4/30/2014
If the old saying holds true about April showers bring May flowers, then people we are in for a most spectacular display of flowers in the coming weeks. Rain, unlike snow, seems to just seep into your body and leaves you wet and cold. At least when it's snowing, while it might be an inconvenience if it's a lot of snow, it covers the ground with such a beautiful white blanket. For me, I'd much prefer snow. Of course I can say that because since I'm not working, and I don't have to deal with driving on traffic congested and snow laden roads.
The other problem with rain which has stuck around for the last two days, and sometimes a lot of rain, is that it's hard to find your happy spot when it's so dark outside. Your natural inclination is to put yourself back to bed and pull the covers up and wait for sunshine. Since we can't do that, I definitely use my "SAD" light while doing my morning blog. My SAD light doesn't make me happy, but it does give me a high amount of lumens which is supposed to help with winter sadness (or the blues). I use it every morning for about 20 minutes. Does it help? I know it doesn't hurt. I also have a small SAD light that I kept at the office and can use throughout the day while I'm reading or knitting.
Thanks to the warmer weather and possibly some help from the rain, our dogwood tree is in full bloom. Our dogwood has white flowers and is beautiful at this time of the year. Years ago I had a neighbor who had heard about some blight that affected dogwood trees. My tree didn't appear to be infected, but she encouraged me to cut it down all the same. Glad I didn't take her advice.
Jeff is venturing out today to pick up some computer part, a big and heavy part, for Scott. Thankfully, he's going to deliver this part directly to Scott's house. The trip will take him about 2 hours each way and while he invited me to come along, I declined. Scott has had the truck for several months while he was taking sinks, cupboards and the like from his townhouse. The truck is back and it looks good in the driveway. You never think you'll miss a truck, until you trim trees or bushes and have to stuff all of that into paper bags. Much more fun to just fill up the bed of the truck! The truck's license plate "Blue Ox" was named so for a reason!
Hope you're having a sunny day.
P
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Retirement Chores
4/292014
For the last couple of weeks I have discovered the satisfaction of some chores that, while working, never got around to. I don't mean the regular stuff, like vacuuming and dusting and cleaning bathrooms; nope, I'm talking about seriously getting organized.
We have two filing cabinets where we obviously (duh) keep papers, of all sorts. There are the paid bills, insurance policies, car repairs, etc. Since I'm a lady of leisure, I decided it was time to start culling out the papers. I mean who really needs to keep repair bills for a vehicle we owned in 2000? Nobody, but when I opened the filing cabinet, there they were. Because I'm a bit on the anal side, I have a separate folder for each of our vehicles. This is a good way to store repair bills, etc., for each car. Unfortunately, not only did I have folders for the present cars, but for any vehicle we bought since we moved here in 1986! Think it's time to purge? Yup.
I took a large laundry basket and while going through all the folders in the cabinets, began chucking out the old and unnecessary documents into my basket for shredding. I saw no need to continue keeping paid Visa bills from 2005, as an example. Yesterday, I brought down a very full laundry basket full of papers all in need of shredding. With identity theft so prevalent these days, we don't like putting anything in the trash bearing our name. Might be overkill, but it never hurts to be proactive.
I filled up two large plastic bags yesterday of shred and my basket is almost empty and I'm filling pretty good about that. I still have more cabinet drawers to go through, but after I finish shredding today, I'll take a rest from that particular chore, and move on to something else - like cleaning the fridge!
I now have time to organize my closets, especially my shoes. I envy those women who have all their shoes sitting side-by-side; or, even better in clear plastic boxes. The bottom of my closet is a jumble of shoes and slippers. The only time this "system" doesn't work is when I'm looking for a mate to a particular shoe - and can't easily find it!
I have purged out my clothes that either: (a) didn't fit; or (b) just didn't like anymore. Confession: most of the things that I set out yesterday fell into the (a) category! Then I took retention boxes and began the boring task of putting short sleeve tops in one box, long sleeves in another, etc. I even MARKED the front of each box (how organized is that?). The challenge now is will I really put the right clothes in the right box after doing laundry? Or, will I take the folded clothes and toss them on top of one of the boxes? I'm hoping that I can continue with the organization of my "play" clothes. My "going out" outfits are at the top of the closet, so that they will not suffer from the normal day-to-day stains.
