OUCH!!!!!
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (86939)
United States
June 2, 2023 8:26pm CST
Today was one of those extremely painful days, financially speaking. The annual car registration.
O U C H ! ! ! ! ! !
Because of the so-called “car shortage” the Commonwealth hasn’t been lowering the value of cars when they tax them for the year. So, since 2021 I’ve been paying for a car they value at over $23,000. The “good” (ha) thing is that, at this rate, I know I’ll owe over $300 again next year. 
And I’ll have a little more to donate to the car cause next week, with oil change/tire rotation time. Oh, well. At least the car is paid for, so all of this isn’t on top of a car payment.
Good and bad news in the family. The good news is that my sis-in-law does NOT have kidney disease. Her numbers were badly skewed while she was in the hospital, but it turns out that she had hypoxia so it isn’t “chronic.” That said, they are keeping a close eye on her kidneys, heart, and lungs. Good. I like a doctor who’ll be careful with things like that.
The bad news is we found out today that my dad’s ex-wife died last Christmas Day. I don’t know what happened. I hadn’t seen her since Dad’s funeral (yes, the ex-wife AND the wife were at Dad’s funeral ), but I know she wasn’t in good shape then.
If you’re wondering about the picture…..
Speaking of “ouch”…..
That’s me, at the tender age of five. And yes, that’s a real, live snake around my neck. My dear mother of blessed memory said the MC said “would anyone like to hold a snake,” and, in her words, “You were up there before I could say, “Karen, don’t!’” 
There’s another video clip of me (that’s a screen grab from family home movies) with another snake at another place.
And if you’re wondering, NO, I don’t go out in the woods and pick up snakes.
I hope y’all have a great evening!
And I’ll have a little more to donate to the car cause next week, with oil change/tire rotation time. Oh, well. At least the car is paid for, so all of this isn’t on top of a car payment.
Good and bad news in the family. The good news is that my sis-in-law does NOT have kidney disease. Her numbers were badly skewed while she was in the hospital, but it turns out that she had hypoxia so it isn’t “chronic.” That said, they are keeping a close eye on her kidneys, heart, and lungs. Good. I like a doctor who’ll be careful with things like that.
The bad news is we found out today that my dad’s ex-wife died last Christmas Day. I don’t know what happened. I hadn’t seen her since Dad’s funeral (yes, the ex-wife AND the wife were at Dad’s funeral ), but I know she wasn’t in good shape then.
If you’re wondering about the picture…..
Speaking of “ouch”…..
That’s me, at the tender age of five. And yes, that’s a real, live snake around my neck. My dear mother of blessed memory said the MC said “would anyone like to hold a snake,” and, in her words, “You were up there before I could say, “Karen, don’t!’” There’s another video clip of me (that’s a screen grab from family home movies) with another snake at another place.
And if you’re wondering, NO, I don’t go out in the woods and pick up snakes.
I hope y’all have a great evening!19 people like this
19 responses
@marguicha (230365)
• Chile
3 Jun 23
@FourWalls 
Good for you. They are poisonous.
Good for you. They are poisonous.3 people like this
@FourWalls (86939)
• United States
3 Jun 23
@marguicha — the joke is, “what’s the difference in a politician and a snake? One is a poisonous, slimy, slithering creature…and the other is a snake.”
3 people like this
@FourWalls (86939)
• United States
3 Jun 23
I do have morals and scruples in my snake selection. I won’t go NEAR a politician.
4 people like this
@AmbiePam (121270)
• United States
3 Jun 23
@FourWalls You knew you weren't a 'fraidy cat. 
3 people like this
@marguicha (230365)
• Chile
3 Jun 23
When I did my math years ago and found our that, after chemotherapy, I only used my car to go to the supermarket, I sold it. I used Uber for some time and now I shop online. Where did you get the snakes? You were a cute and brave snake girl
2 people like this
@marguicha (230365)
• Chile
3 Jun 23
@FourWalls I remember when we went to the US when I was a child, at the zoo a grown up could get on an elephant only if he had a toddler with him. My dad "borrowed" the small son of our friends and we took a picture of him on the giant beast
2 people like this
@FourWalls (86939)
• United States
3 Jun 23
It was at an attraction we went to on vacation in Florida, a place called Silver Springs. I went there again earlier this year, but no snakes to hold.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (136063)
• Marion, Ohio
3 Jun 23
Glad we just have to renew our tags each year
I like snakes
2 people like this
@FourWalls (86939)
• United States
3 Jun 23
They eat rats so you would think people wouldn’t have such a low opinion of them.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (136063)
• Marion, Ohio
3 Jun 23
@FourWalls I feel bad that they get associated with politicians. Snakes are honest about what they are and want
2 people like this
@moffittjc (128857)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jun 23
Wow, you paid a lot for your car registration! I just renewed mine on my truck last week, and it was only $70! No wonder people keep moving to Florida, we’re such a low tax state.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86939)
• United States
4 Jun 23
They charge us tax on the “assessed value” of the property every year. On the positive side, I get a homestead exemption of $45,000 on the house so I don’t pay much on it. It evens out.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128857)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jun 23
@FourWalls That's interesting that they do it based on assessed value, like with homes. In Florida, they do it by weight classification.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86939)
• United States
4 Jun 23
@moffittjc — I remember that. The license plates used to designate those things. My parents’ plates started with “8D,” indicated Volusia County (the 8th most populated county) and the car size (D). Those were the days.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86939)
• United States
3 Jun 23
I only make three payments on the car now…taxes/registration, and semi-annual insurance. Beats having those AND $500-$700 a month payments (what they say payments are these days).
