I know the kids had always want one of this machines in our basement – so that they can show off to friends when they visit but I do like the old arcade games too – especially the pinball machine and the pac man arcade machine.  So when I saw this on sale at a Yard sale I wanted to buy it – but according to the spouse – it wasn’t worth the amount that the seller wanted.  Had it been a pac man or a pinball machine – then it would be worth the $600 they were asking.  So no arcade machine for us for now – but I’m always on a look out for one – so if you have an old one – but working one to sell at a reasonable price – give me a shout.

Tempted to get a new car yet? hehe!! I am – because I want to head to Las Vegas – and I found a cool looking gmc savana custom floor mats if we do get a new car.   Our local car dealer is having this promotion on and we are going to look at the new GMC cars as well as some custom floor mats for the new car.  The spouse said that he needed a family car this time and I’m all for it, after all going to the city with a family car is so much more comfy and we won’t have the children fighting for space.  At the moment we have a very small car and with 3 kids – sitting at the back of the car – it can be a very long 4 hrs ride to the city.   I told myself that if we do get another new car – I am going to have custom floor mats because the ones they come with just are not good enough for the winter weather  – but now that I know where to get GMC custom floor mats – I dont’ have to worry no more.

The boys are saving up money to make the gaming room in the basement look more like a gaming room instead of a room where they just sit and watch tv on the big screen tv.  They want to fit in some gaming chairs and darken the basement and buy some good sound system – so that they can show off the basement to their friends.  I told them that if they wanted anything for their gaming room – they are going to have to save money and do it themselves – I wasn’t going to waste money in buying them anything more than their games and their accessories – which I am already spending so much on.   Just the other day, the youngest asked for his own xbox hard drive because he refused to share his with his brother.  So I faithfully went out and bought him one – so that there will be no more fighting about it – so you see whey I wouldn’t give them any more money?  yes – they have every system that you can think of – in the basement – and the spouse already spent a lot of money on the plasma tv and the sound system – that they claimed wasn’t the best.  So, if they wanted anything more to gear up their gaming room – they will have to either find a part time job – or mow more lawns.

I always look out for stuff to get for the spouse – not necessary for now – but for Christmas presents and anniversary presents – and I realized that one gets the best gift – when you are actually not in a rush.  So when my niece told me about collecting christmas gifts for boyfriend as early as July – I can fully understand where she is coming from.   I found this electronic wine thermometer for my spouse who love his bottle of good wine – with good food and even though it’s not Christmas yet – I’m buying it for him now and keeping it away from him – till the time comes – that way – I have lots of good stuff for him by Christmas time.  What about you?  do you only shop when Christmas comes?  I used to – but quickly realized that I was buying him nonsense instead of buying him something that he will like and use – so don’t make the same mistake as I.

The spouse’s family love their cigars a lot – so when they got another box of  black & mild cigars – the kids were eying on the cigar boxes left in the basement – and one of them had an idea – on what their grandfather can turn those empty cigar boxes into.  So a search on the internet brought some wonderful ideas for the kids and their grandfather to work on this summer.  Who would have thought that you can turn cigar boxes into a ukelele and birdhouses.

The boys would help their grandfather and uncle cut the cigar boxes and shape them into bird houses while the girls – they can paint it if they like.  They were thrilled – so for the cigar lovers – don’t throw those boxes away – make it a summer project for you and the kids – my kids are really loving it.

I’ve always wanted a foose ball table in our basement but unwilling to spend so much on it because the spouse refuses to play on it.  So only the kids and I will be using it – and you know how kids are – they say they want it but in the end – they probably forget about it after a while – so unless I can get the Foose Ball machine from a yard sale for really cheap I won’t be buying any.   For those who love playing foose ball – what is the reasonable price to pay for a table 2nd hand?  let me know eh.

We have a cottage in the country – where the kids loved to spend their time with their dad and grandparents and fish or BBQ or go hiking – so this weekend we are going up to clean up the cottage before it starts getting too warm to clean and throw out stuff we don’t want.  We are also trying to get a wireless cell booster since we don’t have a phone at the cottage – that way – we don’t have to be afraid that the kids or their grandparents can’t call out from their cellphone.   Since they have no internet at the cottage – the wireless cell booster can help with getting online with their cell phones as well.   But you all know how teenagers are they can’t do without their cellphone – and we don’t want them to not want to go to the cottage and spend time with their grandparents because there is no cell phone connection.

Yes! we are cleaning up the garage to give space to a new – used car for the kid – who is going to college this Fall – but because the spouse wants to make sure that she is driving properly – we are getting the car now.   So this weekend – we are having the garage cleaned out for that new – used car.  We did look around for a cheap auto insurance for the kid’s car – so that she can afford to pay for it – in the future.  The first year her dad will be paying for the insurance but after the first year – she needs to look for a part – time job to subsidize her own pocket money.  She checked out a few places for cheap auto insurance – including cheapestautoinsurance.net and found some really good and reasonable charges for insurance.  So she was able to decide with her dad which insurance package to choose that she will be comfortable with and the best coverage.   It seems like just yesterday – that she was in nursery school and didn’t want me to leave her there – waving at me – in her sad teary eyes – but today – she is all excited to go to college – and ready to say good bye – ohhhh!  where did all those years go?

I’m so excited – I’m getting one for myself in my bedroom for me and the spouse.  This book rest lamp doubles up as a book rest of course and is designed by Sang Jin Lee.  For those who are not familiar with Sang’s work – you can check out – my deco site and see all his unique designs.

Made of frosted glass – it does look a bit dim to read in – so hopefully it isn’t and when you are tired from reading – just hang your book over the rest – and do not be afraid that the book may cause a fire – because it wouldn’t.   Actually a very good gift for children or for anyone.  At £39.99 – don’t forget to add shipping on top of it – hopefully, you can find one somewhere near you – so you can save on the shipping.  But you can buy them online from Mocha.uk.com – check it out yourself.

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