GET UP. GET DRESSED. GET OUT.

2020 is going to be better.

Being a better person.  A better introvert.  A better Grandma. A better friend.  A better volunteer.  A better neighbor.  Better taking care of my health.

I have become very lazy, fat and happy during the past two years.  As always, my weight is too much for my 5' 7" frame and try as I might, I cannot grow any taller.  When I first moved back to Portland, I would get up at 7:30 to take Mr. B to school.  Then 8:00 am after he started taking the bus.  Now it is 9:00 am or even 10:00 on the weekends.

Because I do most of my life on the computer, I don't get dressed til noon (or after) because who knows I'm still in my pajamas and robe.  Step One will be get up at 8:00 am and get dressed. Sounds like a baby step but I think it will get me started to accomplishing more than just reading on the computer (although I have also been listening to books because of the poor eyesight).

I know only 8% of people actually keep their resolutions more than a month or two, so I'm keeping it simple.  Get up.  Get dressed.  Get out.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

NAVIGATING A NEW WLLO PHONE NUMBER

Way back when WLLO was forming, the Chair was far sighted enough to start using Google Voice.  Her adult daughter set it up and WLLO was off!  As I've mentioned before, callers haven't a clue that when they call the "office" that I get an email on my laptop in my home as I'm sipping coffee in my pjs.

The greeting on the phone is way outdated and I have been asking the Chair to have her daughter re-record (and make it briefer).  The daughter is busy going to school full time and raising two small children.  The Chair is equally as busy babysitting said children three days a week and devoting 40+ hours to WLLO and who knows how many hours with her church.

Needless to say, the recording has not been updated.  Noreen (2nd in command) and I approached our technology team and after much research, we have to get an entirely new phone number.  The old number cannot "forward" calls for more than a month.  The password to the old number has been lost and the number is tied to the Chair's daughter's cell phone.

Lots of emailing back and forth and finally, at Tuesday's WLLO Council meeting, I asked WHEN we were going to transition.  Membership Team has the most work ... notifying all members, getting new business cards, making new ID badges, reprinting new member packets, etc.  No one volunteered to coordinate this process so I asked Membership to take the lead .... and I volunteered to help.  She agreed!

I made a list of things I could think that had to be done.  I put it on our shared drive so ALL Council members can view and comment.  Membership leader said she would have a timeline for us at the beginning of the week.  It would be GREAT to start at the first of the year but I'm thinking more like the first of February.

The list so far:

Call members

Mail new business cards to members

Email members

Email volunteers

Re-do member information packets

Change our volunteer handbook 

Notify our County contact 

Change our banner, our tablecloth and vertical banner. 

Fix brochures

Change website

Change Facebook

Change newsletter

Notify Villages NW

Notify all Villages

Notify Pamplin media

And look!  I didn't volunteer!  Will assist if needed!

NAUGHTY PARENTS

This year we did not schedule a family ride on the Tinseltown Trolley since they did it last year.  Then, of course, Deacon says it is his FAVORITE memory of Christmas. By the time he talked about it, the only available date/time I could get all four of them together was at 2pm on Friday, December 13.  A school day.

SOOOOOOOoooooo … the parents got a sneaky idea.  They got them up as if they were going to school, drove them PAST the school and gave them the news they were taking the day off to make more Christmas memories!  Kate had wrapped a set of flannel sheets for each of them and had them hidden in the back of the SUV, which started the magical day.

They went to a favorite breakfast joint and were allowed to have hot chocolate.  Kate had to pick up script at Fred Meyer's (Krogers on east coast) and Jesse took the boys shopping for her and Gramma.  Then Kate took them to get something for Dad.  They didn't have time to get a photo with Santa and be back for 2pm for the trolley ride.

The Trolley runs from Lake Oswego to downtown Portland.  It only operates during the summer and as a Christmas Trolley for the holidays.  The Willamette Shore Trolley is operated by the Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society under a contract with the City of Lake Oswego.  It’s about 90 minutes round trip going 5.5 miles to Portland.

