That is true Michael....
But I got my notice in the mail that shows that my SS new benefit amount  increased $4 ....
(As of Jan 02, 2017)

Hardly enough to buy a loaf of bread.   
But as long as they keep on coming,
I will be very happy.     If not,  very broke.

   

Mycheal, I get no S.S. checks...just pension. Should I feel deprived ? (I'm not complaining, honest !) After being a non-earning house wife for many a year, 62 years, in fact, I feel fortunate to have what I get.

I did stay home tonight, fixed my supper, played on the computer, visited with friends over lunch and during exercise class, and I am content. Now it is time to clean up the kitchen, think about the getting to bed essentials, and eyes will be closing in sleep early tonight.  So.....

I wish you all a very restful, peaceful, sweet sleep, and a happy, healthful tomorrow, and I truly do love and appreciate ALL OF YOU. Thanks be to God.

Good night Everyfriend and may God bless us, every one!

Good Thursday morning, Everyfriend.  There's  a breakfast buffet to accompany your coffee or tea. I wish everyone a good day!!





A Lot Of Good That Did!

I spent more than two hours in the beauty shop getting my hair permed, cut and styled.

Relieved to be done, I went up to the receptionist to pay. "Good afternoon!"
she said cheerfully. "And who's your appointment with today?"


Encouragement to Keep Going Each Day

By Sergei Sosedkin,
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:1-3

Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us . . . run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus. . .
Hebrews 12:1-2
Our month of reflections on thanksgiving and gratitude is coming to a close.
For what are you thankful today? You may have asked this question of others at times. Or maybe you’ll pose it to yourself in the quiet of your reflective prayer.
May I tell you what I’m thankful forâ€"today and every day? Among many other things, I’m grateful for you supporters of ReFrame Media and Back to God Ministries International. Your prayers and generosity make our outreach possible, whether at home or abroad.
Over the years I have met hundreds of our friends and ministry partners. You have inspired me with your kind comments and personal stories. Thank you!
The Bible mentions “a great cloud of witnesses”â€"heroes of faithâ€"who encourage us with their examples. We are also cheered by many “living saints” in our local churches, extended families, and circles of friends.
The race of faith is different from any other race we might run. Instead of competing with others, we are fighting against our own sinful nature. The only hope we have in order to finish is to fix our eyes on “Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
Father, we praise you for the examples of faith ¬heroes who have run this race before us. Give us strength and perseverance, and help us to focus on Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.


“The more you try to be interested in other people, the more you find out about yourself.”

~ Thea Astley

Good Morning Joan,  I couldn't go back to sleep, so am playing on the computer at 4:11 a.m.

I do think it is only Wednesday, tho.  LOL

Yesterday, Tues,  turned out to be a stressful day.   Leaking toilet,  long  on-holds on the telephone,  couldn't order several gift cards as they wouldn't take the order over the phone,  Christmas tree lights were burned out when I tried to finish our little tree in the sitting area,  an expected gift card still didn't come,  my new Kindle keeps freezing up and after doing some trouble-shooting, still isn't working, and it just went on and on. 

I sure hope today will be better.

Thanks for the buffet breakfast. Lots to choose from. 

I think I will try to go back to bed for a little while.

Hope every friend will have a great day.

(And, it is Wednesday)

Joy

Good morning, Joy.  I sure do hope you have a better day today than you did yesterday.

JOY....
...oh my, and to think I thought my middle name was " bad luck..."

Hope today is a tad more luckier for you....well at least hope things go better to plan....

JOAN....
...good Wednesday morning....our today's weather has warmed up a notch or two...

Good morning Vanilla-Jackie.  Here it has gotten colder and tomorrow is predicted to be even colder.

Good morning everyone..

Woke up to a light dusting of snow...not one that required attention too .

Yesterdays appointments went well we got in early on both of them. Still made for a long day though.

Not a lot on the agenda today other than paying my garage bill and cleaning .

Joy, hope the rest of today is much better for you.

Joan,thank you for breakfast.

Enjoy your day everyone.

Good Morning Girls , I see we have a extra earliy one this morning, you all have a great day. we were supposed to have snow this morning but so far no show. that is ok with me and also most likely the cattle.
don't think the like putting there noses in snow to eat.

