BethFromVA

I miss antiquing. I used to go with my mom to an area called the Heights just outside Houston and got some fantastic deals. I have antiques in my home that I would be hard-pressed to part with, but HERE, I could make a mint off of. I have two separate Duncan Phyfe dining sets that I paid between $350 and $550 for, with leafs and six chairs, but HERE I can't touch one under about $1800. I also have a couple of wonderful armoires with mirrored doors. I think I paid in the mid-$200s for each, and again, probably couldn't buy HERE for under $1800. I have a GORGEOUS buffet upstairs that I use for our master dresser, and I waited for that bugger to go on sale for well over a year. Got it (after it went on sale AND then I asked for and got an additional 10% off) for about $400... after it had originally been on sale for closer to $900 or so. THOSE are the bargains I miss. I couldn't fit another antique or other piece of furniture in this house if I tried. Went from over 3300 sf in Houston to about 2200 sf here.

I so get it, but I'm weird that I don't like the hunt. I'm more the type that likes shooting fish in a barrel. In other words, I like falling into a deal. I don't like spending endless hours at racks or garage sale-type places hunting and pecking for that perfect thing. I love falling into a deal, if that makes sense.

Awww! Tomorrow's (today's??) your bandiversary?? CONGRATS!!

This one isn't exactly a ghost or creepy story, but I remember one morning laying in bed (hubby had already left for work) and I "felt" this body next to me cuddle up next to me as if it was laying facing towards my front, wrapping what felt like arms and legs around me, and hugging me tight... to the point that I woke up because I was smiling so broadly. I really and truly felt whatever it was.

I know some people will think i'm weird, but I will NOT mess with Ouija boards. I truly and honestly believe they open up portals that should NOT be messed with!

Is socialized medicine or is it not single-payer insurance? I think most of us except the most ignorant would agree it is. Now let's see what BoB says about it, FOR REAL, not just the BS schtick some of y'all are willing to fall for now:

Omg, you and me both. I know some people are all about the price -- how much they paid for something. I'm all about getting something for next to nothing, and I don't care who I crow to about it. "Omg, this thing was originally a thousand bucks and I got it for 50 cents!!!" lol

Sometimes I just like to point things out and let it hang in the air. That, and I was watching "Obsessed" and didn't want to take my attention away to go into a Plain-style drool fest.

I am at a stage where clothes are cheap. I mean, I'm going through the sizes quickly (though not SO quickly lately... ). Shoes, I typically never spend more than about $40 to $50 for a pair of tennis shoes, which I wear until they die. If I can get these for $80, it stings a bit, but doesn't hurt painfully. Shoes you can wear no matter what size you are. Dooney and Bourke? Don't even get me started. Ugly is right (sorry if anybody here likes or has them). The last purse I bought I paid $30 at Dress barn and really love it. Thrift stores are great and I go whenever I can. I love having nice stuff, but I love even more being able to say, "OMG, do you know how CHEAP I got this for? Like five bucks!" Yeah, I'm one of those.

I was SO gonna run with this!

Not even sure if it's your imagination. Usually they use different names for different things they do. When you call them names like Optimize, Metabolize, and Sport, I would automatically assume they are different in what they do, not just how they look. If all that's different is the look, that's a strange way to market them, with names like that.

Hmmm, interesting. I found this, which makes it sound as if the different names only relate to the visual style moreso than any difference in the way they work: Skechers Shape Ups™

I drink soda or beer periodically, but it can often give me fits with burping and going down (or NOT going down). Don't even really know if I'm supposed to have it (seems to depend on the doc). Is the worry that it can stretch the pouch?

I'm searching as I'm reading here. So you have one of each? Assuming you really are feeling a difference and it's not just a mental thing, what difference(s) do you notice and would you recommend one over the other? All along I thought there was just one kind, and so far I can't seem to find any specific write-ups detailing the differences. I'm still early in my search, though...

I apologize, I remember the discussion about the date now. And forget the soda. I think we all turn into winos after surgery.

Wait... so there's different ones even in this shoe? I was thinking there was only one kind, just different colors. Crap, more research...

When's your date, TPG? I'm sure you've mentioned, but my short-term memory is... well, I forget what it is.

I know, it's not online. I had to call. Going there tomorrow and hoping they will take my 20% off coupon. Otherwise I head over to Famous Footwear and order them there.

Hehehe... Speaking of, I found the work guy I want to hire. Omg... too cute! Sandy, curly hair, blue eyes, a bit shorter than I typically like, but if what is hinted at under that shirt is what I think it looks like, I don't care. Oh yeah, did I mention he's an ex-Marine? I BEGGED him to give us a good quote so we can give him the job. I could watch that for some time with an umbrella drink. :huh2: As a matter of fact, I'll start sawing joists out of my attic in the hopes the roof caves in.

You musta gotten a good sale there, Lu! I called my local Dick's, and they have them -- but NOT on sale. They're $100. HOWEVER, I'm going to go in and take them the Famous Footwear coupon and ask the manager of Dick's if they will honor the 20% off. If they say no, I will order them through FF and just wait. Won't cost me anything to have them shipped, and they'll come right to the door.

Okay, getting me some Dicks tomorrow. Wait... I checked out their sale flier from this past Sunday and there were no Sketchers there, so I didn't even try them.

I don't know the calorie count of your average popsicle, but a brand here called Edy's makes a fruit pop that they claim has no added sugar that is TO DIE FOR! They're 30 calories a piece, and totally worth it!

WHERE WHERE WHERE????? :huh2:

For me, I didn't feel that either WW or OA helped ME personally to get to the bottom of WHY I got this way -- or even how to help redirect my energies in tackling new issues as they arise in ways that don't include food. They're great organizations, don't get me wrong, but I knew I needed more one-on-one to help me get deeper than WW or OA would ever afford me. I know myself too well. The GOOD thing is, even though things have been really stressful here lately, if anything I've NOT been hungry. Pretty much since I got back from Houston, I virtually eat nothing until dinnertime. I know that's not good either, but I haven't been very hungry. However, the scale has not been moving, and that's getting me down lately. I've been very good (not perfect, but VERY good) this past month -- logging meals, exercising, etc., and I have nothing to show for it. I don't know wth is wrong... :thumbup: Okay, did you get the only frikken farken pair out there?? Sketchers doesn't have them, went to Famous Footwear which carries Sketchers, and the two nearest places I could get them is in Maryland or Pennsylvania. Kohl's was a no-go too. I'm getting ticked now because I want something I can't have. :huh2: If I can't find them nearby in the next couple days, I'll order them through Famous Footwear since I have a 20% off coupon, which would make them a "more reasonable" $80. :wink2: But... I hafta wait. And I don't wait too well. Oh, and my butt still hurts. OUCH!

Never thought to try Dick's, Lu. Thanks for the heads up. I should have checked the paper this weekend to see if anybody has them on sale anywhere. Wait... may still have the paper. Gonna go look. I have birthday money sitting here anyway. :smile2: