Ding, Dong, "The Beast" Is Dead!

Today was a happy and sad day for me...

Almost 10 years ago, we purchased a travel system for the little bundle of joy we were expecting! I loved the pattern, but being the unexperienced 19 year old I was and married to Mr. Frugal Man, I decided to go with the travel system with the lowest price tag/best deal...

BIG MISTAKE! BIG! HUGE! - Name that movie!

The stroller, I so affectionately came to think of as The Beast, was the last of it's kind, a dinosaur, which is why we got such a good deal on it.  Metrolites were the next big thing coming to town! WHAT WAS I THINKING NOT GETTING ONE OF THOSE?!?  The Beast had many wonderful qualities such as a large basket, almost full recline, a large canopy, parent cup holder and key cubby, a 5 pt. harness, and a snack tray with drink holder.

It was perfect for when we went to the zoo. The Beast comfortably held each of my babies as they experienced nature for the very first time. It held the food we would take for picnic lunches. When the kids would get tired, The Beast was there when they needed to nap!

holding shopping bags at the mall,  and for travelling. The Beast (and it's very large basket) was there for me MANY times as I had to truck through the airport with a purse, diaper bag, laptop bag, camera, and video camera - on more than one occasion! Oh, and the baby (and the other 2 babies that came later).

The reason I am glad to see it go...IT WAS HUGE! And by huge I mean WIDE! When I would go shopping, I would hit EVERY rack! It was impossible not to!  This took the joy out of shopping and caused me unnecessary stress. And I lived with it for almost 10 YEARS!

Well.....NOT ANYMORE! I helped Bill clean out the garage this weekend! As we came across the stroller he said, "I am sick of looking at this thing! It just takes up too much space; too much space in the car and too much space in my garage! Set it out with the trash!" And so, with bittersweet joy, I set it out with the rest of the trash.  Then I promptly turned to Bill and said, "How much you wanna bet someone is going to drive by and take it before the garbage man comes even though it has a broken brake, the cubby lid is broken, and the seat won't stay up anymore!?" Bill then left to go run errands and sho'nough, some hillbilly in a pick-up truck came by and took the stroller and put it in the back of his truck! And as that thrifty man drove away, I a tear formed in my eye, I sniffled, and then proclaimed, "DING, DONG, THE BEAST IS DEAD!" Really! I did!

Now...on to find an inexpensive stroller that reclines and has a large basket...since I'll only need it for 18-24 more months! Craigslist here I come!