Monday Open Comments

They don’t make ’em like that anymore! My latest search for a quality sewing machine brought that home this past week. The older models are known for their reliability and repair-ability, because the newer models have plastic gears. When a printer breaks down now, we go buy a new one. Repairs on printers now are almost as much as a new printer would cost. We live in an age of planned obsolescence. What has your experience been, and how does that affect your Christmas shopping?


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116 responses to “Monday Open Comments”

  1. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    Mornin’ Gang

  2. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    Mornin’ Gang

  3. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    I hate planned obsolescence.
    In 1976 we bought our first newfangled Microwave, an Amana Radar Range for $550, that’s equal to $2050 in today’s dollars. I used it until 2008 it was just like the energizer bunny. It finally lost its mind, that is it still worked OK but the digital display showed Hieroglyphics’ and when you fired it up it might run for a couple of minutes or 5 hours. So I bought a POS from Wally world and it lasted 2 years!? In 1962 my folks bought a then new RCA color TV for $440 that’s equal to $3100 in today’s money. Now a big screen TV is as little as $300.

  4. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    I hate planned obsolescence.
    In 1976 we bought our first newfangled Microwave, an Amana Radar Range for $550, that’s equal to $2050 in today’s dollars. I used it until 2008 it was just like the energizer bunny. It finally lost its mind, that is it still worked OK but the digital display showed Hieroglyphics’ and when you fired it up it might run for a couple of minutes or 5 hours. So I bought a POS from Wally world and it lasted 2 years!? In 1962 my folks bought a then new RCA color TV for $440 that’s equal to $3100 in today’s money. Now a big screen TV is as little as $300.

  5. Tedtam Avatar

    We are still using the microwave given to us when we were married. It has dials that turn, not electronic readouts. It’s needed only one repair in over 20 years.

  6. Tedtam Avatar

    We are still using the microwave given to us when we were married. It has dials that turn, not electronic readouts. It’s needed only one repair in over 20 years.

  7. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    I’m into cheap. The cheaper, the better. The unions eliminated both quality craftsmanship and reasonable wages in the American workforce and, with the help of OSHA and the trial lawyers, effectively forced all U. S. manufacturing jobs overseas – yet the Dems still blame greedy corporations for trying to survive.

    Except for Amish furniture, my advice is “go cheap.”

  8. El Gordo Avatar

    I’m into cheap. The cheaper, the better. The unions eliminated both quality craftsmanship and reasonable wages in the American workforce and, with the help of OSHA and the trial lawyers, effectively forced all U. S. manufacturing jobs overseas – yet the Dems still blame greedy corporations for trying to survive.

    Except for Amish furniture, my advice is “go cheap.”

  9. Tedtam Avatar

    I finally got my sewing machine to work last night. I’m still thinking about getting one of the older Singers I found. Just to have a backup, and a machine that can handle bigger stuff than my current machine.

  10. Tedtam Avatar

    I finally got my sewing machine to work last night. I’m still thinking about getting one of the older Singers I found. Just to have a backup, and a machine that can handle bigger stuff than my current machine.

  11. Hamous Avatar

    #5 TT:
    Not too long ago I was also in the market for a more robust machine that could handle leather. There were a whole “poop-load” of machines available on ebay then and I am sure they are still there now. There is a place called the Sewing Machine Warehouse in the Willowbrook Mall Area (fm1960 and hwy 249, deep Northwest Houston not far from Tomball) that I have yet to visit. I have an older singer that will no longer sew a straight line.

  12. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #5 TT:
    Not too long ago I was also in the market for a more robust machine that could handle leather. There were a whole “poop-load” of machines available on ebay then and I am sure they are still there now. There is a place called the Sewing Machine Warehouse in the Willowbrook Mall Area (fm1960 and hwy 249, deep Northwest Houston not far from Tomball) that I have yet to visit. I have an older singer that will no longer sew a straight line.

  13. Katfish Avatar

    We just replaced our cordless phones. There was nothing wrong with them except the batteries would no longer hold a charge.

