Okay, call me sentimental but when I cleaned out my truck this week, I got a little misty eyed.
This faithful 2012 Ford F-150 has seen me through a lot, while also racking up a ton of miles.
(I LOVE driving a larger vehicle! Anyone else?)
This truck carried me back and forth from Nashville to Atlanta nearly every week for two years while my precious Dad’s health declined with dementia.
It kept me safe when a deer decided to take an ill-fated leap across Hwy 20 (in Atlanta) at 2:30 in the afternoon (!) on one those many trips back and forth. Thank goodness for insurance!
It’s been a great ride for many years now.
But last Monday as Joe and I were headed out the door, truck keys in hand for an appointment, someone plowed into both of our parked cars right outside of our townhouse. Joe actually saw it happen, and everyone heard the impact. Neighbors came running.
Gratefully, no one was hurt. The person driving (a very kind neighbor who lives down the street, we hadn’t met until that day) apparently blacked out while driving (yikes!)and doesn’t remember anything but waking up to the accident. We’re all so incredibly thankful it didn’t happen on the highway. As they say, things could have been so much worse.
Both cars were totaled. Crazy, right? But again, no one was hurt. And cars can be replaced. People cannot. I’m so grateful for God’s protection on all sides.
But it’s amazing how time consuming an accident can be. Tow trucks, insurance calls, body shops, rentals, more insurance calls, wreckers…and shopping for other cars, which I’ve never enjoyed. But does anyone really enjoy car shopping?
We’re in the process of buying replacement vehicles, which it is exciting to have something newer with more of the recent technological bells and whistles. And while a sunroof doesn’t technically fit that category, I adore them and used mine all the time.
What’s a feature on your current vehicle that you love? And that now that you’ve had it, you don’t think you could live without?
Hugs from my corner of Franklin, TN,
Tammy
AUGUST GIVEAWAY
…and don’t you dare laugh!
Tamera Alexander
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One feature I love on my car, a 2015 Lexus RX350, is the push button start.I keep my car key clipped to my purse, so it’s always handy. However, I don’t have to have it in my hand and insert it into a starter to make my car start. Another feature I love is the beeping when my car is very close to something as well as the lighting up of a symbol on my side mirrors if a car is close by on the right or the left. That way I don’t try to pull into another lane if I haven’t detected that car yet. And, the creme de la creme–the car is supposed to stop itself if I’m about to run into something. While I’ve never had that happen while driving, the salesman did demonstrate that feature while we were test driving the car.
I LOVE push button start, too, Suzanne. So handy, especially because I wasn’t able to fit my F150 into the garage for years. I’ve never had the “light in the mirror” option before but bet it’s handy. Same for the collision warning too. Thanks for sharing today, friend!
Automatic windshield wipers! They come on automatically when it starts to rain and adjust automatically to the amount of rain! (And heated/ac seats, and a back up camera!) How awful to lose both cars at once, but how fun to get to shop!
Oh, I’ve never had those auto wipers, D’Ann. I’m in for a world of discovery! YES to the heated seats and back up camera. Love those.
I’m so glad no one was hurt and that you’re getting everything taken care of. I get sentimental about vehicles too! But I do love our newish Honda Odyssey. It has all the features Suzanne mentioned, and I love the push-button start and lane detection. And since I share the van with my hubby, I also love that the seats automatically adjust to each of us according to who’s in the driver’s seat.
I love your Odyssey too, Deb. So nice. And yes to the memory seats. I’ve not had those. Yet! : )
I agree about the sunroof! My present vehicle doesn’t have one & it’s the first time I haven’t had one since the early 2000s. I would recommend heated/cooled leather seats! That should be standard on all vehicles! I’m going to add a second thing: moisture-sensing windshield wipers! I’ve had those since 2009 & I would miss that terribly!
