KDS
Registered: 09/30/08
Posts: 51
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Reply with quote | #1 |
I've never been so excited or seen so much excitement with bringing in a new president! There is a huge wave of hope taking over our country. I saw John Kennedy today as Obama took the oath. Really...took me back many years when I was just a young girl and Kennedy took office. Don't you kind of feel like a heavy burden has been lifted from your shoulders?
I'm not Bush-bashing. Just stating how I feel and see it.
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DKK
Registered: 08/24/08
Posts: 13
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Reply with quote | #2 |
It was truly a wonderful day! All those people standing in the cold...it has to be the only time I wished to be back in DC. I watched it all day and just couldn't get enough.
True indeed that there seems to be a new sense of hope for the future for me after my cynical side got the best of me in 2004. Happy happy day.
And the neighbor across the street, after I hung out my huge american flag for the day to celebrate, got her yard sign for McSame/Palin and put it in her front yard! I could hardly believe my eyes! Um, "grow up" as Obama said and deal with your loss.
Yippee!
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Patty
Registered: 07/11/07
Posts: 87
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Reply with quote | #3 |
I thought it was such an amazing and touching day and yes, I did feel a wave of relief rush over me, and renewed hope, too, as I watched President Obama take his oath and give his speech!
I am sitting here now watching The Neighborhood Ball" and it's exciting, too. So differet from inaugural celebrations in the past. There is such excitement, and hope to this one....it's contagious! I could barely make myself go to work today because all I wanted to do was stay home and watch the coverage.
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KDS
Registered: 09/30/08
Posts: 51
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Reply with quote | #4 |
Your neighbor put out her McCain/Palin sign? What in the world? How stupid. I'd be afraid of being shot or something, just like I'm afraid to wear any Steeler garb in Phoenix right now because a Cardinal fan might shoot me!
I thought Michelle Obama looked so beautiful in that white gown. Just stunning and those little girls. Can you get any cuter? It's so refreshing to have a young, vibrant family in the White House! It's thrilling!
I heard the term President Obama and it took me back for a moment. I'm so used to hearing President Bush. I'm getting old girls, it takes me longer.
I surfed over to BBC to see if they were airing my newest favorite program, The F Word, and they broadcast the inauguration all day, just like America!
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Patty
Registered: 07/11/07
Posts: 87
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Reply with quote | #5 |
Some friends of mine just moved to Italy and said that all the Italians were glued to their TV's watching the inauguration, too.
The F Word??? Sounds like my kind of program. I need to check that out!
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KDS
Registered: 09/30/08
Posts: 51
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Reply with quote | #6 |
The F Word is on BBC and Gordon Ramsey (kitchen nightmares) hosts it. He shows his home kitchen, children, back yard, etc. and gives you a look at his life outside the restaurant. It's really interesting. My new daytime favorite.
Getting ready for Super Bowl. My youngest son, Derek, sent me a cell phone picture of a dog taking a dump on the Steelers logo. He's out of the will!
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DKK
Registered: 08/24/08
Posts: 13
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Reply with quote | #7 |
Go Steelers (or, if you are actually in Pittsburgh GO STILLERS!). I know, I know, I'm from Arizona - but I hate football and the stupid bowl in particular...call me a malcontent.
And yay! President Obama. Oh yeah! I think the fact that he has those two beautiful girls is one of the biggest reasons that I love him. He is smart enough to understand that we need to plan for the future - not just how to enrich ourselves and our already rich friends at the expense of the ever shrinking middle class. I'm not used to having him in office yet, either. But I'm planning on getting used to it!
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KDS
Registered: 09/30/08
Posts: 51
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Reply with quote | #8 |
KK, quick question. Has the economy hurt your job at all? It's getting scary. I don't think it's really hit home yet as the people who are getting laid off right now may still have money to live on but when they run out...
David and I drive around and investigate the new area when he's home and there are a ton of really large, custom homes that are for sale very cheap. We may have moved here too soon--could have gotten a smokin' deal.
