View Full Version : The Daily Rave
Pages :
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
[
9]
10
11
12
A photo of the dining room K took on his commute to the living room (home office) yesterday morning!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]5279
I love that.
WW update: down 6.4lbs in less than 2 weeks.
iris lilies
3-25-23, 5:28pm
WW update: down 6.4lbs in less than 2 weeks.
That is a good amount! It’s enough to feel progress and be happy, but it’s not too fast. Is losing at a steady pace.
happystuff
3-27-23, 10:57am
Great, Tradd! Congrats! Keep up the good work!
early morning
3-27-23, 12:06pm
oh what a lovely color your dining room is, SiouzQ - that light is simply amazing. And WTG Tradd!!!!
iris lilies
3-29-23, 1:23pm
I am so happy to now be living a normal American tech life where I have a fast reliable laptop and a wifi printer. It is wonderful to think “ I can just print that!” 30 seconds from the time I open the lid of this laptop to having a printed copy in my hand.
Our old lumbering HP computer with Windows 7 took minutes, sometimes 40 minutes, to initialize. Took longer to pull up a file. I hate the old thing.
Watching the goldfinches on the feeder as their bellies get more and more yellow. Joy every day to see them gobble down the thistle seed. Some are nearly all yellow now and others are still gray and cream colored.
I am so happy to now be living a normal American tech life where I have a fast reliable laptop and a wifi printer. It is wonderful to think “ I can just print that!” 30 seconds from the time I open the lid of this laptop to having a printed copy in my hand.
Our old lumbering HP computer with Windows 7 took minutes, sometimes 40 minutes, to initialize. Took longer to pull up a file. I hate the old thing.
That is insane about your old printer!
I’m very glad to see some sunshine today, especially after the Friday evening storms and all the wind yesterday.
Now down 7.4lbs on WW.
Wow! You're getting it DONE! Good work, Tradd!
Wow! You're getting it DONE! Good work, Tradd!
Thank you! :D
iris lilies
4-22-23, 1:22pm
Now down 12 lbs.
1+ dress size!
iris lilies
4-28-23, 9:02pm
I have self diagnosed gout in my left toe joint. I have a flareup about once a year and I’ve never been to the doctor about it.
Today I had my first real test of this small practice, direct care physician that I’ve been using for several years. I seldom go to the doctor, pretty much once a year to get blood pressure medicine a blood test. I did have a couple of optional allergy tests, but they were not very useful.
So this morning I called a little after 9 o’clock to say I need an appointment because I have pain in my foot. They said, can you come in at 9:30. Sure! Five minute drive or less down to the doctors office, saw the nurse practitioner, got prednisone. Foot much better a couple hours later.
conclusion: it does seem that this medical practice is low-key and can provide appointments quickly
iris lilies
4-30-23, 8:51am
God I LOVE my tech set up! I have a perfectly functional Mac computer and copy machine/printer. It all works quickly and seamlessly, like technology is SUPPOSED to work.
I can’t believe I put up with that stupid HP/windows 7 computer for so long, then had an abortive attempt at a Mac world with a VERY expensive Mac Pro that never worked quite right. At this time last year I was working mostly from the old HP, trying out this new Mac Air, working between 3 home locations, executing a large garden club event (which required lotsa tech communications and printing) and moving households after 33 years in one place. It was chaos.
Now the technology is serving MY needs, not me serving IT. I open up this
Mac and lo and behold, it works instantly. The old HP ALWAYS was booting up something, loading something, etc and I often had to wait 20 minutes before it was ready to serve me.
God I LOVE my tech set up! I have a perfectly functional Mac computer and copy machine/printer. It all works quickly and seamlessly, like technology is SUPPOSED to work.
I can’t believe I put up with that stupid HP/windows 7 computer for so long, then had an abortive attempt at a Mac world with a VERY expensive Mac Pro that never worked quite right. At this time last year I was working mostly from the old HP, trying out this new Mac Air, working between 3 home locations, executing a large garden club event (which required lotsa tech communications and printing) and moving households after 33 years in one place. It was chaos.
Now the technology is serving MY needs, not me serving IT. I open up this
Mac and lo and behold, it works instantly. The old HP ALWAYS was booting up something, loading something, etc and I often had to wait 20 minutes before it was ready to serve me.
That's great to hear. What exactly did you end up buying--which Mac and which printer? I also had a Mac Pro that never worked right, either, but I'd like to have the experience you are talking about here, then get an iphone and have it all integrate well.
iris lilies
4-30-23, 9:51am
That's great to hear. What exactly did you end up buying--which Mac and which printer? I also had a Mac Pro that never worked right, either, but I'd like to have the experience you are talking about here, then get an iphone and have it all integrate well.
yes, we both have IPhones, too. No more weird, puzzling email blocks that seemed to be generated from HP computer.But then the email nastiness happened with that $$$Mac pRo too, so who knows what was causing that.
Anyway, I have these pieces of equipment:
MacBook Air: 8 GB runs MacOS Ventura version 13.2.1
Brother black and white printer/copier/scanner: HL-L2390DW
I also have IPad mini units and have been using those for years.
iris lilies
4-30-23, 11:16pm
Thank you!
Hell, this home set up even works better than the last set up I had at work. Even in that professionally supported environment my work computer still took too long to boot up. Every morning I turned it on, went to the kitchen to get coffee, came back, and was still waiting for it to boot. I don’t know why these PC’s took so long .
Hell, this home set up even works better than the last set up I had at work. Even in that professionally supported environment my work computer still took too long to boot up. Every morning I turned it on, went to the kitchen to get coffee, came back, and was still waiting for it to boot. I don’t know why these PC’s took so long .
The new ones with solid state drive technology are much more responsive. I have my eye on an all-in-one model.
The new ones with solid state drive technology are much more responsive. I have my eye on an all-in-one model.
Last fall I bought a new PC with both a 500MB solid state drive that holds the operating system and all the software programs, and a 2TB regular hard drive to hold all my documents and other files. OMG, the solid state drive is AMAZING! It boots in about 20 seconds and launches programs so quickly that the program is open and ready to go before the splash screen goes away. My old computer was still functional but I decided to buy it because I didn't want to have to switch to windows 11. Windows 10 functions just fine for me so I wanted to be able to stick with it for the time being. My last computer served me will for 7 years. Hopefully I can get as much use out of this one.
iris lilies
5-1-23, 9:57pm
I’m so happy to have exited the World of Windows. I am not a heavy duty text or spreadsheet user, so the simple Apple world of Pages and Numbers work for me. With my last Mac, the expensive Mac Pro, I bought Windows for Mac, but I didn’t realize that I had to store those documents in a non-Mac environment.. Or something. It was just so confusing. I never really got it off the ground with that machine.
So when I started using this MacBook Air, I told myself everything will be Mac, I’m saying goodbye to the PC world.
The main downside is that I always have to send all documents in PDF form when I’m sharing them to all of my groups.
There have been a couple of documents that several people work on, but that seems to have been OK and I know they’re not all Apple users.
I have a wonderful use for a Google Docs spreadsheet, since two of us are making additions to it, or two of us want to anyway. But I don’t want to force Google Docs on someone else who doesn’t know how to use it. Sigh. This was exactly the scenario Google docs was set up to serve.
Here is a photo of my iris bed today - the previous owner planted these. We also had some excitement earlier in the yard - I heard a weird noise just outside the kitchen and went to investigate. A squirrel must have lost his balance trying to get a drink out of our rain barrel and was thrashing around frantically trying to get out. My husband lifted him out with a rake and off he ran towards the iris beds (where they have a den in the rock wall) looking very much like a drowned rat. I get really pissed at these rock squirrels around here because they will eat the garden bare. Any kind of flowers I plant have to have a cage of chicken wire around them.
Life in the high desert...54095410
Poor little guy! Good for husband on saving him even if he's one of the munchers. What a beautiful garden!
iris lilies
5-3-23, 10:08pm
Nice Iris!
I thought you'd like them! I know next to nothing about how to take care of them but they look better now in the three years we've been here now that I keep the beds a bit cleaner of other debris.
This rave probably belongs strictly in my journal, but I think some of you will relate and be supportive. As you know, I downsized and have been trying to contain all my "wants" so I can retire sooner rather than later. Well, my son is getting married to a woman who is perfect for him--she's very much a "simple-liver"--she still has an old flip-phone and buys all her clothes from church thrift shop bins. Her father, however, was a bigwig who worked at a major bank and had a Westchester NY McMansion before moving to a Bend, Oregon McMansion after retiring.
So the kids are getting married in VT. That means her parents will be hanging out here for a couple of weeks, and of course, we will invite them to our home during that period of time. The angst begins there. DH already gets mad at me every time I tell people I live in a small house ("Why do you have to tell people that and make them think you're poor?"). So yesterday, we just for the fun of it went to a local furniture store. Our living room furniture does not work for us, either functionally or aesthetically. Within 20 minutes DH had me nearly talked into two new chairs and an end table. I told the saleswoman I'd think about it. DH said, "If I were you I'd pull the plug. YOU DESERVE IT."
I came home and thought about it. It sure would make our home look nicer and more modern. I texted DD who is my partner in crime in decisions like this.She asked me good questions about why I wanted it, why now, would I be excited.. etc etc.
So then I starting thinking about my old aspirations to make some kind of a slipcover for the wing chair that I actually like, which DH and I bought at a second-hand consignment shop in Princeton. I thought about the fact that while I think the recliner is ugly, it does serve a purpose. Being zero-gravity, a guest like my BIL could technically sleep in it--plus the grandkids LOVE it. I went online to look for bolts of vintage fabric and found a VT-based seller who has tons of vintage fabrics. I picked an indigo blue one, and bought it. That's that.
I'm not going to spend $2,000 on new furniture. What I "deserve" is to retire as soon as I can. I will enjoy making the slipcover, even it turns out wonky, which it probably will. And I'll know that this is an example of who I am--a person who likes old things with a history and patina and values a wabi-sabi vibe that feels homey and homespun.
If the in-laws think my home is quaint and tacky, and even if they think we're "poor," well, they'll be back at their PNW McMansion before long.
Catherine - I love how you took time to think about what is really important to you. My guess is that if you had bought the furniture, you would never really enjoy it, because it would always be in the back your mind that the reason you had it was to impress the new in-laws.
Their thoughts are their thoughts and none of your business - good for you finding some beautiful vintage fabric and making your own slipcover.
I look askance at trying to impress other people, whatever one's age. Impressiveness, like intelligence, is something you either have or not, IMO, and it's usually clear after awhile.
Recovering furniture, well-considered, is a good solution.
