Wow. Congrats on the savings. I ditched mine around 2010ish.
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Wow. Congrats on the savings. I ditched mine around 2010ish.
I liked the clarity of transmission in our old landline, but when we moved to Hermann, we would’ve had to give up our phone number and so that was the deciding factor for me to get rid of it. if the sound was crackley I would’ve gotten rid of it for sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by SiouzQ.
I guess I’m used to a cell phone now, it’s been 2+ years
Wow. Congrats on the savings. I ditched mine around 2010ish.
I kept justifying keeping it for the past few years for safety reasons. When we bought the house we had CenturyLink phone and internet and the internet wasn't that good and WiFi calls would drop. So we added the phone line basically to be able to call 911 if needed. When the pandemic started K. HAD to upgrade the internet so he could keep his job and we did find a good alternative for internet services. So we ditched the CenturyLink internet but kept the phone line because I kept thinking we needed it to be able to call 911 if needed because sometimes the WiFi calls would still drop, especially if I was in another room and the signal couldn't get through the adobe walls. Then I bought a WiFi booster and that has helped a lot. But I was lazy about cancelling it until today when I went to make a call on the landline and it was still out from the storm the other day.
When I lived in Michigan I think I cancelled my landline back in 2009 or so.
We'll probably keep ours at this point because we live rather remotely and the landline works when we lose power, which is often, and I feel a whole lot safer being able to call for help if we need it.
In that situation you need a landline.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tybee
when we first made an offer on our Hermann house, our phones or I think track phones? Anyway, we couldn’t get cell reception. The locals told us we had to use AT&T network to get cell phone service. That has proved to be the case because our friend who visited us this week and he did not get decent cell phone service. We are surrounded by hills
Congrats on all the great news all around!
Haven't given up landline yet. Should...
Did a ton of decluttering this weekend. I’m past giving away stuff. Now it’s stuff that gets trashed. Not in any shape or worth it to give away. Pulled out the new set of cotton jersey fabric sheets from Amazon I’ve had for a couple of months. Got tired of washing the same set. New ones on bed. I layer lots of blankets due to hot flashes. Two heavier fleece blankets off bed and put aside to wash. Cotton blanket and a thin fleece one are in the wash. Cleared all off big counter between LR and kitchen and cleaned it. Mostly grocery shopping shelf stable stuff I’d not put away.
Got rid of mop and bucket as they’re a pain for my small kitchen and bathroom. Got a Swifter power mop. Got rid of broom, too. My vacuum works fine on hard surface floors and I didn’t use broom.
I have so much more clear space now. It feels wonderful and calm. I need that with how work is. I might hire someone to come in and give a good deep cleaning.
Congrats on the decluttered home, Tradd! Sounds like you got a lot done. DH is the clothes horse in the family, and he got rid of a contractor bag full of clothes. I feel I need to assemble another box for the ReSource Habitat for Humanity store. It's amazing how just a small amount of unnecessary stuff can really affect the serenity of a small place.
As far as landlines go, I am keeping mine for the same reason as Tybee, and also, because I still am using it for work (although I'm not working as much this year--which is good because I can spend time with DD, but not-so-good from an income perspective).
That's great, Tradd! I didn't get to the decluttering I intended this weekend, so have to start tomorrow.
As retirees, we wear mostly jeans. Yesterday, I counted 10 pair for me and 12 for DH. I would be quite happy to get rid of a few from both of us. DH is adamant about keeping all of his so that's not going to happen.
I think I have about 6 pairs of jeans, but hardly wear them. My pants of choice are cargo pants (and cargo shorts). I love pockets!!!! LOL
Pays to ask around. Due to kitchen remodeling we needed a temp table to set next to fridge. Nothing else in room. During a party, a friend said dont buy one I have two right here and I will bring one over tomorrow. Win win. A few months ago we gave them our leftover cooler since they have a lot of outdoor parties. Now they saved us $40.
We also asked our neighbors if they had anything to donate to Habitat Restore since we had the truck coming yesterday. One neighbor was looking to donate a very nice wicker chair and they only had to bring it next door. Win win.
I love when things work out like that! Yay for all.Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetana3
I threw away a pile of holey, unusable plastic planters and flower pots that were becoming a bio-hazard and possible snake habitat..they were out of sight behind the shed...but I KNEW they were there and they were bugging me...swept out dead leaves and made more space for the bikes in the shed...still a lot to do there. With no garage, basement or attic, the shed is our repository for junk--you know stuff that might be useful some day--except that day never seems to come..
I got notice today that I finally got approved for SSDI! I had filed back in February 2024 and got denied once (which is par for the course) and the lawyers appealed right away. I had to send in another huge bunch of paperwork back in March as they re-looked at my case, plus another set of paperwork two weeks ago to clarify my old self-employment income. During the entire process they have had access to all of my medical and surgery reports, my function evaluations and work history. Based on my diagnosis of Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, the subsequent major surgery last summer, peripheral neuropathy in my feet, arthritis in my knees and bouts of sciatica as well, plus my ripe old age of 63 and the fact I have always worked very physical retail jobs my entire life (plus being a silversmith and musician), they (and whoever they is, I am very grateful to them) agreed that I am in fact, funtionally disabled from working any sort of job that I have been accostomed to.
