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raisin mountaineer

I would try asking the apartment building to do the treatment in house, not only in the affected apartment(s) but in the adjoining units on the same floor as well as the apartments above and below. Bedbugs will hide in nooks and crannies, behind baseboards and behind trim, as well as in electrical o...

raisin mountaineer

At age 53, I'm always surprised when I look in the mirror and see my mother's face. I'm surprised when I see a photo and note that I really should have touched up those grays earlier. And I'm really surprised when I go out for a hike or run and my feet start hurting during the first mile. In my head...

raisin mountaineer

I put 2-300K, because there are "starter homes" that have 3 br 2 baths in a working class neighborhood where indeed, I bought my first home. However, many of my coworkers consider this neighborhood "unsafe" and would consider the 300K+ area "safe." Safe is a term that i...

raisin mountaineer

My partner believes (and I agree) that choosing a profession that cannot be outsourced overseas will be a predictor of income opportunity in the future (and I'm not talking about "Would you like fries with that!"). Right now, we are (somewhat facetiously) encouraging our six-year-old to be...

raisin mountaineer

Mini Mac (running with our old monitor and speakers) and an I-Pod Nano. I bought the I-Pod when our office moved and I was forced into cubicle-land. It has saved my sanity, which I think is a very nice bargain, indeed. It also has released me from my ball-and-chain tie to Saturday morning radio (I n...

raisin mountaineer

I was just thinking about this, as I do my afternoon "trap-line" of sites. I have a few that don't already appear: http://www.tomandlorenzo.com -- fashion, style and culture blog. Since I don't have cable tv and don't subscribe to any trashy magazines, this suffices. http://www.cnn.com new...

raisin mountaineer

I dont' know if you are male or female, or what your weight changes/non are or might be. Saying this because I gained 50 pounds when I had a kid, and my feet grew a solid half-size, permanently. Even though I shed the weight pretty quickly after, I had to replace almost all of my shoes, including my...

raisin mountaineer

O.k., I'll bite. I think generally, if you're within hearing distance of other coworkers, it is respectful to speak English. If the third coworker walked in while you were having your conversation, and you briefly concluded it, that's no big deal, and she (I think it was a she?) should lighten up. B...

raisin mountaineer

A friend of mine is moving, and she just gave away her washer and dryer to an acquaintance. Which made me wonder, what's the best random non-monetary gift you ever received? What's the best random gift you ever gave away? Not Christmas, or obligation or expectation or charitable donation. Just, you ...

raisin mountaineer

o.k., I'll bite. There were three, all in junior high. One was an English teacher who gave me Louis L'Amour western novels to read, and changed my life thereby. I knew I wasn't meant to live in the East after reading about western skies! The second was a female math teacher who so completely had mis...

raisin mountaineer

My father stated many times that he wanted to die at home. He left articles around the house regarding elder care, the right to die, etc. Fortunately, he died during his afternoon nap a year ago, quietly slipping away, and getting his way, as he so often did. This is a nice article. I think there is...

raisin mountaineer

I think it's especially helpful for boys. My son has a classmate who was "redshirted," and he is thriving as a kindergartner. He's big compared to the other kids, but not the biggest. It's going to help him in athletics, if he's inclined that way--- even a few months makes a big difference...

raisin mountaineer

For the price of only 24 cents (25-1), Mark learned a lesson that will stay with him forever (hopefully). 8-) +1 It was a lie, but not a costly one to the victim. It also comes with a little bit of the "Nigerian scam" to it-- i.e., if someone offers you something that sounds too good to b...

raisin mountaineer

My first "real job" (i.e., not baby sitting) was working on a vegetable ("truck") farm in South Carolina. Pulling onions, picking squash, packing corn, grading peaches (i.e., sorting out the rotten ones). We worked standing up, squatting, or bent over for 9-12 hours a day. Most d...

raisin mountaineer

Thank you all-- this is super helpful. I think we'll look for a local conversion person, and try out one or two reels on him/her, then go from there.

raisin mountaineer

Does anyone have any experience converting movie film to digital? We have about two dozen 8mm films from the early 60's-- some black and white and some color. We'd like to convert them to a format that is usable on DVD and also shareable (i.e., youtube). Any recommendations for companies, or pitfall...