I also gave to my daughter-in-law several boxes of my higher end clothes so that she can take pictures (and she takes great pictures) and I'll try and sell these items on Ebay. The hardest part of selling on Ebay is having really great pictures of each item. The camera on my phone just doesn't take decent pictures. I'm not expecting to ever make a bundle of money selling on Ebay, but it's definitely worth a try.
For now, I'm going back to shredding. I will be very satisfied when the basket is empty and I can (later, much later), fill it up again!
P
For the last couple of weeks I have discovered the satisfaction of some chores that, while working, never got around to. I don't mean the regular stuff, like vacuuming and dusting and cleaning bathrooms; nope, I'm talking about seriously getting organized.
We have two filing cabinets where we obviously (duh) keep papers, of all sorts. There are the paid bills, insurance policies, car repairs, etc. Since I'm a lady of leisure, I decided it was time to start culling out the papers. I mean who really needs to keep repair bills for a vehicle we owned in 2000? Nobody, but when I opened the filing cabinet, there they were. Because I'm a bit on the anal side, I have a separate folder for each of our vehicles. This is a good way to store repair bills, etc., for each car. Unfortunately, not only did I have folders for the present cars, but for any vehicle we bought since we moved here in 1986! Think it's time to purge? Yup.
I took a large laundry basket and while going through all the folders in the cabinets, began chucking out the old and unnecessary documents into my basket for shredding. I saw no need to continue keeping paid Visa bills from 2005, as an example. Yesterday, I brought down a very full laundry basket full of papers all in need of shredding. With identity theft so prevalent these days, we don't like putting anything in the trash bearing our name. Might be overkill, but it never hurts to be proactive.
I filled up two large plastic bags yesterday of shred and my basket is almost empty and I'm filling pretty good about that. I still have more cabinet drawers to go through, but after I finish shredding today, I'll take a rest from that particular chore, and move on to something else - like cleaning the fridge!
I now have time to organize my closets, especially my shoes. I envy those women who have all their shoes sitting side-by-side; or, even better in clear plastic boxes. The bottom of my closet is a jumble of shoes and slippers. The only time this "system" doesn't work is when I'm looking for a mate to a particular shoe - and can't easily find it!
I have purged out my clothes that either: (a) didn't fit; or (b) just didn't like anymore. Confession: most of the things that I set out yesterday fell into the (a) category! Then I took retention boxes and began the boring task of putting short sleeve tops in one box, long sleeves in another, etc. I even MARKED the front of each box (how organized is that?). The challenge now is will I really put the right clothes in the right box after doing laundry? Or, will I take the folded clothes and toss them on top of one of the boxes? I'm hoping that I can continue with the organization of my "play" clothes. My "going out" outfits are at the top of the closet, so that they will not suffer from the normal day-to-day stains.
I also gave to my daughter-in-law several boxes of my higher end clothes so that she can take pictures (and she takes great pictures) and I'll try and sell these items on Ebay. The hardest part of selling on Ebay is having really great pictures of each item. The camera on my phone just doesn't take decent pictures. I'm not expecting to ever make a bundle of money selling on Ebay, but it's definitely worth a try.
For now, I'm going back to shredding. I will be very satisfied when the basket is empty and I can (later, much later), fill it up again!
P
Monday, April 28, 2014
Insurance Companies and Paperwork
4/28/2014
It's a glorious day outside, though a little on the chilly side. And, I'm inside. Why? Because today I have to deal with an insurance company about my 2013 benefits - namely my health care spending account. We deposited money in that account last year, but there was so much going on that submitting claims for reimbursement fell through the cracks. This is not surprising.
Today's challenge is to ask the insurance company if it's too late to submit claim(s) for reimbursement, and I hope the answer is no. If not, then we made payments to that account and pretty much threw our money away.
