Hubby MRI results, planning for the future.

 

This was Hubby's fortune after we ate at Hong Kong before we got his MRI results. Even our doctor who is a friend laughed. 

Doc told him he has to write down stuff that is important, to pull over and input jobs when they come in while he is driving (he has hands free but has twice forgot he agreed to jobs when I was in the truck with him). He has to have a set routine. He has to lose weight, exercise and eat healthier. IF he doesn't want me to nag... he is to do it... other wise I have doctor's orders to NAG.

He has small vessel brain damage, enough to be causing problems but not enough to stop him from working as a hauler at this point. He sees the neurologist May 25th.  

I will give Doc credit, he knows Hubby well enough that if he had said you have a type of dementia and it's the kind that lowers survivor rate, Hubby would go into denial and I would be battling daily.  When Hubby went to check out, Doc held me back, he said he was surprised I caught it like I did as it is in the early stages. Which means we can slow it down. He is at a higher risk of stroke especially when he had rheumatic fever as a teenager. 

I caught because I know what to watch for. Both parents and step dad had it. Hubby's grandpas had it and his Dad has it now. I first thought ADHD because he easily sidetracked ... then worried it was his heart since he had rheumatic fever. Then the migraines came back after years of not having them. The change in his personality, though slight was enough to send warning bells off. He cursed using the F word and loud enough for E's children that were playing in the pasture to hear him. That is not him and I knew it. Especially when I said something about the kids and he cursed me.

Since I just had my own brain MRI (It was good), we can be thankful it's only one of us and not both like Mother and Pop before they died or like Hubby's parents now.  

I know I can't put off or let him put me off of learning to deal with the tractor. I even said something today and he started to put me off when I reminded him I have a learning disability and it takes me awhile to learn to do something. True statement as he tutored me in high school. The tractor is the only thing I need to learn to deal with this home. Finances need changed a bit and the will crap needs updated (again). We talked about getting things around for cremation also. AND were already dealing with this before these results.

Daughter 3, daughter 4 , and Son 2 know small vessel damage is dementia... they both have worked in nursing homes/ elderly care.  The other 3 not so much but I am okay with that as Hubby hasn't clued in to it. He thinks vitamin deficiency or his migraines is messing with him. He can go right on thinking that... I'm okay with it. Means he is not stressing or worrying about what will come. 

He did mention getting longer welding sleeves so he doesn't get burnt on his arm again on the wood stove.  I wear one already when loading or cleaning the stove. 

I know I need to make a list to not miss getting something done. But I've always made lists LOL  

this coming week

 I thought of my brother when I saw the sun reflecting in the clouds. He lives in city so doesn't see the sunrise unless he is working (part time at high school as he is SUPPOSED to be retired) . He loved it. 

I also sent him these two.

I am not sure if it is the same two geese that was here when we bought the house but every year we have 2 or 3 come. They spend the day here and then go somewhere else for the night. Probably will be not visiting so much when the little ones come along LOL. Temperature is hovering around 32 but the wind is blowing around 10-18 mph. Keeps the pond from freezing but definitely cold. I was surprised they didn't take off when I walked up to the fence to take the pic... they are so used to Charlotte that they ignore her when she barks at them.

We finally saw a male and female robin. We have seen some wrens.  Hummingbirds are due to come in this week. Purple Martins should be coming in around the 1st of April. 

Four days this week we have appts. One changed times to a later hour, not real thrilled but it is what it is. As it's either the later time or 2 weeks from now. 

We made a list of what the errands are and then Brother texted me that Daddy had an annuity that just popped up. GEEZE, Daddy's been gone 3 yrs this coming July. You would think that places like this would clue in when banks accounts are closed. Brother thought it was part of the financial group we have but it's not.  I got the paperwork to get notarized only to find my name was misspelled. What a pain. SO more paperwork to fill out and get notarized. I am glad the person I am dealing with was willing to wait until we were already out this coming week.

I handed Hubby the break down of where our money went last year and the fact I cut the budget by $59,000 last year.(We spent $200,000 bringing this home to wheelchair accessible for our old age). He couldn't believe I was able to do that (taxes showed I did, if you don't pull it you don't spend it and it was out of my retirement not his). He was still upset when he saw he "blew" $15,000.  He has canceled some memberships he doesn't use, called his business insurance and got a reduction of $200 a MONTH.  I did show him that we might next year cancel Prime... right now it saved us $1000 in shipping and he watched the free shows. This year might not be worth paying for it. He also agreed to call me if he out buying something and wants buy something not on the list. 

We still have medical bills out, his MRI included. Eye appt. is Wed so we will know how much that is. We need to update wills etc. We need to have more in each of our own savings to cover monthly bills if something happens to the other one until estate would be settled. Hubby's is almost there but mine is lacking. 

Going into spring, I have 6 new strawberry beds, 3 new pollinator beds to fill and 1 heart shaped bed that I think will just be pretty flowers in the back yard as there is NOTHING there but the driveway to the pump house , barn and deck.

Have a great week

Prayers for peace

Blessed Be

Past week and Next week

 Sunday, Turned clocks forward. I prefer standard time right along with the Amish. 

Monday, did Saturday's and Sunday's laundry, reloaded wood into house, cleaned out the frigs, organized the kitchen frig using cheap sheet cake pans and took trash to the road. Caught all the dishes up. 