    Cost for three batteries: $60

    Cost for new phones: $55

  14. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    We just replaced our cordless phones. There was nothing wrong with them except the batteries would no longer hold a charge.

    Cost for three batteries: $60

    Cost for new phones: $55

  15. Hamous Avatar

    #7 Pyro: I am assuming that the new phones are far superior (range, sound quality, battery life between charges, etc) than the old ones, correct? Something seems kind of screwy when you can replace the phone(s) with superior products that what it costs to refurb the old ones.

  16. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #7 Pyro: I am assuming that the new phones are far superior (range, sound quality, battery life between charges, etc) than the old ones, correct? Something seems kind of screwy when you can replace the phone(s) with superior products that what it costs to refurb the old ones.

  17. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    Recently needed a 6 volt battery for the flashlight. New 6v battery – $6.00. New flashlight with battery included – $3.50. I got the package deal.

  18. El Gordo Avatar

    Recently needed a 6 volt battery for the flashlight. New 6v battery – $6.00. New flashlight with battery included – $3.50. I got the package deal.

  19. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    “Bout Microwaves we have a 10 years old 1100 watt unit here @ work, a couple of years ago it died so I opened it up and found the HV capacitor shorted, a new one was $21 and we thought the unit was worth repairing. We had an old ancient microwave sitting unsed in the corner so I opened it up and checked the capacitor. It was the same rating/voltage BUTT it was TWICE AS LARGE! I installed it we were off and runnning,….My point is that the newer part was marginal and meant to wear out, lasted 8-10 years.

  20. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    “Bout Microwaves we have a 10 years old 1100 watt unit here @ work, a couple of years ago it died so I opened it up and found the HV capacitor shorted, a new one was $21 and we thought the unit was worth repairing. We had an old ancient microwave sitting unsed in the corner so I opened it up and checked the capacitor. It was the same rating/voltage BUTT it was TWICE AS LARGE! I installed it we were off and runnning,….My point is that the newer part was marginal and meant to wear out, lasted 8-10 years.

  21. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    Some years ago I replaced my coffee pot, which had become slower than molasses due to mineral deposit build up around the heating element (as all pots inevitably do). The new one was a fairly decent model, with a vacuum insulated carafe, and fancy electronic timer.

    After about a year, its printed circuit board fried. Even though the model was still on the market, I could not obtain parts for it, so I tossed the board and installed a simple on/off switch.

    When it came time to replace that pot I decided that nothing less than the awesome Bunn-O-Matic would do. It’s a very serviceable machine, made in the US, and replacement parts are readily available. The entire hot water path contains no plastic and can be easily cleaned. It’s piped into the water supply behind a filter, and older daughter, a tea drinker, (where did I go wrong?) likes the always ready hot water supply.

    It was far from cheap, but since it’s designed for a nearly constant duty cycle, it will probably outlast me.

  22. bob42 Avatar

    Some years ago I replaced my coffee pot, which had become slower than molasses due to mineral deposit build up around the heating element (as all pots inevitably do). The new one was a fairly decent model, with a vacuum insulated carafe, and fancy electronic timer.

    After about a year, its printed circuit board fried. Even though the model was still on the market, I could not obtain parts for it, so I tossed the board and installed a simple on/off switch.

    When it came time to replace that pot I decided that nothing less than the awesome Bunn-O-Matic would do. It’s a very serviceable machine, made in the US, and replacement parts are readily available. The entire hot water path contains no plastic and can be easily cleaned. It’s piped into the water supply behind a filter, and older daughter, a tea drinker, (where did I go wrong?) likes the always ready hot water supply.

    It was far from cheap, but since it’s designed for a nearly constant duty cycle, it will probably outlast me.

  23. Dooood Avatar

    Something most people don’t know is the tools by all brands sold at Home Depot and Lowes are special lines with cheap internal parts. If you go to a tool store catering to contractors, the tools of the different manufacturers appear the same, but have slightly altered model numbers. Contractors know this and are willing to pay the extra 30-150 bucks to have machined steel and metal parts inside. It’s especially critical on drills and table saws.