There were many challenges for us last year, not the least of which is managing the medical bills. It almost feels as if you need an advanced degree in I'm not sure what to muddle your way through the minefields with facilities and doctors. You almost need a spreadsheet to help keep track of bills and payments!
Since I'm home, and as a newlywed I promised Jeff that I would handle the paperwork, I'm doing just that, and it's a lot of work. It's probably a good thing that I have so much free time, even though I'd pretty much do anything else (even mopping the kitchen floor) than sit on hold and speak to someone, who will transfer you to someone else, before you lose the connection, and you have to start all over again!
Once I'm done with my "work", I will then be able to go outside and play in the sunshine, which I will enjoy very much.
Have a sunny day.
P
It's a glorious day outside, though a little on the chilly side. And, I'm inside. Why? Because today I have to deal with an insurance company about my 2013 benefits - namely my health care spending account. We deposited money in that account last year, but there was so much going on that submitting claims for reimbursement fell through the cracks. This is not surprising.
Today's challenge is to ask the insurance company if it's too late to submit claim(s) for reimbursement, and I hope the answer is no. If not, then we made payments to that account and pretty much threw our money away.
There were many challenges for us last year, not the least of which is managing the medical bills. It almost feels as if you need an advanced degree in I'm not sure what to muddle your way through the minefields with facilities and doctors. You almost need a spreadsheet to help keep track of bills and payments!
Since I'm home, and as a newlywed I promised Jeff that I would handle the paperwork, I'm doing just that, and it's a lot of work. It's probably a good thing that I have so much free time, even though I'd pretty much do anything else (even mopping the kitchen floor) than sit on hold and speak to someone, who will transfer you to someone else, before you lose the connection, and you have to start all over again!
Once I'm done with my "work", I will then be able to go outside and play in the sunshine, which I will enjoy very much.
Have a sunny day.
P
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Spring Time
4/27/2014
Today is the perfect day to be outside, doing something or perhaps nothing at all. The sun is out and after yesterday's downpour you can almost see the leaves appearing on trees and perennials popping out of the ground.
After I finish my "chores", I may take myself and a book and take a lawn chair out into the yard and collect some much needed Vitamin D! Oh, and while I'm doing that, perhaps I can start working on getting some color on my pasty white legs! Gone are the days when I purposely wanted to tan, but any little color I get now, makes my body look better (or perhaps that's just my optimism)!!
As the temperature warms up today, I make wash my car. I love nothing better than playing in water and what better excuse for doing so, then having a clean car. I'm not a great or even good washer, but I hit all the low spots (you can just forget about the roof) and have always thought that cars run better when they're clean. You don't have to tell me - I already know I'm strange.
Even though it's nice outside, there are still things that I must do inside. I made macaroni salad yesterday, so I can check that off my list. Today I'm going to make meat loaf with baked potatoes. For dessert I'm going to blend a mix of frozen berries into cool whip and freeze. Quick, relatively low calories and a favorite. You do have to allow for some thawing time before trying to chip away (literally) a piece to eat. But the reward is worth the wait.
I've been diligently cleaning out my closets and I have two large bags of clothing to put out for tomorrow's pick-up. I had a lot of clothes that I either didn't wear; or no longer fit me. :) As I purged the closet and saw all the extra room, I have decided I like it that way. Oh don't get me wrong, with enough free time on my hands and some bargains on Ebay, I will probably clutter up the closet again. What I'm trying to get rid of is most of my work clothes, which I obviously no longer need. I remind Jeff of how much money we're saving by not having to buy seasonal work clothes! My wardrobe now consists of jeans, capris and tops, which are all relatively cheap to buy.
So when I put my two bags of clothing out on the front porch today, I'm confident that the clothes will be of use to somebody, and likely to somebody who really needs clothes. It's my good deed for the day.
P
Today is the perfect day to be outside, doing something or perhaps nothing at all. The sun is out and after yesterday's downpour you can almost see the leaves appearing on trees and perennials popping out of the ground.
