NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on May 3, 2023 12:52:42 GMT -5
... They were them to the last. I had real trouble learning how to buy new. Throwing out stuff with residual value is very hard. But, I'm learning. but that also, to a certain extent, throws a stick in the spokes of the "scarcity mindset" debate. We really need to keep on mind why we do certain things and that may be different for different items. As I mentioned before I grew up somewhat poor but I never feared not having what I needed. That was the result of choices made by my parents generation. Thinking back on it I believe that them losing most of their childhood due to growing up in war torn Europe led them to believe that it was best for kids never to have to worry for as long as you could keep up the facade of "safety". It worked for most people. Now, despite that I have a horribly hard time getting rid of things that are still perfectly fine. It is not like I am a hoarder (except for craft supplies - that got totally out of control at one time) I just don't buy anything new. For instance, getting back to Nidena's stepmom and her plates: as I am slowly preparing for my next move I am deciding what needs to go and what I will take. I decided that my plates, serving bowls/dishes, etc., are not coming with. They will be donated and I will buy new ones. But I have a hard time with this decision as all these items are in perfect shape. I am just bored with them and have been for a long time. Did I mention that I bought this dinnerware in the early 70s and they have moved a few dozen times - including 6 intercontinental moves? Obviously I am not holding onto them from a scarcity mindset. For me it is a " the earth has limited resources so use them well" thing. My rather overstocked pantry on the other hand has a scarcity background but only in that a natural disaster (earthquake) could strike at any time and the possibility of scarce food is real. Ok, very long post only to say that we should not simplify the reasons why we do things too much lest a discussion about it becomes meaningless.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on May 3, 2023 11:00:30 GMT -5
I had the Versa for 11 years until I got sandwiched in May 2019. Really nice (though basic) car. In those years I only had to change the oil, got new tires, and that was it! No other maintenance cost at all. It even held up very well in that crash from a safety POV, as the car that rammed me as well as the car I was pushed into (only the ramming car was moving but was doing so at highway speed) were both midsize sedans and I walked away with only a seatbelt bruise. All that to say I would not hesitate to buy the Nissan. I still miss my little red car at times.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on May 2, 2023 17:01:27 GMT -5
I just took a nap and, upon waking decided to do a little more decluttering. And just like that five 3" magazine holders became 1.5 magazine holders - so roughly another 10 inches of magazines/books gone. I need to take naps more often
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on May 2, 2023 11:48:04 GMT -5
So the Big Melt in Yosemite that was predicted for the weekend did not happen. They closed large parts of the valley due to flooding concerns but they reopened early. It must bot have been warm enough up there this weekend.
Why do I bring this up you might wonder? Well, once again the Tuesday rain curse has struck (rain in May, really?) and my weekly hike has been postponed. And now I am wondering what this latest rain has done in the Sierras in general and Yosemite in particular. It is turning into an interesting year weather-wise.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on May 2, 2023 11:37:45 GMT -5
my guess it was a quoting of the wrong post and was supposed to be the one about Helen and your pups
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on May 1, 2023 18:56:34 GMT -5
My 86 year old cousin died last week. His obituary was published today. Visitation and funeral are May 12 & 13. It's a reasonable distance from my house--about 75 minutes. As long as the Mississippi has crested up there, which I was told it has, I plan to attend. I am/was closer to some of my many cousins and I was close to his family because his older sister lived in Des Moines and didn't drive. Whenever we went back "home", she always rode with his and their mom treated us to a wonderful meal. I am sorry for your loss TheOtherMe
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on May 1, 2023 14:02:41 GMT -5
So last week we had a mini heatwave, 92° on Th, sandwiched between two upper 80s days. And here it is noon on Monday and the temperature has barely cracked 56°. I am not amused. It is May and I want, no make that demand nice mid-70s days. Is that to much to ask? I think it is entirely reasonable so snap to it weather gods!
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on May 1, 2023 13:15:04 GMT -5
Who's going to the Queen concert. ME! I AM! I looked online and decided the crap seats weren't all that bad. I mean, they're technically behind the stage, but they have the center thing they walk out onto.
So jealous!
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on May 1, 2023 13:11:54 GMT -5
Today we were in Cartegena. We have been here before, and idiot us, signed up for the exact same excursion we did in Oct 2019. We bailed when we got back into town, stopping at a cafe for tapas and beer. It was a perfect day to people watch, and the weather was spectacular. We wound meeting up with other friends of ours who had been on other excursions and walked back to the ship. Once again, we docked in a city where it’s a holiday so little was open. We have done this in Istanbul, Saudi and a few more locations that have escaped my brain. I need to run down to guest services and see if we can’t organize to get a bag shipped back out of London. I figure we can pack most of our warm weather clothes, and some of the stuff we bought and send it home so we don’t have as much to haul home on our flight. I’d be quite annoyed at an itinerary that visited so many places that were closed, and not minor locations Well, in most of Europe wherever you would go things are going to be closed for May Day so that was kind of predictable. The last day of Ramadan (Istanbul?) was known before this trip started as well. And from where I am sitting I believe Mich has made the most of what is available. I am not sure you can avoid hitting certain national/religious holidays on a cruise this long. Not that that make it any less disappointing but you know that going in.. On a different subject: how are you feeling? I hope you are feeling ok and I am rooting for you!
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 30, 2023 19:12:45 GMT -5
Three dozen misc. glasses and one huge casserole dish have left the house. I love our buy nothing group on FB - things I no longer want go somewhere they will be used and I don't even have to go to GW to get rid of them
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 30, 2023 16:39:04 GMT -5
Back injuries are easy to do. I threw out my back picking up my now 19 year old niece when she was a baby. I was in my 20s and old didn't have anything to do with it. All that to say that I wouldn't look at it as being old. I mean that I'm too young for this crap, especially on the semi-regular basis that it keeps coming up. Yes you are and I hope you find a solution soon as you have had to deal with this quite long enough
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 30, 2023 15:26:43 GMT -5
I hurt my back putting on my socks this morning. These are the moments I feel doomed. I'm only 43, I'm active, healthy other than persistent anemia. But the littlest thing like rolling over in bed, folding laundry, and apparently putting on socks can stop me in my tracks, sometimes for a day, but sometimes for weeks or months. Hopefully this one is short lived. Headed to the pool and hot tub hoping that helps. - and the fact that I can go to the pool points to it being pretty minor so I'm mostly just wallowing right now. I succeeded at meal planning and grocery pick up and am making progress in getting caught up in my studies. I feel for you. I will sneeze and put out my back. Everything started to break down after I hit my forties and now that I’m past my half century mark I’m especially fragile. The whole body cramps up if I exert myself doing housework. That’s why I keep cleaning to the minimum. and if you can afford it have someone do it for you. Works perfectly as now, in my seventies, I rarely have problems with my back and never because of cleaning. Also, going barefoot (or with just slippers) eliminates the need for socks thus removing another potential danger.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 29, 2023 21:19:21 GMT -5
Not sure why you would suggest that. The current makeup of the Senate is 51-49. (Technically, I think there are two or three independents who caucus with the Democrats.) The vote was 51-47. Collins and Murkowski joined Democrats in voting for the bill. If everyone else had voted along party lines it would be 53-47. Schumer was forced by the rules to change his vote to No, thus preserving his right to again bring it up for consideration at a later date. That would make it 52-48. To the best of my knowledge, Feinstein is not back to work yet (because of health issues) and did not vote, so 51-48. There must have been one Republican who also did not vote. McConnell has had some issues lately, and I don't know if he is back yet. Otherwise, it may have been someone else. Either way, that would result in the 51-47 count. ETA: Mike Lee did not vote. Here is the roll call vote. O ut of nine Republican women in the Senate, only two voted in favor. I wish I could be shocked by that.... seven women Senators voted against equal rights....for women? did i get that right? What can you say? If you are one of those "conservatives" probably something along the lines of "at least there are still a majority of women in this " GRAND" old party who know their place" Double and 1000x this
