Dreams do come true...

Good things come to those who wait... I believe that now.

On one Sunny October afternoon, I was out Car shopping. It was time to retire my trusty, yet run down, ’95 Dodge Avenger. She had been a good, dependable vehicle. However, she was getting tired. Requiring more and more maintenance. Nothing big, but enough to where she was starting to nickel and dime me to death.

I decided it was time for me to trade her up for a newer model. At that time the new ’07 Avengers had just come out. I was excited. I went to the Dodge dealer and looked at them. Not impressed. Very "industrial" type interior. Not plush as all. Plus they were asking way more than they appeared to be worth.

Also debuting at that time were the Nissan Rogues. Baby Muranos! I was soo excited. Anyone who really know’s me, knows that the Nissan Murano is my DREAM car/suv, whatever. So, I was elated when the Rogue’s came out. I thought for sure I could buy a "Baby Murano". Not the case, I could not afford all of the amenities I was looking for. So, I moved on to the Saturn View. I liked their sleek new look. However, you could only get a V6 in the higher priced AWD models, which (again) I could not afford.

So, I moved on to Newer used vehicles. Driving down the north service road visiting all the dealers and checking out their used vehicle lots. My last stop that day was Ed Napleton Honda.

I started out looking at the Newer Hondas. While affordable, they did not have all the amenities I was looking for. So, I moved on to their used car lot.

The 3rd vehicle we came upon was a 2003 Nissan Murano. They were asking 21,000 for it. I test drove it. Drove it over to my **fathers house and did some research. At my father’s advice, as much as I wanted to walk in and buy this vehicle upon return, I returned it to the lot stating "I have to think about it".
Every time I passed Ed Napleton, I stretched my neck to see if "My" Murano was still on the lot. Each time thinking "If it’s still there during tax time, it’s meant to be, I’m buying it!".

6 months later, tax time came. I filed early for taxes.

I had been doing research online for used vehicles. All the time making sure that Murano was still there. It was. Only, in March, it had dropped down to 18,500.

I did more research on 2003 Murano’s. Kelly blue book, user reviews, CarFax, pricing comparison etc etc. I did A LOT of research.

I finally received my taxes. ChaChing! I had enough to buy a less expensive New vehicle (without all the amenities I wanted) or the car of my dreams.

After I received my Tax return, I decided to look at financing options. To buy a used car with dealer financing it fell at 6%. I did not want to finance at 6%. Too much for my ***great credit. So, I found a Credit Union with the lowest financing I could find and applied for pre-approval. Got it!

I took friday March 28th and Monday March 31st off. I was determined to get a new vehicle. Luckily, I had to work from home that friday or else I would not have seen the email from the Credit Union stating I was preapproved for a loan. At 2:30 pm friday afternoon I went up to Ed Napleton Honda. I pulled up to the lot, hopped out of the car and was immediately approached by a sales man.

He could barely get the words "How can we help you." out of his mouth before I blurted out "You have a 2003 Murano. I want to buy it. I’m preapproved for such and such amount. I have a hefty down payment and I want $$$$ or my trade in". We walked to the Murano, drove it up to the doors to start the transaction.

I noted the price he wrote down for her, 19,600.00. I nicely stated, "That’s not what is quoted on your web site. 18,500 is what is quoted on your site. I have the print out here."

He was gracious and checked with his "team" and came back to say I was indeed correct (Duh! Of course I was! Imagine if I had not done my homework. Id’ve paid 19,600 for her!) Seth helped me out with the math (We all know how horrible I am at math). 2 hours later I drove home in my "Dream" Car.

She’s beautiful. Immaculate condition. There are a few key scratches above the lock on the drivers side door, but that can be buffed out. I’ve always wanted one. She may not be new, but she’s new to me and I Love Her! I’ve waited for YEARS to own a Murano and now I do. *Proud Look*

Now I just have to deal with the fact that I haven’t had a car payment in years. That "extra" cash can no longer be spent on frivolous things. That’s ok. She’s well worth it!

