I waited around for the FedEx package to arrive yesterday morning that contained the final paperwork for the truck sale. It arrived at 11 AM and I contacted Josie at work to inform her that I was on my way down to see her so that we could take the papers to the bank to have our signatures notarized. Prior to that, I had finalized our financing for the replacement vehicle through our credit union at SunWest in Phoenix.
Josie and I went to the B of A around the corner from her shop and wrapped up all of the signing and notarizing. The paperwork included a guarantee from the buyer's credit union that the funds would be overnighted as soon as the paperwork was received. I dropped Josie off back at work, went to the local FedEx office to send the package, and then went to Bill Luke Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge in town who is probably one of, if not the largest, dealer in town. He had many vehicles that would satisfy our criteria, so that's where I went. I arrived there at about 1 PM and didn't leave until after 5:30 PM. After looking at probably 8 or 10 quality used cars, I selected a 2014 Ford Escape with 31K miles on it, drove it, and we negotiated a final price that came within $750 of my target price. I also changed to the dealer financing which was a better deal for us and knocked another $1K off of the purchase price. I will get some shots of the vehicle when we have some daylight.
The new owner of the truck called during the day and is scheduled to pick up the truck this morning. I ordinarily wouldn't release the vehicle until the funds were deposited and cleared, but with the credit union guarantee and the amount of time I've spent communicating with him, feel confident that he is a nice, honest individual. He is in the same boat that we were in as he is left with only one vehicle until he gets the truck.
We have gone full circle now with the sale of the truck and the replacement vehicle. I hope we aren't sorry we made this decision, but I know that 30 mpg on our second vehicle will pay much better dividends than the 12 mpg we were getting on the highway with the more expensive diesel fuel and the truck. I will miss it...
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Friday, February 6, 2015
Spinning Wheel
We are under a little pressure to find a replacement vehicle for the truck. It turns out that the truck will be turned over sooner than later to the new owner as he has his financing all wrapped up and we expect to receive the money next week. His credit union is overnighting the papers to us today to sign, and we will turn those around and overnight them back. Monday should be the funding day. I agreed to let the new owner take the truck after I see the paperwork and have a guarantee that the loan will be consummated next week. He is without wheels except for his wife's car and they both have jobs and need two vehicles like us. Right now, there is a "spinning wheel" with about 6 or 8 models on it and where it stops, nobody knows. I'm leaning toward any of these models that I can find the right deal on - Honda CR-V, Toyota Rav4, Ford Escape, Subaru Forester or one of the other small, SUV's that are economical. A requirement is that it must get at least 30 mpg highway mileage among other requirements. Today is the day I research the availability of these in the area.
We drove around to a lot of places yesterday doing necessary chores. Josie had a doctor's appointment to have her foot checked. She will go to a Podiatrist for further treatment. We then picked up our next to last check from Aramark at the Surprise Stadium and also picked up blank calendars for February and March where we are to indicate our availability for work. I'll take those back today. We then stopped at Sam's Club and Walmart to do some shopping and returned home at 3 PM.
Josie and I both are dealing with colds that we got last week. Josie thinks she got hers from her manager, Kathy, last week while she handled her phone when the manager went home sick. I got mine from Josie. Of course, both of us handled lots of money last week at the Convention Center so that could also be the culprit. At any rate, we are both trying to nurse the colds while staying busy...
We drove around to a lot of places yesterday doing necessary chores. Josie had a doctor's appointment to have her foot checked. She will go to a Podiatrist for further treatment. We then picked up our next to last check from Aramark at the Surprise Stadium and also picked up blank calendars for February and March where we are to indicate our availability for work. I'll take those back today. We then stopped at Sam's Club and Walmart to do some shopping and returned home at 3 PM.
Josie and I both are dealing with colds that we got last week. Josie thinks she got hers from her manager, Kathy, last week while she handled her phone when the manager went home sick. I got mine from Josie. Of course, both of us handled lots of money last week at the Convention Center so that could also be the culprit. At any rate, we are both trying to nurse the colds while staying busy...
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Running Around
I spent the entire day running around while Josie was at work. I had to pick up the title to the truck which was at our credit union at a (near) downtown location and then had to go to the MVD (Motor Vehicle Department) to get a temporary plate for the truck. The Florida registration expired on my birthday, and I couldn't renew it in Florida because I have Arizona insurance now. I certainly was not going to pay for a full year's registration in AZ and get an emissions test when I only expect to have the truck for another 30 days, at best. I waited 2 1/2 hours at the MVD to pick up a 3 day temporary tag which I discovered I could have printed out at home for a dollar. The next stop was to fax the title to the credit union of the new buyer. In between all of this, I was in communication with Wholesale Warranties to cancel the truck extended warranty and get a refund from them. That was finally wrapped up by 4 PM. Once the paperwork is complete, the new truck owner will take possession and we will get our money.
