Oh, for the Gypsy Life!

I'm getting a new car soon. That may not be a big deal to many, but since I haven't had a truly "new" car since about 1978, it's a very big deal to me. And I'm truly conflicted about the whole entire thing. I want it..........I think.

First let me say that I adore the car I have right now. It's a big ole 2002 Pontiac Montana van (that they don't even make anymore) and it holds the WORLD. I know, because I've stuffed it full on many, many occasions. It holds all the dog paraphanalia you could ever hope to take to a show, a trial, an anything. Crates and tables and grooming supplies.....even a bag of clothes for moi. It rides like a dream; the sound system is wonderful; the seats are the most comfortable I've ever had in a car. I haven't had one second's worth of trouble out of it. So, why am I trading it in on a new Honda Pilot?

To tell the truth, I'm not sure. I guess because in the last six years, I've put over 112,000 miles on it...happy, happy miles for the most part. But I don't always have company on road trips and now there's just this little hint of questionable "trustworthiness" that rides with me. As long as I had my OnStar, I felt safe. But it's gone now (damn that digital stuff) and so lately I've begun to wonder. Plus, I've been thinking of downsizing the car a little bit to go along with downsizing the stuff that keeps threatening to take over my house. And wonder of wonders, guess what I've discovered today?

Yes, my car has turned in to a gypsy's caravan wagon. I didn't see it coming. I was blind to the RV condition it has acquired. I began cleaning out the car in preparation for the call that the new one is here. I can't begin to tell you the crap that has been quietly accumulating. No wonder I don't get better gas mileage. Granted, some of it is stuff I've continued to think of as necessary, even though I haven't had occasion for much of it in the last two years: an extra folding chair to sit in at dog shows, a sun tarp to put over an exercise pen, TWO rolls of paper towels, a whole collection of clamps to connect "stuff", a bag of dog water buckets, toys, extra leashes, etc. etc., an extra grooming smock, the golf umbrella, a small garbage can, dozens of CDs and even tapes (that I never listen to anymore), an old shower curtain (don't ask). There must have been 4 dozen 20% off coupons for Bed, Bath & Beyond stuck in the driver's door pocket. Plus, lists of books to check out at the library some day.

Yes, I have lived out of my car. Eat there, nap there, camp out of it, groom dogs in it, socialize in it. I'm in the car what feels like most of my life. I'm not going to be able to do all that with the new Pilot. No room at the inn. It's going to be a hard adjustment to make. My gypsy wandering ways are about to change. At least it won't be a Vespa.