$876.00

My ship has come in...I have received my first Social Security check.  Didn't have the pleasure of opening the envelope because SS requires direct deposit.  Still, I am ecstatic.  I opted for taking out MY money as soon as they would let me.  They do this big song and dance about waiting until you are your FULL retirement age and get more money per month.  Who are they kidding?  Not me.  I want MY money now.  And I have the first installment.  Goodie for me!

Jo's Household Tip

Friends, toss out your windex.  This is how I clean my bathroom mirrors.

Take a single edge razor blade.  Scrape any spatters until they are gone.  You are done.

Razors blades have many uses around the house and garage.  We buy them 100 in a box at the hardware store.

You can thank me later....

We Know the Drill

The wind has been gusting up to 40 mph the last 3 days.  When the lights begin to flicker, we each run for a flashlight.  Then we begin to fill large pitchers with water.  Lastly all the electric items are turned off except for one light.  We light candles.  Then we wait for that one light to go out.  And it always does go out. 

The flickering is caused by a tree that has fallen on an electric line causing the power to be intermittent as the tree dances on the line until the tree finally has its way and falls taking the power line with it.  By flashlight I go to the one phone in the house that does not need electricity to be in service.  (I had to buy that phone at a rummage sale.)  I call the emergency number for Jump River Cooperative Power Company.  In the last year they have gone to an automated service that you give your location so the crews know where to go.  Although I enjoyed chatting with the woman answering the phone and discussing the storm and where the other outages are.  Oh well...progress.

This episode was especially frantic because the flickering started as we were walking to the kitchen to make homemade lasagna.  With the flickering came both of us sprinting to the frig to pull out a leftover and warm it in the microwave before the power went off.  Flickered for an hour so leftovers were warmed and eaten.  By 7 pm the power was gone.  We sat in front of the fire for a long while just talking.  Then off to bed by 8.  Power was back on when we got up in the morning. 

It's the little things....

The 3 remotes have been in use as of late.  Winter.  Boy, can they get scuzzy.  Got out toothpicks, cotton swaps, lint-less wipes and a touch of soap.  Took a while but worth it.  What satisfaction to use a clean remote!  Don't know why we have 3.  They do different things.  I don't ask.