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Post by nlwilkins on Jul 7, 2019 4:16:47 GMT
If hou did not got to the out of state conference, why would you want to participate in this? Ask her why she expects this out of you all.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jul 4, 2019 8:15:47 GMT
About twenty years ago, ten years before retirement, the company paid for us to see a financial advisor. It really set us up for retirement. Because of them we got a long term health care policy on both of us. Then they looked over everything else and we were set to go.
The company (a big, international oil company) pays a decent pension plus our health insurance. Once each of us became old enough for medicare, we ere transitioned over to that with an complementary policy. Going on medicare cut our insurance expenses in half if not more. I would not recommend retiring until you are eligible for medicare. The long term health care policies will handle most of the expense of nursing home if one or both of us need it. Or even pay for someone to take care of us in our home.
We have stocks and an IRA that we really have not needed to touch. (Oops, we used some to purchase the home we are in now so no mortgage.)Each year the minimum required disbursement is enough to pay the house taxes and home owners insurance.
Paying for a financial advisor to check your readiness for retirement and to steer you in the right direction would be the way to go. There is so much involved in it all, that I would not recommend anyone trying to retire without it. If one cannot afford a financial advisor then they probably could not afford to retire. Just putting that out there cause if you cannot handle a unexpected big expense then you probably should think long and hard about retiring.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jul 4, 2019 7:49:05 GMT
UM, just a silly question, but what about bifocals? That is what a lot of people do when they need distance and reading lens. Because I also needed something for my computer work, I was given trifocals. I loved it, everything I needed in one pair of glasses.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jul 3, 2019 7:04:08 GMT
We already have corn in the freezer. Its field corn and not sweet corn and picked before it got too hard. But I see corn fields all around with tassels and they will be harvested soon. But this is Central Texas and the growing season is very short for corn. Most summers if it is not ready to harvest in June it withers before it makes tassels. Also, the corn does not grow "eye high" but is ready to harvest at about chest high. Never is is over the head of a man.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jul 3, 2019 6:47:22 GMT
I learned to read at four by reading the encyclopedias that were on the bottom shelf behind mother's recliner. So personally I would not be too worried about sticking to grade level. What worked for my girls was to let them pick out books at the used book store and they learned to LOVE to read after that, grade level did not count. One daughter went from remedial reading class to an accelerated reading class over one summer just by getting her to read books she wanted to read. I believe they were the cheerleader series books. We visited a used book store at least once a week and they got any and every book they wanted. It was a store that let you turn in books for credit and I was reading at least a book a day so I had a lot of credit.
You can get a bunch of books on grade level for your child to read and if she is not interested it won't help anything. Get books she wants not what is good for her. Even reading easy books is good for her.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jul 2, 2019 21:28:40 GMT
no - there are many kinds of cancer and if you live long enough you will die of cancer. Health insurance is so iffy anymore that you can't count on it to pay everything that is needed.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jul 2, 2019 8:11:11 GMT
Prayers for you, your family and your daughter's health.
As for moving tips: I watched professional movers pack me up in one day and learned a lot from watching them. (I could not do a thing due to medical issues.) What they did was go to a room, start at one corner and start packing everything into boxes from the corner all around, not getting ahead of themselves or leaving things out for later. The big pieces went straight onto the truck when they got to them. They packed up my whole house in four or five hours. Boxes were three sizes which made them packing into the truck easier. There was no decision making, no dithering, just pick up wrap in paper and pack. One piece after the other, over and over. (They even packed my trash in the trash cans.) There were only two of them so when a big item was to be moved into the truck, one of them had to stop and help the other.
Yes, purge. But do it systematically and do it before you start packing. Start in one room at a corner and work your way around. Spend at least a day if not two in each room. Get one of those trash bins to toss everything into and when done the company hauls it off and dumps it. Or you might find a roofer that will rent you a trash bin/trailer. Trips to the dump yard costs. Here we pay ten dollars per trip. I don't know what the roofers are charged. Once you start packing, the time for purging is past. You will pack faster and more efficiently that way.