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 29, 2023 19:38:48 GMT -5
He needs to address that sooner than later and research squatters rights. I did not even think about squatters rights, even though I have a vague idea that that is a real thing. I sincerely hope Brother and B are not willing to push things so far as to try to use that and force it to be a legal issue. That would be bad enough to ignite Mister’s temper and the times I’ve seen his temper flare, the first thing he tries to do is get rid of me so I won’t be around to try to talk some sense into him and try to get him to calm down and/or leave. I have literally refused to get out of the car years ago, when he was intent on going to confront someone and raise hell. He got mad at me, but I still refused to get out the car and kept telling him we ride together, even when that means I try to stop him from being reckless. He finally got exasperated enough with me to park the damn car and go in the house, knowing I had a key to his car too, and my own car to drive and follow him if he insisted on acting up. Which I assured him I would do if necessary. If Brother and B go there, Imma tell Mister to not react personally, and lawyer up and fight it out in court. Mister has more financial resources than the 2 of them combined, and if Mister somehow comes up short with attorney fees, I have his back and would offer my own money if he needs it. So I just pray and hope that if it comes to that, Mister can control his temper and hash it out legally, in court.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 29, 2023 15:47:10 GMT -5
I just got my 2023 tax assessment and they increased the valuation of my house by $330k! There's no f'ing way. I am definitely contesting. Our triples they valued at an add'l $290k which I wouldn't have thought too much of if they weren't so far off on my house. I am sure my fellow Californians will agree when I say "long live prop 13" which prevents these ridiculous changes from happening
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 29, 2023 15:43:31 GMT -5
Today I was reviewing my financial position (no worries there) and noticed something weird: my spending profile must have changed significantly. And it must have started sometime during the Covid WFH period When I retired in December '21 I knew that I had just let cash accumulate because I did not have the energy to invest it. What did amaze me was the amount of cash I had ended up with.
Well the market did its dive and I did not need to take RMDs yet so I decided to just let it be and use some of it up as my combined SS and small pension is less than half of my last salary. Fine, so here I am and today I saw that I had a few $k more than in December '21. Strange but that was before I realized that I had moved $10k to iBonds as well.
I am very confused (pleasantly so but still) as I have not debied myself anything: I took a two week roadtrip in June with Dsis2 and we did another week just having fun here, DS2 and his family came for a week in August and I love spoiling my Grandbabies so I did. Then I went to Germany and the Netherlands for 6 weeks. As I said, no deprivation at any time. But now I need to start tracking my spending just to try and find out WHAT exactly changed. I have no clue...
Now to the question I have: did any of you notice significant changes to your habits, financial or otherwise, that you can trace back to the pandemic?
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 29, 2023 12:53:55 GMT -5
I also may or may not want bacon now. Come on over. I'll fry some up for you. Just give me enough of a heads-up to take care of the smoke detector
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 28, 2023 21:43:47 GMT -5
I know you have all been waiting with bated breath for an update so I am no longer keeping you in suspense: my smoke detector is back in place
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 28, 2023 15:59:27 GMT -5
Who said anything about selling your wine, this is for you only? You could always fill 'er up with Vodka - shudder - as that is water colored so less conspicuous
For the record: this is very tongue in cheek as I rarely drink alcoholic beverages.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 28, 2023 15:36:29 GMT -5
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 28, 2023 14:33:51 GMT -5
A totally uninteresting and mundane contribution to this thread for you to enjoy (endure?) I LOVE bacon. I don't eat it very often because it is not that good for my hips and those packages are too large for a single person and my freezer is quite full (a Covid shortages hold over - keep that thing filled just in case). And then there is the fire alarm. While I love the sizzling of frying bacon, my fire alarm feels like it has to join in the fun and that is less pleasurable.
