ForumGarden

Thank you! :-6

One of the places we visited was Ghost Town in the Sky at Maggie Valley NC. We rode a chair lift way up a mountain to an old western town. There is a saloon there and a gunfight is staged regularly during the day. There are carnival rides and concession stands.

Some members of the Cherokee tribe graciously perform for us. A man also brings with him a couple of wolves and talks about this beautiful animal.

You do feel like you are on top of a high mountain.

Attached files

along-for-the-ride;1257531 wrote: Thank you! :-6

One of the places we visited was Ghost Town in the Sky at Maggie Valley NC. We rode a chair lift way up a mountain to an old western town. There is a saloon there and a gunfight is staged regularly during the day. There are carnival rides and concession stands.

Some members of the Cherokee tribe graciously perform for us. A man also brings with him a couple of wolves and talks about this beautiful animal.

You do feel like you are on top of a high mountain.


wow, that is high up on the mountain!

I love the ol western towns, nice to see them staged there.

Would love to meet this man and see and listen to his story's on wolves.

just spectular pics!:guitarist:guitarist

To all my Forum Garden Buddies: :yh_pumpkn:yh_pumpkn

Click on the link below....................if you dare.

http://www.forumgarden.com/forums/holid ... ost1253904

Attached files

along-for-the-ride;1257761 wrote: to all my forum garden buddies: :yh_pumpkn:yh_pumpkn


happy halloween!

Last Saturday, while we up in North Carolina, we decided to take a drive over the mountains to a big flea market over in Tennessee. Well, a trip that should have taken 1 1/2 hours took 3 hours. The traffic was heavy and very slow. And we had many many traffic lights on the road. We found out later this was why:

_________________________________________________________________

Rockslide May Shut Interstate for Months

posted: 6 DAYS 1 HOUR AGO

RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct. 25) — A rockslide in western North Carolina near the Tennessee state line has closed Interstate 40, and officials say it could take several months to clear the debris. The state Department of Transportation on Sunday issued an emergency declaration. Initial estimates from engineers are that it could take several months to clean up the entire slide and restore traffic.

DOT said a contractor is en route to begin clean up.





WBIR.com

A rockslide has been blocking Interstate 40 in both directions in Haywood County, N.C., since early Sunday. The site is three miles from the Tennessee border.

The rockslide occurred shortly after 2 a.m. near mile marker 3 in Haywood County. The debris pile is 100 feet long and 50 feet wide, reported WBIR-TV in Knoxville, Tenn.

A detour has been set up. Motorists traveling west to Tennessee should take I-40 West to I-240 West in Asheville to I-26 West. Follow I-26 West from Asheville to I-81 South in Tennessee, back to I-40. Eastbound motorists will follow the reverse directions.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

But, we did make it to the flea market FINALLY........and..............we saw an upside-down building. :wah:

Attached files

More on our vacation:

Last Monday, Hubby and I went to Dollywood in Pidgeon Forge, Tennesse. You have to pay to park, then pay to get in, and then pay for your food and purchases from the shops........but we expected that. We enjoyed our visit there very much. All the rides within the park are free and Hubby and I went on a similated car chase and a rollercoaster that went inside a pitch black building with passing funny scenes lit up. What a hoot! We also watched a nature show about eagles, hawks and owls.

Very interesting. We took a ride on an open old steam engine train.We also went inside Dolly Parton's travel trailer and I took a couple of pictures of that..........Dolly's bed and vanity in her bathroom. It was just so nice to spend the day together just having fun.

This was Dolly in 1974 singing on of her songs:



More Dolly Parton:



Attached files

I read this today:

Wife Wants 'I Love You' To Be Reserved For Those She Loves



DEAR ABBY: I have strong feelings about the word "love." I use it only when I truly mean it. My husband's family, however, bandies it about as a common word.