Make a schedule with deadlines. For example all purging to be done by such and such a date. All donations to be collected and out of the house by another date and so on. Allow yourself one or two rest days and also allow yourself an extra day or two for things that can pop up. Make a list of how friends and neighbors can help you so you can give them a task when they offer to help. Don't be bashful about taking them up on their offers. They can perhaps bring a meal on one of those last days, or take a load of donations in for you, help you purge when you need that extra voice saying toss it. Having a list makes it easier to ask for help.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jul 2, 2019 5:14:18 GMT
I hear ya loud! i was the homemaker for many years, cooking, sewing, cleaning. The buck stopped here. Sure, I could rope the girls into helping and even insisted upon it. But the bottom line was it was my responsibility to see that it got done. Then when the girls were on their own and hubby and I were on our own, it was just me. I did it all. Until one night I came home from grad school and found hubby washing dishes. The dishes had been piled up in the sink for days. I was not getting home til after ten and had to be at work by seven. So this night hubby decided to do the dishes. It took ALL NIGHT long for him but he did them. I was flabbergasted.
Fast froward to current times: I still get twinges when hubby helps out around the house at times. Basically, we clean house together til it is done. He cleans up in the kitchen I do the cooking and meal planning. But we go out to eat a bunch. It still is hard to sit still while he is working in the kitchen or he is helping out. I don't know if I will ever get over that funny feeling.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jul 2, 2019 4:40:09 GMT
We have gun in every room in the house. By my bed in my bedside table there is this huge gun. Hubby said the size is to intimidate since I am not real good at shooting. Once it starts going off, anybody in its sights is going to run as it is nosy and causes big holes. But what I really want is a shot gun. One that just cocking it make the right kind of noise that anybody who is not supposed to be in the house will want to get out in a hurry.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jul 2, 2019 4:26:28 GMT
Pretty much what everybody else has said except they would not let mine use his medications. He could only take what they gave him, though they did give him his maintenance prescriptions. Also, don't take anything special like his favorite pillow that can't be washed. You don't want hospital "cooties" on them plus he might get nauseous and hurl. When my hubby had his back surgery, he came home with a brace. Be sure if your hubby does that it is one he will be able to wear ong hours. Hubby's was ridiculous, no sane person could be expected to wear that 24 hours a day. The doctor approved another one that was more manageable. Also be prepared for numerous visits afterwards to the doctors. They x-ray and check on how the appliance is fusing to the back and make sure it does not shift.
Some other items you might take - hard candies to suck on, the hospital tends to dry you out. Lots of clean socks so he won't have to wear dirty socks in his bed. Something for you to do as he will sleep a lot getting over the surgery.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jun 30, 2019 0:15:07 GMT
For various reasons USA college students spend twice as much as college students in other countries. Do a Google search on why college is so expensive and you will find some outstanding facts. Gone are the days when a college student can work his or her way through without incurring huge debts.
Another problem I see are college students graduating with degrees that do not prepare them for the work force. My own daughter graduated with a business degree in environmental management. She has yet worked in that field. Instead, she eventually went back to school and got a RN license. She makes more in that job that most. There should be a link between tuition loans and the area the student is getting their degree in. How can you pay off a huge student loan if your degree is in an area that does not pay?
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Post by nlwilkins on Jun 29, 2019 15:37:08 GMT
I have a halogen floor lamp that makes it bright as noon in my room. Replacing the bulb is expensive, but it only needs changing out about once a year.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jun 27, 2019 9:18:38 GMT
I always wondered what the point was. If you want a small wedding why not get married locally and then fly by yourseves to where you want to go. It puts a burden on others who then are expected to spend big bucks to attend. Though perhaps the couple are expecting to pay for everybody's expenses, then that is a different thing. But it is not only the tickets there and back plus hotel room, but arrangements to be gone from home and work for more than just a day or two.
