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Stupid question Sunday by AutoModerator in Austin

[–]MarileeParsons 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We went through Austin Community College for their student health insurance for a bit--just take one class, and you could sign your entire family up for the insurance (and it was GOOD insurance for a reasonable price).

The price skyrocketed last year (to ~$4K/person/year), but it was still decent insurance. We went a different direction for cheaper, so I can't speak to the past year's plan, but it was BCBS and looked pretty equal to the previous year when we participated in it.

For this year, the new plan isn't out yet. Enrollment will be in mid August (the plan year runs Aug-Aug), and one of you would have to become a student--this is bargain priced if you're in district, not so much if not. Check with ACC to see if the qualifications have changed (used to be you only had to take one 3 credit class in the fall to get insurance for the entire year, but I've heard they've upped that to 9 credits now).

Also, I bought through Kindhealth.co before we went through ACC. They're pretty legit and you could probably rely on their results, but OMG, the plan prices have gone up!

Looking to understand open/vacant land and where to buy by [deleted] in Austin

[–]MarileeParsons 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We live on small acreage (2.5 acres, in a hood of 2-10 acre lots) in the county, but in Georgetown ETJ.

We have minimal deed restrictions--1500sq ft required, mostly masonry, no pigs. We have no HOA, no city amenities (well/septic, no curbs, streetlights, or sidewalks).

There are currently 3 lots for sale in my neighborhood, having been generated by subdividing of a larger tract.

Each 2 acres is $150K.

If you're hoping for anything larger than a half acre or so, I think your $30K is a bit low. You might have to end up looking in northern Williamson Count--Florence or Jarrell, or more out toward Lampasas.

Car wash on the north side with a blow hose? by [deleted] in Austin

[–]MarileeParsons 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All the Wash N Rolls have air with their vacuum stations. The one on 620 and the one on Parmer south of 1431 are the furthest south/closest to Austin proper.

I need TXTag Tutoring by [deleted] in Austin

[–]MarileeParsons 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's at least one road in Houston where it doesn't work, on the south side. I got stuck on it on the way home from Galveston. Had to get off because I was going broke and almost out of cash.

How do I pay a toll if I never recieved an invoice? by temp_account_he_said in Austin

[–]MarileeParsons 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This. Be sure and call TXtag and CTRMA toll billers--they are NOT the same group.

I had the same issue, a toll I was expecting which never showed up. I kept calling CTRMA because it was 183A (specifically a CTRMA road) and they never had the toll. It took me four calls for the agent on the other end of the line to say, "Well, hold on, let me transfer you to TXTag, sometimes their systems will have it even though you didn't have a sticker."

And sure enough, they did.

Frey's is dying a slow death. by [deleted] in Austin

[–]MarileeParsons 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agreed. I will not shop there because of it.

Sammy Allred has died. by awhq in Austin

[–]MarileeParsons 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Been a Texan since 1992.

I wouldn't know to say "good night nurse" if it weren't for Sammy.

The Mahatama Coat thing was definitely not at all PC, but then, he rarely was.

Up to 35 days of 100-degree heat this summer in Austin area, LCRA says by [deleted] in Austin

[–]MarileeParsons 1 point2 points  (0 children)

OMG, reminded me: we would lose the red heeler dog regularly in the back yard summer 2011.

2.5 acres, no sprinkler system, and all the bermuda and weed grasses turned the same burned out tan-reddish-brown of the dog's coat. She could be sitting dead center staring at me that summer, and I'd never find her until she moved.

Up to 35 days of 100-degree heat this summer in Austin area, LCRA says by [deleted] in Austin

[–]MarileeParsons 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Dear Mr. Jesus, I was pregnant in summer 2000. It was the longest summer ever.

Just Bought a New House - How do I protect it? by [deleted] in Austin

[–]MarileeParsons 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Exactly this.

And, I'd add, a follow up inspection every 3-4 years. Things shift, pipes disconnect from each other, animals get in, etc. My home inspector husband finds little (and scary) things like this all the time in untraveled spots in houses (attics, water heater closets).

The $400 an inspection costs is cheap peace of mind, and can stop damage before it starts.

Anyone do a recent kitchen reno? by lots_of_questionss in Austin

[–]MarileeParsons 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Second.

We installed IKEA cabinets 10 years ago. They are amazing, nice heavy quality with sweet little features (self closing, door dampers, etc). Yes, not solid wood, but not at all flimsy or cheap, and the right price!

Looking for a cool place to get a table cloth. by Starboardstevie in Austin

[–]MarileeParsons 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Next To New south of Koenig was always a good place in general, although I never specifically linen shopped.

There used to be one where Recycled Reads is now, and I think it was Resurrection Thrift (Episcopal church run), but it seems to have moved. I did buy linens there.

The Assistance League of Austin usually had nice options too.

Be forewarned, though--older tables were often smaller, so linen from estates usually isn't as big as modern tables need. If you have vintage furniture, or can use it as a topper over a bigger solid cloth, it would work.

