I must take a moment to express dismay at a person from NEW JERSEY making disparaging remarks about Southern Hospitality. They're suspicious of you because you ain't from there but they won't yell, "Drop dead Lady," like one may hear in other parts of the country.

No disrespect intended there Cowper..Just not use to all this waving hi and shaking hands and what not. Drop Dead Lady, Ahh, yes, I've frequently heard that term of endearment -especially working in the Bronx.

I heard it on the phone when I was an operator and called the wrong number. Actually, it was "Go get yerself killed lady."

We're looking at cars. We have outside a 1999 Safari van that's leaking water onto the carpet. If we knew where, we could gauge the price to fix but can't find it with the garden hose. Woe is us. I need a man.

BTW, no offense taken. I ain't from HERE (Dogpatch) and know that I'll never accepted. DS's kids might it he stayed here but we ain't from here and that's that. I like the slow, gentle flow of the day though.

I don't know the real words either, what I remember from way back when I lived in Caroliner was "Nothing could be sweeter than to shop at Harris-Teeter in the mooooooorning..."

Congrats on the roomy shorts and the new appliances!
Heh heh When we moved from Yankee-land to NC, one of our first encounters was with the next-door neighbors, the Hollers, who came right over to say hi and actually said on their way out "If you need anything, jest holler!" Seriously. With not the slightest trace of irony. And then they never once invited us to come swim in their pool, even though I hung out at the fence and stared at it on many a hot day. Oh come on, I was 10.

In fact it wasn't until another family of Northerners moved in that house, that I ever got to set foot in that pool. Ahem.

In my experience, Southerners are hospitable, New Englanders are generous. I haven't lived in NYC/NJ so I won't venture a sweeping stereotype there....

I've been informed by the DH that we were not grouting the other day, we were caulking. Oo pardon me.

Later, ladies

Kiwi

I do not understand. Clarify. Before something kinky comes to mind. I watch Oprah, ya know.

My most memorable phone quote was from a solicitor who said "have a nice day, c*nt" when I told him I wasn't interested in a Nextel phone. He must have been from Jersey. (I figured if anything would bring Lush around that would.)

Schatzi, tell us about the appliances. Did you get a front loader? I want to know from a real person how Whirlpool Duet washers work.

We're going to the lake this weekend. I have to buy at least 2 pair of shorts before I go. I will not be miserable all weekend in my too small shorts. This is not giving up, this is being realistic. I can burn them later.

Wabby: You leetle minx you! NO nothing so tawdry as that kind of swing.. I thought you and DH were going to take swing dance lessons..
Our new LG appliances are indeed front loaders..however, the dryer already went Kablooey.. think it's a bad sensor... and it was the LAST of a discontinued model.. but Best Buys was able to find another store with one..so they will come to swap it on Tuesday..Meanwhile, I am hanging the laundry over the deck fencing to dry..which in this weather is quicker than the dryer.
Our furniture arrived and it's pretty hysterical.. like that Geico commercial about the couple that are living for a year in a super tiny house.. Well our furniture was to scale in our 2,200 sq ft townhome... it's not in 1400 sq ft. Everything is super big and "cozy close".. ah well , it's only for a year or so..
Cowie... wet the car, let it drip, take paper towels .stick in window, see where big water blops are..
Kiwi: Hmmm NYC/NJ folks are neither hospitable or generous. We're suspicious of both types..
I'm sure the slower flow will appeal to me.. but it will take some doin after being a hamster in a wheel. (I spent 10 mins listenin to the Appy lady explain how you Nahthinahs like lunchmeat cut so thin ya can see thru it, while us Southinahs like it sliiiiced thick so ya'll can taste the meat. )

I took the van back.

Does anyone know .. hypothetically .. if failing a drivers tests causes insurance rates to go higher?

I don't think it would have any effect on insurance rates--at least I've never heard of that happening. And I've known plenty of people who've failed their test once or twice.

What's an Appy lady? Someone from Appalachia?

