Jeff & Diane Gwirtz

The problem is - where should we shop??? I live in a college town of
about 40,000. I don't care for Wal-Mart either. In fact, right now
they're suing our town because their proposal for a super-center was
turned down. Wal-Mart says that the city commision's interpretation
of zoning was incorrect and so the denial was illegal. This issue
has really divided our town. Some people hate Wal-Mart - some
think the super center would bring business to town. The problem is
that when you live in a town this size, options are limited. We
have a Wal-Mart, a K-Mart and a mall with downsized versions of
Penney's, Sears, and Dillard - no Gap or Old Navy. I don't have to think too hard to
remember controversies with Sears over bait and switch and Dillards
over their treatment of African Americans. So.......where do we
shop? Our last locally owned dept. store closed years ago and our
locally owned grocery store was recently bought out by Kroger.
The few Mom and Pop stores in town are gift shops and the like.
Our family actually does a lot of mail order, but I'm not sure
that's any better. I notice that many of the clothes are made in
countries known to encourage sweatshops. We've simplified a lot and
don't enjoy shopping, but there are still times when we have to.
So.........where do you all shop?

Diane in KS

Jeff & Diane Gwirtz

> Where in KS do you live? I am looking into property in KS, and am curious.

We live in Manhattan, KS. It's the home of Kansas State University
and is in the north-central part of the state - in an area known as
the Flint Hills. And to all of you who are thinking - Hills in
Kansas??? Yes, there are hills in Kansas. Only a portion of
Kansas fits the flat stereotype that we're all familiar with.
The Flint Hills are beautiful, large, rounded, dark hills, with very
few trees.

Diane in KS

Jeff & Diane Gwirtz

> I went to Independence last May. My dh would like to move to Woodbine, but
> there is nothing available at this time. I was just checking properties in
> Pittsburg, too. Kansas is really pretty, and not as flat as Dorothy's farm.
> LOL
>
Where exactly is Woodbine?

Diane in KS

[email protected]

Diane-
Where in KS do you live? I am looking into property in KS, and am curious.

Blessings,
Stephanie
Teacher and Mommy of 4 homeschooling fanatics, wife to the best principal,
protector of many pets and wild ones, and unpublished writer.
***Life's Learnings Academy - Protecting Our Children***
IT'S GREAT TO LEARN WHERE THE PRINCIPAL LOVES YOU
ICQ: 43428000 AOL IM: Lifeslearn

[email protected]

>>> We've simplified a lot and don't enjoy shopping, but there are still
times when we have to. >>>>
The *correct* answer is to shop at locally owned stores stocked with
locally made products. My dilemma is my budget. I should probably get a
job, Ha ha. Seriously though, it is hard to spend more when it can be
bought for less at one of the big stores. And don't you worry about our
economy collapsing when the Church of Consumerism is finally exposed?
Mary Ellen
Snowflakes are on of nature's most fragile things,
but just look at what they can do
when they stick together.

___________________________________________________________________
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[email protected]

I went to Independence last May. My dh would like to move to Woodbine, but
there is nothing available at this time. I was just checking properties in
Pittsburg, too. Kansas is really pretty, and not as flat as Dorothy's farm.
LOL

Blessings,
Stephanie
Teacher and Mommy of 4 homeschooling fanatics, wife to the best principal,
protector of many pets and wild ones, and unpublished writer.
***Life's Learnings Academy - Protecting Our Children***
IT'S GREAT TO LEARN WHERE THE PRINCIPAL LOVES YOU
ICQ: 43428000 AOL IM: Lifeslearn

[email protected]

we also live in a town of about 40,000. All we have here is a Wal-Mart
Supercenter, Walgreens and an Eckerds. Taco Bell, McDonalds, Burger King, nad
up until 6 mos ago we got a Chic Fil A. BUt the reason we dont have all the
stuff y'all I have is I think cause we live on the edge of a town of almost
200,000<Arlington TX {Home of 6 Flags and Hurricane Harbor}> Which as you can
imagine has eeeevvvveeerrrryyyttthhhiiiiiinnnnngggg and ANYTHING you could
want.
And the bad thing about living that close is they are all moving in on
US! Trying to get out of the *BIG CITY* and into the *COUNTRY*. And our Taxes
have gone up 3 times. Our house payment has gone from 660.00 to 850.00 cause
of taxes.
So now we are OUTTA HERE!!!!! HAH! Moving to Tyler Texas and getting
OUTTA this mad house <bwaaahhahahahahaaa>

Sam

Lynda

Well, of the strip mall specials, the lesser of all evils is K-Mart. What
I like about them is that they promote from within and everyone except
sometimes the actual head manager is local. I also like their exchange
policy and their meet the advertised competitors prices policy. I don't
like them selling guns but, I guess I can live with that.

We are doing so much simplifying that there are few things that I don't get
at the thrift store, the consignment store, the "New To You" store or make
myself. I mean, I won't use someone else's cast off spatula (yuck) and
things like that. Oh, or undies <g> Gotta draw that line somewhere.