  24. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    Something most people don’t know is the tools by all brands sold at Home Depot and Lowes are special lines with cheap internal parts. If you go to a tool store catering to contractors, the tools of the different manufacturers appear the same, but have slightly altered model numbers. Contractors know this and are willing to pay the extra 30-150 bucks to have machined steel and metal parts inside. It’s especially critical on drills and table saws.

  25. bweldon Avatar
    bweldon

    Ever since the days of the Mercury space program I have fallen in love with watching rockets and space ships taking off. I am still like a little kid. In fact on my bucket list is to watch the shuttle take off live. Me thinks the shuttle will pass before I do.

    I digress.

    Grab a cup of coffee for a 45 minute high resolution video of various angles and shots of the shuttle taking off.

  26. squawkbox Avatar

    Ever since the days of the Mercury space program I have fallen in love with watching rockets and space ships taking off. I am still like a little kid. In fact on my bucket list is to watch the shuttle take off live. Me thinks the shuttle will pass before I do.

    I digress.

    Grab a cup of coffee for a 45 minute high resolution video of various angles and shots of the shuttle taking off.

  27. Hamous Avatar

    #13 Squawkster: I think the last launch of the Discovery (perhaps it is a different one) will be in Feb – maybe a trip to Fla would be in order so as be able to “scratch one off”.

  28. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #13 Squawkster: I think the last launch of the Discovery (perhaps it is a different one) will be in Feb – maybe a trip to Fla would be in order so as be able to “scratch one off”.

  29. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    El Gordo, was the Condo Far in your area? Space Center and Kirby.

  30. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    El Gordo, was the Condo Far in your area? Space Center and Kirby.

  31. Tedtam Avatar

    We have a college buddy who is very, very smart at engineering stuff, and has spent years as a consultant designing factory fabrication assembly lines and designing equipment to go on those lines. I will never forget the story he told us about the day he was at the factory where they were making some high-end, very expensive, German name-branded hand tools. Suddenly, the line stopped, some retooling occurred, and the line started up again. The German name had been changed to – Craftsman. That could explain their lifetime warranty on their screwdrivers and small tools.

    Friend explained that it kept the line running and employees on the payroll to run off-brand names after the producer’s main production run was completed.

    Our cooktop that we used in my childhood home, worked without problem for over 20 years (that I know of – may still be cooking), had the Kenmore label on it. One day as I was scrubbing the cooktop, the fake-wood “Kenmore” plaque came off, and underneath it was the word “Tappan,” which at the time some-many-odd years ago was considered one of the top brand names. I just found out over the last week that Janome (Juh-no-may) sewing machines, much beloved by their owners, are sold under the Kenmore name.

    When I was pregnant, I was in the market for maternity clothes. I outgrew my regular clothes at the end of my second month (I carry babies way up-front, I found out). Being the practical sort, I kept my maternity wardrobe limited – why spend a ton of money on clothes for a temporary situation? I bought three dresses from Sears, and friend talked me into buying two dresses from Foley’s. The Foley’s dresses felt softer and were very pretty, but they began fraying at the seams within a few months. Those Sears dresses were worn to work at least twice a week, through two pregnancies, and were still looking very presentable when I put them into the “maternity box” that we sisters passed around to each other for a while.

    Why exactly did Sears fall out of favor? Not flashy enough?

  32. Tedtam Avatar

    We have a college buddy who is very, very smart at engineering stuff, and has spent years as a consultant designing factory fabrication assembly lines and designing equipment to go on those lines. I will never forget the story he told us about the day he was at the factory where they were making some high-end, very expensive, German name-branded hand tools. Suddenly, the line stopped, some retooling occurred, and the line started up again. The German name had been changed to – Craftsman. That could explain their lifetime warranty on their screwdrivers and small tools.

    Friend explained that it kept the line running and employees on the payroll to run off-brand names after the producer’s main production run was completed.

