The '54 Buick Skylark Saga

This post is kind of weird, because it doesn't really have anything to do with me, I'm just a by-stander. About 3 weeks, I was visiting my Aunt and Uncle-for those in the know...Heebs & Nance. I visit them a lot because I love them to death, and they are ALWAYS up for a good hand of rook. Good times.

Anyway, I was talking to Aunt Nancy about 3 weeks ago on Sunday and telling her about this crazy car on eBay. Some guy listed this like piece of crap car on eBay, and started the bid at $400. I was telling her how the guy put it on for a 2 week auction, and it ended up selling for two hundred and twenty-six THOUSAND dollars, because it was some famous racing car it turned out, from 1963-and there were only six of them ever made. It LOOKED like a piece of rust to me, but whatev. What do I know??

Anyway, as Nancy and I were talking about this crazy car, she said, you know I have my Skylark, I wonder how much that is worth. (I'm not a car person. I know Japanese cars, & European cars...that's pretty much it.) So we start talking about her car, and she tells me she has a '54 Buick Skylark Convertible. Still...nothing except I thought..Buicks, yuck. However, like a good eBay employee I suggest that there is probably one on eBay, because there is EVERYTHING on eBay. To my astonishment, there is NOTHING-except like Calendars and such. I'm like, what? That's weird, so I do a google search for her car. (54 Skylark) and am like, Um Nance, you need to look at this. We found 4 cars for sale. They are selling for $250,000!!! They were restored, and Aunt Nance's is not, but STILL. We did find one that was unrestored that was kind of crappy looking that was for $135,000. So, I say to Nance, Tell me more about your car, I know it's from the 50's...but...what in the world??? It turns out that in 53 and 54 Buick made Skylark Convertibles, but they only made 836 of them per year. Supposedly, there is a register somewhere for Skylarks that are still out there...there are only 238 left or something like that. So the Nancy and asked me to email the guy that had 4 of them for sale, and ask them about finding out the value for hers. So we did, and didn't hear anything. Anyway about 8 days later I get this email from this guy in Georgia and he tells me that he has been calling me non-stop and can't ever get ahold of me, and he is desperate to speak to me about this car. So I get this email at work, and i'm like...Oh crap-so I reply back to him, and say, This really doesn't have anything to do with me, It's my aunt's car (which he was told in the first email.) and that he'll need to call my cousin Ryan, gave him Ryan's #. I get off work at 2:15 and think I better call Ryan and give him a heads up that he's going to be getting this call from this Dude (Dan Barton)

I call Ryan, and I'm like, Ry, Just a heads up, this guy that we told you about said he's been calling me, and now emailed me, and I gave him your phone #, etc etc. Ryan was like, Holy cow Erin, this guy was the first person that called me today at 8:30 this morning. To make a very long post, well, shorter....This guy has been calling Ryan five to six times a day asking him to either email him or overnight him the pictures of the car, has emailed me, and called me back, asking more questions about the car (Ya, I don't know-Ask Ryan), and also say to "Personally thank you, for leading me to this car." He said that as soon as he gets the pictures he is going to fly to Utah to come see Aunt Nance's car. He also said he'd like to buy me a coffee (yippee) and a steak. Ryan also listed the car on something called Buick AUtoclub of America or something like that, and has about 10-15 calls a day on this car. They're being told it's worth anything from $70,000 (Dan Barton) to 135,000 by someone who said everyone else is just trying to take advantage of them. I'm going to post some pics of Aunt Nance's car because it IS super cool, and I do remember riding in it when I was little, and having everyone honk and wave when we drove it around. I think I have a crappy pic of me in it too. Anyway, Last I heard the guy (Dan Barton) is looking for flights to Utah to come see it.

I guess the whole deal about the car not being restored is they are now more wanted than the restored ones....because there aren't hardly any of them left, and any joe-schmo with $100,000 can restore them. (People are crazy.) It's not much of a post, but ....

Everything I really want to post about has to do with Christmas presents for my peeps (Cin and Had) and everyone else's, and so I can't put pictures or talk about it until after. Yee to me!!

