5/27/06 "Il pochi il fiero i blabbermouths" We *will* sail again Part 3

[kikipug]

I know that we pay way too much in real estate taxes compared to other states, and our homeowners insurance is over $800/yr!

Our homeowners is quite a bit more than that... and is expected to rise more, thanks to hurricanes last year. But, you have to look at the big picture and the total expense. On one hand, we pay more in homeowners insurance... on the other hand, my property taxes are less than half of what they were in New Hampshire. My electric bill is higher, but I no longer have an oil bill to deal with. Cable costs less, It's a matter of tradeoffs.

Even when you look at smaller things in your budget... I pay a LOT more for meat at the grocery store here than I did in NH... but summer/spring clothes are a WHOLE lot less expensive than winter clothes!!!

Our reasons for moving here weren't financial, though... if Ray would have been forced to deal with another winter in NH, we would have had some major psychiatric bills to pay. I just wish the 'prescription' from his Dr. (no kidding... he told him to move) to move South would have been covered by our medical insurance!!

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Hi, Mary & All,

I am one of the lurkers who originally posted on this board shortly after we booked our Double Scoop cruise last September, and then didn't get back to the board until just recently.

My name is Susie and will be cruising with my DS Andy who will be 17 and just graduated from high school at the time of the cruise - it is his graduation gift! We have cruised twice before on the Wonder, and have another 4-day booked for this October during his fall break from school. So our May 2006 cruise will be our first 7-day, and (hopefully) not our last.

As to why I haven't posted more, there is no real reason. But, I am going to stop in on this "meets" board much more often and try toget to know everyone!

Thanks,Mary, for your post.

Susie

Susie - welcome aboard - we are so glad that you will be stopping by and joining our posts....This is a great group and if you have any cruise questions, I am sure that someone here can (and will) give you tips.....

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Hi,

My name is Maria and I'm not a TRUE lurker, but sometimes I feel like one. . Anyway, I'm glad I started to post and I'm REALLY glad there was a Cruise Meet board for this cruise. Maria

Maria - Hi there - I'm not sure you can claim to be a lurker but keep us posted. Congratulations on your win. Get some rest - so that you can read up!!!!!

 

[dobelover]

When I was divorced I 'bought' my house from the ex and had my pension and stock released to me. I was never blessed with children so I had only myself to save for. My Mom has her retirement and my Dad's pension so we share our travel expenses. Mom gets to live here as long as she lets the dogs out, lets the dogs in, lets the dogs out......

Sue

 

[dobelover]

Yikes, I have to go. Take care of neighbor's dog, another neighbor's cats and CHICKENS, go to Curves then volunteer at the food pantry and lastly pick up Emmy for the night. Talk later, much later.



Sue

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Today's posts to catch up are sobering - high costs of taxes and real estate in Florida huricane insurance etc. etc. It is hard to budget and we take every opportunity for discounts and rates for WDW - We are lucky being Florida residents. And use the Disney Visa Card to get points for hotels.

For those of you with kids, there is lots of planning for their future. Now where was that thread that talked about the future docters, fire fighters, cheerleaders? Some of my friends, who are Disney nuts, have opted into the DVC - it is a case by case economic decision.


Must add a personal note that this past weekend, I attended a memorial service for a contemproary friend - married less than one year - sudden stomach ache - emergency surgery - cancer - and she passed 11 days later.... She is now at peace So, DH and I won't have a fancy car, or house, or a new wardrobe each year and will cherish out time together.

OK - end of sobering thought for the day. Thank you.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Happy Thoughts - CHRISTMAS

Kikipug - Back to stocking stuffers. I was at Party City last night and saw they had pirate tattoos - I thought they - or the other pirate gear, might be added to the Cruise ship stockings you were making......Very inexpensive....

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Yikes, I have to go. Take care of neighbor's dog, another neighbor's cats and CHICKENS, go to Curves then volunteer at the food pantry and lastly pick up Emmy for the night. Talk later, much later.



Sue

Wish we were closer - I love fresh eggs.

 

[kikipug]

Happy Thoughts - CHRISTMAS

Kikipug - Back to stocking stuffers. I was at Party City last night and saw they had pirate tattoos - I thought they - or the other pirate gear, might be added to the Cruise ship stockings you were making......Very inexpensive....

Good idea. I saw some at our party store too... they stock 'pirate stuff' year round now.

