We owned 2 Saturns until my 11 year old konked out last May. To repair would have cost a fortune and even though we had been what I would term 'valued' customers, the dealership made no real attempt to keep our business, even though they knew I was prepared to purchase another new car from them initially. So I simply walked across the road - literally - and bought myself a little Toyota Yaris. The Saturns were good. Notice the word 'were'. They were good in the days of the polymer panels. Great for a Canadian living on the east coast who has to travel on salt covered roads in the winter. Mine, even after 11 years was in great shape except for that thing under the hood known as an engine... But I must add that as a courier, I did put well over 170,000 miles on the car. DH has decided he'll be going to a Toyota as well when his Saturn gives out. He's hitting 185,000 Miles at this time. As I said, in our case it wasn't really the car but the dealership. There's a lot more of them (dealerships) and those who think that buying a car from them once means you'll repeat in the future had better think again. On the street where I bought my first Saturn in 1996/97 there used to be only three dealerships. Now there are 10.

fruitnut, I too am single and happy to be so. But I figured out a long time ago that, wishing to be in a marital/famly status you're not is pointless. No matter the status, it has its benefits and its downsides. I'd rather be single than in a bad marriage. I'd rather be in a great, happy marriage than single. I'd rather be single w/o children than single with a child or childrenâ¦the combos are endless. Turned down two proposals; didn't get the one I wanted, and that was it for me. I moved on to single life, and I have no regrets at all. Some people are in marriages I would love to have for myself; more are in marriages I would not want for myself; some singles know how to be single and content, while others spend their time bemoaning the fact that they're single, based solely on a status our culture puts on being married (i.e.: married = winner; single = loser). so, best course is to make the best decisions you can for yourself and others, and let the chips fall where they may; don't force them (i.e.: marry a loser just to be married). Carve out the best life one can for oneself, regardless of status. My only complaint about being single is that, married people tend to cast single friends off and not consider them peers. That I regret, because I love so many of my married friends.

I started driving a Ferguson 2-plow tractor when I was 13 yr old using it to plow fields in preparation for spring planting. One yr later, I was driving and maintaining our 2-door Model A Ford sedan. I had a provisional farm labor learner's permit and got full license by age 16. I also drove a John Deere Model B tractor for 2 seasons for another farmer. Most of my early driving was on dirt or gravel roads. My Junior yr of high school, I was working in a filling station for 3 hours after school and bought myself a 4-dr Model A. I was the head Grease Monkey. While working the filling station, I drove a variety of customer's cars when delivery was required. The most interesting of these was a 1950 Packard Hearse with an automatic transmission that took forever to get the vehicle rolling. After it passed 15 mph, the engine began to have more effect of accelerating the vehicle. The culprit was the fluid coupling in the drive line.

Our summer ended yesterday. It was only 55° when I got up and only got to around 80°. While I was at work Joe opened up all the windows and turned off the air. The house sure felt nice when I got home. This morning was even cooler at 50° but I enjoyed my breakfast on the lanai so much. My flowering plants are really perking up too. I love fall and winter in Florida :) Rhonda