Today I had bacon with my brunch and it went perfectly. I even remembered to put the alarm outside on my balcony table before starting. Now to remember to put it back up LOL, but my food was great..
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 28, 2023 14:20:11 GMT -5
I got my assignment for tomorrow's beautification day. I get the men's soccer team to build raised beds with concrete blocks and fill with soil, clean a small pond, and build a retaining wall. I'm going to die by noon. Why? Declare yourself the supervisor/management and have those men doing the heavy lifting. So your day should go something like this:
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 28, 2023 2:05:37 GMT -5
Why is Opti paying the deductible, if AAA damaged her car? She indicated that her insurance said she would have to pay the deductible if she involved them?
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 27, 2023 20:19:31 GMT -5
Another 10" of books and magazines gone. About 1/3 to donations, the rest to recycling. I have also found some books I had forgotten I had but which I now thoroughly enjoy perusing. So win, win.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 27, 2023 18:26:51 GMT -5
If there is an after life may she have gone to where she deserves to be.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 27, 2023 18:24:21 GMT -5
Hey Zib, how are you doing?
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 27, 2023 15:27:31 GMT -5
I need a new washing machine. Anyone want to go buy it for me? I just need a super simple basic machine to clean cat puke. Mine just died. Waaahhh Sorry I can't be of any help - I wouldn't even know where to start. Aside from the washer problem (and the IMO larger problem of dealing with cat puke) how is life treating you?
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 27, 2023 13:26:18 GMT -5
The real question is whether the car is still worth $2,000 (in the market not to Opti) or if this is a matter of Opti being SOL and needing to look for alternate transportation since this car is just not going to come back.
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 26, 2023 18:30:05 GMT -5
I'm literally howling right now. I've spoken before about the wonderful family from El Salvador that purchased several homes around me. We've been watching with great interest as the youngest member, a kid about 16 or so, was introduced by his grandfather to the concept of mowing, edging and blowing a yard. The lesson seemingly failed because the young man preferred to go elsewhere after school in the car he recently was licensed to drive. Now, every Wednesday the grandfather takes him to school and picks him up after school, complete with lawn care tools in the back of the truck. And the youngster's uncle told me the kid would spend the summer "interning" at the family business. They own a commercial cleaning company with contracts for local schools, entertainment, and sporting venues. So basically the kid will be cleaning toilets after concerts and baseball games just like his elders did on the way to owning the company. His grandfather still works a 40-hour week with the company and takes full care of his own lawn. His uncle told me when the kid whined about how tough life was for him, they offered to send him back to live in a village in El Salvador with distant cousins. The village without running water, flush toilets or internet Free international travel and the kid passed (I assume he did) I mentioned growing up blue collar. My kids grew up upper middle class but they still did not get every thing free. Those school trips in HS for DS1 I mentioned there very much was a price to pay by DS. The years he went he had to work for a month in the summer and give us the money. He got lucky that Singapore did not allow expat kids to hold a job during the school year as they preserved those jobs for citizens/permanent residents. But DS spend 3 summers staying behind with his dad working as a bell boy while I took DS2 to Europe where we went on summer vacation. He only got "vacation" for the weeks his dad could join us. For the record: both my "kids" are workaholics With DS1 beating his brother by a bit -DS2 is the one with kids
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 26, 2023 17:06:16 GMT -5
What can I say Pink Cashmere . It is the story of my life: anytime something bad happens I have always just left the area or wasn't going there for another couple of weeks. One of my sisters, my travel buddy, is exactly the same. The other 5 of my siblings have not always been as lucky. Even DS1 saw someone shot to death while in Katmandu on a HS sponsored trip. That was the second year we lived in Singapore so he was just 15yo. And now you know why I always say I have been lucky in life - even though I don't claim it has always been easy. Neither violence nor deprivation has ever touched me directly.
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