Tuesday drop off to bank for 2 of the Amish, drop off to our bank for Hubby's business. Got lunch at sit down restaurant and was proud we only ate salad bar and sandwich. LOTS of veggies and fresh fruit on the salad bar. I brought home half my sandwich. Stopped at CVS as I had coupons and saved 33% there. Still need more burn pad/band aids. Went to chiro, Hubby got fuel while I was in Kroger's. I saved 25 % using Fresh Mode, coupons and sales. Hamburger and chicken breast ended up costing $1.25/lb. Got salad items, baking potatoes, and a bunch of flowers on clearance.  We had to stop at CVS here in town as Humira was in. NO extra trips to go get it . Amish paid for the drop offs for their banking. Hubby said it paid for 1/3rd of the fuel.

Wednesday we went to H&R and paid for our taxes and picked them up and dropped off bank stuff to the 2 Amish. At 10 pm our time (9 pm Amish) M came over and asked if we could make a trip to Walmart as her school kids had just remembered to give her a note that on Friday they were to bring finger sandwiches for a "gathering" at school. 

Thursday we went to Walmart to get M's stuff, dropped that off and then to A &W enterprise as Hubby forgot to stop when he was dropping off bank stuff in that area. We need a 2nd floor mat for the wood stove and he was supposed to have ordered it. 

Friday we are home. Lots of rain and wind coming in.  Saturday will be pick up the limbs that come out of the trees into the north gardens if not to wet from the rain. No since stomping through the mud.

Sunday is the day of rest.

Monday I have doctor appt 2 hrs. away one way

Tuesday Hubby has doctor's appt for results of his MRI, we also will stop at Menards for some odds and ends since it's within a mile of appt. 

Wednesday both of us have eye appts. Both need new glasses

Thursday  We have chiro and as Doc is on vacation for 2 wks. and lunch at friends home.

I am hoping for a quiet Friday. 

Asparagus up

 that little pinkish purple stub is an asparagus coming up. There is two in the patch. The patch is 4 ft by 100 ft.  We had some Amish dig some out last year to make it only 80 ft long... It grew back SIGH.  I told Hubby he might be taking some to auction to sale ... he responded with blackberries also. LOL

5 yrs and looking towards future

 Five years ago today (which is  a grandson's birthday) we signed closing papers on this home.  We had chosen it in Dec 2017, took 3 months to do paperwork and get a loan.  August 31st (brother to the grandson bday. LOL) we moved in.

While waiting for Hubby to go in for his MRI with contrast we talked about how we felt about the home. Was it set up to deal with one or both of us down? Would only one of us be able to maintain the property? 

We do not have buyer's remorse. Do not regret any of the extra money we have put in it even when things get really tight because of it. Don't regret the money spent on down grid. Hubby still needs to hook solar pump to pressure tank.

We could take the couch out of the front room and move a small table and the printer and put one or even two hospital beds in that place. French doors and front porch ramped. Sidewalk goes from front of the house to French doors to barn is 3 ft wide. Doors in house are 3 ft wide. Would have to move humidifier and clothes hamper if you were taking a wheelchair to the bedroom and move the bed over 6 inches to get back out the other door but there is enough room as is to turn wheelchair around and go back out same door. Our carpenter brought his late wife's wheelchair down to make sure it could be done. I had forgot about that until our HVAC guy was down in this area and just stopped by to say hi and see what else we had done and had mentioned that the carpenter is now in the wheelchair from drinking and driving accident. HE was the one drinking and driving. No one else was hurt. He will be recovering for at least 6 months. 

We decided we are as close as possible to be able to stay in our home even if we need help taking care of ourselves. We need to work saving more to cover finances if one of us dies and have to wait to get all the paper work done to get money flipped around.

 I would like to change the gardens to an easier maintenance  with no mowing between the raised garden beds like it is in some areas. Metal or cedar beds instead of painted plyboard or composite board . Hubby is agreeable even though that means $$ spent.  I would like more perennials, pollinator gardens for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds along with more herbs. I already ordered black raspberry bushes. I am hoping the fruit trees fruit this year at least for some fresh. We might add more fruit trees. I hope the apple trees don't get bit with frost this year like they did last year. At least we got cider out of it with sharing with E. 

  

We picked up some puff speltz grown locally. Think Honey Smarts or Golden Crisp without the sugar. We were told that it's good with warmed honey over it. We had it plain and thought GOOD, then put butter over it and thought air popcorn. This 5 lb. bag costs us $10.Daughter 2 said that is about equal to 4 large boxes of cereal that sale for around $5 each if you don't buy name brand. I already either grow my own popcorn or get it from E.

Prayers for peace

Blessed Be

Rambling mind

Daughter 1 is back into physical therapy for her legs and hands. 

Daughter 2 is having migraines again... referred her to my specialist.

Daughter 3 stepped down from being manager at job to reduce the hours she is working. She moved and now needs to transport the youngest 2 to school and the older two are either at work or already at college. Financially she is okay with the reduction, but decided to put in a garden. We strongly suggested to start with pots as they are easier to weed and water since we both know her ADHD will flare and she will abandon the garden. Her landlord told her it was okay to till it up but if she didn't maintain it her rent went up to cover someone coming in to deal with it. Sounds like he's had that issue before.

Daughter 4 is working as much as she can get since she will be off for a week without pay at the end of the money.

Son 1 got brochities... he hasn't had that in years. Ended up in ER over it.

Son 2 is back to 4 jobs as he is working at the AF base, then as secretary to Combat vets' , and inventory for the food/drink section of the VFW when the commander of the VFW had a heart attack so Son 2 is now filling that position also until he returns.   