Shoot, I had a nice dinner -- very easy too: roast chicken from the store, baby spinach and mushroom salad, nice garlic-infused bread. Then I went and had another piece of bread. Now I feel bloated. Slap me.

Very amusing about your super-filled abode, Schatzi! I've never had quite that problem; usually have gone from smaller to bigger. My problem is that my junk reproduces at an alarming rate. I went through a pile of newspapers/magazines/books/dust today looking for something and it was appalling. I only managed to get rid of a tiny % of it.

Kiwi

Kiwi: Junk breeds better than rabbits.. although I decluttered when I was packing, we still have way too much Chachka and crap that would be useful if used. What was I thinking buying rollerblades at the age of 42? I toss stuff and Ken says "WTF, That's still good..."DOOMED from the start. I will definitely have a yard sale this autumn. Afterall, I need to make room for the new junk we no doubt will acquire. Appy is Appetizer.. As in the Appy dept.
Cowie, had no idea that the Safari was a new used vehicle- good that you returned it! And, no, never heard of insurance rates being effected by failing the test.
Well I managed to clear a space on the table for the laptop and coffee.. Today we continue with the unpacking. I think we shall go with a Minimalist style -storing most of the junque in the attic... afterall, this is just a temporary place (for a year or 2) until we find the FINAL house or have one built.
Will try to check in later... have a moovaleous day you cows

Shots, you weigh 175 and wear a 16? I'm filling out a 14 at my weight. I am so confused by the size labels.

Kiwi, have you arranged for us to get the puppy?

PeachPie, GAWD yes! I'm only 5 foot, and carry most all my weight in my arse and hips. Just stick a bumpersticker that says WIDE LOAD like those trucks on my butt and you get the pic! I have GIGOONDA breasts, batwings for arms, a comparatively small waist and then hips that can double as shelving units.--a distorted hourglass shape I guess... So far I see the weight loss in my stomach and boobs.. a little bit in the hips. But as soon as I settle in I'll get back to exercising and hopefully one day get back into 10's again. While I'm short I have a large frame and felt best at 128/135.. so only those last few pesky 40 pounds to go!
PS. And this was a real wake up call, in "petites" I was a size 20.. How sad is that. I really should have clothing tailored but too cheap.. I have to cuff the arms up, but need that size to get over my hips alone or my huge boobs. But I do manage to look stylish whilst being the corporate yuppie . But most say (maybe just to be nice) that I "don't look that big" or "I carry my weight well".
I paint a most flattering portrait of myself, don't I? Upon reading it, I'm picturing a troll like being.Yes, a weeble I am.

Well, weebles are cute, eh?

I'm glad you took the van back, Peach. Nothing like borrowing trouble with a vehicle.

I think DD has abandoned her notion of majoring in Poli Sci or Int'l Relations. Yesterday she was investigating schools that taught sound recording technology. It's starting to freak me out; she does have to decide at least where to apply in the next few months...

Must go clean up some more piles. I still haven't found the thing I was looking for. I'm thinking the computer desk is next. Probably I can't do that while I'm actually online?

Kiwi

I'm taking a box-break, and okay, a beer break too. Nothin like a cold beer on a hot day when you're workin up a sweat!
KiWienie: Don't Fret too much about DD. Of course I'm the new cow here, having lurked a month or two prior to joining you fabulous women~ and "barren" at that.. But seems to me your DD is not only brilliant but level headed. I'm sure she will select a college that offers a robust curriculum and dabble a bit here and there where her interests lie. It may be sound technology or who knows..but her hearts passions together with a level head will lead her to what she wants to focus on for now.. After all, our generation is the poster child for having 2-3-4 divergent career paths in a life time... and so it should for the next generation.

Why, I'm Cuter than the Capital Q as I like to say! Must find a picture to send to ye bovines ..till then I'm sure I have left a loverly visual for you all to conjur.

Yes I cleaned up my desk and Yes I found the stuff I was looking for! Yay me. Funny, though, the desk doesn't really look any better. I suppose that would be explained by the fact that I quit cleaning when I found it. heh heh. No matter, baby steps, as the flyspeck would say.