He's Back

I was kinda hoping he wasn't going to visit this year...

Just when I thought we might get to skate through the winter without any major snow events, it looks as if my fantasy winter forecast may just have a rude awakening. In case you missed it, the weather experts are saying Old Man Winter is about to rear his ugly head and dump what's touted as "historic" amounts of snow on the North East in the next few days. This in and of itself enough to make me want to grab the Mister., the furkids, and flip flops and head south for the winter. Add this onto the muckery of late and you have a full blown chaos factory. What kind of chaos?...

Well it all started like this. My Yaya went to be with the Lord recently. So we traveled a few hours north to attend the memorial service and visit family. Sad yes because she will be missed by everyone, but also happy because she was such an inspiring and kind woman who touched so many people in her ninety years on this earth. She immigrated from Greece as a young girl of twenty two years of age and lived what really was the American Dream. She waited in line, went to school and learned to read and write English and then passed her exam to become an American citizen. She married her true love, raised three wonderful children, worked hard, never demanded anything from this country, and never took a penny she did not earn. As my uncle Chris so eloquently stated... a sharp contrast to whats going on in our country today.

Spending time with family to reflect and honor such a wonderful woman was enough. Grief as many have experienced can be hard. I found happiness though the day of the memorial, the morning was cold and snowy. When we came out of the luncheon at the church the skies we bright blue with blazing sunshine. The neatest part of this was my Papoo had passed just over a year earlier and he was obsessed with the weather. He was always talking about the weather and it was almost like they were giving everyone the sign that they were together and happy with Jesus.

So Saturday rolls around and it's time to pack up the car and go home. We stopped for a hot cup of magic a la Dunkins for the road and off we went. We get not thirty miles from town when all of the sudden while driving down the highway the cruise control shuts off and this yellow coil looking do-dad light comes on in the dash. The car starts to slow down and acts as if it is not getting any power from the accelerator. I'm thinking "What in the heck in the world is happening on with our 2013 German tank aka VW Passat TDI"? Normally I'm gushing to everyone about the 40+ mpg we get, how we just love love love our TDI, and how we can get from NY to FL on two tanks of diesel. Saturday night however, I was singing a different song.

After much sputtering, shaking, the coil light going off never to go back on, then the  engine light coming on, and a terrible wind whistle noise coming from the engine which eventually led to a burning smell, and three calls to roadside assistance, turning the car off and doing everything they told us... We found ourselves stranded in the middle of rural upstate NY on a cold dark side road with not one, not two, but five furkids in the car with us. Thankfully we were only thirty miles from family who came to rescue us and our belongings while the tow truck took Paul Passat off to the nearest VW dealer. Where it will sit until Monday morning when the dealer opens. After getting to safety lo and behold we discovered we are not the only ones this has happened to. The internet is full of people who had the exact same thing happen. The cruise control turns off while driving and end up just like we did. It turns out, in many of these cases it is the turbo blown and engine as well.

You can bet your bottom dollar that this Greek girl is going to be on the phone with VW ASAP. Especially since our car has only 25,000 miles on it, is under warranty, is also a certified preowned, and worst of all it has been into several service departments for a "hesitation issue" with the acellerator. Where we described to them that it felt like it was not getting power when pushing gas pedal and a sputtering at times. Only to be told it was "nothing to worry about", that they did a computer update on the transmission that should take care of it. According to what we found on the internet there has been a known issue going on with the TDI's in this model year and we were never made aware.

So on top of sorting out trying to get our car fixed we will be trying to get home just in time to get a wallop from old man winter as he makes his 2015 debut. Frustrating yes, but at the same time all fixable. At the end of the day it's all a matter of perspective. I can complain because we got stuck on the highway at night, or I can be happy that we have a newer car that actually is under a warranty. I can be annoyed that there is a major snowstorm on it's way or I can be happy I'm still here to complain about it... No matter what is going on, the most important thing is that we live every day to it's fullest. Something that my Yaya did.

