DeDivahDeals

Fashion and Fun after Fifty

Posts Tagged ‘blessed’

Thankful Thursday | Car Buying with AAA

Hello Friends and Happy Thankful Thursday!

Thursday is the best day of the week because it gives me an opportunity to share one of my many blessings and to also read some of yours. I am not shy when it comes to talking about being blessed by the best, nor acknowledging that I know from where those blessings flow.

I do not discriminate and respect all cultures, beliefs, and religions.

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Last week as I was leaving work the TCS warning light illuminated on my dashboard, it was the 2nd time in less than 2 months.  I have had a 2005 Hyundai Sonata with over 187K miles and it’s timing belt should have been replaced at 120K miles.  I drive 100 miles per day, every day in all types of weather, and that car has gotten me safely to work in West Chester, PA every day since 2005 with no problems.

 

2005 Hyundai Sonata

2005 Hyundai Sonata

I drove the car directly to Middletown Car Care to be serviced and the next day anxiously waited for the diagnosis and repair cost.   Fortunately, the timing belt could wait but there was another more severe problem, the engine needed replacing – long story short, she wasn’t coming back home.  I must admit that the Sonata gave me more miles than expected and for that I will always be a loyal Hyundai car owner. Hyundai logo

Not anticipating the urgent need to purchase yet another vehicle on an already tight budget, I took to Twitter to ask AAA and AARP to assist me in finding car buying savings. In 2005 I used the AAA online car buying service to purchase the Sonata and once again they came through with an immediate response.  The link directed me to not only another Hyundai, but in the exact price range that we could afford and at a dealership I knew and trusted. #blessed

New Car Purchase at Carman

Less than 5 mins after completing the online contact form, I received a phone call from a friendly representative and made an appointment to see the vehicle that evening after work.  My husband and son met me at Carman Ford Lincoln in New Castle where we spoke to Doug Walton, the Sales Consultant,  and he along with the business manager, Bob made the purchase a pleasant and stress free experience.

After giving Doug the AAA Car Buying Certificate which contained the guaranteed, no hassle price, in less than 2 hours we were home with our new/used car with a payment that we could afford. #blessed

Thank you AAA and Carman Ford, it was by far the best car buying experience given the fact that we were totally unprepared to make this major purchase, no buyer’s remorse here!

Yes, I am sad that my car died, but feel truly blessed knowing that it could have been worse.  The Sonata could have died while I was on the road traveling to or from work, in a snow storm, at night or not even having the funds to replace it.

I am truly thankful and blessed by the best!

Hyundai 2005 Sonata

Bye Bye 2005 Sonata – thank you – you will be missed!

Hyundai 2010 Accent

Hello Accent – welcome to the family!

As always, I am thankful for my family, friends and faith.

Now it’s your turn – what are you thankful for this week?

I’m a socializing this afternoon over at Katherine’s for her weekly

Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop

Be Blessed – No Stress in 2014!

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Snow Day Slow Cooker Day

Hello Friends and Happy Thankful Thursday

If you read my post yesterday you know that we were once again hit with a major snowstorm on Tuesday.  It took me over 5 1/2 hours to get home from work and I definitely didn’t want to be in the car anytime soon so I stayed home on Wednesday.  At 10:00 a.m. Governor Markell lifted the Level One State of Emergency but it was highly recommended to stay off the roads so that the snowplow operators could do their jobs with minimal interruption from cars.

So on this day, I am thankful for my family, friends and faith…for getting home safely…for having a warm home to live in…and for scrounging around to find these ingredients to make this easy peasy Crock Pot Meal!

Snow Day Slow Cooker Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

  • 1 can of Kidney Beans
  • 1 can of Black Beans
  • 1 Package of Smoked Turkey Sausage
  • 1 Package Frozen Peppers and Onions
  • 1 Pack of McCormick Fajita Seasoning
  • 1/2 Cup of Water
  • Rice and Cornbread

Snow Day Slow Cook Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spray Crock Pot with Cooking Spray for easier cleanup.  Cut Turkey Sausage into bite size pieces and add seasoning to a 1/2 cup of water.

Snow Day Slow Cook Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Put sausage into Crock Pot and pour in Fajita Seasoning mix.

Snow Day Slow Cooker Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add frozen veggies and both cans of beans, which can be drained and rinsed to remove some of the sodium.

Snow Day Slow Cook Day

 Stir, cover and cooked on high for 4 hours.

Snow Day Slow Cooker Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Snow Day Slow Cooker dish was served with Jasmine Rice and skillet Cornbread.

Snow Day Slow Cooker Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snow Day Slow Cooker Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snow Day Slow Cooker Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a perfect meal for my men after a few hours of shoveling and an all-day of television watching!  I measured the snow on the back deck so I’ll say that we unofficially got 11″ of snow….can’t wait for Spring to arrive!

Snow Day Slow Cooker Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pool is not looking too inviting these days!

snow covered backyard pool

Snowy Street in Summit Farms (our neighborhood)

Snow Day 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are truly blessed, and I am thankful to have a warm home during this cold winter season.  I pray for those with less to be safe and removed from harm’s way.