It's an interesting ride (a group of adults chartered it once, brought our own boxed lunch and wine) and had a great time.  Tunnels, trestle bridges, right through an upscale neighborhood where you can almost touch the houses.  We went during the Fall and is runs on the west side of the Willamette River through colorful trees.

For Christmas, the City has costumed characters, Santa, cookies, candy canes and more hot chocolate.  Ranger Ben was acting as Santa and both boys know him but we still don't have any non-believers yet.

Everyone was so tired from running around all day, that they postponed Movie Night.  The boys did a little wrapping while I made an easy dinner and all four of them went to bed early. 

Now THIS is a memory!

THE WEEK FROM #@*%

It's always extra busy in December.  After 66 holiday seasons, I realize that.  And I usually catch my Winter cold some time during December.  This year it was before Thanksgiving.  And the coughing has gone on for six weeks.  I was only feeling "sick" for a few days but anytime I would talk, I would have a coughing fit.

On Monday last week, I reserved our large Clubhouse room for a WLLO gingerbread house decorating party.  When I went over to set up I realized the people who had an event the day before did NOT do a good job of cleaning up!  We had to wipe off all six tables and 24 chairs, then vacuum and THEN set up for our event.  Which was fun and creative and I bet we do it again next year!  

My co-host elf had to drive two members home, so I got to clean up all over again.  The vacuum grabbed a piece of our new carpet and it ravelled.  I called Jesse (SIL) and he said there were spots like that all over the whole room ... where ever it had been seamed.  I called the HOA Chair and she came right over.  Just didn't want them to think it was my rowdy decorating bunch!

Wednesday was scheduled to be WLLO Holiday Open House at our large Clubhouse room again.  As I was at Costco the day prior (first time driving more than 3 minutes from home)(TONS of traffic in the rain), I got a few things then had the most delicious sample of Korean beef.  So tender and so flavorful ... and my new crown came off.

My wonderful dentist could not fit me in until 10am the next morning .... and our party was to start at 11:30!  I got my friendly elf the key before I left for tonsil numbing glue in.  While I was brushing and flossing, our dog hopped up onto my (still warm) bed and left an 80 gallon puddle.  ON MY BED!  And my carpet.  I ripped off the bedding and tossed into the washer before heading out to the dentist.

He has RARELY had an accident inside during his 13 years ... let alone ON furniture!  Thank goodness I had a waterproof mattress pad on from when the boys would spend the night.

Noreen got a few others to come in early and by the time I got there, a little after 11am, we already had visitors who were eating!

Fortunately, just as we were thinking we wouldn't have enough appetizers to last til 2:30, more members arrived bearing foods of all kinds.

I was also blessed with many helpers to do clean up!  

During our party, the former-chair-who-still-thinks-she-is-in-charge, came in and asked if we could share the kitchen.  She spur of the moment decided to host lunch for ten workers who are installing ductless hvac.  It wasn't convenient but somehow we all worked around each other.

The final piece of the week (just the first three days, thankfully), was word that one of the four office volunteers doesn't want to take her one day a week volunteer spot.  She didn't enjoy it and was too timid to play around with the software until she got comfortable (which is how I taught myself)  One of the other four of us is the Chair and she is stepping back from WLLO in April.  She has been the driving force to get this Village up and running, volunteering 60 hours a week! Plus babysitting her 4 year old grandaughter three days a week and her older brother after school on those three days.  Another grandchild is due today.

If I start to volunteer for more duties,  PLEASE STOP ME!

CHRISTMAS PAST, CHRISTMAS PRESENT

2014 ... first Christmas with Boy No. 2

Santa and his boys

Mom and Dad take turns moving the elves!

My bedroom door

They captured Lambie!  Deacon's most favorite stuffed animal!

I'm  gonna make these this week!

INTRODUCING OPTHAMOLOGIST #2

On Tuesday I had my first appointment with Dr G, at a whole new group of practitioners.

It was an hour of eye tests and four different kinds of drops before the Dr came in.  He agreed that my new left eye was not functioning as well as expected and even could not be corrected to 20/20 with my new lens.  That's the bad news.  