Hubby's parents are starting to struggle with their home as the doors to the bedrooms and bathroom are too small, you can't get a walker through let alone a wheelchair. They are letting the oldest decide whether to change size of doors (which is what we would do) and change layout of bathroom (which is what we would do) and call it done. Enough help to redo it in the family that they would only pay for materials.  The Oldest let Hubby know last night he is also thinking of just moving them to his old house that he rents out as it's already handicap accessible including bathroom. He and his 2nd wife were going to move into it but they have horses now and there is no room for the horses at his old place.   He would let us know which way it goes but is hoping that with the physical therapy their mom is getting (she had polio as a child) that it keeps her on her feet for awhile longer. His parents had to change their power of attorney to lasting power of attorney due to changes in law. 

We unloaded the wood wagon almost 4 cords of wood that took ALL weekend 17 hrs. without the last cord being stacked. Hubby will have to restack the last 1 1/2 cords as he knocked the pile over when he stubbled. THEN told me we have another one coming... not sure when... but I definitely didn't know whether to cry or laugh but was glad I kept track of the manhours of the jobs as this time we had to have the wagon back today and that meant we worked over half of Sunday. Which neither of us like to do. E was butchering so his boys and him couldn't help. 

Taxes are being done tomorrow. I know we will owe school taxes plus taxes from the business. I am happy I am not doing the taxes with having the business.

Hubby made us eye appointments for later in the month.

He has a MRI of the brain on Thursday. He is worried that his problems are dementia and not just vitamin deficiency or dehydration. He brought up that he always planned to by my caregiver not the other way around. How could we deal with this. I pointed out that catching the changes early is a big plus. It could be Idiopathic dementia that surgery could correct, it could be something from the migraines he has since he had rheumatic fever when 16. He just needs to stay active, eat healthy, drink his water and use his brain. His dad has had Alzheimer's for 5 yrs and has NOT gotten worse and is still driving safely and his mom has mild dementia and is doing fine also. 

I can definitely say he had some dehydration going on and if he isn't driving it's worse. As when he is in the truck he will drink water while waiting to be loaded or unloaded or waiting on someone. At home he doesn't want to take a water bottle to the barn. SO I took his old work lunch box out with refilled bottles of water and placed it where he was working. He came in that evening and said that worked as he drank all 3 bottles and then refilled them at the water hydrant in the barn.  I really didn't understand why he didn't take it with him to begin with as I carry my travel mug with water to the gardens all the time. Doc added B complex vitamin to his Meds.

But since he is dealing with health issue, he is not fighting me over updating the will crap or saving more money. SILVER lining in the storm.

wood

 We were down to this on wood... definitely under estimated amount needed. We thought 4 cords would be enough. Had more soft wood than hard wood. Soft wood is good during 50 degree days. By the stove

What is left of what we stored

We used 20 bags of coal... Coal is good for when the HIGH temp is no more than 32. Even the Amish that use only coal said they were struggling to not over heat the house. Buying coal to replace what we used is OFF the list.

Hubby kept all the wood from pruning and projects we did through the summer.

Including all the scraps of crap. When E saw what we were down to he dragged up some trees that a person had cut down but never came back for( upset E as he doesn't like waste of any kind), plus a few he cut down to help keep his woods healthy. They just transplanted over 2 dozen  2 yr. old hard wood maples .

So Hubby cut those up since they are cured about 2 yrs, we can use them now.

Hubby felt we would be okay to get through this spring.  He was just finishing cutting the last of this when he got a call to come to the sawmill and haul wood.

When he got there, he found it was OUR wood. We had moved our name on the wood list to put E's dad in front of us so wasn't expecting any wood until end of March, maybe April. We won't be unloading it today as we are expecting 3 inches of rain and 30-50 MPH winds. It's under the barn over hang with a tarp with weight covering what little isn't covered by the over hang. Plus Hubby thought about wind driving the rain under the over hang. 

 

E's brother N who sold us the house, said he would fill the garden shed to the rafters with wood and have 2 cords of wood up by the house.  The garden shed is 12 by16 by 10 (to rafters). That is 4 times the amount we had figured. But we definitely need to make sure we keep the hard wood separate from soft wood. 

Frugal plans for March

 

We have 9 "errands/appts etc" in March. I hope to combine 4 of them to save on fuel.

On this calendar I listed what protein we will be eating. We followed it 10 days in February. I just add what ever sides needed ate from the frig first and fill in from the pantry. Goal is to only buy dairy, bell peppers, mushrooms and lettuce during this month. We are still too cold for planting. Grocery budget set at $150 which is a reduction of half.

I ordered 2 varieties of black raspberry plants. The honey raspberry is still struggling and the red raspberry just started good last year. The blackberries run us over but M said she would send the girls over to pick if they get too much for us. 

I ordered a couple varieties of peas and a variety of green beans that a friend and  I was out of using a discount code,  picked up a seed tape for carrots that was marked down to 25 ¢ from last year from another store.  Hubby picked up two varieties of early peas from the local Amish green house that had them marked down. The owner's wife charged him $1.00 for 1 lb. of seed just to clear her bin for this year's seed.  I am going to try to plant some dwarf peas in flower pots to hang instead of buying so many flowers. She told Hubby if it worked to let her see a pot... she would like to do that if it's looks good.

Hubby drinks dandelion root tea for his gout. I googled it to see how to make our own. Decades ago I used to make dandelion wine for the elderly gentleman that was a neighbor and make dandelion jelly for my kids. We do eat the greens in salad. Amish neighbor said I needed to try it with gravy over potatoes like they do. 

Propane is at 33%...so we saved $1626.93 PLUS enough to cover the expense of buying coal and what little we paid for wood as most of our wood was given to us. Our furnace guy said we could let the tank go down to 10 % before refill and the furnace would be fine. Since we are only using it a couple times a week instead of the wood/coal stove, we might save another tank full if we wait until it's that low. Summer fills are cheaper than winter fills.

Temperatures are up and down. Seems like every Wed/Thurs we hit high  50/60s and then go down to low 40s for with mornings below freezing. 