Times might not always be perfect, and yes they may even be hard. Every day there is something to learn and a new chance to plant seeds in the lives of those around us. So grab that shovel and get ready to welcome Old Man Winter back for what hopefully is a short stay.

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

Withdrawal

Beyond overdue for this!

Withdrawal is Muckery! Don't you hate it when you are just dying to have something that you know you can not have right at this very moment?  No I'm not talking about withdrawal from coffee (dunkin's of course), chocolate, Vitamin Water Zero, or even time with my sneakers...  I'm talking about withdrawal from the beaches of sunny south Florida!

Whatchutalkingabout Greek girl?  Well let me see July is almost over and I have yet to take the yearly road trip to the sunshine state to see family and get some Vitamin D therapy.  Oy Vey, for reals!  Last year we even went two times, but this year has just been too busy to go yet.  Plus having one extra fur-kid in the family makes planning that trip a wee bit harder since "Glama Aston" has to watch all five of them.

So... I was sitting here thinking about all the reasons I know I need to get to South Florida pronto!

1. Because I lost last years tan line just before Hurricane Sandy dropped not one but two trees on our house back in October.

2.  New bathing suit I scored at TJ Maxx that I'm dying to try out!

3. Vitamin D Therapy... the kind of Vitamin D I need doesn't come in a bottle from The Vitamin Shoppe.

4. Everyone goes a lot slower in Florida, which is exactly how Greek Girl rolls!

5. Ice cold beverages are best when there is sand on the outside of the cup, just sayin.

6. Need to test out the new VW Jetta #TDI "Joel Jetta" vs. the old one "Jillian Jetta" to see who gets the better highway mileage. (what, doesn't everyone name their cars)?

7. Bingo withdrawal... Everyone play BINGO with their Nana don't they? 

8. Seafood... HELLO South Florida has some of the best places to dine out right smack dab on the water!

9. To get away from the Obama Health Care Propaganda Tour.  You knew I had to slide that one in there didn't ya? ;D

10. Casino... Nothing beats spending time at the Casino with a bunch of family.  Yes I admit it, I'm addicted to slot machines.  What is more fun though is to watch my nana laughing at me when I win loads of dough.

So there you have it, the top ten reasons I know I need to get my pasty self to south Florida pronto!  I sure hope everyone has had ample fun and sun time so far this year.  If not, get on that before it's snowing again already! 

Blessings, Love & Music!
Ava :D
www.avaaston.com 

GPS Equals Muckery

Ever feel like your Nav is laughing at you?...

What is it about GPS that requires you need a PHD to actually use the stinking thing? I swear it's like the mad scientists who came up with the whole GPS idea spent too much time in Colorado worried about passing the law to allow legalization of marijuana or something because most of the time they just don't work.

Okay, well maybe it could be operator error, or maybe it's the blonde Greek thing.  Which in my world means I can be a bit dramatic and a little "challenged" when it comes to technology to say the least.  I would love to have my own personal full-time 24/7 techie-minion.  You know, someone who can make all my technology muckery go away.  Considering I'm on my 5th or even 6th iPhone I am stilly having enough a hard time working the dang thing.  You would think by now I would get it.  But no, those so-called "geniuses" had to go and change the Apps for the iPhone and come up with some cockamamy concotion they call "maps".  Have you tried this thing yet?

What makes it worse is that I think the same "geniuses" worked on a scheme for VW built into GPS to make my life all that more difficult.  Did they not think about the fact that if "texting" and driving is a bad idea - using GPS while driving is probably not a good move either...  Hello?  Even the Blondie over here gets that.

So picture this.  I book an acting job outside the city somewhere in Connecticut.  It's of course in a town I've never been to.  So what do I do?  I get my GPS in order.  Now, as simple as you may think this is, it's not that straight forward let me tell you.  Instead of being a 1 or 2 step process, it is actually more like a 25 step process all to get me lost and late by almost an hour.  Can anyone say Oy Vey?!?