Apparently I have “dry eye” .  That's the good news. I treat for a month with warm compresses, then cold compresses, eye wash, lubricant drops and medicated ointment at night.  My next appointment is January 13.

Dry eye can change the shape of your eye thus affecting your vision.  Which explains WHY my new eye was deteriorating!  He thinks we caught it early enough.  I've been taking antihistamines for my cold which probably also affected the dry eye.

He said I will probably still need glasses even after next cataract is removed (maybe late March) unless I want laser surgery (not covered by insurance).  His hope is to correct right eye to 20/30 then glasses rather than mess with the cataract free left eye again (which hopefully will also be 20/30). 

Sooooo!  I’ll keep myself on “no driving” until further notice. This will impact a lot of WLLO events (gingerbread day and WLLO Holiday party) as I was giving rides to people who needed them.  And taking the boys shopping for their parents.

I am comfortable driving with one eye just to my local grocery (five blocks) or Starbucks ... with no one in the car.  It makes me anxious to even be with others as I have to close one eye to do ANYTHING!  Even with my current specs. 

This stinks. 

EENY, MEENY, MINEY MOE

I enjoy being alone.  Maybe because I live with four other humans and man's best friend.  Or is it because I'm aging?  Or widowed?  

I have never been good at corporate functions and large cocktail parties because I'm just not interested in chit chat.  I can talk about nothing for a long time, but that's with a buddy or two or my sister.

Some people think there is something "wrong" with people who prefer being less social.  I think I've done my time.  Big family, big entertainer, corporate wife, and world traveler.  Now I enjoy being myself.  My best friend is probably my computer!

I was going to name this blog HERMIT, RECLUSE, INTROVERT but when I looked them up in the dictionary, I'm certainly not a hermit or recluse. 

A recluse is a person who lives in self-imposed isolation or seclusion from the world, especially for religious purposes; A hermit is a religious recluse; someone who lives alone for religious reasons; an eremite.  Certainly not me since I'm rather apathetic about organized religion.  Born Catholic, raised Catholic (all 12 years of uniformed school) and married Catholic.  

I usually think of myself as an introvert.  But even THAT has many meanings.  Introvert - a shy, reticent person.  I've not read the book "Quiet" (Susan Cain 2012) but apparently introverts are multiplying.  I think I am more introverted than before because of all the bad news in the world.  I don't want to watch it.  Not that I don't want to know but I don't need to see the gore and tragedy of an event eight million times.  I keep up with current events (via Facebook friends, digital news and the NY Times).  We do not have live TV in this household. Others feel the same.  So now they are talking about different "shades" of introversion.  

Social: Social introversion is the closest to the commonly held understanding of introversion, in that it's a preference for socializing with small groups instead of large ones. Or sometimes, it's a preference for no group at all — solitude is often preferable for those who score high in social introversion. "They prefer to stay home with a book or a computer, or to stick to small gatherings with close friends, as opposed to attending large parties with many strangers," Cheek said. But it's different from shyness, in that there's no anxiety driving the preference for solitude or small groups. 

Thinking: Thinking introversion is a newer concept. People with high levels of thinking introversion don't share the aversion to social events people usually associate with introversion. Instead, they're introspective, thoughtful, and self-reflective.

Anxious: Unlike social introverts, anxious introverts may seek out solitude because they feel awkward and painfully self-conscious around other people, because they're not very confident in their own social skills. But, often, their anxiety doesn't fade when they're all alone. This kind of introversion is defined by a tendency to ruminate, to turn over and over in their minds the things that might or could or already have gone terribly wrong. 

Restrained: Another word for this one is reserved. Restrained introverts sometimes seem to operate at a slightly slower pace, preferring to think before they speak or act. They also might take a while to get going — they can't, for instance, wake up and immediately spring into action.

I'm a bit of all of these.  Not too much of the anxious part (although both Jesse and Kate have this) but more restrained, small groups and thinking.  And I enjoy it! 

SELL? DONATE? GIVE AWAY?

Donating goods to charity ain't what it used to be.

