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Home > Archive: April, 2021

Archive for April, 2021

Keeping up with all those doors

April 28th, 2021 at 09:40 pm

This past couple of weeks has been a whirlwind of doors opening and closing.  

I mentioned in a previous post that my retirement was going to be pushed back while I continued to work part time in order to keep my health insurance.  However, my job was not able to offer me a part time position. (door closed)  So, I looked into maintaining COBRA insurance and while it was expensive, it was full coverage that I was willing to pay for. (door open) However, the same afternoon I learned this, the hub got a call from a large company on the slope (Alaska) about an interview. (door open?) If this works out, they have a great insurance plan, which eliminates my need to carry COBRA. (door closing?)   The interview is this afternoon.  My fingers are crossed, as my last day at my job is June 4. 

The girls (foster daughters) are going to try in-person school starting next week for the remainder of the year.  (door opened).  They havent attended in person school in a couple of years.  Theyve worked really hard to get their grades up to As and Bs this term, so I am more comfortable letting them dip their toes back into in person school.  Hoping all goes well with this decison.  It is a small, charter school and the teachers all seem to be well plugged into the students.  Again, finger's crossed. 

I am getting dose #2 this afternoon for my covid vaccine.  Hopefully the effects will be gentle on me.  Tomorrow will tell, but regardless, I am relieved to have this will be done!!

And finally, I recently added the girls rooms to our current cable TV account.  I knew it would add an additional $20 to our monthly plan, which was already ridiculously high, but I saw this is a financial trade off that allowed the girls a means of relaxing in the evening.  A loyalty ambassador for the cable company stopped by the day of the install and gave me a special phone number to call about getting our bill reduced.  I called the number and sure enough, they cut our bill to only $56 a month for the next year....a savings of $120!!!  This definitely helps with the budget as I leave employment.  They said to just call back each year and ask for this reduced rate....  I will believe it when I see it, but for the next year I am VERY thankful for that discount!!!

Now, to see how this interview goes with the hub....🤞


Life is busy

April 20th, 2021 at 05:25 pm

Life is busy and a little stressful.  Balancing full time work (from home), two teens in school (from home), and all the appointments that come with high risk foster kids, there isnt a lot of free time to just relax.  We were looking at in-school learning for the remainder of the year, but last night the school closed to in-school learning again because of a COVID outbreak.  I consider this a blessing in disguise, since I do not want COVID.  I am still a week away from the second dose of my vaccine, so I am still staying fairly safe and cautious. 

The hub is still looking for a job.  He has lots of applications out, but hasnt found the right one yet (he needs to secure insurance for me if possible).  Thankfully unemployment was extended until the end of August, so we have time. In the meantime, he is the primary "teacher and appointment manager" Because of his continued unemployment, I cant fully retire as I had hoped.  Health insurance is a big concern.  My boss is working to secure me a part time position so I can remain insured, but I wont find out if that is an option for a few more days.  If it works out, I will work about 20 hours a week (2.5 days), and have the other time to help the girls and perhaps see (watch) my youngest grandbaby more.  The department I work in will continue to work from home for quite a while (2 years?)

The girls are doing great.  We certainly have bumps in the road, coping and calming skills are a work in progress, but they have settled into a nice routine and are a real joy 90% of the time.  It is rewarding to see them finish childhood together!  (They turn 17 and 16 this summer)

Our plan this summer is to camp a lot more.  With the hubs freedom and my (hopefully) relaxed work schedule, we should be able to go as often as we would like for long weekends. 

I was really saddened to read of Ima/Julie's passing.  I enjoyed her posts and her inclusiveness with the challenges ($20 challenge, stair step challenge, etc.)  Rest in Peace sweet friend.  You left an impactful mark here at SA.