We got a Sunday paper this week. I don't get why it's a Hit-or-Miss kind of thing but whatever. This week's "Cheap Stuff" isn't as good as previous weeks but people still need to sell the same kind of crap that is in there every week. Here ya go:
CHAIR, ARMLESS side, dark green, velvet, excellent condition, $45
I can totally see this chair in my mind and it is F-U-G-L-Y. You know... the kind of chair you might buy if you were totally trying to make a sitting room (or Parlor) more "Victorian" or something.
COMMODE $25
Who calls a toilet a commode?? Well, who does besides my 83 year old grandma?
GAZELLE by Tony Little, like new condition. $40
I have a suspicion that this has been listed before. Tony Little has made a fortune on those infomercials - all the while looking like a tool with his dyed mullet and fake tanned biceps.
LAMPS (2) wall climbing green and cream color. $25 each.
All I heard in my head when I read this was the theme music from "Three's Company." This kind of lamp is so 1978.
MATTRESS SET Serta queen mattress set, quilted on both sides. Used very little. $200 cash
This one isn't particularly weird but the wording made me chuckle. The "Used very little" phrase strikes me as funny. Did they sleep on the floor? Was there someone very small that slept on it? Was there very little bedroom shenanigans? Really, the fill in the blank options are endless. ;)
TYPEWRITER IBm Correcting Selectric III, tan color, works great. $25
Twenty five dollars?? Are they serious? For a typewriter? I don't know anyone who has used a typewriter in the last 15 years.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Indoor tri
Well, I did my first race of the season on Sunday. This will be my version of my race report for the indoor triathlon. (fair warning: my race reports are usually long and detailed)
Our wave didn't start until 8:40 so we didn't have to be there until 8 or so. We got up, got ready, had PB & J sandwiches and packed up our stuff. The gym was only about 10 minutes away so it was an easy drive and we got there with plenty of time. We checked in at the table, got our hands marked (body marking), got our race numbers and headed to the locker rooms to change. Since the first part was a pool swim with 10 minutes to change, my husband and I decided to swim in our swimsuits and then change in to our tri clothes.
I found my sister in the locker room and we chatted and got in to our swimsuits. Grabbed my goggles and a towel and headed out to the pool. We walked out and the wave before us was about halfway done. My first thought was "wow, they look slow." I'm not sure they were but from the pool deck they didn't look like they were on fire. My husband was chatting with another woman in our wave and it was her first race and she had the nervous chattiness. (I told him I knew what that was like!) She came over to chat and said something about how I'm gonna smoke 'em all. (husband said something about my swimming) Heh, I don't know. Their wave finished and we were able to get in the pool. My husband and I decided to share a lane and we got in and I started warming up. I think we were the only 2 swimming laps. I knew I needed to swim at least 150 to get my muscles warmed up in the cool water.
We had 10 minutes to swim and my goal was 20 lengths, 500 meters. I knew I could do it if I could settle in my "good" training pace. They blew the whistle and we were off! The guy in the lane next to me took off at the same pace as me and I thought he was going to leave me because his stroke looked so effortless and he was a lot taller than me. I was lagging behind him and I thought he'd lapped me - then I saw he was breastroking and I caught up to him. With like 10 seconds left we were able to do another 1/2 a length and got counted for 21 lengths - sweet! We did the most in our wave and tied someone who had also done 21 in the previous wave. Hooray! My husband was able to 16, my sister did 16 and my swimming buddy did 18.
Went to the locker room to change in to my tri shorts and shirt and it was harder to change than I anticipated! Ugh! I thought I'd dried off but then couldn't get my shorts on, damn wet legs. I grabbed my cycle shoes, running shoes, headband, ipod and water bottle and headed out. I had to make a potty stop before getting on the bike or I knew I'd be miserable. I get upstairs to the cycle studio and my wave has already started - CRAP! I missed over a minute of time! I hurry to get on my socks and shoes and get my bike set up with the help of a volunteer, good thing I know my settings! So, in all I was short about a minute and a half. The tension on the bike was preset and sooper easy. We had 30 minutes to spin and even though the bike computer said I was spinning at 25-30 mph, I knew that wasn't quite right but also didn't want to burn my legs out over the 30 minutes, either. Our time was up and I did 11.9 miles in the 30 (28.5) minutes. I pushed it to get to 12 and just missed it, dammit. Hopped off the bike and sat down to change shoes and waited to get my distance recorded. I grabbed my bike shoes and flip-flops and headed out to go to the cardio floor. Husband rocked out 15.5 miles, sister did 8.9 and my other friend did about 13.
We got to the reserved treadmills and waited for the GO. I wanted to run (at the minimum!) 2 miles in the 20 minutes. I started at 6.0 mph for 5 minutes then kicked it up to 6.5 for 5 minutes and then my HR was really high, like high zone 4 - oops! At this point my head was pounding so I knew I had to bring my HR down. (Heartrate at AT is ~180, at this point it topped out at 192) So, at 10 minutes I brought my speed back down to 6.3 and 6.0 mph. At 15 minutes I increased the speed again to end at 6.5 mph. Like a dum-dum, when they told us to stop, I pushed stop instead of pause and lost my data - 2.03 miles was the last distance I saw but I thought I went a little further. Oh well, my fault. Hubby went 2.26, sister went 1.38, friend went 2.4.
Overall, it was fun and very well organized but it didn't "feel" like a race. I felt like I pushed the pace but sometimes I have a hard time pushing my limits without a carrot to make me go faster. I'm still waiting on the final results to be posted with our points and places. Looking at last year's results, being a good swimmer is definitely an advantage. Being able to swim a bunch of laps is going to net me more points then being MOP (middle of pack) for the bike and run. We'll see. I look forward to comparing my results to everyone else. Like most triathletes, I obsess over the details and the race results.
The final results are posted: I was 38th out of 83 overall, 15th out of 50 women. Knowing I didn't really push the pace on the bike like I know I could, I can't really be disappointed. My run was about what I expected and my swim was just above what I planned. It just confirms (again!) that the run is my weak link. My friend kicked ass at her first race - I'm excited for her to see what she can do outside! (probably still kick my ass ;0) )
Our wave didn't start until 8:40 so we didn't have to be there until 8 or so. We got up, got ready, had PB & J sandwiches and packed up our stuff. The gym was only about 10 minutes away so it was an easy drive and we got there with plenty of time. We checked in at the table, got our hands marked (body marking), got our race numbers and headed to the locker rooms to change. Since the first part was a pool swim with 10 minutes to change, my husband and I decided to swim in our swimsuits and then change in to our tri clothes.
I found my sister in the locker room and we chatted and got in to our swimsuits. Grabbed my goggles and a towel and headed out to the pool. We walked out and the wave before us was about halfway done. My first thought was "wow, they look slow." I'm not sure they were but from the pool deck they didn't look like they were on fire. My husband was chatting with another woman in our wave and it was her first race and she had the nervous chattiness. (I told him I knew what that was like!) She came over to chat and said something about how I'm gonna smoke 'em all. (husband said something about my swimming) Heh, I don't know. Their wave finished and we were able to get in the pool. My husband and I decided to share a lane and we got in and I started warming up. I think we were the only 2 swimming laps. I knew I needed to swim at least 150 to get my muscles warmed up in the cool water.
We had 10 minutes to swim and my goal was 20 lengths, 500 meters. I knew I could do it if I could settle in my "good" training pace. They blew the whistle and we were off! The guy in the lane next to me took off at the same pace as me and I thought he was going to leave me because his stroke looked so effortless and he was a lot taller than me. I was lagging behind him and I thought he'd lapped me - then I saw he was breastroking and I caught up to him. With like 10 seconds left we were able to do another 1/2 a length and got counted for 21 lengths - sweet! We did the most in our wave and tied someone who had also done 21 in the previous wave. Hooray! My husband was able to 16, my sister did 16 and my swimming buddy did 18.