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Magnolia
Registered: 07/11/07
Posts: 73
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Reply with quote | #9 |
Since 1-20-2009 the nation seems to have a renewed sense of hope. Good riddance to W. I think President Obama is just what our nation needs. I live in a small (really small) town in Georgia. No mistaken the fact that in many important ways it still has the mind set of the old south. I doubt seriously that very many white folks in this town voted for Obama. Some have a problem with the MLK Day parade. I stand out in front of my house and wave every year as the parade goes by and I've always been the only white person out doing so. I'm pleased to say, this year there were 3 white couples standing outside near me. That's big progress. It's a start towards finally stepping into the 21 century and learning tolerance. We must give props to Dr. MLK. The dream is still alive!
hugs,
Magnolia
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DKK
Registered: 08/24/08
Posts: 13
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Reply with quote | #10 |
Yes, this tanking economy has hurt my job. I haven't worked since early December. Seems no one is buying big trucks - no surprise there. And the husband is watching layoffs at the railroad creep toward his seniority number. There are a couple of empty, foreclosed homes in this neighborhood, too, and probably more to come.
With the continueing cluelessness of the bailed out banking executives I'm beginning to wonder if there will be violence against perceived rich people when many others can't feed their families or afford decent shelter. The number of homeless families in Denver is growing by leaps and bounds. Many of them have children.
I am sort of half heartedly looking for work. We are getting by on just the husband's salary, but it is interesting each month, especially as the layoffs at the railroad increase. We were able to lower our mortgage payments slightly with a program for VA loans. No help for most people with conventional loans. And our home's value is lower than the new mortgage amount (no appraisal, thankfully).
Arrrrggggghhhh.
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KDS
Registered: 09/30/08
Posts: 51
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Reply with quote | #11 |
We have a few homes in our neighborhood in foreclosure too. The banks have so many they don't get around to hiring people to clean up the yards so all of us have taken it into our own hands and cleaned up weeds, watered lawns, pruned trees, etc. Empty homes invite trouble. Kids find them and break in and have parties.
My SIL also drives big rigs. Used to go to CA every week but stopped due to family stress so he drove to deliver bricks to construction sites. Of course, that is in the toilet now. He's been taking loads to Vegas when they have them.
My daughter and granddaughter are both trying to find jobs and there just aren't many out there. It's scary. A lot of stores have hiring freezes. Gads.
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DKK
Registered: 08/24/08
Posts: 13
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Reply with quote | #12 |
The house across the street was purchased in Spring 2008. They started construction - basically gutting it and rebuilding, including raising the roof line so it blocks the view from our house. Then, at the end of the year they stopped doing anything to it. It is a hideous shade of dark grey with a black roof. Now it looks like they are finally finishing the kitchen (cabinets were there, but still in boxes and no countertop). And they may be finishing the floors, but I don't know. The contractor they had originally has fled.
I think their bank pulled the plug on their construction loan - and they are probably having a hard time getting the money to finish and getting a permanent mortgage. Their timing was extremely bad and I think they are way overimproving the house for the neighborhood. They claim to have spent about $600,000 on the thing including the original purchase price, but I seriously doubt that. They are probably closer to $800,000+ because I know what construction costs and theirs cost a lot. I would be sympathetic if they hadn't been so rude to those of us who already live here. I'm waiting to see if they actually move in or just put it up for sale. They own two other homes that they need to sell, what a mess.
I've heard of neighbors pitching in and fixing up bank owned homes. Don't know if they will do that around here, they seem to just deteriorate. Then someone tears the plywood off the windows, has a party and usually trashes the inside. So sad. But then, the market for houses was just insane - anything habitable started at about $250,000 - and was probably realistically worth $85,000.
What to do? Who knows. I think they need to admit that the banks have been nationalized, instead of continuing the fiction that they are best run as private entities. Doubt if Obama could accomplish that. I guess we just have to wait and see.
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KDS
Registered: 09/30/08
Posts: 51
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Reply with quote | #13 |
The banks...ugh. What a mess. Interesting--at my bank, you have to have good credit to open a freaking account! No kidding. I took my granddaughter in to open a savings account and because she has no credit, they weren't going to allow her to open one. She told them I had an account there so they checked me out and let her open one. I guess they are tired of losing money on people who either cheat them or bounce checks. But, it was a savings account. Strange.
I now hate insurance companies, drug makers, banks and most politicians. You vote one crook out and three take their place.
Your house situation reminds me of the movie, Friends With Money. Remember the couple that were adding a second floor that blocked all of their neighbor's view?
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