After I finish my "chores", I may take myself and a book and take a lawn chair out into the yard and collect some much needed Vitamin D! Oh, and while I'm doing that, perhaps I can start working on getting some color on my pasty white legs! Gone are the days when I purposely wanted to tan, but any little color I get now, makes my body look better (or perhaps that's just my optimism)!!
As the temperature warms up today, I make wash my car. I love nothing better than playing in water and what better excuse for doing so, then having a clean car. I'm not a great or even good washer, but I hit all the low spots (you can just forget about the roof) and have always thought that cars run better when they're clean. You don't have to tell me - I already know I'm strange.
Even though it's nice outside, there are still things that I must do inside. I made macaroni salad yesterday, so I can check that off my list. Today I'm going to make meat loaf with baked potatoes. For dessert I'm going to blend a mix of frozen berries into cool whip and freeze. Quick, relatively low calories and a favorite. You do have to allow for some thawing time before trying to chip away (literally) a piece to eat. But the reward is worth the wait.
I've been diligently cleaning out my closets and I have two large bags of clothing to put out for tomorrow's pick-up. I had a lot of clothes that I either didn't wear; or no longer fit me. :) As I purged the closet and saw all the extra room, I have decided I like it that way. Oh don't get me wrong, with enough free time on my hands and some bargains on Ebay, I will probably clutter up the closet again. What I'm trying to get rid of is most of my work clothes, which I obviously no longer need. I remind Jeff of how much money we're saving by not having to buy seasonal work clothes! My wardrobe now consists of jeans, capris and tops, which are all relatively cheap to buy.
So when I put my two bags of clothing out on the front porch today, I'm confident that the clothes will be of use to somebody, and likely to somebody who really needs clothes. It's my good deed for the day.
P
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Weather
4/26/2014
I apologize for my blogging hiatus, but some days when I get up, my mind becomes a blank as far as writing goes. Confession: some days it's not only my blogging that comes up empty, it's every thing in general!!!
It's springtime in the East and our weather at this time of year can be pretty erratic. Yesterday, for instance, we had colder weather with a stiff wind and rain - lots of it. Mind you it only seemed to be a downpour when I was either getting in or out of the car! And, if I don't have to be outside when it's raining, then I say let it rain.
We all know that spring showers bring out the best in the lawns and budding trees and flowers. Unfortunately, it also brings out the "best" in weeds sprouting in flower beds. The beauty of spring is how almost blinding the lawns become. We're talking vibrant green and since I gave up mowing several years ago, I can appreciate that beauty knowing that I no longer have to tend to it. I willingly gave up someone to clean my house, but I'm hanging on to lawn service.
So after yesterday's downpour, I woke up this morning to a beautiful blue sky and bright sunshine. It's the perfect day for taking my lawn chair out in the yard, grab up a book and collect some much needed rays. Not only is the sunshine good for my brain (which could use all the help it can get), and as an added bonus start working on a little tan for my legs. It's been years since I actually seriously worked on having a real tan. The kind of tan where your legs look better in shorts (if you still wear them) and bathing suits. Mind you it doesn't matter how much of a tan I get - looking better in a bathing suit - is a real stretch! Of course the older I get, the less I care!
Jeff has a beautiful morning to take the plane out and make "whirlies" in the air. He is taking someone with him who is in the process of taking flying lessons. I think they're flying to Ocean City for lunch - again it's the $100 hamburger - but it will do wonders for Jeff's spirits, and I hardly endorse him going out to have some much needed fun.
As for me, I'm going to make macaroni salad which I haven't made in a very long time and is a family favorite, and then get myself outside.
Enjoy.
P
I apologize for my blogging hiatus, but some days when I get up, my mind becomes a blank as far as writing goes. Confession: some days it's not only my blogging that comes up empty, it's every thing in general!!!
It's springtime in the East and our weather at this time of year can be pretty erratic. Yesterday, for instance, we had colder weather with a stiff wind and rain - lots of it. Mind you it only seemed to be a downpour when I was either getting in or out of the car! And, if I don't have to be outside when it's raining, then I say let it rain.