1. Check the address.  Check it again.

2. Print the address and check it again.

3.  Pull up Google Maps on my computer and check the address.

4.  Cross reference the address three more times and check for alternate routes.

5. Put the address in my iPhone and check the map that Apple provides and realize it's not the same.

6.  Check Bing maps and see it's not the same.

7.  Ask my sweetie to help me and make sure I have the right address and realize he's just as challenged.

8.  Go for a walk to relieve the stress because I am going to have to drive myself there alone.

9. Print off the address and step-by-step directions just in case.

10.  Ask my sweetie to input the address in the GPS in the car.

11.  Verify the address is in the car all set and ready to go.

12.  Make sure the address is set in my iPhone and ready to go.

13.  Press start and realize the lady GPS guide's voice is way too low and fidget with the dang thing to adjust it.  It doesn't work so I just hope I don't get lost.  Not really sure which Genius decided it was a good idea to set the GPS to have the "sound automatically turn to silent" after each use...

14.  Immediately realize the address is changing and the mileage is changing and it is telling me I am going the wrong way.

15.  Begin breathing slow and deep to avoid a nervous breakdown.

16.  Call my sweetie to make sure I am ok and not going to get lost.

17.  Take him at his word and keep going just before I realize the route changed "again".

18.  Call my sweetie one more time to ask advice. (big mistake as he's driving the other direction now).

19.  Listen as he tells me to avoid the GPS direction and take the next exit for a totally different highway.  Can anyone say OY VEY!?!?

20.  Follow the route just as he realizes he told me the wrong direction.

21.  Pull over in a panic in the middle of the highway and have that nervous breakdown I was avoiding 20 minutes ago.

22.  Call in a frenzy that I am going to be late.

23.  Push about 200 buttons trying to figure out the dang GPS and get to my destination once and for all.

24.  Attempt to follow the crazy lady in the GPS and see where on God's green Earth she is taking me; over the river and through the woods - literally.

25.  40 minutes later arrive somewhere back in civilization and 20 more minutes get to my destination.

The best part is that at the end of it all, I had to go home and use the GPS yet again. Somebody please help me.  If only I had a techie-minion or a big-time record deal where I could hire a driver I would be all set.  Then I could be on time for more things.  Oh who am I kidding?  Everyone is just way too early. ;D

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

Ahead of the Curve

Doesn't everyone garden in pink Coach boots? No way I would wear my sneakers out there. Hello?!?

No I am not talking about the movie "Trouble With The Curve" starring two of my favorite actors, Clint Eastwood and Justin Timberlake.  What I am talking about is the Greek Girl can be a procrastinator. Oh, who am I kidding everyone is always way too early and I'm on flip-flop time even when it is sub-zero outside.  I go at my own pace, not Gangnam Style but GreekGirl Style if you know what I mean.

One thing happened last year and the year before and every year leading up to this year: I missed out on getting my tan-lines in check on Memorial Day Weekend.  Why?  Because I was behind the curve and didn't take care of the all-important yard work around my yard.  Now I know what you are thinking and yes I am insanely allergic to the poison ivy, oak and sumac factory that resides in my yard. For what it's worth when I go outside to work in the yard I might as well have a bubble I can jump inside.  I wish I was like the Jetson's and I could create a force field to keep the stuff away.

The other thing I am sure you are thinking is, "why is the great international superstar Ava Aston" doing her own yardwork anyway?  Well, because though I am great and all :) I am not an international superstar - yet.  For that matter some of my neighbors have no clue who I am.  So until this Greek Girl can shell out the dough to have a yard minion come and do my yard up right, I have to keep up my Greek Scootchin' ways.

This right here is what you call thunderstorm mulch muckery people!

So here's how I got ahead of the curve:

Step 1: Price out types of mulch at all local facilities delivered in bulk by the yard and compare them to the bagged mulch at Lowes and Home Depot.

Step 2: Realize it's going to be a lot of money for the kind I want, and this Greek Girl don't like to spend more than she has to on anything, except skincare, massages and sneakers.

Step 3: Hunt for the Deal.  Yep, just because this Maxxanista can't get mulch at her local TJ Maxx doesn't mean she can't still find a deal somewhere else.  So I took my Greek Maxxinista skills from what I learned scouring the racks and applied what I learned and found a great deal on Craigslist.

