tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88014919059087130812024-02-20T23:46:28.383-05:00Kathy's Fresh Start - A Retirement ChronicleAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074979796931872795noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801491905908713081.post-37261547401542250662014-09-10T16:01:00.001-04:002014-09-10T16:08:02.935-04:00Wheelin' and dealin'I LOVE a good bargain. And I found a great one.<br />
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I've been looking for master bedroom furniture for a while. We had accumulated a mixed set of oak headboard, pine entertainment center, early marriage dresser, and various other pieces. I do think there's a decorating style called eclectic, so we'll choose to call it that. <br />
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When we moved last year I began searching in earnest for the right set, and I found it. If you're interested in seeing it, here's the link: <a href="http://www.stanleyfurniture.com/downloads/dl/file/id/24/louis_philippe.pdf.">http://www.stanleyfurniture.com/downloads/dl/file/id/24/louis_philippe.pdf.</a><br />
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What I wanted was a good price, so I called a number of local furniture dealers, compared online furniture prices (like Cymax, Amazon, and Wayfair), and found the best local price was a little better than online, but not much. By the way, the best local price was from Ariana Home Furnishings in Cumming.<br />
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So I went to the Hickory Furniture Mart's webpage (<a href="http://www.hickoryfurniture.com/">http://www.hickoryfurniture.com/</a>) and searched their dealers to see who carried Stanley (go here for the manufacturer list: <a href="http://www.hickoryfurniture.com/manufacturers.inc">http://www.hickoryfurniture.com/manufacturers.inc</a>), then called to get a quote (the Stanley dealer was Good's Home Furnishings, and they were fantastic). It was about half of the online price, even when the delivery cost was added. <br />
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Ahhhhh... I LOVE a good bargain.<br />
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The furniture came in about two weeks, as it was in stock, delivered and set up by a very nice pair of gentlemen from Star Delivery.<br />
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Did I say that I'm happy?<br />
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I'm happy.<br />
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And here's the finished look.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074979796931872795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801491905908713081.post-68851625696082545362014-06-19T09:51:00.001-04:002014-06-22T07:36:47.081-04:00Me and my Fitbit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It all started with a financial decision... My health plan offered a $240 credit for tracking my exercise, and I found out that a Fitbit would submit my exercise results automatically. It cost me about $100, so I figured that I would be $140 ahead.<br />
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Here's the link if you'd like to check it out on Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BGO0Q9O/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00BGO0Q9O&linkCode=as2&tag=katsfrestaare-20&linkId=XDKXWQR3Q3JQ74SL"> Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity + Sleep Wristband, Black</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=katsfrestaare-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00BGO0Q9O" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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I ordered my Fitbit, downloaded the app, and the addiction began...<br />
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Multiple checks daily to see how many steps I'd taken (the goal is supposed to be 10,000 steps a day).<br />
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Lamenting over a bad day.... I mean, it was SUNDAY!<br />
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Rejoicing over a good day...<br />
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The first time I reached 10,000 steps, the Fitbit began a party on my
arm (it vibrates A LOT when you get to 10,000). The app shows me green
happy icons, and I feel great about myself...<br />
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So my days are partially judged by the number of steps I've taken. Now I'm debating: keep it? dump it in a fountain, like Joanne Kaufman suggests? (<a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303603904579496123006797640" target="_blank">Click here to read her hilarious article</a>.)<br />
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I'm still debating, but for now I'll keep it. I'm walking more, thinking about my health more, and feeling great. That's a good thing in retirement.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074979796931872795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801491905908713081.post-88428248538805636702014-06-16T11:00:00.000-04:002014-06-16T07:51:14.467-04:00In defense of the blog<br />
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I'm not a reality TV fan. If I were, I could better explain my desire to join the ranks of bloggers. But I'm not interested in (insert reality TV star's name here) (insert reality TV star's latest debacle here).<br />
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So why a blog?<br />
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Does anybody really want to read about my latest gardening decision? YES! (Hi, Mom...)<br />
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Does anybody want to see pictures of my grandchildren? YES! (Hi, Heather, Karen, and Mom...)<br />
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Does anybody want to know about my favorite cleaning products? ...................... ok, nobody wants to know about that.<br />
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So why a blog?<br />
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I'm sure my psychology students could answer that question..... Let's hear it!!! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074979796931872795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801491905908713081.post-38268330347977834272014-06-15T07:47:00.000-04:002014-06-15T07:47:40.234-04:00Ahhhh.... summer!<div style="text-align: center;">
Even though I'm touting this as a retirement blog, I don't feel retired yet. Summer is ALWAYS like this... first a trip to the beach....</div>
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Then some gardening....grow, baby, grow!!!</div>
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Finding some good bargains... the centerpiece is a $12.99 find from HomeGoods, the clock was a $18 find at Ballard's; well I could keep going... everything was a find at one of my favorite discount stores!!!</div>
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And of course, my favorite thing about summer.... </div>
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no-rush-bad-hair-no-makeup-coffee</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074979796931872795noreply@blogger.com1