easily $2000 more than we were hoping for. This car has been so battered over the last year that the front bumper was LITERALLY being held on by a bungi cord! (an impressive feat not to be underestimated) and Tim put on about 21,000 more miles on it just in the last year. That trade-in enabled us to get the cutest little 2006 silver Sentra for a price so low it's almost funny. I think I just wore them down because when you say you're going to leave after they've been working to help you for 5 hours, you've got them by the balls. We haven't named her yet...stay tuned.

As for the rest of our time in San Diego, we're planning to chill with the fam and the dog (more on the awesome Petey next time) hit the beach, drink way too many margaritas and plan the course of our cross-country trip -- preferably while intoxicated.

Love to all,
laura