    Our cooktop that we used in my childhood home, worked without problem for over 20 years (that I know of – may still be cooking), had the Kenmore label on it. One day as I was scrubbing the cooktop, the fake-wood “Kenmore” plaque came off, and underneath it was the word “Tappan,” which at the time some-many-odd years ago was considered one of the top brand names. I just found out over the last week that Janome (Juh-no-may) sewing machines, much beloved by their owners, are sold under the Kenmore name.

    When I was pregnant, I was in the market for maternity clothes. I outgrew my regular clothes at the end of my second month (I carry babies way up-front, I found out). Being the practical sort, I kept my maternity wardrobe limited – why spend a ton of money on clothes for a temporary situation? I bought three dresses from Sears, and friend talked me into buying two dresses from Foley’s. The Foley’s dresses felt softer and were very pretty, but they began fraying at the seams within a few months. Those Sears dresses were worn to work at least twice a week, through two pregnancies, and were still looking very presentable when I put them into the “maternity box” that we sisters passed around to each other for a while.

    Why exactly did Sears fall out of favor? Not flashy enough?

  33. Hamous Avatar

    #16 TT: On occasion I see Juki brand sewing machines used in alteration shops.

  34. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #16 TT: On occasion I see Juki brand sewing machines used in alteration shops.

  35. Hamous Avatar

    Mrs. Foul “O” says that childhood obesity is a National Security threat.

    “Military leaders … tell us that when more than one in four young people are unqualified for military service because of their weight,” the first lady says in the prepared remarks, “childhood obesity isn’t just a public health threat, it’s not just an economic threat, it’s a national security threat as well.”

    Mrs Foul “O” is a whining mental lightweight!

    I wonder if the US military is still using the Body Mass Index to determine if someone is obese? If I were to weigh 170 lbs (I am currently about 7 lbs heavier) I would be “overweight” according to this ridiculous system! If someone has any reasonable muscle mass on them, they would have to have almost zero body fat to be in the “normal” range. Zero body fat is NOT HEALTHY.

  36. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    Mrs. Foul “O” says that childhood obesity is a National Security threat.

    “Military leaders … tell us that when more than one in four young people are unqualified for military service because of their weight,” the first lady says in the prepared remarks, “childhood obesity isn’t just a public health threat, it’s not just an economic threat, it’s a national security threat as well.”

    Mrs Foul “O” is a whining mental lightweight!

    I wonder if the US military is still using the Body Mass Index to determine if someone is obese? If I were to weigh 170 lbs (I am currently about 7 lbs heavier) I would be “overweight” according to this ridiculous system! If someone has any reasonable muscle mass on them, they would have to have almost zero body fat to be in the “normal” range. Zero body fat is NOT HEALTHY.

  37. Tedtam Avatar

    #18 Bonecrusher

    I’ve seen you. You are definitely NOT obese, nor anywhere in the neighborhood!

    BMI: Brainless Michelle’s Idiocy

  38. Tedtam Avatar

    #18 Bonecrusher

    I’ve seen you. You are definitely NOT obese, nor anywhere in the neighborhood!

    BMI: Brainless Michelle’s Idiocy

  39. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    Ah yes engineered obsolescence……….

    Dodge 225 slant 6
    Dodge 318 v-8
    Chevy 283 v-8
    Ford 300 straight6
    Ford 289

    They all ran “too well”

  40. Katfish Avatar

    Ah yes engineered obsolescence……….

    Dodge 225 slant 6
    Dodge 318 v-8
    Chevy 283 v-8
    Ford 300 straight6
    Ford 289

    They all ran “too well”

  41. Tedtam Avatar

    I’ve been listening to the radio – they don’t make entertainers like they used to, either.

    Nothing like Bing Crosby or Andy Williams singing Christmas tunes…all the great crooners are gone.

  42. Tedtam Avatar

    I’ve been listening to the radio – they don’t make entertainers like they used to, either.

    Nothing like Bing Crosby or Andy Williams singing Christmas tunes…all the great crooners are gone.