Blessed Be 

Prayers for peace

YEA!!!

 

We ate 10 meals out of 10 from the menu....first ever in our married life LOL.🤯

Instead of listing the whole menu, protein, veggies, fruit and grain... I listed protein ONLY. We eat what ever sides need finished like the frozen asparagus as we will have fresh in about 2-3 months. The salad that wasn't enough for both of us and the last of the applesauce. I think we have finished a jar of something pickled every other day. I know I finished the black olives as snack instead of the chocolate bar. Didn't stop the want for the chocolate bar. 

All the bills are paid until March 9th. Groceries are in and we don't need milk. 

We have the medical outstanding bills yet but the money is in a money market making as more than the regular savings account. So I count them as paid since I am not hunting for the money to pay it.

We had 2 medical appts that were 2 hrs. apart not including the 1 hr. of driving between them and two hrs. back home ). We dropped off Hubby's prescription at local CVS. Drove to Sidney, made drop off to Goodwill, then to the bank (our branch closed) and then to chiro. After chiro we got diesel fuel for 34¢ LESS per gallon than what it runs here. Hubby was happy. Then we drove closer to the next appt. in Dayton area and got something to eat. We did a sit down restaurant so we could get veggies that are not deep fried (drooling I am going to miss my deep fried veggies). I had a strawberry salad that I can make at home and just change out the berries when in season. Steak and lobster (got my seafood LOL) and a loaded baked potato that came home. Hubby got steak and shrimp, mixed veggies (carrot, yellow squash and zucchini, boiled but still crunchy) and rice. They messed up and brought him a baked potato also. He brought home the potato and most of the rice that they brought out. He ate his potato last night. Went to the next medical. GI appt. for my Crohn's. I am doing good, no hospitalizations due to Crohn's.  PA was not happy and a little worried when I told him the phlebotomist said I only have one good vein and I am not a candidate for infusion therapy. When I go on Medicare next Jan.  I won't have insurance to pay for my Humira. I've already called the company to see if they have something... they do but it depends on a lot of other stuff and they were hoping that the gov't would include biologics in the reduced prices.  I am not going to stress about it. I will focus on life style to keep it steady instead. 

We drove home (2 hrs.) picked up Hubby's meds. I had some extra bucks and coupons to get some things that was on the wait until on sale list. Pharmacy made the comment " I see you are shopping so I am printing off your receipt because more coupons came out today"  There was only 1 coupon I wouldn't use. 

I got shampoo, conditioner, 4 kinds of toothpaste (I know the kids will be raiding that ), 3 body/ hand lotions,  children allergy meds for Charlotte (vet told me to), allergy meds for me (ouch $44 before sale and coupon), scar med with sun screen for grandson that got hit in face with tree limb while cutting down tree and was off work for 3 months, pain rub as GI want's me off meds by mouth as much as possible, and Aleve for Hubby's Mom.  Sales saved me $44.96, coupons saved me $44. The register had a fit about it and the lady running it said it's because I so many coupons and sales and just laughed. Manager dealt with it and she laughed. Said it happens every day now days. I got a $5 extra bucks that's good to the end of March and will get 2% back on my credit card.  

We then picked up Charlotte when we unloaded at home and went over to deliver a message to H and B about B's medical appt. Hubby confirmed it for them so they don't have to come over and use the phone. 

I found 39 ¢

Hubby decided he wasn't tossing the volunteer concord grape vine that had sprouted up last year. We started growing seedless grapes as we just don't drink that much juice or eat that much grape jam. He was trying to figure out where to move it. I suggest the back fence that is needing replaces anyways. He could transplant it when he does the fence and it will have support as it grows. 

 TO finish this off.. H said maple water (known as sap to Englisher's) is running more this year. Already have over 2000 gallons of maple water and that's the 1st "run". E said it takes 40 gallons of maple water to make 1 gallon of maple syrup. 

E got two of his wheels off the road by cutting the corner too sharp pulling out of his lane and the road was wet so the horses couldn't get a good enough "grip" to pull it back on road. Hubby went over with the tractor and pushed the wagon to get it on the road. 

I have to write up this month's to do list so we don't miss anything. 

Blessed Be

Prayers for peace

February Finances

 Income

IRAs   $6800.78

Social Security $3634.

Son 2 payment on loan $100

Business income $1316.23 (Plus transfer from Home $$) $2000

Interest earned $10.40

TOTAL INCOME $11,761.41 (not counting transfer)

OUT GO

Irregular expenses $2380.54

Down grid expenses $2677.63

Auto savings $180

Dog vet/food $174.91

Household $1923.09

Medical /OOP $2078.05

Business $1612

TOTAL OUT GO $11026.22

BALANCE $735.19 IN THE BLACK... the business stayed in the black because I transferred money from savings to cover it. 

Irregular expenses was high also due to stuff for garden and stocking up on items on sale for pantry.

STILL I have the bills covered for the rest of this month and until March 10th when the next round of bills come in.

I can take a breath now.

Prayers for peace

Blessed Be

All in a week

 

with so many clouds I was surprised to be able to see these 2 evening stars... I am thinking Hubby said Mars and Venus was to be showing. He heard it on the weather news.

 It got warmish. Enough for Charlotte to want to sit outside and expected me to sit with her.

It's fine when it's 2 p.m. and she is nudging me to go take a nap with her on the bed. 

Hubby finally broke down and bought a wood splitter. He was going to buy used and I insisted on buying new. Another guy bought the used one and a month later it had broke down and needed $500 in repair. Between the cost of buying it used and the repair he could have bought a new one and had a 4 yr warranty. Hubby was glad I insisted, especially after splitting a huge tree in 2 hrs. E said it would have taken a 2 days to do it by hand. Which is why he dragged it out of his woods and dumped it at our gate at the pasture. He was clearing some paths while working the maple trees for sap aka maple water as the Amish call it.