Went to the locker room to change in to my tri shorts and shirt and it was harder to change than I anticipated! Ugh! I thought I'd dried off but then couldn't get my shorts on, damn wet legs. I grabbed my cycle shoes, running shoes, headband, ipod and water bottle and headed out. I had to make a potty stop before getting on the bike or I knew I'd be miserable. I get upstairs to the cycle studio and my wave has already started - CRAP! I missed over a minute of time! I hurry to get on my socks and shoes and get my bike set up with the help of a volunteer, good thing I know my settings! So, in all I was short about a minute and a half. The tension on the bike was preset and sooper easy. We had 30 minutes to spin and even though the bike computer said I was spinning at 25-30 mph, I knew that wasn't quite right but also didn't want to burn my legs out over the 30 minutes, either. Our time was up and I did 11.9 miles in the 30 (28.5) minutes. I pushed it to get to 12 and just missed it, dammit. Hopped off the bike and sat down to change shoes and waited to get my distance recorded. I grabbed my bike shoes and flip-flops and headed out to go to the cardio floor. Husband rocked out 15.5 miles, sister did 8.9 and my other friend did about 13.
We got to the reserved treadmills and waited for the GO. I wanted to run (at the minimum!) 2 miles in the 20 minutes. I started at 6.0 mph for 5 minutes then kicked it up to 6.5 for 5 minutes and then my HR was really high, like high zone 4 - oops! At this point my head was pounding so I knew I had to bring my HR down. (Heartrate at AT is ~180, at this point it topped out at 192) So, at 10 minutes I brought my speed back down to 6.3 and 6.0 mph. At 15 minutes I increased the speed again to end at 6.5 mph. Like a dum-dum, when they told us to stop, I pushed stop instead of pause and lost my data - 2.03 miles was the last distance I saw but I thought I went a little further. Oh well, my fault. Hubby went 2.26, sister went 1.38, friend went 2.4.
Overall, it was fun and very well organized but it didn't "feel" like a race. I felt like I pushed the pace but sometimes I have a hard time pushing my limits without a carrot to make me go faster. I'm still waiting on the final results to be posted with our points and places. Looking at last year's results, being a good swimmer is definitely an advantage. Being able to swim a bunch of laps is going to net me more points then being MOP (middle of pack) for the bike and run. We'll see. I look forward to comparing my results to everyone else. Like most triathletes, I obsess over the details and the race results.
The final results are posted: I was 38th out of 83 overall, 15th out of 50 women. Knowing I didn't really push the pace on the bike like I know I could, I can't really be disappointed. My run was about what I expected and my swim was just above what I planned. It just confirms (again!) that the run is my weak link. My friend kicked ass at her first race - I'm excited for her to see what she can do outside! (probably still kick my ass ;0) )
Thursday, March 26, 2009
I will make a difference
An old friend posted this on Facebook today. While I'm sure she found it helpful for her, she tagged me and the timing was perfect; she will probably never know how much I needed this today.
Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts.
A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful.Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful.
I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters.
I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark.
Today I will make a difference.
I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant.
Today I will make a difference.
I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It’s OK to stumble. I will get up. It’s OK to fail. I will rise again. Today I will make a difference.
~ Max Lucado
Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts.
A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful.Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful.
I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters.
I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark.
Today I will make a difference.
I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant.
Today I will make a difference.
I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It’s OK to stumble. I will get up. It’s OK to fail. I will rise again. Today I will make a difference.
~ Max Lucado
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Barefoot running
Even before I met someone who actually runs barefoot, it has intrigued me. I don't know why. Maybe because if it's warm enough, I don't wear shoes - not even flip flops. Well, even in the winter, at home, I don't wear shoes much, just socks. I don't like to wear shoes, except my Chaco's. I wear those sandals all the time. The problem with not liking shoes is also that I hate to have cold feet.
As far as running barefoot, when I first heard about it I dreamed of running barefoot on the well-manicured grass of a golf course; not having to worry about a bunch of rocks, sticks, cars, dog poo... I can't run on a golf course so I trail run instead. Running trails is always my first choice for running because I love the simplicity and connection I feel in the woods. It's kind of like the calmness I feel when I'm in the woods backpacking without all the work. I've wanted to try running barefoot on the trail I normally run but the practical side of me thinks it's not practical. I need at least something on my feet.
