If you've been around my blog for a couple of years, you may remember that I created a layout about my Ford Expedition called 140,000 Miles & Counting back in 2010. This past fall, we traded that wonderful vehicle in for a new Suburban. I loved the Expedition, but after 10 years and 160,000 plus miles we were ready for something new. When I cleaned out the file I kept on the Expedition, I pulled a few items and put in my Memorabilia File with the plan to scrapbook one final layout about it. Last week's challenge in the Library of Memories Community provided the perfect opportunity because we were encouraged to "create a page with memorabilia that we had diligently saved."
I created a two page layout. On the left page, I used the front of a brochure in the background, and on the right page, I created a pocket to hold other items I had saved - the original buyers order, a copy of the title, a registration renewal, an inspection report, a couple of bills, and the pages from the spiral notebook I kept in the glove box to record all maintenance and repairs.

My very first vehicle with an automatic transmission: a grown-up car, big enough that I would feel safe on the roads in Dallas, with plenty of room for lots of adventures. The first time I’ve ever given a vehicle a name – we dubbed you “Honkin’ Truck” because you were huge compared to the small cars we’d been driving.
Over the years, you carried us to work, to school, to church, on errands, on vacations and weekend get-aways, on trips to visit family, to scrapbook stores and comic shops, to births and funerals and weddings and graduations and recitals . . . and always back home again. You’ve hauled family & friends, beds & TVs, groceries & Coca-Colas, bicycles & tricycles, sinks & toilets, presents & decorations, car seats and booster seats, suitcases & ice chests. You pulled the boat back and forth to the lake and even towed a U-Haul trailer all the way home from Ohio. We had to have the motors replaced in the driver’s seat and the window because you were well used and enjoyed.
For 10 years, 4 months and 6 days, we traveled together – 167,151 miles, across 19 states and through 1 border crossing. After 39 oil changes and 4 sets of tires, it’s time to say goodbye . . .
I’ll miss you Honkin’ Truck!
Melissa – November 2012
I had other photos I wanted to include, so I added an 8x8 divided page that I'll put in between these two 12x12 pages in my album.

Journaling (on the tag) reads: The very first day, Robbie said, “We need to be careful about eating in this new car.” I laughed at the time & we both laugh now thinking about all the meals and snacks and drinks we’ve enjoyed (and occasionally spilt) in this vehicle through the years!
I'm really pleased to have this story scrapped and preserved in our 2012 album. Have you saved any memorabilia in a pocket page lately? Or added an extra page for additional photos?
It's so easy to take a car for granted when we rely on them so heavily - great layout Melissa!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun set of photos and memories! I like the description of 'a grown up car' and that you've included the memorabilia.
ReplyDeleteI really love your story today but I especially love that you kept and scraped about your truck. It's the kind of scrapping I love. I love the bit about being careful about eating in the new car, been there!
ReplyDeleteI love this story! It's funny how a much loved car becomes so much a part of the family - you have got me thinking about my very first car and all the adventures it saw me through. Great fun!
ReplyDeleteWow, a love story for sure--the details of your story and the many bits of memorabilia testify to how much that truck meant to you. Hopefully its replacement will eventually become just as precious.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story & layout about a treasured family member x
ReplyDeleteOh that is such a great story Melissa - and you have brought back many happy memeories of the only vehicle we ever named - our campervan! I love how you have all the memorabilia included in your pages - wonderful story. J x
ReplyDeleteyou need to write a book. your stories always crack me up!
ReplyDeleteMelissa, I loved your story about the honking truck! I felt the same way about my 11 year old Corolla when we finally traded in it on a new one last year. At least you now have a beautiful layout to keep records of the truck. Wish I had thought of that!
ReplyDeleteThis story has reminded me about our Jeep... oh that was a good car!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing
Great story about your honkin' truck Melissa! And OMG - my Storytelling Sunday post will be about carefully saved memorabilia ... if I can ever sit down and write it!
ReplyDeleteMy car went to the great scrapyard in the sky last December. She was the first car I had bought myself and I had had her for over ten years. It was sad to see her go,
ReplyDeleteJo xxx
I love this, Melissa!...we do expect a lot from our cars, don't we?
ReplyDeleteAlison xx
Oh you told this so well, your journaling is brilliant, fun and light-hearted, but love for it shining through. I always fall for my cars and then pray they last, just lost my last one a couple of months ago and I scrapped the key too :)
ReplyDeleteOh how lovely and such fun layouts to go with those memories
ReplyDeleteVery cool layouts and memories! I have a jeep that I am in love with and makes me happy to think about. It's funny how something metal can work it's way into your heart!
ReplyDeleteWhat great memories Melissa! I would say my first vehicle was the most memorable and it was how I learned to drive stick shift. I can still remember my dad teaching me!
ReplyDeleteWhen you know exactly how many days you've enjoyed its company, then indeed it is part of the family. I suspect the new transport will be equally respected and revered.
ReplyDeleteLove the divided page especially! I did a storytelling sunday once on my first car (a 1963 Valiant station wagon).
ReplyDeleteRinda
What a perfect way to save all the things you have in a file! I especially love how you incorporated the key. What memories you have preserved in such a great way. I love your pages. I also like how you used numbers to highlight information about your "honkin' truck!"
ReplyDeleteA great story - love that you have all that memorabilia and have been able to make such a great layout with it and do the additional page protectors too xx
ReplyDeleteBrilliant story and so well told too. Love the idea of adding another page of photos too!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you talked directly to your special truck ... A wonderful relationship you have shared!
ReplyDeleteI've done some gratitude pages about my car(s), but never a layout. Yours is great, and I love all the data you have about it.
ReplyDeleteFabulous scrapbooking Melissa. The very best of storytelling - straight from the heart. How wonderful to have the journey photographed.
ReplyDeleteI love your story, especially this week. We just got rid of our car after 11 years and it's amazing the memories that brought back.
ReplyDeleteWow, so many memories in one vehicle! I hadn't thought about it from that angle before. I love using the split protectors too.
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