raisin mountaineer

You should be able to get a decent upright grand piano used for far less than $5K. I bought my most recent piano 15 years ago, but at the time I paid $300 for it (and had to move it). More recently, my parents' piano was given away to some college students who were willing to move it. These were dec...

raisin mountaineer

I'm confused a little by the question. My thought is that any time I was offered money, I'd be glad to accept whatever-- even for 50K, I'd smile and say thank you. I might be somewhat disappointed, but any amount is more than I had at first (zero) and the "fairness" question would be puzzl...

raisin mountaineer

Yikes! Well, my sister is the executor, so I'm letting her handle it. My memory is so poor-- I can't remember if my dad said he filled it with sand or not, etc. I guess we'll find out...

raisin mountaineer

As I've posted previously, we have successfully sold (we hope) my parents' house. Closing is scheduled for November. The other day the question of whether there is an underground fuel tank on the property came up. Apparently, if there is one, we have to remove it. I recall my dad mentioning such a t...

raisin mountaineer

Has anyone used Khan Academy with their kids, or does anyone have Khan Academy set up at their school? A friend who is a teacher recommended it as a way to keep our (kindergartner) kid excited and engaged about learning despite his "one-size-fits-all" school experience. We're providing lot...

raisin mountaineer

If one partner is traveling 100%, the other needs to be there. If your bottom line is "no nanny," then that's your only other option. I have friends who are single moms with no nanny, and it is a constant struggle to find reliable child care, get their kid there, pick them up on time-- and...

raisin mountaineer

We listed my parents' house about two weeks ago. About a week ago we got an offer for about 15% off the listing price, with a bunch of stuff they wanted us to pay for. While we were mulling that over and working out a counter, a second person made an offer. The realtor told everyone to "bring y...

raisin mountaineer

I lived on a comparable amount until I was about 35 years old... Here are some of the strategies: -- share housing. Rent is the biggest potential money-sucker imaginable. At one point I had seven housemates. -- eat frugally. I was never fond of mac and cheese or even ramen. I lived on a diet of oatm...

raisin mountaineer

I second the www.mousesavers.com site. We benefited greatly from its helpful hints and links. We did our first trip to Disneyland last year, with a five-year-old boy. I realize D-World is 10x in scale, but some of the same principles may apply. We stayed at a Residence Inn nearby-- the time of year ...

raisin mountaineer

My theory is that they don't want people "day trading" so they're kinda slow. I like to update monthly, but I try not to get too attached to a particular day because the TSP (especially) is never predictable. Someone told me (perhaps on this board) that when they first started up electroni...

raisin mountaineer

So, you spam this into a site that gathers relatively intelligent people of certain means.

Now you have a whole list of songs to use in your next car (or investment firm) commercial to appeal to that sector.

Seems kinda smart to me.

raisin mountaineer

I used to backpack with a friend, back before bearspray was invented, who always slept with a highway flare by his sleeping bag, ready for deployment if a bear came into camp. Turning a light on (even a flashlight) if you hear a bear outside your tent may be enough to startle it into leaving, if its...

raisin mountaineer

Just stood on the corner in Winslow a couple of nights ago...

Anyway, no matter what the bot is looking for, I think that a party with all of you, with the songs on the list in play by the DJ, would be very fun!

raisin mountaineer

"Ripple in still water, where there is no pebble tossed or wind to blow"

(Grateful Dead)

"Awake, asleep, at home, abroad, I am surrounded still with God."

(Isaac Watts)

Both of these speak to the mysteries beyond our senses.

raisin mountaineer

For those of us relatively new to the site and the philosophy, the repetition is helpful. Every time someone posts some new theory on timing the market (including me), they get (gently) slapped down and reminded of the long-term vision, the fact that timing the market isn't really possible or everyo...

raisin mountaineer

Last year, I netted (had to pay fed, got return from state) less than $100.

Same the year before.

Things changed this year, and I think I'll be paying a fair amount. But I"m not sure.

I aim at net zero.

raisin mountaineer

Playing piano helps with math, if you need a practical reason to think it isn't a "complete waste of money." Google "music and mathematics" for more. I know that anecdotal evidence isn't science, but my straight A's in math and devotion to the piano seem a little bit connected. B...

raisin mountaineer

Keep in mind that it may not have been intentional. If the neighbor sprayed the herbicide on a windy day, or watered too soon after spraying and washed some into your friend's yard, the herbicide doesn't care that it wasn't directly sprayed there, it'll kill plants anyways. You want to be sure it a...

raisin mountaineer

Why would anybody hike or go anywhere near where there could possibly be bears or other predators intent on killing them? With thanks to Robert Service's "Spell of the Yukon" (please forgive small errors, quoting this from memory): "Then there's the land-- have you seen it? It's the ...

raisin mountaineer

I can touch my toes, and put my hands flat on the ground, after a period of not being able to touch. The no-touch period was associated with a lot of running and no stretching. Caveat: I'm female, and I think that (based on no evidence but my own observation) that women tend to be more flexible than...

raisin mountaineer

I was listening to a very interesting episode of Freakonomics today (free podcast, search for it on ITunes). The title of the episode was Scionism or something like that. They spent an hour exploring how businesses that last from generation to generation really work. They interviewed a fifth-generat...

raisin mountaineer

My partner didn't have a dryer or a dishwasher when I moved in. I felt like I could live without a dryer, but not a dishwasher, so that's how we went. We hang the clothes outside in the summer, inside in the winter. It's super dry here so it isn't a problem getting them to dry. The . I do miss havin...

raisin mountaineer

I also just searched the MLS using the features of the house-- lot size, number of garage spaces (4) etc., and there was only ONE listing that came up in the same zip code-- a very nice very large house on a very impressive lot-- for four times the money we're asking. So maybe the realtor is right a...

raisin mountaineer

Thanks for the input! There are a couple of interesting things going on here. The realtor told my sister that "there are no comps for this house." I take that to mean that the plusses and minuses don't add up to equal anything similar in the market. Since I don't live there, I will attempt...

raisin mountaineer

Thought I would report back that my folks' house went on the market this week. Not quite in time for the new school year, but this was how long it took to get it cleaned out, clean and fix a couple of things. The realtor seems on top of her game, had some ideas about spiffing it up for minimal cost....

raisin mountaineer

I second the keep a diary idea. Keep a little diary of every phone call you make, who it was with (including the name of the person on the phone, not just the company) and what you talked about. Ditto on any documents you mail. Mail the documents return receipt and always keep copies. Start with the...

raisin mountaineer

I find that I have trouble putting Stephen King's novels down, myself. I don't like horror, don't like violence, am upset by situations that put children in danger. So, why did I find myself working my way through his entire lexicon? 1. His main characters are compelling and interesting. I feel like...

raisin mountaineer

I thought of one more thing that my unemployed coworker did during his period of unemployment, that kept his spirits up, benefitted the community and didn't hurt his resume at all. He volunteered. In his case, he got on the zoning board, which was re-writing the city's zoning ordinances. He had to h...

raisin mountaineer

For my kid, I'll make a similar deal to you: I'll pay for a state supported school. Above that, he'll have to figure it out. Although I will also consider (and so might you): if my kid does well, and I feel like he has used his gifts and my money well, I might pay off some of any loans he has incurr...

raisin mountaineer

I have one, an oil stock. I inherited it, and as soon as I get past "My grandpa drove a truck for 40 years to get some of this stock as a bonus every Christmas" I'll be moving it mostly into indexes. I don't think I'll ever be able to move it all, though.

raisin mountaineer

I finally got annoyed enough with monthly paper statements to sign up electronically with several companies as well as my bank. I set up a dedicated e-mail account that will serve only for these relationships (I will do on-line ordering, personal e-mail, etc. through other accounts). So now that I'm...

raisin mountaineer

I'm doing an adult version of invisilign (called something else though) and it's $5K.

So $8K doesn't seem too weird to me, but I trust these other folks. Might want to wait until you get back to the states.

raisin mountaineer

You're legally allowed to carry a handgun in national parks since last year. Yup. Allowed to carry them. Allowed to fire them is a TOTALLY different thing, and the issue hasn't been well tested. Bear spray is legal, it works, and you won't accidentally kill a bear who was doing nothing worse than b...

raisin mountaineer

Thanks, neverknow. I knew I liked you. You bring up a couple of important points. The bear that attacked me in my tent had repeatedly (in the past) gotten food from humans. Eating human food can lead to a bear treating humans AS food. In my case, it did. Bears are super-smart about finding high dens...

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