Our new car finally arrived today -- a Spectra Blue fuel-efficient Toyota Prius, though of course it was a little less so after having to be trucked 2,700 plus miles from California.

Incredible that we had to go across country to buy our car. When the idea first surfaced, via J's friend, Richard, we all went, "Naaaaah." But then it became clear that buying a Prius in NC was impossible. One dealer said we had to pay $1,000 to get into a queue. Another wouldn't even let us on a waiting list. We had to convey our requirements and then Mark Jacobson would contact us when such a car became available. He had some 25 people all waiting hopefully at the time, and something like 2 or 3 cars coming in each month. As we could not tell our heads from our behinds in such a situation, California looked more and more attractive. Two weeks later, our pretty new machine is sitting out on our driveway. Ironically, one of the NC dealers called last week and said a car would be available next week for us. Haha. It was still more expensive -- for the same features -- that our Californian import cost us, WITH shipping. HA. Have desperate buyers, will cut throats.

Now all I need to do is get my driver's license so I can drive our new baby. I must say that I will miss having a people mover, as they call them. However, since we will probably need a second car, maybe we should get one of those gas guzzling SUVs that are now going for a song!