If you are trying to avoid a huge wedding, then elope. That is what many couples did in days gone by.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jun 26, 2019 6:34:01 GMT
I wonder how these things are used. We did not read books to our children until they started talking and could follow a story. Otherwise books were just used to point out dogs, cats, cows, etc. About diapers, I have heard of young mothers having too many of the newborn size and needing larger sizes before they used up the newborn size. My two used cloth diapers, but if we were using disposable we would have had to switch out of newborn after several weeks of birth. Until you have been through it all you really are not sure what you will need or use, everybody is different in that way. There are so many variables that for every single shower guest to bring the same things like books and diapers could give the young mother a bunch of something that she ends up not using or needing. So in my mind the way to go is to diversify.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jun 25, 2019 7:36:20 GMT
I knew he was a keeper from the get go. But her proved it to my mother when he got up the first night the first born was home to change her diapers and feed her. I was tore up inside and out and could not lift her, so he did it all, dirty diapers the works. My mother was really impressed. She had come to stay to help out. In the 47 years since he continues to prove it time and again.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jun 25, 2019 7:30:21 GMT
After my cataract surgery I was told to lift nothing heavier than a gallon of water. A lady I took a sewing class with forgot after her cataract surgery and carried her sewing machine in and out of the class and they had to do the surgery over. I doubt they will want you to be lifting or maneuvering your wheel chair, sorry. It was two weeks for my cataract surgery. But when I had to have some laser touch up on them, there was no limitations. It sounds like your surgery is going to be a little different and may not impose weight limitations though.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jun 24, 2019 5:41:17 GMT
she sounds like a woman I know who allows her family to take advantage of her and she plays the martyr. All she has to do is say "no" but she doesn't and then carries on about what all she has to do. In fact she goes out of her way to be use by her family and then lets everyone know what is going on. Your friend needs counseling and help to prioritize. Grown children should be on their own, husband should have boundaries when it comes to her work time. She needs to learn how to cope with her own life before taking on the chores and responsibilities of family members who should be taking care of themselves. Think of the penalties and interest she will be paying on the taxes she is just now getting around to not to mention the new car for son, all unnecessary. She should not be missing one day's work without pay - that is so irresponsible. the bit about your donated leave is just aspect of all of this that is so wrong.
Actually, have you tried to talk to her about the choices she is making. Maybe she needs a bit of advice or help. You can suggest options for seeking help and getting her life and family in order. (I don't believe in finding fault but finding solutions together.) Getting her to seek counseling would be a much better help to her than giving her leave or money,
PS I agree with the above, a gift is a gift and should not have strings.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jun 21, 2019 21:53:55 GMT
I disagree about letting it go. Your daughter needs to know you support her and have her back. There was an incident with my youngest that I "let go" and found out several years later that she felt that I let her down. If you let it go be sure your daughter is on board with that 100%. Just because bringing it up with the admin won't change things for your daughter's situation, it will validate your daughter's feelings and to me that is just as important.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jun 19, 2019 0:51:32 GMT
He has already laid the ground work for rioting in the street if he doesn't win the election. He has said from day one that there were illegal voters in several states. Also, has mentioned rigged elections. I fear what is going to happen if hopefully he loses the election.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jun 19, 2019 0:47:50 GMT
We have a tall slinny oriental style display case that is mostly glass that I display the portion of my mother's jade collection that I inherited. Also displayed are other treasures from my childhood and from my mother.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jun 19, 2019 0:44:23 GMT
To be hired you must show an original SS card not a copy. To get a SS number you have to be lawfully here in the US. So if your boss did not follow the law and hired you without seeing and copying your SS car, then you are liable to be deported.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jun 19, 2019 0:23:32 GMT
What gets me is by the time bathing suit time rolls around the stores are not carrying them anymore. Then another thing = when plus size bathing suits are cut out there is no extra length added to makeup for the length used up by the plus size bust. So they end up too short and of course that means for a two piece my extra padding around the waist is hanging out there for all to see.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jun 12, 2019 23:35:46 GMT
Before Jon Stewart spoke, there was a First Responder who spoke and said that today he is going in for his 69th chemo treatment. What these men and women have been through medically is H*LL. Then the work they did on the "pile" exposing themselves to unbelievable anguish as they sorted through the wreckage for body parts. Putting themselves through that horror day after day takes honor and guts. He mentioned the first day hearing the man down alarms going off of bodies they could not get to. He said those alarms were all over and was all you could hear for that first day until the batteries on the alarms wore out. That was one aspect I had never heard about before of the tragedy of 911. One has to wonder if some of those firemen were still alive and the Fist Responders had to live with the grief of knowing they could not save them. These men and women deserve MUCH better than when they have been given. For Congress to treat them they way they did was so dishonorable.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jun 10, 2019 4:45:54 GMT
Sounds like a family council is called for. Your daughter should be able to be dropped off early and stay at the college until she can be picked up. She can study in the library. A college student should be able to handle herself on her own for the day. Although the main reason you are there is to finish your schooling, your health should be a priority. Is it time to drop out of your classes for now? Does hubby have to have these classes now? You are overburdened and overwhelmed and really if things don't change, something bad is liable/might happen. This is too, too much for any one person to handle. six people in an hotel room is not good. Until that is resolved, other things will need to be prioritized. If hubby cannot attend classes, then he should drop them. It is too much to expect you to do them for him.
