The gang’s all here, still.
Mostly because I forgot (again) to cancel the automatic renewal on this site.
So, since I have to pay for another year, I guess I may as well continue to post every once in awhile.
***
To be honest, I’ve pretty much lost my muse. Over the many years I’ve hosted this blog, my best posts were always those written during times of angst or crisis. Now that I’m totally retired, I no longer have those issues.
Sure, I have health issues like most other senior citizens. And sure, I’m very, very concerned about my country’s future now that the lunatics have taken over the asylum.
NOTE TO MY INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS (and at the risk of being added to the Enemy List, but at least I’d be in good company): Please don’t judge all Americans by our current greedy, corrupt, moronic leaders. The majority of us, or at least the majority of people I know, do not agree with their policies. I love my international readers, and I certainly don’t want to go to war with any of them.
Basically, life has been good since I retired. I’m happy to say that I have not yet had to dip into my meager savings to pay the monthly bills. Even with the increases in property taxes and utilities and food prices and … (well, you get my drift), thus far I’m able to just meet the monthly budget.
When hubby also retired, we were concerned about suddenly having to pay for our own health insurance, and whether that insurance (Medicare Advantage) would cover everything – or anything, for that matter. We shopped carefully and met with a reputable insurance broker, and so far it seems we chose well. Hopefully, I’m not jinxing myself by reporting that even my Remicade infusions seem to be covered except for the $35 specialist’s co-pay. Even I can afford $35 every six weeks.
Of course, should hubby or I need surgery or hospitalization, we may be faced with some significant bills, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.
So: financially ok; healthwise sort of ok for the moment; lifestyle wise, just hanging in there and not doing a whole lot.
Now that hubby’s retired, he’s taken over most of the heavy household stuff. He does the laundry since I have difficulty going up and down stairs to the basement, and he nearly always takes Puppy Cody out to do her business because, hey, it’s winter and icy. I’d fall and kill myself before I even got into the backyard.
Basically, I spend my days doing dumb stuff like web-surfing, reading and crocheting. Most of my crochet projects are donated to a local women’s shelter, which makes me feel at least somewhat useful. And, of course, I’m still doing those paid surveys. In fact, I made enough money last year that I actually had to report the extra income on my tax returns. Not that it’s a lot of extra income, but it does keep me in books and crochet yarn. I haven’t had to pay for an Amazon order from my own funds since I started taking those surveys, and it fills up the days nicely.
How’s it by all of you? Catch up with me by commenting below (or emailing me, if that is your preference). I promise to respond.
Hugs, all.
__________
I love to hear from my readers. You may comment on this post or email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com
__________
Image by Cordelia’s Mom/TeddyRosalieStudio
Cordelia's Mom, Still 
Do the things you enjoy, and forget calling them ‘dumb’. When we finally reach retirement age, we are truly entitled to do what we want, so far as we are able. And I mean entitled in the true sense of the word, not in the current way it’s too often used.
LikeLike
I agree with you. I used the word “dumb” in a lighthearted, self-deprecating way. Some people in my family think everything I do is dumb, but that’s a story for another day.
LikeLike
Good to see a post from you. It’s been a while.
Can’t judge people by their leaders. We have similar issues here. Getting really p****d off with Her from Accounts, she of the lying CV. None of them have a clue about the TRUE people of our country who they have tossed on the wayside.
Still, we are ticking over and that’s what counts.
Take care and keep safe.
LikeLike
Yeah, no one in power seems to care about the average people in any country. It’s very sad. I’m embarrassed by my fellow Americans who voted for the idiot. During the campaign, he wasn’t the least bit shy about what he planned to do.
LikeLike
We didn’t vote for this lot, or the last for that matter, but the system is flawed as they actually got in by default, not a landslide. They are also ‘cancelling local elections’ so that other parties can’t win!
LikeLike
Oh lord. Your story sounds just like ours! Ours has just declared himself “king”. I’d laugh if it wasn’t so weird.
LikeLike
It’s just betting worse both sides of the Pond.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am glad you are doing OK so far in retirement. Fingers crossed you don’t need serious hospital stays or some other medical cost for a long time. It sounds grand that you are managing to keep yourself in books and yarn!
I’ve been knitting a shawl for mom and various goodies for the new granddaughter I am waiting for (she’s due in early May). Things have been challenging this winter, still managing to get up and do something everyday.
Take care and it’s OK to post simple stuff, even when there isn’t a “reason”..!!!
LikeLike
A new granddaughter! I envy you. I doubt that I will ever have grandchildren. Two of my girls don’t want children, and the third wants kids but can’t have them. But maybe that’s ok; I probably couldn’t chase after grandkids anyway.
PS – While I oppose our leader’s ludicrous attempts to annex Canada, it would be nice to be able to visit you without needing a passport or enhanced license. I’m sincerely sorry a wedge is being driven between our two countries.
LikeLike
This will be the last grandbaby from the kids…. I only have the one son and I totally understand the choice to stop at two.
I am sorry that you won’t likely have this type of event in your life, you can share mine if you wish… LOL
Your current leader is ludicrous to think we would let him annex us and I, in no way, blame you for the lack of genuine intelligence in your current government.!!
I truly wish for the old freedoms too. Your next leader is going to have a HUGE mess to clean up and I feel sad for you all that are going to suffer through it for the next several years!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear life is still allowing you to feel OK, CM. My dear wife Karen and I can report the same status down the Thruway now that she’s retired from the full-time working world, too. She decided to keep working part-time, not wanting to spend 24-7 at home with me quite yet! I enjoy my house husband duties. This winter has been nasty in our part of the world, though, had to our cherished rescue mutt to navigate the backyard and for me to keep the front walk and car cleared.
LikeLike
I heard that you had more snow this year than we did, although folks just a mile or so down the road from me got hit pretty hard. There seems to be a snow line between north and south Cheektowaga. Here in the “north” we only had a few inches at a time.
LikeLike
Yes, we live on the proper side of the snow line as well, CM. A dozen miles away folks get feet while we get inches!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s good to hear from you, CM. I remember reading this post last year and the fact that it reminded me to cancel my Flickr account. I no longer even visit Flickr because they constantly barraged me with warnings about losing my photos (9 months after I downloaded all of them). Retirement is good. I have completed some woodworking projects, and I have published about a book a year. I enjoy both activities. We’re having a real winter here. Real by our standards, not your 😉
LikeLike
Hi, Dan. I bought one of your books recently, but haven’t had a chance to read it yet. As for Flickr, I only have the free membership, and I haven’t posted a photo in many months. Photography no longer seeme to motivate me except for when I need a picture for one of my WP posts – and then I’m more likely to just photograph something in my own house. We’ll see if I get more motivated come spring …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, CM. I hope you enjoy the book when you get to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Spoke Too Soon, Again … | Cordelia's Mom, Still