When I moved back into the condo with the family, the office (Mr. Ralph's pride and joy) was put into storage.  To the right in this photo is my desk that extends at a right angle from the 110" primary wall of professionalism.

I first advertised on Craigslist.  Not one serious nibble.  Then I tried our local Facebook selling pages.  Not one nibble.  Then I put it on my Facebook page .. still nothing.

Next I called around to my favorite charities that have resale shops.  All of them said no, too fancy for their buyers and they couldn't use it as their own office because it might give customers the wrong impression.  I talked to everyone and finally my neighbor at the old house said that they might have room as their last kidlet just left the nest.  I have visiting privileges.  They have quite a few things from the old house so I always feel at home, in more ways than one.

Most charities no longer pick up at your home.  I went through all the same avenues to find a home for a 90" leather Lazy Boy recliner sofa.  No one will accept recliners or sofa beds.   Finally put it in the "free" section of Craigslist and it was gone the next day.  This giant sofa took up half of our tiny living room.

We decided to keep the Relax The Back chairs and footstools from the old "man cave" and put them where the sofa was.  The room seems instantly bigger. We can easily put the footstools on the chairs and the boys have much more room on the floor.

Last but not least ..  the reading chair that was in our office at the old house, then in the master bedroom at the condo ... will be going to Goodwill next week.  It will fit in the van.  (notice the end of my desk to the left.)

Where are needy people when I have things to give away?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I am thankful I have had so many Thanksgiving Days.  From great big family get togethers with Aunts and Uncles, to just the two of us, to hosting dinners for 25+, at restaurants, to being invited over, to celebrating all on my own.  I've loved every one of them.  Traditional foods, gluten free foods, vegetarian food and seafood.

May your day be exactly as you'd like!

REPOSTING

(this was posted in error last week, together with another post ... it has not had many reads, so I'm posting on its own today)(my apologies to the 13 people who DID read it!)

WLLO Village has a dedicated staff and a main phone number for inquiries, service requests and questions about Villages in general.  We have four volunteers, 3 of whom are well trained.  I volunteer to be the office volunteer at least two days a week.

Our hours are 10:00 am til 2:00 pm although I respond up until 4:00 pm or 5:00 pm, if I'm near my computer.  I can receive the phone calls wherever I am (they are translated by Google Voice and sent to all office volunteers as an email), and return the phone call, get clarification then enter it as a service request when I get to my computer.

Google Voice does a pretty good job but there is still a lot to be desired.  Ellen sounds like Alan.  Some members leave messages that don't quite have all the pertinent details ... like "this is Hazel and I need to go to the foot doctor on Thursday."  Of course we need to ask her the doctor's name and address and what time her appointment is.  Sometimes they have forgotten that they already requested that ride.  Often they don't have the street address so we put on our detective caps while they explain it's near Home Depot near that McDonald's just off the highway and look online while talking with them.

Once we enter a service request in our Village software, we choose which Volunteer to email the request.  For instance if it is a ride to Dr Norton for an 11:00 appt, the office volunteer checks the typical time from Hazel's house to that address and asks for driver to pick her up at 10:45, wait or return when appointment is over, then drive her back home.  Sometimes one driver can do the morning part but another needs to do the return trip.  Oh yeh!  We aim to please!!

The Office Volunteer calls the member to tell them WHO is picking them up.  The driver calls the rider the day before the appointment to confirm everything is still on. Some members call to ask who is driving two or three days before.  They just need that reassurance someone IS coming.

We can enter a note for drivers ... Hazel uses a walker, is very slow and needs help opening the door to the doctor's office.  Many riders ask the driver to made additional stops ... pick up a quart of ice cream, or a prescription.   We usually ask the rider ahead of time if there will be additional stops because sometimes drivers only plan a specific amount of time.

So far we have a 100% record of accommodating each request.  One request that we did not have success filling was less than 4 days notice (one of our rules)(and we have often done next day requests).  A pretty good track record.

Best of all?  Members have no idea that I am not working in an office complex, with my own desk, equipment, assistants and file cabinets.  This is how I run my office day ...

OOOOPS on me!