Step 4: Convince my husband what a great deal it is and show him just how much money we are going to save by having to drive 40 miles to the next county to buy some mulch sight unseen.  (Oh yeah two times there and back that is).

Step 5: Clean out all the beds around the entire house and make sure no weeds are in sight.  If there is anything I can't stand it's "weeds".

Step 6: Locate the cheapest rental vehicle I can to drive up and collect my bargain mulch.

Step 7: Dress like I work in the mines and head out to the local Enterprise Rental where we would have to wait around for an hour while Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum employees can't find the keys to not one but two cargo vans.  Then have to drive across the county to another dealer to get a van.  (not before this Greek Scootch made dang sure to get a deal and cut the bill in half for our inconvenience.)

Step 8: Drive the other direction across the county to collect my loot with not just one but two vehicles.  Oh yeah, I wasn't gonna let a deal go by without getting all the goods.  We drove the VW TDI SportWagon and a Cargo van through the woods and hills to Grandma's house we went - almost.  Surprised we didn't see Red Riding hood along this trail of muckery.

Step 9: Sort through broken wet bags of mulch that were piled high on pallets and stuff 150 of them into the cargo van and VW.  Do it all while trying to stay clean and cute at the same time.  Not easy you know.

Step 10: Convince my husband I am not crazy and that this was a really good idea and that he will be so glad I made him do this.

Step 11: Drive back home and unload all the mulch as fast as we can without getting struck by lightning.  Oh, did I forget to mention it started to downpour with thunder and lighting as we unloaded the bags?  Yeah we felt like two stranded golfers in our own front yard huddled under a tree.  Only thing was we had a ho and a rake not a 5 iron and putter in our hands.

Step 12:  Race back to the scene of the crime and get as much more of that mulch we couldn't get the first trip in the cargo van as possible.

Step 13: Buy some scratcher lotto tickets and a PowerBall and MegaMillions on the way home just in case.  Figure if we win I can say it was all because I am a genius!

Step 14: Race back home and try to not slip off the road in the rain and stall the van at the same time because the gas is cheaper in New Jersey, right down the road from where we live. Did I say I was a scootch?

Step 15: go to sleep and start over in the morning.

Yes I am wearing two outfts the same day. Doesn't everyone shower and change clothes in middle of a garden project?

Step 16: Spread the mulch all over the beds and make it look real pretty and thank my husband for not putting me in the garbage can with the weeds for making him run amuck for some mulch.

Step 17: Now I can relax and get out my bathing suit to lay out on my back porch on Memorial Day.  I can sit and drink an iced cup of Magic a la Dunkins while admiring my newly mulched yard!  This way instead of getting Poison Muck I will be getting my tan-line.  That is unless I am out singing somewhere cool.

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

TDI Actually is Love

VW means - People Wagon. I just call it, love. It doesn't hurt that their logo is the same color as the Greek Flag either. ;)

Some of you may remember that about this time last year my sweetie and I were in a really bad car accident.  We were hit from the rear while stopped at a stop-light in upstate NY.  The SUV that hit us was going about 50 mph.  Unfortunately the accident totaled my VW Jetta, RIP "Johnny Jetta".

The thing that sucked more than the pain in the neck, back and everything else was that I had just spent over two months trying to find the perfect Certified Preowned Jetta.  Being the Greek schootch (that's slang for cheap) that I am, I had to make sure it was "Certifed Pre-Owned".  Then I would get the balance of the factory warranty plus an additional 2 yr. 24,000 miles added on top of the Factory Warranty, now that is using my noggin.  I had to get it in Blue - of course - with tinted windows - so no-one sees me when I roll into town and it had to be a 5-speed because that's just how I roll.  Finding "Johnny Jetta" was like finding a needle in a hay stack.  Sure there are a lot of used cars out there, but finding just the right one, certified, with low low miles, no dings or scratches with all the stuff... now that's another animal all together.

