Dear Ashley

I feel partly responsible for the predicament you faced the other night.  After reviewing the owner’s manual, I realized that the Tahoe only has a 26 gallon gas tank.  However, if one drives a good amount of miles, rather than remembering to reset that particular computer function at the gas station, they might be met with undesirable results.  I am okay if you want to live life on the edge.  I just think you should refrain from jumping off the cliffs in the future.  In the end, you know I love any opportunity to rescue my damsel in distress.  In this relationship, I will share anything and everything with you.  Whether it goes in your car, or whether you have fed me too many beans, I would feel myself selfish, if I did not share my gas with you.

 

Love,

Kent

Goodbye, Hello, Goodbye

VW Jetta

For some time before we got married, we talked about selling Ashley’s car.  The payment was a little higher then we liked, and rather then refinance it for longer, we thought maybe we should instead plan for the future by getting a larger vehicle.  I wanted to make sure Ashley was okay with all of this as well, especially since this was her first vehicle.  She had bought it on her own and it had ALL the options. We put it on KSL classifieds and less than a week later, we said our goodbyes. We had our other car and an old truck that I have had for years, but do not drive very often.  Our plan was to take plenty of time and not rush into anything.  Ashley could drive the car, I could begin driving the truck and we could take our time to make a great deal, all the while saving money. We wanted a three-row SUV, but we wanted something really inexpensive as well.  We were fairly resigned to the fact that we would probably meet our match in the dreaded mini-van category.  Nevertheless, we were going to take our time……that is until I mentioned our recent success selling our car through KSL to a friend.  He asked, “now what are you going to get to replace it?” I told him some of the SUVs we were considering, but explained the likelihood of a mini-van.  That is when everything changed.

 

Chevrolet Tahoe

He mentioned that he had a relative that REALLY needed to get rid of their car (before a repossession could take place).  It happened to be this beauty above.  We got an AMAZING deal on it.  In fact our deal was so great that if current values stay the same, we could drive this thing for two years and then sell it and STILL make money on it.  I love this car, and I think Ashley is slowly starting to have a relationship with it, even though she feels like she is on the rebound from her last car relationship. This car gives us everything we need.  It was inexpensive, is a safe vehicle, and we have room to grow (this post is not an announcement) as a family.  In the bonus category, it has every option imaginable, and it tows the boat and all our camping gear up over Parley’s Canyon at 75+ MPH.  I admit I am more excited than Ashley is, but we are both excited that we were so blessed with such an amazing purchase.  

 

 

 

1972 Ford F-100 Truck

 

“Big Yellow” 

 

 

 

We also came to the decision that we really do not need three cars right now.  Part of the problem is parking all three of them.  We also did not need the added cost of insurance, maintenance, etc.  Huge gaps of time have passed between our old truck being driven.  I came to the conclusion that I would much rather someone have this old beauty then allowing it to rot away.  I was sure there was someone who could get more use out of it, and could value it more than I currently was.  So, shortly after we got the Tahoe, I put the old truck up for sale on KSL.  Within 15 minutes I had six phone calls.  I placed the truck on there at a horrible time.  I thought it might be a couple of days before it really got attention, and that was fine because I was busy for a couple of days before I could really show anyone.  I was wrong! Two people called before I even finished the ad.  It took only three days, mostly because I was letting the calls, texts, and e-mails go to voicemail.  For some reason, while not answering any phone calls, I decided to answer just one.  It was from a man in a rural area who really wanted to fix this truck up with his 15 year old son.  The next day, he showed up with a trailer and claimed his new truck.  Apparently, the kid’s affectionate name of “Big Yellow” will not remain for long.  He plans to paint it Satin black with heavy chrome accents.  I can’t wait to see the progress (he apparently is going to post pictures on Face book).  In the end, I am glad it went to a good person with plans to care for it.  All in all, I had 57 phone calls in the three days (not from the same people) and there were over 1200 page views on KSL.  We are now excited to have our car dealing days behind us for a while.  We will miss our old truck, but maybe in 9-10 years, another son and his Dad will find an old truck to fix up together.

Projects

Last weekend, Trev and I worked on the back brakes on my car and the front brakes on Ashley’s car.  If you can believe it, my car has lasted 163,000 miles and this is the first time I have EVER had to replace the rear brakes.  One would think that would make me have to change the fronts really often, but that isn’t so.  I only have to replace the front brake pads every 50-60,000 miles.  I love these pictures of Trev helping.

 

 

 

While we were changing the brakes, Mom and Ady were stripping the paint of an old dresser.  We got this dresser from my brother and sister-in-law and decided to paint it.  The paint was not terrible, but not in the best of shape, and we decided to make it our own.  We finally finished it last night.  Below are some before and after pictures.  We could not paint the top because it was made of a plastic material, but I think it actually gives it a nice contrast.

BEFORE

 

 

 

 

 

AFTER