The truck will have to be replaced with an economical, smaller vehicle that we can use as a commuting vehicle. Each of us has the need for an economical car for our jobs. It won't be a brand new vehicle, but we hope to get one that will give us at least 30 mpg and have low miles. Probably a 2012 to 2014 model of something. The research for that vehicle starts today.
I received a call from Aramark asking about my availability for February and March. We have already, tentatively, agreed to work during Spring Training if we can get into the merchandising area so that we don't have to do the concessions again for a third year. We are waiting on that response.
Other than that, it's just a plain, busy time for both of us. Josie has the day off today to go to the Doctor's office to have her painful foot checked, so we will be out and about again...
The truck will have to be replaced with an economical, smaller vehicle that we can use as a commuting vehicle. Each of us has the need for an economical car for our jobs. It won't be a brand new vehicle, but we hope to get one that will give us at least 30 mpg and have low miles. Probably a 2012 to 2014 model of something. The research for that vehicle starts today.
I received a call from Aramark asking about my availability for February and March. We have already, tentatively, agreed to work during Spring Training if we can get into the merchandising area so that we don't have to do the concessions again for a third year. We are waiting on that response.
Other than that, it's just a plain, busy time for both of us. Josie has the day off today to go to the Doctor's office to have her painful foot checked, so we will be out and about again...
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Normal Schedule Again
Josie went to the shop and worked her normal day and I did a 6 hour shift a Sam's Club to once again get back on our regular schedule. Well, almost. I will work only one day per week at Sam's Club through March as I plan to work for Aramark through that period. I also have to complete our taxes and finish up the truck sale which is going forward. Josie is struggling with a cold that has set in, and she is not feeling 100% at this stage of her Valentine's Day marathon schedule.
In some ways, I am sorry to sell the truck but it has turned out to be a nice savings account. In October, 2007 when I purchased it for around $63K, it was designated a once in a lifetime purchase and a vehicle that would last the rest of my life. At that time, diesel fuel was around $3.50 per gallon, and the thought was that the prices would go down. Instead, diesel went to $5.00 per gallon and has been hovering around that number since about 2010 until recently. The price is still about $1 higher than regular unleaded, and is too expensive to be driven and used as an everyday second vehicle. It has held it's value very well and will be sold for over $38K which is an excellent resale for a seven year old vehicle. To buy the same vehicle today, equipped the way ours is equipped, would be around $80K. Gas prices are once again on the rise - faster than they went down - and we are anxious to replace it with an economical regular unleaded vehicle. Gas went to $1.77 per gallon at Sam's Club yesterday and just last week it was $1.63. Here we go again.
That means that the fifth wheel will remain in AZ for the foreseeable future. We have talked about acquiring another, smaller trailer to use for summer travel and we may still go that route. Also, the interest rates are still low and this appears to be a great time to take advantage of a recovering housing market. That is another option that we have been seriously looking at. It will all work itself out to be, hopefully, the best alternative for us in today's economy...
In some ways, I am sorry to sell the truck but it has turned out to be a nice savings account. In October, 2007 when I purchased it for around $63K, it was designated a once in a lifetime purchase and a vehicle that would last the rest of my life. At that time, diesel fuel was around $3.50 per gallon, and the thought was that the prices would go down. Instead, diesel went to $5.00 per gallon and has been hovering around that number since about 2010 until recently. The price is still about $1 higher than regular unleaded, and is too expensive to be driven and used as an everyday second vehicle. It has held it's value very well and will be sold for over $38K which is an excellent resale for a seven year old vehicle. To buy the same vehicle today, equipped the way ours is equipped, would be around $80K. Gas prices are once again on the rise - faster than they went down - and we are anxious to replace it with an economical regular unleaded vehicle. Gas went to $1.77 per gallon at Sam's Club yesterday and just last week it was $1.63. Here we go again.
That means that the fifth wheel will remain in AZ for the foreseeable future. We have talked about acquiring another, smaller trailer to use for summer travel and we may still go that route. Also, the interest rates are still low and this appears to be a great time to take advantage of a recovering housing market. That is another option that we have been seriously looking at. It will all work itself out to be, hopefully, the best alternative for us in today's economy...
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Still Bummed
The entire Super Bowl experience was a real exciting and unique opportunity for us. After hearing about all the records that this Super Bowl set, we are fortunate to have been so close to all the activity and the game itself. We are still bummed over the outcome, but time will heal our sour taste of the finish to the game. We still believe that the Seahawks are better than the Patriots and they just plain gave away the opportunity to add to Super Bowl History with a repeat win. There is no reason to believe that they will not return again next year, especially with the team knowing that the victory slipped away, and a payback will be in order.
