Allow me to introduce the newest member of my family.

She’s Miss Meg’s New Ride, a 2011 Lexus RX350. It may be in poor taste to write/brag/crow about such a purchase. In fact it’s downright tacky. But humor me, please.

The blessed event, much like adopting or birthing a new child, was the highlight of my week. And I feel like handing out a few cigars – or whatever today’s new parents are sharing with friends after a birth. Personalized M&M’s? Lottery tickets? Granola bars? Whatever.

I’ve christened her RoXanna-anna, Bo Banna, Bonana Fanna Fo Fanna, Fee Fy Fo Manna – Roxanna! After one of my all time favorite tunes, “The Name Game,” by Shirley Ellis. But I call her RoXy, for short. She favors her new mother. THAT would be ME or should I say “I” to be grammatically correct? A plump and prissy little SUV, with blonde interior and blue (eyed) exterior. I don’t think there’s a man in the world that would be caught dead driving this little darling.

The Lords of Lexus call her Cerulean Blue – and she’s one of very few blessed with this opalescent metallic blue paint. Seems the factory that manufactured this particular color, was destroyed in the recent Japanese earthquake and Tsunami, and this hue is no longer available. A pivotal fact I didn’t know when I set out on-line to find a dream car. I would later discover, to buy an RX in this color would be like searching for a lost contact lens on the floor at Kroger right after the students get back to UGA.

Starting at square one -- I knew I wanted a small SUV. I wanted one in pale blue. Not white. Not black. Not tan. Not red. Those seem to be the colors of choice by most manufacturers. I have always been happy with a Toyota Avalon, but since RoXy may be the last new car I’ll ever purchase, I wanted a Lexus. My Internet search showed me that, indeed, Lexus had a model in baby blue. Bingo! Since there isn’t a Lexus dealer in Athens, I searched for the nearest dealer, which was Hennessy Lexus of Gwinnett.

I emailed a request for information, and before I could say “Hennessy Lexus,” I was speaking personally with a charming young lady, Karla Jones, Internet Sales Manager. As we began our quest for the perfect car, I immediately felt confidence in her professionalism and competence. She located three Cerulean blue RX350s in the Southeast, and set off contacting the dealers to see if they were available. 

It was beginning to look a bit dim, when Karla hit upon one last ploy – she had an APB sent out to all dealers from across the country and Voila! There was my baby, at a far away locale. But in a matter of hours, the car was anointed with the Dure surname and within days began its journey to Georgia via truck transport!

Upon delivery, the little darling was treated with kid gloves as the technicians made sure she was ready for me to take her home. I rushed to Gwinnett where she awaited me in the air-conditioned show/classroom, and I embraced her with open arms!

Karla gave me a crash course in Lexus RX 101. The only snag we hit was when trying to program the Bluetooth voice control for my IPhone; the Genie in the dashboard couldn’t understand my Southern drawl! We worked through that, as I tried to use my former television voice, and before long, Genie and I made friends for life.

There’s one BIG difference about becoming a new parent and a new car owner. New cars come with detailed instruction manuals. And combined with Karla’s comprehensive orientation, I was set to go in little less than an hour. Instead of a Birth Certificate, I was given an official Vehicle Delivery Certificate. If only children came with such manuals, warranties and coaches. Well -- you know the answer to that -- when pigs fly!

I have to credit Karla for her determination and cheerful never-give-up attitude. Brian Westbrook breezed me through the purchasing process and all of its necessary paperwork with ease.  And I also have to applaud Hugh Robb, general manager, for running a fine-tuned V-6 Engine/Dealership.

Buying a new car is NOT for the faint of heart. Especially for a woman my age, who has always had these transactions taken care of by her husband. From the moment I sent an inquiry over the Internet to the blissful day I headed out, took a left turn and steered to Athens – I was treated with respect and gracious hospitality.

My new darling is beautiful. Safe. Fuel-efficient. And endowed with more luxury than any aging baby boomer could ever want. I just love the whole SUVness of her. Perfect height from the ground for easy entry and exit. Super quiet ride. And Magical Genie inside the dash that grants every wish I command! I’m really grateful RoXy didn’t get to spend more time in the comfort of her foster home, Hennessy Lexus of Gwinnett. She may never have wanted to come home with her new Mama.

All I need now are two new bumper stickers.  Honk if you love Lexus. Honk if you love Cerulean Blue! Honk! Honk!