How does one respond when someone says "I love you" when you know he or she doesn't mean it and is only saying it as a pleasantry? I hate saying it back to someone I don't really love. I feel the phrase should be reserved only when you are saying it from the heart. Any advice on what I should say, if anything at all? -- KEEPING MUM IN MISSISSIPPI

DEAR KEEPING MUM: Because you are part of the extended family, and family is supposed to "love" each other, the expected and appropriate response would be, "I love you too, darlin'!" But since you can't bring yourself to go that far, just coo in return, "And you're such a love to say that!"



I feel the same way as "Mum". Do you?

I can't say it if I don't mean it.

Well, after 2 weeks of no internet connection to my home PC, I'm back. Seems I needed a new modem. Two weeks of phone calls to the techies and the costumer servicees :-5. Two weeks of them "not being able to find my home" or "the work is more extensive than expected and will take 2 days" and "they will be there tomorrow ...or Monday" and 6 job tickets.....................a contractor finally appeared this evening and...............the job is finally done and completed.

Glad to be back too. What did I miss?:wah:

Have you ever gotten the "runaround" about a job you needed done?

along-for-the-ride;1263539 wrote: Well, after 2 weeks of no internet connection to my home PC, I'm back. Seems I needed a new modum. Two weeks of phone calls to the techies and the costumer servicees :-5. Two weeks of them "not being able to find my home" or "the work is more extensive than expected and will take 2 days" and "they will be there tomorrow ...or Monday" and 6 job tickets.....................a contractor finally appeared this evening and...............the job is finally done and completed.

Glad to be back too. What did I miss?:wah:

Have you ever gotten the "runaround" about a job you needed done?


I wondered where you were, I thought on another trip!

you don't wanna know what you've missed!:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

:wah: I wondered where you were, I thought on another trip!:wah:



That's what my sister thought when she didn't see me on FB.

Have you ever woke up after a sweet dream and have that dream linger with you throughout the day? Kinda of gives you a secret pleasure.



PS. Why aren't our pictures uploading like they used to? Should I ask Tombstone....................or Nomad? :-3

Attached files

along-for-the-ride;1263781 wrote: :wah: I wondered where you were, I thought on another trip!:wah:



That's what my sister thought when she didn't see me on FB.


:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl



see, we all know you!:wah:

along-for-the-ride;1263802 wrote: Have you ever woke up after a sweet dream and have that dream linger with you throughout the day? Kinda of gives you a secret pleasure.



PS. Why aren't our pictures uploading like they used to? Should I ask Tombstone....................or Nomad? :-3


yeah, that is weird, I'd ask Nomad.:sneaky:





very pretty indeed!:guitarist:guitarist

it does give you a relaxed feeling.:-4

omg!...........................semi-Demi!

Demi Moore's W Cover: Worst Photoshop Ever? - A-Line: the celebrity style blog - omg! on Yahoo

:wah:

along-for-the-ride;1263874 wrote: omg!...........................semi-Demi!

Demi Moore's W Cover: Worst Photoshop Ever? - A-Line: the celebrity style blog - omg! on Yahoo

:wah:


:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

Sign of the times this Christmas:

No more letters from North Pole? Ho ho oh no!

Postal Service stops 55-year-old program after sex offender was spotted

Sam Harrel / AP

Santa Claus (also known as Patrick Farmer) at Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska, on Nov. 18, 2009, holds letters from children sent this year that the U.S. Postal Service says it will no longer deliver.





Yes, Virginia, there is a North Pole mailbox

Nov. 19: The mayor of North Pole, Alaska, tells msnbc that Ak, children can indeed send their letters to Santa via several special addresses.





ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Starry-eyed children writing letters to the jolly man at the North Pole this holiday season likely won't get a response from Santa Claus or his helpers.

The U.S. Postal Service is dropping a popular national program begun in 1954 in the small Alaska town of North Pole, where volunteers open and respond to thousands of letters addressed to Santa each year. Replies come with North Pole postmarks.

Last year, a postal worker in Maryland recognized an Operation Santa volunteer there as a registered sex offender. The postal worker interceded before the individual could answer a child's letter, but the Postal Service viewed the episode as a big enough scare to tighten rules in such programs nationwide.