Written here in my PNW Mchovel ;). I doubt I'd like Bend much (I've only been there briefly, for work)--too many carpetbaggers.
flowerseverywhere
5-4-23, 5:08pm
This rave probably belongs strictly in my journal, but I think some of you will relate and be supportive. As you know, I downsized and have been trying to contain all my "wants" so I can retire sooner rather than later. Well, my son is getting married to a woman who is perfect for him--she's very much a "simple-liver"--she still has an old flip-phone and buys all her clothes from church thrift shop bins. Her father, however, was a bigwig who worked at a major bank and had a Westchester NY McMansion before moving to a Bend, Oregon McMansion after retiring.
So the kids are getting married in VT. That means her parents will be hanging out here for a couple of weeks, and of course, we will invite them to our home during that period of time. The angst begins there. DH already gets mad at me every time I tell people I live in a small house ("Why do you have to tell people that and make them think you're poor?"). So yesterday, we just for the fun of it went to a local furniture store. Our living room furniture does not work for us, either functionally or aesthetically. Within 20 minutes DH had me nearly talked into two new chairs and an end table. I told the saleswoman I'd think about it. DH said, "If I were you I'd pull the plug. YOU DESERVE IT."
I came home and thought about it. It sure would make our home look nicer and more modern. I texted DD who is my partner in crime in decisions like this.She asked me good questions about why I wanted it, why now, would I be excited.. etc etc.
So then I starting thinking about my old aspirations to make some kind of a slipcover for the wing chair that I actually like, which DH and I bought at a second-hand consignment shop in Princeton. I thought about the fact that while I think the recliner is ugly, it does serve a purpose. Being zero-gravity, a guest like my BIL could technically sleep in it--plus the grandkids LOVE it. I went online to look for bolts of vintage fabric and found a VT-based seller who has tons of vintage fabrics. I picked an indigo blue one, and bought it. That's that.
I'm not going to spend $2,000 on new furniture. What I "deserve" is to retire as soon as I can. I will enjoy making the slipcover, even it turns out wonky, which it probably will. And I'll know that this is an example of who I am--a person who likes old things with a history and patina and values a wabi-sabi vibe that feels homey and homespun.
If the in-laws think my home is quaint and tacky, and even if they think we're "poor," well, they'll be back at their PNW McMansion before long.
Material things are not the true measure of wealth. Sure you want a roof over your head, indoor plumbing, heat, food in the fridge, a decent car and food. But riches lie in experiences and relationships. Hold your head high and be proud of yourself and your family. Because all the money in the world does not bring you love or self respect.
The slipcover fabric sounds wonderful. And you already know the chair works for your family, and that's important. I remember you disliking the couch you bought and if you haven't replaced it, you could always do that instead. Because it was never comfortable and did not meet your needs.
Your house meets your needs, and you have always approached these questions very thoughtfully. In terms of sheer coolness, your house is way cooler than a McMansion in Bend, Oregon. You are a native New Englander, born and bred, and you have a wonderful place on a wonderful lake in New England, and that is an incredible success story in terms of living how you want to live. It's also completely congruent with you are are, and that is priceless.
iris lilies
5-4-23, 6:28pm
Catherine, good for you to drill down into what is really important.
I am in the enviable position of being able to “ afford anything I [really] want” but much of that is about past years of exercising frugality and restraint in buying, honing my ability to recognize what REALLY makes me happy when acquiring stuff.
So the stuff I REALLY want tends not to be very expensive, relative to what I COULD spend on the thing.
Every time I think about buying a new house, it comes back to I do not want to clean more space, furnish more space, pay the taxes and utilities on more space, leave our special city area, etc. I might think leaving our city would be "fun", but I do not want to take my husband away from his important volunteer "jobs" which keep him happy and healthy. So regardless of having the money, it would not be a good thing to do in any way except to give me something to do.
So I really need to stay away from Zillow. Just as bad for me as HGTV.
You made a good decision, Catherine. And we at SLF are all impressed with your lovely home, and whose opinion could possibly matter more than ours? :laff:
Good for you, catherine. You are continuing to discover and hone the life YOU want to live!
Catherine, you WILL have to tell us the in-laws’ reaction to your small house and your interactions with them.
Thank you, all, for your kind words of support..I will definitely report back, Tradd! Sweetana, I also have a love/hate relationship with HGTV! rosa (and all), the great thing about SLN is I truly don't feel the need to "impress" you guys--I think I've aired all my dirty laundry here, and that's what's great about it.
iris lilies
5-5-23, 1:12pm
I thought I might watch a whole lotta HGTV when we finally moved to Hermann where we have cable tv. But, I don’t. Watching too much of that stuff DOES make me feel like my funny old house is shabby. Not good! So I tune into You tube videos and Instagram accounts about cottage decor that is more to my liking, kinda shabby or at least non-trendy, and purposely so
Every time I think about buying a new house, it comes back to I do not want to clean more space, furnish more space, pay the taxes and utilities on more space, leave our special city area, etc. I might think leaving our city would be "fun", but I do not want to take my husband away from his important volunteer "jobs" which keep him happy and healthy. So regardless of having the money, it would not be a good thing to do in any way except to give me something to do.
So I really need to stay away from Zillow. Just as bad for me as HGTV.
Ditto as far as having more space!!! BTW... the people who were so anxious to buy our house backed out. It wasn't said but I think they were not able to afford it! They talked about moving to a less expensive county. Kinda sucks. We did have an appraisal and have an idea what the house should sell for. We are having another realtor come next week (who we will probably go with). It just doesn't make sense to try and sell it ourselves in this scenario. Have been doing major purging. One day I had trouble walking... I was up and down the stairs and out to the garage so many times! This house has so much storage it was unbelievable how much we had tucked away. I used it all at one time. We plan on major garage sale(s) and will have an auction for the big stuff. It will not break my heart to move to a warmer winter climate and smaller abode! We can always travel in the summer if it is too hot there. We will rent in the interim. Fingers crossed all goes well!
My hummingbirds sound like little wind-up whirly-gig toys. I've heard that the same ones tend to come back year after year during their lifespan. It does seem like they are not shy around us when we go out onto the porch. I can stand within two feet of the feeder and they will fly around me to get to it.
Also, our nesting dove pair are very used to us - their nest that they use year after year is in the eves of our main porch. They are completely used to our comings and goings at all times of day. The second set of eggs just hatched and their little heads are finally peeking up out of the nest. It's funny to watch them try and get the guts up to learn how to fly - it actually takes a few weeks. They start getting too big to sit in the nest and will finally walk onto the beam and just sit there dumbly while the parents try to coax them with their whoo-whoo call from the fence on our property line.
I love having the time to see all of this!
iris lilies
5-6-23, 11:13am
I’m loading my SUV for a flower show. It’s wonderful that I can keep the back of the car open in my driveway and not worry about anyone walking by and stealing things.
When I lived in the city, I would have to close it and lock it after heading into the house each trip.
littlebittybobby
5-6-23, 1:06pm
I’m loading my SUV for a flower show. It’s wonderful that I can keep the back of the car open in my driveway and not worry about anyone walking by and stealing things.
When I live in the city, I would have to close it and lock it after heading into the house each trip.Okay----That IS awesome and amayzeen that there is law-and-order in Herman, Zurra. Yup. I can just imagine the constant frustration, if you tried to grow dem watermelon in your garden back in San Lo! For all your trouble, you'd hardly have one left for your self! Yup. So anyway---where is this Flower Show taking place? Just curious.
iris lilies
5-8-23, 12:53pm
Okay----That IS awesome and amayzeen that there is law-and-order in Herman, Zurra. Yup. I can just imagine the constant frustration, if you tried to grow dem watermelon in your garden back in San Lo! For all your trouble, you'd hardly have one left for your self! Yup. So anyway---where is this Flower Show taking place? Just curious.
Bobby the iris show was in a suburb of stl
happystuff
5-11-23, 8:56am
A rave for my local county library. I hadn't been using the library resources for quite a while but started up again about a month ago. I am really enjoying both the online and physical offerings. I didn't realize how much I missed the library until I started going back!
After several months of dealing with a washing machine issue, I finally called a repairman to have it looked at. Cost just under $500 but at least now it won't take 3 hours to do one load of laundry anymore.
Decided to get some of my Saturday chores done tonight so I might have some downtime tomorrow to actually enjoy my Saturday.
rosarugosa
5-13-23, 6:02am
A rave for my local county library. I hadn't been using the library resources for quite a while but started up again about a month ago. I am really enjoying both the online and physical offerings. I didn't realize how much I missed the library until I started going back!
I love my local library, and I especially love that I can walk to it in about 5 minutes. I can request books online as easy as ordering from Amazon, but free! There's a large network of libraries in NOBLE, the North Of Boston Lending Exchange, including a few college libraries. It's fun to see all the different places my books come from. I can't remember ever wanting a book and not being able to get it, although sometimes it takes awhile if it's a hot new title. I can also access local and national news resources and Consumer Reports. Plus free yoga classes, plus copier/fax/scanner.
Geico has been great dealing with our car being totalled. Really fast and responsive.
happystuff
5-13-23, 9:18am
Geico has been great dealing with our car being totalled. Really fast and responsive.
When rear-ended almost a year ago, the other driver (at fault) had Geico insurance. Claim went through them for repairs and I was VERY impressed with how they handled pretty much everything!
rosarugosa
5-14-23, 6:04am
When rear-ended almost a year ago, the other driver (at fault) had Geico insurance. Claim went through them for repairs and I was VERY impressed with how they handled pretty much everything!
I guess that's a bright spot in an otherwise unpleasant situation!
rosarugosa
5-14-23, 6:08am
Speaking of invasives (in another thread), my garden and even my house when windows are open, are exquisitely perfumed by the large lily of the valley patch in our neighbors' garden. I think that's really the best of all worlds since they also let me pick bouquets, but I don't have to actually host this beloved thug in my own garden!
iris lilies
5-14-23, 7:57am
Speaking of invasives (in another thread), my garden and even my house when windows are open, are exquisitely perfumed by the large lily of the valley patch in our neighbors' garden. I think that's really the best of all worlds since they also let me pick bouquets, but I don't have to actually host this beloved thug in my own garden!
I wish my lilies of the valley were invasive! In my city house I had a very small group that never expanded, over 30 years.
I would like to get them started in Hermann.
early morning
5-14-23, 11:04am
If I ever make it to the Hermann Farm to see the Shires, I'll bring you some, lol. Mine are very mildly expansive - they sort of wax and wane from year to year. When they get out into the grass, DH cheerfully mows them off, and they recede back to their bed and try to sidle around the front of the house. Such well behaved invasives! :~)
iris lilies
5-14-23, 11:17am
If I ever make it to the Hermann Farm to see the Shires, I'll bring you some, lol. Mine are very mildly expansive - they sort of wax and wane from year to year. When they get out into the grass, DH cheerfully mows them off, and they recede back to their bed and try to sidle around the front of the house. Such well behaved invasives! :~)
Haha,nice!