I think it really helped that I am so close to my full retirement age anyway. From what I understand in the TOS support group I'm in is that the younger people have a very hard time getting approved for disability.
So how am I doing? It's still difficult to tell if I have any improvement from that surgery last summer because the frozen shoulder crap is still getting in the way. I have been going to PT since my procedure in April and I definitely have improved mobility but I HAVE to do the PT at least 3 - 5x a day so it doesn't freeze up again. I am still having nerve issues in my shoulder, arm, wrist, and hand, plus a lot of scapula pain. In some ways I do feel better because I have a bit more energy these days. We have been going to the gym twice a week and I can tell my overall health is improving with that. But I still have very chronic, ongoing pain though and that is exhausting.
I will be getting the back pay from when I initially filed, then a monthly check. Because I have always been a low-wage slave, it's not going to be THAT much but it will be SOMETHING to add to my monthly little IRA payment I started getting last month. Plus K. is still working. Now I'll be able to finally once again be able to contribute more to our daily living expenses.
That's great, SiouxQ!! Persistence paid off!
It must feel great to have this realized at last and behind you, Siouxz.
great news!
That is wonderful, Siouz!!
Glad you were successful SiouzQ, although sorry for the medical troubles.
Good news!
good to hear, SiouzQ - the financial part, anyway! And for us at least, it always seems that medical issues are exacerbated - or at least harder to deal with - when we're dealing with financial, emotional, and/or other stressing conditions at the same time. Hoping your healing journey becomes easier soon!
That IS good news, SiouzQ! Especially the parts where you are actually feeling a bit better.
With all the decluttering I've done over the past year and a final purge about a month ago, my place is finally getting nice and spare. Now it's keeping it up by putting things away. The big counter besides LR and kitchen is pretty much clear. It can easily become my dumping ground. Some stuff is piled on the couch, but I don't use the couch, and I'm trying to figure out where this stuff will go. Bathroom counter is a balancing act between the stuff I use daily and a mess. Dive gear is piled up in its usual place of the LR side of the base cabinets of the big counter. But other than that, the LR floor is clear. That's something huge.
With all the stress at work, keeping surfaces clear at home is a big thing for me. Calmer.
Good job, Tradd. I know a lot of people find it stressful to do housework, but I find it more stressful to live in a messy, disorganized environment.
Oh, I sure agree...clutter makes me feel restless and out of sorts..I let it get to a certain point then look out! Right now I'm battling with piles of books that don't fit into the book cases...have two piles sorted--one to donate to library and the other, smaller one, to use as trading goods to swap at the little free libraries. Then, unfortunately, the process begins anew.Quote:
Originally Posted by rosarugosa
If I were a better person I'd cull the bookshelves and make more room, but alas, that will have to wait. I agonize over each volume...a good winter process to tackle when weather keeps me inside more...
Just now, I prefer to mess around outside talking to the plants and flowers and trimming here and there...
I still hate cleaning!Quote:
Originally Posted by rosarugosa
I am probably obsessive about decluttering but I think it has to do with growing up in a home where my single mother worked hospital shifts. She was always too tired/depressed to do much organizing, cooking or cleaning so my surroundings always felt chaotic to me. Putting things in order is very calming IMO.
Pinkytoe: Our mother was very disorganized and had a tremendous amount of clutter, and I definitely think that plays a role in why me and my sister are such diligent declutterers.
Ditto! lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Tradd
Just spent 15 minutes watching a web cam of Blackwater refuge in Easton MD of the osprey feeding 2 babies a cardinal that the mate had delivered...Last year the ospreys had 2 hatchling die from youthful ignorance of the parent birds it was stated. Seems it does happen with first broods and ospreys. Made me smile that they are successful this year.
That's so nice. When we would walk our dogs at the beach in South Carolina, there was an osprey nest right there in the parking lot and you could see everything. So cool.
We have been enjoying the "wildlife" at the park pond down the street. Goslings, ducklings - one sees the many traits that give rise to their characteristics - ducks in a row, odd duck, etc...The great blue heron pair swoop in majestically several times a day looking for fish.
Our library hosted an event where a farmer brought in baby goats that we could pet and hang out with. The event was targeted for little (human) kids, but me, DH and Sis were far from the only adults enjoying the little (goat) kids.
Baby goats are completely, unarguably adorable! They rate right up there with kittens.Quote:
Originally Posted by rosarugosa
I so agree!Quote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies
Baby goats in PJs!Quote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies
oh no, that would be unbearably cuteQuote:
Originally Posted by Tradd
Most baby animals are cute, aren't they? My rave is that my 2 sisters and good friend -honorary sister-came over to my house for lunch, carry out fish tacos, soft shell crabs and scallops wrappped in bacon. Lots of conversation. Restorative!