Things "normal" people do that make no sense to you?

[Flaxbee]

By 'normal' I mean, I guess, the greater majority of Americans, of whichever political persuasion.

Here are some of mine:

1. Plant huge green lawns that they then have to tend almost every week with either a pushmower or a riding lawnmower (these GIGANTIC yards that someone rides all over every weekend - why?). Why not just xeriscape, use more natural landscaping, and be happy with that? What's so freaking great about a huge grassy lawn?


2. Expensive weddings, ridiculously expensive dresses. Big weddings I can understand if you want a lot of people to attend, but just buy a simple pretty dress, tell your bridesmaids (if you have any) to wear a certain color (that you of course can veto or make a better suggestion), and call it a wedding?


3. Church. Spirituality I understand. Church, I don't, except for the people who are honest enough to say it's more about networking than anything else.


4. Buying gigantic televisions. WTF?

What else? I've bitched enough in this thread, add your own observations. :hi:

[KG]

1. vote for repukes

[madinmaryland]

2. #4. Cats love HUGH TV's!! Just ask Sonia. So do we.

Well 35" is hugh for us!!

[Flaxbee]

5. Really? Because they attract moths and other bugs?

35" is probably considered midsize; I don't understand the gigantor 52 inch screens some people (like one of my sisters) feels is necessary. She and her family watch a lot of sports on TV, so I guess enormous screens somehow enhance the experience? :shrug:

[madinmaryland]

10. No. They are just amazed at times by what is going on.

Either that or one of the bubbles in their little brains popped.

:shrug:

[MicaelS]

60. If you want full 1080p HD, then.......

Either you need a very large screen, or you need to sit very close. That is why people buy large screen. Click on the chart at the link below for a larger version, the RED LINE is what you want to concentrate on.

1080p Does Matter – Here's When (Screen Size vs. Viewing Distance vs. Resolution)

[Forkboy]

3. Getting out of bed.

[Flaxbee]

6. well, there is that. But you have to get to the kitchen sometime, right?

:hi:

[Forkboy]

11. I know...I'm trying to find a solution to this conundrum.

:)

[shugah]

19. + plus

[sammytko]

54. This I agree with - especially on a Saturday morning!

My phone rang at 0700. It freaked me out cuz no one calls at that time. My mother is OLD so I'm just waiting for bad news. It was my crazy sister inviting me to go shopping and breakfast in her cheery fakey voice. Of course I said no. I already have my day planned. I was awake, but I drink 2 cups of coffee and surf the net for about an hour before I get going.

I'm retired! I do what I want. She is going to retire at the end of this school year. We hope she gets with the program and starts sleeping in. Her twin retired last year and she said it took her a while to stop waking up early, but now she doesn't and she loves it.

[LeftyFingerPop]

4. Give verbal commands to a deaf dog...

like I did with Lily. :blush:

[Flaxbee]

7. how're things?

How's Philboy? You two getting along OK without Lilygirl?

[LeftyFingerPop]

8. He's doing very good because he gets a lot of extra attention...

I'm still mourning, but doing OK. How are you doing, Flaxbee? :hi: :hug:

[Flaxbee]

12. Doing pretty well; much happier up here in Virginia than

in NC. :hug: :hi:

I will never stop missing my Tommycat. It's hard.

[LeftyFingerPop]

15. RIP Tommycat...

He's in your heart, so he is still here. :hug:

[Digit]

22. You just HAD to say that, didn't you?

I am sitting here in NC wishing I was back up in Va, too.

Good gawd I hate it here....how can 300 miles make so much difference?

Sorry about your Tommycat, I am a cat lover also....mine is 18 years old now.

[ohheckyeah]

25. I just have one thing to say....

I'm in Virginia!!!!

(Sorry. I'm feeling froggy tonight)

[Flaxbee]

30. yay, Virginia!

:hi:

[ohheckyeah]

32. I was born and raised in VA

so I always end up back here no matter what.

[Flaxbee]

29. Tommycat was 17+; he was a stray and his age was just

an estimate. Loved him dearly; we have six other cats who are all wonderful, but Tommy was just my baby.

