So, the Week from hell is done and behind me. I've collected the dough from my insurance company -- dough for 'doh!' if you will -- and I am now the proud owner of a spiffy car: A 2004 Hyundai Elantra GT 4-door hatchback. (Pic below)

I think we got a good price (all told, a little under 10k). It gets excellent gas mileage and it's fun to drive -- it's a 'sport' sedan, so it's a good bit zippier than my last car. -- although it's still primarily an economy/family car). It looks nice and it has a nice, organized interior. It's a pretty big step up from my last car (a 1999 Saturn SL2).

My eldest son is particularly happy with it. This morning he insisted that I take him to school in 'the red car' and he was running around telling the other preschoolers about his 'new red car'.

One thing about leather seats -- while they may be durable, one cold-clammy connection with my ass this morning (I was wearing shorts) was all it took to inspire me to buy a seat cover and a steering wheel cover. Brrrr.