  43. Hamous Avatar

    #19 TT: Thank you, I was not trolling for a compliment; merely pointing out the absurd. If I, as a fifty freaking one year old man who avoids the gym like the plague (not what you would call a heavily muscled, work out junkie) yet fall in the “overweight” category at 5’9″ and 170 lbs, something is really wrong. I am concerned for our young fighting men who may have played football in high school, they will be much more heavily muscled than I and will surely fall into the “overweight or obese” category, even though their body fat could be less than 5%. They would have to lose muscle mass to fit the stupid chart. The BMI chart is illustrative of the lunacy of the “one size fits all” central planning garbage coming out of DC these days.

  44. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #19 TT: Thank you, I was not trolling for a compliment; merely pointing out the absurd. If I, as a fifty freaking one year old man who avoids the gym like the plague (not what you would call a heavily muscled, work out junkie) yet fall in the “overweight” category at 5’9″ and 170 lbs, something is really wrong. I am concerned for our young fighting men who may have played football in high school, they will be much more heavily muscled than I and will surely fall into the “overweight or obese” category, even though their body fat could be less than 5%. They would have to lose muscle mass to fit the stupid chart. The BMI chart is illustrative of the lunacy of the “one size fits all” central planning garbage coming out of DC these days.

  45. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    Right you are KatFish But you left out the trusty 292 Chevy in-line 6, truck motor only 115 HP but maximum Torque output started @ 800 RPM, they put these little guys in school buses.

  46. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    Right you are KatFish But you left out the trusty 292 Chevy in-line 6, truck motor only 115 HP but maximum Torque output started @ 800 RPM, they put these little guys in school buses.

  47. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    My coffee grinder must have become jealous about me bragging on the Bunn. When I went down to grind the beans for brew #2, it made a gosh awful noise similar to nails on a chalkboard. I gave it a good whack on the side and it started working again. I suspect an issue with the gear train that drives the conical steel burrs.

    It’s at least 12 years old. I think I’ll replace it with another Solis. Although a Bunn grinder would look nice sitting next to the brewer, that would definitely be a case of overkill. (Even for me.)

  48. bob42 Avatar

    My coffee grinder must have become jealous about me bragging on the Bunn. When I went down to grind the beans for brew #2, it made a gosh awful noise similar to nails on a chalkboard. I gave it a good whack on the side and it started working again. I suspect an issue with the gear train that drives the conical steel burrs.

    It’s at least 12 years old. I think I’ll replace it with another Solis. Although a Bunn grinder would look nice sitting next to the brewer, that would definitely be a case of overkill. (Even for me.)

  49. El Gordo Avatar

    re: BMI charts

    They truly must be taken with a grain of salt. In addition to the issue of differing muscular characteristics, the size of skeletons can be very different from one person to the next. In short, using the BMI number as a be-all end-all guide to how healthy someone is or isn’t is ridiculous. Health and obesity are very complex issues and there isn’t a one size fits all solution. Of course, the political class sees it as a means to control other people, so no surprise there.

  50. Dude42 Avatar

    re: BMI charts

    They truly must be taken with a grain of salt. In addition to the issue of differing muscular characteristics, the size of skeletons can be very different from one person to the next. In short, using the BMI number as a be-all end-all guide to how healthy someone is or isn’t is ridiculous. Health and obesity are very complex issues and there isn’t a one size fits all solution. Of course, the political class sees it as a means to control other people, so no surprise there.

  51. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    #23 – Good CATCH SD! You are absolutely correct!

  52. Katfish Avatar

    #23 – Good CATCH SD! You are absolutely correct!

  53. Hamous Avatar

    Re: old engines: I wonder how well those motors would run if they were equipped with modern fuel injection and spark control?? The old carburetored engines needed to be tuned every 12,000 miles or so, the new ones don’t need to be touched (other than oil and filters) for 100,000 miles or so.

  54. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    Re: old engines: I wonder how well those motors would run if they were equipped with modern fuel injection and spark control?? The old carburetored engines needed to be tuned every 12,000 miles or so, the new ones don’t need to be touched (other than oil and filters) for 100,000 miles or so.