People in North Pole are incensed by the change, likening the Postal Service to the Grinch trying to steal Christmas. The letter program is a revered holiday tradition in North Pole, where light posts are curved and striped like candy canes and streets have names such as Kris Kringle Drive and Santa Claus Lane. Volunteers in the letter program even sign the response letters as Santa's elves and helpers.

North Pole Mayor Doug Isaacson agreed that caution is necessary to protect children. But he's outraged North Pole program should be affected by a sex offender's actions on the East Coast — and he thinks it's wrong that locals just found out about the change in recent days.

"It's Grinchlike that the Postal Service never informed all the little elves before the fact," he said. "They've been working on this for how long?"

The Postal Service began restricting its policies in such programs in 2006, including requiring volunteers to show identification.

But the Maryland incident involving the sex offender prompted additional changes, even forcing the agency to briefly suspend the Operation Santa program last year in New York and Chicago.

The agency now prohibits volunteers from having access to children's family names and addresses, said spokeswoman Sue Brennan. The Postal Service instead redacts the last name and addresses on each letter and replaces the addresses with codes that match computerized addresses known only to the post office — and leaves it up to individual post offices if they want to go through the time-consuming effort to shield the information.







-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Looks like all the children this year will have to find Santa and sit on his knee. Up close and personal. Wait................does Santa have a website? Wait..........are these safe options for the children?

Sharing................................:wah:

Museum: Galileo's fingers, tooth are found

Fri Nov 20, 10:53 pm ET

ROME – Two fingers and a tooth removed from Galileo Galilei's corpse in a Florentine basilica in the 18th century and given up for lost have been found again and will soon be put on display, an Italian museum director said Friday.

Three fingers, a vertebra and a tooth were removed from the astronomer's body by admirers in 1737, 95 years after his death, as his corpse was being moved from a storage place to a monumental tomb — opposite that of Michelangelo, in Santa Croce Basilica in Florence.

One of the fingers was recovered soon afterward and is now part of the collection of the Museum of the History of Science, in Florence. The vertebra has been kept at the University of Padua, where Galileo taught for years.

But the tooth and two fingers from the scientist's right hand — the thumb and middle finger — were kept by one of the admirers, an Italian marquis, and later enclosed in a container that was passed on from generation to generation in the same family, Paolo Galluzzi, the museum's director, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.

"But with time, the generations lost knowledge of what was actually inside the container," and the family sold it, Galluzzi said. By 1905, all traces of the relics had disappeared, "leading scholars to hypothesize that these singular specimens had been definitely lost," the museum said in a statement.

The container recently turned up at auction and was purchased by a private collector, intrigued by the contents but not sure they were Galileo's relics.

The buyer eventually contacted Galluzzi and other Florence culture officials, who used detailed historical documents, as well as documentation from the family that had owned it for so long, to conclude that the fingers and tooth were Galileo's, the museum director said.

The relics were inside an 18th-century blown-glass vase, which in turn was inside a wooden case topped with a wooden bust of Galileo, the museum said.

Galileo, who died in 1642, was condemned by the Vatican for saying the Earth revolved around the Sun. Church teaching at the time held that the Earth was the center of the universe. In the early 1990s, Pope John Paul II rehabilitated him, saying the church had erred.

The museum will put the fingers and tooth on display next spring.

Attached files

Here's a link to some Thanksgiving stuff (not stuffing :wah:).........and not just for kids. Have fun!

Thanksgiving Activities for Kids - Thanksgiving Crafts, Coloring, Art, Thanksgiving Recipes and Dinner - Kaboose.com

Over the River and

Through the Woods

Over the river and thru the wood,

To grandfather's house we go;

The horse knows the way

To carry the sleigh,

Thru the white and drifted snow, oh!

Over the river and thru the wood,

Oh, how the wind does blow!

It stings the toes,

And bites the nose,

As over the ground we go.

Over the river and thru the wood,

To have a first-rate play;

Oh, hear the bell ring,

"Ting-a-ling-ling!"

Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day-ay!

Over the river and thru the wood,

Trot fast my dapple gray!

Spring over the ground,

Like a hunting hound!

