I'm thrilled to say that this morning I girded my loins and did our taxes. It's always such a relief to get that over with, and more so this time because Gregg started collecting Social Security last year. We were both a little nervous that since he hasn't quite reached his full retirement age, his earnings from self-employment added to the SS payments might put him over a threshold to owe higher taxes than usual. To my relief, though, we pretty much broke even and the amount we owe the federal government was less than the refund the state owes us. In fact, we come out ahead by $350, so I'm counting that as a win!
I had a six-month checkup with my family doctor yesterday which I was also dreading. I'd hoped to have lost more weight by now, but that didn't happen. (On the positive side, I haven't gained any back either). The doctor didn't comment on it one way or the other. I'm hoping to get back on track and take off some more weight between now and August when I see her again.
I also had a dental appointment early in the week. I just needed a cleaning and checkup, but I've come to dread my visits because the big, busy dental practice I use are ALWAYS trying to have me get expensive work done. This last time I protested that I wanted to hold off as long as possible on any extra work, because of the expense, and they STILL printed off a big estimate (over $7000!) and handed it to me with a warning that the prices go up every year. I hate the pressure to spend lots of money when I don't think it's really very urgent at all. I was super relieved when that bi-annual ordeal was over, too.
Another thing I accomplished this week was helping Gregg construct a new cage of bird netting around the crabapple tree. It grew so much last year that its branches were rubbing against the old net, so we had to make everything wider. If we don't take these steps, the neighborhood deer will eat every tender new leaf that opens this spring.
And speaking of growing things....my two seed orders arrived this week!
It feels like I've gotten a lot accomplished on this break, and I still have the weekend in front of me to do whatever I want. Then back to it on Monday!
My dentist has this little ditty I always get to hear: Crown, crown, bridge, crown bridge, my comment to him is "only when you pay for it." I'm going to follow your lead and try starter packs from seeds. We'll see how it turns out.
ReplyDeleteLast time a dentist pressured me to get expensive work done I said I would get a second opinion. He exploded with rage, and the second opinion told me none was necessary. He's been my dentist ever since. I can trust him only to recommend what's needed. It's very little. He's not getting many boat payments from me. But I have sent him several patients, so he's doing okay
ReplyDeleteThat dental practice would really piss me off. I’ve never had one give me a hard sell like that. Speaking of which, I must be due for a cleaning. We had a crab apple tree when I was a kid. It was a beauty. I look forward to seeing yours in the spring. Great news about taxes.
ReplyDeleteI'd ask around to friends, family, colleagues at work to try to find a new dentist that doesn't push the hard sell and then get a second opinion, like Boud suggests.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can find a better dentist, a keeper for life. Note they must be much younger than you. At 82, I've lost the last two to retirement. Theirs.
ReplyDeleteDo you make Crab Apple Jelly? It was my favourite when I was small.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the names of those seeds, and I can tell how glad all that you have accomplished this break make you.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I just realised I didn't really say thank you in my comment on P's picture - so: Thank you! :-)