Parrot on a PorchA Journey Toward the Little Mansion Dream

E-commerce has indeed gone a long way.  As the internet is made more accessible now, the amount of trade conducted electronically has grown exceptionally.  From small stuffs such as head bands, apparels, accessories to pricey electronics and gadgets to even big ticket items such as cars and houses!  Shopping has indeed gone a lot easier and the convenience it brings is superb.  A deal can be closed simply with just a click of the mouse.  Electronic funds transfer, online transaction processing (online shopping carts facility) and internet marketing are just a few of the technologies involved in every e-commerce transactions.

I’m suddenly reminded the convenience of online shopping when I chanced upon the website of the Italian site Garage Del Parco.  It’s actually an online auto shop where one can vendita auto usate and compro auto usate.  Oopps, sorry if I got carried away.  Vendita auto usate means “sell used cars” while compro auto usate means “buy used cars”.  It is a casa or shop for auto usate milano (used cars in Milan).  So if one is interested in buying a used car in Milan, Garage del Parco is the venue to hunt for the perfect vehicle suited to one’s taste, budget and requirements.  The site is fairly organized and easy to browse.  An actual picture of the car in merchandise is displayed as well as the technical descriptions and other specs a car buyer is interested to know.  Of course, before sealing the deal it is advisable that the buyer scrutinize it up close, thus, an appointment is ideally set after the initial correspondence online.  But the ease of finding for leads is made possible by the powers of the internet.  The site is in Italian, well, it’s pretty understandable because the target market is most probably from Milan.  But, nevertheless, there’s an English version through Google’s translator engine.

I’m so exhausted now as we were out the whole day today.  We attended a birthday party at 10 am, picked up the paintings on canvas that were framed then bought ornamental plants at the nearby city seedling bank.  It shouldn’t be that tiring but what made us all uncomfortable and tired was the long, humid trip.  Mr. Sun was terrible that even the aircon of our aged Nissan Sentra which we fondly call Green Machine, couldn’t bear the heat.  It was stalling every now and then so just imagine how drenched we were inside the car while cruising along Espana at 1 PM!  This got me and the husband brought out the idea of replacing our beloved 10 year old car.  With all the frequent repairs and maintenance checks it has been undergoing lately, I believe that it’s really the right time to retire it and perhaps, upgrade to a newer car.  Not necessarily brand new and the top of the line since we don’t have a budget for that.  Perhaps, a second hand sold in casas and auto shops or even repo cars from banks and other car businesses will do.  I actually got this idea when I came to know about the services of cars-central.com.

As the name suggests, the business of www.cars-central.com is all about cars.  To be specific, repossessed cars, trucks, SUVs or any other vehicles being used as collateral for bank and credit loans.  Right now, they have on stock about 3000 in good condition, thoroughly gone over, repaired and cleaned repo cars ready to be sold.  Definitely, buying from such are feasible given with our meager budget since they are not brand new but as long as we’ll be able to scrutinize closely, we can still get the best and high quality car we’ve always yearned to have.  This way, we won’t have to bear driving on scorching hot noons because the air con is not stalling but instead, just keeps us all cool.

I just browsed my Facebook account and my attention was suddenly caught by an intriguing profile picture.  At first, the thumbnail is misleading and in fact, scandalous.  So when I clicked on it and saw it up close, I just had to laugh at myself because it’s actually an interesting picture of car spoilers.  I was reminded that this particular friend is a big fan of cars and his passion is dressing up his car collections.  In fact, his profile consists of tons of car accessory pictures, the names of which are unknown to me.  So lesson learned, research and read more about various stuffs so as not getting “scandalized” by peculiar things.

I forgot from which insurance blog that I obtained this image.  Obviously, it’s an advertisement that is done with humor and I believe, a little bit satire in some points.  I don’t know if women should be offended by this advertisement but I think (and I’m sure men will agree) there are some issues raised that’s totally true.  Generally speaking and I hate to admit it, men are indeed better drivers.  However, women are the cooler type, not hot headed and do not blew their top right away when engaged with even minor fiascos on the road.

As early as now, I just know that my son will grow up a “Papa’s Boy”.  Although, he’s more dependent on me and constantly longing for me 24/7, he and his Daddy has this special bonding that’s truly mesmerizing.  Well, for one, they’re both boys so their interests and inclinations jive together.  That’s why whenever the Daddy’s off from work, I let them play, bond and enjoy activities together. 

