pebblesf

great news indeed

Yep those are the ones for sure.... And yeah, I realize that Hunter boots are no longer what they once were. Would love a pair of those Hunter waders as well....

I realize I'm a little off topic, but will add these photos anyway. I really love how my new "Hunter refined boots" look and feel, especially love how they fit my chicken legs nicely. Enjoy wearing them while clearing the snow also, even though they are not lined/insulated, but that is OK. Wish I could find a pair of Hunter will block heels, but don't think they make that style anymore...

Bicycles really come with electric shifting these days? So, a battery is required? Oh brother....

This "keep the old car and fix it" is a controversial topic indeed. For many, it makes good sense. The posts made here are from somewhat mechanical folks who know how to care for a car, and "listen to it", knowing when something isn't quite right, and get it in for service before a major breakdown/expense. They keep up on maintenance also, without having to be reminded by their repair shop, let's say "proactive". The other part of the equation is finding a good shop that is trustworthy and has had experience with your particular vehicle. Shops like this can be tough to find, many car owners make the mistake of shopping for the lowest repair quotes and bouncing around from one facility to another. It is important to have a bit of a "relationship" with your shop, they know you and your car, you can trust them. Long time repeat customers are bound to get better service. Unfortunately, this is just not the reality for most folks. Busy life styles with kids (especially kids who drive), tight schedules, lack of basic mechanical knowledge and skills are more the norm. Many folks (especially with kids) don't have a lot of cash to spare, proactive car maintenance ends up taking a back seat. Owners often end up going to second rate shops only to end up with ridiculous estimates, only to be followed up by more breakdowns even after forking over big bucks. Sure, some cars are better than others. But, even the most reliable cars can be taken down quickly by poor maintenance, driving habits, and inexperienced/uncaring repair facilities. On the other hand, cars not known for great reliability can sometimes give good service to more proactive drivers and service shops that are familiar/experienced with their particular vehicle. Needless to say, pouring money into a rusted car is a waste. Sometimes you just need to know when to give up on a car. I can appreciate drivers who prefer to get new(er) cars, drive them for a few years doing only basic maintenance, then trading them in while they still have decent value. More expensive, sure, but it is super easy these days to pour money down the drain continuously on their current car. Needless to say, one needs to be in a good enough financial position to buy new and trade in after a few years. This was "the norm" back in "days gone by" when I was a kid. The problem is that folks who can least afford such a luxury are often forced to make poor financial decisions when the old car they have been driving and driving finally just "gives up". Many would wonder why I "gave up" on my 09 Camry. Well, I did manage to get 220K miles out of the original 2.4L engine, the ones that are known for burning oil. Toyota did have a campaign to rebuild them, but mine did not use enough oil to qualify, only because I am super proactive about oil and all fluid changes. The only way to properly repair the engine at this point would be to install a factory fresh "short block" with all the improved bits/pieces that resolve the oil burning issues. I would not trust most shops to "rebuild" my engine, and these modern engines can not be bored oversize. I was amazed to learn that you should not even attempt to machine the block deck, because that will affect the timing chain's relationship to all those crazy cam shafts and gears causing computer issues. Because I change my own oil, I could see what the northeast winters have done to the underside of this car (replaced the rusted oil pan this fall). If I was to go ahead with the new short block, I would certainly want a new clutch, water pump, alternator while the engine was out on a stand. (Radiator and starter are new). Needless to say, I would want the head gone through while it was off as well. This repair would have to cost upwards of $7K, and I probably would have spent that money on it if was a car from the west coast/southern region. So, I made the decision to get a newer car, forked over the $20K. Everyone said, and they are right, you should buy a new car. I would have, but can't really justify spending $45-50K. Wanted no part of a car that shuts at stop lights, has "direct fuel injection", and an 8 speed transmission. The jury is still out on whether or not I found a good used car. Slowly discovering little things that upset me about how it was cared for, along with the fact that someone installed some idiotic "remote start" and alarm system, along with aftermarket tail lights. Needless to say, I will have that system removed and eventually replace the tail lights with stock pieces. I will probably invest another $2-3K to get this vehicle in the mechanical shape it would have been in had I owned it since new. Oh well, don't have to drive back and forth to Boston anymore, so won't be racking up the miles, hoping this might be the last car I have to purchase.

What size do you wear? I am women's US 10-11, EU42-43

Saw this boot manufacturer on reddit today: https://duoboots.com/products/freya-tan-suede? They offer many nice styles of boots and a complete range of calf sizes... Wish they were available in the US.

Great outfit indeed, hope you will wear them more often

So true!

I agree. Working hard not to rely soley on these safety features/cameras/warnings, I consider them another layer of safety combined with my eyes/ears..