Lloyd

Good morning, Amy.  I am happy to hear yesterday went well.  Good that the snow you woke up to doesn't require dancing with the shovel or snow blower.

Lloyd--Good morning.  Am sure you and the cattle are happy when there is no snow.

<sup>good morning Everyfriend. My keyboard seems to be taking a nap this morning so I'm using my iPad to check in until I can call to find out what I should do. I hope you all have a better start to your day than I did. We also had a dusting of snow last night. Make this day a good one!  I'll join you when I'm able.

P.s. chocolate making is done!  Now for the packing.</sup>

Good morning, Janie.  Guess your keyboard got tired out and needed a bit more sleep.  Seriously, I hope it's an easy fix.

Thank goodness the sun is shining this morning.  Yesterday was so dreary it was hard to keep a good attitude. 

I haven't gotten my new Soc. Sec. statement for 2017 yet but I had already read that most, or all of the increase will go in to an increased Medicare premium.  Oh, well, easy come, easy go.  And I am always grateful for both SS and Medicare. 

I think I will just plan to "get out" today.  Haven't been out of the house since last Thursday and since the weather has finally cleared I really feel the need to escape.  Library, Costco (if the parking lot isn't too full), lunch somewhere, and whatever else I can think of.

Talk to you later, alligators.

Good morning, Phyllis.  I haven't received my SS info yet either.  Enjoy your outing.

Called the guru and he helped me fix it over the phone but he did say that my keyboard is older than most and that I might need a new one one of these days.  I think maybe Kiran will have her snacks elsewhere for a bit. 

I'll be off to Wally World soon.

Just wanted to put in my 2 cents worth about SS....Last year, I got a notice that because I'm still working, they had increased the amount I was getting from SS and because my own had increased, they were decreasing my survivor benefits from my husband.  I came out 52 cents less.  Does it really pay to continue working?  I wonder what they are doing this year.  I haven't got my notice yet. 

Enjoy your day Everyfriend!

Hi everyone on this Wednesday morning.  So far it is overcast but to get to about 60 this afternoon. While the rain stopped yesterday it was a very dark and damp day outside.  I worked here at home all morning, rested and then went to COSTCO and stocked up on several things. No riding carts were available so I walked the store very slowly.  Fortunately I have now been there often enough to have a general idea where things are located on the shelves and in the freezers and coolers.  There is no dinner at church tonight so we will prepare dinner hear to share with Scott when he comes out late this afternoon.   

Joan, I haven't been driving my PT Cruiser very often since Pat hasn't been driving and I noticed it was slow to turn over when I last drove it a couple of days ago.  We really have no need for the second car but perhaps Pat will again be up to driving and I will use it more often.  I don't want the battery to go down either. 

June, that was a full day.  I hope you got through the night without that terrible leg pain.  I bet you will like the microfiber as it is very soft and smooth.  Like you I get no Social Security and only part A of Medicare as Federal Government employees had their own retirement system.  Pat does get Social Security and also has only Part A of Medicare as our health insurance is equal to what part B and part D would pay.  The premium is going to $21 a month on the health insurance. 

Joy, sure hope you have a better day today.  I would call Amazon and tell them of your problem with the new Kindle.  My experience with them has been very positive. 

JaneS, I really like your sense of humor.  We all need to laugh as much as possible each day. Glad you were able to get your keyboard fixed.  Fortunately keyboards are very inexpensive.

Good morning everyone,  was too tired when I got home yesterday I just laid down on the couch and just about stayed there till I went to bed. Did I tell you I like the new doctor I have? Some things showed up on the MRI that were seen and she wants to follow up on them so back for more X Rays and still have to make an appointment for the ultrasound. I like when I can get the town car for seniors and their doctor visits.  She was able to take me to the CVS store just around the corner and I transferred all my meds there. The also deliver so that is set up,too. Now that is one less thing my son has to do for me. They are testing the fire alarms here this morning and when the first one went off I jumped a foot I think. I knew it was coming too.

PHYLLIS  gloomy here today, too. In the mid 30's so at least not freezing.

LARRY  those sausage muffins look good.

JEANNE P  when I had my car ands was not going anywhere on a frigid day I would go out and start the car, lock the doors and go inside for half an hour or so and let the car run.

HAL  I got my SS  future HUGE monthly raise. Why bother giving us a few more pennies. With all the prices going up it will do us no good.

JUNE  what you had for lunch yesterday would be more than 2 meals for me. Wish I could be more active, might get an appetite back.

MARY ANN  any lasagna left? If so I will be there for some. I did have some from Schwan's but it was not like homemade.

JANE  sleep is the best thing when you get worn out. Yesterday I did not sleep but just staying on the couch helped. When I got home I could hardly walk even with my rollator. My oldest son has a great sense of humor. Very straight face and he has caught me several times before I realized he was joking.

SANDY  my raise is not enough to buy anything.

JOAN  hope I can do justice to your breakfast buffet. Chuckles, that was an insult after all those hours. Thank you for today's goodies.

JOY  I think we all have days when nothing goes right. Hope today is better for you.

AMY  any day I have to go out is tiring for me these days.

LLOYD  good morning.

JANE  do you have an extra keyboard? I had one that died on me and ever since I make sure I have an extra one.

Good morning from the Interior.

Joy, I received a second Kindle as a birthday gift and realized that Amazon had on their own synced everything between the Fire 7 and Fire 8, calling the new one my 2nd. Kindle. I also found in settings, a place where you can use a service video that they do if you need help in fixing Kindle issues. I used it on my earlier Kindle to have them do a reset. This might help with your new Kindle.

Larry, I plan on calling Amazon to see if they can walk me through the directions to try to get the Kindle back to where it was.  It was working fine and I was slowly learning some of the newer things, and then, Sunday evening when I turned it on,  the screen was frozen with some kind of an ad on it.  I went to the Amazon Kindle page and did everything it told me to do, but it still is not cooperating.  I want to wait until I know I have some extra time to call them.

As far as the SS "raise", I don't feel so bad, after learning that a lot of you are still getting the same as last year.  I  thought it had to be that the Medicare payment went up and took the .03 %.   My total amount remains the same as it has been the last couple years. But, I am grateful for whatever I get.  I do get a pension from my husband's company, and I can manage pretty well.  I feel very blessed that I have a decent income. 

Jane,  keyboards are not that expensive.  Would you consider asking "Santa" for one.  I had to get a new one a couple years ago and I don't think I paid much for it.  I am thinking about getting a new one, as some of the letters have rubbed off.  However, I pretty much know where the letters are without looking.  I learned to type when I was in Jr. High School and have always really liked to type.   

Hoping my day will be better than yesterday. So far, it has been uneventful.

Joy

Patricia,  you sneaked in while I was writing.

Thanks for your suggestions.  But, I can't even get into Settings.  I just keep getting a page with some kind of an ad, and that "voice" keeps repeating my name over and over and nothing else happens.  I have to be in the right kind of a mood to get around to calling them.  But thanks for responding.

Joy

I received my new SS figures and when the pluses and minuses are added and subtracted, I will get the same as I got in 2016 and 2015.  I imagine the gross amount went up, but the Medicare also went up so the net is no change.

Gloria, I think the lasagna is all gone.  Annie came for supper last night; she and I each had ¼ of the batch and Tom took the other half.  Ours was from Stauffer’s.  After the first of the year, I may consider buying from Schwan but I haven’t thought much about any of those places yet.

Joy, I hope your day today is better than yesterday.

I will go to my company retiree Christmas party today.  It is a good meeting to attend because someone from GO will be there to tell about benefits for 2017.  They don’t do too many severe changes for retirees but newcomers often have different rules and current employees sometimes have to pay into their benefits.  I’ve been gone 30 years so I don’t see any major changes for me.  The weather is good so we should have a good turnout.  Tom will take me there and then will go to Mc D’s or similar to eat and do work; he goes where there is WiFi.

Take a look at Grand Haven; lots of whitecaps out past the outer lighthouse.

Mary Ann

Janie--Maybe you could ask Santa for a new keyboard.

Good morning, Larry.  I pray one of these days Pat will feel up to driving again.  Your health insurance is ONLY $21 a month?  How lucky you are.  Mine is $640 quarterly and my prescription insurance is separate.

Gloria--Good morning.  I'm so glad your new doctor is so thorough.  Prescription delivery is a terrific service.

Good morning, angelface.

Joy--I hope you get your new Kindle working properly.

Good morning, Mary Ann.  Enjoy your company's retiree Christmas Party. 