These photos-one of me in aunt nance's with the top up, one with the top down, and one completely restored just like her car. Her car looks DANG good for a 54 year old car that still runs great!

Its definitely been awhile.

I know that it has been a super long time since I posted last, but I keep waiting for something exciting, and grand, mayhaps spectacular to happen for me to post, then it turns out...oh wait, nothing has.

However, I did start my job with eBay. I will have been there for a month on Thursday. So far, I love it!! I love everything about it. I'm still in training though, I actually start to do my actual job next Wednesday. I'm pretty dang excited for this weekend though. I have Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday off, (Mon & Tues) are my new days off until at least January. I work on Wednesday, and then I have Thurs & Friday off for Thanksgiving. It will be a good week.

One of the bad/good things at eBay is they let us drink all the soda/juice/V8 that we could ever want. They just have pop machines on every floor and you hit the button and it all comes out free. I'm a Dr. Pepper girl, but am afraid I'll be addicted to it, so I drink Mountain Dew instead, when I need a pick me up. Its kind of a lose/lose situation. For the record, I drink a lot of Welches White Grape Peach juice, and usually a V8 at least every day, but I still drink at least one mountain dew a day too. I've found that drinking more than one or two V8's a day has some interesting side effects. Yikes! I've been trying to bring water from home though (it's purified/filtered from the water store and delish-my nephew Athen calls it "the best water in the whole world."

Last I heard, I'm going to Ang's for Thanksgiving in Benjamin along with the rest of the fam-damily that is around these parts. (Dust, Ang, me, Bud, Jean, and the two little bratskies + mom and dad.) I really wish I was traveling this Thanksgiving like I did last year to Hol and Jefficakes house. It was a blast.

As for Christmas, I don't have to work but I only have Christmas day off, so I'm not going home. Fun times for me here in Utah.

Happy Holidays Peeps!!

~Erin

Back in the day

High school days

High School Days
Here's a tag about High School:from Holly

1. Did you date someone in high school?
I went on some dates in high school.

2. What kind of car did you drive?
A 1982 Pontiac Phoenix-but only on Tues and Thurs, Kimmie drove me on Mon, Wed, and Fri, and we listened to Journey, They might be Giants, and ....every day.

.3. Did you pass your driver's license test the first time?
Yep, sure did. I was 16 when I got my D.L.


4. Were you a party animal?
No, I just liked hanging out with my friends.

5.Were you considered a flirt?
I don't think so, I don't think I knew how.

6. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?
My freshman year, I did marching band with Kaylie and carried the banner that said Madison High school marching band, so that I could go on the trips with her. I went to the first football game since I graduated a couple of weeks ago, and when the marching band came out my dad made some comment on how I should join Kaylie on the field. Right. Weird.

7. Were you a nerd?
Probs. I thought I was in the middle, but other peeps can feel free to correct me.


8. Were you on any varsity teams?
No, I had stopped running track before the varsity part..

9. Did you ever get expended or expelled?

No, and the only time I got "AA" (which stood for attitude adjustment but was detention-honestly--only in Idaho) was when my mom called the office and told them I sluffed.

10. Can you still sing your fight song?
I think so, we are here for Madison the school we love so dear, Stand in pride, let glory ride, as we fight for Victory-Beat Rigby!! We will raise our spirits high, as we help our team to fight, Red/White will fight tonight, as the bobcats show their miiiiggghhht, M A D I S ON, Madison, Madison, Madison!! (ok, so I remembered up to beat Rigby-and called Bird for the rest-as she's a cheerleader for Madison.)

11. Who were your favorite teachers?
Mrs. Hawkes, Mr. Wakefield, Mr. Roberts, and Mrs. Berrett (had in her 9th)

12. Where did you sit at lunch?
In the commons, usually a couple of tables in.

14. School mascot and colors.
Madison Bobcats-Red white and Gray.


15. Did you go to homecoming and who with?
Yeah I went. I can't remember who with. I could pull out some cheesy pictures tho, and see.