  55. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    Well it’s a start; Federal judge in Va. strikes down health care law.
    Let’s see where this goes, prolly to the Supreme Court.

  56. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    Well it’s a start; Federal judge in Va. strikes down health care law.
    Let’s see where this goes, prolly to the Supreme Court.

  57. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    #27 The 302 v8 in my F150 still uses the classic block, but is fuel injected with electronic ignition. After 16 years, I have no complaints. I’ve put 3 sets of plug wires on it, and that always makes a noticeable difference. I’ve only put one set of plugs in it. The old plugs were amazingly clean for having over 150K miles, but the anodes were almost completely gone, and the gap was so large I was surprised they worked at all.

  58. bob42 Avatar

    #27 The 302 v8 in my F150 still uses the classic block, but is fuel injected with electronic ignition. After 16 years, I have no complaints. I’ve put 3 sets of plug wires on it, and that always makes a noticeable difference. I’ve only put one set of plugs in it. The old plugs were amazingly clean for having over 150K miles, but the anodes were almost completely gone, and the gap was so large I was surprised they worked at all.

  59. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    27 Boney,

    I still have a timing light and Dwell Meter in the bottom of my upright toolbox. I have not used either for two decades. I like the new engines and well remember having to do tuneups every 7-8 thousand miles.

    Simple

  60. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    27 Boney,

    I still have a timing light and Dwell Meter in the bottom of my upright toolbox. I have not used either for two decades. I like the new engines and well remember having to do tuneups every 7-8 thousand miles.

    Simple

  61. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    Although a Bunn grinder would look nice

    I stopped going to those kind of bars a long time ago.

  62. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    Although a Bunn grinder would look nice

    I stopped going to those kind of bars a long time ago.

  63. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    #15 – Close enough that I could feel the heat.

  64. El Gordo Avatar

    #15 – Close enough that I could feel the heat.

  65. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    #31 Sarge, lolz 🙂

    As it turns out, a commercial quality Bunn grinder may be in my future. A few years ago a nearby convenience store run by an Indian family hooked up with a coffee service leasing outfit. The leasing outfit owned and maintained the grinder and brewer, but made its money by being the contractually exclusive supplier of beans.

    When they first signed up the owner was excited about his new “gourmet” coffee and gave me a free cup. It was awful. Even worse than Folger’s freeze dried crystals. The coffee company went bankrupt a few months later, but the equipment is still there, unused, and gathering dust at the convenience store.

    I’m gonna make him an offer on the grinder tomorrow. He doesn’t know that it sells for >$600 new, and I ain’t gonna tell him.

  66. bob42 Avatar

    #31 Sarge, lolz 🙂

    As it turns out, a commercial quality Bunn grinder may be in my future. A few years ago a nearby convenience store run by an Indian family hooked up with a coffee service leasing outfit. The leasing outfit owned and maintained the grinder and brewer, but made its money by being the contractually exclusive supplier of beans.

    When they first signed up the owner was excited about his new “gourmet” coffee and gave me a free cup. It was awful. Even worse than Folger’s freeze dried crystals. The coffee company went bankrupt a few months later, but the equipment is still there, unused, and gathering dust at the convenience store.

    I’m gonna make him an offer on the grinder tomorrow. He doesn’t know that it sells for >$600 new, and I ain’t gonna tell him.

  67. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    a commercial quality Bunn grinder may be in my future

    I stopped seeing those girls when I left the Army.

    Does your wife know about this?

  68. Sarge Avatar
    Sarge

    a commercial quality Bunn grinder may be in my future

    I stopped seeing those girls when I left the Army.

    Does your wife know about this?

  69. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    #34 Sarge, not yet. She nearly had a fit years ago (we were still married then) when I dropped $120 on the Solis grinder instead of buying yet another $15 spice grinder that would only last a year before their poor little motors would burn up.

    She cast a disapproving eye on the Bunn brewer when she saw it, but I noticed that she also cast an envious eye on its always ready hot water tap, which comes in handy for cooking.

