Sam Squared

      This past couple days were wonderfully coolish days but with loads of sun.  By coolish after the wave of early heat we had, I mean upper 70's to mid 80's and little humidity. I could really embrace summer if that was the norm. I used to love the heat, but never the humidity. Getting stuff done outside sure is better when I'm not dripping with sweat after 10 minutes. Fall is my season, but with time on my hands to enjoy being outside, being one with the grass, the dirt, plants, and even weeds, I'm starting to embrace summer again. My front yard is toast. I can't justify using water when we're in drought conditions. It'll come back; it always does      The daylillies bought last year survived and there was actual blooms.  The hydrangeas however are not looking great. The peony from the Buy Nothing seems to be growing and thriving, but these don't look like peonies so maybe its sonething else? It's pretty and I like the pop of color.  ...

    This is about my speed these days.       I can go go go when I'm on vacation, wanting to take in as much as possible in limited time. But, I can't pack in a week at home without feeling spent. It's rare for me to have social and or commitments every day. Sure, I have pet care, house and yard, and my ever present to do list but I'm subject to just my own and the pets schedule and timeline. Since Tuesday I've done my usual at home, but also had 1-2 outside ventures daily. Two concerts, an overnight stay in a hotel, two friend meetups, dinner at my sons, a lake day, and a volunteer shift at a book sale stretched my batteries. Oh, and a late afternoon kitty check and play yesterday. Pup enjoyed the very warm lake.     The, he found cool pavers in the shade to nap upon.  This week starts busy too. My sister, BIL, and I are getting an oak desk and chair ( picture in Friday post) to my son this morning. Tomorrow is PT and a blood work appointment. I ...

                                                                    For my Friday posts, I copy a previous week, delete the old and update as I go along the week. This helps me add as the week goes on. Here's my recap of Friday, July 10 to Thursday, July 16. I just sort of list things as they come up. Use it Up/Avoid Waste  While we had planned just happy hour food before concert, a series of issues with hotel disrupted that plan so we grabbed quick food before taking shuttles to the venue. Both sister and I had chicken tenders and while food was expensive portions were large. Between the two of us, a full order was left. We saved in the room refrigerator for my niece to take home.(Big eating teenage son!) Edit: She left forgetting in refrigerator so I popped in my cooler, then freezer at home as not sure...

      We've got the heat dome again, today will be in the mid 90's and no reprieve intil possibly Sunday says the meteorologists. Poor pup is not a fan but he gets out frequently. I just met my daughter for grandpup and he had a play outside while its cooler. I watered the cucumber pot and tomatoes, the beans too but think they're done for. I got both dogs on walks as well, all before 7:30. I was slow and hermit like. I did some tasks, read, watched both Wimbledon finals and World Cup matches, and didn't venture farther than the park, though took several walks. I did a few rounds each day of my PT exercises for my hip. While the stabbing pain is gone, I'm still struggling and bit.      The cats are still with me and this one's going to have a hard transition I think to living where someone isn't home most of the time. Where Little Miss likes her quiet places, this guy wants cuddle time on demand. I sit, and he jumps in my lap. Maybe it's because he's...

                                                                  For my Friday posts, I copy a previous week, delete the old and update as I go along the week. This helps me add as the week goes on. Here's my recap of Friday, July 3 to Thursday, July 9. I just sort of list things as they come up. Use it Up/Avoid Waste  Made a small bit of  broth and took the minimal chicken off bone from last Thursdays rotisserie chicken. Used bits from discounted cheese curds to bulk up with carrots, celery, and bow tie pasta for  small pot of soup. I froze a couple portions of it as well. My freezer is getting quite filled with 1-2 portion freezer meals. Avoiding Spending/Saving on needs   Second thoughted myself and made a broccoli, bacon salad for the 4th when I was going to be lazy and pick up from the del...

      This describes my perspective on spending right now beyond needs. Maybe I just have particular spending patterns that align where inflation has hit hardest, but I shake my head each month on the difference from a year ago. Thank goodness I was able to save a significant amount from my house and car insurance, but with new expenses for pup and everything else skyrocketing, I'm being cautious.      Not that I'm going cold turkey on spending. I still want nice experiences, good and healthy food, travel again at some point, and there's things that need replacing or repairing around the house. I won't go into the details of my exact budget, but I'm focused on keeping with the adjusted retirement budget of 70% needs, 20%wants, and 10% emergency/unforseen expenses/cash savings (from the former 50-30-20). I'm also determined to not give myself a cost of living adjustment (COLA) from my retirement. I'm squeezing that 20% wants allocation and that includes cont...