Here she is..Stock photo’s, but she looks exactly like this. Color and everything!

**My father is the most frugal person I know, also the only person to help me in making big descisions.

***Thanks Mikey.

Once again... The best MOM ever...

Yes, I know I have'nt blogged in eons. But, I had to blog now. My son LOVES "Blue Man Group" as do I. He happened to mention to me about 2 weeks ago, when he saw the commercial on TV, that they were coming. I, however, was in the middle of doing truckloads of laundry, therefore I acknowledged his statement, but continued on with my task.

It wasn't until a week ago that I received my weekly email notice from Scott Trade about upcoming events that I noticed "Blue Man Group" was coming April 4th! It was at that time that I remembered Brax mentioning something about them coming and totally dismissing it. That email began my search....

Craigs list, blah. No "good" tickets. EBay, My Best friend! Found 2, 2nd row, aisle seats, for sale. Bid. Waited painstakingly for 3 days, still no other bids. Upped my bid just a tad just in case. .....

Won said bid. I am now the proud owner of 2, 2nd row center aisle seats, for "Blue Man Group"!!! YaY me!

I then paid attention to the person I purchased them from (don't get me wrong, I made sure before ordering them that they were a high "star" seller) was the same person/company I had purchased our "FOB" (for the unknowing, Fall Out Boy" ) Tickets from back in 07. The Guy remembered me and emailed saying "Are these for your son too?". I replied "Well, Yes, they are!" He replied with "So, You're going to be the 'Best Mom Ever' again?" Of course, I replied with "Why, Yes, I am!"... hehehe

Anyway, I was excited, so I had to post....

Hope all are well!

I bid you adieu!

Oh my lord! Yes I posted!

I have 2 songs for this blog:
This one which I hope plays for everyone : My Space
and another Don Henley Song which I don't have access to online: The Heart of the matter

I had alot of time to think about things this past weekend.

I was so Ill that I wanted my Mommy. Ever been that Ill? Well, Mommy is not here. She lives somewhere else. So, I wanted my son, but he was at Dads. Not that he could've helped my illness, but having him here would've helped me feel much better. Of course, he would've been bored because all he has here is XBox, Ugh!, but Id've felt better knowing someone was here that actually cared about my well being. Although, I know Karen thought about me, thanks Kare!

Anywho.. back to things I had time to think about this weekend...

#1 - Old Flames
#2 - New Flames
#3 - Me
#4 - Monetary needs

So, #1, Old Flames - We all know that I've been weepy over this crap and have been driving everyone looney over my obsession with it. Well, thanks to Bill, Im over it (Thanks William - Bill For Short). No more stupid ass, woe as me, why wasn't I good enough , weeping Nikki over things I have no control over (I also have to thank Paula and Chris for their words of wisdom Football weekend *yanno what I'm talking about*). I'm done, end of that chapter.

#2 New Flames - How is it possible for me to have the ability to make, let I suppose, a person fall for me so hard? How is it when you are totally honest from the get go, that a person still wants you for their own even though they know that is what is furthest from your mind?

I'm single, period. End of story. I've not been on my own for, what? Let's see, I had Brax when I was 22 (1995). I went from his father, Michael, to Mikey. Hmmm... That add's up to 12 years. Yeah, I want to know what it's like to be single, just from my friends experiences, I know it's no walk in the park. However, after 12 years, I need to know what it's like to be single. I need to know what I can do on my own. I know it's not going to be easy. I want to know that I can make it on my own. Is that so bad? So far I have... pray for me.

How honest and blatant do you have to be? Honesty is obviously not working. Everyone knows me, I am an honest, say what they think, individual. Yet, the one person I want to understand this, is not seeing what I am saying? Advise, please....

#3 - Me. This is a long one. If you don't like to read people's blogs about themselves, then move on....

I've realized this weeekend that I have learned so much about me over the past year. I've learned that I do not have to conform to what someone thinks I should be to be special. I do not have to do what someone else thinks I should do in order to be successful. I do not need to change who I am to make someone else happy.

