Big purchases

This picture shows two of our two biggest purchases in the past six months. One of them is the biggest purchase in our life. Can you guess which?

At right is our "new/old" house. New, as in we bought it six months ago. Old, as in it was built in 1884. Our fate was sealed as soon as we crossed the threshold -- we loved it as soon as we stepped inside.

At left is our new car, a very practical station wagon.

A third purchase of note is the Thule Atlantis roof box (mounted on top of the car), which we bought last week, about one hour before we left for the Oregon coast with Laurel and Kevin.

I think each purchase says something about us.

The Thule box says, "We are now official residents of the Pacific Northwest. We are ready to camp at a moment's notice." I realized that my metamorphosis into a Pacific Northwesterner was progressing nicely when I bought my first pair of Teva sandals. You see, I have never owned Tevas or Birkenstocks, and I have never had any desire to do so. But suddenly, I am shamelessly galavanting around town in outfits accessorized by Tevas and wool socks.

The Focus station wagon says: "We are nerds. Pragmatic nerds. Nerds who have have cast aside any illusions of coolness for excellent gas mileage and ample space." It also says, "We are not truly Pacific Northwesterners because we couldn't afford the Subaru Outback."

The house says, "We are in debt. But we have finally found our home."