For this is Thanksgiving Day.

I remember this poem from childhood. My siblings and I would sing parts of it every Thanksgiving.

along-for-the-ride;1265243 wrote: Over the River and

Through the Woods

Over the river and thru the wood,

To grandfather's house we go;

The horse knows the way

To carry the sleigh,

Thru the white and drifted snow, oh!

Over the river and thru the wood,

Oh, how the wind does blow!

It stings the toes,

And bites the nose,

As over the ground we go.

Over the river and thru the wood,

To have a first-rate play;

Oh, hear the bell ring,

"Ting-a-ling-ling!"

Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day-ay!

Over the river and thru the wood,

Trot fast my dapple gray!

Spring over the ground,

Like a hunting hound!

For this is Thanksgiving Day.

I remember this poem from childhood. My siblings and I would sing parts of it every Thanksgiving.




I've never heard it, how cute!:guitarist

when is your Thanksgiving?

Our Thanksgiving will be this Thursday November 26th. Hubby and I are planning a quiet dinner at home.........just the two of us. Instead of a whole turkey, I bought a turkey breast to cook. I have all the fixin's like sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing, green beans, corn and mashed potatoes.

Since we have to go back to work Friday, a quiet lazy Thanksgiving day seems fine with us.

We did get invited to one of Hubby's sisters home for Thanksgiving, but, really don't feel like going.

along-for-the-ride;1265630 wrote: Our Thanksgiving will be this Thursday November 26th. Hubby and I are planning a quiet dinner at home.........just the two of us. Instead of a whole turkey, I bought a turkey breast to cook. I have all the fixin's like sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing, green beans, corn and mashed potatoes.

Since we have to go back to work Friday, a quiet lazy Thanksgiving day seems fine with us.

We did get invited to one of Hubby's sisters home for Thanksgiving, but, really don't feel like going.


oh its on a Thursday, how odd, ours always runs with a long weekend.

that kinda sucks, then you have to work the next day.

nice to have a quiet dinner, are you turning the clocks back an hour?:yh_rotfl

It's sure is nice to not have to wake up to an alarm clock. :wah:



I remember as a child, my mom going to alot of trouble preparing a large Thanksgiving dinner for us and visiting family members. We had a basement in Chicago and it was fixed up nice to accomodate everyone. She even had celery sticks set out on the table as appetizers. And yes, there was a "kid's table". We always had plenty of delicious food.

When my children were still living at home, it was my turn to prepare the Thanksgiving dinner. I never thought it was any trouble, if the meal was planned ahead.

The Thanksgiving dinners that I have enjoyed here in the South have always been less formal, but still delicious.

All you need is plenty of good food.................and good company.

Click on my Thanksgiving Greeting below. :-6

Attached files

along-for-the-ride;1266204 wrote: It's sure is nice to not have to wake up to an alarm clock. :wah:





I remember as a child, my mom going to alot of trouble preparing a large Thanksgiving dinner for us and visiting family members. We had a basement in Chicago and it was fixed up nice to accomodate everyone. She even had celery sticks set out on the table as appetizers. And yes, there was a "kid's table". We always had plenty of delicious food.

When my children were still living at home, it was my turn to prepare the Thanksgiving dinner. I never thought it was any trouble, if the meal was planned ahead.

The Thanksgiving dinners that I have enjoyed here in the South have always been less formal, but still delicious.

All you need is plenty of good food.................and good company.

Click on my Thanksgiving Greeting below. :-6


I didn't mean an alarm clock, remember last month when we put our clocks back what you and your hubby were doing for that hour?:yh_rotfl

same here, full dinner, fam and friends back then.

as you said, it doesn't matte what you eat.

besides your turkey breast sounds delish.....I can bring the cranberry sauce.:wah::wah:



I love your glimmer turkey.:guitarist

Just stopping by to say hello and tell you how much I enjoy reading your threads and posts. :-4

:-6

When I'm worried and I can't sleep

I count my blessings instead of sheep

And I fall asleep counting my blessings

When my bankroll is getting small

I think of when I had none at all

And I fall asleep counting my blessings

I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads

And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds

If you're worried and you can't sleep

Just count your blessings instead of sheep

And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings

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along-for-the-ride;1266430 wrote: :-6

