Off Topic Forum...

[trailmix 77]

emancipation, can you get us a coffee bean grinder at k-mart?

She can..and she can also put it on lay away! A few weeks ago K-Mart started showing commercials that they have brought back lay away. I've heard that it has been a hit, and people are buying things for Christmas, putting little bits of money down each week.

They mail a cheque? That makes no sense. Isn't the point of paying our bills online for the company to get paid quickly without the hassel of a cheque? Silly!

I can't imagine why they do this - the only thing I could come up with is that they don't have that kind of working relationship with these companies so their only alternative is a hard copy cheque?

[Emancipation 2]

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/sto...og-carnage.html

[SpiritAlight 1]

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/sto...og-carnage.html

OMG!!!!

and then

to the froggy underpass.

I love it!

emancipation, can you get us a coffee bean grinder at k-mart?

She can..and she can also put it on lay away! A few weeks ago K-Mart started showing commercials that they have brought back lay away. I've heard that it has been a hit, and people are buying things for Christmas, putting little bits of money down each week.

They mail a cheque? That makes no sense. Isn't the point of paying our bills online for the company to get paid quickly without the hassel of a cheque? Silly!

I can't imagine why they do this - the only thing I could come up with is that they don't have that kind of working relationship with these companies so their only alternative is a hard copy cheque?

Oh yippee!

People who know how to spell cheque.

Thanks!

Hee, hee.

[thetreble 19]

It is, and will always be, cheque.

[SpiritAlight 1]

Good Morning All,

You know I love all of you.

This is some sanity in an otherwise crazy (not so nice) on-line world.

I would like to ask you all something, besides about the Coffeemate Trailmix, hahaha.

Consumerism.

Shopping at big box stores.

You know they kill off so much of what is "good and pure and wholesome" in a community.

I imagine they have their place and their uses...not that I would even want to entertain what those could be.

And you all know that shopping is unhealthy.

In other words, buying stuff to make one feel better is short lived hence one needs another fix.

Believe me...my best friend is a shopaholic.

A smart, beautiful, vivacious woman...and she has this dis-ease! (Out of ease, right?)

No one can stop you except yourself.

So, what am I trying to say?

When I see something I'd like, in the off chance I am in a store of some kind, I go home and wait a few days.

It is usually a book or journal or something...or a really cool pair of socks. I love socks!

If that item is something I really need, NEED, then I will go back and get it.

No impulse buying here!

Ha!

As for books and many other items, I think of when I will live on a boat again and wonder if it would fit.

The answer is usually no.

Thank goodness for libraries. I practically live in mine here.

Does any of this make me better than any of you?

No.

I am just wishing to share that happiness comes from within.

Do not give your power (and money, hahaha) away.

[Emancipation 2]

It is, and will always be, cheque.

Amen and amen

[SpiritAlight 1]

My brother sent me this a while ago.

It's quite "funny".

http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/09/20/webka...ame-from-japan/

[Emancipation 2]

Does any of this make me better than any of you?

No.

I am just wishing to share that happiness comes from within.

Do not give your power (and money, hahaha) away.

tee hee.. oh dear Spirit.. you are wise beyond your age I do love to shop, personally I only buy when things are on sale, and many times I buy things to give away to others.. a little "love you" package here, and a little "pick me up" there, for others.. and of course donate tonnes to others less fortunate. I do love to shop, but as a Scott is really is bargin hunting (flea market, clearance whatever).. *sigh, if that makes me environmental scum.. so beit

[thetreble 19]

And you all know that shopping is unhealthy.

I disagree, Spirit. Shopping is only unhealthy when it becomes an obsession. While mass consumerism has gotten out of control, and we continue to buy things we don't need, I think it is okay to buy yourself something you WANT if you have the money once and awhile.

Like, I'd like a big, Flat Screen, HDTV. I have worked hard to put money aside for it. I love tv. I also love walks with my dog, but in my down time I like watching tv. I do not feel any guilt in buying it, as long as the other areas of my life aren't suffering. (ie. can't pay my mortgage because I bought a $1000 tv)

To go back to a time where we don't "want" unnecessary things is almost impossible for most people. I grew up with that mindset and in this society, so it is all I know. I could not live a basic life where what you may consider luxuries (decent sized houses, ice cream, cute new shoes) did not exist.

What I consider to be luxuries, are things that every day people can't afford. (ie. 7 series BMW) I do not see a $20 pair of shoes from payless a luxury, nor as a necessity.

Again, when assessing your budget and of course in these hard times, you need to know what is relative to you as far as consuming goods and what you can afford. Many people do not have that threshold. I'm holding strong somewhere in the middle.

[SpiritAlight 1]

Does any of this make me better than any of you?

No.

I am just wishing to share that happiness comes from within.