Since the accident we've been going around with just my husbands VW Jetta.  Since we were racking up the miles like mad - two people with one car and appointments all over the Tri-State area, you can imagine "Jillian Jetta" needed a break.  Thank goodness the one that wasn't totaled in the accident was a TDI.  For the novice car guru TDI means Turbo Diesel Injection.  So, since they don't make my dream car the Camaro in a TDI just yet, the next best thing is pretty much anything with the word Turbo in it's name.  It doesn't hurt that we get over 40 mpg in this bad-boy either.  We can drive from NY to Florida on two tanks of gas... Hello! 

Since we're now finally getting things back in order I felt it was time to venture out and get on with finding a new car.  I was reluctant at first but realized it was becoming essential.  So what did I do you are wondering?  Well, I went straight online to find what else?  A TDI.  But not just any TDI but a Certified, dark gray, black interior, 5-speed Jetta TDI Sportwagon.  Hold it right there.  Yes, I said Sportwagon.  What do you expect when I am constantly on the road from gig to gig and when in my spare time I am taking roadtrips to Florida or rescuing a dog here and there, and have 4 dogs of my own to cart around.  It helps to have the extra room.

Now imagine this, with gas prices hitting over $5 a gallon in places like California it helps to have not one - but two VW Jetta TDI's that both get over 40mpg.  46 mpg on the highway in the new one to be exact... To make a very long story short.  We were all set to go pick up the new Certified Pre-owned TDI when we were visiting my mom.  She had to see what a "Jetta-Sportwagon" looked like, since she could not imagine me driving one.  So we visited the local dealer, and they were having an anniversary sale.  It wasn't two seconds of being there that my honey saw that green sale sign hanging from the dash.

We ended up getting a brand new one, a 2013 with 6 miles on it straight off the truck for $500 more than the Certified Pre Owned one we were just about to buy.  The only compromise was this one is it's an automatic and it was not my first choice in color.  So on my first outing on the highway it got over 46 mpg and drives amazing.

We have a word for this in the Greek Language... it is love.

All I can say is, I just do not know why every car manufacturer does not make TDI's.  In my Greek coconut, VW Rules.  There is nothing like the comforting sound of the thud when you close the door. You're in, you're safe, there's about eight airbags for crying out loud, and the best part... 46 mpg.  Just sayin.

Have a beautiful day!

Blessings, Love & Music,
Ava :D xox
www.avaaston.com

Love at First Sight

Hello I am Ava Aston and I am addicted to Vitamin Water.

It all started one day as I was walking through the hot New York City streets on my way to a Law & Order audition.  My throat was parched and I had just realized I left my bottled water in my car that I just parked 3 blocks away.  Like any other blonde-greek girl I was running late and had to decide, do I go back or brave the heat? But knowing how important it was to me to be hydrated I had to do something.  Then I noticed one of the most amazing signs of my life.  It read, "Vitamin Water".

Hello???  As you all know, vitamins are like one of the most amazing things God has ever made and I am stuck on them like white on rice. So the thought of vitamins infused into my water was like a no-brainer.  So I stormed into the store, not sure what to expect as I raced past a screaming kid begging for candy and an old man scratching his lottery ticket.  Then I arrived.  I felt a cool chill flow over my skin as I peired through the frosted glass at what would soon become my now favorite beverage of choice.

The glass door squeaked open.  Time began to slow down.  A breeze from the back of the cooler wafted my sweat laiden brow.  I reached in and took hold of the cold plastic bottle.  Then without skipping a beat as I let the door slam closed I twisted the cap and poured the sweet Vitamin water aka nectar from the Greek Gods across my lips and down my throat.  And yes, I let out an audible sigh of relief. "aaaahhhh"!  It was love at first gulp.

So I strode up to the register passing anyone in my way.  I handed the clerk a half empty bottle of Vitamin Water.  He looked at me like I was deranged.  It was either he didn't know why I was buying a half-empty bottle or that I looked like one of those girls in a Clairol commercial where you have your own luminous glow and a perfect grin as your hair flows arbitrarily around for no explainable reason.  So I slapped the $5 bill on the counter, accepted my change and raced out the door.