Good Morning Everyone!

Cold here this morning, but dry.  "They" say possible showers tomorow and much colder temps when the Canadian air comes through.

Nothing much on tap here today.  Have to stop taking a med today in preparation for my shot Friday.  Also cant eat or drink anything for 8 hours prior to the shot, so Friday morning is going to be kinda miserable. 

Yeah it is sure strange on how the feds figure cost of living now days. I know our grocery store and other shopping centers must not figure into their scale.  I suspect we will see a change along with the administration on interest rates and COLA.

Hope everyone has a great day.

halkel--They are saying much colder temps here, too--tomorrow and the next day.  Hope all goes well when you get your shot on Friday.

Mycheal . Now this report I got The other day was showing what would happen in January 2017 payment.  With them putting the deduction up then the 003. did no change to my payment. The deduction for the Med. ins part will be $110 a month. I was thinking it was $104 last year. Do you remember?

I'm home and to use a phrase from Tennesee Ernie Ford, we were "busier'n a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs!"  I figured it it many years ago....we have the regular people who are shopping for food and family things.  Then we have Christmas shoppers and this week they reloaded the food stamp cards.  It never stopped with 4 or 5 customers in my line all the time.  I think I have this worked out though.  I come home, let the doggies out, change my clothes and wash my hands, let the doggies in.  Give the doggies a snack.  Have my lunch while I check out my emails and S&N and then I yeild to the "call of the couch".  After supper I get my second wind.  Does that sound like a plan?

I sharing everyfriend's day and it's almost like being with you all.  I sure wish we could have a once a month lunch or breakfast together.  Wouldn't that be "loverly"?

I'm off to finish checking the emails and then TO THE COUCH!

Good Afternoon,

Cold and gloomy in central Oklahoma.  Good day to stay inside so I am!

I'm working on the Christmas cards I mail to far-away friends.  I like to include a longer personal note than is possible on an e-card.  Plus - I'm surprised at the number of these people who tell me they "never check their e-mail".  Don't understand that kind of thinking. 

6 dozen Martha Washington candy balls are chilling in the fridge until I find that round tuit and dip them in chocolate.  Probably have enough center mixture to do at least that many more. 

Some time between now and Saturday,   I will make a double recipe of cookies (or 2 different kinds) for the Neighborhood Christmas Home Tour on Saturday evening. 
The neighbors on either side of me are on the tour and both have brightly lighted outside displays.  My theory is that, as the "black hole" in the middle",  I'm helping emphasize each of them. 

Hope Everyfriend Everywhere is having an Enjoyable Day.

Good Afternoon All, I went down for Bible study at 10 a.m., but that's it for me for the day. Had a bad night, pain and wakefulness.

Went down for my leg check this morning. Nurse feels the antibiotic is not doing the job, so she was going to contact the Dr. She notified me later that Dr. wants a blood draw tomorrow. They come to my room at 5 a.m. while I am still asleep, and do the deed, and off they go to the next customer. I love this method of doctoring.

Hal,my Gov. Health Ins. is United Health Care, and my premiums are $82.05 Biweekly. I am happy to have them. Last hospital stay was over 23,000 for a four day stay.

Gloria, I too am due for another Ultra Sound on my leg, or legs….whatever Dr. ordered, but they were all filled up till the end of Dec. I know exactly how you felt after your day "out", as I have gone through the same.  Old age is NOT for Sissy's, for sure. We Srs. are pretty tough old birds, but there is a limit. My lunch yesterday, was two meals for me…I brought half of it home and had it for supper. 

Janie, I have read all the posts, and now my bed is calling me. when my leg is acting up the recliner just doesn't work..I need to lay straight out, so the bed does the trick.

I'm home from our retiree Christmas party and it lasted longer than expected.  The man from Human Resources in GO talked for nearly an hour with hardly taking a breath.  Most of what he covered was for newer retirees because their benefits are figured differently than those in my category (30 years).  I thought he'd never stop!  Prizes were given out and even with a lot of them, I didn't win anything. 

Annie was going to come to do more cleaning for us but as her dad is not going to be here, I asked that she come another evening.  I have Christmas cards to take care of and I have to see that my list gets to Tom so he can print my labels.  My printer isn't compatible with my new printer.  If it isn't one thing, it's two others.

Mary Ann