Friday, January 4, 2013

Black-eyed Peas to the Rescue

Celebrating New Years Day with black-eyed peas has been a tradition in my family for as long as I can remember. It is said that a spoonful of black-eyed peas can make or break your luck.

Last New Year, 2012, I somehow forgot to eat that spoonful of black-eyed peas. On the first day of 2012, the Wii crashed. The next day it was my phone. Then the next, my computer. (Thank goodness it wasn't my laptop.) It seemed every day in January of 2012, something was replaced or thrown away. On the positive side, I can say that I have lots of new items that shouldn't break too soon! 

While everything around me was breaking, I was preparing for my wedding in May. Thank goodness the groom didn't crash! It was a stressful start to the new year and I tried desperately to take it with a grain of salt. Though 2012 was a year for replacements, it was also a wonderful year with my fiancee/husband. We experienced many struggles together on top of the electronic issues and it only strengthened our bond.

It's New Year's Eve of 2012 and I'm relaxing on the sofa reading a book until it's time to run an errand. I'm not really wanting to go, but I must. It's been scheduled. I look up at the clock and sigh as I close the book. I walk up the stairs, grab my keys and enter the garage. I hop in my car, put the key in the ignition and nothing. No way! This can't be happening! The car is a 2008 and only has 36,000 miles. I've only owned it for a year and a half. I tried again. No power. I tried to pull the key out of the ignition but it wouldn't budge. I check to make sure it's all the way in in park, but even the shifter is locked into place. "What a fabulous end to the year," I whispered sarcastically.
I'm clueless on cars and the factory warranty had expired. I am at a loss for words. I walked into the house, cancelled my appointment and tried to call the hubby. But his phone went straight to voice mail. His battery was just about dead when he left for work. I shrugged and made dinner.

When he arrived at home and heard the news, he went out to the garage and unhooked the battery to get it replaced. He arrived five minutes after closing time. My car would just have to wait until New Year's Day. Though I was frustrated, I was thankful that my husband brought his suburban home from his parents house the week before which gave us a third vehicle. At least I know that if my car decides to RIP, I still have a vehicle to drive and work was only three minutes away.

On New Year's Day, I made a corn salsa dip that included black-eyed peas. I had almost forgotten the importance of black-eyed peas until my car chose to stay resting in the garage. Not only did I enjoy a bowl of this dip, I had my son deliver a jar to some of our neighbors.

At noon, while making chili, my husband began to finish the business he started with my car. Within half an hour I heard the engine revved and I peeked my head in the garage. I cheered happily because this was a great beginning to a new year! When he came inside, not only did I smother him with kisses, but I made him eat his spoonful of black-eyed peas. Reluctantly, after he ate his bite of the corn salsa dip, he told me that he saved over fifty dollars with his employee discount when he purchased the new battery. That made it even better!

Day two and I had to fill a prescription. Our joint insurance began on the first and I only hoped that my ninety prescription would be cheaper. It was by forty-five dollars! Not only that, but there was a nine month coupon of thirty dollars which brought it down to fifteen dollars!

This year we are cheering on the New Year of savings! Thank goodness for those black-eyed peas!


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