Tuesday, September 4, 2007

The Newest Member of the Payne Family






We have been a one car family for 8 years. In that 8 years we have only owned the 1996 Nissan Quest. The new 2005 Chrysler Pacifica is the result of a deal I struck with Secret Agent Man. He showed me our finances and said,

"With the amount of money that we spend eating out, we could afford to buy a new car!"

I said, "Deal!"

I have agreed to cook more at home and he agreed to a new car. It was a hard sell. We haven't had a car payment in 5 years. I haven't cooked for 5 years either. I think we will both have some adjusting to do, but that shining new red automobile will make the adjustment a whole heckuva lot easier!

31 comments:

  1. I LOVE it Annie! Congrats!!!
    I think Sei and I could afford our cruise if we stopped eating out too. You've inspired me Annie.
    YAY for new cars!
    And red.. you go girl!

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  2. Who stalks, er, loves you most??

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  3. Ooh, very nice! I need a new car so bad, mine has many, many miles.

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  4. Yea! It WAS a new addition. I am so stinkin' smart.
    Okay, now what you need to do is a post in which we all send you recipes that are kid friendly, not gross cheap, but cheaper than going out to dinner, and relatively easy (because I can't remember your culinary abilities).
    I operate under the assumption that we will always have a car payment. As in, every 5 years, one car gets paid off, and the other car which is now 10 years old is ready to be replaced. 2 years from now I'm hoping hybrids are cheaper, much cheaper.

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  5. Good for you. I've always wanted a RED car but have been afraid because I have a LEAD FOOT!!!! It'll be worth cooking a few meals at home. Congratulations and enjoy.

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  6. How in the world have you survived with one car, three kids, and a Target habit for so long?

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  7. ooh congratulations. i LOVE, love, love the look of the pacifica. i've never been in one, so i can't say much more than that. tell me how it drives and all the goodies that are inside. and good luck with the cooking thing. we've been trying to cut costs too and are trying not to eat out as much.

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  8. My dh will be jealous. He loves Pacificas!

    Happy car days!

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  9. plus, we're going on 8 years as a one car family!

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  10. Who needs that red washing machine when you can have a beautiful red car in the driveway! Think of all the fun you will have driving to the grocery store to get all the ingredients for those dinners. Need any recipes?

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  11. Ah, how wonderful! I love it.
    I just took a nap, and had a dream that you invited us all over to your house for your announcement. Elastic and I had found out in advance that your secret was that you were blogging to prisoners. In the dream I met your ex-husband while waiting with your son (your ex-husband was picking him up to take him swimming at the lake) As I was talking to him I said, "you're not the husband was met when we came to Colorado the first time" and he explained that he was your first husband. After he came and went, Elastic and I went to go clean the church.
    I think a new car is a way better secret than blogging to prisoners.

    P.S. in the dream your really steep winding staircase had no rail. That's really dangerous. I think you ought to get that fixed. ;)

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  12. That is a GREAT shade of Red!

    Congrats Annie!:)

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  13. Congrats on the new car..... I know you've been waiting a long time for this.

    As far as the recipes go--You have a SIL who has more recipes than days in a year. I could be your cooking coach. If you wanted, that is.

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  14. Congrats on your new hot rod! Ask Dad what you should name it. He called my Pacifica "Binky." Ask him why.

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  15. allrecipes.com has saved my bacon on several occasions. Try it, you'll like it.

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  16. Nice ride. You really need to consider upgrading the shades, though. :)

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  17. Oooooh pretty! I love that color. My dream car is a mustang in that very color. :D

    I'm not a fancy cook, but I have recipes to share if you like. It sounds like you might have new recipes out the wahzoo. :D

    We haven't had a car payment in years! My hubby fixes wrecked cars so he always buys wrecked for cheaper and then fixes them up. That is the only way we could afford our Suburban. The gas is another story....

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  18. *Spits corn all over the keyboard*
    I love the color!!
    Congrats Annie :) Woo hooo!! I'm so glad I didn't make a wild guess. I was waaaay off.
    I agree with thefashionista: Allrecipes has saved my life many times.

    YAY1!!!!

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  19. LOL at Carrot Jello's comment.

    Like the new ride. It is so fun to get a new car inhale deeply each time you sit down. Don't let the kids eat in it and it will keep that smell for a long time.

    My idea of cooking right now is heating up something from Sam's club and tossing in fresh fruits and veggies. So I am NO help in the recipe area.

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  20. And don't forget that hot model. Sounds like a DEAL!

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  21. Congrats to you and your family! Being a one car family is not an easy thing! I am trying to cook more, too. It is less expensive, and healthier, too. Good luck!

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  22. EWWWW! NCS got corn on me!!

    It's so pretty. It's all red. I love red. You'll be one red hot mama driving to the grocery store.

    Bulk foods, baby. It's the only way to go cheap.

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  23. Beautiful! When are you going to come over here and pick me up.

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  24. It's beautiful! Your pictures make a great car commercial. You should send them to Chrysler. What with your celebrity reputation and all you could call it a "celebrity endorsement". Those endorements can pay really well and then you could still afford to eat out! (LOL!!)

    P.S. Remember--no eating in the car is the secret to keeping it new. LOL!

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  25. What a deal! Have fun with your new ride!

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  26. I am SOOOO excited for you! You totally deserve it! oh, and of course I LOVE the Color!!!heehee

    Doesn't SAM realize that having TWO cars means that you don't have to send him to the TacoBell drive-thru...You can just go there yourself!

    We want to see more of your famous cooking in the kitchen posts. Use those Pampered Chef Pots and Pans you duped SAM into buying in his last attempt to bribe you to stay home and cook. (hasn't he learned???)

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  27. Ooooh, that's the same red as my new mighty Infidel truck. We should drag race sometime. Unless, of course you have a problem dressing up in drag.......

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  28. Congratulations! It's a beauty!

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