I actually went to a store with the intention of buying a pair of Vibram Five Fingers which are designed to protect the feet while still maintaining the "barefoot feel." You can imagine my disappointment when I tried them on and they were really rubbing my toes. Major let down. I left the store very disappointed because I had my heart set on getting a pair and trying them on the trails. I should go back and try another pair on, maybe it was just that pair. Or I could try a pair of Nike Frees for my first attempt at minimal shoes. From trail running, I think I have the ankle stability to handle it but it would take some time to get the rest of my legs and feet used to it.
I stumbled upon an article (You Walk Wrong and Your Shoes are to Blame) about shoes and I like it. It covers all the main reasons why I want to try barefoot running in the first place. I don't have a problem with my current shoes (I wear a neutral running shoe) but my feet always feel so constricted. When I'm trail running, I don't mind feeling the roots and rocks, I got used to it and it doesn't bother me. I like feeling the ground and love being barefoot.
As far as running barefoot, when I first heard about it I dreamed of running barefoot on the well-manicured grass of a golf course; not having to worry about a bunch of rocks, sticks, cars, dog poo... I can't run on a golf course so I trail run instead. Running trails is always my first choice for running because I love the simplicity and connection I feel in the woods. It's kind of like the calmness I feel when I'm in the woods backpacking without all the work. I've wanted to try running barefoot on the trail I normally run but the practical side of me thinks it's not practical. I need at least something on my feet.
I actually went to a store with the intention of buying a pair of Vibram Five Fingers which are designed to protect the feet while still maintaining the "barefoot feel." You can imagine my disappointment when I tried them on and they were really rubbing my toes. Major let down. I left the store very disappointed because I had my heart set on getting a pair and trying them on the trails. I should go back and try another pair on, maybe it was just that pair. Or I could try a pair of Nike Frees for my first attempt at minimal shoes. From trail running, I think I have the ankle stability to handle it but it would take some time to get the rest of my legs and feet used to it.
I stumbled upon an article (You Walk Wrong and Your Shoes are to Blame) about shoes and I like it. It covers all the main reasons why I want to try barefoot running in the first place. I don't have a problem with my current shoes (I wear a neutral running shoe) but my feet always feel so constricted. When I'm trail running, I don't mind feeling the roots and rocks, I got used to it and it doesn't bother me. I like feeling the ground and love being barefoot.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Bike "repair"
My road bike has been a little sloppy in the shifting and while it still works, it isn't as crisp as it should be. I suspect it's time for a new chain but I took it to the shop to have it looked at while I was there anyway (for a ride) and have one of the boys see if they could fix it - thinking maybe the cable tension just needed adjusted. Charlie put it in the stand and I told him there was a delay with the shifting in the back. He played with it some while I was talking to my friend about our ride. He finished and said it wasn't really doing it in the stand. (Charlie-speak for "I don't know what the hell you're talking about") Okay, I knew it probably wouldn't do it on the stand. I took it and brought it home thinking he hadn't really done anything and I haven't done anything with it in a couple of days.
I decided I wanted to go for a ride when my husband got home from work tonight because it's supposed to rain the next couple of days. I start getting my stuff ready, pump my tires and throw my bike in the work stand to run through the gears..... the shifting is totally messed up in the front. WTF?! It worked perfectly before, the problem was never in the front! I can't get it adjusted. I noticed the cable is bent weird - I didn't do that. Dammit, Charlie! I clean my bike religiously so I know when something is different. Now, the derailleur won't drop the chain, even when the shifter is clicked the chain won't drop, AHHHHHHHHH!! The shifting is still sloppy in the back and now it won't change in the front - are you fucking kidding me?!?! My husband is supposed to be home in like 10 minutes, the derailleur is messed up, I haven't changed clothes, I need to grab a snack, I don't have my water......
Seriously PO'd at this point, I try to fix it. Front derailleurs are almost always a pain in the ass to adjust and mine was no different. I'd adjust the cable, tighten the screw and the derailleur would move and rub the chain. PERFECT. I was very much missing the shop tools at this point, our little allen wrenches weren't cuttin' it. I was having a hard time gettin my fingers in to hold the derailleur out where it needed to be because the wheel was in the way. After trying several times, I just took the wheel off and tried. I was lucky and got it back to where it needed to be on that first try. Otherwise, I would have had to put the wheel back on, see if the chain was rubbing, take the wheel back off and try again. (and maybe again and again... )
Thankfully, I got it shifting like it had been. I should have known better. I know to be more precise with my directions to Charlie. I know. I'm just glad I could fix it. Ms. Angry Pants would have been less than pleasant to be around if this problem had hijacked my scheduled ride.