I'm thinking of doing a 'treasure chest', instead of the stockings. Tradition has it that stockings get opened before gifts (they are allowed to open stockings while we are getting out of bed, making coffee, etc.). I don't want the 'surprise' to be over and done before our eyes are opened. So I think I'm going to put a few 'minor' hints in each stocking... the chocolate DCL or WDW coins (chocolate coins are a family stocking tradition anyway), and maybe the soap. They probably won't 'get it' at that point... then I'll save the treasure chest (or maybe a suitcase???) for last.

 

[kikipug]

Wish we were closer - I love fresh eggs.

Is this fresh enough?

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Good idea. I saw some at our party store too... they stock 'pirate stuff' year round now.

I'm thinking of doing a 'treasure chest', instead of the stockings. Tradition has it that stockings get opened before gifts (they are allowed to open stockings while we are getting out of bed, making coffee, etc.). I don't want the 'surprise' to be over and done before our eyes are opened. So I think I'm going to put a few 'minor' hints in each stocking... the chocolate DCL or WDW coins (chocolate coins are a family stocking tradition anyway), and maybe the soap. They probably won't 'get it' at that point... then I'll save the treasure chest (or maybe a suitcase???) for last.

Cool We have the same tradition at our house of being allowed to open stockings first - It came from my childhood when I had to wait for my Daddy to come home from work before I could open presents and then if he was late, presents waited until after church. Funny what we remember with love , isn't it.

Anyway - if you get up Ameila Island way - they have lots of pirate themes on Fernandeno Beach. I may be heading there for a conference before Christmas, if so, think about any small gifties you would like to add.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Is this fresh enough?

Now I'm hungry.

But me, eat Chicken Little - oh no!!!!

Rushing - very busy day.

 

[CajunGirl2]

More fluff here ... for all of you e-bay sellers, don't you wish you had thought of this concept? Someone's getting rich! I saw the ad in the paper the other day. Here's a link to an article.

http://www.northfulton.com/default.asp?W=ViewArticle&P=11706

Angie

 

[ohiominnie]

We've had a place like that for awhile in Easton Town Center. Pretty cool idea. And the other day I was travelling along the highway neck in neck with a car with graphics that said "Snappy Auctions---Drop off your stuff and we'll sell it on ebay." I looked it up online and there is a new one opening by me July 11th. They take a good chunk of the selling price though. Yeowzer! For the types of things I'm selling, I don't think I'll use them. I'm not making a living on it, that's for sure!

http://www.snappyauctions.com/v2/index.php

 

[ohiominnie]

I want to see if this works. Testing it out on all of you guinea pigs.


KT's recently finished scrapbook pages:

http://www.cmphotocenter.com/photos/album_view.php?album_id=110308&album_view_back_url=photos%2Falbums.php&pagemode=share

EDITED TO ADD....looks like this doesn't work this way...
Should you decide to join up, Enter consultant ID #05179807 and you'll get 20 free 4X6 prints.

 

[ohiominnie]

TOP???

figured as long as I was here...

 

[tinksdad]

Our reasons for moving here weren't financial, though... if Ray would have been forced to deal with another winter in NH, we would have had some major psychiatric bills to pay. I just wish the 'prescription' from his Dr. (no kidding... he told him to move) to move South would have been covered by our medical insurance!!

This brings new meaning to the phrase: "This weather is making me crazy"!

 

[Dancind]

I used to make a trip to WDW every year, then I discovered DCL. So I managed to do WDW and DCL once a year. Then I discovered HHI. So I managed to do WDW, DCL and HHI once a year. Then I cruised on RCI and enjoyed it. Then I retired and discovered I can't do it all in one year. Must get a budget and schedule together.




Sue

But Sue, that's no fun! Of course, I retired this year and need to do that too.

Loved your nieces' comment. Seen one glacier, seen them all. Kind of like DD when we took a ferry through two locks at the Panama Canal. She read her book during the second one.

 

[kikipug]

This brings new meaning to the phrase: "This weather is making me crazy"!

It certainly does!!!

 

[Dancind]

Welcome back, Susie and Maria. Just jump in. Please don't feel bad if it seems like no one responds to a post. This thread moves so fast, we overlook posts all the time!

We want to move to FL too. I think that's been said before. Central Florida is what we've had in mind, but the housing prices are rising much faster than they are here. We do have much lower property tax and insurance here (cars too), but we also have personal income tax, which FL doesn't. I think we're going to need to move somewhere, anyway, at least somewhere with lower altitude. Seems to bother me more every year.

And yes, we are firm believers in making memories now, while we can. Kevin's parents have been pretty much housebound since their early 60s, which is not that far away for us. You never know what will happen.