We all know that spring showers bring out the best in the lawns and budding trees and flowers. Unfortunately, it also brings out the "best" in weeds sprouting in flower beds. The beauty of spring is how almost blinding the lawns become. We're talking vibrant green and since I gave up mowing several years ago, I can appreciate that beauty knowing that I no longer have to tend to it. I willingly gave up someone to clean my house, but I'm hanging on to lawn service.
So after yesterday's downpour, I woke up this morning to a beautiful blue sky and bright sunshine. It's the perfect day for taking my lawn chair out in the yard, grab up a book and collect some much needed rays. Not only is the sunshine good for my brain (which could use all the help it can get), and as an added bonus start working on a little tan for my legs. It's been years since I actually seriously worked on having a real tan. The kind of tan where your legs look better in shorts (if you still wear them) and bathing suits. Mind you it doesn't matter how much of a tan I get - looking better in a bathing suit - is a real stretch! Of course the older I get, the less I care!
Jeff has a beautiful morning to take the plane out and make "whirlies" in the air. He is taking someone with him who is in the process of taking flying lessons. I think they're flying to Ocean City for lunch - again it's the $100 hamburger - but it will do wonders for Jeff's spirits, and I hardly endorse him going out to have some much needed fun.
As for me, I'm going to make macaroni salad which I haven't made in a very long time and is a family favorite, and then get myself outside.
Enjoy.
P
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Happy Birthday Benjamin
4/22/2014
Today is Benjamin's 6th birthday!!!! He's growing up and is no longer a "little" boy. As he continually grows up, I still miss the rocking chair and putting Benjamin to sleep. There is nothing quite like a baby or small child asleep in your arms.
I don't know about you, but there are many times that I look back with longing for the little boy. I used to think it would be lovely if you could put a child in a bubble, so that they didn't have to grow up! With every year that passes, Benjamin becomes older, which is a good thing, and more independent, also a good thing. Mom Mom doesn't have to like the fact that he's no longer a little boy sitting on her lap.
I watched my boys grow up and became good men, and I'm proud of them both. My hope is that as Benjamin becomes an adult, that he will also be a good man. Benjamin has so much empathy for people and animals at this young age, that I have no doubt that this will continue as he grows up.
I remember fondly driving Benjamin back and forth to work listening to his mostly non-stop cheerful babbling in the back seat. He had a sunny disposition as a baby and toddler and it was a joy just to be around him.
Even though he's much older now, there is no greater delight than when we visit him, and he throws himself at me and hollers "Mom Mom" using his best outside voice! A hug and kiss from a small child is nothing short of heaven.
Tonight we are going to have pizza and cake with Benjamin and his parents as well as Stacey's parents. I wasn't around last year for his birthday, a fact that hurts me still. I am definitely going to make the most out of tonight and can't wait to see the joy on his face while he opens presents.
Happy birthday Benjamin. Mom Mom and Pop Pop love you very much.
Kisses!
P
Today is Benjamin's 6th birthday!!!! He's growing up and is no longer a "little" boy. As he continually grows up, I still miss the rocking chair and putting Benjamin to sleep. There is nothing quite like a baby or small child asleep in your arms.
I don't know about you, but there are many times that I look back with longing for the little boy. I used to think it would be lovely if you could put a child in a bubble, so that they didn't have to grow up! With every year that passes, Benjamin becomes older, which is a good thing, and more independent, also a good thing. Mom Mom doesn't have to like the fact that he's no longer a little boy sitting on her lap.
I watched my boys grow up and became good men, and I'm proud of them both. My hope is that as Benjamin becomes an adult, that he will also be a good man. Benjamin has so much empathy for people and animals at this young age, that I have no doubt that this will continue as he grows up.
I remember fondly driving Benjamin back and forth to work listening to his mostly non-stop cheerful babbling in the back seat. He had a sunny disposition as a baby and toddler and it was a joy just to be around him.