Next Tuesday we have 2 appointments so won't be able to go to the store due to timing and distance. So we went yesterday. Took Charlotte to the vet for spring allergy shot and nails clipped, she's at 61.5 lbs. For the first time, even though she was shaking with fear, she let a cockapoo pup sniff her without her barking or growling at it. Vet said that was a good sign that she would be okay with us getting a pup by summer.

Hubby went and got fuel and took a nap in the truck with Charlotte while I did the grocery shopping. All that is left on the list is Chi Chi tortilla chips that we can only get at Menards. 

I got everything on my list PLUS a 7 lb. roasting chicken for 99¢/ lb., very seldom find anything over 5 lbs. and a pork butt for the same price. I got thick sliced bacon for $3.39/lb. instead of the price of $7.99 I have been finding. I got $2 off my pot stickers, $3 off my pizza rolls (yeah I know how bad they are for me, but sometimes I can eat them on the run). I also got $4 off Velveeta, $1.50 off yogurt, $1.75 off cottage cheese, $1 off sour cream, $1.50 off each of several cheeses, 2 pineapples for half price ($4.50)$1.50 off oranges, $2.50 off coke a cola, $1.50 off tricolor bell peppers , $2.11 off strawberries, 50 ¢ off potato chips, $1.50 off mushrooms, and $3 off because I bought $15 of meat. Total I saved $68.43. Better yet I won't be back to the store for 3 wks. the soonest so Hubby will pick up milk as needed. Junk food aka chips etc. will last 3-4 months. 

I limit "junk" food chips, pizza rolls etc. to $80 every 3 months. Chocolate is a different category, it's $60 every 4-5 months. I can stretch if I make brownies, choc ice cream, choc chip what ever. Hubby does chocolate bar with peanut butter every night other wise. 

Blessed Be

prayers for peace  

Trying to remember age of kids

 Hubby and I had a good laugh... Amish guy asked how old our kids were...

Daughter 1(late Husband's daughter) will be 51 this year, her 5 kids are 30 to 18 with 4 grandkids 5 to 2. She actually listed Hubby as her step dad on more than one thing.

Daughter 2 My daughter ,will be 44 this year, her 4 boys are 26 to 20 with soon to be 3 grandsons 7 to due in May. Her 4 yr. old grandson calls me spag sauce.

Son 1 Hubby's son ,is going to be 42 no kids

Son 2 My son is going to be 42 no kids  but his girlfriend has daughter that we claim that is going to be 14..better yet she claims us. 

Daughter 3 Hubby's daughter is going to be 40 Her kids are 20 to 14

Daughter 4 My daughter Hubby adopted, is going to be 40. Her kids are 22 to 16 and her granddaughter is going to be 3. 

THEN the guy just scratched his head and told us he thought we were in our late 50s... HUM. We get that once in awhile because of how active we are. 

IF you asked the kids how old we are, they get it wrong by 1 yr. Either older or younger LOL. 

At least we had a good laugh

do a little dance

 OH YEAH... 3 checking accounts and 2 savings accounts and we PAID off the nasty bills and February bills .. AND no account is completely broke. Hubby actually sighed. EVEN his business bills are paid.

How can she sleep like this ?  laying beside me on the couch with her head hanging down? LOL.

Hubby picked up the last of the plumbing for the solar simple pump to connect it to the pressurized tank to come directly to the house. Yesterday we had it running by solar to send water to the pond , the pump has to "set" in and that takes a total of 6 hrs. of running. We are doing it one hour a day. Since the pond is still low, it's good to run it that way. 

Still waiting on the buzz sawblades. The guy stopped here yesterday and thought they had one (we ordered 2) and found it wasn't quite right, Hubby sent the other blade with him so they could measure it correctly. The guy offered to sharpen our blade for free since the two blades are coming in almost a month after they were suppose to. It's $50 to sharpen this blade since the Amish guy that used to do it moved out of the area.

So after the sighs of relief and I am thinking we can take a breath.

Hubby brings up redoing the gardens.

So much for that breath. GEEZE.

 I told him we were going to focus on perennials and heirloom plants. I had already ordered some black raspberry starts, would love to find some elderberry starts (I get elderberry honey from friends so many they can get starts from where they pick berries) and look at more herbs that are used for medicinal. We need to set up the new beds we got for the strawberries and transplant them (I think I will just get starts off them and plant them in the new beds)  I ordered some wide Italian green beans, I will plant them in the old potato beds. I picked up some more peas as I was almost out of seed. I got heirloom this time so I can save seed. I saved the seed from the last baby butternut we just ate to plant also. 

But first it's pay the taxes. March 7th.

Little things add up

 Grandson asked how I make my toothpaste last so long.... he is by himself and his mom told him I make 1 tube last a month and I brush my teeth after every meal (yes I had braces, can you tell ? 😏) I asked for him to take a picture of his toothbrush (I had to promise to not post it anywhere, he is not much into social media) after he put the toothpaste on.... I then sent him a photo of mine... he had Mount Rushmore and I had a nice size pea. I told him to ask his dentist. Every dentist I have said PEA size not the 1 inch most toothpaste directions tell you. 

Then I got wondering how much I was spending on toothpaste (I stock that too and I grew up with using baking soda mixed with salt)

www.omicalculator.com/everyday-life/toothpaste

I used the current FULL price which I never spend when buying toothpaste. BUT coupons are getting less and less and sales sometimes are not really sales. So I went with not sales or coupons.

Numbers are based on me using the toothpaste once a day. 

Colgate Renewal 3 oz should last me 15.22 months with the cost of 44￠ per use 

Sensodyne 3.4 oz should last me 17.24 months with the cost of 35￠per use ( I use this twice a day so it would only last me 8.62 months)

Crest 3D white (since I won't bleach my teeth) 3.8 oz should last me 19.27 months with the cost of 19￠per use

Crest Densify 4.1 oz should last me 20.79 months with the cost of 24￠per use.

I spend the most $1.14 (highest amount) and 89￠the lowest amount per day. 

I am okay with that amount unlike Grandson who has been using a tube every two weeks. Since Grandson like to feel foam when he is brushing, I told him to ask Son2 as he is the same way. From the sounds of it, he now has an electric toothbrush, water pic, which toothpaste is the best for the money and Son2 sent him a photo of what the toothpaste should look like. 

Grandson asked about other things.

Dish soap is a very small amount... I use blue Dawn. I buy 56 oz bottles as I use it for other things. Helps keep bugs off Charlotte also. I also add about 18 to 20 oz of water to it before using it on anything. I use 1/2 tsp to wash my hand wash dishes. That is over 2 yrs of dish soap for washing dishes. https://mykitchenmates.com/101-uses-for-dawn-dish-soap/

I hand wash pots and pans so I don't fill both soap cups up in the dishwasher.

Shampoo and conditioner about the size of a quarter, I have thick hair to my hips.

Body wash.. bar soap last longer if you take it out of package for a week before using... use a bath pouf or wash cloth to clean more... you waste more than you think just putting it in your hand. I use a drizzle to a nickel.

Face lotion. a dime during summer and nickel during winter

body lotion about a nickel per area.

Grandpa was a barber, he said to always wipe your razor with rubbing alcohol after using. It would last longer and you wouldn't get razor burn. I have done that and found while the daughters have to replace their blades 3 times more than I do.

I have found that most people (like Hubby used to) just dump what ever cleaner/soap etc. and not really read the amount they should have used to think to try less and see if it still did the job. 

If you want to save money ... you have to think about that type of stuff... especially in this economy and if you are looking at living off social security with very little else.

Prayer for peace 

Blessed be 

January finances

 

INCOME

IRAs $6800.78

Social Security $3634

Son 2 loan repayment $100

Interest on savings $16.24

Business income $802.

TOTAL  $11,653.02

OUT GO

IRREGULAR EXPENSES $5314.59

HEALTH PREMUIMS/OUT OF POCKET $1384.40

HOUSEHOLD BILLS $2925.89

AUTOMATIC SAVINGS $180.

TOTAL $10,704.88

Balance IN THE BLACK

$948.14

It's not going to be pretty this month or next.

 Hubby has 4 large bills coming out of the business and he has had only 2 hauls this month that don't cover anything but the fuel and one smaller regular bill. The Amish have had 4 death's this past month so no one was building pallets or going to auctions to buy equipment. Maple syrup is starting with the weather that has came in so they will be in the woods gathering what they call maple water (we call it sap) to cook down to syrup so not much hauling will be done

I used the money I saved for a  large March bill to pay his business bills.  Not including paying for the taxes to be done. It's going to be a robbing Peter to pay Paul to pay Jane SIGH

I will add that we sat down and figured out how finances would be if one of us died. Wouldn't be horrible to deal with except with dealing with social security...it's always horrible to deal with them and according to my late cousin it's horrible to work for them as she did for 45 yrs.

Daughter 4 another round of cancer

 This time it's uterine cancer... endometrial type, she is having experimental surgery March 28th that will only keep her off work that week. She had to pay $900 (well, I did as she doesn't have any money saved) for her share of the surgery. Better than the $9000 her insurance wanted her to pay since they consider her cancer precondition. SIGH  The doctor that did the 1st surgery removing the ovaries wanted to take everything but her insurance wouldn't allow it.

I loaded her up with food last week, so she could save her grocery money for her April rent. I will take more to her if she needs it. Her son that lives with her said the other two kids(not living at home) sat down with him and they divided up who will be doing what during that week. If they need help they will send the SOS.

Hubby is working on getting the wiring done for the pump house. He has had a couple small jobs with the business and has a few lined up towards the end of the month. Last year there was NOTHING in January, February and most of March. OF course he forgot to put money aside during the "good" months for the 4 large legal bills that come due. Definitely bringing up the getting side track he constantly says happens when he doesn't do things when we see Doc.

We decided we would plant the gardens even the ones that are falling apart. Not sure what we can get in. I didn't grow any plants but we know where we can get plants or produce at reasonable price.

Hubby is continuing the wiring on the pump house from the solar panels. He now has everything inside and has 4 more "steps" to do to complete it. He didn't think it would be this much work to do but glad he has done it. He is videoing what he is doing to a friend that is an electrician. So far he is doing the wiring correct. The friend said the paperwork sent with the solar pump was very well written, even if you didn't understand electric, you could safely install this solar pump. 

Enjoy your day, be safe

Prayers for peace

Blessed Be

down sick again BUT

 Look at the middle and then go on up the middle of the tree for a white ringed tail and all white chest... It's a hawk and he definitely is blending in. He goes over to E's after their chickens and he will be a dead hawk.

Hubby with E's help got the solar panels up on the pump house. He is waiting for the last of the wiring to come in to finish it up.

 E and M are going back to Indiana to see her cousin that lost their 16 month old son and the widower of her cousin that just died of cancer. The younger kids will be with E's family and the older ones will be still here... they have a couple "helpers" coming in the stay at night time (only 1 night) as it's a leave and be back in 36 hr. trip.  E asked if the kids needed help or something they could come here. Even though we have repeatedly always said yes, they do not assume the answer is still yes. E brought over a pork loin he had extra of from butchering.

