Exciting Few Days.

That is putting it mildly. No internet available the last few days, so no new posts. I should have that situation corrected in a few days. Then I can resume "normal operation". More info to come.

Appliance redo times 3?

Seems like things usually happen in threes. So now that I replaced our washing machine late last month and this week we are getting a new dishwasher, I wonder what will be the next thing go. Fortunately the dishwasher bill will go to the landlord.

The wheels of change move slowly in our property manager's world, so I have become reacquainted with the business end of dish cloths and dish towels. It must be over 25 years back to a time where we didn't have a dishwasher. Before I was married and  while I still lived with my parents I don't recall doing many dishes. I think my Mom thought it was easier to do them herself than to get us kids to. My Father's contribution to this activity was to encourage my Mother to "just stack'em Harriet" and do them later, which she almost never did. As it was a near obsession with her to keep the kitchen spick and span.

Christmas gathering.

We had our family get together yesterday at my daughter's house. Most of the family was there, about 12 adults and 8 kids. We had a nice meal and a small gift exchange. It's sad to say but true. I have lost my zest for gatherings of any size. Even my own family. I wish it weren't so but it is. I start looking for a reason to leave after a couple of hours. I am much more comfortable one on one or two.

I'm not sure when I began to feel this way about gatherings, weddings, funerals, parties, reunions. I think it has been in the last 20 years or so. I will have to ask my wife. Maybe she can remember. Is this a mental disorder? My wife had a brother-in law who had similar feelings. His was linked to disease, Huntington's I think. Mine is not as far as I know, linked to any particular thing. Maybe it's old age.

Legal Residence

Just thinking out loud. I have heard that Canadians need to return to their county for at least 6 months and 1 day every year to maintain their status in the government health care system for Canadians. I wonder if the US has any restrictions like that? Do states have any such requirements to keep your legal address in that state. I have heard of people who travel all year and spend little time in the place where they legally reside.

So when considering spending winters in a warmer clime legal residency might have to be considered. I am going to research this and I will do another post in this regard. How much of one's financial life is tied to that legal residence? I can think of several items. Tax on your income, car insurance rates, entry tickets to Disney World, you get the picture.

Illness

I don't know what I have but the symptoms are not fun. Itchy eyes, runny nose, sinus pain, sneezing, you get the picture. Call it what you will, it has the potential to mess up plans for the next couple of days. I am reluctant to take any medication, as that usually for me just prolongs recovery and doesn't help the problems all that much.

I talked to daughters yesterday and their families have some illness too. I guess it is that time of the year where these things happen. Knowing that really doesn't make me feel any better.

We managed to get out a little today, Post Office, grocery store. My wife was buying the ingredients to make a holiday favorite snack. While I was paying, she scooped up the full bag of groceries and headed for the car. Not seeing a shopping cart in her way she stumbled on it, just avoiding a headfirst sprawl on the floor. Thankfully the only damage appears to be a large bruise/lump on her instep and a larger blow to my peace of mind. That could have been a very unpleasant holiday in the hospital. Whew.

Last Friday night.

My wife and I shared a meal with my brother Jim and sister Sarita and her husband Ken last Friday. We chose , as we often do, Monical's Pizza in north Champaign. They all live nearby. Joan and had a little longer trip but I managed to kill three birds with one trip. And besides, haven't you noticed how cheap gas has suddenly become. Almost 50% less than a while ago.

We had a nice visit at the restaurant and later at my sister's home. One of the big topics was our grand kids and how they growing so fast. Fast too are the passing years. We decided that was caused by the aging process and only happens to those folks over 50. As I recall time nearly stood still when I was a teen and couldn't wait to be grown up.

New photo at the top of this page.

I have had the Leg Lamp photo up now for a couple of weeks. So I thought it was time for a change. The most prominent thing on my mind right now is Florida. So that's what I chose.

The turtle is from downtown Venice. The Egret on my hood was in in Windy's parking lot Auburndale. The dragon from Downtown Disney, Orlando. The pier from Venice also. The beach from Clearwater. And finally the potted plants from LegoLand in Winter Haven.