Lynda

----------

> From: "Jeff & Diane Gwirtz" <jagwirtz@...>
>
> The problem is - where should we shop??? I live in a college town of
> about 40,000. I don't care for Wal-Mart either. In fact, right now
> they're suing our town because their proposal for a super-center was
> turned down. Wal-Mart says that the city commision's interpretation
> of zoning was incorrect and so the denial was illegal. This issue
> has really divided our town. Some people hate Wal-Mart - some
> think the super center would bring business to town. The problem is
> that when you live in a town this size, options are limited. We
> have a Wal-Mart, a K-Mart and a mall with downsized versions of
> Penney's, Sears, and Dillard - no Gap or Old Navy. I don't have to
think too hard to
> remember controversies with Sears over bait and switch and Dillards
> over their treatment of African Americans. So.......where do we
> shop? Our last locally owned dept. store closed years ago and our
> locally owned grocery store was recently bought out by Kroger.
> The few Mom and Pop stores in town are gift shops and the like.
> Our family actually does a lot of mail order, but I'm not sure
> that's any better. I notice that many of the clothes are made in
> countries known to encourage sweatshops. We've simplified a lot and
> don't enjoy shopping, but there are still times when we have to.
> So.........where do you all shop?
>
> Diane in KS

Jeff & Diane Gwirtz

> Well, of the strip mall specials, the lesser of all evils is K-Mart. What
> I like about them is that they promote from within and everyone except
> sometimes the actual head manager is local. I also like their exchange
> policy and their meet the advertised competitors prices policy. I don't
> like them selling guns but, I guess I can live with that.
>
But.......I remember seeing a story on one of the 20/20 type shows
about a bunch of former K-Mart managers that filed suit because of
age discrimination. They received good reviews, etc. up until they
were 50 or so. Then the reviews suddenly took a turn for the worst -
they were fired - and someone younger (read- less pay) was hired.
Anyone else remember this? Our K-Mart is frustrating. There are
always things in their ads that they don't have.....and the sale
prices are frequently wrong in their computers. Of course - that may
just be a local problem.

Diane in KS

Jeff & Diane Gwirtz

> Woodbine is 20 minutes below Junction City. Take 77 south to 209 west.
> Woodbine has under 200 residents. There are no stores, restaurants, or gas
> stations. There is a post office. My kind of town! We did check out property
> in White City and in Parkerville (same locale, other side of 77). It is a
> beautiful drive, though.
>
Okay, now I found Woodbine on my map. I knew it was around here
somewhere, but there are so many tiny towns in Kansas.
I'm northeast of Junction City about the same distance.

Diane in KS

Jeff & Diane Gwirtz

> It is a beautiful state. Kansas, that is. I hope to make it my home
> eventually.

I'm glad you feel that way! We can always use more unschoolers here!

Diane in KS

Lynda

Hey, I love it when they have the prices wrong in the computer. That's a
$3 credit on each item (or free if the price is under $3). I guess these
big companies don't like to see me coming for a reason <g>

Now, as to the court case, these were in and the age discrimination thing
was in with almost all large companies in the U.S. for a while. Haven't
seen any lately, so don't know if the aren't "news" anymore or if the
policies have been changed.

Lynda

----------
From: "Jeff & Diane Gwirtz" <jagwirtz@...>
>
But.......I remember seeing a story on one of the 20/20 type shows
> about a bunch of former K-Mart managers that filed suit because of
> age discrimination. They received good reviews, etc. up until they
> were 50 or so. Then the reviews suddenly took a turn for the worst -
> they were fired - and someone younger (read- less pay) was hired.
> Anyone else remember this? Our K-Mart is frustrating. There are
> always things in their ads that they don't have.....and the sale
> prices are frequently wrong in their computers. Of course - that may
> just be a local problem.
>
> Diane in KS
>
> > Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
> Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com

[email protected]

Woodbine is 20 minutes below Junction City. Take 77 south to 209 west.
Woodbine has under 200 residents. There are no stores, restaurants, or gas
stations. There is a post office. My kind of town! We did check out property
in White City and in Parkerville (same locale, other side of 77). It is a
beautiful drive, though.

Blessings,
Stephanie
Teacher and Mommy of 4 homeschooling fanatics, wife to the best principal,
protector of many pets and wild ones, and unpublished writer.
***Life's Learnings Academy - Protecting Our Children***
IT'S GREAT TO LEARN WHERE THE PRINCIPAL LOVES YOU
ICQ: 43428000 AOL IM: Lifeslearn

Thomas and Nanci Kuykendall

>But.......I remember seeing a story on one of the 20/20 type shows
>about a bunch of former K-Mart managers that filed suit because of
>age discrimination. They received good reviews, etc. up until they
>were 50 or so. Then the reviews suddenly took a turn for the worst -
>they were fired - and someone younger (read- less pay) was hired.
>Anyone else remember this?
>Diane in KS

This happened to my Mother-in-Law. They forced her out just before she was
eligible for her retirement plan (like months before.) She now has a full
time job working at another retail store, I forget which one.

Nanci K.

Jeff & Diane Gwirtz

> Find me an inexpensive home with enough property for a few horses, children,
> and chickens, and I am on the next train out! Well, maybe the next van!

LOL!! Isn't that what we all want?? Actually, we live in town and
it's a college town to boot - so inexpensive it isn't. On the other
hand, our real estate prices would probably look pretty good to
someone from either coast. And.......wide open space - well that
really isn't a problem here - at least not yet.

Diane in KS

[email protected]

It is a beautiful state. Kansas, that is. I hope to make it my home
eventually.

Blessings,
Stephanie
Teacher and Mommy of 4 homeschooling fanatics, wife to the best principal,
protector of many pets and wild ones, and unpublished writer.
***Life's Learnings Academy - Protecting Our Children***
IT'S GREAT TO LEARN WHERE THE PRINCIPAL LOVES YOU
ICQ: 43428000 AOL IM: Lifeslearn

[email protected]

Find me an inexpensive home with enough property for a few horses, children,
and chickens, and I am on the next train out! Well, maybe the next van!

Blessings,
Stephanie
Teacher and Mommy of 4 homeschooling fanatics, wife to the best principal,
protector of many pets and wild ones, and unpublished writer.
***Life's Learnings Academy - Protecting Our Children***
IT'S GREAT TO LEARN WHERE THE PRINCIPAL LOVES YOU
ICQ: 43428000 AOL IM: Lifeslearn