One favorite task they do is when they clean up the car.  Since my son’s in the stage when he loves imitating what grownups do, you would see him helping his Daddy cleaning the car floor mats, the dashboard or any other accessories.   He would also get the windshield cleaning wiper and make strokes on parts that he can just reach.  Very lovely sight, indeed.  I just let him take charge since I know that he has a fascination with cars and I know that he’ll grow up that way.  I wish to see more moments like these.  A few years from now, I bet he would be the one lecturing to his Dad about the latest and trendiest car accessories by then.

Automotive insurance is insurance purchased for cars. In many jurisdictions, it is compulsory for you if you own a car.

Car insurance provides insurance against losses and liabilities that could be incurred as a result of traffic accidents. In most states in the United States of America, it is compulsory for the car owner to have car insurance that covers liability for injuries and damage of property. Non-purchasing of car insurance attracts penalties, which varies from state to state.

The offender may not only have to pay a substantial fine, but may also have to do jail time, not to mention having his/her license and/or registration suspended or revoked. Generally, the minimum requirement is third party insurance that protects third parties against loss, damage or injury. However, it is preferable to have comprehensive coverage to protect yourself from financial loss.

In the United States of America, there are different coverage types to protect the consumer, depending on the insurance purchased. In some states, motorists are required to carry liability insurance coverage. This ensures that the driver can cover the cost of damages in the event of an accident. Liability insurance can cover claims not only against the policyholder, but also against any other operator of the vehicle insured, provided the address of such operator is not the same as that of the policy holder, and that he or she is not specifically excluded on the policy.

However, sometimes, if the policy holder operates any car other than his or her own, the liability insurance does not protect him or her. This is because in such cases the policy holder is covered under the policy of the party that owns the car. There are non-owners policies that cover an insured on any car he or she drives. However, this type of policy is available only to people who do not own a car.

We have a neighbor who’s into an automotive buy and sell business. Recently, he got a chance to talk to the husband and he was sort of wooing our Green Machine, the husband’s ever reliable 10 year old Nissan Sentra car. It’s been maintained very well over the years and still looks good as new. The car’s performing and serving us well but the husband is thinking if it’s time already to do an upgrade. After all, it’s been 10 years. So now, he’s thinking if he can sell the car or trade it in with another available model that our neighbor currently has. No final decision here yet since we’re concentrating with the Little Mansion at the moment. But we will see. Who knows by the end of the year, we’re parking a spanking new car at Little Mansion’s carport.

Speaking of cars and vehicles, I’m quite drawn with one particular auto these days every time we pass by the showroom of Chevrolet along EDSA. It’s the chevy silverado 1500, a line which falls under the Full Size Pickup Trucks. I normally do not fancy huge pick up trucks but the exterior styling and features are just gorgeous. It’s charmingly huge that it can claim the “King of the Road” title. One of the line, which I think is the 1550, comes in three trims in regular, crew and extended cab body models. I further researched about this truck on the web and came to know that the Chevrolet 1500 Silverado is the driver’s choice in terms of engine specifications among full size pickup trucks. With the Ford 150 as its close competitor, the engines have been efficiently modified and refined for that everyday cruising and towing and with its hybrid model, made with a better gas mileage. Many consumers favor this over the F150 and in fact, it ranked fifth in the trucks with the best gas mileage. The hybrid engine enables the electric motor to keep the truck running when idle so the gas engine can be shut off, thus, saving enormous amount of gas. Now it’s possible to own a truck that has a good towing capacity, power, able to carry large loads and best of all, a remarkable gas mileage.

Aside from the housing project we have taken on, the husband is looking for a chance to do some “upgrading” on our ever-reliable Green Machine. Our Nissan Sentra is already a decade old but it still looks as good as new and I have to credit hubby’s really good handling and maintenance skills for that. It occasionally goes through some breaking down spells but our ever reliable mechanic always find an antidote to put him back on his healthy smooth running condition.

As I was saying, the husband is thinking of remodeling or should I say redesigning the wood dash kits to make it look more modern and newer. It’s also about time to change since the old dash kit is starting to wear off. He stumbled upon Carid.com last night and he thinks that he found the design he has in mind. This is made of premium real woods and coated with polyurethane for a lifetime protection. What’s great about this is that it comes in a full kit with 14 pieces at a guaranteed inexpensive price and easy installation process guide so there’s no need to bring the car to a dealer for an installation fee.

Looks like Green Machine will have a spanking new interior look before the year ends.