2013 Year's End Post

~ Miss Emma ~

Do you celebrate Hogmanay? Read my post, here, for more information. I don't but that's mainly due to the fact I keep my front gate locked -smile-.

It's year's end and a lot of people are busy making plans and resolutions. If you're a long time reader, you may have read what Daddy has to say about New Year's Resolutions: "If you're living the way you're supposed to live every day, you don't need to make resolutions that you're probably not going to keep anyway."  Amen.

~ Levi Lilly ~

So, I  make no resolutions but do make goals and steps to achieve those goals. A year ago, December 11th, I began a two post series entitled PDS - Pretty Darn Smart, Part 1, of how to dream dreams, make goals and see fruition. The series continued January, Part 2, and now, a year later, I'm looking at what I hit, what I missed and what I simply forgot. Overall, the biggest lesson learned has been to print off that valuable information and keep it in front of me. Out of sight, out of mind and not realized. ouch

I was hit or miss (mostly miss) on the Wife to Widow book and, truth be told, I got discouraged. In July, I met with two book publishers and both said, "Great idea but not what we're looking for." I've since met with an independent agent and she suggested self-publishing but I'm not sure I'm capable of that learning curve.  Do I put all the information on the 1 Wife to Widow blog or print into a spiral bound book form? My original intent was to teach classes, using a 3-ring binder for myself and participants so each would have everything they need to prepare their affairs. I'm not sure what to do; what's your opinion, which would you prefer and why? Please help me make a wise decision.

~ Tippy and Gypsy ~

These last few days have found me reviewing my finances and making decisions on what to cancel, what to keep or delete. For example, today I canceled Direct TV for a purely financial reason. I'm paying $959.40, yearly, to watch no more than half dozen television shows and that averages $159.90 per show. I'm not sure but that might be obscene with Bill Gates' money! So, I canceled and, of course, they told me I'd been a good great customer for more than thirteen years and they wanted to give me $10 off each month.

Big Whoop and I don't think so. For $959.40, I can fly, round trip to almost anywhere I want to go in the world. For that same money, I can buy a truck load of movies and for $7.99 a month, I can rent as many DVD's as I want every month through Netflix. (I lack the bandwidth watch movies on computer.)

The nice young man at Direct TV wanted me to "save more money by bundling" which is another way of saying "gotcha!" Maybe it works for some folks but I refuse to bundle; I refuse to be caught in a loop where the contract date is different for television, telephone and internet. When I want to cancel one, they say, "You can't without paying a huge fine to get out of the contract and the contract dates are different for each. HA! The only thing bundled around here is laundry.

~ Sadie ~

I'm not suggesting you should cancel your cable television but I am suggesting you review your finances and see if there's money you're spending here, you'd rather spend there. I'm already looking at where I could go with that same money...a sunny Caribbean beach sounds fabulous, as I sit here, watching the snow pour.

Earlier in the year, I reviewed my land line telephone and dropped that bill by $25 a month or $300 a year. I was paying for stuff I didn't even know I had nor how to use! I also had to replace my mobile phone and, unfortunately, only had the choice to purchase a lesser quality phone due to the monthly amount I want need to pay. I would love to have a fancy smart phone but, around here, it makes no sense but should I ever move to a less rural area, I'll research a better phone.

~ Sam and Tom ~

Here's how I look at money as a tool...the basic Straight Talk phone costs $50 and $30 a month for the call plan. The basic Jitterbug phone costs about $30 and the basic monthly plan begins at $15. The first year, the Straight Talk phone costs $410 and the Jitterbug costs $210 and Jitterbug has a 30 day return policy. After that first year is over, the yearly cost is $360 for Straight Talk and $180 for Jitterbug. Guess what? I just talked myself into saving $200 a year! I've never been one of those people who are impressed with what someone else has; especially when they're treading water due to credit card debt. I'm not impressed with what kind of car someone drives; rather, is it safe, reliable transportation? Does a person provide for their family? If yes, that impresses me; if no, the Bible says a man (woman) who won't provide for his (or her) family is worse than an infidel. I agree. Like Dolly Parton said, "I'm not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I'm not dumb and I'm not blonde."

If you've been thinking about identity theft insurance and heard the LifeLock commercials, you should know this: LifeLock charges about $150 a year (single) and Zander charges $75 (single) plus Zander provides more and better coverage. Wow, seems like such an easy decision when put in black and white numbers.

