Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Comments
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It's 103 degrees this afternoon after 108 yesterday.......YIKES! We have broken records this year with most days being over 90 degrees since the first of Jun, and several days in the triple digits.. A normal summer in Corvallis is high 70s-low 80s with some rainfall during June and in the 80s-low 90s during July and August with maybe one or two days of 100 degrees. This is not good for the risk of wildfires and we've already got a fairly large one in southern Oregon. The lake that provides water for western OR in summer is practically dry this year so I wouldn't be surprised if we're asked to ration water, like Calif., before the end of Aug. Thankfully we have AC so we're comfortable in the house.
We just returned from our vacation home near Bend, with no Wi-Fi, so I've been busy catching up. While in central OR. we took a morning hike around Smith Rock and came across a Bald Eagle's nest with an eagle flying low over it (of course I didn't have my phone or camera)......Magestic! Bald Eagles are plentiful in that area but I'd never seen one that close.
I love, love the pictures of Anne & Puffin with their grandchildren, the beautiful deck built by Carole's DH.......he does very good carpentry, by the way, and your new (to you) boat. It looks like it's in very good condition. We had a boat similar to yours when our guys were kids and we had a great time with it. After years of driving the boat while the kids, their friends, our friends and extended family enjoyed water skiing my DH decided it was time to let someone else have the pleasure of boat owning for awhile and sold it. So far none of our kids have purchased a boat.
Welcome to our new friends and the postings of Sandra & Kara. Now if we could just know what Mimi is up to. Last we heard she had rekindled a friendship with her high school boyfriend.........hmmm! Just hope she is doing well. No news from Blondie? I'm sure she's enjoying her Florida trip. Jean, I so envy you going on a river cruise in Europe. We frequently receive brochures from Viking River Cruises and river cruising looks like a relaxing way to see Europe up close. Anne, I'm happy that your daughter seems OK with her and her children not moving in with you. It's always so tempting to rescue our kids but at our age taking care of ourselves is most important.......at least that's what my DH keeps telling me, lol.
Next week I have NOTHING planned......gotta rest up for taking two of the grandkiddos to Bend on the 9th. We did this last year and had so much fun! We'll have them to ourselves for four days then my DIL (Jonah's mom) and the 4 yr. old twins will come over for the rest of the week. Not very restful!! Here's a photo of Jonah & Sophia last summer:
Hope everyone has a good weekend...........Stay Cool!!
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Judy -- if you could actually sell cute --- you'd be rich.
Jackie
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LuvMaui - Blondie has extended her Florida trip another week and seems to be doing OK.
Chevy - late B-day wishes, but hope your day was wonderful.
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Luvmaui, we spent time one summer in WA state and Oregon along the coast and it was cool and comfortable. Hate to hear about those high temps. this summer. Also hate to hear about low water in the lake. DH checked a website of one of the tv stations in New Orleans and read that this July is being called the 2nd hottest in recorded history.
It's 60 degrees here in northern MN this morning. I pulled on a sweatshirt when I got up. It will warm up during the day into the 80's. As long as the humidity isn't high, 80's is ok. For us, 70's is better. I guess the crops in the fields benefit from the sunny heat.
Glad to hear that Blondie is staying an extra week in FL. Do hope she's enjoying herself.
Wish Chevy would stop in and say hello and tell us about her birthday celebration.
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Happiness is not the
absence of problems,
but the willingness to deal with them joyfully.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie0 -
Happy birthday newbies
Congrats on the baby termite
So sorry bout allisons cat
Het there everyone, carol,puffin,jackie, anne,rita,mom,anybody else i missed
I never expected to stay here this long n am sure i extended my stay but am here in fla til the 5th the to a friends house in nj for 5 days then home on the 9th.
I got a tattoo, hair but n a bunch of dq runs n walmart runs also. Wish i could mve but that isnt practical. Fun, we that depends on what u r looking 4, me peace n quiet. Nothing exciting. Did,t go to the beach not surd if we will. But i am ok with my wish being fulfilled this muchh..
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Teka -- we all thank you for those hugs and we missed you too. Sorta nice to give the Internet a rest break, huh !!!
Blondie -- fun, fun, fun. Well, peace and quiet can be fun because it is what you need and want. Love that you got a tattoo. Also that you are having an extension to your vacation -- way to go.
You gals are the best.
Jackie
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Since our camping trip with granddaughter was canceled this weekend, we went shopping for a new over-the-stove type microwave. Found one we liked and since it was last year's model it was only $200 so bought it. When Lew started installing it he realized the cupboard over the oven wasn't level, took the cupboard down off the wall and found a large round hole in the wall with puffy styrofoam stuffed in the hole that was pushing out through the hole and pushing on both of the cabinets up there. So he took the other cabinet down too, is fixing both cabinets. So in the mean time the new microwave is in the utility room on top of the dryer. He dug the puffy styrofoam out of the hole and is going to put some leftover insulation in there instead. Always good to have a handy man around.
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THANKS YOU GALS! It's been a fun week! Just got back from a Birthday Dinner with DD & Rosie, our "other Daughter from anothe Mother.".... She and Jim fixed King Crab legs, and Salmon.... guacamole dip, a great quinoa salad, artichoke dip, and ice-cream cake! I know I'm forgetting something, but it was fun! OH! And Margarita's.... I mean even DH enjoyed the food and the company....!
Got lots of gift cards, and birthday wishes from everywhere! You know, I'm so lucky, or BLESSED! Or both! To have my Husband, and reasonably good health, and just reached 78! Thank God for everything........
Been painting the house and fences all around the yard.... but started digging up the awful parking, that my neighbor (who lives on another planet, or farm-yard)..... planted! She planted "wild-flowers" on the parking.... 1/2 hers & 1/2 mine.... came after us for $75 which I reluctantly gave her!
The parking was lawn! But she wanted it dug up, so she could plant her Little House on the Prairie wild-flowers. Well, it turned into a weed infested area, hanging over the street and the sidewalk. So every morning, I've been digging, scraping, pulling, and now laying down barrier, nice looking mulch, a little tree, framed with those brick rounds, and little fencing! Even a row of Hens & chickens!
I'll take a picture.... My arms hurt from all the shoveling and lifting, but it will be worth it. No... don't even ask about "little alice in wonderland" helping, or even DH.... His arms and legs hurt.... Also has a cataract... so needless to say, if you want something done, you gotta do it yourself...right?
But I'm okay.... Glad it's almost finished...!
I'll post more in the morning.... Sorry it takes me so long to post here.... my first favorite thread! Jackie and me.... even Carole go WAY back! And we're all doing good!
Love you guys! xoxoxo
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Luvmaui, yes, my sister has been telling me about the high temperatures in Corvallis. One of her hobbies is dog agility (4 dogs) and they had a space at your county fair to do demonstrations. She has been there every day and was very happy today was the last day.
It is hot here in Florida too. I am 2 weeks PFT and would like to take a few short walks outside, but it is is just too hot and such high humidity. From reading these posts, I vote for Mn.! Never been there, but it sounds wonderful. Guess I will be spending time walking in the house while recovering from chemo. Not ready to venture out anywhere else.
I do enjoy reading about all of your experiences.
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Compassion is the most precious of all gifts. In times of sorrow and bewilderment, it is what restores us and offers refuge. It is the force of empathy in your own heart that allows you to reach out and touch the broken heart of another. It is rooted in the heartfelt acknowledgement that others, like ourselves, yearn to be free from suffering and harm, and be safe and happy. It is compassion that rescues us from despair and helplessness, that provides a refuge of peace and understanding inwardly and outwardly. Compassion does not claim to be a quick-fix for the age-old causes of suffering, nor is it a magic wand that will sweep away sorrow. But it is our commitment to compassion and our willingness to nurture it in every moment that gives meaning to life.
Christina Feldman0 -
Good morning -- on this toasty August Sunday morn. I think our humidity is not so bad right now, so it is tolerable here. We are due for another week ( maybe even a shower today ) of rain and that may give us some humidity. Temps. will be down some throughout so hoping.
Not sure I'm spelling this right but my employers have put down some money on a two week-old Schnauzer puppy. All black I think with some white-tipped feet. So excited I'm not sure that I heard it all well. The young Yorkie ( was the old one who passed ) is happy over-all that she is getting ALL the attention now, but still sticks to you like Velcro and it is different from how she did this before. As she is still young --- having another youngster around should get her a bit more interested in "less" stickiness. Truthfully -- being a huge animal lover, I don't mind very much, but I do have a person to care for so a little less would be appreciated ---- knowing I'll be back to three needing attentions when I'm there.
