buying a new car?

get educated! check out RealCarTips.com. from their website:

Crazy Fact: - 1 out of 10 car buyers don't know you can negotiate down from MSRP. These buyers end up losing thousands of dollars for their ignorance. But the question remains, just how much is a dealer willing to negotiate off MSRP? We aim to answer that question by building a database of actual prices paid for new vehicles across the country. This will help prospective buyers figure out how much they should be paying for the car of their choice.

happy shopping!

Thank you!

i sent the following e-mail out on monday, but just in case, i thought i'd post it here as well...

From: Lara Michalek
Sent: Monday, June 09, 2008 4:03 PM
Subject: Thanks for making the Relay For Life a HUGE success!

Helloooooooo All Stars!

Wow! What a Relay! We had an amazing weekend and it was all thanks to you! Your support made this event an overwhelming success!

I’m proud to announce that we raised over $11,500 for the fight against cancer, making us the #1 fundraising team at the La Palma/Buena Park Relay this year. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that we would raise nearly double the amount of our original $6,000 goal. There aren’t words to express my gratitude for your generosity. (The event as a whole raised $85,000 this year, and donations are still coming in!)

We had more than 50 All Stars representing us on the track over the 24 hour period (including 1 who actually walked an entire marathon), and our positive vibe did not go unnoticed. We walked away with the award for most spirited team (for the second year in a row). In fact, I couldn’t go 20 minutes without hearing someone comment on how impressive and inspiring our group was. I kept thinking to myself, if you only knew how truly awesome they are, it would blow your mind!

I gave a speech at the opening ceremonies about why we Relay, and I made it almost all the way through without crying, but I lost it when I hit the line: “I Relay in celebration of my friends and relatives, who have always been there to support my family in our battle against this disease.” You people… You are each a treasured blessing.

Well, before my emotions spill out all over this e-mail, I guess I should wrap it up. I just wanted to say thank you one last time from the bottom of my family’s heart.

We love you all very much!

Together we will find a cure!

=)

Lara Michalek

*** see more photos here ***

just wear all of your clothes on the plane...

.

i got an e-mail from united yesterday...

Before your next trip with us, we would like you to know about changes to our checked baggage policy and revised fees for excess, overweight, oversized baggage and special items, effective for travel on or after August 18, 2008.

If you purchase a United Economy® ticket on or after June 13, 2008 for travel on or after August 18, 2008, a $15 service fee will apply, each way, to check your FIRST piece of baggage. This fee applies to travel within the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada.

As previously announced, a $25 fee will apply to check a second bag when flying on a ticket purchased on or after February 4, 2008.

We would like to remind you that additional baggage fees apply to check more than two bags, or if any bags are oversized, overweight and/or considered special items. These fees are also changing and the revised fees will apply to tickets purchased on or after June 13, 2008 for travel on or after August 18, 2008.

You will be exempt from the first and second checked bag service fees if you are: traveling in United First® or United Business®, traveling on the same reservation as a Global ServicesSM, Mileage Plus® 1K®, Premier Executive®, Premier® or Premier Associate® member or Star Alliance® Gold or Silver member OR military personnel traveling on orders.

i jumped out of a balloon on saturday...

this is my effort at trying to smile through the screaming...

another item checked off my list. woohoo!