16. If you could go back and do it again, would you?
HELL no.

17. What do you remember most about graduation?
Taking the cards, that we all threw up in the air,(and got searched for) Kaylie and I getting the grandpa car-door stuck in the ground.

18. Where did you go on Senior Skip Day?
We didn't have that, and if we did, I wasn't invited, I just sluffed all on my own, every Tues, and Thurs (the days I drove-how convienent.)

19. Were you in any clubs?
I was in Key Club, and I can't remember if I joined the spirit club or not, but I don't think I did.

20. Have you gained weight since then?
Yes. Especially the last year and a half-I've gained 80 pounds since going gluten free last May.

21. Who was your prom date?
Once again, I have no idea.

22. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion?
No. I didn't go. I didn't care enough.

23. Did you have a job while in high school?
Only my jr & sr year, i worked at Burger King, for Ron & Betsey. I usually worked during the summer too, or spud harvest. Whatev.

So, I'm done trippin down memory lane. I tag whoever reads this blog!! (it's only open to few people.)

Tagged By Emily

1. If every job paid $50,000 a year, and you had no physical or mental limitations, what would you do?

I would be a traveling critic, for movies and hotels. It combines two of my favorite things.

2. What is your current church calling? What do you like about it? What have some of your other callings been?

I don't have a church calling right now, because my records are still in Rexburg. My last one was Ward Missionary, and because of my Nazi Ward Mission Leader-ended up hating something I should of loved. Past callings include, Mia Maid something, Laurel President, Utah-State Hospital Co-Chair (That'd be the mental hospital folks.),

3. Name a person you regularly encounter (outside your family) who brightens your day.

I would have to say all my friends, except occasionally, a couple just stress me out more than they do good.

4. In twenty years, what do you think you will miss most about your life now?

Freedom? I have no clue.

5. What’s something you appreciate about your spouse? N/A, sadly enough.

6. What is your favorite routine, household chore? I agree with Em, it's Laundry, the only thing I don't like is the 3 set of stairs, up and down. There is just something about sweet-smelling fresh, clean clothes

7. What’s a book you return to occasionally (besides the scriptures.)?

A book? A book?! I read everything over and over again, and I always learn something new. I love reading my Anastasia books again and again (all of them), Love Beyond Time, Emeralds and Espionage, There's so many I can't even think!

8.Favorite Small Pleasure: reading and going to the movies.

9. Favorite time of the day? Anytime I'm asleep in my precious bed.

10. Name a person who performed what they thought was a small act of service, but ended up being a big deal to you: My friend Anna (who doesn't blog) does small acts of kindness that blow me away every time I talk to her. I wish I was more like her.

11. Name someone who somehow changed your life: I would have to say all my nieces and nephews, they've helped me put the past where it belongs.

12. Consider what you do each day. Think of one attribute or trait that you bring to your daily work that is a strength—what is something you do really well? I bring my AMAZING personality and sense of humor. ;-) Seriously, I help people laugh at life and in ugly situations, at my dumb job (For another week~!!)

I tag Dawnikus, Dnell, Guts, and Linnae

I got it!!

Oh my gosh, it doesn't feel real, I got the job with ebay!! I'm so excited, and not telling Advanta, until the week before I start!!

I am so stressed!!!

I just want to hear back from eBay! Why are they taking so long?? This is pure torture. TELL ME one way or another. I'm getting an ulcer from stressing.

I love to read, and then read some more!!

I got this from Delia D'Nell

If you are reading this blog, you should know me well enough to know that I love to read, and often have a hard time stopping once I get started

Take a look at the list and see how you do and if all of your favorite books are considered in the Top 100 The National Endowment for the arts estimates that the average adult has read only 6 of the top 100 books..How about you?

1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.
2) Italicize those you intend to read.
3) Star the books you LOVE.


1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (tried)
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien (tried)
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte (tried)
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling *
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee*
6 The Bible*
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte (tried)
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
0 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger*
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald (have it, just need to read it)
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy (started)
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis*
*34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis*
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini*
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden*
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44. A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
*47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51. Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon5
7 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens*
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas*
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett*
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White*
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince- Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas*
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl*
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo*