Blog for week of August 23rd-29th
Good Samaratan
Wednesday I stopped at my local Winco to pick up a couple of pizzas and some ice cream for dinner that night. This was all I had in my cart, and I am often irratated that several years ago Winco took out the "10 items or less" lines that should have speeded me on my way. So I was stuck in a line behind several very full carts. Right in front of me was a woman in one of those motorized carts that Winco provides for their customers. She paid for one little item, but she had a bunch of other things on the conveyor belt, too. She proceeded to explain to the checker that she would have to stop at $30, as these other items were for a handicapped friend, and this person had only given her $30. When the magic number was arrived at, the checker picked up the phone to ask someone to return the other items to their rightful places.
Behind me was a man with a small child. This gentleman walked past me, and offered to pay for the addtional items that this woman didn't have the money to cover. The additional groceries came to about $18, which would have been more than I had in my wallet after buying my groceries, had I even thought of being so nice. This man was profusely thanked by the lady in the motorized cart, he took his place behind me again as my purchases were rung up and bought.
I don't know who this man was, but he was a wonderful example to me of service to strangers. I hadn't even considered doing something like this, even if I had had the extra money to do it.
Although in the past I have ponyed up a dollar or two if someone was short, this time I didn't even consider helping out. I have a long ways to grow!
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SSAG
Just a new moniker I coined after my son, Josefus Awrightus, described himself as a "Single Socially Awkward Guy." Would fit for those females that consider themselves "Singly Socially Awkward Gal," too. Think it will take?
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Diary of a Spinster in Lenawee Co., Michigan
While this really belongs on my genealogy blog, thought I'd drop a line here about my latest genealogical discovery. Friday night I was looking at the USGenWeb site for Lenawee County Michigan, and something told me to take a look at a diary kept by a woman in the county from 1835 to 1873. Needless to say, some of my relatives were mentioned in it, and I have a few more clues to look into. More information will be available soon on my genealogy blog.
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Splish Splash
We spent Saturday at Lacamas Lake on a picnic with my brother & his wife. The entertainment provided for us was unbelievable, it sure made our day. We picnicked on the larger lake, rather than the round lake, arriving about noon and setting up camp at a picnic table overlooking the dock and boat launch. When we first got there, a large group of teen-agers stood on the dock, attired in swimming suits. There were so many of them, that the dock was in danger of sinking into the lake. They provided our first entertainment, by jumping in the lake over and over, and in general horsing around. They left in a bit, to be replaced by three young men who were fishing from the dock. Next was the capsized canoe. We didn't see it capsize, but did notice two people in the water, hanging on to the side. They managed to eventaully drag it across the lake and got to a private dock. We couldn't see all that was going on, but next thing we know, they were back in it and paddling across the lake again. Lots of boats, kayaks, canoes, went out of the boat launch. Including a boat owned by the Camas Police Department. We saw fishermen, although I can honestly say I've never seen anyone catch a fish in Lacamas Lake. Except for the bald eagle today, who swept down onto the lake and picked up what appeared to be a fish. Maybe the fishermen were using the wrong bait.
But the most interesting entertainment was provided by a group of young men, about 4 or 5 of them, who brought with them a ramp and bicycle. "This is going to be good," we all thought as we settled in for a good hour or more of fun. These young men took turns riding down the hill on the bike, hitting the ramp--and into the water. These were fairly cautious young men, they had a life jacket which they used when it was their turn, and the bike also had water wings attached to the handlebars so it wouldn't sink. One kid was probably a little more timid, and we kept expecting him to hurt himself as he refused to let go of the bike. Another one dumped the bike shortly after take-off and managed to get quite aways ahead of the bike. They began to get trickier with each jump--doing mid-air spins before hitting the water. Nice climax to a fun day!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Moving Day, Part Deux
Our second moving project in 3 weeks. My brother said it best--if anyone else moves in the next 30-60 days, that's it--anyone else moving after that who requires help is on their own!
That said, we helped twin #2 (aka Pink Avenger) move yesterday. In some ways this was a little easier than her twin's move just 3 weeks ago. Okay, maybe the only thing easier was that it wasn't pushing 100 degrees. The hardest part was 3 flights of stairs--they have moved into a townhouse that is essentially on 3 floors. First floor is the garage, which came in handy because we decided to leave most of the boxes in the garage to save climbing one to 2 flights of stairs. Some of us have back and knee issues, and climbing all those stairs got to be too much. Second floor is the main living area, third floor is the bedrooms, full bathroom, and laundry room. They don't own a washer and dryer yet, but I pity the poor guys who will have to take those up three flights of stairs. Don is quite the trooper, though. In spite of his own back, shoulder and knee problems, he hung in there and did most of the work. Drove the U-Haul truck, did a lot of moving, put the table and two beds together, and who knows what else he did. My brother was also a hard-worker, and he has his own physical issues to deal with. He mentioned several times that all the years he was a smoker has affected his stamina and lung capacity, and he has asthma. His inhaler was his best friend yesterday. His wife has major back issues, and did very little of the moving, but excelled in packing and unpacking.
I think I have it down now, should we have to move ever again. (1). Weed out the stuff you don't want or need anymore. That can be done anytime, doesn't have to wait for the move. (2). Start packing early. Label the boxes with what's in them, and what room they go to (in the case of things like books, dvds/videos, etc.). Pack everything that isn't needed and store somewhere like a garage (if you have one). (3). Try to have everything packed when your helpers come. No one likes to do a moving project that turns into a packing project, too. (4). If at all possible, move a little at a time. You'd have to have access to the new digs early to do this, and Pink Avenger wasn't able to pick up their key until that morning. And if you can do this, you can be on the way to unpacking, too. Example: Dishes and kitchen things that you can get by without for a few days before you move. (5). Take a good look at your cupboard/drawer space in your new kitchen. Decide ahead of time where you want to put things as you unpack. If you have someone helping unpack, be sure they are aware of how you want your kitchen set up. Then you don't have to re-do it later on. (6). Take a good look at the room layouts, so that you know ahead of time where things should go (aka TV, couch, bed, dressers, etc.).
During Esre's move, Marvin (brother) told about an episode of an old "Honeymooners" TV show he had watched. For those who are too young to remember this, this was an early TV show starring Jackie Gleason and Art Carney. They were moving a dresser, without any luck (too heavy). One of them, I think it was Art Carney's character, noticed that the drawers were still in the dresser, so they took them out, stacked them on top, and were able to move the dresser. One trick we've used in moves over the years is to take the dresser drawers out of the dresser, move them separately as if they were boxes, and then move the rest of the dresser. At the new home, put the drawers back and that's it for unpacking/packing the dresser.
On another note, Don has decided we won't sell our house and move anytime soon. I don't think he wants to go through this ever again in his lifetime.
That said, we helped twin #2 (aka Pink Avenger) move yesterday. In some ways this was a little easier than her twin's move just 3 weeks ago. Okay, maybe the only thing easier was that it wasn't pushing 100 degrees. The hardest part was 3 flights of stairs--they have moved into a townhouse that is essentially on 3 floors. First floor is the garage, which came in handy because we decided to leave most of the boxes in the garage to save climbing one to 2 flights of stairs. Some of us have back and knee issues, and climbing all those stairs got to be too much. Second floor is the main living area, third floor is the bedrooms, full bathroom, and laundry room. They don't own a washer and dryer yet, but I pity the poor guys who will have to take those up three flights of stairs. Don is quite the trooper, though. In spite of his own back, shoulder and knee problems, he hung in there and did most of the work. Drove the U-Haul truck, did a lot of moving, put the table and two beds together, and who knows what else he did. My brother was also a hard-worker, and he has his own physical issues to deal with. He mentioned several times that all the years he was a smoker has affected his stamina and lung capacity, and he has asthma. His inhaler was his best friend yesterday. His wife has major back issues, and did very little of the moving, but excelled in packing and unpacking.
I think I have it down now, should we have to move ever again. (1). Weed out the stuff you don't want or need anymore. That can be done anytime, doesn't have to wait for the move. (2). Start packing early. Label the boxes with what's in them, and what room they go to (in the case of things like books, dvds/videos, etc.). Pack everything that isn't needed and store somewhere like a garage (if you have one). (3). Try to have everything packed when your helpers come. No one likes to do a moving project that turns into a packing project, too. (4). If at all possible, move a little at a time. You'd have to have access to the new digs early to do this, and Pink Avenger wasn't able to pick up their key until that morning. And if you can do this, you can be on the way to unpacking, too. Example: Dishes and kitchen things that you can get by without for a few days before you move. (5). Take a good look at your cupboard/drawer space in your new kitchen. Decide ahead of time where you want to put things as you unpack. If you have someone helping unpack, be sure they are aware of how you want your kitchen set up. Then you don't have to re-do it later on. (6). Take a good look at the room layouts, so that you know ahead of time where things should go (aka TV, couch, bed, dressers, etc.).
During Esre's move, Marvin (brother) told about an episode of an old "Honeymooners" TV show he had watched. For those who are too young to remember this, this was an early TV show starring Jackie Gleason and Art Carney. They were moving a dresser, without any luck (too heavy). One of them, I think it was Art Carney's character, noticed that the drawers were still in the dresser, so they took them out, stacked them on top, and were able to move the dresser. One trick we've used in moves over the years is to take the dresser drawers out of the dresser, move them separately as if they were boxes, and then move the rest of the dresser. At the new home, put the drawers back and that's it for unpacking/packing the dresser.
On another note, Don has decided we won't sell our house and move anytime soon. I don't think he wants to go through this ever again in his lifetime.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Birthday Girl
I celebrated a birthday a few days ago. They're getting harder to face each year as I get older and older. Some days I feel as old as dirt. Others, I wonder how I got to be this old, especially when I still feel like I'm about 20.
It was a nice day. I wondered who would be the first to wish me a happy birthday, figuring it would be my sister-in-law, who was taking me to lunch to celebrate. But surprise! Don called me about 8 a.m. and he was the first! DD Heffalump was next, calling about 11. Sis-in-law was #3.
We ate at Sweet Tomatoes, she had never been there before. It was a good lunch, and afterwards we went to Walmart. She bought me a helium butterfly balloon.
I was still full from lunch, so Don & I had a light supper, then off to my brother & sister-in-law's for the family celebration. It was originally going to be at twin #2's apartment, but it was about 100 degrees that day so sis-in-law offered their air-conditioned home for the party.
My gifts were great, all needed and/or appreciated. From Don I am getting a new genealogy program that works with new Family Search, have to download it still. And the promise of a dinner out in the very near future. From dd Ardyth, the gift that keeps on giving--coupons for a great activity every month. September's is a walk through the historic NW part of town (I grew up there and it has changed a LOT over the years) and dessert at Rose's. I read through all the other months, and there are activities like a manicure/pedicure, movie night, homemade ice cream night, and more. DDs Myra and Pink Avenger made me a beautiful red & blue quilt, which is now residing on our bed. Heffalump had previously given me a dvd titled "Lt. Robinson Crusoe," which starred Dick Van Dyke and was a Disney movie from the '60's. Ezre gave me some storage crates to use in my "new" craft room. Brother & Sis-in-law gave me a red bag, red umbrella, and a package of M&M's Premium Triple Chocolates.
There goes another year, all shot to heck, as Don has said. Let's see what the next year brings.
It was a nice day. I wondered who would be the first to wish me a happy birthday, figuring it would be my sister-in-law, who was taking me to lunch to celebrate. But surprise! Don called me about 8 a.m. and he was the first! DD Heffalump was next, calling about 11. Sis-in-law was #3.
We ate at Sweet Tomatoes, she had never been there before. It was a good lunch, and afterwards we went to Walmart. She bought me a helium butterfly balloon.
I was still full from lunch, so Don & I had a light supper, then off to my brother & sister-in-law's for the family celebration. It was originally going to be at twin #2's apartment, but it was about 100 degrees that day so sis-in-law offered their air-conditioned home for the party.
My gifts were great, all needed and/or appreciated. From Don I am getting a new genealogy program that works with new Family Search, have to download it still. And the promise of a dinner out in the very near future. From dd Ardyth, the gift that keeps on giving--coupons for a great activity every month. September's is a walk through the historic NW part of town (I grew up there and it has changed a LOT over the years) and dessert at Rose's. I read through all the other months, and there are activities like a manicure/pedicure, movie night, homemade ice cream night, and more. DDs Myra and Pink Avenger made me a beautiful red & blue quilt, which is now residing on our bed. Heffalump had previously given me a dvd titled "Lt. Robinson Crusoe," which starred Dick Van Dyke and was a Disney movie from the '60's. Ezre gave me some storage crates to use in my "new" craft room. Brother & Sis-in-law gave me a red bag, red umbrella, and a package of M&M's Premium Triple Chocolates.
There goes another year, all shot to heck, as Don has said. Let's see what the next year brings.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
That Was the Week That Was - August 8-15th
There are often times when I'm driving in the car or doing other mundane things, that I think of something to blog about. So far this week I haven't had any of those times. It's just been a fairly busy week, so this will be another "That Was the Week that Was." I think there was an old TV show by that name, back in the '60's.
Saturday (8th):
Our annual "Blue Lake" family picnic. Only this year we held it at #2 dd's house. She has a nice fenced back yard with lots of play structures for the kids, a large patio with plenty of seating, a big gas barbecue that can cook lots of hamburgers and hot dogs at one time. We had a good time. There was a big water fight, too bad the 90+ degree weather didn't extend to Saturday, it was a little chilly for me to be wanting to get all wet.
Sunday (9th):
Church today. Our choir sang. It was the first time our "angels" weren't with us so that we sounded better than we really are. We started out strong, then the pianist hit a wrong note and everyone started the third verse on the wrong note. We corrected it a little later, but not soon enough, I'm afraid. Yikes! I think I want to hang up my voice for a while.
Monday:
The director of Columbia River Chorus, the Sweet Adelines Chorus I'm a member of, probably has (or had) Swine Flu this past week. He had attended Harmony University in Missouri (Kansas City or environs, I think) a couple of weeks ago, and was exposed there. Yikes! He is recovering, or so he was the last I heard.
Tuesday:
Went to the Temple, it was nice to be there. Very busy. It was the first day they were open after their summer break, and it was hard to find a place to park.
Wednesday:
Ack--another trip to Tigard, this time for Board meeting for Columbia River Chorus. I got the joy of driving all of us from Vancouver there, since I was in the only van and there were 6 of us. I hate that drive, but nonetheless, I did it anyway. Not fond of driving in Portland, especially the freeways, and during "rush hour," but I always get through it. Don't know why I dread it so, I know it's not pleasant--but I can do it! I AM WOMAN! HEAR ME ROAR! And don't get in my way!
Thursday:
Another volunteer day at the Clark Co. Genealogical Society. We're inventorying all the books in the library--which is in the thousands. My computer data-entry helper came and did lots of corrections in the library catalog, and I worked on inventorying the Oregon shelves while my partner Larry finished up Clark Co. Another lady came in for some library training. It was a busy day.
Friday:
Not much went on, although I did go to Trader Joe's to stock up on some of the fun foods we like to eat from there. DS Joe came over for dinner and a visit.
Saturday (15th):
Went garage saling with dh, we were looking for a small radio to use in the bathroom, and a bookshelf for my "new" craft room (since twin #1 took hers out of my new/her old room. We were successful on both counts. Had lunch at Sonic Burger, then went for a drive past Lacamas Lake and region. Came home, took a nap, did computer stuff, went to Walmart and now dh is working on a friend's car door problem.
This-n-that:
TweakMASTER 3, one of the software titles I do technical support for, was released a week ago. I am hopeful my work will pick up so I can make a little money. I used to do pretty good at it, but business has been slow for the past year or so. Drat this economy, anyway!
I'm thinking of writing a book. Nothing exciting, just a family history of one of my lines: the Millet's of Voluntown, New London, Connecticut. At the geneology society library I was reading a magazine article while eating lunch, which was about a woman who wrote a book on her family, and suddenly all sorts of cousins appeared out of the woodwork. I need some new cousins, especially from descendants of a couple of sons I have lost. Of course, these cousins may not even know who they descend from, but I'd love to straighten this family out.
Saturday (8th):
Our annual "Blue Lake" family picnic. Only this year we held it at #2 dd's house. She has a nice fenced back yard with lots of play structures for the kids, a large patio with plenty of seating, a big gas barbecue that can cook lots of hamburgers and hot dogs at one time. We had a good time. There was a big water fight, too bad the 90+ degree weather didn't extend to Saturday, it was a little chilly for me to be wanting to get all wet.
