"Love Gift"

The other day while visitng family for Thanksgiving I mentioned to a relative that I had a gift ready to give them and meant to bring it that day. However, since I had forgotten it and would be bringing it at Christmas time I wanted them to know that it was not a christmas gift but just a little "Love Gift". Love gift just rolled right off my tongue like I said it all the time, this is not something I mention a lot however...and then I remembered...GRANDMA Ruth! She brought "Love Gifts" all the time as we grew up. Anything from candy to donuts to socks to crossword puzzle books. Usually no special reason, just meant she was thinking about us before she came to say hello. It just made me smile and remember her. Isn't that what all gifts should be? ... even Christmas gifts..."Love Gifts" given from the heart to "treat" the other person. So this Christmas season I hope to give even the simplist of gifts as "Love gifts." I miss you Grandma Ruth!

A Dream Come True

After a very long wait, the day finally and unexpectedly came. I have wanted a Pontiac Grand Prix GT in the '97-'03 body style since they came out in 1996. Something about the way the car looked just lit me up. I have never been one to lust after a car. In fact, I'm not really a car person at all. But this car was the exception. Of course I've never been willing or really able to go into debt to get the car before now. So over the years I reconciled that I wouldn't ever be able to own the car of my dreams. However, my gracious mother had put together her own dream list of things she wants to do someday. One of those items was to buy me my dream car.

Well all that came to a head on the 28th, yes black Friday, when Mackenzie and I decided that we will get up early and experience my first shopping fiasco. We just wanted to get out and see all the wackos trampling people in the doorways of Walmart. Maybe we might even take advantage of some discounts at Lowe's for our home improvement ventures. There was add on the radio for Mel Hambleton Ford about cars for $500. We thought we should go check it out. So we get there at 8am and the $500 cars were pretty much gone, but there were other cars on sale with 'one day' specials. Low and behold there sits a perfect Grand Prix GT.

Before this day, I had decided that if I was ever going to buy one, it would have to be Red, have tinted windows, sedan, CD player, and cloth seats. Those were the unneggotiables. I also wanted the equalizer 8-speaker Bose system and a sunroof, but that would come in model '99-'03.

So, there sat a 1998 Grand Prix GT, red, with tinted windows, sedan, and cloth seats. It was very reasonably priced for a Grand Prix right now, but still more than we could afford right now. Especially considering that it has only had one owner, and was taken in to the dealership every 3 months for oil changes and required maintenance. It also has remote start and a Fram Air Hog air filter. This car is extremely clean and in immaculate condition. So as not to give up easily I immediately called my mom. We talked for a few minutes and figured out if it was possible. Well not really. Then I made some other calls. Turns out it's more possible than I thought. So I called mom again. She decided that it might be able to be done under strict rules and regulations (most of which involved the acquisition of a personalized license plate). So long story (sorry) made short, it's in my garage. My wonderful mother can put a check mark on her dream list and I don't have to wonder if I will ever drive my dream car. I love it, and it is a huge blessing. I'm really thankful and would love to show anyone more of it.