My neighbor has bought a new lawn mower--maybe electric? Whatever, it's much quieter than is typical around here. Good work neighbor!
frugal-one
5-18-23, 9:33pm
Got the house cleaned out and up for sale. On line for a few hours now and already have 2 showings. Fingers crossed!
Got the house cleaned out and up for sale. On line for a few hours now and already have 2 showings. Fingers crossed!
Good luck!
iris lilies
5-18-23, 9:52pm
Got the house cleaned out and up for sale. On line for a few hours now and already have 2 showings. Fingers crossed!
That sounds promising!
Got the house cleaned out and up for sale. On line for a few hours now and already have 2 showings. Fingers crossed!
Wonderful--hope it sells promptly and with no issues!
Great, frugal one! Hope it continues to go well.
catherine
5-19-23, 11:14am
Yes, I hope the offers are great and come quickly!
Teacher Terry
5-20-23, 2:27am
It seems like you got the house cleaned out fast. Good luck!!
Frugal, I thought I posted yesterday but I don't see it--I am so impressed by your accomplishment, and I bet you have a contract this week.
happystuff
5-21-23, 4:14pm
Best of luck, frugal!
Now down almost 14 lbs on WW. Fell off the wagon for about 10 days, too.
Teacher Terry
5-21-23, 6:45pm
That’s great Tradd!!
happystuff
5-21-23, 7:11pm
Wonderful, Tradd! Congrats!!!
iris lilies
5-21-23, 7:12pm
Now down almost 14 lbs on WW. Fell off the wagon for about 10 days, too.
That is a lot, good for you!
happystuff
5-21-23, 7:14pm
Rave for getting away from home/the house. Went camping this weekend. It rained off and on yesterday, but not enough to ruin anything. Fortunately - we were in little shelter/cabins and the temperature was perfect all three days!! I just loved being away from home/the house and spend time with some family and good friends. I REALLY need to do this more often!
Rave for getting away from home/the house. Went camping this weekend. It rained off and on yesterday, but not enough to ruin anything. Fortunately - we were in little shelter/cabins and the temperature was perfect all three days!! I just loved being away from home/the house and spend time with some family and good friends. I REALLY need to do this more often!
That sounds great.
And thanks for all the support!
frugal-one
5-21-23, 8:08pm
Wow Tradd, that is quite an accomplishment!
frugal-one
5-24-23, 7:44am
House is sold! Small bidding war yesterday. Accepted offer late last night! Woohoo!!
House is sold! Small bidding war yesterday. Accepted offer late last night! Woohoo!!
Way to go!!!!
happystuff
5-24-23, 8:54am
Congratulations!!!!
iris lilies
5-24-23, 9:31am
House is sold! Small bidding war yesterday. Accepted offer late last night! Woohoo!!
great news!
House is sold! Small bidding war yesterday. Accepted offer late last night! Woohoo!!
Woo hoo! That was quick!
catherine
5-24-23, 11:52am
Congratulations!!!!
That was quick - congrats! So few houses these days, a good one goes quickly. What's next?
frugal-one
5-24-23, 7:33pm
Thanks all. Working on getting rid of the house contents. After living in a mobile home, we realized we don't need much. It is so nice not to have all the maintenance and work required. We will rent until we decide what to do. We may visit son in MN and then go south to TX and rent from said landlord (for a modest fee). The plan is to switch and be south for the majority of months and north for summer. We want a simplified life..
Thanks all. Working on getting rid of the house contents. After living in a mobile home, we realized we don't need much. It is so nice not to have all the maintenance and work required. We will rent until we decide what to do. We may visit son in MN and then go south to TX and rent from said landlord (for a modest fee). The plan is to switch and be south for the majority of months and north for summer. We want a simplified life..
This is a wonderful plan, Frugal! As soon as the big dogs go, I would love to do something like that. But for now, we are stuck needing a big yard for two big dogs.
iris lilies
5-25-23, 8:14pm
I’m sitting here on my deck, enjoying gorgeous May evening with a cool breeze. Looking at my spectacular view across the Missouri River Valley. Listening to the carillon concert that takes place every evening at 7 PM. Any deadlines I have are days and weeks away. Yay!
littlebittybobby
5-26-23, 1:44pm
I’m sitting here on my deck, enjoying gorgeous May evening with a cool breeze. Looking at my spectacular view across the Missouri River Valley. Listening to the carillon concert that takes place every evening at 7 PM. Any deadlines I have are days and weeks away. Yay!Okay---When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Stuttgart, do as those very efficient & industrious Germans do. Jah. Sooo, put out your cigarette, grab a paint brush & bucket o' stain, and get busy on that deck. Jah. Hope that helps you some. Thankk mee.
I’m sitting here on my deck, enjoying gorgeous May evening with a cool breeze. Looking at my spectacular view across the Missouri River Valley. Listening to the carillon concert that takes place every evening at 7 PM. Any deadlines I have are days and weeks away. Yay!
I think that is awesome!
Teacher Terry
5-27-23, 12:32pm
IL, the Midwest is indeed pretty with it’s lush green and big trees.
It's the little things today. Sitting outside without all the Canadian wildfire smoke in the air. Light breeze to keep temperature in the perfect range. Not to mention pulling a huge clump of hair from the shower drain in just one attempt earlier today while cleaning the shower. So freaking satisfying!! Haha!!
It's raining here, and I'm gazing out my upstairs window at leafy green trees. It's like living in a terrarium.
This is the first time in my six years here that I have seen so much rain here on the front range of Colorado. My gardens look like little rain forests with everything blooming lush and green.
Two of my son's childhood friends are visiting and we got to spend a couple of hours them yesterday, which was absolutely lovely--have known these boys since they were in second grade and to see them all grown up and happy and happy to see us--we were said it felt like "all was right with the world." Absolutely lovely experience.
Two of my son's childhood friends are visiting and we got to spend a couple of hours them yesterday, which was absolutely lovely--have known these boys since they were in second grade and to see them all grown up and happy and happy to see us--we were said it felt like "all was right with the world." Absolutely lovely experience.
That's wonderful, Tybee!
iris lilies
6-11-23, 10:05am
This is the first time in my six years here that I have seen so much rain here on the front range of Colorado. My gardens look like little rain forests with everything blooming lush and green.
That is wonderful!
iris lilies
6-11-23, 10:06am
Two of my son's childhood friends are visiting and we got to spend a couple of hours them yesterday, which was absolutely lovely--have known these boys since they were in second grade and to see them all grown up and happy and happy to see us--we were said it felt like "all was right with the world." Absolutely lovely experience.
Very nice!
iris lilies
6-11-23, 10:08am
It's raining here, and I'm gazing out my upstairs window at leafy green trees. It's like living in a terrarium.
I can rave thatvwe are finally getting rain.we have needed it for weeks.
I spent an hour on the screened porch this morning drinking my coffee, no smoke, coolish small breeze, blue sky, the elec. wire is the meeting place of 2 bluebirds who I think are encouraging their babies to fledge ( the bird house is under the wire) ..2 goldfinches stopping by to watch, a brown thrasher, a hummingbird taking a rest after a quick stop at the feeder, a dove putting in her two cents worth, a mocking bird just sitting, not aggressively defending anything and then a chipmunk on the edge of the porch.
Off today and tomorrow. Up to the Straits of Mackinac for shipwreck diving. This is where the Mackinac Bridge is.
iris lilies
6-20-23, 9:04am
We have a big garden bed right below the deck, a bed that was unexpected and one I had not planned for. It is formed by huge ugly block wall. My rave is that this appears to be deer proof! So far this year I have piled daylilies, Lilies, and a few hostas in it, and none were touched by deer. I am seeing pretty daylilies in bloom that I haven’t seen bloom here for three or four years, because in the past the deer just chew off the buds.
This is HUGE! If I have this very large area where I can put deer favorite foods, that changes so much! This ugly bed is a blessing in disguise.
Had I known this I would have brought many more hostas with me to Hermann from my city garden. As it is, I dug the very special ones and brought them in pots.
This bed is a game changer.
Celebrating my 26th wedding anniversary today! :cool: Not bad for only knowing the guy 3 months before we got married (and no, I wasn't pregnant).
iris lilies
6-20-23, 12:12pm
Celebrating my 26th wedding anniversary today! :cool: Not bad for only knowing the guy 3 months before we got married (and no, I wasn't pregnant).
Congratulations to you, that is nice.
happystuff
6-20-23, 4:29pm
Celebrating my 26th wedding anniversary today! :cool: Not bad for only knowing the guy 3 months before we got married (and no, I wasn't pregnant).
Congratulations! Hope you have a wonderful anniversary celebration.
frugal-one
6-20-23, 11:07pm
Celebrating my 26th wedding anniversary today! :cool: Not bad for only knowing the guy 3 months before we got married (and no, I wasn't pregnant).
Congrats!!! DH and I went together 3 months, decided we were getting married and did so 3 months later (not pregnant either). When you know, you know!!!
frugal-one
6-20-23, 11:22pm
Had the auction today. They said it was exceptional! We put the few things that did not sell on the curb for free. In a day, we will dispose of what is left. We still have books, clothes and food to go through. Closing is a week from Friday. We sold everything so are camping out in the house. Got a "nice" air mattress... will see how that goes. We have been VERY fortunate in that everything is going according to plan. We got much more for the house than we expected and the auction provided a tidy sum as well. Everyone keeps asking me if I am sad and, truthfully, I am thrilled to have this all behind me. We are at the stage where we don't need a big house and all that entails.
iris lilies
6-21-23, 1:00am
Had the auction today. They said it was exceptional! We put the few things that did not sell on the curb for free. In a day, we will dispose of what is left. We still have books, clothes and food to go through. Closing is a week from Friday. We sold everything so are camping out in the house. Got a "nice" air mattress... will see how that goes. We have been VERY fortunate in that everything is going according to plan. We got much more for the house than we expected and the auction provided a tidy sum as well. Everyone keeps asking me if I am sad and, truthfully, I am thrilled to have this all behind me. We are at the stage where we don't need a big house and all that entails.
That all sounds great. It’s wonderful that you got rid of all your stuff quickly. Onwards!
Frugal-one, that’s great to hear.
Teacher Terry
6-21-23, 1:27am
Great news frugal one!!!
frugal-one
6-21-23, 7:51am
Thank you. Definitely feeling my age today though... sore and aching, leg cramps (dehydration?) and exhausted! Life is good!
Congrats!!! DH and I went together 3 months, decided we were getting married and did so 3 months later (not pregnant either). When you know, you know!!!
I love these kinds of stories--I've encountered a few like yours, and they never fail to make me smile!
I'm so envious, frugal-one--onward and upward!
frugal, I definitely identify with the feeling of lightness after you see the stuff go. Out of the 2 tons of stuff I got rid of, I can't think of one thing I wished I had kept. Congratulations on your successful downsizing and home sale, and best wishes on the next phase of your journey!
frugal-one
6-22-23, 8:55am
Thank you all for your kind words!
Put the few things left after the auction in front of the house for neighbors to take. DH was outside and gal came by and loved a decorative stand. Turns out she will be the new owner of the house! They asked for nothing so we thought they wanted everything gone. DH told her of a few things we were leaving and she was thrilled. It kinda bums me out they didn’t ask for things they could have used. Went through my books and will leave bird books and books about things to do in the area. The yard here is a birders dream so we will leave the feeders and birdseed. Also will hang the hammock on the covered deck. If these things are not wanted… easy enough to dispose of.
DH told her of a few things we were leaving and she was thrilled. It kinda bums me out they didn’t ask for things they could have used. .
When we sold my MILs house (next door) during negotiations they asked for the bedroom furniture, but otherwise it was an "as-is" offer in a bidding war so there were no concessions on price. My daughter, who loves mid-century modern furniture, and who was very close to her grandmother, was bummed that they took the set because she would have liked it.
The new owners moved in. Obviously, being next door, we could see what they were moving in--and moving out. The next week they had the bedroom set out on the curb for the trash. We asked them about it, asking them why they were throwing it out when they has specifically asked for it. The husband said that he was simply looking to negotiate for SOMETHING, to feel that he got a deal on the house.
Isn't that ridiculous?? And such a waste!! We didn't have the emotional strength to ask him if we could buy it back so we could it give it to my daughter, so that was the end of it.
iris lilies
6-22-23, 10:12am
Catherine, that was indeed ridiculous. Is there a reason why you didn’t grab it from the curb and bring it back in your house?
I love being financially independent, and not feeling like I have to squeeze every penny out of every deal. A couple of weeks ago we bought a new car and I just called up our friend across the state line from whom we have purchased several cars. I told him “Ed, I want a blue Ford Bronco Sport and I don’t want a lot of junk on it. “ No negotiation – oh wait we did negotiate a little bit about our trade-in, but I knew it wasn’t worth much. DH thought it was worth more, but he always thinks his stuff is worth more money than it is.
I didn’t negotiate on price and while that might be stupid, it is what it is. Most people gird their loins to go into the car buying ordeal to negotiate and “ get a deal.”
My attention span for buying cars and electronics is only a minute or two. Conversely, I can spend hours,days, and years, deciding on china/pottery patterns and looking at hundreds of options for dinnerware.
catherine
6-22-23, 10:23am
Catherine, that was indeed ridiculous. Is there a reason why you didn’t grab it from the curb and bring it back in your house?
I love being financially independent, and not feeling like I have to squeeze every penny out of every deal. A couple of weeks ago we bought a new car and I just called up our friend across the state line from whom we have purchased several cars. I told him “Ed, I want a blue Ford Bronco Sport and I don’t want a lot of junk on it. “ No negotiation – oh wait we did negotiate a little bit about our trade-in, but I knew it wasn’t worth much. DH thought it was worth more, but he always thinks his stuff is worth more money than it is.
I didn’t negotiate on price and while that might be stupid, it is what it is. Most people gird their loins to go into the car buying ordeal to negotiate and “ get a deal.”
My attention span for buying cars and electronics is only a minute or two. Conversely, I can spend hours,days, and years, deciding on china/pottery patterns and looking at hundreds of options for dinnerware.
We were just worn out after the whole experience. We figured if we were able to recoup it, we would haul it back to our house, it would sit somewhere taking up space until my daughter, who lived 8 hours away, took her time to get there and retrieve it, if she ever did.
As for your car-buying experiences, we are very similar. We tend to spend little time, once we know what we want, on the actual shopping for cars. I bought my Prius after going to a Memorial Day parade to see DH play with his bagpipe band--I was driving home, passed a Toyota dealership, realized that my daughter was going to be taking over the Beetle we shared while she was in college, and made a hard, impulsive left turn into the parking lot. I saw the car, read the features, the salesman approached me as I was writing out a deposit, told him I'd pick it up when we got back from our trip to Scotland the next week, and that was it. That salesman never had an easier sell.
Same thing with the pontoon boat, although DH drove that sale. I was in no mood to buy a boat the month after we moved up here. But he said, let's go look at boats for the fun of it. So we went to the dealership, and the salesman showed us a new boat that had all the features we liked, and before we knew it, DH, with his superb negotiating skills, got the boat for 20% off the asking price. Turns out (we didn't know at the time) they were being bought out by the dealership next door, and so this was their last chance to unload inventory and put the cash in their pocket. Worked for us. As resistant as I was, I now love the boat. It has provided us and the family with many, many hours of fun times and togetherness.
happystuff
6-23-23, 7:17am
frugal, congrats on the sale and best of luck with the steps ahead!
frugal-one
6-23-23, 7:49am
Yikes, hardly… but thank you both.
My rave is unexpectedly positive! Our bed is gone along with everything else and we have days yet until closing on the house. Researched and bought Index brand air bed/mattress for around $85. Put on a heavy mattress cover and am totally astonished in how comfortable it is! Both DH and I have slept well! I am sure it helps that we are exhausted each night. We are sleeping in the living room with plastic tables (nightstands) and 2 semi-comfortable office chairs with hassocks. We kept the stools for the kitchen counter so we do have a place to eat and minimal dishes so we do not have to go out to eat. That will change in a day since we are out of food. Soup and sandwiches are on the menu then. We are camping out in our own house. I am grateful everything has fallen into place as it has! It has turned out so far better than I could have imagined!
When we moved to CO, we got rid of just about everything. Slept on a queen-sized air mattress for several months. It was comfy but when one gets up or rolls over, it bounces a bit so had to get used to that.
frugal-one
6-29-23, 6:21pm
Cars and u-haul are packed. Air quality and heat made packing a bit uncomfortable but it is DONE! Closing on house is 10:30 tomorrow morning. We have a short driving day tomorrow so we can, hopefully, get rested!
The walk through was this morning. We stayed on the neighbor’s porch waiting for the buyers to leave but they realized who we were and wanted to talk. They are a young couple with a 2 year old. They are VERY excited! The gal has family in the area and wanted to be here. Her sister checked out the house and they bought it sight unseen! The gal commented it was nicer than her sister explained and was thrilled to have a yard. Her husband trilled about having a 3 car garage. They are from CA. She asked about gardening and wrote down all the plants we have in the yard. It gladdens my heart to have a young couple be enthused about “our home”. It just solidifies the knowledge that we are doing the right thing!
frugal-one
6-29-23, 6:30pm
The other rave for today is that another neighborhood invited us for dinner tonight so we don’t have to cook or go out to eat! You better believe it is appreciated!
iris lilies
6-29-23, 6:39pm
That all sounds lovely, I’m glad it worked out so well.
I'm so happy for you, frugal! It is really exciting to hear about life moving on and a new generation being so excited to enjoy your precious home! Congratulations!
rosarugosa
6-30-23, 6:13am
Cars and u-haul are packed. Air quality and heat made packing a bit uncomfortable but it is DONE! Closing on house is 10:30 tomorrow morning. We have a short driving day tomorrow so we can, hopefully, get rested!
The walk through was this morning. We stayed on the neighbor’s porch waiting for the buyers to leave but they realized who we were and wanted to talk. They are a young couple with a 2 year old. They are VERY excited! The gal has family in the area and wanted to be here. Her sister checked out the house and they bought it sight unseen! The gal commented it was nicer than her sister explained and was thrilled to have a yard. Her husband trilled about having a 3 car garage. They are from CA. She asked about gardening and wrote down all the plants we have in the yard. It gladdens my heart to have a young couple be enthused about “our home”. It just solidifies the knowledge that we are doing the right thing!
That's really nice; that interaction would have meant a lot to me as well.
So wonderful that you got to meet them. They sound like they are the perfect family to take over your beloved home. What a nice way to complete that chapter of your life!
happystuff
6-30-23, 7:27am
Things turned out so well, frugal! So glad that you got to meet the new owners and it was wonderful to hear about the enthusiasm with the gardening/plants. And wonderful neighbors as well!
Congrats, frugal! Will be waiting to hear about your next adventures. Moving and starting anew can be very exciting with a positive frame of mind.
Rave for stepping out of comfort zone and just "going for it"....
Long weekend at a sibling's and ended up with two "firsts"...
1)Ziplined - while not a long one, it was great as a first experience. Had to climb a ladder, walk across a wire to get to the launch platform (considered THIS to be the biggest accomplishment - LOL) and then actually step off the platform. It was wonderful!!!! Siblings took video and I was apparently laughing the moment I stepped off to the moment I was unhooked and climbed down the second ladder. :~)
2) Indoor Skydiving - What an experience! Hard to describe, but loved it! Quick lesson on hand signals, three different very short "flights" in the wind tube. Learned turns, forward/backward and instructor lifted to a really decent height - for a beginner. LOL.
Never in my life did I ever think I would experience either one of these things let alone both! I'm still joyous at the memory of the experiences!!! LOL.
iris lilies
7-3-23, 6:49pm
Rave for stepping out of comfort zone and just "going for it"....
Long weekend at a sibling's and ended up with two "firsts"...
1)Ziplined - while not a long one, it was great as a first experience. Had to climb a ladder, walk across a wire to get to the launch platform (considered THIS to be the biggest accomplishment - LOL) and then actually step off the platform. It was wonderful!!!! Siblings took video and I was apparently laughing the moment I stepped off to the moment I was unhooked and climbed down the second ladder. :~)
2) Indoor Skydiving - What an experience! Hard to describe, but loved it! Quick lesson on hand signals, three different very short "flights" in the wind tube. Learned turns, forward/backward and instructor lifted to a really decent height - for a beginner. LOL.
Never in my life did I ever think I would experience either one of these things let alone both! I'm still joyous at the memory of the experiences!!! LOL.
That sounds wonderful! Better you than me:~)
We made it! Thankfully our 1700 miles move is over! Almost everything is unloaded with boxes everywhere. Now we can take our time organizing! It was an adventure just getting here. I was worried about DH falling asleep while driving since he did so much heavy manual labor. But no, I was the one .. DH freaked out! I followed his car pulling a trailer. He watched in the rear view mirror as I hit the rumble strip, overcompensated and fought to get the car under control. The people behind me sure gave me a wide berth after that! We did a lot in a short time! I think it is understandable to be exhausted for a while! I have lots to be thankful for!
Awesome happystuff! Never even heard of indoor skydiving!
Congratulations, frugal-one! Although it will be more work, try to enjoy the "settling into home" process.