Sunday (9th):
Church today. Our choir sang. It was the first time our "angels" weren't with us so that we sounded better than we really are. We started out strong, then the pianist hit a wrong note and everyone started the third verse on the wrong note. We corrected it a little later, but not soon enough, I'm afraid. Yikes! I think I want to hang up my voice for a while.
Monday:
The director of Columbia River Chorus, the Sweet Adelines Chorus I'm a member of, probably has (or had) Swine Flu this past week. He had attended Harmony University in Missouri (Kansas City or environs, I think) a couple of weeks ago, and was exposed there. Yikes! He is recovering, or so he was the last I heard.
Tuesday:
Went to the Temple, it was nice to be there. Very busy. It was the first day they were open after their summer break, and it was hard to find a place to park.
Wednesday:
Ack--another trip to Tigard, this time for Board meeting for Columbia River Chorus. I got the joy of driving all of us from Vancouver there, since I was in the only van and there were 6 of us. I hate that drive, but nonetheless, I did it anyway. Not fond of driving in Portland, especially the freeways, and during "rush hour," but I always get through it. Don't know why I dread it so, I know it's not pleasant--but I can do it! I AM WOMAN! HEAR ME ROAR! And don't get in my way!
Thursday:
Another volunteer day at the Clark Co. Genealogical Society. We're inventorying all the books in the library--which is in the thousands. My computer data-entry helper came and did lots of corrections in the library catalog, and I worked on inventorying the Oregon shelves while my partner Larry finished up Clark Co. Another lady came in for some library training. It was a busy day.
Friday:
Not much went on, although I did go to Trader Joe's to stock up on some of the fun foods we like to eat from there. DS Joe came over for dinner and a visit.
Saturday (15th):
Went garage saling with dh, we were looking for a small radio to use in the bathroom, and a bookshelf for my "new" craft room (since twin #1 took hers out of my new/her old room. We were successful on both counts. Had lunch at Sonic Burger, then went for a drive past Lacamas Lake and region. Came home, took a nap, did computer stuff, went to Walmart and now dh is working on a friend's car door problem.
This-n-that:
TweakMASTER 3, one of the software titles I do technical support for, was released a week ago. I am hopeful my work will pick up so I can make a little money. I used to do pretty good at it, but business has been slow for the past year or so. Drat this economy, anyway!
I'm thinking of writing a book. Nothing exciting, just a family history of one of my lines: the Millet's of Voluntown, New London, Connecticut. At the geneology society library I was reading a magazine article while eating lunch, which was about a woman who wrote a book on her family, and suddenly all sorts of cousins appeared out of the woodwork. I need some new cousins, especially from descendants of a couple of sons I have lost. Of course, these cousins may not even know who they descend from, but I'd love to straighten this family out.
Friday, August 07, 2009
Potpouri
Clip Job
Today I got my hair cut. We hear of high unemployment rates in our area as well as nation-wide, but it must not apply at the Great Clips I go to. I got there about 9:30 this morning, and there wasn't anyone else in the place getting their hair cut. And there were at least 4 employees there, one was washing the hair of another employee, one was sitting down waiting for me, and the 4th was also sitting. Normally at this hour there is usually just two hair people there, and several customers waiting for attention. I guess money is good there if they have either hired more people, or added a couple more for this early hour (they open at 9). The gal who cut my hair looked young, perhaps a recent graduate of hair school. But she gave me the best cut I've had in a long time. She was very conscientious about making sure it was even, took her time to be sure it was done right, and actually styled it very similar to how I do it. For some reason, most hair cutters style it their way, and it isn't "my" way so I was pleased that I didn't have to go home and fix it.
I'm Only Buying Yarn
#3 dd told me that Fred Meyers was having a "buy one get one free" sale on their yarn this week. I need more yarn like I need another child, but those were magic words to me, so on my way home from getting my hair cut, I stopped at Fred Meyers, since there was one sort of on my way home. Turned out it was "buy two get one free," (I must have mis-heard or mis-remembered) but what the heck, I want to make a sweater (if I can find the pattern I have used in the past), and two skeins of yarn isn't going to do it. Plus, I got 7 oz. skeins instead of 5 oz, so hopefully I will have enough. But it's Red Heart yarn, which I can afford if I end up not having enough. Or I can go back before tomorrow and buy a couple more. As I walked in the door, I walked right by Women's apparel. Gee, I haven't had anything new for a while, and dh gave me a little $$ a while back to spend on myself, so why not? There was a "buy one get one free" on their clearance rack, too. I picked out two tops, one was clearanced at $30, the other $28. So for about $14.50 each, I have two new tops. A great buy, until I realized that I seldom spend that much on a top--Walmart's prices are MUCH cheaper. Oh well, one is a nice one for church, the other is casual. I also bought a deli sandwich for my lunch.