I decided I wanted to go for a ride when my husband got home from work tonight because it's supposed to rain the next couple of days. I start getting my stuff ready, pump my tires and throw my bike in the work stand to run through the gears..... the shifting is totally messed up in the front. WTF?! It worked perfectly before, the problem was never in the front! I can't get it adjusted. I noticed the cable is bent weird - I didn't do that. Dammit, Charlie! I clean my bike religiously so I know when something is different. Now, the derailleur won't drop the chain, even when the shifter is clicked the chain won't drop, AHHHHHHHHH!! The shifting is still sloppy in the back and now it won't change in the front - are you fucking kidding me?!?! My husband is supposed to be home in like 10 minutes, the derailleur is messed up, I haven't changed clothes, I need to grab a snack, I don't have my water......
Seriously PO'd at this point, I try to fix it. Front derailleurs are almost always a pain in the ass to adjust and mine was no different. I'd adjust the cable, tighten the screw and the derailleur would move and rub the chain. PERFECT. I was very much missing the shop tools at this point, our little allen wrenches weren't cuttin' it. I was having a hard time gettin my fingers in to hold the derailleur out where it needed to be because the wheel was in the way. After trying several times, I just took the wheel off and tried. I was lucky and got it back to where it needed to be on that first try. Otherwise, I would have had to put the wheel back on, see if the chain was rubbing, take the wheel back off and try again. (and maybe again and again... )
Thankfully, I got it shifting like it had been. I should have known better. I know to be more precise with my directions to Charlie. I know. I'm just glad I could fix it. Ms. Angry Pants would have been less than pleasant to be around if this problem had hijacked my scheduled ride.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Just a Monday
I don't have anything much to blog about today. Actually, I haven't had anything in a couple of days. The weather here was nice over the weekend but it was only a mediocre one as far as training. Feeling down today and at the moment would rather just curl up in bed and watch mindless TV.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Migraine
I am getting a migraine, the second one this week. Stooopid hormones. Migraine with aura is my favorite. I guess I'm lucky that my migraines are not usually debilitating but they are annoying and a P.I.T.A. to deal with, regardless. The worst part is when the aura hits while I'm driving. I usually have the zig-zagging lines diagonally across my field of vision. Today is different, I first noticed it when I started having nausea like I normally do when the lines give me vertigo but today I don't have any major visual disturbances, just a small blind spot. I have slight tingling in my hands, switching back and forth. I just looked it up and apparently that's a normal side effect of the aura but I guess I've never noticed it before because I'm usually trying to deal with the squiggly lines. I woke up feeling like my ear was clogged and I think that should have been the first clue because I haven't been sick so there's no reason my ear would be clogged - and I haven't swam in 3 days so I don't think I have an outer ear infection. I think I need to take some OTC medicine and hope it fades quickly. I think it might be sinuses and my allergies. Really, the clogged ear thing is a big clue - duh.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Juno
We watched Juno last night for the first time. I'm not sure why it took us this long to see it. I liked it and could watch it again. (Most of this entry assumes that everyone has seen it) The main character, Juno, is smart and sarcastic - my kind of girl. ;) I remember when it first came out, my mother in law told us that she knew some people who had seen it and they thought it was terrible. Oh, come on! It wasn't terrible and even to the super conservative, over 60 crowd it couldn't seem that terrible. The 16-year old Juno had a lapse in judgement, got pregnant and chose to give her baby up for adoption instead of abortion. BFD. Maybe I have a different mindset. (well, those that know me know already know this, haha) I don't see a problem. Honestly. I can see how someone might NOT like it because it wasn't their sense of humor but I distinctly remember her telling me how her friends thought the movie was making light of teen pregnancy. Maybe those people want to pretend that teenage pregnancy doesn't happen? Or that couples can grow apart and divorce? I don't know. Next time I see her I'll have to ask her.
