And You Thought It Was His Car?

In the month or so since Easter, I've had several opportunities to drive hubby's new car, so I thought I'd post some of my impressions and observations.  First off, I didn't beg or finagle it away from him, he just prefers the extra 5 mpg from his 15-year old Saturn, and it does make a difference on his 40 mile (each way) commute to work.  I kid him that he let's me drive it so I'll wash it for him.

Now for the technical stuff.  Although the Accord is less than 6 inches shorter and only 250 pounds lighter, it drives like a much smaller, lighter car than the Cutlass Supreme I'd been driving for the last 12 years.  It has great visibility, and maneuverability, and is rather peppy.  I say that last part because it's the first four-cylinder car I've driven except for test drives. 

Some of my favorite things:

• Comfy leather seats
• Sunroof
• Nice two-section console
• The color

Some things I miss:

• No thermometer for inside or outside temperature.
• The doors do not lock automatically when you put it in gear.
• The doors do not open without physically unlocking them.

Overall, I do like it, and in spite of the few differences, the driving experience is still quite similar to my recently deceased Oldsmobile.  The downside is that there isn't anything distinctive about its appearance - I mean, there's got to be a zillion gold Accords out there. 

Stretching Your Dollar

We've talked a lot about how to get the most out of your coupons at the grocery stores, drug stores, Walmart and Target.  Perhaps you've been wondering where else you can use your coupons.  There are some "discount" stores such as Family Dollar and Dollar General that will accept them, and others like Big Lots and Dollar Tree that will not. 

Family Dollar accepts all manufacturer coupons, including internet printed coupons, according to their coupon policy.  Some highlights:

• No overage given when coupon is greater than item purchased.
• You may stack manufacturers coupons with store coupons.
• Buy-one-get-one-free coupons are accepted.
• No free item coupons unless purchase required (BOGOF).

Dollar General accepts all manufacturer coupons, including internet printed coupons, according to their coupon policy.  Some highlights:

• Buy-one-get-one-free coupons are accepted.
• No free item coupons unless purchase required (BOGOF).

Dollar Tree does not accept any manufacturers coupons.

Big Lots does not accept any manufacturers coupons.  They only accept the Big Lots printable coupons available to Buzz club members.

Note:  Dollar Tree (all items $1.00), Dollar General and Family Dollar are different stores.  Dollar General and Family Dollar are NOT "dollar stores", and prices vary.

As always, please review the coupon policy for each store, and use coupons accordingly. 

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

This is a reminder that Saturday, May 8, is Stamp Out Hunger day, the nation's largest one-day food drive.  Just leave a bag of non-perishable food items next to your mailbox.  Your letter carrier will pick these up and deliver them to area food banks or pantries.

It doesn't get any easier.  You don't even have to go anywhere.  So let's round up our extra cans of soup or boxes of cereal, pasta or peanut butter and help make a difference.

Quote of the Week

Better late than not at all! 

Friendship is like a prism through which the many variations of beauty are revealed in our lives.
- anonymous 
 

We are all made up of many facets, some of which we cannot see.  As the prism separates light into colors, looking through the eyes of friends can bring out all the spectacular colors of our lives.

I Entered a Contest

I have some exciting news to share.  I entered a contest on Ba-Bootie, a delicious food blog featuring South African recipes, and the prize was free ad space for 30 days on his blog.  Did I let the fact that I didn't have a completed ad stop me?  No, I identified the pictures and submitted my entry.

Now I didn't expect to win, 'cause I just don't win contests, scratch-off lottery tickets have produced a few bucks, but honest-to-goodness contests, not so much.  

So, this morning after breakfast I settled down to check out things in the blogosphere.  I signed into Tribal Blogs, a community of serious bloggers, found the winners had been announced, and headed over to Ba-Bootie to see who won.  At this point, you see, I hadn't even checked my e-mail, which held the "winner" notification.  OK, gimme me a break, it's Sunday morning and things move a little slowly around here, including me.  As I scrolled down through the pictures I saw that Alison of "Being Me" had won.  But wait, there's more.  That's right, there was second space up for grabs.  There's another winner, and it's me!

I immediately ran shouting to my husband, I Won!  I Won!  You know that contest I entered for free ad space? I Won!  Needless to say, I was excited.   Now y'all need to visit Ba-Bootie and check out all his yummy-looking recipes.  I'm looking forward to making some myself!