To Craigslist or not to Craigslist?

On Fathers Day I was given permission to buy a "big" screen TV.  We saw a couple at Walmart but they didn't have them in stock and it didn't take long to realize that I needed to research what is available on these modern devices and what is important to get on them.  If you read reviews of the various models, you find there are always some people who think they are wonderful and others who hate them.
After talking to Robin Butler (an authority on big screen) I decided to get an LG set through Amazon.  It was a 42 inch 1080p with advanced specs.  I didn't care about LED or 3D.  The price was about $575.00 and free shipping.  It arrived in just a few days but after setting it up (which was easy),  I saw the screen was damaged.  I sent it back and chose to get a refund rather than an exchange.
I looked to see what was on Craigslist a few times but as you may know there are risks when going there.  Someone could come over and kill you.  You might get robbed and wounded.  Someone might come to your house and see how dirty it is.
You might go to someones house and ...
The item might be stolen. 

I was ready to buy a TV again and we were going to a party in Jackson, MI.  I thought I might as well check the Jackson Craigslist and if there was an appropriate TV there, I could see it while in town.
Long story shortened, I found a set for sale there and called.  I met the guy at a gas station there.  He seemed like an upstanding young man about to start school at Kettering.  I bought the set for $270 so that was about $300 less than I would spend buying new.  The set seems to work just fine but it's so big.  I know, you're saying to yourself, "That's what she said".  Now I have to sell my old TV or donate it.  It's a 27 inch RCA.  The color is very good on it. It comes with a remote control.  The price is $20 firm.  Come on over to the house to see it.  This ad may appear on Craigslist but I think, more likely, I'll give it away.

Midsummer

Our new rug sat rolled up for about a week.  No one had the curiosity to unroll it to see how it turned out.  I finally unrolled it while watching Gabe.  It looked just fine and I couldn't detect any odor.  I got down on all fours and put my nose close to the fabric...no smell.  Gabe was curious so I said I was trying to see if there was a bad smell.  He also got close to the fabric and smelled.  He raised a finger in the air and said, "Maybe, dog poop?" 

So far the rug is okay.  We've had visitors from England and are soon expecting more from Denmark.  It makes life more interesting and motivates us to clean and maintain at a higher level than otherwise.  The guys from England allowed me to practice hypnosis with them.  That went very well.  I gave them some suggestions for success in their business life and improved concentration while playing tennis. 

We had Gabe here for the Fourth so we went to the parade again.  We go every year really, but Gabe was a reason to go.  He got a whole hat full of candy and a couple of flags.  He was impressed with the monster truck.  Fire engines were loud and the whole thing must have seemed like a big party to him.

Gabe is back in Toronto now.  He was here for about two weeks.  We went to a couple of free concerts and did a lot of things around the house.  He loves running through the sprinkler.  The Danish women are here and Gabe took a shine to Maj (pronounced my).  She paid a lot of attention to Gabe and is great with kids.  All of these young Danes are fantastic.  They slept in the camper van and kept up a grueling schedule of activities.  They will leave soon and the rest of Summer 2011 will unwind at a gentler pace.