So glad to have a day off. Been horribly busy at work the last week or so. I’m just staying in. Supposed to be around 90 today. I have a proofreading/editing prophecy for the WI State Office of Historic Preservation that my WI diving instructor works for as a maritime archaeological. It’s on the ghost ports of Kewaunee County on Lake Michigan. These were small commercial ports that came and went with the lumber boom. 300 plus pages, although there are a lot of references and such at the end. I’m at about page 70. It’s due on Friday. I aim to get most of it done today.
iris lilies
7-4-23, 1:33pm
So glad to have a day off. Been horribly busy at work the last week or so. I’m just staying in. Supposed to be around 90 today. I have a proofreading/editing prophecy for the WI State Office of Historic Preservation that my WI diving instructor works for as a maritime archaeological. It’s on the ghost ports of Kewaunee County on Lake Michigan. These were small commercial ports that came and went with the lumber boom. 300 plus pages, although there are a lot of references and such at the end. I’m at about page 70. It’s due on Friday. I aim to get most of it done today.
Crap! It is that hot in Chicago? we are coming tomorrow to the botanical gardens.
Crap! It is that hot in Chicago? we are coming tomorrow to the botanical gardens.
Yes. And horribly humid too.
So glad my Global Entry application finally changed status to conditionally approved. Took FIVE months to get there. Got the email notification last night. Went online immediately to get an interview appt. I was able to snag one TOMORROW at the Rockford, IL airport. That’s about an hour from me. Nothing was available at O’Hare. I don’t have the days off available to go elsewhere so I got this one.
iris lilies
7-10-23, 10:01am
Yes. And horribly humid too.
Chicago weather wasn’t bad. It was downright lovely Saturday, and not bad at all yesterday.
The Chicago Botanical Gardens are wonderful AND they treated our Lily Society like Royalty. They gave us a big beautiful room for the show, they made available meeting room space of various sizes, their staff was at attention and running to get things we needed, and now it seems they will even store the local group’, tubes and bases for future shows. This is unprecedented!
and compared to what the Missouri botanical gardens in St. Louis does for our plant societies it is such a contrast. MO BOT pretty much discourages plant societies from public shows or much else from anymore. Well, they are not going to be in my will.
Chicago weather wasn’t bad. It was downright lovely Saturday, and not bad at all yesterday.
The Chicago Botanical Gardens are wonderful AND they treated our Lily Society like Royalty. They gave us a big beautiful room for the show, they made available meeting room space of various sizes, their staff was at attention and running to get things we needed, and now it seems they will even store the local group’, tubes and bases for future shows. This is unprecedented!
and compared to what the Missouri botanical gardens in St. Louis does for our plant societies it is such a contrast. MO BOT pretty much discourages plant societies from public shows or much else from anymore. Well, they are not going to be in my will.
I remember being there years ago when a local group was doing a Bonsai show/display. I’d forgotten about it until you mentioned the local lily group.
I used to meet my friend there when our kids were small and it was about half way in between us and we would let the kids run and we got to admire the plantings and get ideas.
I'm in a "I love my home" mood. DH refinished the floors in June. I am going to confess that I wound up getting new furniture for the living room--not just for aesthetics but because I felt so bad when DH and had company over and we sat in our big "thrones" and other people had to sit on hard kitchen chairs. I bought a one-armed loveseat that fits 3 small-medium people and a club chair for DH. We removed the rather large bistro table we used as an end table and also we removed and moved to my office the big imposing Governor Winthrop desk.
When I look around at the new floors and more welcoming living room, along with the cheery wallpaper and the stained glass window I bought on eBay, and the bright primary color palette and the natural elements of bamboo shades and the very few pieces of wall art and lamps that I brought from home that I love, I can honestly say, I love my home.
Now I have to work on my office because it's way too cluttered with furniture, but that won't take too much work. New paint job, removing furniture and books I don't need, reorganizing, and it will be done. And once it's done I will be working AT my great-aunt's desk rather than just using it as a big storage unit in a living space.
iris lilies
7-11-23, 3:20pm
Catherine, that sounds so nice! I still like your wallpaper a lot but I would choose the pink version.
Catherine, that sounds so nice! I still like your wallpaper a lot but I would choose the pink version.
haha, I hate pink, so to each their own... (But the pink wallpaper is cute, too).
Oh, when I talk about my home-rave, I'm not even talking about my garden, which is doing very well this year. You will see there are vines climbing up the pergola.. those are lonicera (honeysuckle) that I just planted this year. There are a lot of buds on them and they'll probably bloom next week. You can also see in the background the milkweed, echinacea, and Shasta daisies (not in bloom yet). I also have some beautiful wild geraniums this year and some lavender Veronica my daughter gave me for Mother's Day. I also added an elderberry bush.
5586
Catherine, that sounds so nice! I still like your wallpaper a lot but I would choose the pink version.
I grew up with different coral/rose wallpapers in our living rooms, but unlike antique furniture and decorative glassware, it never got old for me.
I grew up with different coral/rose wallpapers in our living rooms, but unlike antique furniture and decorative glassware, it never got old for me.
I don't know why I never liked pink/coral. Maybe I just prefer the warmer colors on the red color wheel, like orange-red, terra cotta, pumpkin. Pink is at the bottom of the barrel. And I do not have one piece of pink clothing in my closet.
Catherine, your yard is lovely!
Catherine, your yard is lovely!
Thank you, Jane!
It is spectacular, Catherine, a totally cool lake cottage!
I don't know why I never liked pink/coral. Maybe I just prefer the warmer colors on the red color wheel, like orange-red, terra cotta, pumpkin. Pink is at the bottom of the barrel. And I do not have one piece of pink clothing in my closet.
I lean warm too, but I like some shade of most colors. None of my memorable wallpapers were pastels.
happystuff
7-11-23, 6:05pm
Ditto on the beautiful yard, catherine! Looks like a lovely space to sit and enjoy some outside time.
iris lilies
7-11-23, 6:20pm
That yard is darling! So picture perfect cute. A magazine will come and photograph that. What do you put on your paths?
Global Entry interview this morning went very quickly. Maybe 2-3 minutes. A few questions, fingerprints, a photo. I should have response in a few weeks. The Rockford Airport is so small it was a really good choice. I was able to park very close to the office where I had to go. Parking is free for the first two hours. It was an hour’s drive each way, but so much better than dealing with O’Hare.
Catherine I hope that you haven’t been affected by all the rain there. The stories and images look pretty frightening.
Global Entry interview this morning went very quickly. Maybe 2-3 minutes. A few questions, fingerprints, a photo. I should have response in a few weeks. The Rockford Airport is so small it was a really good choice. I was able to park very close to the office where I had to go. Parking is free for the first two hours. It was an hour’s drive each way, but so much better than dealing with O’Hare.
Glad to hear that it went well. I can only imagine what ohare would’ve been like. I hate that airport. Most of our friends here that have global entry or tsa pre have gone to Sacramento for the interview for similar reasons to yours. Faster appointments and ultimately an easy process.
Glad to hear that it went well. I can only imagine what ohare would’ve been like. I hate that airport. Most of our friends here that have global entry or tsa pre have gone to Sacramento for the interview for similar reasons to yours. Faster appointments and ultimately an easy process.
I was very lucky I got the notice Sunday night I could schedule an appt and got the appt this morning. I was really lucky. O’Hare didn’t have any appts for weeks.
Catherine I hope that you haven’t been affected by all the rain there. The stories and images look pretty frightening.
Thanks, jp.. all is fine where I am. We're on an island, so the only thing that happened was the lake swelled a little, but we are fine. Soggy lawns and gardens is all. I feel bad for all those places in VT I know so well, like Ludlow, Weston and Londonderry that have had major flooding. We have a friend who owns an inn in Landgrave (between Londonderry and Weston) and I really hope he is OK.
That yard is darling! So picture perfect cute. A magazine will come and photograph that. What do you put on your paths?
Thanks, Tybee, happystuff and IL...
IL, we just put down mulch--my vision is to eventually add some type of stone--blue stone or flagstone--as stepping stones on the path, but it's not a priority this year.
Thanks, jp.. all is fine where I am. We're on an island, so the only thing that happened was the lake swelled a little, but we are fine. Soggy lawns and gardens is all. I feel bad for all those places in VT I know so well, like Ludlow, Weston and Londonderry that have had major flooding. We have a friend who owns an inn in Landgrave (between Londonderry and Weston) and I really hope he is OK.
I was worried about you, too. Glad to hear you’re OK.
catherine
7-11-23, 10:15pm
I was worried about you, too. Glad to hear you’re OK.
Thanks, Tradd... I'm glad your Global Entry appointment got scheduled!
Thanks, Tradd... I'm glad your Global Entry appointment got scheduled!
And done!
Teacher Terry
7-12-23, 2:10am
I saw Vermont on the news tonight and was wondering about you Catherine. Glad you are safe.
I'm supposed to be in Ludlow next week for a craft class but i don't think that will happen. I've seen such awful drone footage. I never think of VT when i think of natural disasters.
rosarugosa
7-12-23, 6:08am
I love your garden, Catherine. Surely I'm not the only one who thinks we need to see pictures of your interior updates?
And I already got my global entry approval. Already added the number to my reservation for December trip.
Congratulations, Tradd. Catherine, truly glad you are okay there--the photos out of Montpelier are so terrible.
Told landlord I wanted to renew a few months back. I’ll be here in this place 15 years come September.
Just renewed my lease (small 1 BR rented condo). Rent has been $975/month for at least a year. Increase to $1K. Rent started at $800 back in 2008. Landlord can be a jerk at times, but the cheap rent is worth it. I’m at least $300, probably more, below market for the area (nice NW burb of Chicago). Friends have had $200-300/month increases recently. I’m in my mid-50s and don’t really care if I never buy. I have the option to move at end of lease if I want. I don’t have to worry about repairs, etc. I have no desire for a yard. This works for me. Ground floor too.
Saw my first moose today. He was trotting down the road in front of our house and went off into the woods next door. At first I thought it was a loose skinny horse, then realized what it was. He looked to be an adolescent.
iris lilies
7-16-23, 12:16am
Saw my first moose today. He was trotting down the road in front of our house and went off into the woods next door. At first I thought it was a loose skinny horse, then realized what it was. He looked to be an adolescent.
Wow! They are such odd creatures. I would like to see one.
rosarugosa
7-16-23, 5:56am
That's exciting, Tybee! I've only seen one at the wildlife place in Gray, ME.
happystuff
7-16-23, 8:32am
That is exciting, Tybee! I've seen them a couple of times just off the road when visiting in the New England area years ago. They can be massive!!
They can indeed be massive, Happy. Iris, he was odd looking to me because like Rosa, I've only seen them where she has seen them, at that Gray Wildlife park, where we have been with the grandchildren. This is my first in-the-wild sighting and I thought we would have to go way up north to see one, like Mt Desert or something. And he was right in front of my house. It was most interesting to see his gait--it was a fast, uncollected trot that covered a lot of ground.
iris lilies
7-16-23, 9:34am
My friend from now up in new Hampshire has had family up that way for decades. He tells a story which I think it’s a true story and might be about one of his relatives. She ran into a moose on the highway. He was so tall that, the top of her car scraped his torso and the top of her car came off, but she was fine although covered with blood and guts. The poor moose, of course was decimated.
