Amy Currioman

One thing I learned a long time ago, as a woman, is that there are a lot of times that people will try to convince you (me) that things are broken when they are not, or charge more money for something than they should.  For example three years ago I took my sister’s ford escort to the local fast oil change shop (which I will leave unnamed, but it is a huge national chain) to have the oil changed.   I was doing her a favor because she was having a hard time managing the time to get out and do it herself.

The mechanic that worked on the car tried to convince me that she needed a new  water pump, battery, windshield wipers and timing belt!  He gave me a huge estimate of the cost!  I told him that I’d let my hubby check those out before deciding to do anything.  Well, my hubby took a look at the car and said that the car didn’t need any of that!  And even if it did need all that, the cost should be half of what was being estimated!

Aside from having to change the windshield wipers once, the car is still running fine three years later!  No, it didn’t need a new battery.  Needless to say I have not returned to that particular fast oil change shop.

That is why I like the repairpal.com website – it helps me find reputable mechanics and get estimates on line.  That helps me to determine if I’m being treated fairly on repairs.

Have you made any New Year’s Resolutions this year? One of mine is to waste less food. I am apalled every week when I get ready to go to the grocery store and I rummage around the refrigerator to see what needs to be thrown out and find so much food that has been there too long to eat!

Part of the problem is that often times when I cook supper the rest of the family decides at the last minute that they aren’t going to eat dinner. Now I know I’m a good cook, but the only time I can count on everyone coming to the table is if it is take-out Chinese Food or take-out Pizza. And I am NOT ordering take-out food every time we need to eat supper! So I think that I will put the rest of the family in charge of the meal planning, the shopping, and the cooking. I’m tired of wasting time, energy, and money on trying to feed this family. As for me, well I can just fix myself a PB&J sandwich or a bowl of soup if no one cooks!

One of my favorite decorations for the house at Christmastime is a pair of handmade Mr and Mrs Santa Claus. I remember buying them the Christmas of 1974 for $25 for the pair. They were being sold by a friend of the lady who made them and brought them to the office to try to sell them. Well, being a sucker for handmade items, and being young and newly out on my own I grabbed them up! They’ve held up very well considering how old they are, and I love them dearly. They grace a space of honor in my house every Christmas

I’ve been interested in warm winter clothing ever since about 1971.  That’s when I first experienced the thrill of alpine skiing.  I can remember my parents buying me a great Columbia jacket to wear on the slopes.  It was stylish and kept me warmer than I thought possible!  I guess before I got that Columbia jacket my parents just bought me stuff that looked warm but really wasn’t warm at all.  I’ve gotten a lot pickier now when picking out my winter wear! 

 When my niece came to live with me a few years ago I was trying to find her a warm jacket to wear and was surprised to find I still had that old jacket – still in great shape – and it fit her just fine! And I was pleased to learn that the Columbia jacket that I work back in the ’70s on the ski slopes was still as warm as ever (although too small for me now!) and that the fashion was still perfectly acceptable.  It’s good to know that some things really DO last a long time!

My youngest son Jon is in his senior year at college.  This is such an exciting time for him; he already has a job offer waiting for him in London, or a fellowship waiting for him in Boston!  He is so excited to be done with the studying and homework that has been such an integral part of his life for the majority of his life. 

I can’t blame him for wanting to experience life to its fullest.  He has yet to have his first serious romance, has yet to need to find a way to pay his own way, has yet to be completely independent.  Oh, sweet independence!  I can remember wanting to be solely in charge of my own life!  And now I find myself on the wrong side of fifty years old, and being melancholy for my own youthful exuberance! 

I think that for Christmas I will buy Jon a casio pathfinder watch for Christmas.  I think that even though watches seem to be obsolete to the younger generation, I think that giving a watch to him at this point of his life would be a loving reminder of how valuable time really is.  A suggestion to cherish each hour, each day, and to live it fully.