Admittedly "old school" and stubborn here for sure. Nonetheless, I feel that much of this AI/tech stuff is highly overrated and actually a hindrance to everyday life. How the heck does anyone drive a newer car these days... All this "stuff". Trying to learn how to operate it is quite the undertaking. The vehicle owner's manual seems to explain the stuff only about 80 percent effectively, usually leaving me with more questions than answers. And in the end, what does it accomplish compared to the more basic vehicles of years gone by. The darn heater/AC control on my newer car is so complex, and the problem for me is that I can not really operate it without looking down on the control panel, not a great idea when driving. Showing my age here, but operating the heat/AC/defrost on my old 73 Chevy could be done "by feel", you knew what you were controlling by the feel/positioning of the levers/detents/positioning of the fan control. Now tell me what features this newer car has that make it any better than the old one? "Dual zone" temp control?? Now that is a darn nuisance. Now you have two temp controls to deal with that are oftentimes competing against one another. How about controlling the radio?? Forget about it... Still reading the manual on that topic. And this new/fancy radio surely does not have better sound quality than the older car, and lousy signal strength as well. So many screens/options that really offer no big advantages, just add to confusion/frustration. I wanted to get the more basic trim level on my newer car, but gave in to the fancier trim level for two options that I do appreciate: I like the blind spot warning system in the side view mirrors, and the back up camera. And the beauty part of these features is there is nothing to control or adjust, the feature is either switched "on" or "off". Like you say, I will get more onboard with this crap when it can do the mundane stuff like emptying the trash or cleaning the cat box... For now, I think the so called "advantages" are just an illusion.

Good for you indeed. It is to no one's benefit to continue a relationship like that. The "war department" needs to learn to "pick his battles" for sure. After awhile I just tune him out, then I'm in trouble for ignoring him! Aside from raising kids, keep a relationship going/healthy has got to be the hardest job there is. Needless to say, my parents suffered the same constant bickering... I know they really loved one another, they just did not now how to love one another...

You have hit on the worst problem for sure: "but she keeps trying". My oldest sister selflessly took on the role of looking after my Mom when she relocated near my sister in Florida. We were blessed that my Mom enjoyed at least ten years of independent living before serious decline at the age of 90. Once that happened, my sister's role became important, doctors' visits, shopping, having Mom over for meals or visiting her in the assisted living place. I am happy that my sister gave up on seeking affection or praise from my mother, just absorbed the criticisms and ignored them. My sister's life became a fishbowl for my mother to criticize. Toward the end, my sister expressed regrets about not having Mom live with her and her husband. I shut that emotion down quickly reminding my sister that her life would be unbearable if Mom lived with her. My mom is the one that should have regrets. Once my Mom decided to forgo any further blood transfusions, I think her "defenses" fell away, and she enjoyed a nice week with my sister before passing easily. I was fortunate to be able to spend share Mom's final hours with her. I wish I had known my Grandparents, would love to know just what happened in Mom's life to make her that way. By all accounts, my maternal Grandmother was a delightful woman, who was very nurturing. Often wonder about my Grandfather. In the end, I am thankful that my sister has benefitted from years of counseling to deal with all the negative emotions about my mother. Just wish I understood what caused my Mom to act this way towards her amazing daughters.... Jealousy perhaps... Who knows... Our family is screwed up/dysfunctional for sure. But, I always remember that phrase about "whatever doesn't kill you, actually makes your stronger"......

Going upstairs is easy, downstairs is difficult for sure....Can't really go downstairs without a hand on a railing

So true... Design and construction mean so much...

Hmmm, seems like your Mom's mom, and my Mom were similar. I don't want to say that the men/boys in my family could do no wrong in my Mom's eyes, but her daughters could surely do no right...My sisters are truly amazing people, and I will always be sad about my Mom's poor relationship with them. I am thankful that my Mom seemed to soften a bit during her final days, and did spend a nice week with my oldest sister before passing, but there are still scars....

There is nothing quite so painful as ingrown toenails for sure! Had them as a kid...Am now pretty careful about how I clip my nails, and force cotton under the edges of the nails if I feel them starting to dig into my toes...

Sounds like you live in the northeast, RI here... Didn't feel anything, but might have just attributed minor shaking to wind..

Well, it is nice seeing boots that men might actually consider wearing for sure, but they don't fit the guys' legs real well. The guys seem to struggle a bit/look uncomfortable wearing the boots also, which is unfortunate..

So true, you really have to "own it". Most times, sales/counter personnel will offer a positive compliment. Appearing nervous, or trying to conceal items in the middle of a pile of other things, usually gets noticed.

Well, I think we all deserve a little bit of credit for "influencing", even if it was just one person. I know that I have had a few conversations with guys while out and about, they complimented my boots, which meant a great deal to me. I can only hope that just one of these guys was able to develop the courage to explore his interest in wearing heels, and that seeing/talking with me helped push him in that direction.....

Yes indeed, clean classic lines and styling for sure...

Yeah, I love them also. It's strange that I love many different styles of boots, but am extremely particular at the same time. One misplaced design feature, or strange heel style, and I'm out. I love wearing my stiletto boots but tend to kill the heels pretty quickly on crappy terrain/streets/sidewalks. My ankle block heeled boots were a lucky thrift store find, not the greatest materials, but look good and are super easy to walk in. Better I should wear these out from constant use than some of my other more valued boots...

Cat, you look amazing....What brand boots are those? My favorite classic stiletto styling and fit your legs perfectly....Home run

I have been wearing my block heeled ankle boots the most lately.