The soundtrack is good too. I think I've heard most of the songs from the movie on the Indie Rock station I listen to on Sirius. This song is one of my favorites. The only decent video I could find was when the band was on "The View." I just like it because it's so simple with a catchy tune to boot.
The soundtrack is good too. I think I've heard most of the songs from the movie on the Indie Rock station I listen to on Sirius. This song is one of my favorites. The only decent video I could find was when the band was on "The View." I just like it because it's so simple with a catchy tune to boot.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Swimmer
Dear M,
Don't worry about Mr. Fancy Pants swimming in the lane next to you. Don't pay attention to him swimming a 200 Individual Medley. Don't worry about him swimming faster even when you're wearing fins. Don't worry about his flawless flip turns and technique. He's probably been swimming for 30+ years. (and you're not as hairy)
Your pal,
Cycling Chick
Don't worry about Mr. Fancy Pants swimming in the lane next to you. Don't pay attention to him swimming a 200 Individual Medley. Don't worry about him swimming faster even when you're wearing fins. Don't worry about his flawless flip turns and technique. He's probably been swimming for 30+ years. (and you're not as hairy)
Your pal,
Cycling Chick
Monday, March 16, 2009
Finally.... Cheap Stuff!
We finally got a Sunday paper again. Since it's free, although I have no idea why, I'm not gonna call and complain. The conversation would probably go something like this:
Me: "Um, yes, I am not getting my Sunday paper anymore."
Her: "Oh, I'm sorry, where do you live?"
Me: "I live in BFE and I've been getting it for almost 2 years."
Her: "Oh, you live there. Are you paying for the paper?"
Me: "Uh, um, thank you very much." [hangs up the phone]
So, here is this week's crop of gems:
BLINDS, CUSTOM made valences, white, perfect condition, 70"x 60"/31 1/4 x 60", $40 or obo.
Maybe it's just me, but aren't custom blinds made for a specific window?? And obviously this person doesn't realize OBO stands for Or Best Offer - no need to put "or obo."
CANISTER SET 3 Piece Hunter Green Canister Set $20
I can only assume these are used. I'm pretty sure you can buy a brand new set at Wal-Mart for about $20.
CHRISTMAS TREE 12 Ft., excellent condition, used twice. $50
Just what I've been looking for in the middle of March - a Christmas Tree!?!
DIAPER GENIE White, includes initial bag supply. $10
Oh, ick. I can only assume this might be used too. Have you ever smelled the toxic waste smell that comes out of this thing? Blech. I can hope that they're selling because maybe they got two at a baby shower.
EXERCISE EQUIPMENT Gazell, burn off extra lbs. In great condition and you will be too. $35
Like the other Gazelles that have been listed... I'm pretty sure the people that bought these had no idea how stupid they'd feel prancing like Tony Little.
PORTABLE TOILET by Ivacare, product ID #9630-4, holds up to 300 pounds. $60
There's just no end to the nasty stuff people will sell in this cheap stuff section. And what's with the 300 pounds mention? Is that the weight of the person it can hold or is that the amount of crap it can hold?? Ick, ick, ick.
SIGN 1996 Atlanta Olypic (not my typo) -Budweiser metal sign 21"x31" mint condition. $30
Nothing gross or majorly wrong with this one. I just wanted to mention that if we had a basement with a pool table like my husband had growing up, we'd be all over this one.
Ah, I feel better now. I was missing some cheap stuff. :)
Me: "Um, yes, I am not getting my Sunday paper anymore."
Her: "Oh, I'm sorry, where do you live?"
Me: "I live in BFE and I've been getting it for almost 2 years."
Her: "Oh, you live there. Are you paying for the paper?"
Me: "Uh, um, thank you very much." [hangs up the phone]
So, here is this week's crop of gems:
BLINDS, CUSTOM made valences, white, perfect condition, 70"x 60"/31 1/4 x 60", $40 or obo.
Maybe it's just me, but aren't custom blinds made for a specific window?? And obviously this person doesn't realize OBO stands for Or Best Offer - no need to put "or obo."