I’m a sucker for a sunroof, too, Lisa. It’s amazing how quickly we become accustomed to things. I know I do. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, what a deal to have BOTH of your vehicles disabled at the same time! Crazy, but like you said, so thankful no one was hurt. Though inconvenient to muddle through all the red tape, cars can be replaced; people cannot. Hope you find something that is even better than you had before!
I love the backup camera on our Ford Edge! It took me a bit to get used to it, but once I did, I’m really glad we have it. That little beeper has come in handy a few times. 😉
Yes to that back up camera, Lori. Talk about a boost for safety. And yes, it’s helped me many times in that ol’ truck. : )
Hi Tammy,
We just bought a brand new Bronco Sport. Man does it have the bells and whistles. I like the programmable garage door opener on the visor and heated seats and steering wheel cover. Also the seat and mirrors are programmable for three people and the seat goes back automatically when you turn the car off so it’s easy to get out. Yes, it has a sunroof too. I like the blind spot indicator and out of lane warning. We can also let it assist to brake if there is a stationary objects in our lane, if you put it on Economy, it turns off if you are at a stop light or waiting in line for fast food.
I believe I won a copy of From A Distance. I emailed you and messaged you but I have not received any reply.
My name is Paula Shreckhise
Thanks!
Nice, Paula! Love all those options! And yes, I just checked and you absolutely did! I just emailed you. Thanks for the reminder, and for sharing today! Good on the Economy tip too!
What a story! That could be incorporated into a book…
I agree with all the previous comments but I LOVE my massage seats. My friends and I joke that I can start to charge per hour for those sitting in my passenger seat. Since I’ve been focusing on working out more, it has been nice to have my back massaged when sore!
Oh gracious, massage seats!! Love the very thought of that, Amber. LOL I bet those are amazing. So funny about charging per hour! : )
I would have a hard time doing without the backup camera . Our 2016 car is the first one that we have had that had one.
I love that camera too, Mary. A definite techie tool to have.
Sunroofs are fabulous in nice weather! I have an SUV and love the feature that allows me to open the trunk remotely as I approach, so the trunk in ready and waiting for me when I get there. Also love the button I can push to close/open the trunk that’s near the steering wheel and the button to close the trunk that’s inside the trunk door itself. SO handy!
Okay, Becky, you sold me, gal! It’s on my list. LOL
I miss my jeep. After retiring it at 14 years, I ended up with a boring Ford car for 10 years. Soon we will be replacing it with a Jeep Cherokee. Yeah! I feel so short and small sitting down low.
How is your poor neighbor? Hopefully got medical care for whatever caused the blackout.
I’m glad you are able to repair/replace your vehicles. Amazing BOTH at once. Yikes.
We always get the bells and whistles, but neither of us like use the sunroof. I like the camera for back up and for all around for seeing how you fit in the parking spot. I use that! I like the tailgate button inside and that you can wave your foot underneath and open the tailgate when your hands are full. The steer wheel heater is a luxury but with arthritis it feels so good on your hands. I do like bigger vehicles where you have to step up to get inside. A quick sunroof story – one of the grandchildren accidently opened their sunroof when it was covered with snow while his poor little sister was strapped in her car seat. She was covered with snow and so was the inside of the car. Both were very upset but it is a pretty funny story now. Oh and by the way, my husband loves to shop for new vehicles.
We always get the bells and whistles, but neither of us like/use the sunroof. I like the camera for back up and for all around for seeing how you fit in the parking spot. I use that! I like the tailgate button inside and that you can wave your foot underneath and open the tailgate when your hands are full. The steer wheel heater is a luxury but with arthritis it feels so good on your hands. I also like that we don’t need a key, just push button start. I do like bigger vehicles where you have to step up to get inside. A quick sunroof story – one of the grandchildren accidently opened their sunroof when it was covered with snow while his poor little sister was strapped in her car seat. She was covered with snow and so was the inside of the car. Both were very upset but it is a pretty funny story now. Oh and by the way, my husband loves to shop for new vehicles.