Even though he's much older now, there is no greater delight than when we visit him, and he throws himself at me and hollers "Mom Mom" using his best outside voice! A hug and kiss from a small child is nothing short of heaven.
Tonight we are going to have pizza and cake with Benjamin and his parents as well as Stacey's parents. I wasn't around last year for his birthday, a fact that hurts me still. I am definitely going to make the most out of tonight and can't wait to see the joy on his face while he opens presents.
Happy birthday Benjamin. Mom Mom and Pop Pop love you very much.
Kisses!
P
Monday, April 21, 2014
Post Easter
4/21/2014
Once again the bunny has come and gone. Since the boys are all grown up, he doesn't stop at our house anymore. One good thing about no Easter Bunny, is that there are no eggs that haven't been found, until you smell them! Folks, that's not a good thing I promise you.
Each year, Jeff and I would hide the eggs and as they got older, the hiding places were harder for the boys to find. One year we balanced an egg on top of the ceiling fan! Took them forever to find that one. Good thing nobody turned the fan on, or we would have had scrambled eggs. And our bunny didn't just color a dozen eggs - nope, he really got into it and generally there were 24 eggs to find around the house.
As a child, I remember the Easter baskets Mom used to give us. The baskets were stuffed with peeps (gads what a horrible candy), chocolate bunnies (always eat the ears first), sometimes little chenille chickens and an assortment of other candy sure to rot our teeth. And it was fun.
Now when you go to the store, you see these prepackaged baskets that are 90% grass and 10% some kind of candy and a toy. The baskets are all wrapped up in colorful cellophane and ribbons, but those are not something I would ever buy. Children are so happy with almost anything, and while it does take time to color the eggs, and it's messy besides, they are so proud of their outlandish colored eggs. The boys would dye the eggs one color, perhaps blue, and then dunk it back in another color and more often than not the bunny had to hide really drab brown looking eggs!
I made a nice dinner for Jeff and I. I had ham, scalloped potatoes and corn casserole (this is a really yummy dish), For dessert I took a bag of frozen berries (blueberry, strawberry, etc.), added cool whip and put that in bowls and then to the freezer. Cost nearly nothing to make and wonderful to eat. Caution: trying to eat frozen desserts, such as this, right out of the freezer, is a big mistake. Better you should let it thaw out a bit. There is no reason to chip a tooth!
P
Once again the bunny has come and gone. Since the boys are all grown up, he doesn't stop at our house anymore. One good thing about no Easter Bunny, is that there are no eggs that haven't been found, until you smell them! Folks, that's not a good thing I promise you.
Each year, Jeff and I would hide the eggs and as they got older, the hiding places were harder for the boys to find. One year we balanced an egg on top of the ceiling fan! Took them forever to find that one. Good thing nobody turned the fan on, or we would have had scrambled eggs. And our bunny didn't just color a dozen eggs - nope, he really got into it and generally there were 24 eggs to find around the house.
As a child, I remember the Easter baskets Mom used to give us. The baskets were stuffed with peeps (gads what a horrible candy), chocolate bunnies (always eat the ears first), sometimes little chenille chickens and an assortment of other candy sure to rot our teeth. And it was fun.
Now when you go to the store, you see these prepackaged baskets that are 90% grass and 10% some kind of candy and a toy. The baskets are all wrapped up in colorful cellophane and ribbons, but those are not something I would ever buy. Children are so happy with almost anything, and while it does take time to color the eggs, and it's messy besides, they are so proud of their outlandish colored eggs. The boys would dye the eggs one color, perhaps blue, and then dunk it back in another color and more often than not the bunny had to hide really drab brown looking eggs!
I made a nice dinner for Jeff and I. I had ham, scalloped potatoes and corn casserole (this is a really yummy dish), For dessert I took a bag of frozen berries (blueberry, strawberry, etc.), added cool whip and put that in bowls and then to the freezer. Cost nearly nothing to make and wonderful to eat. Caution: trying to eat frozen desserts, such as this, right out of the freezer, is a big mistake. Better you should let it thaw out a bit. There is no reason to chip a tooth!
P
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