Monday, July 10, 2017

#SaturnSky .. Crossed out from His Bucket List

Some of  the many things my husband wants to do before he finally retire from work includes visiting Europe.  He wants to visit the grave of one of his Uncle who was killed during the D-Day in Normandy, France.  He was buried  in Normandy American Cemetery and his family never got to see him again after he departed  to serve the military.  So my husband wants to do that in behalf of his family.  I can't imagine  what his parents must have felt when they  informed them that their son got killed and  that they will never see him again.  

The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France is located in Colleville-sur-Mer, on the site of the temporary American St. Laurent Cemetery, established by the U.S. First Army on June 8, 1944 as the first American cemetery on European soil in World War II. The cemetery site, at the north end of its half mile access road, covers 172.5 acres and contains the graves of 9,387 of our military dead, most of whom lost their lives in the D-Day landings and ensuing operations. On the Walls of the Missing, in a semicircular garden on the east side of the memorial, are inscribed 1,557 names. Rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified.

The memorial consists of a semicircular colonnade with a loggia at each end containing large maps and narratives of the military operations; at the center is the bronze statue, “Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves.” An orientation table overlooking the beach depicts the landings in Normandy. Facing west at the memorial, one sees in the foreground the reflecting pool; beyond is the burial area with a circular chapel and, at the far end, granite statues representing the United States and France. - source
Technically, my husband  have been retired  from his 20 years of service in  the navy but since we started  our family late, he has to  work again after his military retirement as his retirement alone won't suffice for  a family of four especially that we send our children to  private school and I am a stay-at-home-mom.  I work part time online which isn't practical if we want a sustainable living but we decided that I would stay  home with the kids   instead of  hiring someone to take care of them.  It is good for the kids growth and development.  But anyway, another thing on his bucket list is  owning a sports car.  His  desire  was awaken by our son's love for cars.  He has been looking through  cars online and he has been showing his Dad all the available options out there.  
 He finally found one  down in Ohio and we drove  down there last Friday but then the salesman called him  when we were about a mile to their garage that the car has been sold.  It was not meant to be  so we shrugged it off.  He found another one one up in Pennsylvania so we drove out there last Saturday.  I like the color of this one  and it is priced  lower than the one in Ohio.
I might not be able to fully  understand the fascination of men  for cars but I take it the same as women when we go shopping for clothes and stuff.   My husband doesn't have any vice but travel, food and well, cars so I  agreed for him to buy this Saturn Sky. That way he will be able to  ride in style when he fully retires in few more years.  His goal is to retire at the age of 60 so that would be in 12 years.
According to Wikipedia, The Saturn Sky is a roadster that was produced by Saturn, and was initially released in the first quarter of 2006 as a 2007 model. It uses the Kappa automobile platform shared with the Pontiac Solstice and Opel GT. The Sky concept was shown at the 2005 North American International Auto Show, with the production version following at the 2006 show. It was built at GM's Wilmington, Delaware plant, alongside the Solstice and the Opel GT. The Sky featured 18-inch (457 mm) wheels and a 2.4 L Ecotec LE5 straight-4 engine that produced 177 hp (132 kW), a new straight-4 2.0 L turbocharged direct injected engine that made 260 hp (194 kW) as well as an optional dealer-installed turbo upgrade kit that made 290 hp (216 kW). Both five-speed manual and automatic transmissions were available.

The styling for the Sky, penned by Franz von Holzhausen, was based on the Vauxhall VX Lightning Concept's design. It was available in some European markets as the Opel GT. A rebadged version named the Daewoo G2X was unveiled as a concept vehicle for the South Korean market in 2006. The production version was released in September 2007.[1] The Sky, Solstice, GT, and G2X were built in Wilmington, Delaware. The aggressive styling garnered praise as a welcome departure from traditional Saturn design. The Wilmington Assembly plant closed in July 2009, ending production as both the Pontiac and Saturn nameplates were retired 
They call this car their  Sexy Baby, my daughter and I just  looked at each other and giggled lol.

Thanks to the friendly people in Colonial Toyota in Indian, PA. Thank you also to my husband's friend Ralph, for driving  him to Indiana last Sunday to pick up the car. 
 It is now sitting in our garage and my husband took each of us for a spin around Weirton when he arrived yesterday.  We also drove to the cemetery and paid respect to my in-laws.  My FIL  also loved sports car so he would have loved to see his son drive one.  
He refer this car as his #MidLifeCrisis car lol.  So there you you go Hon, one more thing crossed out your list.  Now, it's time to save  for your Europe dream  travel.  It might take  10-15 years before we  realized that dream but it is possible.  

17 valuable thoughts they wrote, what's yours?:

Masshole Mommy said...

My dad got a red sports car convertible when he was about 50 and my sister, brother and I teased him SO BAD about it. I don't get the fascination with cars, either, but hey - he's happy.

Anonymous said...

My dad had a mid-life crisis motorcycle! But I guess he's upgraded 3 times, so he'll be keeping the hobby. Love the car!

Christy Maurer said...

That is so funny about the car name! I am sure he loves being able to have thi s and the kids look like they're having fun too.

Unknown said...

I love that you're able to realize your dreams one step at a time. My son has decided that he would like to go to Europe for his 18th birthday. I told him that we should both start saving now!

Sarah Bailey said...

I have to admit I would quite like a red convertible, I don't really get the ins and outs of cars, and to be honest, my car gets me from A - B so it does its job, but hey I can dream.

Nikki said...

Wow, that is quite a car! I love the cherry red color! I hope your husband gets to visit Normandy one day. It has to be so hard, to have a loved one buried so far from home.

Kim said...

That is a beautiful car...anyone who serves in the military should be given the car of their dreams for their dedication to the country. Enjoy!!

Pam said...

Wow, that is quite the car. For my husband's mid-life crisis, he bought a herd of sheep. I think a car would have been cheaper lol!

Liz Mays said...

It's really nice that your husband wants to pay his respects at the Normandy Cemetery. I don't know too much about cars either but it's great that your husband has this cool new car to drive around and take care of!

Debra Hawkins said...

Wow, what a lovely car! I love the color. I hope to be able to go to Normandy some day as well. My family lived in Norway during the war.

Maurene Cab said...

I think you made the right choice to stay at home and personally take care of your kids. That car looks great!

Jenn said...

Wow, what a beautiful car. I'm not much of a sports car person, but wow. I think it's nice that your husband wants to pay his respects at the Normandy Cemetery.

ricci said...

That car is gorgeous!! I'm jealous! LOL! I love that our husband is paying his respects at the Normandy Cemetery.

Anosa said...

The car was amazingly beautiful! I am sure your husband is very happy to finally have it! And yes, be positive about that Europe dream! I am sure it will come true as well.

valmg @ Mom Knows It All said...

Lovely looking car! I wouldn't call it a midlife crisis car, Id say it's well deserved after serving his country.

Jaime Nicole said...

That car is JUST gorgeous! I would love to just try out driving one one day - so COOL!

Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen said...

That car is gorgeous! That is going to be so much fun to drive and ride in. Love how shiny it is.

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