My friend from now up in new Hampshire has had family up that way for decades. He tells a story which I think it’s a true story and might be about one of his relatives. She ran into a moose on the highway. He was so tall that, the top of her car scraped his torso and the top of her car came off, but she was fine although covered with blood and guts. The poor moose, of course was decimated.
We traveled over the Green Mountains one night to get to our rental house one summer and at one point on the very dark road we saw a car on the opposite side of the road stopped and flashing his headlights at us. We stopped and immediately realized that he was telling us that there was a moose in the road, who stood next to our Honda Fit and all we could see from our vantage point in the car were his legs--his torso was higher than the roof of our car. That's the only moose I've ever seen, but that week we bought a hand-made moose Christmas ornament with the year written on it, which reminds us of our encounter every Christmastime.
sweetana3
7-16-23, 11:25am
Having living in Alaska we saw lots and lots of moose. They roamed around our house downtown and my brother still sees them. Used to have one that would arrive at the ammo storage area and ask to be let in. Then when ready to go out he would stand at the gate until the guard let him out.
You need to be very careful if any calves are around since a mother moose will even fight a bear if her calf is in danger.
They can crush a car or pickup if hit.
Having living in Alaska we saw lots and lots of moose. They roamed around our house downtown and my brother still sees them. Used to have one that would arrive at the ammo storage area and ask to be let in. Then when ready to go out he would stand at the gate until the guard let him out.
You need to be very careful if any calves are around since a mother moose will even fight a bear if her calf is in danger.
They can crush a car or pickup if hit.
During the three years I was in Alaska during the 70's I must have seen hundreds of moose, mostly just meandering around and stopping traffic as they stepped out onto roadways.
A fellow I worked with saw a calf on the side of the road one day and stopped to admire it, It's mother, who was on the other side of the road, didn't appreciate his attention and charged his truck and turned it over by striking it from the side.
Wow, the car stories are impressive.
Worked my butt off Friday night through Saturday night to deep clean my entire house as well as do all the laundry. I normally deep clean the house every other weekend but do it in small sections Friday night through Sunday afternoon. For some reason I decided to try to get it all done by Saturday so I could wake up on Sunday knowing that I had NOTHING on my to do list for the day. Got to tell you... it felt great!!!
Worked my butt off Friday night through Saturday night to deep clean my entire house as well as do all the laundry. I normally deep clean the house every other weekend but do it in small sections Friday night through Sunday afternoon. For some reason I decided to try to get it all done by Saturday so I could wake up on Sunday knowing that I had NOTHING on my to do list for the day. Got to tell you... it felt great!!!
That is SUCH a good feeling!! Enjoy the day!
iris lilies
7-23-23, 9:23am
Worked my butt off Friday night through Saturday night to deep clean my entire house as well as do all the laundry. I normally deep clean the house every other weekend but do it in small sections Friday night through Sunday afternoon. For some reason I decided to try to get it all done by Saturday so I could wake up on Sunday knowing that I had NOTHING on my to do list for the day. Got to tell you... it felt great!!!
a clean house is such a nice thing. My own house is under construction but a few rooms are newly done. I love having “ new” stuff because to get ready for guests all I have to do is sweep floors and clean toilets. Nothing is dirty or grungy but for the obviously “under construction” areas.
I lost a total of 9.4 lbs and K. lost a total of 12 lbs. on our month of July 29-day diet! We are breaking out of it today to go out to eat in Santa Fe at a Tapas place. My intention is to still somewhat follow the plan but not be such a tight-a** about it because it kind of was a real pain in the butt to follow all the rules. My intention is to maintain the three meals a day of home-cooking, a morning snack of fruit/veggies/or nuts, one afternoon snack of the same, very low sugar, much fewer carbs (and better-for-you carbs such as steel-cut oats, brown rice, wild rice, very little bread), no eating after dinner. One exception is that I am going to allow myself some ice cream on Friday nights - what's the point of anything if you can't have a few treats here and there?
It seemed like I was always grocery shopping for this diet plan and that we spent a LOT of money on it, but I ran the numbers and I think it all pretty much equaled out over the month. I was buying salmon/steak/pork chops/pork loin/roast beef/almond butter/etc which felt like it really added up but if you factor in all the soda pop, the ice cream runs, the taco truck lunches, occasional restaurant meals/cheese/booze which was NOT being purchased, we ended up spending around a total of $674 to feed two people, or $337 for each person, which seems pretty dang good considering the cost of groceries these days!
SQ, that’s great to hear!
I'm an ice cream fiend but I only eat it in the afternoon since I am retired now. Just had a bowl of vanilla bean with fresh peaches.
Teacher Terry
7-29-23, 10:13pm
SQ, that’s great about the weight loss!! I spend 300/month feeding myself so perfectly reasonable what you are spending.
I bough a Ninja Creami with the idea that I could create varieties of ice cream (sweet cream!) tailored to my own preferences, but now I'm thinking I'll put it away until I move to my final resting place, whenever or wherever that is. :~)
frugal-one
8-9-23, 10:17pm
Happy to see the large turnout in Ohio where they wanted to change the majority vote hoping to later get the ban on abortion in the history books.
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/ohio-vote-shows-enduring-power-abortion-rights-ballot-102134946/
Happy to see the large turnout in Ohio where they wanted to change the majority vote hoping to later get the ban on abortion in the history books.
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/ohio-vote-shows-enduring-power-abortion-rights-ballot-102134946/
It's interesting that 78% of the money spent to defeat the issue came from out of state, and nearly 85% off the money coming in to support the November abortion initiative has come from out of state as well.
I had no idea the rest of the country were so interested in influencing our fly-over state's governance.
frugal-one
8-9-23, 10:37pm
Making sure it does not set a precedent??
iris lilies
8-9-23, 11:47pm
It's interesting that 78% of the money spent to defeat the issue came from out of state, and nearly 85% off the money coming in to support the November abortion initiative has come from out of state as well.
I had no idea the rest of the country were so interested in influencing our fly-over state's governance.
it kind of makes a mockery of states rights.
rosarugosa
8-10-23, 6:40am
I am finally seeing some hummingbird action in my front pollinator garden! Ironically, they started showing up the day I took down my hummingbird feeder in defeat. I've been putting out the feeder for 3 years, and I am diligent about cleaning it and changing the nectar, etc. It's supposedly a good feeder from the wild bird store, but I've never had a single customer, so it's a bit of effort for nothing. Fortunately, I am also growing plants they are supposed to like, and the Cuphea 'Vermillionaire' really seems to attract them the most, although they also visit the zinnias and the Salvia 'Skyscraper.'
I should also mention that we hosted a family of cardinals this year, and it was so much fun watching the babies grow up. I think it is hilarious how the male feeds the female so sweetly during courtship, but at this point in the season he will hip-check her to get the safflower feeder to himself, lol.
it kind of makes a mockery of states rights.
I believe it's important for every citizen of every state to have access to ballot initiatives separate from state legislative control; that's completely in line with states' rights, in my mind.
iris lilies
8-10-23, 3:16pm
I believe it's important for every citizen of every state to have access to ballot initiatives separate from state legislative control; that's completely in line with states' rights, in my mind.
Even citizens from without the state where the ballot initiative takes place? Nope, disagree.
But there’s no law against money coming into influence it, so be it.
It’s like public libraries who have recently adopted as part of their “ book challenge “policy that the library will act only on challenges that are submitted by taxpayers or people who live within the jurisdiction.
My library one’s got a “challenge” of sorts from a national organization, a blanket letter clearly sent to many libraries across the country, about how chiropractic medicine was represented in our collection, and they wanted changes made to it. I didn’t pay attention to that. Local control, local standing.
early morning
8-12-23, 11:11am
I believe it's important for every citizen of every state to have access to ballot initiatives separate from state legislative control; that's completely in line with states' rights, in my mind.
Totally agree with Jane, but would not mind if out of state money were barred. I don't see how that can happen, though, as transparency in political funding is completely lacking.
Oh, and Alan - you forgot to include the fact that about 85% percent of the money raised to attempt to PASS this issue came from out of state, as well. So plenty of outside support on BOTH sides. I guess Ohio doesn't have enough mega-donors, eh?
frugal-one
8-16-23, 10:17pm
Closing was today! Love the place we bought. Now on to planning and making it our own. Goal is to get a few things changed (ceiling fans) and fixed (fix and screen in porch) before the year end holidays. Looking forward to being settled….. the past 5 months have been a whirlwind!
Congratulations Frugal! Buying ceiling fans sounds so fun.
Teacher Terry
8-17-23, 12:22pm
Glad everything went well with the closing!!
Apple Music now has a separate app for classical music. I have an Apple Music subscription so I can access it. I love Bach and found an album of his complete lute works on guitar. 90 min of soothing music to listen to at work.
happystuff
8-17-23, 5:49pm
Congrats, Frugal!!!!
frugal-one
8-17-23, 6:46pm
Thank you for the kind words. Yea, I am not looking forward to shopping but there are things that will be replaced. Not necessarily that they are worn out but because they are either ugly or do not match what we want. The plan is to have this be our last home so we want everything to be the way we want it.... cost is not a variable. Unlike IL... I do not relish the shopping or continual looking on line. I never understood how anyone could enjoy shopping??? I find it tedious and a waste of time... especially now... after Covid and the disruption of supply chains. It is one of the few things DH and I argue about. Neither wants to go. I have refused to make it my job alone. We sold almost everything so there are also things that will need to be replaced. Some things that are not immediate needs will be put on a list for Black Friday or other sale days. Hopefully, it will go smoothly???
iris lilies
8-17-23, 7:11pm
Thank you for the kind words. Yea, I am not looking forward to shopping but there are things that will be replaced. Not necessarily that they are worn out but because they are either ugly or do not match what we want. The plan is to have this be our last home so we want everything to be the way we want it.... cost is not a variable. Unlike IL... I do not relish the shopping or continual looking on line. I never understood how anyone could enjoy shopping??? I find it tedious and a waste of time... especially now... after Covid and the disruption of supply chains. It is one of the few things DH and I argue about. Neither wants to go. I have refused to make it my job alone. We sold almost everything so there are also things that will need to be replaced. Some things that are not immediate needs will be put on a list for Black Friday or other sale days. Hopefully, it will go smoothly???
if you’re shopping only for utilitarian things then yes that is boring and I don’t like it. I spend a lot of time shopping for things that “spark joy” as Marie Kondo would say and price has little to do with it. But shopping can go very quickly —I ordered a car over the phone in about 2 1/2 minutes by saying. “Hey, Ed, I want a Ford bronco sport in that weird blue color, and I don’t want a lot of junk on it “ and the deal was done. I had no interest shopping around dealers to see who can get me the better deal, we just ordered it from our friend who sells cars.
on the other hand, it took two years of looking at Chinaware to decide on dishes I want, and they were obviously much much cheaper than the car. But the car was utilitarian and simply has to get me from point A to point B and have a hatch that opens to 36 inches like my previous car. It was easy ro identify.