Lived in NoVa area (out near the end of 66) for 5 years, then down near Asheville (but southwest; very, very conservative and small town) for 5 years that almost drove me insane, and back up to the NoVa area again. I don't know why, either, but it makes a huge difference in my outlook on life.

Hope you get back up here! :hi:

[Digit]

40. I've been down here for 14 years and hated every minute

Give me Ocean City, give me the DC nightlife, give me people who know how to friggin drive.

Oh, and PLEASE give me doctors who are competent again! The hospital here was responsible for my mother's death, I have a knee replacement that is f*cked up and I have had it.

I sat outside at break today, closed my eyes and imagined I was sitting on my porch swing in Arlington once again, hoping I would wake up from this terrible nightmare.
I came inside and tears began to flow. Luckily, nobody noticed.

[tango-tee]

50. Sending hugs, digit!

I'm so very sorry to hear of your mom's death, and I know how awful life can be if you live in a place you hate, a place ridden with bad memories and sorrow, faced with incompetence... and never feeling at home there.

Is there any chance you can move away in the near future?

Here, my dear. :hug:

[Digit]

95. Thanks for the hugs

Not with the current economic climate, and then there is the age factor.
I am over 55 and it is difficult to do when you are by yourself.

Maybe things will have a way of working out...I can hope.

[tango-tee]

97. I know what you mean.

I'll be 58 in June and hoped to return to the U.S. once my Mom is no longer living.

Most likely I'll stay over here... transatlantic move, money, worrying about finding a job in America. My son and his family want me to live with them in SE Texas (he only lives about a 30 minute drive from the Gulf) but I don't want to be a burden on them if I can't find a job. And then the catastrophe in the Gulf... I'm wondering, perhaps there will come a time they should move over here?

I hope so much things will work out for you!

[Flaxbee]

66. I'm sorry for your loss and pain...

I hope you can get back up here soon. :hug: Any chance of that?

[Digit]

96. My former best friend who is still up there has moved to the dark side

She calls me late at night when she is drunk frothing at the mouth about Obama.
With an empty apartment in her basement, she "could" have been a way, but I don't see that happening.

I hardly know her anymore..she an angry, paranoid, Beck loving, Rush follower.

There is always the lottery...wish me luck. I would move the next day and have the movers pack up my crap.

I know the hugs were sincere, and I do appreciate them. Seriously, thank you for caring.

[Blue-Jay]

70. I teach my dog to respond to vocal AND visual commands.

Valhalla forbid she ever loses her hearing or sight, but I like to have our bases covered.

(plus, silent commands are pretty cool when other people are around)

[BuelahWitch]

9. Buy "designer" clothing, handbags, shoes, etc.

Why make an anonymous rich person richer (and cause yourself to go into debt) for stuff made by slaves in China?

[Flaxbee]

13. Yeah. I will say, having seen some Dior dresses,

things by Prada, Chanel, the quality is markedly different (better) from, say, a Banana Republic or J.Crew, but the prices are still outrageous: $3K for a simple day dress? No. Half as much, a third as much, is a sin. $1K for a handbag or pair of shoes? Crazy.

[hyphenate]

46. I live in tee-shirts and jeans

I couldn't afford much beyond that, anyhow. Not much you can do with only a small amount of discretionary spending each month!

I have to laugh at people who spend money like that. There are so many reasons that it's simply appalling that people do it. I think if I had the kind of money to spend, it would be given to the charities after my necessities were taken care of.

[woo me with science]

80. Especially a million shoes.

I am beginning to think that is a gene some women have that I missed. If you give me some unexpected money, the LAST thing I want to buy is a stupid pair of shoes.

[wickerwoman]

93. Amen.

I have never in my life owned more than four pairs of shoes (work shoes, running shoes, sandals and slightly dressier shoes). Who the hell needs a whole closet full of $400 pairs of shoes? Shoe shopping is only slightly less excruciating than bra shopping in my book.

I'm obviously a freak though, since everything I own in the world would still fit in 3-4 suitcases.

[KittyWampus]

14. talking/texting on celllphones constantly.

[Flaxbee]

16. I know! What the heck?

Texting can be quite convenient if you don't want to get into a phone conversation with someone, but that's just it - supposed to be convenient, not constant!

