Uplifting and Lively Messages. No holds barred..
Comments
-
Gran, welcome to our thread!! Are you snow and ice camping? Where is that beautiful place? Claire is really into snow skiing!! We had a brush with snow clouds for Christmas. Still in single digits here.
Okay girls, what were some of your first automobiles? Come on.....I confessed to having a Madea mobile.....(which I loved)
Varga, your first car was awesome. We collected and stored a similar car. If we had our first cars, me Chevelle, you Mustang, we would be "in the money."0 -
Thank you Michelle - our camp is in upstate NY near Lowville. It's actually a house on a lake, so we are snug and warm while it's in single digits outside. I went out for a while this morning though and it was very comfortable in the sun. My husband and I do some downhill skiing. We have not been cross country skiing in about 30 years, but will need to get back into it now that we have this place.
First automobile was a Ford Fiesta 😊
Definitely not something that would be worth money now but still a fun car to drive at the time - with standard transmission in the snowy hills of upstate NY!0 -
I am insanely jealous of the snow pictures and talk. We thought we might get some but it keeps getting pushed off and away. Sigh. I grew up in the Deep South on the beach. I want some winter wonderland (not ice, not sleet and freezing rain. SNOW!)
My first car ... hmmm I drove my parents green Buick when I was in high school. Got an Oldsmobile cutlass siera (silver) for college (borrowed, again, from my parents) Got hit in that one, totaled it out but it was sturdy and I was not hurt. I got a pretty blue Chev Bareta after that. But my first vehicle that was actually NEW I got was a black 2000 GMC Jimmy. I kept that baby for 16 years. It wore out. Last Christmas I bought a silver Toyota 4Runner. I love it!
0 -
Wow, Gran, you are up by the Canadian border. My sister has relatives in Kingston, Ontario. I am sure you have some nice hills to ski!!
TaR, my first new car was a 1986 Nissan Pulsar, which I had for several years and loved it. I was hit by another driver, at my first day of teaching at my university. It got totaled and I bought my friend's LeSabre. After that I married, gave that car to my sister and purchased a Lincoln Continental. When the kids were born, I ended up with a red Chevy blazer as a temp car, but kept it for 4 years. After that it was a Dodge Durango (used), then new Tahoe's until 2014 - gold, black, snowbeast/white, now my current Cadillac SRX. I went through many years of beaters before I had a decent car, and I just did not care. They were dream cars to me, because they allowed me to achieve my dreams. I think it is great to have stories of the different cars in your life, that took you to different stages in your life. When I was at the University of Arizona, I had a bike, no car. I went everywhere on bike or bus. Same in Chicago, public transportation - el train, subway, or bus. Cars were too expensive to park in downtown Chicago, so most people took public transportation or walked.
0 -
It was take me all day to think of every car I have owned! My first brand new car was a 1984 Ford EXP. They only made those a few years. The next new car was a 1986 Ford Thunderbird. I had a few cars in between the EXP and the Thunderbird. Then in was Volkswagen Rabbits for a few years then on to Camero. My favorite was a white I-Roc Z. After that I had a Taurus, a Accord, a Sunbird, a Aerostar, a Escort, Oldsmobile delta 88, Buick park Ave, a few Acura Integra, Honda Civic a Honda CRV and several Subaru. That's just what I remember. .lol currently have a Suburban, 2 Regals, a Dodge Pickup, a Chrysler convertible, a Subaru and my everyday ride a Honda Odyssey that I absolutely LOVE! I got it new a few years ago and it' still new to me.
0 -
My first "vehicle" wasn't a car - it was an International Harvester tractor! My father had bought a Ford tractor with an automatic shift that he thought would be easier for his daughter to drive, but I liked the IH better. It had a dual range, and I thought easier to manoeuver.
I didn't have a car of my own until in my mid 30s as had lived in cities, and I was moving out of NYC. I bought an old Toyota from a colleague that didn't last very long. Then I got a classic Subaru wagon which was so fun to drive. I haven't looked back. My WRX is now almost 15 years old...still a hoot to drive. The worse the weather, the more you love your Subaru. I have been giving Rexxie a lot of love recently with all the snow and ice. We've been on tons of adventures together.
He has industrial carpeting, an essential for someone who is currently hauling around a bicycle and skis in the back. Can you imagine doing this with cream color velour or leather?
Off to the supermarket to get some round roast. I had a bad bottle of wine for Christmas, so will use in sauerbraten. I have invited my friend back to help eat, but this requires a 3 day marination. So I need to get marinating. The results will be even better than lemonade out of lemons.
That's my current story, and I'm sticking to it. - Claire
0 -
my first car was a 1987 cougar XR 7 I loved it, but it was horrible in ice and snow.
0 -
First car...1971 Impala station wagon, dirt brown...old family car but in high school you could fit 12-15 kids in it and we lived 1 mile from the ocean, so fun!
First new car, 1984 Honda Civic ...the civic could have probably fit inside the back tailgate of the Impala!
0 -
Our accountant called today, and told us to pay all of our rental property real estate taxes tomorrow, before Jan 1st. We have multiple properties, we are in the real estate business. Ugh. He also said that we could no longer take medical deductions on our taxes and said something about health care insurance premium payments, which I found to be incorrect. Between the ACA and PTTD (post trump tax disorder) we are having some confusion. Anyone else that is a business owner, with college students on their taxes? My brother in law, a real estate attorney, said that our corporations would be able to deduct real estate taxes and be taxed at 21 percent. In his opinion, only our own home property taxes would be in question. This is aka "we don't know what is in those new laws and how they affect us."
0 -
Michelle....paying in the year when you are assured of the deduction is always good advice. I made sure I did the same thing when I was getting divorced and I needed all the deductions I could claim for that calendar year. It worked out just fine.
Confusion is normal with a major change in the tax laws. I remember Louis Rukeyser referring to the Reagan changes as the "accountants and tax attorneys relief act". From what I understand, the 2017 rules will remain the same with changes for 2018.
My actions this week have been centered around collecting all 2017 revenue in the correct calendar year. Success so far!!! I gave the company that I did contract work for during the past month the option of paying in either 2017 or 2018, as have no idea how the end client will be paying. This could go either way, but I did succeed in collecing everything I had slated for 2017.
As 2018 could potentially be a banner year for me, I am looking forward to the lower tax brackets.
I recommend champagne at this point for celebrating success and for clearing the brain for 2018. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. I will add in a spot of salmon caviar.
My guess is that you will be just fine. - Claire
0 -
We have rental properties as well. My DH handles it all. I am thankful for that!
0 -
Varga, did you get the obligatory call from the accountant? My husband handles the day to day business. I am more involved in new construction, design and landscape design - the fun part.
0 -
The shirt my husband got me for Christmas!
0 -
Michelle - our account is our neighbor and my husband is good friends with him. They talk all the business I just "sign where needed ". I don' do much with the rentals anymore. In years past I would clean them after DH had all necessary repairs complete. I have not cleaned one in probably 2 years. I enjoyed cleaning the empty apartments. I would crank up my music and just clean away!
Love the shirt GKbuser! My grandson got a guitar for Christmas and he just started playing the trombone this school year.
Our weather is getting into the single digits tomorrow. I doubt we will go out for New Years this years. It' going to be negative with the wind chill. My lymphedema troubles me more with the cold weather than hot.
0 -
I love reading all your posts..... when I am at dinner, and by myself/waiting on someone, it gives me a chuckle to see what we are all up to. Keep sharing the fun, love, joy and peace...
0 -
Michelle - me to! That's when I catch up. After DH is pit of the house and just before my girl gets up. If she is up early I usually check in while I am feeding her lunch. This thread is my FB replacement. My BC is still "a secret" a few close friends know and select relatives (not my parents).
Got to feed these bossy cats and get ready for PT. I have found a new LE certified therapist that is not connected to our hospital system. Much easier to get appointments.
Have a great day ladies...it' freezing here! Chicken and dumplings for dinner tonight!
0 -
Good morning ladies!!! I am having a belated "Merry Christmas to Claire". My intent was to use my Nordstrom gift cards to fill in my jewelry collection....which I did. However, I also stopped in at the resale shop where they had the most fabulous collection of costume jewelry, consigned by a former Henri Bendel rep. I realized this was my golden opportunity to update/upgrade my jewelry wardrobe.
I got the most fabulous (new!!!) items. A silver Chanel-style long necklace, and several other shorter necklaces. I got the long necklace in gold for my friend and business partner as her birthday is coming up in a couple of months. I got dressy pearl earrings. All so chic, and for a song. This all added up to what roughly one item would have gone for at Nordstrom. At Nordstrom, I got earrings to match a necklace where I don't have quite the right ones to go with it. These aren't perfect either, but they're close.
Then I went on to the Market, where I got eggs, and a few vegetables, ending up at the wine bar. (You would think I had never seen a vegetable, but the local Chatenay carrots looked intriguing). Had a couple of glasses of a Syrah which is just gorgeous right now. I got a bottle to serve along with the sauerbraten I am making for this evening's dinner. It's marinating in the wine that had mostly turned to vinegar. I need to get moving on the red cabbage I am making to go along with it.
My friend was most appreciative of the Christmas Pudding. As I was leaving, he asked if I had any champagne for New Year's and gifted me with a half bottle. I will have it with some festive (and simple to prepare) eats tomorrow evening, and celebrate an absolutely splendid year with more to come in 2018.
Happy last 2 days of 2017!!! - Claire
P.s. I also sent out my annual email yesterday. Thought you might enjoy the things that were less than perfect this past year....
There were a few mishaps along the way as well. But
fortunately, I did not freeze to death when I got hypothermic during a “nippy”
ski in early January, I didn’t get more than “a little bit stranded” on my
bicycle, I was wearing my helmet when I fell backwards trying to dismount my
bicycle while standing on a stray piece of litter (a rubber O-ring!) so came to
no serious harm, and I didn’t burn down the kitchen when I doused my Christmas
Pudding with too much hot brandy and it became too hot to handle. I was able to
eat just the right combination of foods when I seriously bonked on Day 2 of the
Seattle-to-Portland with 70 miles to go, and ride to a triumphant finish. This
was after freezing in a tent overnight with very little sleep, and should be a
reminder to pack a very warm blanket next time.0 -
Varga, I am the same way about telling people of my breast cancer. Only family, my doctors, and a couple of friends. I can share more freely on here, than I can on facebook. I have a limited number of friends on facebook, and keep my business quiet. It is simple to be myself, with girlies that understand what I have went through.
Claire, I just looked at your diagnosis date, and it is the same month as mine. You could have easily dumped this forum, but you came back for us..... Varga, she did not leave her girls behind....sniff..sniff.. I remember when Claire almost froze to death last January while skiing on a shady side of a mountain. I remember Claire's long ride that shocked us all. The foods department and wordsmith department are covered. But, Claire, you must post pictures of your finds...Chanel necklace - come on and take a pic..
Just for fun this morning, I went to Walgreens and received a tetanus shot. My dog, Sylvester, broke the skin on my thumb, as I was trying to corral him into the bathtub. For some reason, recently he pees on his front paw and then is shell shocked when he comes in doors. He is so good at going outside and leaving refuse outside. So, I thought, why not, got a free tetanus shot. Just thinking what else I could do on healthcare this year, since I have already met my out of pocket?
0 -
Thank you for your comments, Michelle. I remember how important Lance Armstrong was as an example to me when I was starting out. He was at a much lower ebb than I ever got to, and he made it all the way back. I don't care about the doping scandal. That isn't the point. He made it all the way back. I continue to pay it forward for this very reason.
I will get to pix of my finds, most likely tomorrow. I spent the past 2 days getting outside, and dragged my friend out for a walk in the drizzle yesterday. This was before we settled into an amazing dinner. I am staying home alone this evening, if for no other reason that it hurts to sit down from all the skiing.
I am having some leftover soup with bread and Vermont Creamery butter, and then some salmon caviar with the champagne I was given 2 days ago. That's it.
Today, the skiing was amazing at the top, but unfortunately very icy once more than half way down. I walked a trail section that's usually a blast to ski, and then I walked the last section in front of the lodge. No way could I snowplow it. (And then the icy journey back to my car.) The pictures are from the amazing part, and I will go back up to kick off 2018 the right way.
Here are pictures from the two days. Happy, happy New Year, everyone! - Claire
0 -
Happy New Years ladies! Cold snap here in Iowa. It is -17 right now.
Making this tonight. http://tiphero.com/10-minute-honey-garlic-shrimp/
Going to sign off and watch the ball drop
0 -
It has been a great year with my girls!!! So glad that I have been able to have company on my journey. Just got back from our club, which this year had 80 persons attending the NYE party. Last year, it was just a couple of tables. I was able to salsa dance, with a bit of paso doble arm movements. There were 8 at our table, and it was so fun.
It is going to be cold here too in Illinois. It is cold right now!! Plan to ring in the new year with my doggie. DH already went to bed and will be asleep within minutes.
So, here is to a great new 2018!!!! Hugs to all ......
0 -
I went to a wonderful gathering of friends last night and had 1 ( !!! ) drink and a glass of sparkling wine at midnight. Then we did it again at 1:00 as we watched the celebrations in Nashville, TN and New Orleans, LA. I was up VERY late! But it was good to have such a positive vibe to start the new year off. I started new medication so was reluctant to drink much, but nobody was drinking a LOT. It was just about 20 of us, socializing and cutting up and enjoying our friendships. Yay for 2018! Let’s get this year started right
0 -
I am not so virtuous, but I did get in a wonderful day skiing,. I know what they mean about Nordic being a whole body workout. I feel all muscle groups from my calves up to my shoulder muscles. This is even after my bath. But wonderful to be out there, and I got in 10 miles of fabulous skiing.
I just had to stop at the Farmhouse Market on the way back as they were having a $6.99 steak sale. I am cooking one up for dinner. I dug out a ten year old Syrah to have with this meal, and it's just fabulous. One of my goals is to drink up some of my older wines before they turn to vinegar. From opening this wine, I learned that the problem isn't my own storage, but something in the wine that had turned (which is now part of the pot roast gravy).
I ask you: what kind of a woman has 4 different types of carrots in her fridge??? I am roasting up 3 of the heirlooms plus some Romanesco broccoli to have with the steak. The steak is grass fed from Oregon, and I am beyond touched that the owner of the market makes a point of having fabulous specials so that all of us could celebrate in style. I have chatted him up in the past and know that this is the way he wants to do things.
Baked potato is inferior as supermarket next door only recently got in the Yukon Golds that are beyond sublime.
I got in my first adventure of the year. Some of the trail was washed out, so had to ford a stream on my skis. Did just fine, and the solitude was extraordinary. Plus, I chatted with a younger guy who mentioned the need to keep challenging ourselves. I totally get this.
Happy New Year's Day to one and all!! - Claire
0 -
Happy New Year! The weather took an unexpected turn yesterday. Our county and several others were hit with a ice storm. Much like our surprise snow a few weeks ago it was not in the forecast. There were 400+ wrecks in our county and motorists very stranded for hours on the highway. My DH and SIL were working at a rental property and notice how sudden the weather was changing and decided to get to the house. They were in the big box van not the ideal vehicle for ice. It took about 1 1/2 hours to make the 20 minute drive. Once they arrived at our house my DH got the Subaru to take SIL to hid car 5 miles from our house. Took DH 2 1/2 hours to do that! Needless to say NYE was a later dinner at home and and kiss as the ball dropped.
As I reflect on the past year I am thankful for all the girls in this thread...so nice to have ohers who understand and offer help on this BC journey. A trip that none of us signed up for!
0 -
It is below zero here, and colder than Greenland. I have to let the dog out and then barricade the dog door with pillows. My heat is on 74, usually on 70 or 71, but the upstairs gets hot and downstairs is cold. Thank God I have my dog to warm my feet up, or I would be a goner. My daughter is staying here until school resumes, and confided in me about having panic attacks. I told her we would work on coping mechanisms together and that I could help her. She was so embarrassed. I explained that hormonal fluctuations cause seratonin, dopamine and other neurotransmitter disruptions. I have a winter light, that I am going to help her use, and gave her a 1000 units of Vitamin D. I had panic attacks during some classes at Northwestern, during my CPA exam, after the birth of my daughter and have had to learn how to cope. I actually think my dog helps me stay calm. My daughter, dh and ds are going to Mexico next week, so she can get some sun. I can't go in the sun since radiation, because of recall. I don't drink alcohol, so it is not a good trip for me to take. I have been to Mexico 5 times in the last 8 years. I will enjoy some me time, and get my year rolling. As my dog, Sylvester, is getting older, I want to be near home.
Varga, I am looking for a mini schnauzer breeder and ran across one it the foothills. Have you heard of any out near you? They are hard to find.
#THANKFUL_FOR_MY_GIRLS
0 -
Michelle - I haven't but will investigate! We are at -9 right now. This is not normal for my area. I gave traveled all over the USA and have been in hose -45 below states. Hopefully for a warm up soon! My DD also has panic attacks !
0 -
Hi, there to everyone and happy 2018!
Michelle - Well versed in the stresses of the CPA Exam. Still keeping up with my CPE/License, as I would never want to go there again.
Just wondering about "recall" related to radiation. I thought we were ok to be in the sun as long as used strong sunscreen, or wore a shirt to shield radiated areas. Will be at Clearwater Beach over the MLK holidays, so looking for any advice that can be rendered. We usually rent umbrellas if at the beach, so not really in "direct" sunlight.
0 -
Recall can happen if the area gets overheated, moist or irritated. It can happen up to five years. When it was 100 here in the summer, and I was moving 13 hosta plants, I started sweating and had radiation recall dermatitis exactly where I had treatment. I use a cortisone cream and clear it up. Can't be in extreme heat.
Thanks for checking on the mini schnauzer breeders, Varga. They are hard to find.
The CPA exam caused my hair to fall out, I lost weight, and had panic attacks. I studied for one year with Rick Duffy of Convisor Duffy, now Becker I think. I went on to get an MBA after that and specialized in strategic marketing and consulting.
0 -
this is a few years old. When we actually got snow and not ice (which is what usually happens). Dakota was three in this picture. This was her first snow. We had her chasing snowballs. I know some of you are over it already, but I look forward to whatever snow we can get. lol
0 -
Describes how I feel when out skiing.
For the record, I was born in -20F temps. I think this explains a lot. I was the one who begged her father to "go to the woods" (to help cut firewood and timber) at the age of 2. Not to mention that I got a trip back either clinging onto the hames (part of the collar of a draft horse harness) or riding on top of the load of logs. Such things would be considered "child abuse" today, but so fun. Don't think my mother ever quite knew
Just had another meal of the sauerbraten - most welcome on a damp and chilly evening. Next stop.....HASH!!! I can use up beets when I do a batch of Red Flannel Hash. This was one of my grandmother's favorite dishes.
I am getting a new clutch for my ride as my first 2018 present. Oh, well. At least, I should have Rexxie for a few more years. Still a blast to drive, a small price to pay for an uber-cool ride that gets me to all my adventures.
Headed to bed as a long day awaits tomorrow..... - Claire
0
