Farewell, FJ...

I know I've left you dangling in the ongoing saga of my NYC trip, but I feel it necessary to post about a couple of events that have occurred in the last week and a half........

After going upstairs to eat dinner (yummy Domino's Pizza) on the 27th, I sent Brandon out to the garage to throw something in the trash can. Peter followed him out, which I thought a tad bit odd, but whatever. They came back in to join the rest of us at the table and I could tell something was up. Brandon was trying not to smile/laugh and he kept looking at Peter. I don't recall what Peter was saying; probably something like, "it's nothing" or "it's a secret" because by then I had already asked, "what...? what's going on??". Me and Ethan were basically demanding to know, so Brandon blurted out with, "Dad got a new car!" and he led us out to the garage. Sure enough, there sat a car in the FJ's old spot, appearing miniature in comparison. ....I should clarify that I had known that Peter was looking to sell it/trade it in. He had first told me he was considering this option about a few months ago (I think). I have asked him about it a time or two since then, and he said he was still thinking about it. Then, a few weeks ago (??), he said he was leaning towards doing so, but he wanted to get the windshield replaced beforehand. After waiting 'til we finally had the money, he got it replaced on Monday the 23rd. (There was a crack along the bottom 1/3 that had spread over at least 6 months from one side almost all the way to the other). That afternoon, he posted it for sale on a couple of websites. On Thursday evening, he went to a couple of places to find out what they'd give him for it. He did text me, saying that he was going by the Toyota dealership, before coming home on Friday. I DID NOT know, however, that he was just going to 'do the deed'... So, needless to say, I was shocked to see a different vehicle parked next to the van! Though for a few long seconds I tried to stay quiet, my curiosity got the better of me, and I started spitting out questions at him. He gave me some answers, but said he'd planned on going into the details after we ate. ...The rest of the story aside, I was not pleased that he traded the FJ without letting me know. I told him that at the very least, he could've texted me on the way home to tell me he had done it, and that he'd talk to me about it after dinner. I hadn't been happy when he hardly consulted me just over two years ago about purchasing the FJ. But anyway... I knew we needed to get rid of it; we hadn't been able to afford it since Peter has been earning less due to lack of travel. I would've liked to have been more involved in picking out the replacement car, but the one he got is fine and has good reasoning behind it. Peter now primarily drives a charcoal Toyota Yaris. It's brand-new, but no frills. It's a lease. It's also a stick-shift, which means I won't be driving it anytime soon unless I get out there to practice. It's been just over 12 years since I learned how, and then occasionally drove, the white Nissan 200SX that Peter owned (that belonged to Katie beforehand). ...It's a sad thing for us, having the FJ no more. Especially for Peter. I feel bad for him. ...And there are things about it I will definitely miss. I liked driving it; I felt a bit cool & tough. :) I liked its stereo system (odd to say about an FJ, probably). And going up the canyon this summer/fall will definitely not be the same experience. ...I'm sure we will regularly reflect on the good memories we have that involve the FJ. And we will feel bittersweet. For me, more sweet. For Peter--at least for a good while still--more bitter.