[sarge43]

56. How the hell did they cope before cell phones? n/t

[Mad_Dem_X]

103. Yes! Especially while they're supposed to be driving!

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

17. Stop after a couple of drinks..

seriously.

[Flaxbee]

23. as long as you're not driving...

:shrug:

[flvegan]

18. Twitter. I don't get it, I don't want to get it.

Seems like the STUPIDEST waste of time in the world.

[Flaxbee]

21. lol. I won't go there, either.

Haven't gone to Facebook, either, though if I had a business that would benefit from its use, I'd consider it.

[Digit]

42. I agree

Why in the hell would somebody want to know what I am up to and why would I want to know what they were up to?

I don't get it.

[Terra Alta]

20. Obsess about celebrities.

I mean, who really cares which celebrity is dating whom, and who's breaking up with who, and which celebrity is pregnant. I'm too busy living my own life to concern myself with the lives of the rich and famous.

Also, reality TV. There's nothing "real" about it except for the fact that it bores me to tears.

[Flaxbee]

31. I know. I'll skim through a

People at the checkout stand, but care about who is doing what with whom? What they're wearing? Please!

[Terra Alta]

36. People is the only celeb magazine I buy.

And that's only because they do stories about regular people, too. And their stories about celebrities are at least halfway interesting. Although this week they have Kate Gosselin on the cover for the umpteenth time, and I'm tempted not to buy it because of that.

[Digit]

43. I don't even recognize their names....

So much for my fascination....

[ismnotwasm]

24. Facebook farms

A very small thing, I know but I really, really, really don't see the point.

[ohheckyeah]

26. Good one.

I don't get that either.

[ElboRuum]

37. It's something to do...

Sure beats status messages about... well... how much ice cream you just ate, or that the dog just chewed up the cushions on the couch. Now that's something I don't get.

[KamaAina]

27. Pretty much everything

but I prefer to call them "neurotypicals". :-)

[Flaxbee]

33. .

:)

[JitterbugPerfume]

28. Eat fast food double cheeseburgers and diet soda

what the f#k is that all about?

[Flaxbee]

34. don't you know diet soda cancels out all other calories

consumed with the meal? Hmm?

:hi:

[JitterbugPerfume]

38. DAMN!

so thats what I 've been doing wrong!:hi:

[Patiod]

67. Actually, drinking any kind of soda

Talk about empty calories, and the carbonation makes me sick. Although I used to love Cokes as a little girl, and find kosher Coke somewhat tasty, we've gone off soda in our house. Now it's water or iced tea with a little bit of lemon and sugar. Sometimes lemonade - either home-made or sugar-sweetened.

[jonnyblitz]

102. I drink diet soda because i can't stand the taste of regular

soda. I know others who do the same. :shrug:

[blue neen]

35. Read a newspaper and drink coffee while in the bathroom.

I don't get it... :shrug:

[unpossibles]

44. OMG seriously

I once found a candy bar wrapper in a toilet stall. WTF?

[wickerwoman]

94. Talk on their cellphones in the bathroom!

I've been in public bathrooms where the woman in the next stall is having a whole conversation on their cellphone complete with plunking poos, weeing and flushing from all the other stalls! I can't imagine what the person on the other end must be thinking. Boundaries people! Four magic words: "I'll call you back!"

[BlueJazz]

39. I've never figured out why People (driving cars) Lean when they go around Corners...

....I mean, It's not a Bike or a Motorcycle.

Watch the person in front of you the next time you go around a Clover-leaf...they'll LEAN WAY over as they go around the curve..
..Cracks me up !! :)

[Digit]

41. OMG, I have noticed that!

I is so weird!

[datasuspect]

45. watch tv

[MiddleFingerMom]

47. One thing that really REALLY bothers me...

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...is that when people ask me if I'm "normal", my IMMEDIATE response
is always this:
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It seriously concerns me that this is a very "normal" response.
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That makes me sad.
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So I go to the nearest full-length mirror...
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...and the sight of my oversized plush Fred and Barney
slippers, my lederhosen, and my propellor beanie make
me feel better.
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But... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... only a little.
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[MiddleFingerMom]

48. One of the things that norml people do that really gets ME confused...

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...so very, VERY confused...
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...and hungry...
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...so very, VERY hungry...
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[REP]

49. Have kids

I mean WTF? There's 20 years and thousands of dollars you'll never see again. Not to mention, all ages of kid hood suck.

[sarge43]

57. That's ok; it's the whining and moaning about them.

Pssst, you didn't read the instructions on the box before hand?

[Flaxbee]

74. have lots of kids ...

I have never had the desire to have kids, so I don't really understand it when people say they felt they just HAD to have children.

I really don't understand having more than 2 - but that's because I believe that overpopulation is a huge problem for the planet. Yes, you might have the urge or desire to have another child, but part of being human is being able to think logically and control some of those urges for the benefit of the earth (which in the longterm adds to the well being and benefit of/for your offspring).

[tango-tee]

51. Monstrously huge, gas-guzzling SUVs.

And there's usually only one person to a car, going to and from work. Gas here in Germany costs about $ 5.50 per gallon.

And ours is an area with excellent bus/trolley/subway connections. Subways run every seven minutes, and commuter trains are available to the smaller towns outside of the city.

[old mark]

52. Fb- I really agree with you about the lawns...We tore ALL the sod up, tilled the yard and

spread truckloads of black shredded mulch. Put in a stone walkway and some shrubs and planters, fruit and flowers. NEVER have to cut grass again, which suits me fine.
I do understand church/religion but have no use for it.(My brother is an Episcopal Deacon...)

I don't get why some people delight in extreme uncomfortable and dangerous sports and pastimes like mountain climbing or such...what is that all about?

I don't understand....golf.

mark

[Phentex]

53. Make their beds...

I don't see my bedroom until later that night so I don't get to enjoy how neat the room feels with a made bed.

[Mad_Dem_X]

104. ITA

No one else is going to see the bed, and you're gonna get back in in a couple of hours, so what's the point?

[hippywife]

55. Just about everything mentioned in this thread so far...

and so much more. Anything to do with pop culture holds no interest for me at all. :crazy:

[sarge43]

58. Bitching about corrupt, indifferent politicians, then

look blank when you ask them who their (fill in office here) is. Better yet, ask them when was the last time they hauled their ass to a polling place.

Re bridesmaids: Wear something festive and pretty, girlfriend, that's all.

[HopeHoops]

59. Get hooked on really stupid TV shows.

Or is "really stupid TV shows" redundant?

:shrug:

[sarge43]

63. Just TV shows would be sufficient. n/t

[HopeHoops]

78. EXCELLENT point!

:hi:

[sarge43]

81. Well, there are a few that are quality, but most are shop vacs --

they suck and blow.

[nuxvomica]

61. RE: "huge green lawns"

You left out the sprinkler systems that people invariably install at great expense so they can automatically water their lawns every night. I have never understood why they need sprinkler systems. It rains frequently enough here. It's like grass is some alien organism that has to be carefully maintained with fertilizers, weedkillers, sprinkler systems, etc. in order to survive on this planet.
It used to be that people moved out of the city and into the suburbs for the quiet but my neighbors all have riding mowers for their half-acre lots and on Saturday mornings it sounds like an industrial zone here.

[Flaxbee]

65. I know -- we're near some small farms, with home scattered about --

the farmers deal with their crops / land all week, then hop on the riding lawnmowers on the weekend. Or people who have bought farmland and planted ACRES of grass - they ride around all day long. And it does almost sound industrial. I think there should be riding-lawnmower races.

Here in Virginia, sprinkler systems, etc., aren't as prevalent, but I grew up in southern California and the torture the land went through to have 'green' grass was ridiculous - waaayyy too much water (of course no one used rainwater capture systems), pesticides, fertilizer... criminal, really.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

62. Watching reality TV

Who wants to see a bunch of brainless exibitionists? If the people on there were smart or witty or original, I could understand it, but the proliferation of reality shows was the main reason I canceled all but basic-basic cable (so that I can still get PBS with an occasional glance at CNN if there's a major story).

I can't figure out whether their popularity is because that's all that's on and some people will watch anything (I literally saw city people watching rice planting reports on an outdoor TV in China in 1990) or because the audience is sitting around slack-jawed, scratching their armpits, and saying, "Gee, someone as dumb as me is on TV."