I accidentally published my Thursday blog last Sunday (The Virtual Office) when my Speech Therapy was released.  Brain lapse!

So today you can go back and read that ... or just enjoy what our Christmas is starting to look like ....

Camo Christmas items?  Now you have seen everything!

SPEECH THERAPY

Since we switched Braeden to Montessori, he is no longer getting a weekly group speech therapy session to work on pronouncing hard "Rs".  I took it upon myself to find him someone new and just pay for it.

He had to do an hour-long evaluation that was pretty boring.  She took photos of his mouth, tongue and teeth.  She watched him eat a chewy protein bar.  She watched him drink water through a clear glass.  She engaged him in all kinds of conversations noting which consonant R blends were worse.  I got a copy of her evaluation and a treatment plan. 

He wasn't very impressed with the evaluation (it wasn't very much fun, Gramma) so when he learned he was going back he asked if he could bring a toy or stuffed animal to keep him company (anxious).  I reminded him the evaluator said she promised the next visit would be FUN.  Let's give Allie, the therapist, a try at being fun and if she is not, then you can ask her if you can bring something.

WOW was Allie fun!!  First they just chatted.  She asked him why he was coming to see her.  And when he said he couldn't pronounce R's very well she said Oh my gosh!  That is the easiest thing to re-learn.  She explained that she was going to give him exercises for his tongue!  She gave him an M&M to place on the tip of his tongue and he was to press it to the roof of his mouth and hold it in place while he said R five times.  Then eat it!  Big hit!

Then they would play a game for a few minutes then SHOUT "R" words, and resume play.  She has an iPad game that is like a casino slot machine, where there were two slots.  He would press one button to get an adjective.  The second button would eventually show a "R" word.  Happy rabbit.  Silly squirrel.  Laughing aardvark.  Then mini marshmallow on tip of tongue and R R R R R.  

Another game and in between was saying a vowel and then an R.  A-R, E-R, I-R, O-R,U-R.   

As she was doing this exercise, she signed both letters.  He noticed and asked he if that was sign language ... then proceeded to tell her he had recently seen the Helen Keller movie.

And so on until our 45 minutes were up.  He left the building skipping and shouting R words!

Just wait, Alexa ... soon he can tell you to turn on War of the Worlds!

THE VIRTUAL OFFICE

WLLO Village has a dedicated staff and a main phone number for inquiries, service requests and questions about Villages in general.  We have four volunteers, 3 of whom are well trained.  I volunteer to be the office volunteer at least two days a week.

Our hours are 10:00 am til 2:00 pm although I respond up until 4:00 pm or 5:00 pm, if I'm near my computer.  I can receive the phone calls wherever I am (they are translated by Google Voice and sent to all office volunteers as an email), and return the phone call, get clarification then enter it as a service request when I get to my computer.

Google Voice does a pretty good job but there is still a lot to be desired.  Ellen sounds like Alan.  Some members leave messages that don't quite have all the pertinent details ... like "this is Hazel and I need to go to the foot doctor on Thursday."  Of course we need to ask her the doctor's name and address and what time her appointment is.  Sometimes they have forgotten that they already requested that ride.  Often they don't have the street address so we put on our detective caps while they explain it's near Home Depot near that McDonald's just off the highway and look online while talking with them.

Once we enter a service request in our Village software, we choose which Volunteer to email the request.  For instance if it is a ride to Dr Norton for an 11:00 appt, the office volunteer checks the typical time from Hazel's house to that address and asks for driver to pick her up at 10:45, wait or return when appointment is over, then drive her back home.  Sometimes one driver can do the morning part but another needs to do the return trip.  Oh yeh!  We aim to please!!

The Office Volunteer calls the member to tell them WHO is picking them up.  The driver calls the rider the day before the appointment to confirm everything is still on. Some members call to ask who is driving two or three days before.  They just need that reassurance someone IS coming.

We can enter a note for drivers ... Hazel uses a walker, is very slow and needs help opening the door to the doctor's office.  Many riders ask the driver to made additional stops ... pick up a quart of ice cream, or a prescription.   We usually ask the rider ahead of time if there will be additional stops because sometimes drivers only plan a specific amount of time.

