Ever bought a car? (How dumb do you think I am?)

Now I don't consider myself the most knowledgeable deal maker. I know what I want, I'll treat you with respect, I've done my research, and if it's not what I think I deserve...then there are plenty of other cars out there.
If you read my last post you'd know that last Monday I wrecked my car. Thursday they said it was totaled. Friday State Farm paid it off and gave me a hefty check over the top of paying off my previous loan. Thus...the buying begins.
I love Saturns because they tell it like it is. Here is our price...you like it? Buy it. If you don't...there are plenty of other people behind you that know this is a good price and we'll take care of you once you own it. Yet, I decided to go to another place next door. (they had a saturn L200 with a stickshift and moonroof)
The guy is known as a head hauncho and makes 6 figures because he's salesman of the month EVERY MONTH...and he has ALL the plaques behind his desk to show it (very gaudy I might add). Conversation was minimal and very awkward during the testdrive and got worse. Emily noticed a lot of wind noise while driving and he said it was because I wasn't used to the moonroof. Mine old Saturn never did that...but of course he knew how to fix it and would show us when we got back. Here was his solution (which all cars need once in a while)...BLACK ELECTRICAL TAPE ON TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING!!! Dear Lord in Heaven...praise God for black electrical tape. Hey-is that included in the price? or do you teach me how to do it after I trim my mullet and marry my sister?
The office was dirty, disorganized and trashy. He said, "If I cut that $1,000 off the price you'd be ready to drive this off the lot wouldn't you?" Caught up in the moment and not being allowed to think it through I said "probably." He took it as "yes" and went to washing the car, sending us to wait in the finance room, and took the tags off the car.
The finance guy was really nice and noticed our concern. He asked why we weren't sure and he realized it wasn't the money...but the way we had been treated...we think he empathized with us. HEAD HAUNCHO MAN NEEDS TO MAKE A SALE!! So..."you freakin' finance lacky had better not SCREW it up!!" When he came back and we said we were going to walk and think about it he wanted to know what was wrong. We said we didnt' want to rush into it. Yet, he said it's everything we asked for and "why don't you just drive it home." He said he washed it and took off the signs...as he was just about to the door to walk out I said, "better put them back on then." I was about to reprimand him like the middle-schooler he his, but I got myself under control.
So, we went back to the Saturn dealership next door and they found us the most tight car for an amazing deal. Saturn L200 2003, stickshift, black, black leather interior, 6 disc, moonroof, heated seats, and lots more! We pick it up on Tuesday. If you're looking for a good Saturn...go to Golden Valley Saturn and ask for Dan.

24 hours of H-E-Double hockey sticks

Well...where do I begin?

Let's start yesterday, Monday, March 6, 2006...I don't feel like totally reliving one of the top 10 worst days of my life...so I will give you just the facts chronologically...
Monday:
7:00am Go to school with very red eyes and I am quite aware I must have "pink eye". I pick eye gunk/puss out of my eye all day while they continue to get redder and itchier.
2:00pm I move my private lessons to Tuesday and try to schedule a quick appointment. Yet, 3 different Park Nicollet Clinics can't get me in. They suggest an urgent care...so I haul my butt down to Burnsville as fast I can in order to beat the 4 o'clock/after work rush. Good thing I got there at 3:45, cuz they had 25 people check in between 4:00 and 4:20.
3:45-5:20 I wait to get into the doctor's office. When I finally get called, I yell "jackpot" in the waiting room and make a bunch of people laugh...plus I got the rest of my lesson planning done while waiting (the only 2 highlights of this day...pretty much)
5:20-5:35 Doctor says I have pink eye in both eyes and a possible sinus infection with redness in my throat and ears...YES!! So, he gave me eye drops and an antibiotic. Nice guy, but seemed overworked, so I just B.S.ed with him for a little while.
5:35 I leave the urgent care to head to Walgreens to pick up my stuff and have bible study that night.
5:45 I got about 500 yds out of the parking lot and hit a Cadillac Catera head-on. The Cadillac has its front end demolished, but my Saturn took a corner shot and doesn't look too bad. The lady is alright and so am I, but I'm still waiting to hear about the car. I should have an estimate tomorrow. I got the ticket, since it's my fault, because I didn't yield on a left turn green. I'm not making excuses, but I didn't see her, because the car turning in front of me blocked my view. I guess that's why they cause these "accidents."
7:00 pm Got back to my place to have some food with Em and Steve B.
Went to bed and got a little sleep.
Tuesday
7:00am Decided to go to work and spent the morning making insurance and auto body phone calls.
9:00am I got a call from Emily who was at the hospital having tests and feeling really sick.
11:00am I left school to meet her at her place and take care of her for the afternoon.
6:30pm Good news though...Steve B. has a car I can use as long as I need it, but when I got home from teaching lessons this evening the gear shift broke off...dang it...but I figured out how to still shift. Let's see how tomorrow goes...

Let's hope God grants us peace and the ability to get through the next few weeks. I ask that you keep us in your prayers and hopefully the rest of the school year will finish off strong.

Blessings,
Seth