Well, here's the thing about focusing on things I'm happy about. It really works ... but I ended up so happy that I bought my wife a car! Actually, this is a good thing and needed to happen, but it can kind of sneak up on 'ya. Like we went out Saturday morning in sweats, got coffee at Starbucks and decided to just mosey on down to a little car lot near the house. Low and behold! They had a car we liked .... go figure. But - since we are mature thoughtful people - we did not rush right in and buy it, we went to two different lots and looked there as well. But the bottom line is that by 5:00 that evening we had closed a deal and drove off with a 2005 Camry. It was a very good deal, and I'm happy we did it, but you'd think after all these years of buying and selling things that I'd show just a little more restraint. Exactly the opposite is true. I spend so much time buying things (my job is purchasing), that once I know that the deal is as good as it is likely to get, I see no sense in waiting .... BAM. Sign here, sir. Also, where we live (Hurstbourne Parkway and Taylorsville Rd. in Louisville, for those familiar) there are literally more cars for sale in one small area than I bet anyplace else on earth. It's nuts.

Susan was a wee bit nervous about the whole process, but in the end trusted me and now is very happy with the car. This is her birthday present, and it is a good one, except for all the times I'll now get to say, "No, sorry we can't do that 'cause we have a new car payment." I hope it still seems like a good present then! She was also very patient and good through all the negotiating, which can be difficult for a lot of people.