I do not need to change who I am to make someone else happy. That's first and foremost.

I can be me and still be loved and honored as is, faults and all. Isnt that what Love is all about? A person loves you for all that you are. Through thick and thin. Whether you are strong or weak, etc?

Love is supposed to be unconditional. I thought that...Obviously not the person I was/am in love with....I need to move on...


So I've found thats what having friends is all about. People who are different from you, not main stream, sometimes to the extreme, yet, they love you for you. However, I've found that not to be true from my life experiences, too. (wasn't tryin to be a poet there)

I apparently do not have many true friends. The ones I have, know who they are. I love my friends. I truly do, they know that. My true friends know I am a great - woman, single mother, mentor, inspirational leader, etc. No one defines who I am but me. No one else defines who I am, no one. I thought for so long that what others thought of me was the most important thing in life, ever. That was what defined me as a person. My friends and my company do not define me. My actions do not define me. Those who truly know me, know what defines me. We all do things that we regret or would have not done under the influence. That does not define Me.

I am an individual. Love me or hate me. I am who I am. I'm human. I make mistakes. I do stupid things. Those that truly love me, get it, those who don't, will. I know who loves me and I can understand why those who don't, don't. I get it, you get it. Move on. However, I will still continue to not judge you. The rest of this story to be told......

#4 - Monetary needs - Yes, I'm Moving on... After 10 years with said company, we'll see what the future holds.....

for now, I bid you all adieu...

NiK

Im so excited and I just cant hide it!!

Ok - So if anyone has had to endure the experience of ordering tickets via ticketmaster, ya'll know that it can be a pain in the ass. Well, TOOL tickets went on sale at noon today. I had 5, yes, 5 ticketmaster sessions going on.

I probably searched for tickets from anywhere from 10-20 times. Ok, this last one I search, I said to myself, is it. Im not wasting anymore time as the selection is not getting any better.

Granted I went from section 320 in mez, to 104-106 in plaza. Now, 104 wouldnt be bad, as when Mikey and I went we had somewhere in like section 103. Good seats, good view. So, I wouldve settled for seats in this vicinity.

So, I do my last search, Im sitting here anticipating what its going to pull up. The little scroll bar scrolling back and forth, my wait less than 2 mins....Finally, the screen blips and my results are displayed:

Seating Chart

OMG!!! I screamed. Yeah, I bought em. See, patience is a virtue LoL it was 12:20 pm. That means some poor fool had these tickets on their screen and waited longer than the 2 min time allotted for them to hold the tickets RIGHT when I submitted my search and I gottem! WooHoo. Anyway, Im excited.... Its gonna be a good day.

See some of ya's tonight for Dave and Em's BDay celebration!

Love Ya's

NiK

My Car is fixed!

Well, my poor car has been ill since after christmas. Thank god for good friends! Anyway, I finally had the time and $ to take it to the shop. I dropped it off at Dobbs on Saturday.

Pat from Dobbs called me on monday to give me the scoop. Apparently mechanics automatically assume that because Im a woman, I have no knowledge of the innerds of an engine or how it works. The conversation goes like this:

Pat: Hi, Nichole? This is Pat from Dobbs calling about your avenger?

Me: Hey Pat. So, whats the problem?

Pat: Well, you said there was smoke coming out the tailpipe when you started it or when it was idling.

Me: Right.

Pat: Well, I told you Id check that before I even ran diags. We started it up and there was a minimal amount of smoke coming out of it. We let it idle for a while, and still wasnt a lot of smoke or enough to cause us to be concerned.

Me: Well, there was always enough for me to see it come around to the drivers side after I started it or when I was sitting at a stop light.

Pat: Well, I really dont think its a concern.

Me: Well, Ok.

Pat: The issue really seems to be with your spark plugs.

Me:Ok. I figured as much

Pat: Hmm, um, how do I explain this.

Me: By telling me what the issue is? Duh!