The dishes are different. They need to fit in with the historic vibe of my historic house, be a pleasing color and pattern (spark joy) be easy to get piecemeal on eBay, and hold up to microwave and dishwasher use.
frugal-one
8-17-23, 7:21pm
I don't enjoy even for things I really want.... to spark joy as you say. Interesting on how we all find pleasure in different things. I could care less about dishes. I use corelle and am totally happy. I do want our place decorated to reflect us so I am picky too. Hopefully the process will be quicker than I think!!!
iris lilies
8-17-23, 8:47pm
I don't enjoy even for things I really want.... to spark joy as you say. Interesting on how we all find pleasure in different things. I could care less about dishes. I use corelle and am totally happy. I do want our place decorated to reflect us so I am picky too. Hopefully the process will be quicker than I think!!!
I have a little Corelle that I shopped for very carefully, taking time you wouldn’t like! I wanted cereal bowls to coordinate with Lenox China at my condo but I didn’t want to pay an arm and a leg for Lenox so I found some simple Corelle that is an excellent color match.
frugal-one
8-18-23, 5:33am
I can understand matching ... the Corelle I have is very pretty. I had a set and found the same at a garage sale for 10 cents a piece. So I mainly took the plates and bowls so we have many.
happystuff
8-18-23, 6:41am
The dishes conversation makes me smile, as I still use the Corelle dishes we got as wedding gifts over 30 years ago.
I too use Corelle. The all white ones. They are light, fit easily in the dishwasher, and the cupboard. Now mugs are a different story. None of them match and I like that. I started out with Franciscan in 73- way too heavy and dark, then white from Penny's that eventually crazed, then white Phaltzcraft, now the the Corelle- it's probably 20 years old.
As for a Rave- Male hummingbird at the feeder this morning. Three females all eating together. They are definitely getting ready for migrating. Oh, and the Merlin app. It is fantastic! Tells me what bird calls are around...maybe I will finally learn to recognize them.
Teacher Terry
8-18-23, 10:48am
When I dumped my husband I kept some of the small plates for dog dishes and gave him the rest. Since I didn’t have to worry about him chipping them I bought new dishes that I love. Corelle was also great when raising kids for everyday dishes. I have always had good dishes too. I have had 4 different patterns of corelle in the past 50 years because I would get sick of looking at them:)).
catherine
8-18-23, 10:50am
I am not fussy about dinnerware anymore. I bought thrift store stuff when I moved up here, and then when we transitioned from NJ I replaced it with the Fishs Eddy dishes I've had for a long time.
I am not particularly fond of Corelle, frankly, but I do have one piece of it I love--this photo shows a piece of my MIL's Corelle set being used as a saucer for her oxalis (shamrock) plant that she owned and cultivated for decades. This is THE plant in THE dish that sat on her kitchen table since the 1990s.
5600
iris lilies
8-18-23, 11:18am
Awww, that shamrock plant is nice, I find them so cheerful.
frugal-one
8-18-23, 7:09pm
There are not many patterns of Corelle I like so am lucky to have found one of the few. Heard that the new Corelle shatters and is not good??? you
That's right, the new Corelle shatters and is dangerous, at least that was what I found once they started making it in China. The old is fine.
All our everyday dishes are Corelle, nothing fancy, plain white. Boring maybe but works for us.
iris lilies
8-18-23, 8:24pm
All our everyday dishes are Corelle, nothing fancy, plain white. Boring maybe but works for us.
You are yet another person who does not need his dinnerware to “spark joy.!” And that is fine. Probably a new digital device sparks joy for you, but for me, that would be something have to figure out how to get it to work which means I probably have to read instructions. Unlike like with dishes, I don’t have to read instructions.
happystuff
8-19-23, 7:40am
That's right, the new Corelle shatters and is dangerous, at least that was what I found once they started making it in China. The old is fine.
The old stuff would shatter as well when it hit the "right spot". I remember when I was a pre-teen, an older sibling was showing someone how the dishes wouldn't break by flipping it and letting it fall to the floor. It worked twice, then a sandwich plate hit the floor and shattered into a million pieces. After the initial shock of seeing the plate shatter, we all just started laughing hysterically. LOL
That's right, the new Corelle shatters and is dangerous, at least that was what I found once they started making it in China. The old is fine.
Old Corelle shattered, too! We had it growing up in the 70s and 80s. My mother was once struggling to open a pickle jar while standing at her place at the kitchen table. Jar slipped, fell on her plate, and shards everywhere.
I have Corelle from maybe 2005 and it was made in the US.
ApatheticNoMore
8-19-23, 3:37pm
And new Corelle is NOT made in China. It's just not. Now the company that currently owns it is the one that makes Instapot and is being destroyed by venture capital, so no bets on the future, but if you want some American made Correlle, it is still here for now.
https://www.corelle.com/product/winter-frost-white-16-piece-mugless-dinnerware-set-service-4
"Crafted with pride in Corning, New York"
I have bought Corelle, even recently (replacing pieces when they break and they do not break easily), it says made in the U.S. on it, so I can confirm this.
I am a huge fan of plain white Correlle. It's so easy to clean (actually all Correlle is), I do dishes by hand, as I don't have a dishwasher here. Things that actually cost a lot of money? Lol my stainless steel cookware was kind of pricey. It it to spark joy? Ocassionally, but mostly it's to make dinner.
Teacher Terry
8-19-23, 6:12pm
Sometimes the old corelle would split in half while sitting in the cupboard. I always figured it was a piece that had been dropped previously and eventually just split.
I spent an evening at a wedding once talking to a chemical engineer about Corelle shattering--we both thought it was absolutely fascinating, and a fun topic of conversation.
I’d forgotten how nice it is to get up and out early on a Saturday to get errands done! Both dive buddies cancelled last minute last night as they had to work. Car needed an oil change and my favorite place is by an old office 20 min away, that I can only get to on Sat. Was there at 8 when they opened, then did quick grocery shopping, and a car wash. I was home by 930. Did some cleaning and decluttering at home. Gave away a bunch of canned goods and some salad forms I never used on local Buy Nothing group. Did laundry and ran dishwasher. I’m now settled in for a long hot bath and some reading.
iris lilies
8-19-23, 6:56pm
I don’t know why people are so focused on their dinnerware not shattering. I suppose if you have a house full of kids, it might be a concern.
Dropping dinner plates it’s just not some thing that happens regularly in my life.
iris lilies
8-19-23, 6:57pm
That sounds like a lovely, relaxing Saturday night Tradd.
I will powered myself to drop off a box of clutter to Goodwill. I took care of a couple other errands while I was out and about, so today I feel like I am a bit ahead of the game, and that feels good.
Teacher Terry
8-21-23, 10:55am
IL, They are more likely to be dropped by kids and then it’s hard to find every sliver so a toddler doesn’t eat it or someone doesn’t step on it and gets it in their foot. The shattering brings back memories of those days.
catherine
8-21-23, 11:07am
I don’t know why people are so focused on their dinnerware not shattering. I suppose if you have a house full of kids, it might be a concern.
Dropping dinner plates it’s just not some thing that happens regularly in my life.
I agree... plus if its inability to shatter means it's going to last until the next eon, I'll take a shattered dish and reorder a used one on eBay.
rosarugosa
8-22-23, 6:26am
I will powered myself to drop off a box of clutter to Goodwill. I took care of a couple other errands while I was out and about, so today I feel like I am a bit ahead of the game, and that feels good.
That is always a good feeling! We unexpectedly knocked off a couple of extra errands on Sunday and it felt really good.
This isn't a "rave" but definitely not a "rant" and definitely not deserving of its own thread, so I'm parking it here...
I have had recurring dreams during my life--and one of them is, I always have a recurring baby dream. The first one came about when I became a market researcher, in which my prospective boss literally delivered my baby, and IRL I became a market researcher, mentored by that boss.
In later years, whenever I was at a crossroads, I would have baby dreams...
So, I was intrigued when last night I had another baby dream, which I won't go into in detail because it's always so boring to listen to other peoples' dreams. But it leaves me wondering... why? The feelings in this dream ranged from interest, to fear, to desperation, to search for relief.
I'm connecting it to the fact that my work slowed down considerably this year. I always book 20 projects a year; I'm down 50%. I always average a certain revenue number; that number is down 60%. I am now worried about my future. I have lain awake nights pondering what I should do if the work totally dries up? Do I continue on this path, or do I "birth a new baby"?
I, unfortunately, am not ready to retire. So I'm searching for that elusive baby. I have already decided to update my webpage (my brother owns a website business and would do it for free) and do some active selling (I've always been the proverbial Honda salesman, who doesn't have to sell. The sales have just come). But I'm also exploring other income-generating ideas that may be more fulfilling, even if they earn me less... like searching for grants with environmental market research projects. I've considered writing a cultural/social history of life in the late 20th century, targeted to us Baby Boomers. (maybe that's the "baby"?)
I wish I knew what that "baby" was!
iris lilies
9-5-23, 2:28pm
This isn't a "rave" but definitely not a "rant" and definitely not deserving of its own thread, so I'm parking it here...
I have had recurring dreams during my life--and one of them is, I always have a recurring baby dream. The first one came about when I became a market researcher, in which my prospective boss literally delivered my baby, and IRL I became a market researcher, mentored by that boss.
In later years, whenever I was at a crossroads, I would have baby dreams...
So, I was intrigued when last night I had another baby dream, which I won't go into in detail because it's always so boring to listen to other peoples' dreams. But it leaves me wondering... why? The feelings in this dream ranged from interest, to fear, to desperation, to search for relief.
I'm connecting it to the fact that my work slowed down considerably this year. I always book 20 projects a year; I'm down 50%. I always average a certain revenue number; that number is down 60%. I am now worried about my future. I have lain awake nights pondering what I should do if the work totally dries up? Do I continue on this path, or do I "birth a new baby"?
I, unfortunately, am not ready to retire. So I'm searching for that elusive baby. I have already decided to update my webpage (my brother owns a website business and would do it for free) and do some active selling (I've always been the proverbial Honda salesman, who doesn't have to sell. The sales have just come). But I'm also exploring other income-generating ideas that may be more fulfilling, even if they earn me less... like searching for grants with environmental market research projects. I've considered writing a cultural/social history of life in the late 20th century, targeted to us Baby Boomers. (maybe that's the "baby"?)
I wish I knew what that "baby" was!
so, when WILL you be ready to retire? What defines that event?
so, when WILL you be ready to retire? What defines that event?