But all this, "Oh, look, the Duggar kids got bicycles for Christmas" or "Oh, look at all the fish they caught" or "Oops, one of the ice road trucks is having mechanical trouble" or "One of the Survivor contestants has a nasty personality."

YAWN. Give me well-written, intelligent scripts with good actors any day!

I also don't understand lawns, role playing games, "loving" cars, moving all the way to the exurbs to live in an apartment or townhouse (whoopee, the crowding of the city and the traffic problems of the suburbs), emotional involvement with the fortunes of sports teams, helicopter parenting, Brie, the fascination with vampires and zombies, the idea that shellfish taste good, yacking away about nothing on cell phones in public, "blockbuster" movies made up mostly of special effects, explosions, and car chases, or romance novels.

I do understand church. It's been the source of some of the most spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually fulfilling experiences of my life. You have to choose your parishes carefully, though.

[Patiod]

68. Agree on most, but like "Amazing Race" and the Phillies

I think I read somewhere that when people were surveyed on what show they'd like to be on, Amazing Race was the overwhelming favorite. Most of the people I know who watch it spend the time saying things like "I could never do that - that would have to be YOUR challenge" or "Oh, it's a diving challenge - I could so do that." I like that no one gets "voted off", that luck plays a huge role in the outcome. Sometimes the likable couple wins, sometimes the "villains" win, and sometimes the boring couple that blend into the background win. It's a crapshoot (although you generally have an edge if you're either young & fast or older & very smart).

As for sports teams, it's a way to connect with other people, I think. It gives you common language and interest that you can talk about with your elderly dad, your mechanic, your doctor, and your Republican neighbor. It gives Aunt Isabelle and excuse to call you up - so she can razz you about how the Mets beat the Phils last night. Maybe you wouldn't have heard from Aunt Iz or cousin Andy otherwise. I interview people for a living, and make sure to check out the local paper's sports pages before I start in the morning, so I have some small talk I can make with the (mostly male) people I'm interviewing.

[hippywife]

73. I'm with you on all of this except

Brie, shellfish, and church. LOL :hi:

[JitterbugPerfume]

75. I agree with everything but

the shell fish . I insist that shell fish is yummy


and church, I had way to much religion crammed down my throat as a kid, but it did succeed in making me an athiest

[MrScorpio]

64. Adrenaline junkie shit

Not for me

[Patiod]

69. Offering a cough drop to a coughing person

"Oh, yes, thank you - what a good idea - I think I will put an choking hazard that I might involuntarily inhale into my mouth right now."

I would add "living with a cat" to the list - it's like inviting a small demon into your house and practically begging for it to spread litter and cat fur all over your life and please ruin your sleep.
What was I thinking? Seduced by a cute face.....

[Blue-Jay]

71. LOL @ "small demon"!

Perfect!

[gmoney]

92. Get tattoos?

http://www.anorak.co.uk/246970/strange-but-true/the-greatest-tattooed-mugshots-ever.html?pid=17904#img

[Crystal Clarity]

72. Your list is perfect, especially the expensive wedding thing

Bride: "But it's my special day, I've dreamed of it all of my life"!!! :eyes:

I've never understood that. If I had 20k or more to blow (some of these shin-digs can be outrageously expensive) it'd be for something more practical and lasting. And maybe a trip somewhere for the less frugal, celebratory part. Why would anyone want to waste a pile of money on just one day? :shrug:

Oh and those giant TV's?... Why would anyone want such a monstrosity in their home? I've seen homes where the tv takes up more then half the main living space. WTH?....To this subject however, I concede that I 'get it' for folks who are huge movie buffs, or whatever. That, I can understand. But to have a giant tv, just to have one makes little sense to me.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

76. Underlying the desire for a huge wedding is the idea

"This is the highlight of my life, my greatest accomplishment."

Also, it's HIS day, too, isn't it?

Ever since I attended some really FUN graduate student weddings, I've felt that if I were ever to get married, I'd emphasize hiring a good band or DJ, and a caterer who could lay out a delicious buffet as well as buying a selection of beer, wine, and soft drinks.

