Friday, September 21, 2007

Sometimes I Hate Michigan


Sometimes I Hate Michigan, and Biker Buddy gets all defensive as if I hate him. I don't. I wouldn't be here if I did. But on the other hand, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him, so maybe it is his fault.

The latest thing is Columbus Day. At home in NY, we always got Columbus Day off and it was an annual trip to Maine to visit my brother, ever year, year after year, a tradition. Here, no holiday, no trip, nothing. :-(

He doesn't care and doesn't understand. After all, it's not his traditions that are being lost, along with contact with family and friends. His family is here.

Two good things about Michigan: no tolls on the highways (HATE the NY THRUWAY!) and the taxes are better. NY has the second worst state and local taxes in the nation, only DC is worse. Michigan is #24.
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14 comments:

a/k/a Nadine said...

Maybe you can build new traditions?

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

We are, of course, but can't on Columbus day--since it's an ordinary weekend here.

We are planning a possible trip to Hamilton on VD, which we've done nearly every day since we first met there.

BerryBird said...

I have never had a Columbus Day holiday except when working for the government, nor has SodaBoy. I don't think it's a Michigan thing, I think it's just part of working for the business sector. All the same, I am sorry for your loss of tradition. I hope you can make the VD trip happen.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

I took it as a floating holiday but the kids had the day off from school, which piano boy does not. If he has to go to school, and has MEAPS, so he can't miss, we can't go anywhere.

Yeah, I gotta get on the VD thing and make reservations.

bluerose said...

I have someone very special to me who wants me to move to his home in the Adirondacks [which is admittedly more beautiful than where I live], but I'd be leaving everything I know behind [my home, work, friends, family]. I probably will eventually, but I'm very nervous about it. I've been in Texas for 34 years now. Any advice? I noticed you started your post with the word "sometimes", so you must not always hate it.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

Biker Buddy and I had a long distance relationship for a number of years. We got married last year and I moved here a year ago and I'm not used to it yet. In my old age, LOL, it takes me longer to adjust.

I wish I were moving to the Adirondacks instead of Detroit. But I came here to be with Biker Buddy, and that I do not regret.

Love is the most important thing of all.

But family and friends are important, too.

I made my choice and came here, and overall, I don't regret it. I would do it again. I would recommend acting from the heart.

But try for a balance too--some way to maintain old relationships and build new ones.

Anonymous said...

Hey, you cut of Wyandotte on your map! I could almost see Clinton St...but glad I can't!

I only miss the Michigan weather.

Our property tax there? $4800+

Here? on a house which cost $30K more? $1200.

That is probably the only thing about Alabama that doesn't suck. I miss Massachusetts and their high taxes. Wish I was paying them now...

And in MA? You get Patriot's Day off and your income tax is due one day later than the rest of the US!

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

Alabama taxes are the lowest in the nation--how are the services?

Massachusetts taxes are 6th highest, after DC, NY, Conn and Wyoming (WYOMING?).

It's in the high 80s here today--what's it like in Alabama?

I was in Alabama once. That was more than 40 years ago.

Anonymous said...

I imagine we end up paying close to the same if you factor everything in. Most places here have sales tax of 8 to 10%, car tags are higher, etc.

And services? I'd say they pretty much suck. No one should envy anyone drawing any type of assistance in AL. Though the roads are better than in MI, but we don't have the level of big truck traffic that there is around metro DT.

It's 78 degrees here now and supposed to get up to 90 today. I do miss your weather there. Send me some snow, ok?

Don't mean to hijack you comments, but I couldn't locate your email addy!

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

Hijack away! My email addy is not posted because I had some issues a while ago with a blog stalker.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

Nope, I definitely DON'T always hate it.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

I'd be happy to send you all the snow that lands on the roads. I don't mind it on the lawn, but I don't like driving in it.

bluerose said...

A number of years, huh? I think I'll take a little more time before rushing into something like this. I really appreciate your advice. Thanks!

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

It depends in part on how you define "a number of years." I don't know why I used that term--We met in 2002 and married in 2006.

I MISS MY FAMILY and Friends and have not yet made new ones. I had one new one but she moved.

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