Riddle!

 What do you get when you take

 

 (beloved car friend) (means of transport for multiple Goodwins and Larsens since 2005) (Brendan)

and add standstill traffic on 9th East

 

 (it was right about here)

+

my obliviousness

+

one ill-timed glance at the air vent

(is this for display only or what?)

/

JJ's car-shopping expertise and some really good luck?

.

.

.

.

.

Ta-da!

Not to brag, but this thing is pimp. After the unfortunate incident on 9th that left Brendan's hood shaped like a tent and my heart shaped like a sadface, I didn't think we could ever be happy again. (That's actually false, but it seemed like the right thing to say there). 

Thankfully my husband loves targeted shopping. He lives for it. The research, the meticulous cross-comparisons, being wooed by popcorn-wielding salesmen, countering offers, threatening to walk away, reconciling, and, after all of it, determining for himself what he thinks is the very best deal. And believe it or not, this silver slice of chic was, indeed, the most reliable, in-best-condition car for our price range. 

So, we are mustang owners now. It makes us feel rich.

In other news, JJ has a job! He sells low refinance rates to veterans, and loves it. Not that my poverty-line income hasn't been helpful and all, but...we are grateful to have two incomes again. 

And finally, our Christmas tree.

Her name is Birdie, I just made that up, she is three feet tall, and we love her.