When I'm worried and I can't sleep

I count my blessings instead of sheep

And I fall asleep counting my blessings

When my bankroll is getting small

I think of when I had none at all

And I fall asleep counting my blessings

I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads

And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds

If you're worried and you can't sleep

Just count your blessings instead of sheep

And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings


that's really cute!:guitarist

Happy Thanksgiving!:guitarist

"These Are the Moments"

Lying here with you,

Listening to the rain.

Smiling just to see,

The smile upon your face.

And these are the moments,

I thank God that I'm alive.

And these are the moments,

I'll remember all my life.

I've found all I've Waited for,

And I could not ask for more.

Looking in your eyes,

Seeing all I need.

Everything you are,

Is everything to me.

And these are the moments,

I know heaven must exist.

And these are the moments,

I know all I need is this,

I have all I've waited for,

And I could not ask for more.

I could not ask for more than this time together,

I could ask for more than this time with you.

Every prayer has been answered,

Every dream I've had's come true.

Right here in this moment,

Is right where that I meant to be.

Ohh here with you, here with me.

Ohh hoo.

Yeah

Oh Yeah

And these are the moments,

I thank God that I'm alive.

And these are the moments,

I'll remember all my life.

I've got all I've Waited for,

And I could not ask for more.

I could not ask for more than this time together,

I could ask for more than this time with you.

Every prayer has been answered,

Every dream I've had's come true.

Right here in this moment,

Is right where that I meant to be.

Here with you, here with me.

I could not ask for more than the love you give me,

Cause it's all I've waited for.

And I could not ask for more.

More.

Uh huh uh.

And I could not ask for more.



YouTube - I could not ask for more - Sara Evans

Just sharing a beautiful song. :)

From Yahoo:

-----------------------------

In this photo taken Monday, Nov. 23, 2009 residue is seen on the bottom of an electric iron at the home of Mary Jo Coady, in Methuen, Mass. Coady says an image of Jesus Christ that she sees in the pattern on the bottom of the iron, which she first noticed on Sunday, has reassured her that 'life is going to be good.'

(AP Photo/The Eagle-Tribune, Grant Morris)

-----------------------------

A miracle?

Or..

Just a scorched iron?

Attached files

Just wanted to stop by and say hello :-6 When I made the iron larger, it looks like just a scorched iron to me

Jazzy;1267358 wrote: Just wanted to stop by and say hello :-6 When I made the iron larger, it looks like just a scorched iron to me


Thank you, Jazzy, for dropping by.

I caught your post in another thread:

"In my adult life now, I have many close friends and would never make judgement on a person who lives in a mobile home. As you can see, I refuse to call them trailers, they are homes to many people but that does not make them any less worthy of respect. "

Since Hubby and I live in a mobile home, I appreciate your sentiments. We don't live in a park...but off by ourselves. I always consider us to be living modestly. Where we live feels like home to me. Small and comfy.

along-for-the-ride;1267543 wrote: Thank you, Jazzy, for dropping by.

I caught your post in another thread:

"In my adult life now, I have many close friends and would never make judgement on a person who lives in a mobile home. As you can see, I refuse to call them trailers, they are homes to many people but that does not make them any less worthy of respect. "

Since Hubby and I live in a mobile home, I appreciate your sentiments. We don't live in a park...but off by ourselves. I always consider us to be living modestly. Where we live feels like home to me. Small and comfy.


i have spent many years in a mobile home :-6

i prefer to live in a nice warm building now

but i have fond memories of it as a child and young adult

safe journey aftr :-6:-6

Hey Jimbo!

I found this article today on holiday spending. Maybe it can be helpful.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10 holiday money mistakes

You and your wallet will be jollier if you avoid these financial pitfalls.

With the sour economy, holiday budgets are tight this year. In fact, according to Consumer Reports, 65% of Americans plan to cut back on spending this season, particularly on gifts and travel.