Pat: Ok, Well, not really the spark plugs, but with the rings in the holes that the spark plugs fit into. Do you know anything about where the sparkplug's go?

Me: (Thinking to myself sarcastically "No, I'm just a dumbass broad and have no idea what you're talking about") Yes, actually I do.

Pat: How long would you say its been since you've had your plugs and wires done?

Me: Hmm, about 4 years at least.

Pat: OK, well the rings are deteriorated, which has caused oil to seep in, and is affecting the electrical system and in turn causing your car to misfire, blah blah blah.

Me: Ok, I completely understand. So you need to replace the rings, plugs and wires?

Pat: Yeah.

Me: and possibly the valve cover gasket?

Pat: (Pausing and Sounding astonished) Well, Yeah!

Me: Ok, so how much is this gonna run me?

Pat: Right now, around $582.00

Me: Ok, go ahead....

So, that was my conversation with Pat from Dobbs. Now, I may not know a lot about engines, but thanks to My Father and Mikey, I know enough to get by. Just irritates me that mechanics always assume that because Im a female, I know nothing. I love it when I make them stop and think "Whoa".

Thanks Dad, Thanks Mikey.

Well, Ron from Dobbs called me today. The total was only $578.41. Wow, $3.59 cheaper than what I was originally quoted. It's times like this that really makes me miss having my own personal mike-chanic. *sigh* LoL

What I did Saturday Night

Thanks Vi! LoL I think its totally me, don't you?

Finally getting into the 21st century....

Well, as many of you know, I work in the IT field. Im a Geek. Nerd. Egghead. Whatever. Well, Ive been at the same place for almost 10 years. I know just about everyone and vice versa. Today I had a call to assist one of our wonderful payroll ladies with our payroll modulator demodulator.

While I was down there unplugging, replugging, power cycling & rebooting things, I asked them a question I was sure they'd have an answer to.

Me: You guys' (ladies actually) don't by chance know how long banks are going to have to call "Insert Payroll Company name here" to verify my checks are valid when I deposit them, do ya?

Payroll lady #1 looks at me in confusion.
Payroll lady #2 also looks at me quizically.
Payroll lady #3 peeks her head around her cubicle to be sure I had actually said "Deposit my check" and also looks at me in confusion.

(Im guessing with the looks on their faces, Ive obviously confused them, and need to explain myself)

Me: Well, the last 3 times I've deposited my check, they've had to call "Insert Payroll Company name here" to verify my check was legit.

Payroll lady #1: You deposit your checks?

Me: Yes.

Payroll lady #3: You work in IT and you still deposit your checks?

Payroll lady #2: I certainly would have thought with your techinical back ground you would direct deposit your check?!

Payroll lady#1: Wow, only about 1/4 of people on payroll still actually depost their checks.

(Looking at all 3 ladies as though they just asked me the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything.... I should have blurted out 42!, but then I'dve had to explain that too.)

Me: Well, I dunno, just never thought about it. (Still fumbling with wires trying to figure out why in the year 2007 a well known "Insert Payroll Company name here" would still be using a modem!???) No good reason I guess.

Payroll lady#1: Well, Id say when you start direct depositing your checks, they'll stop calling "Insert Payroll Company name here" to verify your checks.

Me: Gee, thanks Payroll lady #1. *shaking head*

Anyway, so I fix the modem and move on to the next task.

On my way out of their office, I stop and pick up a "Direct Deposit" form. I complete the form, then email Payroll lady #2 to find out where or who I need to take this to. She emails me back and says either bring it down or send it up to us in an inter-office mailer. I laugh, inter-office mailer? You're maybe 75-100 feet away! LoL I opt to walk it down there.

Payroll lady #2 wasnt at her desk (Some how in the 10 seconds after she had emailed me she vanished into thin air), so I left the form on her desk with a note.

5 mins later I get an email from her that made me chuckle:

"Atta girl!!
I'm proud of you :)
You're gonna love this trust me!"

*shaking head* Gotta love these ladies.