A weekend of commerce

We actually had a tax return this year since we were able to claim my son. His mother and I now alternate. It was not a lot, but enough to pay the car insurance, buy some new glasses for my wife and to replace the leaky electric kettle.



We also went to a couple of thrift stores. It had been awhile since I had any luck, still looking for a complete burr grinder, but I did find a Henley shirt and a VCR. Problem with the VCR is hooking it up to the receiver means pulling out wires. Not enough inputs. Oh well.

Walking through the aisles I came across the coats. I was not looking for one, but this one caught my eye. Tried it on and I had to have it. Only seven bucks, a London Fog - I get very brand snobbish in thrift stores.



That's my best Tawny Kitaen.

On the way out my Scottish Wife spotted a tie that looked like one she wore in school as a young lass.

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The color has a little more purple in it, like a Gryffindor tie. I've seen a picture of my wife in her school outfit when she was about 11. I do not have it to scan.

I'm sorry, where was I?

Whoop ti do, Subaru

Getting gifts for my autistic son is a challenge. Thought I was clever last year by getting him a tent/tunnel. He rarely used it, then trashed it before spring. He also has a wobble board I thought he'd really dig for the balance and lights. Another mistake, he is afraid to stand on it.



What he's been playing with most is a bank I made from a pint of Jeni's Ice Cream by putting a slit in the lid. Cost: ten bucks plus about fifty cents in change.

Don't want to get him a video. That's too easy. Looking for him to be engaged, in something, a little bit. Sure, I'm probably projecting what I want him to do. Walking by the bikes and the toy department in Target is hard, especially during this time of year. All the can'ts and what ifs swell around in your head, along with the piped in Christmas music.

I went into Giant Eagle to get food yesterday and heard Psychotic Reaction by Count Five. That'll put anyone in the holiday spirit!



Santa's on fire though. The tree is decorated. Some presents are wrapped. It's not all gloom!

Have not heard back from the insurance company yet. Waiting to see if they will repair the car or total it. Not looking forward to that offer, I'm sure it will not be enough to cover the cost of a decent used car. Regardless, to get the feel of what's out there I went to a few dealerships on my side of town. Got a better feeling from one, established, used car place with a couple of vehicles that looked good on the outside. What's under the hood is more pressing though. Don't want a car that's going to explode a week after purchase.

Going to try and get motivated to work on Christmas cards, wish me luck!