Sentiments like this have prompted retailers to try harder to lure shoppers in the door. Deals are everywhere. But even with such abundance of bargains -- or perhaps because of it -- it's easy to go overboard or make other spending mistakes.

Avoid these 10 missteps to stretch your holiday dollars further this year.

1. Being blinded by bargains

"It was 60% off! How could I pass that up?"

Sound familiar? But just because something is a good deal doesn't mean it's a good deal for you. With so many discounts this season, it's easy to fall into the trap of buying something simply because it's on sale. You may spend more than you normally would have or end up with a closet full of cheap, unnecessary stuff.

Stay focused by drawing up a budget and gift list before you head to the stores. Write down everyone you need to buy for, along with the amount of money you're willing to spend on each person. Then jot down gift ideas for each person on your list. An hour of forethought can save you a bundle in the long run.

2. Forgetting to budget for the extras

Gifts aren't the only expense this time of year. Don't forget to factor in the costs of greeting cards, postage, family photos, shipping, décor, entertaining and travel.

Even the utility bills for your festive outdoor light display might turn out to be an unpleasant January surprise.

3. Buying on credit

Financial experts say those who shop with credit cards tend to spend as much as 30% more than if they'd shopped with cash. The reason: When you shop with cash, you're more aware of how much you spend and how much you have left because you can touch it. And once the money's gone, it's gone.

Plus, if you have to put the purchase on your credit card or sign up for the store's financing, you simply cannot afford it. Any good deal you thought you were getting will be eroded by the interest you'll accrue and the time you'll spend as a debt hostage. About 12 million Americans are still paying off last holiday's bills, according to Consumer Reports.

4. Not keeping the receipts

Don't you hate it when you buy something only to find the store puts it on sale the following week? Hang on to your receipts. Many retailers will honor the sale price if you had made the purchase within a few weeks and will refund you the difference.

Keep your receipts, also, in case you or a loved one needs to make a return. Without a receipt, you may only get store credit -- or your return could be refused altogether.

5. Spending to impress

This is a biggie, especially for young adults who may feel compelled to prove their success and their new independence. Don't let your gift giving become a larger statement than the gift.

Before tossing something in your cart, ask yourself if it's something the person will really use and if you can really afford it. And the same goes for entertaining. It's the company of friends that matters, not how much money you spend.



6. Over-giving

It's wonderful to get caught up in the spirit of giving, but not if that means you'll break your budget or go insane trying to pull it off. You don't have to buy something for every single person you know (co-workers, neighbors, newspaper deliverer, that nameless guy you make small talk with at the bus stop).

Stick to the people who count most in your life, such as family and close friends. You might even suggest drawing names among groups of co-workers or relatives to whittle your gift list further. Chances are others are feeling the strain, too, and will welcome the idea.

7. Giving in to gift guilt

Don't let guilt drive you to break your budget or go into debt. You don't have to spend the same amount of money on every kid on your list, for example. Giving thoughtful, age-appropriate gifts is much better.

You also are not obligated to give a gift that has the same monetary value as a gift someone gave you, says etiquette expert Peter Post, or even to reciprocate unexpected gifts. Simply accept the gift and say thank you.

8. Failing to do your homework

That discount looks like a good deal, but do you know if it's the best value for your money? Remember, inexpensive sometimes just means cheap. Hit the Web before making major purchases to compare prices, read customer reviews and make sure you're getting a quality item at a good price.



Check the Web for coupons, too. Many retailers offer coupons you can print and take to the store, or you'll find e-coupons to save on your online purchase or your shipping costs.

9. Procrastinating

In the frenzy of last-minute shopping, you have no time to give thoughtful presents. So you compensate by spending more.

If you're shopping online, aim to make your purchases by mid-December. That way, you won't have to pay extra for expedited shipping, and your gifts stand the best chance of arriving on time.

10. Giving fruitcake

And for heaven's sake, don't waste your money on a bad gift. You may as well toss your money on a blazing yule log. Here are some common gifting gaffes to avoid:

Gadgets they'll never use: golf-ball-finder glasses, battery-powered potato peeler.

