Saturday, February 11, 2012

Wow, time marches on so quickly. Seems impossible, but it's been over a month since my last day working...in fact, just about 1.5 months. Time has flown by because we've been so busy. I have no idea how I had time to work.

Got permission from transplant folks to have major dental work done. Unfortunately, can't afford it in the states, so we've been looking for a VERY cheap camper because we are going to join the many other old folks who drive down to far south Texas. From there we will go across the border to Progreso, Mexico where I can get the work done for about 25% what it would cost here. We met with friends this past Tuesday evening to find out how to do it and where to go. They had to do the same thing.

Finding a pre-owned camper (Class A) is a challenge around here...most of them are bought up by the gas well drillers/workers because they live in them. We've seen a couple, but what we've seen wouldn't make it to the city limits, and after we purchased one of these it would take way too much money to get it up and running. So, we'll be patient until the right thing comes along.

We did finally get the 2010 taxes filed, and we sent a whopping big check to the IRS to pay past-due taxes for prior years. Hopefully we won't owe for 2011 -- we had withholdings down to nothing all year. We ordered a book of instructions from the IRS yesterday morning...so we're in wait mode for that.

Where have we been and what have we done? Well, as most folks know, I'm about blind (not really, but feels that way). I have difficulty seeing the channel numbers, etc., on the TV. So, for retirement I bought myself a larger television. It's supposed to be delivered today. Also, bought a pleather (yep, NOT leather) sofa and loveseat. Didn't want to spend a lot of money. We've had our old one for about 10 years, and it has served us well. It's got scratches and nicks on it because the critters are on it a lot. We've loved it because we can clean it with soap and water. It's going to a good home - to our friend Linda Simmons. Lives in Joshua, their house was one that burned to the ground last year by the idiot down there who set everything on fire. Insurance money came up just a TAD short for rebuilding the house and furnishing it, so Linda's folks are coming to get the sofa (hopefully today).

I haven't done much sewing/crafting since retirement...been trying to work on clearing out the house and cleaning up. I've got a self-imposed rule that every other Monday is household laundry and bathroom cleaning day. Fortunately Ken has been good about helping with that. I have a really hard time, however, managing to get all the work done because I'm so out of shape. So, this week I started cleaning one room every day. That works out MUCH better for me. Attacking it in "chunks" makes it more manageable.

Went to heart doc - had to confess that I failed at getting CT accomplished...my claustrophobia beat me up and I ran from the table both appointments. His conclusion, however, is that I'm doing great -- just need to GET OFF MY ASS and get physical. So, this morning we're going to head back to the YMCA to work out for an hour or so before we go to breakfast. I'm also rejoining Weight Watchers...I want to start by losing 10% of my body weight...even that much will help the old ticker. Of course, 10% of what I weigh is one HHHHH of a lot!!!

My niece in S. Carolina contacted me recently. She wants me to make do a Barbie and Ken in Gone With The Wind costume. I found the original B&K dressed as Scarlett and Rhett on line, but she told me she would rather I made them so she has them from me. So, I'll need to get that started. I'm also making an afghan for her because she lost so much of her things when she was rather homeless - including the afghan my mother made for her so many years ago. Anyway, colors are to be Navy blue, beige, white. Hmm, what pattern???

And, one of my nieces here recently moved into a new-to-them house and wants me to do something for her - and she doesn't care if it's a quilt or afghan. Her colors are black, brown, and tan. I made one for our foster niece in the pinks that she wanted so now gotta get this one done.

Got to get to a cousin's house to pick up a sewing machine to overhaul and get running for the wife of another cousin. Hoping this works out well. Let me see, the cousin to whom the machine is going is married to the best friend of my daughter's ex-husband's current wife. Sounds almost hillbilly, doesn't it?

Oh, yeah, I've gained a couple more machines...a wonderful vintage Singer 401, and a fantastic black Singer 301 long bed. We drove all the way to Forney, Texas to pick up the 301. I've been wanting one for a couple of years. I have a mocha colored short-bed 301, and I absolutely love it for taking to bees and project days.

Let's see, what else. My oldest brother keeps asking me if I'm finally going to go back to teaching music/piano after all these years - and specifically if I will help him. So, I've been to the music store and purchased the set of lessons and theory books, so hopefully tomorrow I'll get him started. He's also currently taking bass guitar lessons. I'm glad he's finally getting back into this. My other brother plays guitar and sings.

DH has some issues...after all the neuro surgeries incurred in 2009 and 2010, we thought we were out of the woods. But he's suffering with pain and numbness in the right arm so he had an EMG done this week and will see the neuro fellow this next week. He's also been fighting that dang insulin pump again but supposedly Medtronics finally has it straightened out. We'll see. Every time he gets in the driver's side of the car and we head out, that blasted thing goes off. We've started letting him be the passenger and me be the driver because that way he doesn't have to go down the road trying to fix whatever is going on with the pump.

We bought a new rug shampooer, ours gave up the ghost. I need to get off my duff and use it in the three rooms that still have carpet. Some day I'm going to put carpet back in this house - can't afford to have the wood floors fixed that were ruined by the handyman in his efforts to fix them. They look like crap. For now I'll keep spending my life mopping the DDDD floors with "don't pee and s___t here" concoction.

We went to Sunday School last week at the church where I've gone for so long. We had just about stopped going at all because we were not getting anything out of church or SS. As it turns out, last Sunday will definitely be our last Sunday. We had a great discussion in SS, but what it led to were some pretty honest vocalizations that participants really do not believe what the Bible says, are not concerned with salvation, that there objective is to be good people, love others, and do what they can to help someone. While that is admirable, it is NOT what the Bible teaches. I've said for a long time that this particular church frightens me because in no way will this church lead someone to Christ. It is excellent for those who are already firm in their faith, but my grandfather (who was a minister of this denomination) would roll over in his grave if he knew what was going on!!

We've been to a few places with friends, and last night we ate a new restaurant in an older neighborhood close to where I grew up. Attempt is being made to revitalize the area, so we wanted to support that. Name of the place is La Rueda.

Oh, we've worked out several settlements with creditors; financial outlook is improving. Still have one who wants to TELL me what I have to settle for (amount) and I keep telling them "ain't no way," here's what I can do. All others have agreed to auto payout at far reduced amount, but at least will be paid in a year. Several agreed to this in early 2011 and those are paid off. Have one more payment (this month) on another one. Those that would not work with me were left until after everybody else is paid. If they want to settle/resolve then, then I'll consider it. hopefully by then they will have realized they are not going to get the amounts they want.

I've heard from work...I think they'll get along just fine without me. And I think I don't care if they do or not.

That's about it, I guess. There are some things I refuse to think about any more...

Until next time, may God keep you safe.