Do not give your power (and money, hahaha) away.

tee hee.. oh dear Spirit.. you are wise beyond your age I do love to shop, personally I only buy when things are on sale, and many times I buy things to give away to others.. a little "love you" package here, and a little "pick me up" there, for others.. and of course donate tonnes to others less fortunate. I do love to shop, but as a Scott is really is bargin hunting (flea market, clearance whatever).. *sigh, if that makes me environmental scum.. so beit

I was afraid after posting that I would offend.

Never my intention!

[Emancipation 2]

Does any of this make me better than any of you?

No.

I am just wishing to share that happiness comes from within.

Do not give your power (and money, hahaha) away.

tee hee.. oh dear Spirit.. you are wise beyond your age I do love to shop, personally I only buy when things are on sale, and many times I buy things to give away to others.. a little "love you" package here, and a little "pick me up" there, for others.. and of course donate tonnes to others less fortunate. I do love to shop, but as a Scott is really is bargin hunting (flea market, clearance whatever).. *sigh, if that makes me environmental scum.. so beit

I was afraid after posting that I would offend.

Never my intention!

Nope.. not offended just wanted to give you another perspective

[thetreble 19]

Nope! Not offensive at all, Spirit.

[trailmix 77]

I was afraid after posting that I would offend.

Never my intention!

I didn't see what you said as offensive Spirit and I don't see the replies as indicating that anyone was offended either Sometimes our expectations of how others will react cloud how it is they truly react?

I don't disagree with what you have said. I like the library, however, I have pretty much read all of the books from my favorite authors..the wait at the library is generally long for new books, so buying is the option there.

I'm quite frugal when making purchases - it's the way I am now - not an impulse shopper at all. Does that mean I don't have any stuff I really don't need - not really. I have a room full of totes here that I haven't really looked in and yet we are quite comfortable - however - once we move in to our own place and unpack them - we will be more comfortable.

Edited October 28, 2008 by trailmix

[SpiritAlight 1]

And you all know that shopping is unhealthy.

I disagree, Spirit. Shopping is only unhealthy when it becomes an obsession. While mass consumerism has gotten out of control, and we continue to buy things we don't need, I think it is okay to buy yourself something you WANT if you have the money once and awhile.

Like, I'd like a big, Flat Screen, HDTV. I have worked hard to put money aside for it. I love tv. I also love walks with my dog, but in my down time I like watching tv. I do not feel any guilt in buying it, as long as the other areas of my life aren't suffering. (ie. can't pay my mortgage because I bought a $1000 tv)

To go back to a time where we don't "want" unnecessary things is almost impossible for most people. I grew up with that mindset and in this society, so it is all I know. I could not live a basic life where what you may consider luxuries (decent sized houses, ice cream, cute new shoes) did not exist.

What I consider to be luxuries, are things that every day people can't afford. (ie. 7 series BMW) I do not see a $20 pair of shoes from payless a luxury, nor as a necessity.

Again, when assessing your budget and of course in these hard times, you need to know what is relative to you as far as consuming goods and what you can afford. Many people do not have that threshold. I'm holding strong somewhere in the middle.

I do take a strong stance to make my points, sometimes.

No need to be so militant, I try to remind myself...after the fact.

Oops!

Ahem.

I hear you on the "modern age" and creature comforts and what people have become adjusted to.

Like almost no one can live without A/C.

My poor sweetie died little deaths all Summer (when we were both in the apartment) because I cannot stand the thing.

For more than one reason.

My conscious cannot handle the impact on the environment, and so...find other ways to deal with the heat and humidity.

Like, uhm, adjust to it.

Bahaha!

He, too, does not want to entertain living minimally.

I have begged him.

Hee, hee.

It's true.

And so, we may find ourselves taking different paths once again in the future.

It is of no matter.

I have no attachment to things, situations, nor people.

I love fully and deeply, and let go....I do not need to keep things...or people.

Ha!

Disclaimer: do not think that this means the end of anything.

It is always a moment by moment thing....feeling.

I have placed myself in situations and events where survival instincts were paramount.

And nothing, no thing, could save me except my wits about me and my skills/talents/thoughts....things that you cannot buy nor need a closet or drawer to put them in.

Do I truly wish I had nothing?

Yes, sometimes I do.

My mind is too full and the clutter increases anxiety and A.D.D.

I sometimes muse about packing my belongings all except my laptop, cellphone, some clothes & favourite books (like maybe 4 or 5 of them), and giving them to the nearest women's shelter. I have been putting things in boxes to do that. I am far from my "ideal".

All in good time.

It's a process.

We live without a TV, as that is how I have lived for a looooong time, and we'll see how long that will last, as my sweetie might need it.That is okay, he can totally have and do whatever he needs.

Nothing is evil.

I just choose...differently.

I do not want the status quo life.

I seek connection, community, joy and peace.

And it is all in me! to have and to give.

YEAH!

Edited October 28, 2008 by SpiritAlight

[trailmix 77]

I seek connection, community, joy and peace.

And it is all in me! to have and to give.

YEAH!

True!

I have a question for you Spirit.

When you lived on a boat, when you had no semi-permanent ties (like being married, like sharing a home with your Husband) - were you content?