Cash For Clunkers--Whose Idea Was This, Anyway?
I don't know if you are all aware of the rules for this debacle, or what they do with your "clunker" when you trade it in, but I think this a ridiculous program. We got a postcard in the mail last week, promoting this stupid plan, and telling us that our 1992 Pontiac Transport minivan qualified for the program. Under the guidelines, you can receive either $3,500 or $4,500 trade-in on your "clunker." Well, I've never thought of my Transport van (which ds is driving) as a "clunker," but since it's rated mpg is 18, it qualifies. I always found that it got better mileage than my MP3 minivan, but checking their web site, they claim that car is rated at 19mpg, which is not low enough to qualify. The program is trying to get old gas-guzzling automobiles off the road, get people to buy a new fuel-efficient car, and save Detroit at the same time. Trouble is, you can pretty much buy any car, including foreign cars, as long as they get better mileage. The amount you get off the new car depends on how good the mileage is. Now if they were really interested in saving Detroit, they would say we have to buy American made cars. And do you know what they are doing with the trade-ins? No, not reselling (after all, the Feds want these cars off the road). No, they are destroying them. I heard several ads for this program on the radio today as I drove around, bragging about taking sledge hammers to these cars and destroying them. One of my dsil's watched a video online showing them pouring something into the motors to seize them up, then crushing them. ACK!
Now, I find several things wrong with this program.
1. Most people are driving these "clunkers" because they can't afford a new car. So they fall for this line, and suddenly saddle themselves with a $300-$400 car payment for the next 5 to 7 years.
2. The "clunker" cannot be any older than 25 years old. So most of these "clunkers" being traded in are 1990's and even 2000's models. The real, true "clunkers" are still on the road (I'm talking these vintage big old 70's & '80's gas hogs).
3. Those of us who drive "clunkers" because we can't afford or don't want to buy a new car, will eventually be upgrading to these '90's and 2000 models. Or would, if we could find any to buy. The fools who are falling for this program are conveniently allowing the Feds to take these cars off the road. What will we buy when our current "clunkers" wear out? Well, I guess we're all slated to ride the bus. Which hurts the economy because suddenly, there will be fewer people licensing cars each year, buying car insurance, gas, oil, tires, etc.
4. With fewer of these cars around, those who kept their "clunkers" will find car parts hard to come by. None of these cars will be in the wrecking yard, the makers of parts for these cars will cut back because after all, there isn't the demand for them. If you can't fix your clunker, what do you do? Give in to the system and buy a new car (but the Cash for Clunkers program will be non-existant by then, so no help there)? Ride the bus?
I imagine the junked out, crushed cars will be shipped off to Japan, where the Japanese auto makers will melt it all down and use it to make more cars to sell to the stupid Americans!
I don't think there's anyone with half a brain running our government these days. They need to listen to real people. Real people are who get these guys elected to office. I will remember this when the next election comes along.
I am grateful that we are within walking distance to most everything we need should the day come when we can't fix and drive our "clunkers." And on two bus lines for those places that we can't walk to.
Today I got my hair cut. We hear of high unemployment rates in our area as well as nation-wide, but it must not apply at the Great Clips I go to. I got there about 9:30 this morning, and there wasn't anyone else in the place getting their hair cut. And there were at least 4 employees there, one was washing the hair of another employee, one was sitting down waiting for me, and the 4th was also sitting. Normally at this hour there is usually just two hair people there, and several customers waiting for attention. I guess money is good there if they have either hired more people, or added a couple more for this early hour (they open at 9). The gal who cut my hair looked young, perhaps a recent graduate of hair school. But she gave me the best cut I've had in a long time. She was very conscientious about making sure it was even, took her time to be sure it was done right, and actually styled it very similar to how I do it. For some reason, most hair cutters style it their way, and it isn't "my" way so I was pleased that I didn't have to go home and fix it.