The rest of the day was a blur but I was in love and I was hooked.  The only problem was it was the only thing I wanted to drink.  This sent my head spinning.  So I had to do something to avoid paying $2 for each bottle.  This sent the Greek girl on a hunt that turned up a goldmine solution.  I found a local distributor who agreed to sell it to me for $.80 per bottle if I bought 10 cases or more.  So, I did.  Now because I am a little Greek Girl I didn't want to go alone, so I hauled mom along for the ride (just in case), because no one messes with my mom.

We arrived at the distributor out in the middle of nowhere in my Volkswagon.  The Vendor was looking at me like I had a hole in my head.  I told him I had a hole in my heart and that only Vitamin Water would fill it.  By the way, I don't think it's a coincidence that two of my favorite things in the world both share the same initials, "VW".  Just sayin'

This is a never-before-seen image revealing my secret stash. Sssshhhh!!! Don't tell anyone!!!

Since then I have continued to hunt out deals.  I also must add, that I have since switched exclusively to Vitamin Water Zero.  Even though, they have to date not broguht my absolute FAVORITE flavor in the world "Energy" to the Zero line yet... It was so bad at one time I literally traveled with a case in my suitcase wherever I went.  This was in case I couldn't buy it at my destination.  Then one time I actually bought 20 cases before moving to Los Angeles and loading up the back of my Penske truck with them.  That is a story for another day.  Trust me you want hear that one.  Until then, drink up my friends! Drink up & get your glow on!

Love, Blessings & Music,
Ava xo

www.avaaston.com

I Can See Clearly Now

Excuse me officer, but does this car look like the vehicle a gangster would be driving, now really?....

Picture this:

"Beep-Beep" goes my keyfob unlocking my blue 5-Speed Jetta.  It sits quietly as I approach it with a gleeful grin & a glint in my eye.  I relish in it's shiny blueness as I clutch my iced cup of happiness in one hand & cling to door handle with the other, I enter.

Once inside I breath in deep the fresh new-car smell.  I just love my new car "Johnny Jetta", (of course if Mr. Bricks would get off of his duff and finally get me a record deal I could go buy my dream car the Bumble Bee Camaro) until then, Johnny Jetta does the job. I insert the key and turn the leather bound steering wheel with a simultaneous press on the clutch.  In it goes, I engage the shift, & in a moments notice I am moving.  I find myself driving in full granny mode (as I always do, because I was in a really bad car crash in high school, ever since then I realized life is too short & a car is not a toy), on a beautiful sunset road.  Goo Goo Dolls, fill my speakers followed by Heart, Rob Thomas, Switchfoot & P.O.D. thanks to my iPod shuffle.  I'm enjoying my favorite time of day, "Magic Hour".  It's industry lingo for that perfect time where everything turns shades of purple and orange from the glowing sunset on the horizon.

Out of nowhere, low and behold wha-wha-what? A cop? Pulling me over? Me? The Greek Girl, I drive like a granny for crying out loud.... Seriously?  Does he not know it's Ava Aston?  Maybe he want's my autograph?  But he can't tell it's me because I have tinted windows for privacy reasons because it keeps the gawkers at bay.

Me: Is there a problem officer?

Officer: License and registration?

Me: What did you pull me over for?  I wasn't doing anything?

Officer: What's with the attitude ma'am?

Me: Excuse me?  You are the one walking up to my car like I am a drug dealer?  I wasn't doing anything wrong?

Officer: I pulled you over because I couldn't see you?

Me: Then how did you pull me over?  Obviously you saw me well enough to pull me over?

Officer: Your windows ma'am?  I couldn't see you through your windows.  They are too dark.

Me: Too dark? And can you please stop calling me ma'am?  I'm not my mom for crying out loud.

Officer: Ma'am.  I am going to ask you to step out of the vehicle.

(Okay, now this is where it get's interesting as my head nearly spins off like the exorcist.)

Me: What? Are you friggin kidding me? I am not getting out of my car!