Desk clutter: "gone fishing" plaques, Zen gardens, paperweights.

Overly personal: lingerie, nose hair trimmers, weight-loss books.

Thoughtless: cookies for the diabetic, wine for the recovering alcoholic or the same gift for the same person two years in a row.

Tacky: holiday apparel, stuffed animals for anyone over age 10.

Clichéd: snow globes, coffee mugs, Chia Pets and, yes, fruitcakes.

This article was reported by Erin Burt for Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine.

Published Nov. 23, 2009

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Numbers 6 and 7 are important ones.

Jazzy;1267358 wrote: Just wanted to stop by and say hello :-6 When I made the iron larger, it looks like just a scorched iron to me


me to.

Hey Odie!

This American Ride..............

CMT : Videos : Toby Keith : American Ride



:guitarist :yh_flag

I thinks it's time for me to pull out my old photo album. Another year is coming to a close. Time to look back at other years.



This picture shows a group of children at Christmas Dinner in 1936. The children are eating cabbage and turnips. This photograph truly makes me realize how fortunate I am, and how lucky we are today to have plenty to eat, and a warm and safe place to live.

i've always been fascinated by old photos of strangers. who are these people, and how have their photos ended up being sold for a dollar at a sunday flea market? was the photo lost during a move or accidentally left inside the pages of a donated book? or more likely, have the subjects or the recipients of the photo died--and all value of the photo sadly lost along the way? will this happen to my photos one day?



this photo, below, is lucky, because it has some clues handwritten on the back.

please meet vera and howard munhall, ages 17 and 19, from oklahoma. puppy's name and age unknown.

July 16, 1915:

Apparently taken at the funeral of a great grandmother.

Nantucket...............circa 1860:

Marge and Homer Simpson as a young couple.





Just kidding.

A silver tree and a bouffant hairdo..................Those were the days.

along-for-the-ride;1268248 wrote: Hey Odie!

This American Ride..............

CMT : Videos : Toby Keith : American Ride



:guitarist :yh_flag


oh that was so cute and so true!:guitarist

Odie loves bikers.

now why didn't they wear the Canadian flag?:sneaky::yh_rotfl

Sweet little "ghosts" of Christmas past:

Not old photos, just Holiday Cars. What the heck....................:wah:

Have you ever decorated you vehicle for the Holidays?

along-for-the-ride;1267878 wrote: Hey Jimbo!

I found this article today on holiday spending. Maybe it can be helpful.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10 A mistakes

You and your wallet will be jollier if you avoid these financial pitfalls.

With the sour economy, holiday budgets are tight this year. In fact, according to Consumer Reports, 65% of Americans plan to cut back on spending this season, particularly on gifts and travel.

Sentiments like this have prompted retailers to try harder to lure shoppers in the door. Deals are everywhere. But even with such abundance of bargains -- or perhaps because of it -- it's easy to go overboard or make other spending mistakes.

Avoid these 10 missteps to stretch your holiday dollars further this year.

1. Being blinded by bargains

"It was 60% off! How could I pass that up?"

Sound familiar? But just because something is a good deal doesn't mean it's a good deal for you. With so many discounts this season, it's easy to fall into the trap of buying something simply because it's on sale. You may spend more than you normally would have or end up with a closet full of cheap, unnecessary stuff.

Stay focused by drawing up a budget and gift list before you head to the stores. Write down everyone you need to buy for, along with the amount of money you're willing to spend on each person. Then jot down gift ideas for each person on your list. An hour of forethought can save you a bundle in the long run.

2. Forgetting to budget for the extras

Gifts aren't the only expense this time of year. Don't forget to factor in the costs of greeting cards, postage, family photos, shipping, décor, entertaining and travel.

Even the utility bills for your festive outdoor light display might turn out to be an unpleasant January surprise.

3. Buying on A experts say those who shop with credit cards tend to spend as much as 30% more than if they'd shopped with cash. The reason: When you shop with cash, you're more aware of how much you spend and how much you have left because you can touch it. And once the money's gone, it's gone.