So far we have a 100% record of accommodating each request.  One request that we did not have success filling was less than 4 days notice (one of our rules)(and we have often done next day requests).  A pretty good track record.

Best of all?  Members have no idea that I am not working in an office complex, with my own desk, equipment, assistants and file cabinets.  This is how I run my office day ...

AT THE OREGON COAST

APPARENTLY, I'M SCREWED

The visit to the eye specialist and surgeon who did my cataract surgery was not satisfactory at all.  In fact, the worst customer service ever.

The surgeon was over an HOUR late in seeing me.  The front desk told me she was running 20-30 minutes behind.  My WLLO driver lives close so she went home to rake leaves.  After waiting and then waiting even more in the little office, I texted her that I would just take an Uber home.  Fortunately, she insisted she wanted to retrieve me to escape leaf duty.

The vision in my "new" eye is 20/50 (actually, I think it is worse than that).  The technician who checked my vision started with the excuses before the Dr even came in.  It's not an exact science, not everyone gets 20/20 vision, yada yada yada.  My high school buddy's husband just had two cataracts removed and he has 20/20.  My driver's friend just had hers done and SHE has 15/20 in one eye and 20/20 in the other.  Finally the Dr came in.  First off, she said 20/50 is "not that bad" and it qualifies to be "drivable" vision per the Department of Motor Vehicles.  I explained there is no way on earth I could drive safely with that vision.  And I didn't think she would drive with that poor of vision either.

Then she said well, you do have astigmatism.  Yes, less than 1 diopter I told her.  I asked her months ago when I was deciding which kind of lens to have implanted and she said no need for a toric lens.  I reminded her of that conversation and reiterated that what I asked for was long distance vision so I could drive safely without specs.

Her next topic was "it's not an exact science" in choosing the lens.  Honestly?  I think she chose the wrong lens.  But she would not admit it.  So, I asked how do we fix this?  She "could" remove the lens and insert a different strength.  She "could" do laser surgery to correct the vision.  She "could" insert a stronger lens in the other eye.  But wearing glasses for driving is the only affordable option for me.  ALL of her "coulds" would be out of pocket procedures ... thousands of dollars.

Fortunately, my driver is a retired doctor!  She reaffirmed my thinking that the surgeon just made a mistake in choosing the lens.  She should have just fessed up.  Offered her time for free to fix it.

The good news is my eye is fine and healthy.  I have asked my Dr for a referral and my driver doctor gave me a referral.  And I'll Google my eyes out researching.

A simple apology would go a long way.

MY NEW EYE IS DETERIORIATING

I was so excited with my long distance vision after the cataract was removed from my left eye and a new monofocal lens installed.

Until about two weeks after surgery, when my eyesight in my left eye was not as powerful as it had been.  October 30 was my first month check up and there was much checking of my vision.  When the 12-year-old surgeon (with her Stanford medical degree) entered the mix, I complained about not being able to see as far as I would like.  I'd like to be able to drive without glasses.

She asked if I would like a stronger lens for my right eye (which isn't being done until December).  I don't think my brain can handle two different powers, which is why I didn't choose one eye for close up and one eye for distance.  I don't mind reading glasses or computer distance glasses.  Which is what I explained to her again.  But mostly I would like to be free of specs for the first time since third grade.

Last Monday I went to a restaurant where you order from a giant chalkboard.  I could not read the board with either eye.  As soon as I returned home, I called the eye specialist's office to ask what my vision was in my new left eye.  After a few back and forth phone calls, the surgeon would like to see me tomorrow (Veteran's day).

I wasn't expecting 20/20 (which surely is possible in the year 2020!) but I was expecting better than this.  Driving is especially difficult ... I had to get out my glasses with just one lens in for my bad right eye ... then closed my "good" eye.

It's not safe for me to drive (also hard to walk with no depth perception) so now my daughter drives me around.  I've had to put myself on leave from WLLO volunteer driving indefinitely.  She and the family are at the beach for the long weekend, so I had to ask WLLO for a ride to and from the eye clinic tomorrow.