I had chance to catch up on some sleep yesterday and also catch up on some chores and ignored household activity as a result of our long schedules last week. Josie had to go into work with just a few hours sleep but made it OK and said she felt fine all day. I did capture a shot of the balloons that filled the sky yesterday afternoon:
They may have been filled with Patriot fans having a final celebration before heading back to the north pole in Boston. Speaking of the north pole, Patty sent photos of the outside of her home in Naperville that revealed her situation:
She said they would probably dig themselves out by Spring.
I am getting very close to making a deal on the truck which is a sure sign that some changes are on the horizon for our long term plans. We have some options that we are considering that depend on making that deal, so we will let you know when events take us to decision time.
Both of us will work today as I also return to Sam's Club for my first day back since the Super Bowl activities began. Josie now begins her Valentine's Day schedule which is, of course, like a marathon. She will not see a (scheduled) day off from now until after Valentine's Day. It is that time of the year. I also need to finish up our taxes this month, so both of us are on the fast track to who knows where...
I had chance to catch up on some sleep yesterday and also catch up on some chores and ignored household activity as a result of our long schedules last week. Josie had to go into work with just a few hours sleep but made it OK and said she felt fine all day. I did capture a shot of the balloons that filled the sky yesterday afternoon:
They may have been filled with Patriot fans having a final celebration before heading back to the north pole in Boston. Speaking of the north pole, Patty sent photos of the outside of her home in Naperville that revealed her situation:
She said they would probably dig themselves out by Spring.
I am getting very close to making a deal on the truck which is a sure sign that some changes are on the horizon for our long term plans. We have some options that we are considering that depend on making that deal, so we will let you know when events take us to decision time.
Both of us will work today as I also return to Sam's Club for my first day back since the Super Bowl activities began. Josie now begins her Valentine's Day schedule which is, of course, like a marathon. She will not see a (scheduled) day off from now until after Valentine's Day. It is that time of the year. I also need to finish up our taxes this month, so both of us are on the fast track to who knows where...
Monday, February 2, 2015
Disappointment
Our day at the Super Bowl was a lot different from our expectations. To start with, the day in general was much longer than we anticipated, and we worked a total of 16.5 hours, arriving back home at almost 1 AM this morning.
The way the day started should have been an omen for us. We checked in at the Coliseum in Phoenix, received our uniforms, got on the bus for the ride to the stadium, went through security at the stadium and arrived at our kiosk at around 9 AM. We waited for somebody from Aramark to come by and unlock our station while we admired our location. It was, what we thought, the start to a very pleasant and happy experience. Our kiosk was finally opened and we set everything up for the big day. This is what our kiosk looked like with Josie in her uniform:
and this was the view we had from either side of the stand:
It wasn't going to be a very happy experience for us.
A group of three men showed up just prior to our setting up the kiosk and told us that they were scheduled to work our station. They were from another subcontractor and not part of Aramark. At first, we thought they were only going to sell game programs from in front of our location. Wrong. A huge argument ensued between the managers of this contractor and Aramark over who was responsible for operating the kiosk. To make a long story short, the kiosk was double booked and we ended up being booted out of the kiosk and directed to work in the Team Store. Needless to say, we were totally bummed, and this became a sign that the day would not go as expected.
During the entire day and throughout the 16.5 hours we worked, we only had one half hour break for lunch. We did not get to see the game at all except for what we could see on the small TV monitors within the store, and we never had a chance to see any live action during the entire day. Josie and I both assisted customers on the floor in finding the right piece of clothing in the right size.
The bus ride back to the coliseum and our vehicle was not an easy task. The lines for contract workers was so long it took an hour from the time we arrived at the rear of the line for bus boarding until we finally got on one of the buses. This is a view - both in front, and in back of us - while waiting for the buses:
It was a terrific game that we worked and everything about the game was great except the outcome. One bad (and stupid) play with less than a minute to play cost the Seahawks their second consecutive Super Bowl title and it is a tough pill to swallow. We are both dragging this morning and Josie has to go to work at the shop and work her normal hours today. The entire experience was one we will never forget and I will probably reflect some more on the day after I recover from the disappointment...
The way the day started should have been an omen for us. We checked in at the Coliseum in Phoenix, received our uniforms, got on the bus for the ride to the stadium, went through security at the stadium and arrived at our kiosk at around 9 AM. We waited for somebody from Aramark to come by and unlock our station while we admired our location. It was, what we thought, the start to a very pleasant and happy experience. Our kiosk was finally opened and we set everything up for the big day. This is what our kiosk looked like with Josie in her uniform:
and this was the view we had from either side of the stand:
It wasn't going to be a very happy experience for us.
