What's cooking ... or not

My oven died. Right in the middle of a batch of brownies, of all things.

So I'm keeping an eye out for a good deal and just relying on the crock pot and microwave for now. I'm not in a big hurry to get a new one, so I hope a great sale pops up.

This happened on the heels of our spring break trip to New York, which was insanely expensive and physically exhausting - wheelchairs and NYC do NOT go together. But DS had a grand time, so there is that.

Spring might have finally arrived. At least my nose knows the pollen has. I'm actually hoping it stays cool just a few days longer as the A/C is out on our van. Parts have been ordered and will likely arrive in time to be installed next week. It should all be under warranty. When I took it in, I also found out there's a recall on the van seat, so that will be fixed, too.

Adulting is hard work.

Happy Thursday all,

Sarah
 

Spring Break

You know, I never mean to let a month lapse between blog posts ...

I keep my 15-month-old granddaughter during the week while my daughter teaches school. Plus, DS is home - he's working most of the day, but still needs help with physical tasks ... and likes to send me out for his lunch (he always offers to buy mine, too, but I don't want take out every day).

I am TIRED.

I really don't understand it, except for the fact that I'm 54 (which I don't think is THAT old). I had three children 5 and under and I still was able to get a lot done during the day. That is NOT what happens these days with only one. I've already told DD that I don't think I can keep two at one time so keep that in mind when family planning :)

I do love having her around, though. I'm just feeling sorry for myself this week. DH is in California on what he says is a mission trip with church, but all I'm hearing is "shorts, 80 degrees and Krispy Kreme donuts."

Tomorrow I am continuing a tradition started by my Mom and taking my little charge to buy her Easter shoes. After that, it's Spring Break and I am ready.

I wish I could say I was going to spend next week sleeping late and catching up on my reading, but alas, DS has other plans. He has planned a trip to NYC and, of course, needs us to take him. Our contribution is that we gave him tickets to Hamilton on Broadway for Christmas. I suppose it will be fun. I think it will be cold. And the city is not very wheelchair friendly. Just sounds like more work to me. Bah humbug.

All is cruising along on the debt front. DH changed routes at work as of January. This was a crucial move for his well-being - both mentally and physically - if he wanted to last until retirement (about 7 years away). It means fewer hours, which means fewer dollars, so our income has dropped. I plotted out our remaining debts and I think the majority will be gone within 3 years. We've also increased our retirement saving plan with that looming ever closer. I actually feel at peace with everything. That's a first.

Even though I don't post often, I do check in on y'all daily. Happy Spring!

Sarah
 

The taxes are done

It is pretty much a wash this year. We will get a little over $100 from federal and a few dollars from the state. I was actually surprised - last year we got a huge refund and I didn't think we had done much differently this year. I compared returns and we did earn a little more, though not much. The biggie, though, was the medical deductions. Last year, we had north of $40,000 in medical. This year, it was only about $20,000. (I can't believe I can put an "only" before $20,000!)

I have already noticed a change in the paycheck with the new tax reform. It makes me nervous as I don't want to have an unpleasant surprise this time next year. There are too many unknowns. My tax guy (my Dad!) advises that I continue to keep meticulous records for deductions even though it's possible that the changed standard deduction means we won't have to itemize next go-round. We've been itemizing for all of the 32 years we've been married, so that's a change I'm going to have to get used to. 

The upside of doing the taxes early is that the refund hit our account in 6 days. Too bad it wasn't more!

Sarah
 

We're home

DS was released from the hospital last night. He is far from well, but is stable and we have all the equipment here that they do at the hospital. Well, except for one. A suction machine is to be delivered sometime today - until now we have successfully avoided using that particular piece.

The diagnosis was bacterial pneumonia and atelectasis. Pretty standard stuff for him that can quickly wreak havoc on his compromised system. He was in isolation at the hospital because of all the flu and viruses in that place. I don't know who is happier to be home - him or me.

I've spent this morning trying to catch up in between his treatments. I did run out and buy some groceries. I am craving real food after a few days of hospital fast food. Yuck.

Now if I could only remember what day it is - it feels like Monday. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised when Friday arrives sooner than I expect!

Sarah

PS My Dad has recovered and is doing great! Thank you for all the concern for both of my guys!
 

My disinfectant failed me ...

DS is in the hospital. He acted better yesterday but this morning his oxygen levels fell too low and he said his chest hurt to breathe. By the time we got to the hospital, his fever was well over 104 and his 02 levels scary low. Quick flu test was negative, but they gave him Tamiflu anyway and have sent off the full test. Lots of bloodwork and chest x-rays. I'm so thankful they were proactive today and started antibiotics before any test results were back. Tonight he is looking much better. I'm hoping we can go home tomorrow as I don't like all the germs swirling around this place. Our sweet older son and his girlfriend dropped off dinner for us, which was wonderful.

Not the way we wanted to kick off the year, but we are so very grateful for excellent health care.

Sarah
 

And here we go ...

We finally cracked the $50k mark on our debt load!! This feels like a big mental win. I sure hope it holds. And it's what I needed today. DS is sick - doesn't look like the flu, but with his special needs could quickly morph into pneumonia so I'm in hyper Mom mode. Plus, I just got a call from my Mom saying that my Dad became very sick during the night. She's taking him in this morning to get a flu test. At his age and with a pre-existing heart condition, it's a scary prospect. My knees are already worn out from praying for health for our family's two most vulnerable members.

Off to Lysol something. And maybe do a happy debt dance while I'm at it!

Sarah
 

And on to 2018!

2017 was filled with ups and downs, but mostly it was a good year. We spent time together as a family, we enjoyed seeing the world through the eyes of our first grandbaby, we loved watching our children forge ahead in their adult lives and mostly we appreciated our many blessings. Life is hard, but it is also wonderful.

On the financial side, I didn't quite make my goal of seeing our debt fall below $50k. I came close, though, and it will happen soon. We wrapped up the year having knocked $15,030.41 off our debt. If you ever wondered what the tortoise looks like in the tortoise and the hare story, just look at us!

Here's to another good year and here's to coming closer to the end of the debt road.

Happy New Year!

Sarah