Play Book Tag discussion

It's hard to believe that March is nearly hear! How is everyone?

I'm excited because I've finished preparing our taxes, and since my husband and I are both self-employed, etc, it's time consuming. Also, my son will be coming home on Sunday for his March break, less than 24 hours after he performs the piece where he won the school's wind ensemble competition.

However, my brilliant hair cutter (not my hair colourist who I enjoy and does a great job with that, but not the cutting) retired from cutting hair and closed her shop! For some reason, my hair is extremely difficult for most to cut well (not even saying brilliant) when it's short, so I am probably going to grow it out even though I swore I would never do it again, until I have the time and energy to find someone else who can handle it.

My brother is currently on kidney dialysis to help his kidneys recover so he can be able to get a liver transplant; his team is optimistic.

Some good news there, Karin!

I do feel your pain about your hair person retiring! I don't even have hard to cut hair and it took me over a year of bad haircuts before I found a replacement for my stylist after he passed away unexpectedly. And I'm in NYC! I could not believe how bad cutters stylists were, and I have easy hair, I'm not fussy other than it needs to be wash and wear - no fuss no muss no products. Especially given the prices one pays here!

Anyway, I eventually landed on an excellent stylist who is an immigrant from Japan. My old stylist was trained by and worked for Sassoon and a lot of East Asians like that style of haircut, so I finally figured out that I needed to go where the East Asians go.

Good news on the taxes, Karin. I feel your pain re the hair stylist. Mine just went on Medicare ... though (for now at least) she's still working. Just a matter of time, I know.

Too bad that there are very few East Asians around here! The main immigrant group here are Portuguese speakers and Cape Verdeans--my son works with a slew of Cape Verdeans in the summer (plus others, of course.) While he can't understand them when they don't speak English, the crew he works with are overall quite good and they have fun together.

But at least I'm not the only one going through this.

I actually won a goodreads giveaway! I don't enter them very often but in all the years I've been here I've never won one. Looking forward to getting The Golden Spoon.

Karin I'm glad your brother is getting dialysis and hope he can get the transplant.

I want to read the golden spoon as well. You’ll have to let me know if you like it. It looks fun. I haven’t won in years so congratulations.

Rachel N. wrote: "I actually won a goodreads giveaway! I don't enter them very often but in all the years I've been here I've never won one. Looking forward to getting The Golden Spoon.

Karin I'm gl..."

Congratulations! I've won a couple over the years, but rarely enter most of the time. I've been entering a number of them lately but have won nothing.

Rachel N. wrote: "I actually won a goodreads giveaway! I don't enter them very often but in all the years I've been here I've never won one. Looking forward to getting The Golden Spoon..."

Congrats, Rachel!

I won one many years back, then nothing for a long time, but in one of the covid years I won 3 in one year. I won The Morningside some months ago. It's not even published yet and I haven't read it.

Of course, you are more likely to win if you enter for a lot of books. I used to just get the announcements for books on my Want to Read, but sometimes now I go through the list of Giveaways and put in for a lot of them.

Continuing to send positive thought's to Karin's brother and glad to hear good news.

Yay, Rachel for winning a book.

My method with book giveaways, is I sign-up when I see a good one in my friends feed.

I've won 3 books this year but one never arrived and I was planning it for my Christmas reading.

We just had our car in the shop for a week and spent more than the 22 year-old vehicle was worth.

When I retired we went down to one vehicle and I told hubby we should get a new car now. He wasn't exactly on the same page with me so when it broke down we had no plan and had to have it repaired.

I'm still not sure if he is on the same page with me or now thinking "we need to get the money's worth out of the repairs."

Maybe the argument is that better to get a new car now while there is a trade in value. Assuming there still are such things as trade in value? What do I know? I live in NYC land have for the last 50 years! Wedon't own cars, we use public transportation!

But I do know how to make a persuasive argument.

I say you do a little car shopping on your own then suggest you found the perfect car you want to test drive...

We are also a one car family, now that neither is us is working-our truck is right behind yours, Fran, at 20 years and we have been soaking money into the last 2 years. Cars, even decent used ones are so dang expensive now but I am on your side. My husband sits with yours, Fran, saying he is driving it until dies for good.

Off this morning to a funeral for a dear friend. It is going to be a rough one for me-so many memories.

So sorry Joanne.... My heart is with you.

And you too Karin - and everyone.

OH, Joanne. So sorry for your loss. Yes, it will be a rough day, but you are a strong woman with a good man beside you, so you'll get through it. May your memories sustain you in this time of grief.

Booknblues wrote: "We just had our car in the shop for a week and spent more than the 22 year-old vehicle was worth.

When I retired we went down to one vehicle and I told hubby we should get a new car now. He wasn't exactly on the same page with me so when it broke down we had no plan and had to have it repaired.
.."

That's a tough one! Both new and used cars have shot up in price, and sometimes if the repairs are good it's not bad to fix it and wait longer if you need to save up for the car or something.

My daughter gave her car to my son (my mil gave it to her when she turned 92, but it's got at least 100,000 miles left once the transmission is replaced since it has less than 150k on it now). It works, but will need that repair, but the $3k or so will be worth it because the blue book value will increase when it's fixed. 2007 Honda Civic. It's here since he can't afford it in Pittsburgh and his student ID gives him access to all city public transit and their shuttles so I drive it once a week--low mileage gets an insurance discount.

Joanne wrote: "We are also a one car family, now that neither is us is working-our truck is right behind yours, Fran, at 20 years and we have been soaking money into the last 2 years. Cars, even decent used ones ..."

JoAnne, I'm sorry for your loss.

Hugs to you JoAnne. Let all the good memories in as the day progresses.

Joanne, I am so sorry.

Booknblues wrote: "We just had our car in the shop for a week and spent more than the 22 year-old vehicle was worth...."

And I'm someone who uses things until they die (including if something is reparable). I hate that repair costs are often more than buying new. Drives me nuts!

LibraryCin wrote: "Booknblues wrote: "We just had our car in the shop for a week and spent more than the 22 year-old vehicle was worth...."

And I'm someone who uses things until they die (including if something is r..."

At this point we have to look at it as the value we can yet get from the car and buying us time to decide what we are going to do.

That being said both mine and hubby's last vehicles we owned for over 20 years, so we definitely got value from them.

LibraryCin wrote: "And I'm someone who uses things until they die ."

Speaking as someone married to someone like that, I just replaced my husband's geriatric desk pad (a large leather one) as well as bought him a set of blotters. It was only when he wanted a new blotter and I aptly pointed out that the entire thing should be replaced. I have no idea how old it was, but older than the number of years we've been married.

His last work cargo van, bought used and still running, was sold to a scrap yard for $300 last fall (yes, he drove it there, took the plates off and my daughter drove him back. or else my son--depends on when it was.) This "new" one cost 50 percent more (same make and model) than the last but has more miles on it than the other one did when he bought it. Used, but we had saved up so he could pay in full.