I'm Only Buying Yarn
#3 dd told me that Fred Meyers was having a "buy one get one free" sale on their yarn this week. I need more yarn like I need another child, but those were magic words to me, so on my way home from getting my hair cut, I stopped at Fred Meyers, since there was one sort of on my way home. Turned out it was "buy two get one free," (I must have mis-heard or mis-remembered) but what the heck, I want to make a sweater (if I can find the pattern I have used in the past), and two skeins of yarn isn't going to do it. Plus, I got 7 oz. skeins instead of 5 oz, so hopefully I will have enough. But it's Red Heart yarn, which I can afford if I end up not having enough. Or I can go back before tomorrow and buy a couple more. As I walked in the door, I walked right by Women's apparel. Gee, I haven't had anything new for a while, and dh gave me a little $$ a while back to spend on myself, so why not? There was a "buy one get one free" on their clearance rack, too. I picked out two tops, one was clearanced at $30, the other $28. So for about $14.50 each, I have two new tops. A great buy, until I realized that I seldom spend that much on a top--Walmart's prices are MUCH cheaper. Oh well, one is a nice one for church, the other is casual. I also bought a deli sandwich for my lunch.
Cash For Clunkers--Whose Idea Was This, Anyway?
I don't know if you are all aware of the rules for this debacle, or what they do with your "clunker" when you trade it in, but I think this a ridiculous program. We got a postcard in the mail last week, promoting this stupid plan, and telling us that our 1992 Pontiac Transport minivan qualified for the program. Under the guidelines, you can receive either $3,500 or $4,500 trade-in on your "clunker." Well, I've never thought of my Transport van (which ds is driving) as a "clunker," but since it's rated mpg is 18, it qualifies. I always found that it got better mileage than my MP3 minivan, but checking their web site, they claim that car is rated at 19mpg, which is not low enough to qualify. The program is trying to get old gas-guzzling automobiles off the road, get people to buy a new fuel-efficient car, and save Detroit at the same time. Trouble is, you can pretty much buy any car, including foreign cars, as long as they get better mileage. The amount you get off the new car depends on how good the mileage is. Now if they were really interested in saving Detroit, they would say we have to buy American made cars. And do you know what they are doing with the trade-ins? No, not reselling (after all, the Feds want these cars off the road). No, they are destroying them. I heard several ads for this program on the radio today as I drove around, bragging about taking sledge hammers to these cars and destroying them. One of my dsil's watched a video online showing them pouring something into the motors to seize them up, then crushing them. ACK!
Now, I find several things wrong with this program.
1. Most people are driving these "clunkers" because they can't afford a new car. So they fall for this line, and suddenly saddle themselves with a $300-$400 car payment for the next 5 to 7 years.
2. The "clunker" cannot be any older than 25 years old. So most of these "clunkers" being traded in are 1990's and even 2000's models. The real, true "clunkers" are still on the road (I'm talking these vintage big old 70's & '80's gas hogs).
3. Those of us who drive "clunkers" because we can't afford or don't want to buy a new car, will eventually be upgrading to these '90's and 2000 models. Or would, if we could find any to buy. The fools who are falling for this program are conveniently allowing the Feds to take these cars off the road. What will we buy when our current "clunkers" wear out? Well, I guess we're all slated to ride the bus. Which hurts the economy because suddenly, there will be fewer people licensing cars each year, buying car insurance, gas, oil, tires, etc.
4. With fewer of these cars around, those who kept their "clunkers" will find car parts hard to come by. None of these cars will be in the wrecking yard, the makers of parts for these cars will cut back because after all, there isn't the demand for them. If you can't fix your clunker, what do you do? Give in to the system and buy a new car (but the Cash for Clunkers program will be non-existant by then, so no help there)? Ride the bus?
I imagine the junked out, crushed cars will be shipped off to Japan, where the Japanese auto makers will melt it all down and use it to make more cars to sell to the stupid Americans!
I don't think there's anyone with half a brain running our government these days. They need to listen to real people. Real people are who get these guys elected to office. I will remember this when the next election comes along.
I am grateful that we are within walking distance to most everything we need should the day come when we can't fix and drive our "clunkers." And on two bus lines for those places that we can't walk to.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Moving Day (or why I've decided never to move again)
Yesterday was moving day. No, not for me, but for one of my daughters.
