Big Day #3
The story about the car...
About five months ago whilst looking for a new car (which we couldn't afford) on the internet, Michel played a silly game. He got an e-mail saying that he was one of the finalists and that he might win a car. Weeks went by without news. Michel kept faith, but quite honestly I never believed it was really going to happen (an excellent example of the difference in our characters ;)).
Until last week, when I got a phone call that they wanted to plan a date for playing the finale of the game. And that a few other people were going to be there, including local press...!!!!! Then I believed it really was going to happen and that there was a fifty percent chance, since there was only one other finalist. That was also when the stomachache began.
Ok, so yesterday just when opa came to pick up the children for the day (HIGH risk of unwanted distraction!), the photographer arrived. Half an hour early!! Oh and look, the PR-lady... also half an hour early! We put both of them in garden, so I could do the vacuuming. At moments like that you have to set your priorities straight.
Then the waiting began. Michel practised some more. I entertained our guests.
At 10.45 sharp the game started. The photographer was clicking away, but Michel remained calm. After 5 levels he finished with a great score... but was it good enough?!Yes, it was!!
The other contestant had almost half the score Michel had... he had won the car!!!
The PR-lady symbolically handed over a photo of the car and said we will be contacted by the car dealer about the details. Then they all left and we were alone, happy and so glad that everything was over!
We're hoping to be trading in the new car before it even leaves the garage along with our current car, so that we might be able to buy a bigger car. We'll see, first we need to get all the further details.
Today, I'm trying to restore some normality around here. We're all dying to enjoy some calmness and relaxation. A recap of the last six days: celebration of my father's decoration, a birthday party, my sister's move to her new house, Queensday, and the new car... I'd say we've partied enough for the next couple of weeks!
PS There were some ideas and questions about the Dutch and their obsession with clean windows... I have not heard of this before, but it seems a very interesting topic; who knows I might write a post about it someday ;)) (quite frankly the only thing that bothers me about the windows is my neighbour who washes the windows every other day it seems, so that mine always are look filthy in comparison!)
wow!
a new car? for free? amazing.
(and i really like your track lighting.)
Posted by:capello | May 03, 2007 at 03:51 PM
oh my god! congratulations!! that is fantastic...
can't wait to see the photo!!!!
Posted by:monica | May 03, 2007 at 07:32 PM
Congratulations! I am so excited for you! Wheee! Now I need to get my husband playing games like that. He played the one for the imac on the chips packets, but didn't win anything yet. Obviously your Michel chooses better games!
He looks so happy in the photo too!
(And yes, your windows are clean enough ;)
Posted by:Ash | May 03, 2007 at 09:18 PM
Wow - Congratulations!
That man deserves his kiss!
Posted by:Samantha | May 03, 2007 at 09:21 PM
I seriously hope I didn't offend you with the comment about the windows. In fact when I read what you had written I had to smile as it brought back so many memories - all of which were good. We often get dutch visitors (mainly relatives) and there is usually a last minute panic to get the windows done. I think mum had issues as she only washed them once a month and her family and her sisters-in-law felt she should be washing once a week (this was maybe 50 years ago). Perhaps it was a family quirk. But I guess as a young child witnessing it all, I assumed it was a 'dutch thing' as they were dutch visitors.
So please, please, please don't be offended - I have a tendency to be abrupt, but I meant no offense. I love your blog, it seems to connect me to my birth country.
Congratulations with the car.
L
Posted by:Levineke | May 04, 2007 at 12:44 AM
congratuations on the car! you've had quite a week.
Posted by:lera | May 04, 2007 at 01:07 AM
wow! so fun!
and please, relax today - what a week!
Posted by:kirsten | May 04, 2007 at 03:22 PM
Congratualations! Now you can just sit back and relax (in your new car...)! If it comforts you at all I try to wash my windows once a year, but I don't always make it...
Posted by:Kajsa | May 05, 2007 at 07:45 AM
This really is an amazing story...perhaps because the odds of this in America are just nill! HA- the window thing! Here it's 'spring and fall cleaning' if I saw a person washing windows every other day I would think they need help! ;)
Posted by:PJ | May 06, 2007 at 01:55 AM
Quite honestly, who is going to look at the state of your windows when winning a new car had everyone cheering for you. Well done, Michel...how very exciting.
Posted by:Barb | May 06, 2007 at 04:45 AM
wow- this is so cool!
What a clever husband you have. :)
Posted by:melissa | May 06, 2007 at 12:22 PM
wow, that is amazing..something you always read about but never believe..it does happen. Congrats!
Posted by:tiel S-K | May 07, 2007 at 03:14 PM
what a great thing...to win a new car? congratulations!!! that is fantastic.
Posted by:amandajean | July 28, 2007 at 05:01 PM