Memorial Day – Dust Bunnies and Dog Toys

Think us crazy, but during the Memorial Day weekend the hubs and I purchased ALL of the appliances for our new home, even though we haven’t broken ground yet! Before you start dialing the looney bin, let me explain why.

We’ve been researching appliances for a while and knew what we wanted and how much that was going to cost. Definitely more than the builder’s measly appliance allowance even for just the range, microwave and dishwasher. So when my now bargain-detecting trained husband discovered Best Buy was offering 10-30% off appliances for the holiday and would price match he started seriously crunching numbers cost comparing their prices against Home Depot’s, including the military discount.

So Saturday after leaving a movie he asked if I would mind making a ‘quick run to Best Buy’ since we were in the same shopping center. Already knowing what his intentions were, I noted that I was sure this was likely to be just the opposite of a quick trip, but agreed. Almost two hours later and two calls to the Best Buy credit center to work out the details, we are now owners of a complete LG suite of home appliances.

Thanks to the AWESOME holiday sale, their price match – including the military discount, and a friend who just happened to work at this store and worked some AH-MAZ-ING magic ;), we ended up saving around $2,000 and got 0% financing for 3 YEARS! Plus they will hold the items indefinitely without a fee until we are ready for them, then deliver and install them for free. And the warranties for each of the appliances, including the extended warranties we chose on the fridge and dishwasher (at 10% off) don’t start running until they are installed. To top it off the range we wanted was discontinued, so they sold us the new version for the old model price! That was a deal we just couldn’t pass up, knowing that we WILL be purchasing these items in the coming months one way or another. All this while earning enough rewards points to make the fancy new TV the hubby wants when we move affordable! Here’s what we got:

LG Ultra-Large Capacity French Door Fridge with Door-in-Door Fridge LG 6.1 cu. ft Capacity Gas Double Oven Range Range LG 1.8 cu. ft. Over the Range Microwave LG Fully Integrated Dishwasher with Flexible EasyRack Plus LG 5.1 cu. ft. Mega Capacity TurboWash Washer with Steam Technology Washer LG 9.0 cu. ft. Mega Capacity Dryer with Steam Technology Yes we went fancy, but having lived with the annoying features of the appliances you are provided in military housing and our current rental (i.e. clothes eating washers, no space fridges and quirky stoves) we knew it was worth it to buy what we wanted from the get-go rather than settle for something less efficient only to end up replacing it sooner than necessary because we weren’t happy with the ‘bargain’ model. And because we purchased higher end items with great reviews they should last us a LONG time! I promise to do my own reviews once we’ve been using them for a while.

I wish we could start using them right away, but it will be nice to have them brand new in our home. Now that puny builder’s allowance for appliances can be used for something more important like covering the potential extra cost of drilling a well beyond their well depth allowance of 100′! We should be meeting with the builder this weekend to finalize our deal and once we do they have just 7 days to begin construction! I can’t wait to watch our home come together, board by board and am already envisioning our first Christmas there. Stay tuned for all the details and the thousands of pictures that will ensue!

As I sit here on this beautiful Memorial Day with all of the windows and doors of my house open, feeling the breeze float through my home, I am thankful to those who make this life possible, especially those who gave their lives to ensure my right to live as I please. I have been blessed to have never lost one of my numerous friends or family who have served in our armed forces, but there are many who have and I hope that they know their sacrifice is not in vain – at least not in my eyes.

I may not always agree with the politics that send them on missions, but I ALWAYS support the troops. They did not choose where they would serve or what the objective is. Rather they respectfully fulfill their duties without understanding why one day a stretch of ground is worth American lives and the next it’s not.

Part of my remembrance of those who have given all includes decorating our home with a collection of red, white and blue I’ve acquired over the years. Just as it does every year, this patriotic decor will remain on display throughout the summer in celebration of Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day – reminding me of the liberties I enjoy because of the brave.

For me, the song “Some Gave All” by Billy Ray Cyrus is a fitting tribute to those we honor today. May they rest in peace because freedom isn’t FREE.

I knew a man called him Sandy Kane
Few folks even knew his name
But a hero was he
Left a boy, came back a man
Still many just don’t understand
About the reasons we are free

I can’t forget the look in his eyes
Or the tears he cries
As he said these words to me

All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all

Now Sandy Kane is no longer here
But his words are oh so clear
As they echo through out our land
For all his friends who gave us all
Who stood the ground and took the fall
To help their fellow man

Love your country and live with pride
And don’t forget those who died America can’t you see

All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all

And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall, yes recall
Some gave all

Some gave all