The Chit Chat Chit Chat Thread

[MinnieM123]

That's the thing, no young kid could reach the top of the antenna. I can't reach it, while yes I am vertically challenged the SUV is tall and in order to reach the top to change out the toppers I have to stand on the running board and lean quite a bit. The reason why I just let the peeps there pull Mickey off.

Funny some of my toppers fair better than others. I decapitated Easter Donald going in and out of the garage.

Better not let @donaldtoo see that post, Gabe!!!

 

[FutureCEO]

You're not even close to mean; I think that was very nice what you did for your girls. First, they learned about the value of the car and made payments. Then, to have the remainder of the loan forgiven when they graduated from college, was a perfect graduation present.

Each family's situation is different. My parents never bought a car for any of the 4 of us kids. They just didn't believe in it; they expected us to work for whatever we wanted. Now, keep in mind, we were in an area that had public transportation, so we all had options to get around to either school or work. (Not every family lives in an area with public transportation; so for them, I think that completely changes the discussion about the decision to buy/not buy your kid a car. For some, a car is a necessity, period.) We also had friends with cars and could sometimes carpool to places.

The first one to get a car in my family was my eldest brother, and he earned the money through various jobs he had, starting in jr. high school. When he went to a full-time job (after high school), he bought the car maybe 6 months after that, but it was a culmination of his saving money (including saving cash gifts he received for birthdays, graduation, etc.) for quite a few years. Interesting to note: he drove it for a year and sold it--why? Because he enlisted with the Marines! He knew he wouldn't need a car for about 4 years at that point!

In conclusion, there are too many factors that weigh in on this car buying discussion, and each family needs to carefully weigh the options and do what's right for them.

The first car the I bought new is the car I have now....I bought it Dec 2009. The first car I drove was a 1988 Chevy Cavalier (technically my sisters car) back in 2003ish. I had another hand me down from my next door neighbor that I bought cheap back in high school and it had panic button. Anyway, whenever I had classes facing the parking lot, I would see my car. Whenever someone walked by my car I would hit the panic button. It would so so funny. My friends and I would die laughing.

 

[betty rose]

Betty, I fixed the typo in your message above to MOXOMUMD, for you!

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Goofyernmost]

You're not even close to mean; I think that was very nice what you did for your girls. First, they learned about the value of the car and made payments. Then, to have the remainder of the loan forgiven when they graduated from college, was a perfect graduation present.

Each family's situation is different. My parents never bought a car for any of the 4 of us kids. They just didn't believe in it; they expected us to work for whatever we wanted. Now, keep in mind, we were in an area that had public transportation, so we all had options to get around to either school or work. (Not every family lives in an area with public transportation; so for them, I think that completely changes the discussion about the decision to buy/not buy your kid a car. For some, a car is a necessity, period.) We also had friends with cars and could sometimes carpool to places.

The first one to get a car in my family was my eldest brother, and he earned the money through various jobs he had, starting in jr. high school. When he went to a full-time job (after high school), he bought the car maybe 6 months after that, but it was a culmination of his saving money (including saving cash gifts he received for birthdays, graduation, etc.) for quite a few years. Interesting to note: he drove it for a year and sold it--why? Because he enlisted with the Marines! He knew he wouldn't need a car for about 4 years at that point!

In conclusion, there are too many factors that weigh in on this car buying discussion, and each family needs to carefully weigh the options and do what's right for them.

And with that underlined section, you just made me feel mean again. We lived in a rural area of Vermont. No public transit and the nearest town was 5 miles away, but employment opportunities were at least 12 miles away. I guess I should probably turn in my Father of the Year award. (if I ever get one)

 

[betty rose]

At least you still have one so enjoy it, regardless of their coffee . . . We have ONE big book store left (a Barnes & Noble) and it's a free-standing store, not in a mall or anything. There's a tiny independent store in a town nearby (no coffee, no chairs--no room for them inside!) and I always go and shop there each year for some Christmas presents. I like supporting small businesses when I can.

We only have Barnes & Noble too. Like yours its free standing. We used to have Borders also, which I liked the best. Our Barnes & Noble store has so much nook space, there is hardly any room left for books. So disappointing. We do have good news, our tiny library is moving to a new bigger place and will house more books! I can't wait.

 

[betty rose]

Hee hee . . . do you know that if I went on a fabulous trip to London like you did, I'd definitely buy one of those bears, and probably nothing else?! I just love teddy bears!!!

I completely agree, I was never into dolls, but I had a whole family of teddy bears! I still love them!

 

[FutureCEO]

We only have Barnes & Noble too. Like yours its free standing. We used to have Borders also, which I liked the best. Our Barnes & Noble store has so much nook space, there is hardly any room left for books. So disappointing. We do have good news, our tiny library is moving to a new bigger place and will house more books! I can't wait.

Banes and Noble is the only book store now beside the small book stores, if there are any. Prices are way too high and that will lead to their downfall.

