Birthoween!

Today my car turns 1 year old! Happy birthoween!

1 year ago today I was haggling over her price and making my way through my first big car purchase. It was exhilarating, and frightening, and thrilling all at once.

I drove off the lot that night knowing I was the first to do so (except for the person who drove my car from the port to the lot...doesn't count).

And then a few weeks later, headlines splashing across every network, "Toyota recalls millions". I'm sorry...what did you say? And my car is included in this???

I drove with such caution and fear...I never thought I'd feel safe again in my car. But I took it in and it took two seconds for the technician to say, "Not to worry, your car is a 2010...which means it was made in Japan, with the right part."

Well, sing hallelujah! That was trial and tribulation numero uno.

Then came the flat tire at 5 months old. What? The nail is just on the edge of the wall, right outside of the tread, so you can't patch it?

Awesome. Boom, new tire. Wow, Jack, you are really testing me here.

But in all, the months passed by with the miles quickly clicking higher and the oil change getting missed by only a few hundred miles...no big deal. She's been a good car, she's gotten me to my destinations with ease and her little creaks and squeaks are just part and parcel with ownership. I will always see flaws and hear noises and wonder, but so long as it's not shaking and rattling, I guess I can live with the superficial irritations.

And for her birthday? Well, I spat out some nasty words to a driver and 5 seconds later I got a rock in my windshield. Sorry, kid! Mama'll get it fixed all better. Promise!