CANISTER SET 3 Piece Hunter Green Canister Set $20
I can only assume these are used. I'm pretty sure you can buy a brand new set at Wal-Mart for about $20.
CHRISTMAS TREE 12 Ft., excellent condition, used twice. $50
Just what I've been looking for in the middle of March - a Christmas Tree!?!
DIAPER GENIE White, includes initial bag supply. $10
Oh, ick. I can only assume this might be used too. Have you ever smelled the toxic waste smell that comes out of this thing? Blech. I can hope that they're selling because maybe they got two at a baby shower.
EXERCISE EQUIPMENT Gazell, burn off extra lbs. In great condition and you will be too. $35
Like the other Gazelles that have been listed... I'm pretty sure the people that bought these had no idea how stupid they'd feel prancing like Tony Little.
PORTABLE TOILET by Ivacare, product ID #9630-4, holds up to 300 pounds. $60
There's just no end to the nasty stuff people will sell in this cheap stuff section. And what's with the 300 pounds mention? Is that the weight of the person it can hold or is that the amount of crap it can hold?? Ick, ick, ick.
SIGN 1996 Atlanta Olypic (not my typo) -Budweiser metal sign 21"x31" mint condition. $30
Nothing gross or majorly wrong with this one. I just wanted to mention that if we had a basement with a pool table like my husband had growing up, we'd be all over this one.
Ah, I feel better now. I was missing some cheap stuff. :)
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Chick-fil-a song
A friend of mine posted this on Facebook this morning so I thought I'd share. It cracks me up. :)
R.S.V.P.
There is probably nothing that bothers me more then when people don't have the common courtesy to respond, this mostly applies to R.S.V.P.'s but also to phone calls and emails. (when a response is obvious or necessary - a simple yes, no or thanks is often sufficient) I planned my daughter's birthday party and only got a few replies to let me know their girls would be at the party. I wasn't planning a huge party and didn't absolutely needed to know how many girls would be attending but it's usually just good manners. Here is the actual meaning of the term:
The term R.S.V.P. comes from the French expression "répondez s'il vous plaît", meaning "please respond". If R.S.V.P. is written on an invitation it means the invited guest must tell the host whether or not they plan to attend the party. It does not mean to respond only if you're coming, and it does not mean respond only if you're not coming (the expression "regrets only" is reserved for that instance). It means the host needs a definite head count for the planned event, and needs it by the date specified on the invitation.
It happens every year and I still expect different. Why do some parents choose not to respond? This year I actually got a few more than usual, which was a nice surprise, but it still bothers me. One mom actually called and told me her daughter was coming but then didn't show up and didn't call to let me know?! (okay, I have to rescind this sassiness because when I went to have lunch with my daughter, the little girl who was supposed to come to the party apologized for not coming because her grandparents were in town. Okay, you're in 1st grade and you apologized to your friend's mom? You are granted a pass) I guess it bothers me because I hold everyone else to the high standard that I hold myself but at the same time.... they have no idea. Which I know on the one hand it's not fair to them but on the other hand it's common courtesy to let a party host know if you're going to be there or not. Like the Cranky Princess wrote: you can't dictate manners.
The term R.S.V.P. comes from the French expression "répondez s'il vous plaît", meaning "please respond". If R.S.V.P. is written on an invitation it means the invited guest must tell the host whether or not they plan to attend the party. It does not mean to respond only if you're coming, and it does not mean respond only if you're not coming (the expression "regrets only" is reserved for that instance). It means the host needs a definite head count for the planned event, and needs it by the date specified on the invitation.
