Dude.
I've turned into my dad. And I'm not just talking about the obnoxious chin whiskers and single crazy eyebrow hair that lurks and lurks and then suddenly stands up and dances the Electric Slide right when I'm trying to make a good impression on someone. Thank goodness my husband already loves me because that might be a deal breaker.
Anyway, I'm not talking about crazy hair DNA. Nor am I talking about his penchant for fastening a fancy trouser belt around his ratty red bathrobe when he couldn't find the tie that belonged to do it. I'm also not referring to his tendency to cry during dramatic episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation. I share all of these traits with him, but I've known about them for a long time.
No, I'm talking about a new realization that struck me as I gave people a tour of our house on Sunday. (Doesn't that sound grand and not like it's just a modest house on a slightly small lot in a new-ish planned community?)
Anyway, I pointed out a sofa and I was like, "Yeah, my mother-in-law found that sectional brand new for $320." And then a moment later I was all, "Kenny fixed these bathroom cabinets with spray lacquer for $60 instead of paying the painters $1500." And then I pointed out the three-year-old washer/dryer I scored on Craigslist for $200. And then I sat down to write an email on the refurbished laptop my husband bought me last week for $400 because my old one gave up the ghost.
Yeah. I turned into my dad.
I miss him.
But it might have been a good thing that he passed away before he discovered Craigslist. He'd have gone broke saving money.
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23 comments:
HA! I always said I would never marry someone like my dad, only to find out that in many way, Bryan is too much like him. Oh well.
PS-I got that annoying chin whisker thing too. I have to pluck everyday. But when I get rich off writing I'm going to get my chin lasered.
That's a great trait to inherit. I love hearing about other people's deals and wish I lived in a place where it was easier to find my own (NOTHING like Craigslist over here, although there is a good Polish version of eBay. Not the same thing, though).
And I'm mad your eyebrow didn't do the electric slide while we were at lunch last year. I would have paid to see that! (SO weird that that was almost exactly a year ago!!)
My husband has eyebrows like that. I always tell him it looks like a cockroach left it's leg up there and now it's waving at me. I measured one once after I pulled it out (which has become a compulsion -- the plucking, I mean) -- nearly an inch. An inch! Freakishly long eyebrows. It becomes clear to me why people must trim. Plucking, I've always understood, but the trimming didn't make sense to me until CPod.
I think that's an awesome trait to inherit! Saving money makes me happy. :)
Until my husband got his latest barber, who actually trims his eyebrows, he had the freakiest, longest eyebrow hairs on the planet. Like wire.
I do that all the time. "We got our couches 50% off!" "We did the tile ourselves and saved $300!" "These boots were only $7!" Can't turn down a good deal, and I gotta tell everyone about it.
I'm totally turning into my dad. He's famous for saying something in ten minutes that could be said in ten words. (Um...)
I inherited those same type of eyebrows from my dad. So did my sister. We joke that he was a mad scientist in a past life.
My sister likes to tell me about the good deals she finds at Target when clothes shopping. Hearing, "...and it only cost $.75," is not uncommon. On the outside I'm smiling, but on the inside, I'm slowly turning green.
Congrats on the good deals. On the outside I'm smiling, but on the inside...
My sister and mom and I are the same way... except about clothes. "Aren't these jeans cute? I found them for only $10." "This shirt was only 5 bucks."
Go broke saving money.... that makes me laugh. I am a shopper around and DIYer. I also spend more time than i should admit searching craigslist for the things I still want for my house.
Cute memories of your dad. We all turn into our parents on way or another.
I think we might be related. I have inherited a similar trait from my Grandma.
She used to walk in and announce, "Everyone! Look when I got from the thrift store for a nickle!!"
I'm pretty sure I've gone broke saving money a few times. I also enjoy telling people how much I've saved, it makes me feel better.
Refurbished lap tops are awesome. : )
So cool to see your dad in yourself. I'll bet he would be really happy about your new place.
I think I'm becoming my dad, too. Although my urge to tell people my deals is a genetic anomaly stemming from too much love of frugalness. The key is to pay full price for everything and then you're too embarrassed to tell anyone what you spent. Also, you won't be able to afford extras (like food) and will lose weight.
Love this. I'm SO not a DIY person, but I am a huge bargain person. Now you've got me wondering if I inherited some of it from my father who had Depression-era childhood.
I've always resembled my dad (sans the wiry eyebrows), but as I get older, the one trait of his I've been doing more scares me-- talking out loud to myself.
As a kid, I worried that he was talking to imaginary people (which is okay when you're 6 but not when you have 6 kids). What I've come to find out is that the voices in my head are the same voices he's been hearing for years. They're quite pleasant and want to help me resolve the issues in my life. Let's just hope they remain friendly!
I didn't think I was anything like my dad until I grew up. Now I realize I'm EXACTLY like him in so many ways!!
It used to embarass me to tears how frugal he was (I thought he was cheap). Now, I can't stand to pay full price for anything and am always asking if they can give me a better price.
Continue the tours, girl!
Well, I'm impressed. :)
I love this post. You and your dad are endearing.
My dad and I aren't really close. I've known for years that I'm turning into my mom, but lately I've been noticing more and more of my dad coming through. It should probably bother me, but it actually makes me kind of glad that I got something from him.
I totally understand both the being married to your parent and the going broke saving money thing. You should have seen the amount of money I spent on killer deals at the grocery store this week!
My mother is the same way with clothes. "Love your shirt, Ma." (leans in and shouts for all to hear) "$17.99 at Target, but don't tell anyone!" I'm enjoying your blog~
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