What I Wouldn't Give for a Yugo

Not sure how anyone else is feeling these days, but I'm about sick and tired of having to hand over a c-note just to fill up my gas tank. I'm scared to run a Quicken report to see exactly how much I've spent in the last month.

Now, clearly, part of the problem is that I don't live my life in one small little area of a suburban town - I actually go out and get things done outside of my own neighborhood. And this practice is rapidly changing, NOT because I want, but because I'm being forced to.

The biggest problem of all, however, is my HUGE car - I drive a Ford Expedition. This thing goes through gas like nothing I've ever experienced. Ever. The last time I put a full tank of gas in, it cost me $91 and some change. Ouch!! There are, of course, some options to remedy this problem:
1. Get rid of the big tank and go back to a much smaller sedan - this one won't work because the whole reason I got it was to be able to expand my business and carry more stock for parties.
2. Get rid of the business, thus getting rid of the reason to justify a big car - not gonna happen. I like my business too much and can't imagine not being a part of it. My business has truly become part of my personal identity and I have met a lot of great people. I've met my closest friends through this business, the best friends I've had in my adult life.
3. Start looking for a small, second car. Yep, I think this is the option that I am going to go for. Maybe even a hybrid [gasp]! There's really no need to drive my big car on days when I don't have a party, so this seems to be the best solution. And, I'll get a multi-car discount.

So, now I get to try and find a smaller sedan - something that will get me from Point A to Point B without having to take out a loan.

Anybody got a Yugo for sale?

Hey, it's NOT Kansas here, Dorothy

It's always exciting when the town that I grew up in makes the news. Usually it's because of the achievements of one of the sports teams, or because Eastman Kodak made some great decision that affects KCD (Kodak Colorado Division).

Today, however, is not a fun time to be in the news. We have made national news today. A class EF3 or EF4 tornado went through the east side of town right around lunchtime, causing a lot of destruction. This story is pretty much the only thing on the local news tonight.

As much as I feel the need to drive up there to check on my family, I know that I won't be allowed in, as Governor Ritter has declared a state of emergency on the town and all of the roads have been closed - you can get out, but you can't get in. Interestingly, several S.W.A.T. teams happened to be in town today for a training course - I think they are getting more training than they were betting on.

One of the daycare centers sustained heavy damage, but thankfully, all of the children had been evacuated prior to being hit.

According to reports and pictures, this thing was absolutely HUGE. Approximately 3/4 to 1 MILE wide, traveling at about 50 miles an hour. It's been a little hard watching all of the news reports and seeing the destruction of some of the historic buildings and businesses. Most of the damage occured on the east side of town, as well as part of Main St. The old sugar beet factory, which had been turned into a pool hall, is now partially a crumbled pile of bricks.

As the evening wears on, I know that there will be more to write about and share, so I'll update again in a little while.