When they were married a year and a half ago, they were pretty poor, and couldn't afford much in the way of rent payments. So they settled for a small, one bedroom apartment about a mile & a half up the road from us. It wasn't a bad apartment, just small--and these two kids have a lot of STUFF! It made a nice home for them, until recently. They have a lousy upstairs neighbor, had a ceiling cave in due to a leak in same upstairs neighbor's apartment, then were visited by rodents who found a hole in a wall not fixed by the repairmen who repaired the ceiling and wall damage done by the leak.
DD's husband now makes pretty good money and their lease was up, so they decided it was time to move on up in the world. They also decided they wanted no more upstairs neighbors. Just a couple of weeks ago, dd found the ideal place--a 2 bedroom townhouse in a small complex not too far away. So yesterday was "moving day."
Helpers began arriving as early as 7:30 yesterday morning (myself, dh, and dd's twin sister). Followed shortly after by my brother and his minivan. Then in-laws arrived at some point while we were delivering the first two loads to the new digs, and eventually the twin dd's dh found his way there. I say "found his way," because when Don & I were arriving with another load, here was twin dd standing on the curb, and off in the distance we could see a red vehicle climbing the hill towards us. Twin dd said that her dh had passed it up unknowingly, then called her cell phone for directions. The red vehicle we saw was him.
Cell phones are marvelous inventions--they were used a LOT yesterday!
Did I mention it was also more than 90 degrees yesterday? Did I mention there were stairs involved?
We had 3 pickup trucks, two mini-vans and one Toyota car shuttling things from the old place to the new. By 2-ish, we'd all had enough. But most importantly, almost all of their belongings were now at their new home. They've paid rent on the old place for August, so what's left as well as the cleaning, can be done another day or two.
They sure had a lot of "stuff" for a couple who has only been married a year and a half (almost).
And in another month, we'll probably be doing this for the twin dd, too! Ack! But twin dd promises their move will be easier, since her dh didn't have as much stuff.
It's been almost 20 years since we've moved, and I hope it will be another 20 years before we move again. And we'll pick a different time of year when we do move--I hate it when it's HOT!
When they were married a year and a half ago, they were pretty poor, and couldn't afford much in the way of rent payments. So they settled for a small, one bedroom apartment about a mile & a half up the road from us. It wasn't a bad apartment, just small--and these two kids have a lot of STUFF! It made a nice home for them, until recently. They have a lousy upstairs neighbor, had a ceiling cave in due to a leak in same upstairs neighbor's apartment, then were visited by rodents who found a hole in a wall not fixed by the repairmen who repaired the ceiling and wall damage done by the leak.
DD's husband now makes pretty good money and their lease was up, so they decided it was time to move on up in the world. They also decided they wanted no more upstairs neighbors. Just a couple of weeks ago, dd found the ideal place--a 2 bedroom townhouse in a small complex not too far away. So yesterday was "moving day."
Helpers began arriving as early as 7:30 yesterday morning (myself, dh, and dd's twin sister). Followed shortly after by my brother and his minivan. Then in-laws arrived at some point while we were delivering the first two loads to the new digs, and eventually the twin dd's dh found his way there. I say "found his way," because when Don & I were arriving with another load, here was twin dd standing on the curb, and off in the distance we could see a red vehicle climbing the hill towards us. Twin dd said that her dh had passed it up unknowingly, then called her cell phone for directions. The red vehicle we saw was him.
Cell phones are marvelous inventions--they were used a LOT yesterday!
Did I mention it was also more than 90 degrees yesterday? Did I mention there were stairs involved?
We had 3 pickup trucks, two mini-vans and one Toyota car shuttling things from the old place to the new. By 2-ish, we'd all had enough. But most importantly, almost all of their belongings were now at their new home. They've paid rent on the old place for August, so what's left as well as the cleaning, can be done another day or two.
They sure had a lot of "stuff" for a couple who has only been married a year and a half (almost).
And in another month, we'll probably be doing this for the twin dd, too! Ack! But twin dd promises their move will be easier, since her dh didn't have as much stuff.
It's been almost 20 years since we've moved, and I hope it will be another 20 years before we move again. And we'll pick a different time of year when we do move--I hate it when it's HOT!
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