Plus, if you have to put the purchase on your credit card or sign up for the store's financing, you simply cannot afford it. Any good deal you thought you were getting will be eroded by the interest you'll accrue and the time you'll spend as a debt hostage. About 12 million Americans are still paying off last holiday's bills, according to Consumer Reports.

4. Not keeping the receipts

Don't you hate it when you buy something only to find the store puts it on sale the following week? Hang on to your receipts. Many retailers will honor the sale price if you had made the purchase within a few weeks and will refund you the difference.

Keep your receipts, also, in case you or a loved one needs to make a return. Without a receipt, you may only get store credit -- or your return could be refused altogether.

5. Spending to impress

This is a biggie, especially for young adults who may feel compelled to prove their success and their new independence. Don't let your gift giving become a larger statement than the gift.

Before tossing something in your cart, ask yourself if it's something the person will really use and if you can really afford it. And the same goes for entertaining. It's the company of friends that matters, not how much money you spend.



6. Over-giving

It's wonderful to get caught up in the spirit of giving, but not if that means you'll break your budget or go insane trying to pull it off. You don't have to buy something for every single person you know (co-workers, neighbors, newspaper deliverer, that nameless guy you make small talk with at the bus stop).

Stick to the people who count most in your life, such as family and close friends. You might even suggest drawing names among groups of co-workers or relatives to whittle your gift list further. Chances are others are feeling the strain, too, and will welcome the idea.

7. Giving in to gift guilt

Don't let guilt drive you to break your budget or go into debt. You don't have to spend the same amount of money on every kid on your list, for example. Giving thoughtful, age-appropriate gifts is much better.

You also are not obligated to give a gift that has the same monetary value as a gift someone gave you, says etiquette expert Peter Post, or even to reciprocate unexpected gifts. Simply accept the gift and say thank you.

8. Failing to do your homework

That discount looks like a good deal, but do you know if it's the best value for your money? Remember, inexpensive sometimes just means cheap. Hit the Web before making major purchases to compare prices, read customer reviews and make sure you're getting a quality item at a good price.



Check the Web for coupons, too. Many retailers offer coupons you can print and take to the store, or you'll find e-coupons to save on your online purchase or your shipping costs.

9. Procrastinating

In the frenzy of last-minute shopping, you have no time to give thoughtful presents. So you compensate by spending more.

If you're A, aim to make your purchases by mid-December. That way, you won't have to pay extra for expedited shipping, and your gifts stand the best chance of arriving on time.

10. Giving fruitcake

And for heaven's sake, don't waste your money on a bad gift. You may as well toss your money on a blazing yule log. Here are some common gifting gaffes to avoid:

Gadgets they'll never use: golf-ball-finder glasses, battery-powered potato peeler.

Desk clutter: "gone fishing" plaques, Zen gardens, paperweights.

Overly personal: lingerie, nose hair trimmers, weight-loss books.

Thoughtless: cookies for the diabetic, wine for the recovering alcoholic or the same gift for the same person two years in a row.

Tacky: holiday apparel, stuffed animals for anyone over age 10.

Clichéd: snow globes, coffee mugs, Chia Pets and, yes, fruitcakes.

This article was reported by Erin Burt for Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine.

Published Nov. 23, 2009

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Numbers 6 and 7 are important ones.


That is why I go to yard sales over the summer & thrift stores & pack stuff away especially for the kids...stuff that I know won't bother them in the least...and my fam does't mind...they love it.

along-for-the-ride;1268754 wrote: Not old photos, just Holiday Cars. What the heck....................:wah:

Have you ever decorated you vehicle for the Holidays?


these just gave me an idea!:guitarist:guitarist

"From December to March, there are for many of us three gardens -

the garden outdoors,

the garden of pots and bowls in the house,

and the garden of the mind's eye."

- Katherine S. White

Hubby and I watched a wonderful DVD last night. A moviie called "DreamKeeper".



DreamKeeper (2003) (TV)

If you ever get a chance to see it, do. :)It is a beautiful homage to our Native Americans.