Why this weekend Rocked!

 For Earl's birthday, I bought him a guitar. He's wanted a new one since we met. Besides, I got him 3 guitar hangers for Christmas, it was necessary to get him a third guitar to complete the wall!

(P.S. This weekend also rocks because today is our 3rd Saturday. We took today and tomorrow off for his birthday, so we're chilling at the house and taking some time to relax/play his new guitar.)

Three Years

Tomorrow marks three years that Earl and I have been together, and I realize, I’ve never talked about our first date. I’ve meant too, but I’ve never gotten around to it until today. So here it is: 3 years later.

Some Background:

Earl and I had worked at the same place for  just over a year and a half but when he started I was married and well, that turned out horribly wrong (and is another story). I was moving out of the apartment I and my Ex husband had lived in and into a brand new development in Tempe with a friend. In passing I’d learned that Earl had experience moving furniture and asked him – since I had about 3 friends down here that weren’t also friends with my ex and he graciously agreed to help. I gave him my number on a company post-it note and then spent the next few days feeling like a total chicken and rather awkward about the fact that he hadn’t used the number.  (Later I’d find out that he couldn’t think of a good excuse to use it and in hind sight I hadn’t given him one.)

So. The day’s sort of pass and we get to 4pm on the Wednesday before thanksgiving (26^th in 2008), and I’m bored – as I usually am after 4 if I don’t have a book to read – and so I pick up the phone, call the counter extension and watch the little security monitor on my screen, hoping that David doesn’t pick up.

He doesn’t, and as soon as Earl gives his little schpiel that he’s supposed to give when he answers the phone I say –

Me: One or Two?

Him: What?

Me: Just pick one; One or Two?

Him: Two?

Me: Thanks. *Click*

Now, before you start to think I’m certifiable – as he pretty much did – I did have a reason to ask, and at the time, I didn’t have a quarter to flip, so that the most random option I had. Off the top of my head I don’t remember what I was deciding, but Two meant no.

Anyway, he texted me a few minutes later, and I was pretty sure he was a good guy… you guys, he used “Piqued” correctly in a text! And after that we texted for a while and basically it came down to him asking if I wanted to come hang out. So I did.

The Date:

I got to his apartment – which, truth be told was a scary thing, the complex didn’t seem to care about its parking lot lighting… or really any exterior lighting whatsoever – and we ended up putting in a movie that we talked through… and then 8 more that we talked through. I have only ever stayed up all night a total of about 5 times. And this 13 hour talking marathon was the most memorable. I got to his apartment at 7 on the 26^th and left at 8am on the 27^th…. Running home to shower, change and head off to my brother’s house for thanksgiving.

And after Thanksgiving, I ended up going back over to earls, where I did not stay up all night, but instead fell asleep on his couch and did my best not to drool.

And we’ve been together ever since.

Brittany In Blue

So, last week we talked about the Cadillac. Earl’s other Girlfriend ;) This week, I’d like to introduce you to Brittany. Earl's 1969 Ford Mustang.

Yep, that’s how we found her. 

When we were cleaning her out we’re pretty sure some form of furry little vermin died inside (possibly 20 years ago, when she was parked) based on a lot of fur… and a pair of teeth.

So we have a Mustang. At this point, you may be wondering Why? Simple fact of the matter: Earl’s dream job is to fix up old cars for a living. So, when this one showed up – relatively clean and super inexpensive – with a clear title, he jumped on the chance and I was more than happy to support him in that move.

So we got it, moved it to his friend’s garage and they went to work on it. 

Now it’s cleaned out, everything removed from the interior – well almost – and This weekend they’re probably pulling out the engine (I say probably because I’m writing this last week and as things are wont to do, plans might change.)

So this is Brittany. I’ll keep you updated on her as she progresses.

By the way, she’s named Brittney after her original color: Brittany Blue.

Dee Dee Ranged, We’ve All Been Through Some S#!%

I’ve always loved old cars… my three dream cars are from 1937, 1953 and 1940 (in that order), so I won’t lie to you and say that I wasn’t partially drawn to Earl because of his car (I’ll get to the rest of that story around Thanksgiving).

For the last four years Earl has owned DeeDee, his dream car. She’s a 1961 Cadillac Sedan Deville and she is a beauty.

As with all 50 year olds… Dee Dee’s had some problems. At the moment, her heart and her body are on two separate sides of the city. But let me tell you, this engine’s triple bypass is going to be a thing of magic.

He had the engine rebuilt a while back and it’s in the midst of getting back together.  Because lets face it, when you get the car of your dreams and it’s all numbers matching, you smile and nod as other people tell you to get a 350 or whatever other motor that person seems to be infatuated with, and don’t tell them how idiotic that would be. It’s about integrity, yo!

One problem – that we haven’t actually had to deal with yet – is the fact that owning an 18 foot long car in a world of Fits, smart cars and the Prius…. can be a challenge – especially when you live down town.

I have no illusions, though. I know that we will soon have to give up our down town lifestyle in favor of a garage that will accommodate our behemoth baby. And that’s okay. I’ve known for quite some time that we’d have to make sacrifices to keep her around, and I’m okay with that.

We could potentially make some money by renting out her trunk as garage space for a smart car… or that new fiat.

I’ll post pictures of it again when it’s got its new upholstery and paint. (but that may be a while – and you’ll understand why when I talk about Brittney next week.)

What about you? Are you into old cars? Or are you a fan of all things new and shiny? What’s your dream car?