Who here is not in the "clique" like me?

[pozey]

ah, crap. just got a call from DD she was up throwing up last night. That's the thing about older kids - they never tell you if they're sick in the night, but then you still have to call them in to school in the morning. ugh.

Sorry to hear she isn't feeling well.

 

[MI mom of 3]

Good Morning all!!

We have no school today. I have no idea why they scheduled a professional development day today but I'll take it!!!

I'm not going to try and get caught up...I missed too much but...

Have fun!! Good Luck!!! So Sad!!! Congrats!!! Very funny!!!

There I think I covered it all

Talk about leaving things to the last minute...I have to go out today and buy candy and carve the pumpkins. Last night Bree and Matt were at a Halloween party and Nick spent the night at a friend's so it was just Blake and I....We are such party animals! We gutted 5 pumpkins and roasted the seeds.

I have no idea what the kids are doing tonight. Bree and Zach will have Lilly. I will take a picture and show you all. I think I know which costume she is wearing but it could have changed.

Gotta get my day going

Have a great one.

Happy Halloween!!!

 

[pozey]

You are too funny Michele!!

 

[DznyFan]

Talk about leaving things to the last minute...I have to go out today and buy candy and carve the pumpkins.

I mean this with the utmost respect, Michele - but I'm so glad to see that I'm not the only one who waited until the last minute.
Got the pumpkins yesterday. Were going to carve last night, but change of plans for the kids who are carving today. well, who knows, now....?

 

[pozey]

I mean this with the utmost respect, Michele - but I'm so glad to see that I'm not the only one who waited until the last minute.
Got the pumpkins yesterday. Were going to carve last night, but change of plans for the kids who are carving today. well, who knows, now....?

Pumpkins? Candy? What the heck are you people talking about?

If you want candy, just go door to door tonight.....People just GIVE THE STUFF AWAY!!!

 

[pozey]

Oh LESA!! Come out, come out wherever you are!!!

I'm mad at you!!!

You just HAD to mention how much you spent on cheerleading, didn't you!!??

And that made me just HAVE to figure out how much I spend on swimming!!!

 

[lindakmonty]

If you want candy, just go door to door tonight.....People just GIVE THE STUFF AWAY!!!

you are a funny guy

Oh LESA!! Come out, come out wherever you are!!!

I'm mad at you!!!

You just HAD to mention how much you spent on cheerleading, didn't you!!??

And that made me just HAVE to figure out how much I spend on swimming!!!

you mean that little speedo is expensive??? J/K

 

[lyzziesmom]

You are not a moron, and you have every right to be bummed! Don't be hard on yourself. The fact that you can say you aren't in real debt, except to your parents, is amazing! We are here for you!

Thanks! All of you guys really helped me feel a lot better. I just have to remember that the world won't end, and this too shall pass...
I'm really bummed about not being able to take a vacation any time soon though. *sigh*

Well, yes. I'd look pretty silly coming to work nekkid.

Bet you'd win a costume contest though!

Have fun!! Good Luck!!! So Sad!!! Congrats!!! Very funny!!!

There I think I covered it all

Too cute! Can't wait to see little Miss Lilly in costume, I bet she's adorable.

DznyFan: I'm crossing my fingers for your neighbors moving out! Hopefully it wasn't yet another obnoxious family member moving IN. Looking forward to reading the rest of your TR soon.

pozey: Looks like you've got a bad case of lens envy!! Wanna pick up an iPhone for me while you're at it?

Dang it, I forgot about Charlie Brown too. We were all set to watch it and it completely slipped my mind!!

Donna: Ohhhh that donut looks sooooo good.

Linda: We were at the dentist yesterday too! Lyzzie had a great checkup, she just has to go back to get her sealants redone but other than that she got a thumbs-up. Whew! Sorry yours didn't go so well.

Well, we looked up what my car is worth and it's not much more than the cost of fixing it. My dad suggested I think about getting a new-to-me car. I've run the numbers and IF I can find what I want and IF I can get a decent finance rate, it's doable. So I'll be taking 1/2 day off work today to shop for a car. My parents are "giving" me the broken car, so that I can trade it in or whatever. Dad called the mechanic this morning to ask him to hold off on repairs for a day until we decide if it's worth fixing, and the mechanic offered to buy it!! He said to just let him know what we want for it, so that might work out to actually be a better deal than trading it in, who knows? I'm pretty nervous though, I've never shopped for a car before (well, 15 years ago w/my parents for my first car) and have no idea what to ask or expect. It's pretty overwhelming and I'm just afraid of making the wrong decision.

