"Let" it Be!

I often enjoy reading the AARP magazine.  Let me be perfectly clear, I totally disagree with the majority, if not all, of their politics but if I want their supplemental health care, I must join and get the magazine and occasional perks!

They often have money saving articles for those of us in their senior years. The last advice tendered was some innovative ways to "live it up and keep costs down."  Obviously, their target audience is varied.  Here are a few of their suggestions.

• Traveling in a motor home can be expensive.  Even a 20ft RV would set you back a minimum of $70K.  Unless you plan on living in it, those costs are bit prohibitive unless your ship came in!  They suggest you rent, don't buy!  Possibly an Internet search on RVshare or Outdoorsy can secure you an RV for a vacation for as little as $1300. a week..   Let it be!
• If you enjoy camping (I'm a glamper) outdoors, on the ground gear could be $1000+.   Camp gear outfitters will rent you a tent, sleeping bags, cook stoves and more for $157 for three days. I actually know NO seniors that would enjoy either option. Let it be!?
• Bird watching? Elephant watching? Neighbor peeping?  Why buy a telephoto camera lens or a drone for thousands when you can rent for $100-200. Let it be!
• Here's my all-time favorite money-saving advice from the agricultural geniuses at AARP. "Your personal egg dispenser" WTF. "For really fresh eggs, rent chickens and a coop from sites such as Rent-A-Chicken (no shit....well you know what I mean) or RentACoop. For only about $240.................you'll get 2 egg-laying (well duh) hens, feed and gear for four weeks. You can expect about a dozen eggs a week. Or you could go to your local farmer's market and buy a dozen for $3.00.  Don't Let it be!

Obviously, I don't take advice very well..these could be some of the reasons why.  The motorhome option has crossed my mind as we've owned a few campers and a couple of motorhomes. Renting would be the way to see the USA and the grocery or market would be the way to get eggs...maybe not the freshest but at our age, old is OK.  I, on the other hand, would miss slipping in chicken shit. watching Herb chase the girls around the yard for a quickie and giving the girls those names I always wanted to name children..... Better run.....gotta go feed Shaniqua and the girls!

The Doctors

Pre Dr. visit.....

The Doctors...used to love that soap. Love most of the doctor shows on prime time with the exception of The Good Doctor which I think is the worst doctor show to date.  Today is a 90 day med check up... The receptionist said it was required for Medicare.  We'll be having a little discussion when I hit the exam room today. If Medicare requires one well visit per year (and pays for it), then one well visit it should be.....unless, of course, I find myself ,,,,,,well....not well!  Doctors are probably my least favorite folks. I've never had a great relationship with them as usually someone is dying or about to......takes all the warm, fuzzy feelings right out of the visits. I'm especially disillusioned with one right now and I think I'll pick the brain of mine today and see what words of wisdom she offers.  Hoping it isn't really a band of brothers (or sisters) and she gives me some useful tips in ethical quack evasion.  Prescription happy clinicians make my stocks soar but my psyche sorer!

Post Dr. visit...

Good talk!  My instincts were pretty much right on! I'm thankful for that and that I was able to read the clock, remember what I had for dinner last night and knew the date!  Always good to pass a test!!!  There is definitely a difference in physicians but I was able to see my issue from a few different perspectives.  I have a direction now and that's a good thing.

I still find immeasurable strength and validity in pharmacists and their skills but will now have the wherewithal to approach and question a physician! Once again, Grandma knows best!

The end...of the Season

January 4th and the sun is trying to shine, the grass is a shiny green and the puddles are frozen.  Bruce's tail feathers are rapidly growing and getting closer and closer to the ground from his perch. The chickens are on strike till there's more daylight and my focus is shifting from holiday pick up to Jett's birthday, purging unnecessary stuff and our spring trip.  This year we're OBX bound. 

The tree is undecorated and down...all three pieces.  I'm not sure how it will get put away in the storage room downstairs as my knees hurt, Jeff's sciatica is flaring and Lee hurt his back.  He suggested that we needed a dumbwaiter.......I replied, "We have one!"  JimBob will remain in winter mode with Frosty still lighting up at night and the plaid ribbons replaced by hearts.  Cogitating about his spring/summer appearance.  I thought an old gas station scene would be nice until I researched old gas pumps.... Way too much $.  Pinterest and I will figure out something.

We'll be celebrating Jett's 3rd birthday in 4 weeks but I already have his gifts wrapped and ready. A trip to Greek Peak may be in order for Winter break and Bailee has already begun rehearsals for Mamma Mia... just a bit part but she loves the music and it keeps her busy!

The temps are heading to a balmy 46 degrees today so the snowflake can come off JimBob, the wreath removed at the cemetery and maybe a short stroll around EIEIO....catch you later!!

The Price is Right...or is it?

Did you ever watch the game on the Price is Right called "That's Too Much?"  Well the producer at EIEIO might just have played that game a bit too long. 

The beginning of a new year is not only a time to clean the windshield to help see things coming at you a bit more clearly but also a time to make sure you have enough fluid going back to your rear window as well.  The crazy volatility of the market makes it a bit prohibitive to buy the good washer fluid so you stock up on the less expensive stuff that still relatively does the same job.  Now that your vision is clearer, it's time to get back to the game and decide whether it just might be time to shout out, "That's too much!" 

For those having trouble catching up to my weird way of thinking, I'll make it a little simpler. How long is too long to give financial help to your grown children?  To me, that's a bit like asking how the Internet works and how it is possible to pick up a phone and speak with someone in Africa? I will never know much less understand.....but that doesn't mean I shouldn't try.  So I went on the Internet (that I know nothing about!)  A recent survey by Merrill Lynch studied 50K respondents over four years. 84% said they would like to educate their family on ways to be more financially independent, while 70% said hey would consider cutting back on support to post-college children.  I'm assuming post-college means after college....period... whether they studied (yeah right) for one year, one semester or even one month :-/ Among those who contributed to those adult children, the average amount was $6,800 a year..WOW!