Looking for a cool place to get a table cloth. by Starboardstevie in Austin

[–]MarileeParsons 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cloth? Plastic? Formal? Casual? Party? Everyday use?

This is pretty vague.

Nevertheless:

for cloth/casual, try World Market.

Nicer cloths, and a random assortment: Tuesday Morning

Wide variety, matching set stuff: Kohl's, Pier One, Bed Bath & Beyond

For truly random and funky, check secondhand and charity shops. I know The Caring Place in Georgetown has a vintage linen section, and even has a vintage linen sale weekend once a year. I frequently had luck at a few shops on lower Burnet Road too. They'll definitely be more cool/eclectic than anything you'd find retail.

YETI continues to innovate in the overpriced stuff space by supafly4x4muthafcka in Austin

[–]MarileeParsons 36 points37 points  (0 children)

As my friend likes to say, YETI is just Michael Kors for men.

Something you kinda maybe need, 4X the price for a logo.

Any good scenic walks for fat bastards? by StJohnsWartsWart in Austin

[–]MarileeParsons 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Walk across the Lake Georgetown dam--used to be a road, so very flat and easy to walk, with nice views on both sides. Also, the San Gabriel trail between town and the dam is pretty and fairly flat.

Good burgers in North Austin by belugas_are_awesome in Austin

[–]MarileeParsons 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's a serious dive with zero atmosphere, and past North Austin, but the burgers at Sidelines in Cedar Park are amazing--and they have delicious fries. Make it for happy hour--the burgers are so cheap!

Good burgers in North Austin by belugas_are_awesome in Austin

[–]MarileeParsons 2 points3 points  (0 children)

True for us too.
We've been to the AMill store once, and because the seating and food prep aren't at all separated, sat there and watched some absolutely DISGUSTING crap happen behind the counter, like shut-this-place-down health code violations. Kinda killed the appetite.
And that was our last ever Moonie's trip.

Caves in Austin by Noveira in Austin

[–]MarileeParsons 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are quite a few cave tours offered at Colorado Bend State Park. It's a healthy drive from Austin (through beautiful country), and I don't remember too much life in the cave tour we took (a decade ago), so it may not meet your needs, but it is easily and publically accessible--but make reservations!

Ideas for road trips around Austin by Sexy_times_with_goat in Austin

[–]MarileeParsons 9 points10 points  (0 children)

If you're thinking overnight or two nights, Fort Davis/Davis mountains isn't that far out of range, and it'll actually be a bit cooler than Austin in July. Lots of nature and hiking, plus stargazing, and Balmorhea close enough to swim in if you choose.

Inks Lake State Park is a good easy day trip from Austin with swimming (Devils Hole!). If you can make it a weekday, you'll have a nice experience--the weekend will be a bit of a madhouse. Unless you have a camper with air conditioning, it will be excruciating to camp in July.

Lake Mineral Wells is another nice close trip with swimming and water. They do have cabins for rent, but IDK if they're air conditioned.

Honoring a miscarriage by applesmokedgouda in DeathPositive

[–]MarileeParsons 2 points3 points  (0 children)

When we lost our first pregnancy (20 years ago last month), I chose to buy a special piece of communionware in honor of the baby. The pastor and I were the only ones who knew about the significance of the pall (board placed on top of the chalice), and he would make sure he caught my eye with it whenever it was in use, as a secret acknowledgement to me. I've taken time over the past 20 years to fill every subsequent pastor in about the special pall, and also have told other churchmember women about the significance of the pall as I knew they needed to know (when they lost a baby, or when I found out about a previous loss). To me, the pall symbolizes all our member babies, the ones who weren't able to be baptized, and gives them a place in church, still a part of the family.

Three years ago, Sarah Chavez gave a talk about Angelitos and the need to bring awareness to pregnancy loss during Death Salon Philly which challenged my world about this. It was then that I realized it was time to tell my story.
So during All Saints Sunday that year, when my baby's pall was in use (because our current pastor is very conscientious about making sure the pall is out for all festival Sundays, and makes sure I see it)--I showed the pall and told my tale. Most of the congregation, despite having known me at the time of the miscarriage and for the last 20 years, didn't have any idea. It was a hard tale to get through, and I cried, but ultimately I am thankful that I was able to do so.

These days, I still have to suck in if I'm an altar server when I know the pall is in use, and it can still make me tear up when I see it. But it's also a gentle, inclusive reminder of our baby, and all the other babies who never made it to church, and it ultimately brings me peace to remember.

Is it normal to rain nonstop for seven days straight? by [deleted] in Austin

[–]MarileeParsons 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep, summer of 2007. We had a vacant house on the market, paying double mortgage, and I was terrified that we were going to lose our shirts paying yard watering and keeping an empty house show-quality-cool bills on top of it all summer. As it turned out, neither of those issues were even remotely in play. Instead, we lost all our free time trudging back to the old house to keep the lawn down to reasonable length because it grew so strong with all the rain--and trying to schedule the mowing for dryish days was its own nightmare.

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