[Crystal Clarity]

84. Well to each, his/her own

whatever works for you is fine with me. :hippie: If that is your sort of gig, no complaints here.

I only highlighted the female side BTW because that (right or wrong) is what you tend to hear in American pop-culture. True or not, the perception is that women are the ones who a)actually want to get married, and b)want to make a huge deal out of it. I personally question both assumptions (particularly, a) but believe I was acting within current American societal belief systems when making my original statement.

That said; You make an excellant point just by questioning. Thank You! I'm so glad there are folks such as yourself who can actually pick up on such nuances... DUer's are the best!!!

[Capn Sunshine]

89. couple things on that

How silly does everyone feel five years later when the MC and Visa Bills from the wedding are finally paid off, and the happy couple divorces?

The size of the TV seems disproportional to the size of the living room. I have clienst with 4 million dollar houses and only a samll (albeit top o' the line) TV in the bedroom.

I have friends with 900 sq. ft. condos that have 60" TVs.

[chillspike]

77. Houses with 30 year mortgages

so they can work 40 + hours a week to pay them off???

[sarge43]

83. We have a 30 year fixed rate. Gave us the lowest monthly payment.

As said to spousal unit, "We're going to pay someone something for a flop, might as well be our own, affordable and no one can screw around with it."

We couldn't rent for what we pay on the mortgage and we're not working -- two military pensions and social security covers it nicely with enough walk around money left over. And NH gives veterans and old farts property tax breaks. The electric bill is nada and we have our own water.
The big bite is heating, but we're careful, so no BFD.

[jp11]

79. Slow down to check out accidents, you are in a car which means you have somewhere to go, so go.

Move into houses with a Home Owner's Association to tell you what and how you can do on/with your house and property.

[azmouse]

82. People that take out loans for vacations or Christmas gifts.

I couldn't enjoy a trip or Christmas if I knew I'd still be paying for it months later.

[Zavulon]

85. Watch American Idol.

A glorified karaoke contest featuring singers of varying degrees of talent singing lousy songs, and completely uninteresting judges.

[TreasonousBastard]

86. I agree with everything in this thread...

except the stuff I don't agree with.

[iris27]

87. Host and/or attend direct sales parties (Tupperware, Pampered Chef,

Creative Memories, etc.)

[TK421]

88. Everything except for #4...but only if you could afford the thing

I take my entertainment very seriously

#1 is my biggest itch, especially when you have twenty or so bushes to maintain..this fucking SUCKS in 90+ temperatures believe me, I know!

[Jade Fox]

90. I love your four........

I can only add:

-watching reality TV shows

-being a Republican

[JBoy]

91. Answer their phone during dinner.

WTF? You finally get the family together, somebody probably spent a bunch of time and effort putting a meal together, and you're going to interrupt that to attend to a ringing phone?

[proteus_lives]

98. +1

I grew-up in a household where answering the phone during meals was verboten.

It's carried over to my adult life. It's just plain rude.

[Lindsey]

99. Weddings, Reality T.V. shows, why people vote against their

best interest. I mean really "deregulation?" That's all I can think of for now.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

100. Leasing a car.

I don't get it. You don't get any ownership stake in it, you constantly have to watch your miles, and you never develop any sense of emotional attachment or relationship with the car.

I seriously think for some people, the only reason they lease is so they can show off a car that they know they wouldn't be able to afford to own.

[rucky]

101. texting

in general, but especially in public when they're with other people.

[Flaxbee]

105. I'm going to add to my list: huge, expensive 'remodeling' or 'redecorating'

of your home ...

I understand, if you buy a home that is less than ideal and you need to remodel an old bathroom, update kitchen appliances, etc., but some people feel the need to change stuff around regularly. Oh! I need new kitchen cabinets! I need a new island! I need a vast, gigantic bathroom! My couch is fine, but I'm tired of it - must get a new one!

I guess I don't understand consumerism -- and when it comes to your home, make sure the bones are good, then if you're bored, paint the walls. Buy a few throwpillows. Don't tear out the freaking kitchen.

And why do kitchen remodels cost tens of thousands of dollars? It's just ridiculous.