But, of course you will continue on to try to handle it all. That is the role of mother and wife and what we expect of ourselves. Just not fair. You have my prayers that you can hold up under the load, for it is a heavy load you are bearing.
just thought of this - our vet will keep our pets for the day when there are appointments, for free. That would help on the scheduling.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jun 6, 2019 5:03:47 GMT
We had a lovely female part main coon cat who was very easy going until it came time for pills. The last few months of her life we had to feed her every meal and every bit of water she ate. We would wrap her in a towel, burrito style with just her head sticking out. Then using a pill popper, we would open up her mouth using forefinger and push the pill popper into her mouth, push the button, remove pill popper and hold her mouth shut until she swallowed. The towel and pill popper made it possible for just one of us to administer the pills, and once she had the pills, we could feed her via syringe. We got the pill popper from the vet. It was a simple tool here is a link to a pic of one
www.valleyvet.com/swatches/13445_L_vvs_000.jpg
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Post by nlwilkins on Jun 6, 2019 4:45:55 GMT
For me technology has made it possible to connect with like minded people. I've joined several groups to share art and creativity with. So because of the tech world I have spent more time in my craft room creating. Integrating technology in a way that is helping you to reach out in a positive manner to peoplel you would not normally connect with is one way of keeping technology on a leash. It was always my contention that my tools work for me, not me work for them. So, my phone is a tool for me to use and not a taskmaster to demand my attention just because it makes some noise.
A few tips: One thing to do to help, is to make your ringtone something pleasant instead of demanding. That way it is easier to ignore LOL Only use technology to connect if it leads to better communication and not easier communication. Better is the way to go, don't go the easy route. Knowing that it is always available helps to limit usage - you don't worry about getting "on" right now cause you won't be able to later. The urgency is no longer there so you can be more relaxed about it and possibly get on less. Find ways to keep busy and away from the screen - television, phone, computer. When watching television, try to use that time also to connect with those around you. Hubby and I have programs we watch together and then we have things to discuss together. I also try to have handwork to do while watching television.
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Post by nlwilkins on May 31, 2019 5:40:10 GMT
I can't say why your legs are feeling this way, and there are a lot of suggestions mentioned above.BUT it doesn't sound like restless legs. I have restless leggs and the main evidence of it is the inability to keep your legs and feet still. Right now sitting in my recliner, my feet are rubbing each other constantly. I can not sleep at all without my medicine.
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Post by nlwilkins on May 31, 2019 5:22:53 GMT
not for me, but you know your budget and how much $100 would impact it. How often do you travel? how much use would it get? Would you feel extra special having it on your trips? Is that feeling worth $100?
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Post by nlwilkins on May 27, 2019 4:55:15 GMT
count me in this sounds like a yummy bargain, plus get to help out a pea in need! Sorry about your father. It is so hard to lose a parent. I still find myself dreaming of my mother and her being around.
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Post by nlwilkins on May 22, 2019 7:27:52 GMT
Really it is up to the administration, the district administration. If grades are turned in before end of school, then they are encouraging this kind of activity. When I was teaching,turning in grades was the last thing we did before checking out. And we (the teachers) did not check out until two or three days after the kids were through. Finals were the the last week of school spread out so there werre not too many tests in one day. Classes were extended for longer exams. But we still had some classes after the exams. But ony one or two.
There is also things the teachers can do that can affect the students grades and possible letter of recommendation. If grades are already turned in, students can help the teacher with clean up and getting things organized. They can write reviews of the classes and how they feel they can be improved. Counselors can come in and discuss college and scholarship applictons for those grades that are just starting the process. Or other visitors can come in to talk to the students. They can practice filling out job applications. My brain just goes on and on with things students can do those days of school that are not graded. This would be the time to address those practical life skills that teachers say they don't have time to teach.
Subs could bring job applictions with them and have students practice filling them out. They could also bring in collecge applictions and do the same thing. Bring in magazines and have students make posters with cut out pictures in groups then present their posters to the class. Perhaps the posters could be how they would like school to be, or perhaps what they want to learn in school besides readding, writing and arithmatic. Much better than wriiting an essay on it. Or students form groups and make lists of their favorite things tht happened that year, lists of what they need to learn to live on theiir own, Again my brain is just running on. Subs are not stuck watching movies unless they want to be.
For my students it was inventory time and closing up the kitchen and all. (I taught Home Ec type classes) There was a lot of work to do to make sure eveything was ship shape and out of reach of sticky fingers over the summer. Then we always went over their finals so they could see what they got wrong and learn from that.
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