Sorry about the not-gettingness, msbelle.

First morning at the new gym. They better pare down my krav teaching schedule soon (to the tune of five fewer classes, though I will be sad) so I have enough energy for everything (or anything) else.

I like the Element, but it has the same problem that almost any potential minivan replacement has. The highway mileage would not be enough of an improvment to overcome the cost of changing things and the loss of cargo space and seat space. The minivan typically gets 23 - 25 mpg on a trip, but even at 30mpg, we just don't save enough money to cover the cost of getting something else. Plus, the van is under warrenty, and has gobs of space.

I hear you. We're just starting to deal with the possibility that our next car will, in all likelihood, be a minivan.

One of the big minuses of the Element that I was going to mention is the way the doors open. Because they both swing outward, there's simply no room to get into the back in tight spaces, which is a little inconvenient when, say, you have an infant in a car seat with you.

I am looking online at pink flowering trees that I can buy for my building's garden. trees are expensive.

They are indeed.

One of the big minuses of the Element that I was going to mention is the way the doors open. Because they both swing outward, there's simply no room to get into the back in tight spaces

Those big sliding doors in minivans are wonderful for dealing with car seats. Right now we have the van in kid limo mode with the second row of seats out and the kids in the rear row with a cavern of space ahead of them.

Right now we have the van in kid limo mode with the second row of seats out and the kids in the rear row with a cavern of space ahead of them.

I'd probably want to do something like that. When we were thinking about the Matrix or Forester, the close proximity of back seat to front seat seemed like an open invitation for a toddler to kick the driver. 'Course, with Li'l Jandek only three months old now, we're looking forward a bit.

Blizzard trees!

(still can't figure out what they are)

trees are expensive.

That's why they charged the people a dollar and a half just to see 'em.

I had three disastrous situations pre-lunch, and post-lunch, it took me five minutes to resolve all of them. Is this proof that my intelligence increases exponentially when you feed me, or just another example of why I shouldn't attempt problem-solving while suffering from low blood sugar?

I am looking online at pink flowering trees that I can buy for my building's garden. trees are expensive.

I'm a fan of crepe myrtles, myself -- some types have pink blossoms.

Though I'm not sure how far north they can thrive.