 

[Figgy1]

At least you still have one so enjoy it, regardless of their coffee . . . We have ONE big book store left (a Barnes & Noble) and it's a free-standing store, not in a mall or anything. There's a tiny independent store in a town nearby (no coffee, no chairs--no room for them inside!) and I always go and shop there each year for some Christmas presents. I like supporting small businesses when I can.

I'd love a little independent book store. I wouldn't care if they didn't carry what I wanted if they could order it would be fine by me!

 

[FutureCEO]

I finally watched the Fox and the Hound today (never seen it before). I caught the last few minutes.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Banes and Noble is the only book store now beside the small book stores, if there are any. Prices are way too high and that will lead to their downfall.

Although, the little homey "reading areas" would be a reason of it's downfall to begin with. Yes, vastly popular with a lot of folks, in reality they are not buying anything, they are reading books and never taking them home. The first time I ever went into a B&N that was my first thought. No one was at the registers buying, but, dozens were all curled up in those comfortable chairs reading. I doubt that they brought their own books in to do that. Or they were at the refreshment center buying a coffee to sip for the duration. Buildings that size do not stay in business long selling just coffee and snacks unless they are determined to actually be a restaurant.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

next you will be wearing a camo to "blend" ?

No camo for me. I live in a rural area and camo is very popular. I would rather stay away from it. I'll stick to my Mickey Mouse tee-shirts.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

A few more London Pictures some including food this time...

The serpentine (a man-made pond/river) in Hyde Park


Hyde Park


Another beautiful ale


Some more bangers/sausages and mash for me


This was hubby's steak or lamb (sorry he isn't around right now to ask)


Some of the British candy bars we brought home. The mint Aero is amazing, like an Andes mint but lighter.


A cupcake for breakfast and a café while waiting for the British Library to open.


Newton at the British Library


One of the better pictures of the Rosetta Stone I could get at the British Museum. There were hoards of people around it.


Cool Egypt stuff at the British museum

 

[donaldtoo]

I personally like the ride stops, especially in Haunted Mansion. We got a couple good pictures of the dining scene.

Yep, I generally prefer no ride stoppages, but, they can sometimes be interesting.

 

[donaldtoo]

I guess I'm lucky with only 4 names.

Does that include your user name here...?

 

[MOXOMUMD]

It's a Dad thing. My dad sometimes tells me the wrong age (when I was 19 he did this a lot, "How old are you again?") calls me by his sister's name, calls me by my mother's name, calls my mother by my name, etc. My maternal grandfather has not ever been able to spell my mother's name right. Like I said, it's a dad thing.

My ex still can't spell our daughter's middle name correctly.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

At the British museum, hubby being fake surprised that it is empty. (He probably shouldn't have been touching it, I saw a kid get scolded by staff for doing a similar thing about 2 minutes later.)


More Egyptian mummy stuff at the British museum, I find this stuff fascinating but it really creeps me out at the same time. I couldn't look for long at the actual mummies.


Trafalgar Square



Another pub meal: an ale for me


More sausages and mash, this time it came with Yorkshire pudding which is the bread stuff, it was like a popover but flat. (I didn't really branch out, but each pub had a different twist on their gravy. I had to compare.) We also got a scotch egg to share, it was great!


Hubby got another steak pie.




Another trip to Buckingham Palace. I didn't like how my pictures had turned out when we were there the previous day. These were better.




And a walk through St James' Park

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

My ex still can't spell our daughter's middle name correctly.

Wow!

 

[betty rose]

Although, the little homey "reading areas" would be a reason of it's downfall to begin with. Yes, vastly popular with a lot of folks, in reality they are not buying anything, they are reading books and never taking them home. The first time I ever went into a B&N that was my first thought. No one was at the registers buying, but, dozens were all curled up in those comfortable chairs reading. I doubt that they brought their own books in to do that. Or they were at the refreshment center buying a coffee to sip for the duration. Buildings that size do not stay in business long selling just coffee and snacks unless they are determined to actually be a restaurant.

I agree, although when I go to a bookstore, I intend to buy a book. I wish they would wise up and just offer more books. Some people who venture into a bookstore wants to buy a book, at least I do. I want to take it home, read in leisure, and pick it up during winter month's, and read again. Then I donate.

 

[betty rose]

No camo for me. I live in a rural area and camo is very popular. I would rather stay away from it. I'll stick to my Mickey Mouse tee-shirts.

I love this!

 

[MinnieM123]

And with that underlined section, you just made me feel mean again. We lived in a rural area of Vermont. No public transit and the nearest town was 5 miles away, but employment opportunities were at least 12 miles away. I guess I should probably turn in my Father of the Year award. (if I ever get one)

You can still keep your Father of the Year award. Somehow, I think you misunderstood what I was saying about public transportation. In my family, I'm sure that one of the reasons why my parents would not buy us cars after high school, was due to the fact that we had excellent public transportation in our area. (So, they figured that a car was a bit of a "luxury" after high school; and if we wanted one, we could work for it.) In your situation, however, you lived in rural Vermont. So, there were no public transit options; and therefore, a car was more of a real necessity for your girls. It was great that you helped them get the car, while they also chipped in on payments until you kindly wrote off the balance, after their graduation.