So on the one hand, I'm very excited about possibly getting the car I've wanted for years, but on the other hand I'm scared to death! Because the way I see it, when you have a car payment, that car owns YOU instead of the other way around.

Of course this means no WDW and no Vegas, but I'm still going to try VERY hard to do the cruise next year, even if I have to put it on credit and invite Mom. A girl's gotta have her fun!!

My mom finally apologized to me about the remark she made while shopping yesterday -- after I pointed out to her how rude it was.



We've decided to try trick-or-treating at the mall this year. Lyzzie refuses to wear anything under or over her costume, and it's going to be chilly outside! So we'll be picking up her friend and giving the mall a try, if we don't like it we can always just head back to mom's neighborhood and go door to door. Lucky us, we won't be home so we don't have to buy any candy!! (thumb)

 

[pozey]

you are a funny guy

But it's TRUE!!

you mean that little speedo is expensive??? J/K

Yes, they are!!

Both Colton & Chase have 3 practice suits - each at about $25 each.
Then they each have 1 "Team" suit they wear at meets - $42 each.
Then, they also have 1 "special" Speedo suit - called "Fastskins" - They retail for $120 each, but I got them on Ebay for $50 each.

I just got their invoice for the swim meet they are entered in in a couple of weeks.....$100. So.....each meet they swim at will cost me a hundred bucks!!!

I also got the monthly invoice for just being on the team......$100 - A MONTH!!



Where's that money flying away smiley???

 

[lindakmonty]

Michele..enjoy your day off! Can't wait to see Lilly in her costume glad you two had an evening alone

Linda: We were at the dentist yesterday too! Lyzzie had a great checkup, she just has to go back to get her sealants redone but other than that she got a thumbs-up. Whew! Sorry yours didn't go so well.

Well, we looked up what my car is worth and it's not much more than the cost of fixing it.
I'm just afraid of making the wrong decision.

So on the one hand, I'm very excited about possibly getting the car I've wanted for years, but on the other hand I'm scared to death! Because the way I see it, when you have a car payment, that car owns YOU instead of the other way around.

Of course this means no WDW and no Vegas, but I'm still going to try VERY hard to do the cruise next year, even if I have to put it on credit and invite Mom. A girl's gotta have her fun!!

My mom finally apologized to me about the remark she made while shopping yesterday -- after I pointed out to her how rude it was.

We've decided to try trick-or-treating at the mall this year.

Way to go Lyzzie! they said I was good other than fixing a broken cavity...but you'll have that. Esp. since this was the first visit this year.

That is GREAT!! I'd definitely see about selling the car to him and buy something else You really can find some decent used cars out there. Just look around, don't be afraid to walk away and if they pressure you... LEAVE! Don't take their crap. You'll find a good reliable car!
Glad your mom apologized... and the cruise sounds like SO much fun! I can't wait!!!
Have fun trick or treating at the mall

 

[lindakmonty]

But it's TRUE!!


Yes, they are!!

Both Colton & Chase have 3 practice suits - each at about $25 each.
Then they each have 1 "Team" suit they wear at meets - $42 each.
Then, they also have 1 "special" Speedo suit - called "Fastskins" - They retail for $120 each, but I got them on Ebay for $50 each.

I just got their invoice for the swim meet they are entered in in a couple of weeks.....$100. So.....each meet they swim at will cost me a hundred bucks!!!

I also got the monthly invoice for just being on the team......$100 - A MONTH!!



Where's that money flying away smiley???

yes... so true

$100 a month holy smokes! and $120 for a "fastskins" omg....that's a LOT! I've paid that for a swimsuit...but I'm not going to outgrow mine in 6 months hopefully

wow, I'm glad Kenny is in the "cheap" sports so far Soccer $45 for TWO seasons! Maybe $40 for cleats for the year.... wrestling... I think like $15 per meet or something..no dues b/c his uncle is the coach and t-ball was like $40 or something for the season..he had socks, pants and that ..but still less than $100 for the season!!


