Best time of year to buy a new car!

I know with all the hustle and bustle of trying to get ready for Christmas that the last thing you want to do is deal with the hassle of buying a new car, but listen on for some info that could really help you save some big cash in pocket!

First off, it's the time of year where the dealerships are trying to get rid of all this years models that haven't sold yet to make room for the brand new ones coming in. They are usually offering cash back and or very low financing to move these cars off the lot.

The next thing to your advantage is that most banks want to get as much new business on this years books as they can, so this is the perfect time of year to get yourself the lowest interest rate possible. Just go to your bank, apply, then go to the dealership and ask them to beat it. Chances are they will!

Always try to buy local. Not only are you putting money and jobs back into your town, but its easier to build a buyer/seller relationship with someone in town. I always buy my vehicles from Snell Motors from Jeff Wondra! Superb service above anyplace I've ever gone. Check them out and tell him I sent you!
http://www.snellmotors.com/

Do you want flowers or do you want meaningful?

Last Friday, I was teasing my husband while we were at Sam's Club about flowers.  Our 20th Anniversary was coming up THE NEXT day and I will shamefacededly admit that I was "hinting".  Blatantly.  I wanted flowers.  I LOVE flowers.  Flowers say, "I love you."  Right?  OOOF.  What he said next could have tipped me over with a feather.  He said, "Do you want flowers?  Or do you want meaningful?

Well, pretty sure I'd be a real jerk if I didn't pick meaningful.  I did, of course.  He just smiled a secret smile and went on with his day.  Curiosity didn't kill me, but pretty sure it beat me within an inch of my life.  By the end of the day, I was exhausted just from wondering what he had planned.

He finally decided to put me out of my misery right around midnight.  He suddenly got up, pounded on our son's door, and said, "I need that stuff you've been hiding for me."  Good place to hide it.  I wouldn't go in his room with a ten foot pole.  LOL!  He came out with a picture board and a box.

The tears started immediately.  With 12 pictures, the help of my son and Mr. Monogram, he gave me meaningful.  He went through our crazy life of over 20 years together, and somehow managed to pull out 12 of my favorites pictures of our life that told "our story".  And then he titled it....."The First 20 Years".   He also worked with Lori and Owen at Mr. Monogram to create the most amazing blanket I've ever seen with the same lovely words.

I love flowers, but I love meaningful more.  Thank you, Rick, for the most amazing anniversary ever!  Here's to the next 20 years!  LOVE YOU FOREVER

Black Friday

Well, the title of this blog is what I like, don't and more.  Today.  I don't like Black Friday shopping.  I have NEVER liked Black Friday shopping.  I do however love my teenage daughter all the way to the moon and back.  And she desperately wanted to go Black Friday shopping.  *sigh*  What's a mother to do?  I did what any smart woman who's teenage daughter wants to spend time with her would do.  I went shopping.  I wasn't about to go in the middle of the night, but we did venture out during the afternoon.  (Lucky for me, she wanted to shop, but loves to sleep in more.)

We hit Kohl's, Target, Victoria's Secret and Ulta.  All our favorite places and found some really great deals.  Were there long lines?  Yes, of course.  Did we save a few dollars?  Yes, of course.  But more important than any of that, is that I am blessed with a 15 year old daughter who still occasionally wants to spend time with her mom.  We laughed, we people watched, we gossiped a little.  It is an afternoon I will treasure forever.  Please remember as you head into the holiday season that it's not all about getting the best deal, but sometimes about savoring the moment.  Remember that family moments and building relationships are what is more important than any gift.  You can always hit Amazon.com on Cyber Monday in your jammies anyway!

Thanksgiving Leftovers

I love everything about Thanksgiving.  It's so steeped in tradition for my family.  As a child, this was the holiday that we hosted at our house.  Even as a child, we all helped my mother peel potatoes, taste test pies and polish the silver.  Now that I have children who have left the nest, this holiday is even more important to me that we continue this tradition!  My sons bring their girlfriends over, and my daughter helps me just like I helped my mom.  It's a always a fun day filled with way too much food, family photos and of course, football!

Once all the shopping, preparing, and cooking are done, another wonderful thing about Thanksgiving is LEFTOVERS!  If you are wondering what to do with all that leftover turkey, the Butterball website has great ideas on what to do with it.  Of course there is the old standby, turkey sandwiches, but they give some great new ideas and recipes to put all those leftovers to good use!

Happy Turkey Day!

Jen

Tungsten Rings Are For The Manliest of Men

Hello friends! So I just had a deep convo with  my boyfriend about marriage and our future. Nerve wrecking, right? I know we have been in a serious relationship for sometime now but we are really beginning to be ready to start our lives together as a Union, that sounds so official!

Anyways, of course, I have been looking up engagement rings and to my surprise so has my boyfriend! Is that common? The man is checking out rings? I thought it was really cute and he pointed out a ring, that even I approve of...shocker! It is made of Tungsten, which is a highly recommended brand for men that are always working with their hands. It is a black band real simple with a few diamonds. I think it is perfect for him! Is anybody else in the getting-ready-for-marriage-stage?