My Reward

I bought it today. Yeah, I do need it because the Merc was almost out of factory warranty and we had our first major repair this morning (throttle body). I would not have been able to swing a newer vehicle if I hadn't been paying attention to my books. So, this is my reward for all of the budgeting, planning, scrimping, saving and general cheapness, etc. that I have been concentrating on for so long. My reward is being able to replace a quality vehicle with a better quality vehicle without jeopardizing the continuity of a decent and controlled financial situation. And the inner bookkeeper was in full swing today, so I got a good deal. I did have occasion to mention my cheapness in the process of negotiations. By the time the salesman saw that I also have a 1995 Ford van on my insurance, I think he knew for sure what type of person he was dealing with (a CHEAP one). I just laughed. I'm all -- "Yeah. 1995. That's why I'm here at the Ford dealer. I know how long I can keep a Ford product on the road should push come to shove."

Meet the newest member of the fam. It's the Ford Explorer. I got a lower mileage 2010 model to save money since 'brand new' doesn't really pay when it comes to vehicles (cause I don't suck up instant depreciation - yuck to that). I negotiated a longer warranty, too. All in all, this seems to be a good person/ vehicle love match.
:-)




Edited to Add at 11:45 P.M.

The Late Night Drive

The kids went to bed. We engaged the alarm system, put the dogs on alert command and snuck out for a short little drive in the new wheels. (Best dogs ever. They lick us and kiss us and yet they will savagely rip an intruder to shreds without hesitation. Gotta love 'em.) The whole thing reminded us a bit of what we used to do when we first got together and had next to nothing for actual spending money. We used to put the kids to bed and get a babysitter for an hour only to skip out down the block to the local Dunkin' Donuts to have a donut in the car in the parking lot so we could be alone.
:-)
Things have changed now, but we still call such things a 'car date'. In spite of a slight bit of fog on the road, the stars were clear tonight and it was a wonderful little escape. This was my favorite of the few tunes we had time to listen to, but I think it captured the moment perfectly. And I also think my life is good and that things will be even better when this realization filters down further to everyone inside.

G'night and enjoy...