A group of three men showed up just prior to our setting up the kiosk and told us that they were scheduled to work our station. They were from another subcontractor and not part of Aramark. At first, we thought they were only going to sell game programs from in front of our location. Wrong. A huge argument ensued between the managers of this contractor and Aramark over who was responsible for operating the kiosk. To make a long story short, the kiosk was double booked and we ended up being booted out of the kiosk and directed to work in the Team Store. Needless to say, we were totally bummed, and this became a sign that the day would not go as expected.
During the entire day and throughout the 16.5 hours we worked, we only had one half hour break for lunch. We did not get to see the game at all except for what we could see on the small TV monitors within the store, and we never had a chance to see any live action during the entire day. Josie and I both assisted customers on the floor in finding the right piece of clothing in the right size.
The bus ride back to the coliseum and our vehicle was not an easy task. The lines for contract workers was so long it took an hour from the time we arrived at the rear of the line for bus boarding until we finally got on one of the buses. This is a view - both in front, and in back of us - while waiting for the buses:
It was a terrific game that we worked and everything about the game was great except the outcome. One bad (and stupid) play with less than a minute to play cost the Seahawks their second consecutive Super Bowl title and it is a tough pill to swallow. We are both dragging this morning and Josie has to go to work at the shop and work her normal hours today. The entire experience was one we will never forget and I will probably reflect some more on the day after I recover from the disappointment...
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Madness
Everybody that is coming to town for Super Bowl is here. The downtown area was pure madness yesterday. We started our shift at the NFL Experience on time shortly before 9 AM and with the exception of about a 20 minute break to have a couple slices of pizza that were brought in, we worked non-stop until 5 PM. Josie and I each figured we did around $30K worth of business at our registers alone, with another shift following us. One of the Aramark manager's came by at about 3 PM and took a stack of 100 dollar bills from each of our registers. There were 16 registers covered during the day even though the line move steadily all day, it was almost a 1 hour wait to get waited on.
We were very happy to end our day and the madness became even more evident when we left the building to walk to the Light Rail to catch our ride home. The line to get into the NFL Experience was two blocks long! It wrapped around the entire Convention Center. This is what the line looked like as we exited the building:
The walk from the Convention Center to the train stop took forever. There were so many people on the streets in this part of town that we actually had to wait for people to clear at some of the street crossings. There were the usual protesters and bible toting extremists:
and just plain sightseers and folks having a grand time:
We eventually made it to the train stop where the Phoenix Metro line had placed extra cars into service - 6 on each train versus the normal 3 cars - and the number of trains were tripled to where a train arrived every 5 to 8 minutes instead of about 20 minutes. The crowds were surrounding the station:
We guess that the ratio of Seattle fans to New England fans was probably 15-1. There was every imaginable piece of Seahawks apparel that people were wearing:
We saw several people that we knew during the day- including our personal Physician, Dr Sodhi from Surprise who was there with his son - and a fan from Bellevue WA that we rode the train and chatted with on the ride into work who was only coming in to pick up his Super Bowl Tickets but got caught up in the excitement.
It is finally here - Super Bowl Day - and we are scrambling to get ready to leave at 6:45 AM to meet the group that is working the game at the Coliseum in Phoenix. We will get checked in through security there, get our Super Bowl Uniforms and ride a shuttle to the stadium.
Enjoy the game everybody.
We were very happy to end our day and the madness became even more evident when we left the building to walk to the Light Rail to catch our ride home. The line to get into the NFL Experience was two blocks long! It wrapped around the entire Convention Center. This is what the line looked like as we exited the building:
The walk from the Convention Center to the train stop took forever. There were so many people on the streets in this part of town that we actually had to wait for people to clear at some of the street crossings. There were the usual protesters and bible toting extremists:
and just plain sightseers and folks having a grand time:
We eventually made it to the train stop where the Phoenix Metro line had placed extra cars into service - 6 on each train versus the normal 3 cars - and the number of trains were tripled to where a train arrived every 5 to 8 minutes instead of about 20 minutes. The crowds were surrounding the station:
We guess that the ratio of Seattle fans to New England fans was probably 15-1. There was every imaginable piece of Seahawks apparel that people were wearing:
We saw several people that we knew during the day- including our personal Physician, Dr Sodhi from Surprise who was there with his son - and a fan from Bellevue WA that we rode the train and chatted with on the ride into work who was only coming in to pick up his Super Bowl Tickets but got caught up in the excitement.
It is finally here - Super Bowl Day - and we are scrambling to get ready to leave at 6:45 AM to meet the group that is working the game at the Coliseum in Phoenix. We will get checked in through security there, get our Super Bowl Uniforms and ride a shuttle to the stadium.
Enjoy the game everybody.
G O S E A H A W K S !!!
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