2 people like this
@pumpkinjam (8876)
• United Kingdom
3 Jun 23
I haven't owned a car for a few years because of such costs associated with it. It's been much cheaper to use other forms of transport for most journeys.
One of my favourite pictures of mine is my eldest granddaughter holding her pet corn snake. I don't think I've held a snake myself, but I wouldn't mind holding a little one!
1 person likes this
@pumpkinjam (8876)
• United Kingdom
4 Jun 23
@FourWalls I wouldn't call our transport system outstanding. I know there are some European countries where it is.
Where I live has always been known for having good transport links as we're in the middle of the country with easy access to motorways and rail networks, although we've had problems with the rail over the past few years.
Buses can be hit and miss, depending on the exact area you live in. Some places have no bus service at all. Where I live has a bus service where buses are late, if they turn up at all, and they've just removed the main route to our local hospital and made it more difficult to travel to some other areas.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86939)
• United States
3 Jun 23
That’s quite “doable” in Europe, and I envy you to some degree for having such an outstanding public transportation system. We have one train company — Amtrak — that doesn’t run to about 2/3 of the country. Our one national bus line — Greyhound — is the brunt of jokes because of their inadequacies. We have lots of airlines, but they have troubles and can run hours, or days behind, in the drop of a hat. As a result, cars are sort of a necessity in America.
I wouldn’t go out in the wilderness and pick one up; however, I had no problem (especially as a child) with these “controlled environments.”
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502945)
• Italy
3 Jun 23
The end of June is the most expensive month of the year for what concerns BILLS! I hate this month.
I am glad for the pretty good news about your sis-in-law, sorry for your dad’s ex-wife.
I cannot stand snakes, I do not kill them, I am not scared, but they disgust me.
I cannot stand snakes, I do not kill them, I am not scared, but they disgust me.1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86939)
• United States
3 Jun 23
Most people don’t like them, and I wouldn’t blame anyone if out in the woods. In a zoo, it’s a different story.
I have another “bad bill” month, in November when my car insurance and property taxes are both due.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502945)
• Italy
3 Jun 23
@FourWalls - I see those water snakes in my garden. They are shy and usually go to hide, so I am fine with them. They keep the garden clean.
I have the feeling there is always something to pay.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (98156)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
3 Jun 23
You were a brave little girl. I was already an adult but my love of animals had me be introduced to a snake. Mom and I were walking along and this man was up ahead with a giant boa around his neck. My mom stood far back but I walked right up and said if I could meet his snake, He said this is Esme and she raised up her head and I patted her and then we went on our way. After all this time I remember that snake's name,1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86939)
• United States
3 Jun 23
That’s cool, especially the name. The snake in the movie Foul Play was named Esme, too!
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (98156)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
4 Jun 23
@FourWalls I remember and loved that movie
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222987)
• United States
3 Jun 23
Holding snakes is OK with me as long as they aren't poisonous. Sorry about the bad news. I'm glad things are looking better for your SIL. As far as the financial bad news, that seems to be always present, doesn't it? There is always something. Have a good weekend.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86939)
• United States
3 Jun 23
Oh, well, it’s worth it. When I decide it’s NOT worth it any longer I’ll get rid of the car.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222987)
• United States
4 Jun 23
@FourWalls You'll get another one, of course? I can't see you not traveling.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86939)
• United States
4 Jun 23
That’s the great thing about being a kid: what did I know?
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86939)
• United States
3 Jun 23
I must’ve been a beautiful baby, ‘cause baby, look at me now!
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
3 Jun 23
@FourWalls That is exactly right. You go girl. 
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86939)
• United States
4 Jun 23
I don’t want to see one in the wild, but in a zoo with a sign under it telling me that it’s not poisonous? I’m good with that.
1 person likes this
@KityCat (7739)
• India
4 Jun 23
@FourWalls here that's a snake musuem where they have kept different vareities of snakes . I have been there a few times , probably one of the places I definitely feel like exiting the moment I enter 
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51839)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
3 Jun 23
But do you go into bars and pick up lounge lizards?
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86939)
• United States
3 Jun 23
Not enough inoculations to take to get vaccinated against those kinds of snakes. 1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (209237)
• United States
4 Jun 23
P!lucky !little thing weren't you? I may have touched a snake, but never had one around my neck.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86939)
• United States
4 Jun 23
There’s another video from somewhere else in Florida on the same vacation with me and another snake around my neck. I should’ve grown up to be Alice Cooper.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86939)
• United States
4 Jun 23
I petted a snake a couple of years ago at the State Fair. But, as I said, I wouldn’t pick one up in the wild. No telling what I’d pick up!
Thanks. It’s a routine oil change coming up, and that keeps the car running well.
Thanks. It’s a routine oil change coming up, and that keeps the car running well.
@FourWalls (86939)
• United States
3 Jun 23
I was five, but even then I guess I had a connection that they wouldn’t do anything to get sued, like handing a kid a poisonous snake.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86939)
• United States
3 Jun 23
I know, they aren’t just a cuddle and belly rub type of pet.