I've never STARTED out with a Schnauzer puppy before so am truly going to find it hard to wait. Well, at my age, sometimes time flies so before you know it, I'll be standing out in the dog play yard waiting for little bitty Schnauzer to do a duty so I can praise to the skies --- and wondering why I was in such a hurry.
my sunshine -- It is really often way too hot to walk around here in my neighborhood so Dh and I go to our local Rec Center that has an indoor walking track. You can buy a pass for $12.00 per month ( pretty economical ) and though it can be a bit boring --- one must walk around this big oval track 12 times to make a mile --- it does get the job done and help keep you in shape. We usually try to walk at least two miles --- and I've found that all the other walking I do gets me up to somewhere around 10 to 12,000 steps minimum for the day. If you have one of those close enough to you --- you might check.
Chevy -- since I've seen some, I'm going to be anxious to see how the side by side parking spaces turn out at your house. It is great that we are all NOT clones of each other and have different ideas -- however, wild flowers are so much easier to appreciate if they are not nestled in a plethora of good old fashioned ugly weeds. We have so many weeds here --- and since we enjoy our surroundings like we do --- I don't wish any extra. We do not want to DISPLAY our weeds and would rather have nothing but grass or a pretty rock garden if that is the case. Fortunately with all our trees here we are safe from excessive weeds.
I'm a bit stiff and sore from the marathon day spend in the cat room. Soon ( while IT is still tiny ) we will take a picture of the kitten and I'll make Dh take it off the camera and put it in my Picasa. Actually --- I spent the majority of the 12 hours out there bending over --- scrubbing tile like ridges on some hard molded counter-top type materials that we use as some flooring out there. Was a difficult proposition but anything for my cats. Anyway --- more of somewhat the same inside the house today. No time like the present to work out the stiffness.
See you all later.
Blessings
Jackie
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Chevy, glad to hear you had a great birthday. I think you lie about your age, though! LOL. You're much too young at heart to be 78 'cause that's older than I am.
Blondie, it's great that you're extending your vacation and are having a good time.
Welcome back, Teka. We missed you.
Hi to everyone else on this fine Sunday.
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Carole, if I was going to lie about my age, I would say about 50.... Ha! My Daughter gave me a silver angel wing one time that said "If you didn't know how old you were, how old would you be?" I would be 50..... ! But I only FEEL like I am 50 in my head.... My body is not agreeing at the moment...:)
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Chevy,
My aunt used to say " I look in the mirror and say' who's that old lady ' then I realize , it's me!" I don't think any of us feel inside the age our bodies tell us we are. I don't know how old I feel, but I know it's not 72! But my arthritis tells me different!
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To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury;
and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable; and wealthy,
not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to
stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully,
do all bravely, await occasion, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual,
unbidden, and unconscious to grow up through the common. This is to be my
symphony. -William Henry Channing0 -
Good morning all...it actually felt too cool to be comfortable on the patio this morning without a sweater. Love when that happens in August!
I hope all have a good week. Mine starts off not so great (visit to MO today) but gets a lot better (heading up to Reno for my nephew's wedding this weekend. Almost all of my extended family will be there for the big celebration, including my two kids and my two grandkids. Yay!)
Octogirl
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Chevy, I would probably pick 50, too. I am one of those women now who looks in the mirror and wonders, "What happened to YOU?" Still I'm thankful to be able to enjoy everyday life.
Octogirl, the wedding sounds like an ideal opportunity for you to enjoy getting together with family. I hope you have a great time.
We had a busy morning. We were up at 7 and took a thermos of coffee with us down to the boat. It wasn't windy, for a change, and we went out on the lake for about an hour and did a little fishing. No catching except for one small fish that went back into the water. Then we drove into town to the gym, did our workouts and then went to breakfast.
Now dh is doing some carpentry work for the resort owner and I'm free to do--or not do--whatever.
Hope everyone is having a good Monday.
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Afternoon everyone. I got the quote in here but had to get myself ready to meet my cousin out at Walmart's. We went into the city for her Dr.'s appt. ( St. Louis, Missouri ) and then right back over the river to the big shopping mall in Illinois. We had lunch out -- Steak & Shake where I got that good ole' irrestible Double Garlic Steakburger. Some day, but for now I'm just addicted and am powerless to order anything else.
Went to Hobby Lobby. I really don't shop there. Mary likes to go so I walked around the store and just peeked at things that caught my eye knowing it would be highly un-likely I'd take anything. Then we went to Macy's and I did all right there. Had a huge sale going on. I got 6 blouses for $41.00 with $59.00 savings on them --- was a truly good sale. Haven't tried them all on as yet --- but fairly certain they will fit. If not, I'll take them back.
Anyway that shot today and it is almost time for dinner now. I'd have liked to have gone to Bed, Bath, & Beyond, but it had gotten so hot out that I thought that in and out stuff was just too much to keep doing. Long ride there and back home. I wasn't feeling the greatest but by the time we were coming home I perked up --- and thinking it was the steady a/c in the car that did it. I'm usually not affected too much with heat --- but we get so spoiled out here with very little concrete and so much grass and so it makes the heat much different when you are surrounded my concrete.
Anyway, I'll be checking in again a little later. See you then.
Blessings
Jackie
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Six blouses for $41 sounds like a steal, Jackie. Especially at Macy's. I find blouses at Kohl's for $5.95 but the merchandise is less expensive on the whole.
I thought about Rita today and realized we haven't been hearing from her lately. I knew she would understand how pleased I am over a good round of golf today. We played Eagle's View, the small course close to us. It is a par 64 course and I shot 77. I had pars and bogies and one birdie and only 3 double bogeys. I actually played better than dh who is a much better golfer. Wish I could play to that level more often.
We're having another beautiful day here in northern MN. Last night it got down to low 50's. We pulled up the fleece blanket toward morning. Today it's in the 70's. Perfect. I would have to move here if it were summer year round.
Happy Tuesday to all.
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There are no little events in life; those
we think of no consequence may be full
of fate, and it is at our own risk if
we neglect the acquaintances and
opportunities that seem to be casually
offered, and of small importance.
Amelia Barr0 -
As I look back at the entire tapestry of my life, I can see from the perspective of the present moment that every aspect of my life was necessary and perfect. Each step eventually led to a higher place, even though these steps often felt like obstacles or painful experiences.
Wayne Dyer0 -
Good morning,
It is raining here, but I've been waiting for it and actually feeling some welcome for it. Dry and dusty in the country isn't nice. We do have the house closed up since we need the a/c so we don't get massive dirt and dust inside -- but the inside of you is sort of as astute place --- seems to "feel" when things are off and I was starting not to like dirt and dust.
Likely after the next few days we will get too warm again -- with lots of humidity, but it is typical for this time of yr. We usually don't get much for rain, if any, at this time so that is still holding for the whole summer which was a much wetter one than normal.
I don't have much planned for today -- just going to bask in getting our dust settled I guess and will be forced to get some things done inside the house here. Had big plans but they went awry with the shopping trip Monday. So tired yesterday from a little bout of dysentery that I came home from work and sat down and didn't really do anything either. I just have to stop that -- it felt too good. So we will see how it goes.
The rain will stop for awhile and resume --- so in between what I need to get done outside will be done. I hope you will all have a good day. Hopefully Rita will realize we are hoping for a visit and come. See you all later when I check in again.
Blessings,
Jackie
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Morning all
All is quiet on this end, which you know, for me is a welcome reprieve. My DS goes back to So Carolina this weekend, after 9 weeks of camp. The camp goes for two more weeks, but he has to go back to teaching Tues. I will miss him SO much.
We finally sat down last weekend to discuss my finances. I am so confused. I was of an era where Bob did all financial stuff. I knew how much he made, and what we spent, but 401k's and IRA's were strictly his. He would make me look at them every so often, but that was all I did, really, is look. Now they are mine. There's not a fortune, but there's enough that I have to get them in order and make a will. So Rob gave me the questions, and I started making calls Mon. Oh my how confusing! I can take all the money in the IRA and move it to a regular savings account without having to pay any taxes or fees, but anything I take from the 401k, I have to pay a 20% tax on now! and that may be adjusted at tax time, depending on which tax bracket I fall in to. But wait- I need to take $9,900 out right now because Bob would have been over 70 1/2. (I end up with $9100 after taxes). Then, there is the fact that I own two houses that are still in my name and my husbands. And they are entirely different situations. We lent Nancy and Scott the down payment in the house in Ga, but they have paid the mortgage, taxes, upkeep, etc since day one, so they just have to give their siblings back 1/5 of the down payment from their inheritance when that time comes. But this house in Fl was bought in 1978 and there is 40 years of equity in it. The daughter who lives here now pays all the utilities and up keeping, but the equity is shared equally by all 5 siblings. She can't afford to buy it outright, so we have to figure out how to work that out. I think I have to refinance both in order to take Bobs name off and put the girls names on, but maybe not. I have reached the point where I need a professional to see that everything is set up correctly- but do I need an accountant, an estate lawyer, a financial planner, a tax lawyer?? And how do I find an honest one?
The silver lining in all this ( besides the fact that I have enough money to worry about) is that when calling about the 401k, as I was about to hang up, I asked if he could tell me who I had listed as beneficiaries - turns out I had no one listed at all. So that much, at least, has been taken care of.
Honestly, I think the easiest thing is for me to make sure it is all spent before I go.
Hugs to all
Anne
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Carole: I got your book Because of the Twins through interlibrary loan and finished it this morning - a fun summer read.
Anne: is there anyone through your local senior citizen groups that can recommend help with your financial decisions?
Heard from Lew's son Ed that instead of serving 90 days in jail they let him out after 1 day so he'll be able to finish out the construction season. They worked out a child support payment that will include an amount that will go towards back due payments. I don't know if that means he'll finally be able to get a drivers license.
Lovely day here, think I'll go out and cut back some flowers that are done blooming.
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Anne, I was thinking ( though at some point I think you would have to get someone with total credentials ) that a number of issues could be ( if you have it there ) discussed and gone through with attorneys from any local lawyer's college. We used one of those once and it worked for us fine. These men can do a lot of work on your behalf for a minimal price or free and everything they 'might' do would have to go thru one of their professors. Still, I do think when it came time to put it all together in total legalese and structured just the way you want it, you would need someone to collate it all with all the provisions you want in the documents. It is just a thought and you could get a lot of answers and not worry about hourly fees etc. while you are figuring angles of how you wish for things to be. Just a thought for you.
You're right though --- I'd be less inclined about what I left for everyone as opposed to making sure that you have what you want and enjoy as much life as you wish.
Jackie
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Anne - with several children (at least one divorced, right?), and two real properties in different states, and lots of convoluted arrangements about who will owe what on which house (not to mention the property taxes & the cost to sell or repair & .....) - it's my opinion you need to consult an attorney first, and soon. Too many relatives that probably won't agree on anything you wanted down the road if you don't have it set up legally. In some states, you can file a 'quit claim' to transfer the real property from DH into your name only. I'd look for an attorney that specializes in estates. Did you have an attorney file probate when your DH died? Were you satisfied with him/her? Or as Puffin suggested, try your local senior group or AARP. Obviously you'll also need some financial advice due to 401K & IRA, (not to mention real property) but for now you can just make sure the beneficiaries are correct on those. Do you have a CPA who does your taxes? Are you pleased with him/her? Good luck.
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Here's a disclaimer just in case. I am neither an attorney nor a CPA. And I have a hard time trusting either of the above, or a financial adviser, so Anne I do understand your questions.
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I agree with Minus, Anne. You have a complicated situation with your 2 home's, 401k,IRAs, and many children. This may call for you to hire a financial planner as well as an estate lawyer. We had almost your exact situation at retirement so we hired our son (the financial planner) to handle our investments and an estate lawyer who created our Trust which combines and holds all of our property to be divided amongst our 4 children. The Trust ensures no family infighting over our house, the vacation home or money and no probate after we're gone. Definitely worth the money we spent when the Trust was created. We do a review every couple years to make sure it's up to date.
The weather here has cooled to a very pleasant 80 degrees. I'm like you, Jackie....I feel very unsettled when the weather is not in it's usual pattern. I notice also that almost overnight the leaves are beginning to have an orange tint.
Quiet day for.me except I have Dr. appt at 4:30 so I need to go get ready for that. Hope all are enjoying the waning days of summer.
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I agree with Luvmaui, we are a second marriage for both of us, with children from both marriages. We had done wills, but hired a recommended Estate/trust lawyer and found many things that needed to be changed. A trust will not only make sure things go where you wish , but will make it much easier to distribute , without Probate. It may also protect you, after 5 years, from having a nursing home get your assets. It us worth the expense.
nother lovely day here, a few clouds but not too hot. Actually had 2 days on the calendar without anything planned!
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