~ part of my small flock ~

The only reason I'm telling you about some of my personal financial decisions is to help you think about money. Money is a tool, just like a vehicle, and it can take you where you want to go...but you have to have a plan. Mom and Daddy brought us up to give the first ten percent to God, save the second ten percent and we could spend the remainder. It's a plan I follow today and have found I've never run out of money for my needs and, often, have enough to pay for my wants as well.

Dewena, Across the Way, recently blogged about her decision to stop blogging and I found her post interesting. Especially in light of the fact I've been thinking along similar lines. I don't want to stop blogging but I do want to change directions; I'm spending the next few days pondering directions.

~ dressed for chores ~

I trust your Christmas was memorable, in all good ways, and New Year's will be safe and sane. God's blessings on you, yours and the work of your hands and heart.

Blessings ~ blog world ~ readers ~ smart financial decisions ~ saving money ~ spending wisely ~ dreams ~ goals ~ plans ~ travel ~

Radio Interview Today at 3:00

NOTE: If you click on this link, you can go to the LIving Better at 50 website and listen to the interview. It's the July 5th broadcast; Freedom in Christ: Woman and the Widow.

Today, July 5 at 3:00, Living Better at 50's Prudence Lay is interviewing Carol Marie of He's my Husband ministries. Prudence has graciously included me in the interview and we're discussing the experience of widowhood. If you've read my blog for any length of time, you know this is a club I was dragged into kicking and screaming! While I am a willing, and grateful, participate of the radio show...not so much the club. -smile-

Hope your schedule allows you to listen and then, let me know your thoughts, please and thanks. If you go to the Living Better at 50 radio site, you'll find instructions on how to listen to the interview. Please, let me know what you think and, if you're so inclined, please leave a comment on the broadcast site.


As an aside, this morning is the 8th month anniversary of Dave's death and this morning was the first time since Dave died, I awoke, having dreamed of Dave. It was a sweet dream and thank God for both the dream and the man. I am blessed.


Blessings ~ as much time as Dave and I had ~ Living Better at 50 ~ Prudence ~ sweet dreams ~ precious memories ~

Meteor Shower, Wife to Widow, Etc.

~ serenity, thy name is Thistle Cove Farm ~

The first meteor shower of 2012 begins tonight but the best viewing is after midnight/pre-dawn tomorrow morning. The Quadrantid Meteor Shower is supposed to peak about 2:30 tonight and is supposed to be one of this year's best. Science Daily has another report. 


I'm planning on having hot chocolate and my heavy boots and coat ready with sweaters on the dogs. Guess I'll find out how they like being awakened in the wee hours for something I want to do!
-smile-

The Joy of Quiet - what farmers have known all along is now being touted as the new, best, biggest, brightest and folks are paying huge
$$$ for the privilege of silence. There are people going to the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur who are paying more than $2,000 a night to not have a television, i-net or radio in their rooms. Heck, they can just come here and I'd only charge them $2K even and make sure they had farm chores to do mornings and evenings. They could really commune with nature!


There are also Internet Rescue Camps...I kid you not!...for those who are addicted to computers. Is it just me or is anyone else wondering why people don't have a life anymore? 


Additionally, in the above referenced article, the author says s/he has friends who buy some kind of software which enables them to disable their i-net connections. HELLLLOOOO! My computer has an off button but, then again, perhaps I am special, just like Dave always told me, eh? -smile- I don't know how to text, can't take pictures with my cell phone and don't have a tablet...at least not one that doesn't use a number two pencil.


OTOH, I've either been without telephone service or intermittent service since Christmas Day, but when I call Verizon to tell them about it, they speak to me...Angel, are you listening...and I don't think she's one of the heavenly realm...tells me, "Well, I don't know why you're calling, my computer shows you have service." Yes, dear, however, it's intermittent...do you know what that big word means, Angel? It means spotty, sometimes, not all the time, infrequently and, sometimes, Not At All. Fortunately, or so time will tell, a supervisor Heather listened to me and said she'd give me a $25 one time credit and I wouldn't pay for the days I've been without service. 


Tie that in with the electricity that's been off and it's been Really Quiet here on the farm. That is, if I don't count the wind which has been Really Harsh. You know, I can stand the cold as well as the silence and, in fact, love both, but the wind is something else. It's determined to suck the warmth out of everything living and last night the temps in my bedroom were 45F above zero. I'm not sure what the wind chill was and don't really want to know. I do know it was a four dog night but it is every night around here -smile-.