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Okay, it’s your turn – what are you thankful for this week?

Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!

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Thankful Thursday

Hello Friends and Happy Thankful Thursday

Last week I was thankful for the opportunity to have met the beautiful and “blessed with success” owner of Lai Renise Boutique, Nadira Alston.  Lai Renise Boutique is located on the 2nd floor of 11 West Main Street in Middletown.

Nadria and her family relocated from Philadelphia where she started and still operates a successful online boutique with clients from New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Delaware.   She moved to Delaware and on the 3rd of May opened Lai Renise which is partially named after her daughter.  

Lai Renise is a high end yet affordable shop for women looking for something special or a one of a kind outfit.  Nadira offers a personal shopping experience and hosts Trunk Shows in which family and friends gather for wonderful evening of shopping and styling.

 

 

Thrifting during Thanksgiving Break 040 Nadira had always dreamed of operating a brick and mortar shop and was blessed to have found this location which was previously a dance studio.  The mirrored walls were already in place so she just added the shelving to showcase the beautiful handbags and accessories with brands like Big Buddah Bags, Betsy Johnson, Vieta and Russ Jewelry.

Nadira also runs a full time Ministry and enjoys working with young women in empowerment and positive transformation.  On Saturday from 4:30 to 8:30 she is hosting “Daughter’s of Excellence Annual Dessert Cafe” a fellowship featuring an Open-Mic, Singing, Poetry and Storytelling at 14 West Main Street.  For more information please send an email to daughters@trclive.org.

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In honor of #ShopSmall Saturday I treated myself to a Big Buddah Handbag – it was a tough decision but I purchased the black one.

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Thrifting during Thanksgiving Break 052

 Now it’s your turn – what are you thankful for this week?

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OOTD – Before and After Church

Hello Friends and Happy Sunny Sunday

This morning’s church service was blessed with a sermon by a visiting minister from Wilmington, and visiting guests from a small neighboring church in Middletown.  A great way to start off the week and I am looking forward to an even more blessed work week, I hope it’s the same for you!

Before Church

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Black and White Peplum Dress – Ross // Red Blazer – Closet Staple // Black Pumps – Mossimo via Target // Purse – Closet Staple // Necklack – Mark via Avon // Ring – Icings

After Church

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Comfy Capris – Rainbow Shops // Top – Delaware State University Bookstore

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Linking up today with Sunday Style at Plane Pretty & MoMoMod hop over and meet some bloggers.

Have a fantabulous afternoon – Smooches


OOTD – Any Way the Wind Blows

Hello Friends and Happy Friday Eve!

Can you believe it’s the last Thursday of the month, tomorrow is the first day of February. February 1st is also my “baby boy’s” Birthday and he will be 17 – somebody is getting old and it isn’t me!!!!
February, 1996, two days after he was born we were hit with a major snow storm that kept us house bound for almost a month. I hope that doesn’t happen again, the storm of 2010 was more than enough to last a lifetime – remember that one?

No snow storms in the forecast, just bright sunshine and high winds, but not like what tore through some southern states last night – we are truly blessed!

OOTD 1 31 13 007 OOTD 1 31 13 018 Sweater and Slacks are both closet staples // Blue Suede Booties – The Shoe Dept // Scarf – Target

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These blue suede booties are different than the one’s featured here.  They were purchased last year from The Shoe Dept, and also came in red which I didn’t get – wish I had because it would have saved me from going to the mall today.  By the way, have you been to JC Penney’s lately?  If not, GO, they have $1 ~ $3 ~ $5 and $10 clearance racks, I got a red skirt and a pair of capris for $5 each!  Their new “one price no sales” marketing campaign didn’t work out so well, and now they are restructuring, so head over for some great bargains.  The “housewives of Exton” were racking up on kids clothes on clearance for a dollar which are better deals than Goodwill!

Linking up with Thoughtful Thursday & Imprintalish – hop over and meet a new blogger

Have a good afternoon – Smooches!

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OOTD – BoHo Blue

Yea, today is my “FRI-YAY” because tomorrow I am off from work for my monthly staycation day.  Tayair and I will hit up the DMV early to renew his license and then have his car inspected.  I would love to go to the movies but  with schools being closed the last thing I want to do is stand in a long line for  MIB3, even though I want to see it – I love me some “Big Willy from Philly”!

I spent my lunch hour at Charmingly Linda’s Consignment Shop for her Memorial Days Blowout Sale and got some great buys that I will post later.  While there I assisted  a customer in selecting a dress and accessories for a wedding, it was a blast acting as a “fashion consultant”, it just might be my retirement career!

The official start of summer and yet it was another rainy overcast day, but we are blessed to have lived to see another one so the complaining stops here.  Have a fan-tab-u-lous day!

Top – Goodwill// Tie Dye Skirt – Marshalls// Wedge Shoes – Rugged Warehouse// Necklace & Earring Set – Jewelrymax.net// Ring – Flea Market Vendor