Hubby has been taking messages over to E's mom B, she is having knee replacement today and it's been a back and forth message from the hospital. B sent over a loaf of bread for the effort. 

THEN I caught some bug ( I think Daughter 4 gave it to me)... and she always thinks she has to lay on me this way when I am sick. She definitely "cleaned" my knee cap LOL.

The only groceries we have bought this month is 2 gallons of milk at $3.39 each. Compared to the $3000 of stock up and some for Daughter 4 while she has cancer surgery once again. It will take awhile to adjust the finances over it. 

We have our tax stuff together and that appt is in March, we usually owe some as no one takes school taxes out and even though I have made payments on it, I think we will still owe.

Going to crash now...

How conversations can start

 Are you going to be ordering anything online (Amish husband) 

What do you need? (Hubby)

Walmart (our only store besides Save A Lot) will no longer carry the bottle nipples the Amish use and they don't want to buy new bottles if we can get them online. (Amish husband) 

I ordered them through Amazon and we got the $ for the nipples and a homemade cherry pie.

Amish guy came to fix grandfather clock that had stopped chiming... where did you get the stove (wood/coal stove) fan? Non electric and the heat from the stove makes it work. 

Hubby answers Amazon..

How much was it?  

$35

Can you order some for me for my shop? I did find the price was up to  $45.

I ordered 10 which was really good as his own died and within a week the other nine were sold... He was paying $80 for the SAME FAN. He didn't charge for the repair that would have been $40.

Another Amish guy asks Hubby if we were going anywhere near DeGraff when we were running errands... It's 2 miles out of the way of coming home. Not really a biggie. Amish needed a deposit dropped off at the bank and his driver was down sick. 

When we dropped off his receipt and he asked if we could go deliver 2 messages and handed Hubby $40 for the "errand" running we did for him. All errands were within 5 miles.

E comes over last night and asks if we had cardboard as they are butchering today and he didn't want M to have to deal with a lot of blood on her floor while cutting it up to can. We had cardboard. We asked if they had extra eggs. Daughter 4 wanted 10 dozen eggs but the price for cage free organic in her area is $8-$11 per dozen. He went back home and checked (as M does the eggs) and they will have 10 dozen for her when she comes up on Friday. $2.50 a dozen. AND then told us they talked to another Amish that was willing to make sure they would have eggs for us if we let them know on Mondays and they would keep enough back (they sell eggs) for us what ever day we wanted eggs.... it's cold, chickens don't lay much when it's cold. I have eggs in the freezer for noodles, scrambled/omelets and baking and such but Daughter 4 wants them boiled for her lunches. 

E's youngest brother came of to E's for wood that he had cut and left to cure in the woods... told E that he found 2 more trees that the other guy was suppose to get last fall and he left them to rot(this guy won't get any more wood from E) in the back side of the woods. E and his brother came over and got Hubby to show him where they were at. Hubby has more wood to cut now for free. Youngest brother got help hauling his wood to the his wagon.

Englisher called Hubby as he knew Hubby had ordered saw blades for his buzz saw. He is going to be at that place next week or so and offered to drop off the check and pick up the blades for Hubby to save us the trip. Hubby will be calling to verify the blades are in and total for the 2 blades. One of the Amish mentioned to the guy Hubby was still waiting on the saw blades. Didn't see any use of Hubby driving an hour one way to get something that is at a place he will be at every other week until April.

I called my dentist to reschedule my appt. that I had missed. When she verified my address she asked if I was close to E as they forgot to send him a reminder of the kids' dentist appts that are Friday. I said no problem and I would call them back to let them know he remembered. Since they are butchering today I knew he would be up at the house and not in the fields.  Confirmed (he had forgot but M hadn't) and called dentist back. Got a $5 credit for the message delivery LOL.

Never know where the conversation is going to go around here.

Prayers for peace 

Blessed Be

Snow, sleet, rain, deaths and sickness and budget AGAIN.

 when temps are at 32 SIGH.. what a day. Hubby is out in it as he is making sure the two widows can get their cars out. He cleared off both of our porches and the deck along with the sidewalk to the barn. Plowed our own lane and cleared mailboxes for both widows , E and us after the township plow went through.

IT was a bad hair day on top of catching pneumonia. SIGH. Urgent care was cheaper than driving to primary and him sending me for x rays.

We had more deaths in the family, heart attack, my cousin's son, cancer, from another cousin and old age with a grand parent on the eldest's other side. My brother let me know his wife lost 2 on her side from old age. Still hard even when their are of "that age". 

The guy around the corner (we can see his cabin across the field from our porch) house burned down. Completely gone, possible damage to foundation. Has been working on this for 3 yrs. and was getting it finished this week to move in Feb. 1st. Outdoor furnace got to hot, and the pipe from it got too hot and was too close to cabin that was dried pine logs. Rumor is his insurance told him the furnace had to be 100 ft from the house. It wasn't even 10 ft. He was working in the upstairs bedroom and smelled smoke. Went out the window over the front porch roof to get out. He was not hurt. Did say that was the fire escape plan so he knows that works well as both bedrooms have way to get off back and front porch roofs. He is planning to raze it and rebuild.

I am in the house dealing with the changes we have decided on... again... some more......