~ please, take button from top left, not this one ~

In an attempt to muddle my way through this Wife to Widow journey, I am starting a new blog to help other people do some things that will make the paperwork, etc. just a tad easier. Someone asked me if I'd make it pertinent to men as well as women. Anyone, wives, husbands, singles can glean the information but, statistically speaking, it's the husband who dies first and the wife left. So, the new blog is written from my, the wife's, point of view. However, trust me when I tell you this: Everyone can benefit from what I've learned and, I'm hoping, others will chime in with their experiences. 


The new blog address is WifetoWidow; please grab the button on the top left of my Thistle Cove Farm blog and spread the word. As EBB so beautifully said

"Knowing that when light is gone  

Love remains for shining"

Blessings ~ Madge ~ silence ~ serenity ~ dogs ~ meteor showers ~ journeys ~ we're all on our way from somewhere to eternity ~ 

An Ordinary Day

~ Super Sadie and Sophie Lauren Butterball ~

For some reason, this photo makes me think of Superman. Remember? He'd stand, arms crossed, as he gazed in the far distance. I tried putting antlers on the dogs...Christmas, doncha know?...and they rebelled. Sadie would run between my legs...I think in embarrassment...and Sam would just shake his head like, "you're taking this just a little too far, Mom." Somehow, he didn't seem to buy the disguise suggestion. 

~ Sam P. Spade, Secret Agent ~

It was crisp today but warm enough to get outside and get some work done. 

The garden still has corn which is given to the horses; such a treat for them! 

Not the best photo of Sophie but she was shaking her head to rid herself of dirt. Sophie, Sam and Abbie spent a couple of hours today digging out mice...Good Dogs...Very Good Dogs! Sadie, of course, supervised as she doesn't like getting wet or cold feet.

~ Abigail Von Rotten The Terror ~

Abbie has old bones; Dave and I found her back in May 1997 and she was an adult when we found her. She's been my heartbeat all these years; where you'd see me, you'd see Abigail and vice versa. She still has a great heart but her body is slowing down and she's all but deaf with vision problems but her nose is still as good as ever. Please God, don't take her too very soon...please.

Today was, just about, an ordinary day. What a blessing and a gift! Yes, I spent a lot of time wrestling with various folks trying to get yet more paperwork accomplished regarding Dave's death. I think I'm making headway but, tell me something...is it just me or would you get riled when someone said, "I'm sorry for your loss. Your husband owned money on his credit card and we can take that money out of your checking account Right Now and it won't cost you anything." 

Well. Duh. What a surprise. It won't cost me anything, eh? Do I look like one of those ejit ninja turtles? I think not. I told the woman I had to go to town, re-arrange some money and would send her a check later today. She said, "in that case, we're going to have to start searching for his estate so we can attach the estate." I said, "What part of I CALLED YOU don't you understand? I'm perfectly willing to pay this bill but I have to make sure I have the money in my checking account. And anyway, I AM THE ESTATE!"  I have sunk to a new low; I am now praying for people like Paul prayed for Alexander. 

I've said I'm going to blog about this madness that has resulted from Dave's, untimely to me, death. There are things you can do now to help you in the event your spouse passes away. Things that will make all the paperwork, banking, legal krap, etc. much, much easier on the one left behind. I'm working on some blog entries now and will, after the first of the year, present them to you. I thought we could all get through Christmas and the Holidays first and then, like going back to school, start on 2 January. 

Wife to Widow: Preparedness Training is the working title; I certainly like...well, you know what I mean...wry smile...the Wife to Widow part...it's at least apropos in my state...and I'm still trying to figure out the secondary part.

Would someone help me with a blog button, please and thank you? I'm giving away what I've learned, via the school of hard knocks, for free and would like to get the word out to as many as possible. Yeah, maybe it is a bit macabre but, believe me, the more information and knowledge you have at hand, the better off you'll be. When you're in a vulnerable situation, sharks are circling like mad and just waiting for you to stumble and fall into the water so they can finish you off. Everyone has their hand out and it's a juggling act, figuring out who gets what first. 

I've learned a difficult time does not have to be a terrible time but you have to be prepared. Or is that a terrible time does not have to be a difficult time...? Whatever, I can help make it easier. We're all in this thing called life together; let's hold hands and help each other along the way.

Blessings ~ sunshine ~ Sam ~ Abbie ~ Sadie ~ Sophie ~ an ordinary day ~