Wednesday, January 8, 2025

119.2 - 47 degrees this morning The heated throw is great on days like this - Justice loves it.

Still tough to think about DS's reaction to DD's illness more than 21 years ago (I reflected on that while responding to Peps yesterday). I spoke to DS yesterday morning and by then he had calmed down and understood the situation. 2 of the 3 people he called are okay but he had an argument with the 3rd and doesn't think he owes an apology. He says they both overreacted, but she was reacting to him. Argh...

I am actually hoping tha****er aerobics is cancelled (she cancels if it is less than 55 out). Even with heated water, a cold wind is tough to deal with. I'd rather bundle up in dry clothes and walk Justice. I have golf tomorrow but will probably stick it out with extra layers on. We have bocce this afternoon. Just have to hope the wind isn't too brisk as it has really been howling around here.

And on the topic of warmth, I hope Paula and her DH have a phenomenal trip to Maui!

Have a warming Wednesday!

We are having a windy Wednesday (which is not good for the fire down south!), but luckily, the temp is mild. It was in the mid 50s this morning when I got up at O dark thirty. It will even reach 60 degrees today! Whoo hoooo!

214.8 Back to the number with which I am more comfortable. I am 100% going to have to buckle down and focus on my weight loss goals, if I am to get below the 200 mark. I am still resolved not to track and log and micromanage my macros and calories. I think if I focus on choices and my goals I can get it done. I would like to be under 210 by my b'day in mid February. I think that is doable, but will be a push.

My stress level is much better today. But it really did get high yesterday. An additional stressor came into play. The woman who tried to transfer away my ownership of the two dogs we co-own is really pushing me to sign the paperwork now that AKC is breathing down her neck. I was feeling like the bad guy, but I have to remember she did it to herself. She's simply trying to avoid formal consequences for her actions. There is an open case pending about the fraudulent transfer. I won't sign anything until the case has been ruled upon and closed.

An early evening workout helped relieve some stress!

Retirement meeting went as expected. No real surprises, except there was a chunk of change I did not expect to get. I can take as a lump sum or as a lifetime monthly payment. I'm leaning toward the monthly payment in perpetuity. Should I live more than 10 years after retirement, I will be getting more than the lump sum. I've explored instant return annuities and most are paying about 4-5%. That doesn't come close to the additional annuity income the state is allowing. But I have time to figure it all out.

RV situation is resolved. Wasn't hard, just time consuming with a bit of a drive. I will order a new dishwasher and get the plumber out for the water heater next week.

Hoping for fire containment in the southland today!

We play bocce with a couple who used to live in Pacific Palisades. They said the news on what has burnt down very bad. What a shame.

I had a choice when I retired similar to yours on a lump sum or $ in perpetuity. My financial advisor told me to take the payments.

My money is in an organization called the TRA: Teachers Retirement Account. In my case, the annuity is a much better deal, and depending on what plan I take, DH can inherit the annuity if I die before him. For example, if I take about $90 less a month, he gets survivor benefits of 50% of my monthly payment until he dies. I can't buy life insurance with my pre existing conditions that would work as well. The more you're willing to forgo, the higher % your spouse can get, up to 100%. And if he passes away first, then I get bounce back to my original payment. It gives me a lot of comfort to know if I peace out early, I'm not leaving him high and dry.

So windy here still and will be for days. My house makes so much noise, especially the large windows when gust**** it. And the screened patio adjacent to my bedroom is a howling wind vortex. All that to say, I don't think it was a fair night to judge the new bed. I did have a surprising interaction with the bed when I accidentally hit a button on the app to raise the head of the bed and then the wifi disconnected from the base, so it wouldn't stop no matter what I did. I thought it was going to fold me in half! I think I will stay away from that app remote and just use the physical remote. Ah, technology is a fickle friend. The heat feature was quite nice, though!

We're going to dinner tonight with a family friend from MI. New restaurant with rave reviews.

A post office trip and a dog walk round out the day.

Take care everyone!

Sorry but I chuckled at the mental image of you getting folded up in the bed - sort of like an I Love Lucy episode.

The wind seems to be howling everywhere in the US.

It was very chocolates-on-the-conveyor-belt until I remembered the woman who was crushed by her Sleep number bed last year!

Good Lord!! This really happened? Technology, our friend and foe, but still, I wouldn't expect this!

OMG - that is an awful thought!

What the bloody hell!?