Mara and I went out and talked to Ralph Grindstaff at Wade Ford today about that 2003 Windstar van that we wanted. It didn't go well. Basically, although we can easily afford that van, we just don't have the credit. We were turned down.

Ralph came up with another possibility, though; a 2001 Windstar for $12,000 less that looks a lot like the van we were trying to buy. The Ford place has been using it. It looked like it was in pretty good shape, with 22,000 miles on it. We gave them a $100 check to hold the van until they see if they can get it financed. Ralph is supposed to call us within the next couple of days to let us know. I hope we get it, if for no other reason than that it'll help our credit. We'll see.