When I have all debt paid, including the mortgage
When I have about $250k in the bank
When I can live solely on social security, which for DH and I would be about $60k a year.
This is like looking through a telescope at a distant shore.
iris lilies
9-5-23, 4:37pm
When I have all debt paid, including the mortgage
When I have about $250k in the bank
When I can live solely on social security, which for DH and I would be about $60k a year.
This is like looking through a telescope at a distant shore.
That seems reasonable, an expectation to live on $60,000 (with no mortgage) plus $250,000 in the bank.
The rest of it…I have no idea if it is achievable. I don’t know how much your debt is and how much you bring in each year, but I am sorry your income is dropping unexpectedly.
My (as usual) unsolicited advice is to put every damn penny, and every life action, toward reducing the debt at this point. Your time is running out. You may not be able to achieve the nicety of $250,000 in the bank. And please god let there be no ideas of giving children money as part of this plan. Once you achieve the $250,000 and no debt, THEN give kids $ if you still have contracts rolling in and you are not 85 years old.
I personally would be embarrassed if my mother was a senior citizen and slogging along in a tiring job just to give me money.
That seems reasonable, an expectation to live on $60,000 (with no mortgage) plus $250,000 in the bank.
The rest of it…I have no idea if it is achievable. I don’t know how much your debt is and how much you bring in each year, but I am sorry your income is dropping unexpectedly.
My (as usual) unsolicited advice is to put every damn penny, and every life action, toward reducing the debt at this point. Your time is running out. You may not be able to achieve the nicety of $250,000 in the bank. And please god let there be no ideas of giving children money as part of this plan. Once you achieve the $250,000 and no debt, THEN give kids $ if you still have contracts rolling in and you are not 85 years old.
I personally would be embarrassed if my mother was a senior citizen and slogging along in a tiring job just to give me money.
I am with you... My intention at this point is, if I am not earning money I'm going to work actively to save aggressively via more home cooking, mending, deleting subscriptions, paring down to the bone, pulling back on the "Mom and Dad gimmes." Honestly, though, any money we've given our kids isn't their fault--it has been all on DH and me. Our kids are not moochers. A couple of kids in particular are always asking us how we're doing financially--not out of self-interest, but out of concern.
Even BIL didn't come up to my son's birthday party yesterday because he only has 2.12 in his account until payday, and he never asked for the money. I did offer to give him gas money, but he declined.
iris lilies
9-5-23, 5:52pm
I am with you... My intention at this point is, if I am not earning money I'm going to work actively to save aggressively via more home cooking, mending, deleting subscriptions, paring down to the bone, pulling back on the "Mom and Dad gimmes." Honestly, though, any money we've given our kids isn't their fault--it has been all on DH and me. Our kids are not moochers. A couple of kids in particular are always asking us how we're doing financially--not out of self-interest, but out of concern.
Even BIL didn't come up to my son's birthday party yesterday because he only has 2.12 in his account until payday, and he never asked for the money. I did offer to give him gas money, but he declined.
oh, I completely agree, I see your kids as being very good kids, independent and not expecting handouts. We all know why they get handouts.;) And they are appreciative of what you and your DH have done for them.
And frankly, they are smart to be asking about your financial situation because that could blow back on themselves having to support you. Just saying, it does does happen.
oh, I completely agree, I see your kids as being very good kids, independent and not expecting handouts. We all know why they get handouts.;) And they are appreciative of what you and your DH have done for them.
And frankly, they are smart to be asking about your financial situation because that could blow back on themselves having to support you. Just saying, it does does happen.
Thanks, IL... true.
IL, I needed to read your posts tonight. Was talking to my son tonight who just blew an engine and here I am thinking, oh gosh, can we spare a thousand dollars, and oh gosh, maybe I should give him my car. YIKES! Insane thinking on my part.
You never get over being a mother or father, I think. My dad was still trying to give me money two months before he died. My mom was still offering me a place to live, saying I could move into the nursing home with her.
My recurring dream is my mom is showing me a house that she had forgotten she had, and leading me through it, and giving me this house, out of the blue. It's slightly different every time but always very familiar. Or, the other recurring dream is that I get back the house that I lost in my divorce, and various things have happened to it, but it's mine again.
Catherine, I agree that your dream of living on 60,000 social security money, with 250,000 in the bank and no mortgage, is imminently reasonable. It is a solid plan. I also think the more you can relax about the work, the more creative you will become in figuring it out, either getting more clients or morphing the business into something else. You are extremely good at this and an excellent planner. Maybe things are slowing down so that you can have the energy and time to go in the new direction.
Catherine, I agree that your dream of living on 60,000 social security money, with 250,000 in the bank and no mortgage, is imminently reasonable. It is a solid plan. I also think the more you can relax about the work, the more creative you will become in figuring it out, either getting more clients or morphing the business into something else. You are extremely good at this and an excellent planner. Maybe things are slowing down so that you can have the energy and time to go in the new direction.
Thank you, Tybee, for the encouragement. I need it.
Teacher Terry
9-6-23, 12:29pm
Catherine, wouldn’t selling your house to your son meet the criteria you have set for retirement? What’s the plan to make that happen?
Catherine, wouldn’t selling your house to your son meet the criteria you have set for retirement? What’s the plan to make that happen?
Q.1: Nope. it would only go toward the savings part, but we don't have that much equity in the house. I will not be able to draw down any of the house money for living expenses. It will only be for emergencies.
Q.2: My son is getting a bonus in October and we will have made the transaction by year's end. We have renegotiated the price upwards to account for the dead time and rise of the market
iris lilies
9-6-23, 1:40pm
Q.1: Nope. it would only go toward the savings part, but we don't have that much equity in the house. I will not be able to draw down any of the house money for living expenses. It will only be for emergencies.
Q.2: My son is getting a bonus in October and we will have made the transaction by year's end. We have renegotiated the price upwards to account for the dead time and rise of the market
Thank goodness the price of your house will reflect recent market gains. Not being a fan of real estate as investment, I was more than a little worried about that. The sale price doesn’t even have to be top of the market I am just happy that your son is not getting a family discount at your expense.
Teacher Terry
9-6-23, 4:55pm
That’s good news Catherine!
Catherine: Is your DH generating any earned income at this point? It sounds like he is such a people person that I could envision him enjoying seasonal work at a local shop for example, and that would help move you closer to achieving your goals.
iris lilies
9-7-23, 10:11am
Catherine: Is your DH generating any earned income at this point? It sounds like he is such a people person that I could envision him enjoying seasonal work at a local shop for example, and that would help move you closer to achieving your goals.
I thought that too. I can see the DH doing exactly that, and enjoying it, and, adding value to the business he works for. But I don’t think the DH, as delightful as he is, shares financial goals. I think of him more as the “it will all work out. “approach to finances.
I thought that too. I can see the DH doing exactly that, and enjoying it, and, adding value to the business he works for. But I don’t think the DH, as delightful as he is, shares financial goals. I think of him more as the “it will all work out. “approach to finances.
Yeah, he definitely is completely clueless when it comes to finances. Definitely when it comes to ant vs grasshopper, he is the grasshopper in the family. He did mention maybe getting a job this winter... his problem is that he had his own business for so long it makes him a very difficult employee. He went for a job at the boat marina last spring, which on paper was such a great idea!! One of the guys there suggested he should apply for manager, and he just ran with that. He wrote up a whole plan for how he could improve the marina, but unfortunately, what he didn't do is ask his prospective boss what THEY wanted. This marina is a very low key operation, and DH presented plans for building a restaurant, renting tubes and other pool toys, having leadership sessions with the deck hands... I think he scared the marina owner off..
If he finds the right position in which he could exert a little of his big shot personality without being too demanding as an employee, I think he'd be great.
iris lilies
9-9-23, 4:41pm
I have discovered a new sub species of feline:
Felis silvestrus catus subsp antiboxus
My cats are of this antiboxus sub. They do not like boxes. They have no interest in boxes. They walk by boxes with no curiosity.
rosarugosa
9-10-23, 5:50am
IL: Are you sure they are really cats and not imposters?
iris lilies
9-10-23, 8:55am
IL: Are you sure they are really cats and not imposters?
Hmmmm, perhaps. I had not considered that a possibility. I guess when they die, we can do an autopsy to see what’s really behind their furry flesh.
happystuff
9-10-23, 9:23am
LOL. Very funny cat conversation. I would LOVE if my (now 1) cat didn't like boxes. As it is, there are currently three cardboard boxes around my living room floor. LOL
iris lilies
9-10-23, 9:39am
LOL. Very funny cat conversation. I would LOVE if my (now 1) cat didn't like boxes. As it is, there are currently three cardboard boxes around my living room floor. LOL
Yes! You have an authentic catus.
iris lilies
9-19-23, 11:10am
There is a feral cat colony a couple of blocks away from me. Someone has built them a little wooden shack cat house to shelter them. I think the same people feed the cat colony. The girl cats always look fat. There is one skinny cream colored cat who may be old. Several times I have seen him peeking out of the cat house when I drive by, in nice weather. I have wondered if he is near death since he is laying inside on nice days.
Then, 10 days ago I saw a bit of cream colored fluff in the road. On no! Did he get attacked by a fox and this was evidence of that fight? What happened to him? I assumed he was gone. Didnt see him for a while.
But yesterday! I saw him. He was hanging out with his cat gal pals and a red cat who is probably male.so, he is safe for a while. He was laying down in the grass while the others were sitting, so I still wonder if he is old and weak, but he is surviving.
This week has been very stressful and horrid at work, but today is calmer. I was given permission from the salesidiot to tell a douche bag new customer that we would not be able to do his first customs clearance or anything else for him. It felt soooo good. Guy gives wrong paper, doesn’t tell us it had shippers, blah blah blah. Very bad communication. He was throwing a fit this morning that shipment hadn’t been cleared yet. He created the delays and problems. So glad I don’t have to waste any more time on him.
Not only is it Friday but it's "end of the month" Friday which means it's time to deep clean the house and take down some of the September's seasonal decor and put up my Halloween decor. Since I don't have a ton of Halloween decor, I keep most of my Fall decor up and just add little touches of Halloween decor to it.
I like this idea of deep cleaning the house one day a month--maybe I should try that.
I like this idea of deep cleaning the house one day a month--maybe I should try that.
Used to do it every other weekend but there was literally no dirt to clean up. Obviously I do light cleaning daily and more in depth (scrubbing bathrooms/dusting/vacuuming/etc) every weekend. But there is something to doing a deep clean more than just once or twice a year that feels so good. I can't imagine how bad the baseboards, fan blades, tiled floors, cobwebs, etc would be if I only Spring Cleaned once a year or once in the Spring and once in the Fall like some do.
Yes, it sounds effective and I would know it was being done if I scheduled it regularly. I like that.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.