Either the lens has moved out of place or she put in the wrong prescription lens.  We've had a huge blast of pollen this past week so maybe the pressure in my eye has changed.

IF she has to change the lens (or reposition) I'm going to BEG that she do both eyes at the same time.  

CHANGING UP!

Wow!  I missed posting on Thursday.  I think I will change my days to Sunday and Wednesday.  Keep tuned in.

I have been the Office Volunteer in the WLLO Virtual Office at least on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Often three days a week.  And I feel like I'm on duty on Wednesdays as well as our volunteer is not picking up on doing things.  (Another blog for when I'm feeling WHINEY)

It's usually not too much work but I need to have access to my computer.  Since I'm addicted to my laptop, that's an easy ask.  I can still go out on errands or lunch as long as I check my email.  IF something comes up, I'm not far from home on the days I'm on duty.

So check in tomorrow ... after you check out the school pictures!

 

Mr Deacon, 5.5 Kindergarten (yes, he picked his own outfit)

Mr. Braeden, 9 and in 3rd grade.

GIVING

We are fast approaching the time of year for charity donations and IRA withdrawals. Those who are 70½ or older will discover definite advantages to contributing money to a qualified charity directly from your IRAs. 

The IRS provided this easy way to escape paying taxes on our Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) several years ago

Such qualified charitable donations (QCDs) will also help those of us who pay taxes on a portion of their Social Security benefits. Such donations will also help those who are subject to tax on net investment income, or a phase-out of personal exemptions or itemized deductions. Perhaps this is something for you and your acquaintances to ponder. 

I'm not quite at RMD age, but believe me ... this is how I will do my giving once I hit that magic number.

STOP ME!

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BOYS and BOYS

Mr. 9 and Mr. 5.5.  Mostly they love each other and play, play, play together.  Yet they have so many differences.

Mr. 5.5 loves to dress like a Wall Street business person.  Mr. 9 wants to be a rapper (especially since he learned P. Diddy attended Montessori schools).

(his outfit for picture day)

Mr. 5.5 wants new ties for Christmas.  Mr P Diddy wants a thick gold chain and a cross.

Mr. 9 is enjoying a bit of alone time, listening to music.  Mr 5.5 loves creating things.  Dad lets him nail scrap wood, dig in the dirt, have a half bucket of water any season of the year.  Mom enjoys providing craft products and letting his imagination go. 

At school, Mr. 5.5 is learning to sew.  He came home VERY excited to mail some handiwork to his favorite Aunt (my sister Janet).  Even had his  "guide" (teacher) write Aunt Janet's name on the water color.

   

Mr. 9 is all about using technology.  He uses Alexa the most in our family.  He can even have her turn on the TV and find a movie!  She saves his favorite music so he can just ask "play my mellow playlist" or "Alexa!  Play my dance music playlist"  He loves to wander through the internet on his topic of the week .... from dung beetles to kids catching big fish to stencils for carving pumpkins (yes, he can print from an iPhone).

Mr. 5.5 is a finicky eater.  He won't even TRY things.  At home.  And while he used to LOVE cantaloupe, now he refuses.  School is amazing at offering the Kindergarten group two snacks a day ... now he likes celery, salami, honeydew and almond butter!  Mr. 9 has always loved ANY fruit or vegetable... not too high on meat.  Mr. 5.5 prefers flesh.

They both still love being military.  Dressing the part. Playing with action figures.  Carrying play guns and rifles.  Mr. 9 and a cohort at school did a project on tanks.  They learned that Leonardo Da Vinci invented the first tank in 1487 and they made a tank out of cardboard, egg cartons, foil and paint.

But they still have a soft spot for Gramma.  This is CALENDAR weekend for me, so I've been holed up in my office triple checking everything.

They shared a favorite lambie, made a flip book, a three dimensional shark, gave me some bird flash cards and put some steps on my fitbit.  They also came in 1,842,905 times to borrow my tape or my scissors or my stapler or my paper or my markers.

Smart Gramma quietly locked her door.  

SURPRISE!  Look Gramma, I can get in so you don't have to come to the door!