You've got me drooling about lenses now

 

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

Lyzziesmom- That's great! Check out Edmunds.com

 

[DznyFan]

Thanks! All of you guys really helped me feel a lot better. I just have to remember that the world won't end, and this too shall pass...
I'm really bummed about not being able to take a vacation any time soon though. *sigh*

And it shall pass.

Bet you'd win a costume contest though!

yep...... scariest.


Oh, car shopping. I've done it on my own before, and here are some tips and pointers for you. What to expect? A long, drawn out process with obnoxious salesmen.

#1 - try to find a low mileage car!!! If at all possible, the lower the better. Probably didn't even need to say that, but I did. Ask to see a CarFax report (they should provide to you at no charge) to verify odomoter accuracy and no accident history.

#2 - avoid lots with pushy salesmen. We have some around here that will actually take your keys away from you and I've heard stories from friends about being tough to get them back. If you know of lots where the salesmen are low pressure, better.

#3 - you're a woman, car shopping on your own = target. Don't be afraid to haggle over price, and don't be afraid to walk away.

#4 - watch your loan options!! I'm seeing lots and lots of ads now that offer these mega-low car payments on next to new cars - usually for no less than 72 months!!! Most of them for 84. That's a LONG time to be paying on a car that is just continuing to depreciate. But - if that's the only way you can afford the payment, that's just how it is, and that's OK. The other popular type of loan payment loan is a balloon payment loan. You pay X-dollars a month for 48 months, then WHAM! Big, fat balloon payment due at the end. If you didn't carry full-coverage insurance, you will have to now. Assume that to be another bite out of your wallet.

What is your budget? For reliability and economy, you almost can't beat a Honda Civic. Small, but extremely reliable and gooooood on gas! Others I personally would recommend would be a used Accord (if it's in your budget), or a low mileage Altima - those are going 2 - 3 years old for around $12K - $14K. Your Hondas have the best depreciation rate, Nissans and Toyotas are close behind. American models will lose their value the fastest, I'm sorry to say. If you can afford an extended warranty, go for it. Save your wallet from repairs on down the line.

Have fun trick-or-treating tonight!! Glad to hear your mom apologized.


We still don't know the status of the neighbors yet. Both vehicles were still parked in the driveway last night, although the Mayflower people were taking things OUT of the house. We suspect it may be going back in a foreclosure, giving the problems the mortgage industry is going through right now, and the abundance of foreclosures.

 

[pozey]

You've got me drooling

Yeah, I have that effect on wom.....

about lenses

Oh.....never mind........

 

[lindakmonty]

Yeah, I have that effect on wom.....

Oh.....never mind........

you have me cracking up!!! thanks, I really DID need that this morning!!!

Dznyfan, GREAT advice! I was thinking a Civic too! small, affordable and very reliable!

 

[pozey]

Yes, DznyFan gave some EXCELLENT advice.

Gold star for you today.

 

[DznyFan]

Wow, Pozey, that's a lot of $$ for swimming!!

Since we're sharing, performing arts costs:

$160/mo private voice, plus miscellaneous accompanyment track and music expenses.
$50/mo each dance class (none right now - NOT in my budget...)

Leotards ($30+ each), tights ($14+ per pair) shoes ($25+ for ballet; $50+ tap; $50+ each pair of character shoes nude and black required)
Recital fee for each recital ($60 per class)
Costuming fee for some productions ($40+)
Costume fee for recitals - including purchase of cocktail/gown type dresses for voice recitals. ($70 costuming fee, $LOTS per dress)
Miscellaneous costs - wigs, special undergarments, makeup, lots of makeup.
Choir - last year's trip $550. This year's trip $650.

No wonder I'm always broke.

 

[DznyFan]

Yeah, I have that effect on wom.....

Oh.....never mind........

 

[MI mom of 3]

I mean this with the utmost respect, Michele - but I'm so glad to see that I'm not the only one who waited until the last minute.
Got the pumpkins yesterday. Were going to carve last night, but change of plans for the kids who are carving today. well, who knows, now....?

Blake said he could just take his drill and make them all polka dotted pumpkins!!

 

[pozey]

Oh, the things we do for our kids!!!!

Edit to add: And I wouldn't have it any other way!!!!!