  70. bob42 Avatar

    #34 Sarge, not yet. She nearly had a fit years ago (we were still married then) when I dropped $120 on the Solis grinder instead of buying yet another $15 spice grinder that would only last a year before their poor little motors would burn up.

    She cast a disapproving eye on the Bunn brewer when she saw it, but I noticed that she also cast an envious eye on its always ready hot water tap, which comes in handy for cooking.

  71. texanadian Avatar
    texanadian

    One of my guys here at work has a son that plays for Pearland, they went to San Antonio this past weekend and beat Stevens so now they’re heading to Dallas to play Trinity, allegedly, the best in the COUNTRY! I wish them luck. 😉

  72. Super Dave Avatar
    Super Dave

    One of my guys here at work has a son that plays for Pearland, they went to San Antonio this past weekend and beat Stevens so now they’re heading to Dallas to play Trinity, allegedly, the best in the COUNTRY! I wish them luck. 😉

  73. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    Life is good. My last two meetings for this afternoon were cancelled due to participant vacations, and younger daughter’s bf is raking leaves outside. I reckon boyfriends are good for something after all.

  74. bob42 Avatar

    Life is good. My last two meetings for this afternoon were cancelled due to participant vacations, and younger daughter’s bf is raking leaves outside. I reckon boyfriends are good for something after all.

  75. Katfish Avatar

    I have a need for your prayers, if you are so inclined. I made a pretty big mistake when I took a job a few months ago. Since then, my blood pressure has been consistently high (I’m getting treatment for that now and it’s getting better), I’m getting worn out from travel, and missing my family and various family-related activities. On top (because?) of all that, my nerves are shot and I’ve become almost a nervous wreck.

    The reason I took the job was a) the lure of potential big bonuses (that look like they’ll be almost impossible to get, now that I know more about how they really work) and b) the job I left suddenly looked very unstable. After the passage of the intervening few months, it has become clear that both of these factors were wrong. I interviewed for something very close to my old job and it is between me and one other (internal person).

    Please pray that, if it is God’s will, I be re-hired.

    Thanks.

  76. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    I have a need for your prayers, if you are so inclined. I made a pretty big mistake when I took a job a few months ago. Since then, my blood pressure has been consistently high (I’m getting treatment for that now and it’s getting better), I’m getting worn out from travel, and missing my family and various family-related activities. On top (because?) of all that, my nerves are shot and I’ve become almost a nervous wreck.

    The reason I took the job was a) the lure of potential big bonuses (that look like they’ll be almost impossible to get, now that I know more about how they really work) and b) the job I left suddenly looked very unstable. After the passage of the intervening few months, it has become clear that both of these factors were wrong. I interviewed for something very close to my old job and it is between me and one other (internal person).

    Please pray that, if it is God’s will, I be re-hired.

    Thanks.

  77. Katfish Avatar

    btw – The preceding post was very difficult for me to write. Not that I’m too proud to ask for help, but it’s hard to admit when you’ve screwed up, especially on something that has such great effects on you and your family.

  78. wagonburner Avatar
    wagonburner

    btw – The preceding post was very difficult for me to write. Not that I’m too proud to ask for help, but it’s hard to admit when you’ve screwed up, especially on something that has such great effects on you and your family.

  79. El Gordo Avatar

    I have a need for your prayers, if you are so inclined.

    I am, and you got ’em.

  80. Dude42 Avatar

    I have a need for your prayers, if you are so inclined.

    I am, and you got ’em.

  81. Hamous Avatar

    #40 Pyro: Kneemail on the way.

  82. Bonecrusher Avatar
    Bonecrusher

    #40 Pyro: Kneemail on the way.

  83. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    I sure that many of you have felt the same at times.
    “>

    Look at this

  84. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    I sure that many of you have felt the same at times.
    “>

    Look at this

  85. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    Let me try this again
    “>

  86. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    Let me try this again
    “>

  87. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    Arrrgggh

    Simple

  88. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    Arrrgggh

    Simple

  89. OletimerLin Avatar
    OletimerLin

    WB, I’m familiar with where you are. You’re in my thoughts.

