Hi Dave,


 DD> The Amana colonies were pretty much Amish-like with similar roots.
 DD> Except the Amish would make the nice appliance that thae Amana
 DD> colonies do. Bv)=

 RH> Amish would not make (or use) electric appliances, maybe propane but no
 RH> standard fridge, microwave, range, etc.

 DD> Sorry, I meant to type "wouldn't make". Must have got my tongue over
 DD> my eye teeth and couldn't see whar I was saying.  Bv)=

Sort of figured. My late FIL used to use that saying from time to time.

 DD>      88

 RH> I've no idea what my parent's house would go for. My brother owns it
 RH> (and 2 other properties in NY State); I'd not want his property taxes.

 DD> I was over 65 when I bought this crib. Illinois has both a "Homestead
 DD> Exemption" and a senior citizens tax freeze. So my taxes are
 DD> effectively what they were when I moved in.


 DD> If I made over 65K I'd not worry much about property taxes. The only
 DD> "gotcha"  is that you must re-apply every year. Fortunately that can
 DD> be done by mail. There is no parking vary close to the County

Sounds like a good deal. I think ours are reduced a bit for being over
65 but not 100% sure. Steve deals with them, not me.

 DD> As if! This is the first house I've ever owned and it will be the
 DD> last. My will gives my housemate lifetime tenancy then the house
 DD> goes to the local Habitat for Humanity for their affordable DD>
 housing program.

 RH> Sounds like a good idea. We're still debating moving out west
 RH> eventually, still tied to the East Coast at the moment.

 DD> You guys fooled me. I figured that when Steve finished seminary that
 DD> you'd sky up and go west then.

 RH> We'd thought about it but have had our reasons for staying on the east
 RH> coast for the time being.

 DD> Inertia had a lot to do with me remaining in Illinois. When I was
 DD> younger I'd pack a bag and go out to Route 66 and stick out my thumb.
 DD> Saw a lot of places I'd never been that way.

We decided that as long as we have living parents, we'd stay on the east
coast, easier to get to them in a (long) day's drive if needs be. We
have just one living parent now and like to go visit her from time to
time. We also try to call at least once a week.


 DD> Moving house is a major PITA.

 RH> I know, we've moved 16 times (that I can think of) in the almost 49
 RH> years we've been married.

 RH> Might try somethin like this with salmon--make our own lox. Bake our
 RH> own bagels to go with them.

 DD> Never tried making bagels. Panera's Cinnamon Swirl and Everything
 DD> bagels satisfy my needs, wants and desires, bagel-wise.

 RH> I've made them occaisionally. Did some on September 10,2001 so Steve
 RH> took the box into work. We lived on post but he knew those that lived
 RH> off post would have a long, hard wait to get in and probably stay late.
 RH> Figured he'd give them some sustanence. Box came home mostly empty,
 RH> only time it did. Other times I'd send in goodies, it would come back
 RH> empty. (G)

 DD> Soldiers are food vacuums.  Bv)=  Sailors, too.

Especially if it's home made and sweet.


---
Catch you later,
Ruth
rchaffly{at}earthlink{dot}net  FIDO 1:396/45.28


... I am positive that a definite maybe is probably in order.

--- PPoint 3.01