This is the south loft. The two side walls are done except for the 2 attic doors needing built and covers over outlets and the light switch. I want to put an edging between where the ceiling is and the wall starts. We will be looking for that on Tuesday.  The window wall will have the same bottom but some where in the barn is dark paneling cut to fit for the top part of this wall. I took it off when we started on this room 4 yrs ago. YES 4 YRS.AGO.  Put it in the barn in the big bay. I went out to where it should be and Hubby had buried everything I had put there with broken doors, scrap lumber from the basement ramp etc. Frustration as I had that area organized and now it's not. What I get for not walking through the WHOLE barn instead of just the loft and front bay. He was going to pull the "crap" out but couldn't figure out where to store the "crap". So it sits.  Barn decluttering starts when it gets warmer which is NOT THIS WEEK. That is okay since I am just getting over the walking pneumonia.

We changed the budget. Hubby wanted to live off our social security... until he heard the estimate of what we would be paying for health insurance.  THEN he had the panic attack.  I told him it just meant we needed to be more frugal let the social security pay the medical and live off our investments and what ever we can earn. THEN he got his stuff around for taxes and realized (DUH) his business lost money last year (which didn't help the panic attack). I guess telling him I covered bills from the household budget didn't click he was losing money due to diesel fuel costs. About a month's income but I was able to cover it with being frugal. Eighteen more months and the work truck will be paid for in full, that is 6 months ahead of time. If he hadn't had to pay the legal fees he does for hauling out of state he would have broke even. I divided that out by 12 and put it in the freaking  budget... it's actually less ( about half) than if I covered the work truck payment or it's insurance. I feel like I got the lesser of the evils with that low of a payment. The one Amish company he used to haul for and quit as it conflicted with other hauls he had first. They have pretty much closed down from lack of business. A lot of the Amish in that area are moving as they don't like the laws that passed that affects them having outhouses on ground. This county allows it if the outhouse is on a septic tank system, 1 line of running water into house is required also.  The Amish guy we bought our house from had 3 lines ran for his wife. One to the kitchen sink so she could have water there (and it drained to the septic line), one to the stove for the reservoir to be filled without her hauling water and one to the wash room for the stove there and for her to have cold water for the clothes washer. If the family doesn't want to put in a septic line, the "Church" has okayed porta potties. Some have them out in their field or at businesses, close to a drive so they can be dealt with by what ever company owns them. We didn't remove those lines, figured if we even had to use the 650 gallon water tank(above our water pump and pressurized tank) that is connected to those lines, we would be ahead of any issues. 

Propane. We over paid for this year, lucky our provider allows carry overs. IF we can make it 6 more weeks on this tank, we will have enough already paid for to cover the next heating season with adding 1 tank full as long as the price with tax is no more than $3/gallon.SO the budget is getting cut there as I had budgeted 4 tanks. We switched to coal this morning. So far it's burning good and the benefit is I don't have to keep feeding the stove as coal is pretty much 3-4 times a day if it runs right if that much. 

We have enough coal already for next year, but decided to buy another 2 tons this summer when the cost is lower for back up. That is already in savings.

E asked Hubby for help as he had a couple trees down but with the limbs his horses could not pull it. They were cut down by another neighbor wanting them for fire wood and then never came back and got them after 2 yrs. E doesn't like waste especially cutting down trees and letting them rot. Offered to split the wood in half if Hubby would trim the limbs off. Ended up giving all of it to us when Hubby found 3 maples left also there. This wood is cured. Plus E asked Hubby to help him clear the property line and we could have ALL the wood since he had told us he would deal with it when we bought the house.  . Daughter 2 said a cord of wood in her area is $800. Her boys' dad got her a couple cords for $600 total as he is a landscaper. We have a cord still coming from the sawmill... we are 5th down on the list, we were 4 but found E's Dad H was 5th so we had the sawmill flip us with him. We still had 1/2 cord of sawmill wood when E gave us some, we passed it to E and he took it to his Dad. His parents are our age but his Dad is handicapped and his Mom B just had her knee replaced. SO we won't be buying any wood but fuel for the saws cutting the wood. E told us fuel costs for 1 cord is $15. He has the same saws as us. AND we should have 6 cords of wood if we are not burning any coal. That is $90 for "wood heat" for the season. The property line has about 2 dozen trees to deal with 2 of them are half way down due to storm damage.  We shouldn't be buying wood for awhile. BUT Hubby is going to be busy cutting wood. Maybe that will make hauling jobs come in... seems like if he is busy at home, he gets ran over hauling. 

We need 28 garden beds and 6 strawberry beds replaced. Hubby built slab wood beds last year for the potatoes... they didn't hold up as well as he thought they would but I can use them for lettuce, spinach and such this year. We priced what we would like to have Cedar wood beds... that came to about $20,000 with out soil. Not happening. I found metal beds for 1/3rd of the price that is suppose to last 15-20 yrs. and bought 2 just to see if they would work for us before spending all that money. We will be sifting soil and compost to refill to save on that part of the budget. I figured a year to replace all the bed and hopefully the strawberry beds also. 

I brought up the mortgage to get back on track of getting it paid off early. Adjusted propane/ heating budget. Played around with what can go into savings for a down payment of another used truck or SUV.

Checked, double checked, and triple checked that the household budget could cover the business costs without any business income (that has not happened in 3 yrs even during the pandemic) and NOT cause a problem with paying household outflow) Would have to drop extra off mortgage but that was it. 

We didn't go to store .... Hubby grabbed a gallon of milk when running errands and I yanked the last loaf of bread out of the deep freezer. Down to hamburger buns. 

Prayers for all and peace

Blessed be

We had visitors

you can barely see the bunny at the right hand corner of the shed

Squirrel 1 

 all 3 squirrels (one on the tree trunk)

the other 2 squirrels

 Charlotte who was a tad sad the animals didn't want to play chase with her

the young deer that would stop and check her out before running a bit.