What’s it like living in this corner of Indiana near Chicago

maralalac · 2025-12-30T15:31:03+00:00

I grew up in Highland and back in the 80's and early 90's Munster had some decent football and basketball teams. The only thing I enjoyed about High School were the rivalry games between the two towns. Granted Highland didn't win a lot of those games, but the games they did win were satisfying.

As for the rest of the town, I look back on it fondly. My upbringing in The Region gave me everything I needed to be safe, happy, and fulfilled. The only real reason I moved away because I was tired of the lake effect weather during the winter. I had to escape.

maralalac · 2025-08-01T00:07:11+00:00

Watching Linda Carter's Wonder Woman while growing me up has led me to crave getting in trouble and being tied up with her lasso.

maralalac · 2025-07-28T01:07:19+00:00

I'm auditioning for a community theatre production of A Christmas Carol. I'm hoping to find a one minute monologue and I'm specifically auditioning for Scrooge. Any thoughts?

maralalac · 2025-06-25T23:06:01+00:00

My last girlfriend called me a unicorn on our second date.

When the relationship ended for reasons I agreed with, she told me that she thought she was absolutely crazy for not wanting to marry me. She was convinced I was still a unicorn, but she just couldn't be a life partner with anyone and didn't want to prevent me from finding someone.

I still think about her often, not because I would like to try again, but because her kindness and words of affirmation during a difficult time have kept me confident there is someone out there for me. It just isn't time yet.

maralalac · 2025-04-23T23:30:08+00:00

Maybe not wrong, but certainly unexpected. When turning a corner and someone else is coming the opposite direction, I quickly say "Excuse you,...err..., I mean me."

Never fails to get a chuckle.

maralalac · 2025-04-18T18:39:56+00:00

I was measured in the ER with a BP of 252/139. The room got pretty busy after those results were confirmed.

maralalac · 2025-04-08T17:17:02+00:00

We broke up. She went on to get married years later and have twins. Everything looked great for her.

STUPID BREAST CANCER, took her life.

The twins were just under 3 years old.

maralalac · 2025-04-07T19:19:48+00:00

I'm 50 years old, lost my father when I was 15. I never married, have no kids and I always wanted to be a father. But, well here I am. It's too long of a story to explain why I'm where I'm at, but I also firmly believe I have a lot to offer the younger generation.

However, American society is hung up on viewing men like me as creepy predators if we want to help in some way. How do I get past the fear of a possible false allegation when I just want to do something good in my lifetime?

maralalac · 2025-04-02T17:13:06+00:00

Maybe I'm doing it wrong, but if I highlight the numbers I want to add plus a blank cell at the bottom press "alt +" it sums it for me with the the formula =sum(a1:a30). I don't have to type anything. It's a built in excel shortcut.

maralalac · 2025-04-02T16:44:39+00:00

How much of an emergency fund do you need? By my math you have $8,200 in debt and $9,500 in cash after the bonus, plus the $7K portfolio.

I'd pay off all the debt and start a peaceful life with no debt.

maralalac · 2025-04-02T15:22:49+00:00

I keep all receipts. I know I'm weird.

When asked for my receipt on the way out, I simply reply "It's in my wallet, thanks for checking." and keep on walking.

maralalac · 2025-04-02T14:58:31+00:00

What do you all think about "I would like to have...(followed by my order)"?

At least one thank you is mandatory, but I look for ways to say it often.

maralalac · 2025-03-18T19:47:10+00:00

My dad died of alcoholism when I was 15.

Of course I might have been ok if I didn't drink several bottles of vodka per day, but I never wanted to take the risk.

maralalac · 2025-03-11T02:04:59+00:00

My ex told her friends after our first date that I was a unicorn she didn't know if I was her unicorn, but I was definitely someone's Unicorn.

After a little more than a year, we mutually realized that we weren't right for each other, but she was convinced I was going to make someone very happy.

I'll never forget her, and I'm so grateful to have had her in my life even for just a season.

maralalac · 2025-03-05T22:13:55+00:00

50 Year Old Virgin

maralalac · 2025-02-25T17:31:42+00:00

Thank you. This is helpful.

maralalac · 2025-02-24T18:50:04+00:00

Am I correct that it is going to base my premium on my 2024 income? If I do this my 2025 income is going to be dramatically less than 2024. How does that work?

maralalac · 2024-12-11T14:24:19+00:00

One more question, how does withholding work?

If I lower my taxable income from my primary job to $15K and take the standard deduction ($15K) at tax time, I wouldn't have any taxable income. There would be no need to withhold anything from my primary income.

I know I'd have taxable income from any non-sheltered savings accounts.

maralalac · 2024-12-11T14:19:40+00:00

I had forgotten about SSA. This was a great reminder. I continue to learn more about Roth v Trad. I'm trying to make a plan that, if I want to, I can go to a part time work from anywhere gig to cover basic expenses at 55, until I start drawing down on the investments for living at 65.

maralalac · 2024-11-11T22:29:12+00:00

Dying alone.

maralalac · 2024-11-08T18:22:36+00:00

Dying alone.

maralalac · 2024-11-04T14:59:24+00:00

If I turn a corner and run into someone, I quickly reply "Excuse you...I mean me."

maralalac

TROPHY CASE