  90. bob42 Avatar

    WB, I’m familiar with where you are. You’re in my thoughts.

  91. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    You got ’em WB.

  92. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    You got ’em WB.

  93. Tedtam Avatar

    Wagonburner, I’ve been in the same position. I know how stressful it can be. My prayers and best wishes for you!

  94. Tedtam Avatar

    Wagonburner, I’ve been in the same position. I know how stressful it can be. My prayers and best wishes for you!

  95. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    #40 – kneemail is UP!

  96. Katfish Avatar

    #40 – kneemail is UP!

  97. Texpat Avatar
    Texpat

    #39 –

    and younger daughter’s bf is raking leaves outside

    Um

    er

    Uh………………….sounds a LOT like some heretofore NON voted upon AW-THOR-I-TAY is being implemented!

    MEGASNIKKER

  98. Katfish Avatar

    #39 –

    and younger daughter’s bf is raking leaves outside

    Um

    er

    Uh………………….sounds a LOT like some heretofore NON voted upon AW-THOR-I-TAY is being implemented!

    MEGASNIKKER

  99. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #31 Sarge

    Oh you funny man 😀

  100. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    #31 Sarge

    Oh you funny man 😀

  101. Southern Tragedy Avatar
    Southern Tragedy

    You got it WB. It’ll all work out.

  102. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    You got it WB. It’ll all work out.

  103. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    Pyro, I don’t do kneemail but you have my sincere wishes that this turns out for you the way you want it to.

  104. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    Pyro, I don’t do kneemail but you have my sincere wishes that this turns out for you the way you want it to.

  105. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    Another too-busy day. Been meaning to ask, did anyone else watch 60 Minutes yesterday? What did you think about Boehner’s interview where it was shown how easily he gets all choked up with emotion? It is certainly unconventional. I was thinking how Ronald Reagan was able to speak from the heart about how much America meant to him, but I don’t remember him ever crying or even having to stop talking and get over a quivering lip.

    Boehner says, he is who he is, and that’s just how he is. I think he can be a good Speaker even with this quirk, but I sure wish he didn’t have it. Am I too harsh on him?

  106. mharper42 Avatar
    mharper42

    Another too-busy day. Been meaning to ask, did anyone else watch 60 Minutes yesterday? What did you think about Boehner’s interview where it was shown how easily he gets all choked up with emotion? It is certainly unconventional. I was thinking how Ronald Reagan was able to speak from the heart about how much America meant to him, but I don’t remember him ever crying or even having to stop talking and get over a quivering lip.

    Boehner says, he is who he is, and that’s just how he is. I think he can be a good Speaker even with this quirk, but I sure wish he didn’t have it. Am I too harsh on him?

  107. fat albert Avatar
    fat albert

    Wagonburner:

    Kneemail on the way and continuing…….

  108. fat albert Avatar
    fat albert

    Wagonburner:

    Kneemail on the way and continuing…….

  109. Tedtam Avatar

    #55

    The times I saw Boehner getting emotional were when he was talking about the greatness of the American dream. I suppose that’s worth getting worked up over, if one is going to cry over anything. I heard a short audio clip of the harpies on The P.U. talking about him. I swear, if anyone needs to have the living crap slapped out of them, it’s those wenches.

  110. Tedtam Avatar

    #55

    The times I saw Boehner getting emotional were when he was talking about the greatness of the American dream. I suppose that’s worth getting worked up over, if one is going to cry over anything. I heard a short audio clip of the harpies on The P.U. talking about him. I swear, if anyone needs to have the living crap slapped out of them, it’s those wenches.

  111. Southern Tragedy Avatar
    Southern Tragedy

    Ok, so do I love ’em or hate ’em – Texans. Somebody make up my mind.

  112. GJT Avatar
    GJT

    Ok, so do I love ’em or hate ’em – Texans. Somebody make up my mind.

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