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May 2008
Are used car lots a good deal?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For the past few months I’ve been looking for a used car for my daughter… very used.
But what I buy her and how much I spend isn’t the main issue of this blog. My question is about the number of small used car lots that are in and around Fayette County.
Would you purchase a car from them?
If you drive on Ga. 54 by Piedmont Fayette Hospital, there is a car lot right next to the hospital.
Also, on Ga. 85, just about 3 miles South of the Courthouse intersection, there’s another used car lot.
A few of them dot Ga. 85 as you head towards Riverdale. While I haven’t seen what I’m looking for in those places, it’s very tempting to consider their inventory because I don’t want to spend $20 in gas driving to Kennesaw, Norcross or any other location over 30 miles away.
(By the way, that seems to be my stock answer to everything- “I don’t want to drive anywhere because of the cost of gasoline).
So what do you think? Should I even bother looking at those smaller lots? Have you ever bought a car from one of those places? Tell me your experience if you did.
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It’s summer! Time to be neighborly again
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While the official start of summer hasn’t arrived, the outdoor activities and summer-like weather has.
So no matter if you live in a house, condo or apartment, you are more likely to see your neighbors outside either gardening, walking, or enjoying a meal outside.
You know the drill. You haven’t seen them through much of the winter and maybe, just occasionally, during the spring. But you do find yourself getting to know them again.
So far so good. Right? Well, here’s the question. Let’s say you’re having a get-together with some of these folks but don’t want to include everyone because…well, just because. Maybe you want something a little more intimate and you’ll invite that other neighbor another time. Is that so wrong?
And what happens if the neighbor that doesn’t get invited sees or hears the commotion of a party.
Do you feel like you owe them an explanation the next time you see them? Or do you just blow it off hoping they’ll forget about it?
Personally, I’m way too chicken to exclude anyone for fear of a confrontation. It’s just not worth it to me. But what about you? Have you ever had a neighborhood gathering?
Did you include just about everyone? Or did you leave a family or two out of the event? And did you feel an ounce of guilt of for not inviting them?
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Favorite wedding place in Fayette
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wedding season is here and even in rinky dink Fayette County, we’ve got a pretty nice selection of places to tie the knot, excluding churches and synagogues.
There is: 1) Glendalough Manor in Tyrone 2) Aberdeen Country Club in Peachtree City 3) Wyndham Hotel in Peachtree City 4) Hollingworth House in Fayetteville 5) Whitewater Country Club
I’ve attended a variety of events at each one of these places and all are very nice for different reasons. But I want to tell you about a new place I saw this past weekend and for me, this was “it!”
It is called the Banquet Hall of Alvaton on Ga. 85 near Perry. It’s 12 miles south of the intersection of Ga. 74 and 85.
My husband and I attended a wedding there this weekend and as soon as we parked the car I was in awe.
And don’t let the name fool you. It doesn’t resemble the kind of “banquet hall” you might be imagining.
A big huge porch greets the guests. Large windows and hardwood floors make the place glow with warmth. A beautiful gazebo outside is perched perfectly around trees which provides just the right amount of shade.
I did find out it was a converted school which probably explains it’s beauty and charm. The place has been around for about four years as a banquet hall, but the owners are still working on a website.
All I can say is that I’ve never felt quite so comfortable in a place of that kind and if you know anyone that is looking for a place to hold a wedding, this place should be a consideration.
Have any of you ever been to this place? And if so, what did you think? Or have you been to one of the other places mentioned and have a preference? If so, which is your favorite and why?
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Planning meals may save gas costs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How many times do you go to the grocery store each week?
I live within a mile of a Kroger and a Publix and go at least three times a week, which my husband says is two too many times per week.
I suppose it’s true that if we planned our meals on Sunday and I shopped accordingly, I could cut down on the number of times I go, but it just doesn’t work that way.
For one, while I might have planned to eat fish on Tuesday, maybe I don’t feel like eating fish once Tuesday rolls around.
Trust me, I’m really trying to do my part to spend less gas money and not pollute the air, but hey, I’m not perfect.
The other problem is that I find fruit and vegetables don’t last a week, meaning seven days. Some tend to spoil in four to five days, which of course prompts another trip to the store.
My husband claims my numerous trips to buy food stem from our days of living in Italy years ago where you had to frequent a local grocery store at least three times a week. Fridges were much smaller as were the size of items such as milk.
So, the bottom line question is how many times do you go to grocery store? And do any of you do meal planning on Sunday and stick to it through the week?
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Fayette needs a transportation plan
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With gas prices on the rise I contemplate every single trip I take in my car before I take it-whether it’s driving into Fayetteville, just a few miles from my home or Peachtree City, the next town over and maybe 10 miles away.
But the thing that is really bothering me right now is the fact that Fayette County has no public transportation options. I know I’ve written about this before, but its been a long time since it has been discussed. And certainly gas prices weren’t at the record high that they are now. It just seems like a crazy contradiction that Fayette County has a population of folks with some hefty income, yet we don’t have one stinkin’ bus or van or anything to get us from one end of the county to the other.
Does this bother anyone else? And if we did have public transportation would you use it? I know I would!
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Use your turn signals, folks!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Arrrrggghhh! I’m so irritated I could scream!
What is it with people not using their turn signals not only while driving in traffic, but even in large shopping centers.
A few days ago I was driving through the parking lot at The Avenue in Peachtree City, and like so many gigantic parking areas, there are places to turn in every direction. Thus, using a turn indicator, even in a parking lot, I think is warranted.
I sat at a stop sign (near Claire’s) and watched as several cars made right turns without one of them using a turn signal.
Do people think driving around in large parking lots exempts them from using turn signals? Some of those enormous parking lots as big as small country towns.
Does anybody feel my irritation and annoyance? And have you ever experienced the same frustration while driving around in a mega-parking lot?
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Traffic nightmares in Fayetteville
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It seems traffic on Ga. 85, Fayetteville’s main corridor, gets worse and worse each year.
During the morning hours around 9 “ish” everything seems to flow nicely. I’m sure around the 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. time it’s fairly busy, but it probably moves at a decent pace.
What I have noticed is that as the afternoon approaches traffic backs up badly around 4 “ish” starting at the Ga. 85 and 54 intersection and also at the Ga. 85 and 92 location, and doesn’t diminish until around 6 p.m.
During that time period I do whatever I can to take to stay off of Fayetteville’s main drag. But when I have no choice. I dive into the traffic and just get myself into that place of cool, calm and collected by listening to some music like classical.
While I really do enjoy almost all kinds of music classical music is the one that can make me more relaxed…usually. What about you? When you know you’ll be facing lanes full of cars do you turn off the music? Listen to talk radio? Slip in a CD? I can always use some more suggestions for relaxation.
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Gift ideas for the graduate?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The graduation announcements are pouring in. No doubt about it, the graduating high school seniors, even a few I barely know, would like a little “something something” for their hard work.
And even for the few that I am hardly acquainted with, I’ll be glad to oblige.
Now, the question is: What do I send? Or maybe how much should I give?
I’ve given this some careful thought because I consider myself a really practical person. And here are some of my ideas. Tell me what you think.
One kid I know fairly well will get $25 worth of Chick-fil-A coupons. I know this is a good idea because I ran it by him mother.
One down, another 50 to go.
A girl, I’ve never met, but know her parents….well, I’m thinking I’ll send her a check for $20. Does that sound cheap?
What do you think about these ideas? And if you have any other suggestions, I’m all ears.
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