Officer: Ma'am, please step out of the vehicle or I will be forced to arrest you.

Me: Arrest me?!? for what? Because you couldn't see me?  Do you know who I am?

Officer: No and I don't care.  Please step out of the vehicle now ma'am.

(So now I get out.  Oh and by the way, did I mention he called for a backup?  Whatever.)

Officer: I will be right back ma'am.

What the? Now I am out of my car in the hot air with my hair starting to wilt and the smell of diesel trucks overpowering my Chanel "Chance Fresh" perfume I just squirted on me.  There I stood for 15 minutes while this super-cop played the "cool-kid" card.  I am telling you what, nothing bugs me more than a cop with a chip on his shoulder and he had one alright.

Two tickets later for having "tinted windows" I am seeing clearly now.  Apparently there is a law in NYS where Cars, (not SUV's mind you because they are exempt) cars side windows must allow 70% of light in.... Cops must be able to see you and what you are doing inside the car.  Hmmmph.  So I'm wondering... are the police going to come and ask me to take down my curtains in my house now, because they can't see what's going on inside? I don't think this makes any sense. And this my friends is what I like to call an episode of "total muckery"....  just sayin.

Blessings,
Ava  xox

Why Do People Name Their Cars...

Lightning McQueen, Just love him!

So it is probably no surprise that I love the movie Cars, (especially knowing my love for animation & cartoons) and I'm super excited to see Cars 2 when it opens June 24th!  I remember when my niece & nephew were so into it when it came out I was thinking gee what is all the hoopla about? Then one day I sat down to watch it while I was getting my car detailed at one of the in & out joints in northern New Jersey and I was immediately taken.  Before I knew it almost the whole movie went by & my car had been sitting outside done for almost an hour....   It's amazing how two little things animation and a cup of coffee can amuse me.  ;D I think "Lightening Mc Queen" is a very cool name and I love his character, so adorable!

I guess you could say I have had a few cars in my day.  Truthfully I think there is a part of me that was a motor head in another life because, I love cars.  I really do, (not quite as much as I love my sneakers), but I have a definite love for them.  When I see a car that I like, my heart skips a beat.  So sometimes I have to wonder in my Greek coconut, was I a greaser in a former life?...  Cauz there is just something magical about a quality built piece of machinery whether it be a classic car or a new car, it is just plain hypnotic to me.

So I recently bought a second car since both my sweetie & I can't be in the same place at the same time ~ all the time...  As usual I had to pick out a name for the car, and it got me to thinking.  Why do we name our cars (well those of us that do anyway, why do we do it)?  Meet Johnny Jetta.

Meet my new ride Johnny Jetta

Here are the names of a few of the cars I have had in my day.  Of course my dream car is the Bumble Bee Camaro from the Transformers movie...  Maybe if Mr. Bricks would get off his duff and quit eating McRrib sandwiches all dang day long & finally get me a record deal - I would be able to go get my dream car Bumble Bee...

This is my dream car!

Til then a Greek Girl can dream, and drive a few of the cars below:

Saab~a~rina - Saab 9-5 Arc. Very nice car, with a lot of bells and whistles ~ but she was aging and she liked to make frequent trips to the nearest Saab dealer and have me deposit $100.  So they could hook her up to a computer and turn off the light that was on and proceed to tell me "oh nothing is wrong we turned off the light".  Usually this would be followed by another trip to another Saab dealer or mechanic to find out miss Saabarina needed hundreds if not thousands of dollars of TLC.  So she was retired...

Saab~a~Rina R.I.P.

A few more of my previous car friends:  There was "Prissy Passat" ~ a VW Passat, Jimmy Jaguar ~ my dad had a classic Jaguar, well one more year and it would have been a classic, that is until I wrecked it at the beginning of my senior year of high school.  ;( Thankfully I was not hurt too bad, and one of the reasons I tend to drive like a granny even to this day.

Well friends I hope you all have cute names for your cars & that you drive safe!  Have a beautiful day!

Blessings ~
Ava :D