Let me digress a bit.  I had a very generous Dad but nothing was expected!  I never asked for financial support!  His generosity always came as surprise gifts when the mood struck him. (Here was a guy who always gave us gifts on his birthday!)  These gifts had no timetable and could have been $20, $100 or $1000.  When each unexpected and gratefully accepted envelop appeared, (sometimes on my car seat, or back door or even in the mail) it was accompanied by words of wisdom (written on a used piece of paper or an old envelope) and might say something like......."I have much and you are young and struggling. It gives me great joy to be able to help you in some small way. Use this wisely and I trust your judgment and your choice"  Always signed, Love, Your Dad.

Back to the present. So as I aged and had children of my own, some of which I should have eaten, I have tried to pay it forward.  A down payment here, a house there..(WTF)...................?????  I thought I was doing a good thing while helping them, making Dad proud at the Pearly Gates Golf Course and keeping the welfare and best interests of my kids and more importantly my grandkids at heart!  Resuming the game.... I think it's time to say, "That's too much!"  The game will end and the player will either win the prize or just be grateful that she had the chance to play at all.  Either way, she'd have done her best to get on stage.

Now the bigger question, When has it been too much for too long?  That would be now.  Now I know what the hell the phrase "The Buck Stops Here" really means...or at least my interpretation.  It literally stops here.... 2019 will be an awakening of sorts.  I have tried giving financial advice but it has fallen on deaf ears (no. not Lee's.)  So this year, Mom or Gramazon has my granddaughter has dubbed me, will be the Keeper of Books....the checkbooks.  You probably have surmised that the bottom fell out of the market for one child and the negotiated contract (literally) put me in charge of finances after a government bailout of sorts!   

So far, so good. My reservoir is relatively full and the windshield is clear and clean.  My rear view is visible and allows me to know I no longer wish to go in that direction.  I have a clear conscience that my sanity must come first, my grandkids welfare is dependent upon it and unquestionably, Mother knows best because Father knew best♥

No more babies..aka Jett's 1st day of preschool

Thirty-five days shy of three and Mr. Jett Hewitt Hatfield walked in the door to his first "educational" experience!  "I so excited!"  No worries, no qualms, no shyness, no fears....hung up his coat in his new cubbie and headed to explore and play.  He did have to be reminded that chairs are for sitting and not standing but a quick jump and he was grounded again.  Mom, Dad and Grandma left with a couple of smiles and one mini frown.  Fast forward three hours..........Dad called to report he was a good boy and can return for day # 2.  We're all hoping every report is as good and he makes new and lasting friendships.

Still Mine... A movie to see!

There's a fine line between maudlin and light-hearted reflection.  I started to watch a movie in 2018 and finished it the next year......a mere 12 hours later but light years in perspective.  The story began in the waning years of a couple in their eighties.  I thought how old and wrinkly they appeared. How their gait was slow and each step was contemplated.   I happened to look at my hands....not a smart move.  The wife was content living in her house of many years.  She had raised her children, many of them, and was growing old on her own terms... until the signs were no longer ignorable. The story went on to tell how hard it is for octogenarians (or any seniors) to cope with change. It pretty much sucks! Things move faster and rules are different. It doesn't make a difference if it's making a phone call, paying your taxes or disciplining children. We have old rules, good rules, rules that made sense for decades. Change is inevitable..I know that and the characters in the movie knew that but...we are wise, they were wise and wisdom should make a difference. Simple is good, always was but I still want my lights to come on when I flip the switch, the TV to bring me good entertainment and my toilet to flush when engaged. What I really want.......................................is a phone call or a visit just because, an affirmation that maybe it wasn't any of my business but the advice was good nonetheless, unsolicited "I love yous" and the realization that a lot of this time is not all that much fun.

Life is indeed short but passes at the speed of sound..(Ok, maybe not for Lee;-)  I have promised myself that I will hoe out and throw out for the next few weeks.  Emotions are on high alert but remembering is still a valued sense and I'm usin' it before I'm losin' it.

Closing Statement 2018

Wow.... It's the last day of 2018 and it's been several months since I have penned my thoughts.  Slacker indeed!  So, in the spirit of the New Year's Eve and the tradition of declaring resolutions, here are a few of my thoughts, regrets and intentions.

First, here are a few things that won't change:

• My verbal spontaneity..better known as I generally speak first, think later. It's a character flaw that allows me to sleep better!
• Limited cooking
• Laughing........a lot
• Attention to grammar, spelling and punctuation (I may occasionally slip up)
• My love of football
• My love of "home"
• My unconditional love of my grandkids♥
• The majority of my poor eating habits
• Saying my prayers every single night regardless of their ever-growing length!

A few regrets: Sadly (or not,) this one stumped me a bit...

• Exercising....sort of... my arthritic knees kept me from doing a few things like walking, climbing stairs and chasing after Jett.
• Not writing more...I thoroughly love it!
• Not sure if not being able to list more regrets is a positive or a negative :-/

Finally, some possible changes: Late 60s often hinders the inability of teaching an old "female" dog new tricks!

• I will drink more water and less soda!
• I will, more faithfully, write my blog!
• I will let go of the things that I cannot change (This will be the toughie)
• I will clean out and minimize my dressing room, my den closet and the basement...(files, decorations, heirlooms, etc.  (#1 priority)
• I will spend more time with my friends....who are undoubtedly my real family!!!!!
• I will spend more time outdoors
• I will continue to have a short regrets list for 2019!

These are all contingent up sanity staying and staving off senility for another year. Happy New Year to all and hoping only good things are in store for us all!