It happens every year and I still expect different. Why do some parents choose not to respond? This year I actually got a few more than usual, which was a nice surprise, but it still bothers me. One mom actually called and told me her daughter was coming but then didn't show up and didn't call to let me know?! (okay, I have to rescind this sassiness because when I went to have lunch with my daughter, the little girl who was supposed to come to the party apologized for not coming because her grandparents were in town. Okay, you're in 1st grade and you apologized to your friend's mom? You are granted a pass) I guess it bothers me because I hold everyone else to the high standard that I hold myself but at the same time.... they have no idea. Which I know on the one hand it's not fair to them but on the other hand it's common courtesy to let a party host know if you're going to be there or not. Like the Cranky Princess wrote: you can't dictate manners.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Ode to my bikes
You wait patiently until the day we are together
I dream of derailleurs, chains, forks and gears
You are there for me no matter the weather
The world is waiting for us to appear
We tackle the open road and dirty trail
I know every component, every part between two wheels
Cleaning you is my therapy, my kind of relaxation
As rider and bike we can conquer every hill and vale
It's true, I'm head over heels
You give me freedom, every ride a mini-vacation
I dream of derailleurs, chains, forks and gears
You are there for me no matter the weather
The world is waiting for us to appear
We tackle the open road and dirty trail
I know every component, every part between two wheels
Cleaning you is my therapy, my kind of relaxation
As rider and bike we can conquer every hill and vale
It's true, I'm head over heels
You give me freedom, every ride a mini-vacation
Monday, March 9, 2009
Gaps ride
Yesterday I did something I never thought I would do - ride 3 of the Gaps in the north Georgia mountains. They have always had the "WOW!" factor in my head. When someone tells me they rode the Gaps I'm always impressed. We rode 35 miles of the route shown above, in reverse. (see the start-finish lines) The extra mileage is the route they do for the a shorter route of 58 miles that starts and finishes at the high school in town during the 6 Gap Century in September.Riding the Gaps was never something I had the urge to do, they're mountains (or big hills for those who live near real mountains) and they're there - big deal. But it is one of those things cyclists like to brag about. Now I know they are not as hard as I made them out to be. Well, the 3 we rode aren't; one of the other Gaps averages a 7% grade over 7 miles with a grade as high as 15%, um, no thanks. It was an early season test of my fitness and I think I'd give me a solid B, the strength and endurance base is there, I just need to work on speed. Now if I could just find my running mojo....
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Snow
I haven't had much to write about lately. Not much to intellectualize or anything exciting enough to blog about. I really wanted to do another "cheap stuff" entry but we haven't gotten the Sunday paper in a couple of weeks. :( Too bad, they cracked me up.We did get snow this week! That's right, folks... actual, real snow on the ground. I know, I didn't think it was gonna happen either. Those of us in the Southeast don't see snow very often and when we do it's a major event: stores are packed with people buying milk and bread, schools are closed, the media makes everyone panic.... you know, the normal stuff. ;) We did get a fair amount at my house, probably the most we've gotten since we've lived here. The rest of the 'burbs didn't get as much but they canceled school anyway because of the threat of ice. Bummer for those kids - no snow on a Snow Day. My kids had a good time playing in it both days. I enjoyed it while it lasted but am glad the temps are getting back to normal and we should see the 70's this weekend. Hooray for spring!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Missy the cat
We had to take our cat to be put to sleep on Friday. It was past time. I was sad but knew it was time. We should have taken her earlier in the week when it was clear she was barely eating. I couldn't take her. I had a hard time handling it and I would have had to take my 3 year old with me. So, my husband took her in and I am thankful she is not in pain anymore. She would have been 12 in May.I can't find a picture of her when she was a kitten, she was awfully cute. I was 21 when my friend Luke called me up and asked me if I wanted a cat he'd found abandoned on the side of the road. I immediately said yes even though we weren't allowed to have pets at my apartment. It was the weekend I had my wisdom teeth removed, July of '97. We had only had her a couple of days when I had my wisdom teeth out. I remember drinking a milkshake and couldn't feel it was running down my chin because it was still numb. Missy licked the milkshake off. The entire weekend I lay around the apartment and she was with me.
That fall, a maintenance man saw her in my window and reported it to the rental agency. I was busted. They told me I had to get rid of her or I'd be fined and then if they saw her again I could lose my apartment. Shortly after I drove to Atlanta and took her to stay with my mom. She lived with my mom for a couple of years because we never found an apartment where we could afford the pet deposit. She came back to live with us when we moved in our house.
In August of 2007, I noticed a lump on her belly. I took her to the vet and she was diagnosed with cancer and they gave her a short time to live. They said she probably wouldn't make it until Christmas. Well, Missy proved them very wrong and lived a normal life until recently. It was a long time coming but it's still sad. She was a good cat.
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