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.
ReplyDeleteHa! My dentist knows that ditty too!
DeleteLast 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
ReplyDeleteWhew! Exploded with rage?! I'd never go back to a dentist or doctor like that.
DeleteThat 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.
ReplyDeleteIt bloomed for the first time last year, and was so pretty!
DeleteI'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.
ReplyDeleteVery good advice, and I'll take it. Thanks Debra!
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteMy best dentist of all time was very, very old and retired on me. God, I miss him. He never once hurt me and did very good work, and never tried to upsell anything.
DeleteDo you make Crab Apple Jelly? It was my favourite when I was small.
ReplyDeleteI'm really hoping to make crabapple jelly one day! The tree's so young it only produced about a dozen crabapples last year, but we're hoping for a lot more soon. My father-in-law loved crabapple jelly when he was growing up, and it's super hard to find these days. I'll probably gift him one of the first jars I make!
DeleteI 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! :-)
I knew you'd enjoy seeing the picture! And I'm excited for some of the new vegetable and zinnia varieties I'm growing this year!
DeleteI had a problem with a tooth and was shocked to get an estimate of $5000, plus a list of suggested work. I said that I could not afford it. I could I suppose, but it just seemed insane to me.
ReplyDeleteSame here, Debby. I could afford it if I had to, but not if it's just to line somebody's pockets. Thousands of dollars don't come that easily to me!
DeleteTut tut now Jennifer. You're never going to buy a spot in the federal government if you talk like that. (Sorry. Couldn't resist).
DeleteDeer eating your leaves? Maybe you should eat one of the deer! All that venison would keep you fed for a month. From the hide you could make a nice jacket. I would rather not discuss dentistry.
ReplyDeleteWe love our neighborhood deer, though! Gregg puts out apples and carrots for them every once in a while, and there's a mama deer that has been known to bring her new fawns to our yard. They're almost pets, you see.
DeleteIt looks as if spring is right around the corner with you thinking about planting. I used to have a dentist that was like yours. Every time I'd go, there would be a huge bill and I needed this or that. I switched dentists about 15 or so years ago and I am happy that I did. Now when I go, I rarely need any extra work done. And when I do, I know I need it! Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
ReplyDeleteI've discovered if I don't start seeds early enough to have them a nice, big planting-out size by early April, they won't set fruit in time to beat the awful summer heat.
DeleteI think you need to change dentists. That's not acceptable. It's just not.
ReplyDeleteYay for you for getting your taxes done! That's huge, Jennifer. And getting ready for your garden. I see those rattlesnake beans!
I'm planting three or four times as many beans this year, thanks to you! I'm excited for this year's garden.
DeleteGlad you got so much done on your winter break! I agree with other comments that you might want to ask around about a new dentist.
ReplyDeleteYou've reminded me that I have to get to work on my taxes. Thanks for the reminder, Jennifer!
I hope it's as painless as possible for you!
DeleteMy dentist does the same thing, but not to the tune of $7,000! She's trying to get me to replace a filling and I've been holding off because it's not broken, just worn, and feels fine to me. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
ReplyDeleteExactly, Steve!
DeleteCongratulations on getting your taxes done! I miss the pre-retirement days of filing my own, when it was just a W2 and interest statement. Now it's 5 1099 forms, my Obamacare reconcile, etc. Jennifer, this is only my second visit to your blog but I like it very much. I'm looking forward to reading more. 🙂
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and leaving such a nice comment! I just discovered your blog, too, and DITTO. :)
DeleteI used to get so excited about seeds in February; they portend hope of a spring
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your blog for some time now, Jennifer, and today I come from the shadows to tell you how much I enjoy your observations on life. I'll keep on reading and invite you to visit me at https://instanceofreflection.blogspot.com/2025/02/cleaning-up.html
ReplyDeleteI’m so grateful for the uk tax system , which is done for u
ReplyDeleteYou accomplished a lot! Whew! I have not yet girded myself to do Taxes. If only there was a flat tax that they did for us and everyone paid it...
ReplyDelete