The countdown begins for many kids

 In 2022 many of you will be thinking about retiring, here are some thoughts on this subject to help you make up your mind

I have all the $$$ money $$$ I’ll ever need in retirement...

As long as I die by 4 pm tomorrow.

Warning! I’m retired

I know everything and have plenty of time to talk about it! Approach with caution!

Based on my latest calculations, i can retire five years after i die

Retirement is waking up in the morning with nothing to do, and going to bed having accomplished only half of it.

I retired for health reasons, the company was sick of me, and I was sick of them

Retirement is when you stop working and start working at living

When I first retired, I woke up at 6:00 AM and drove very slowly on the freeway. I was yelled at a lot by all those that I made late for work, but it was fun.

Retirement the pay sucks but the benefits are great.

R elax

E at

T ravel

I ndugle

R ead

E at

Happy Days are here again

RETIREMENT CHECKLIST

9-10:00 NOTHING

10-11:00 (BREAK)

11-12:00 NADA

12-1:00 (LUNCH)

1-2:00 ZIP

2-3:00 ZERO

3-4:00 (BREAK)

4-5:00 ZILCH

RULES TO RELAX BY: RETIRED AND LOVING IT.

1. You get 6 Saturdays and 1 Sunday every week.

2. Bedtime is 3 hours after you fall asleep

3. Formal attire is shoes.

4. We love to count pennies because we have time.

5. A long lunch is... Normal.

6. I never know when my lunch break starts, or my coffee break ends.

7. Am I bored? No way.

 

Food Bank Help

 Did you know that 17% of Food Bank clients are seniors? With so many people to support, the Seniors’ Program is the most expensive supplemental nutritional program that Food Banks run. It provides foods that are high in lean protein, low in sodium and easy to eat.

You’ll help seniors some of who are helping to care for their grandchildren because families have been hard hit because of COVID. I know many grandparents who are doing the best they can to help their family and as a result, do not have enough food for themselves. 

Will you help ensure that seniors in your community receive healthy, nutritious food to eat—and to share with their family and loved ones? Please support the FoodBank in your community.

One week before Xmas

I have seen the outrage floating around Facebook that Christians feel hard done by because they claim they are not allowed to say Merry Christmas, and some of them rail on about the crushing of the Christmas Spirit as if it was the end of the world. While others counter with the fact there are many holidays that are special to many and to show respect you should wish someone a “Happy Holiday’ so as to not upset them.

I don’t care one way or the other. Christmas is taken from a pagan religious fest and changed to meet the current needs of the dominant religion. The month of December has more to offer than just holiday preparations. Special days and observances can be a way to explore a variety of subjects, including awareness of health conditions, safety issues, and ways to promote a healthy lifestyle. It's a bit on the lighter side when it comes to daily observances this month. That's because there are many official and unofficial special days to celebrate in December. Here are some days and holidays that Americans can celebrate in Dec. Enjoy the month!

December Daily Holidays and Observances

1. December 1: Rosa Parks Day, World AIDS Day, Eat a Red Apple Day, National Pie Day, Giving Tuesday* (Tuesday after Thanksgiving)

2. December 2: Special Education Day, National Mutt Day

3. December 3: Make a Gift Day, National Roof Over Your Head Day, Let's Hug Day, National Apple Pie Day

4. December 4: Santa's List Day, National Cookie Day, Wildlife Conservation Day

5. December 5: Repeal Day, International Volunteer Day, National Communicate With Your Kids Day

6. December 6: Mitten Tree Day, National Microwave Oven Day, Coats & Toys for Kids Day* (first Saturday), National Gazpacho Day

7. December 7: National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Letter Writing Day, International Civil Aviation Day, National Cotton Candy Day, Walt Disney Day* (first Monday)

8. December 8: Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day, National Brownie Day, National Christmas Tree Day

9. December 9: Christmas Card Day, National Pastry Day

10. December 10: Human Rights Day, Nobel Prize Day, First Night of Hanukkah* (varies, sometimes in November), Dewey Decimal System Day, National Lager Day

11. December 11: First Day of Hanukkah* (varies, sometimes in November), National App Day

12. December 12: National Poinsettia Day, Gingerbread House Day, National Ding-a-Ling Day

13. December 13: National Violin Day, Ice Cream Day, International Children's Day* (second Sunday), National Horse Day, World Choral Day* (second Sunday), National Cocoa Day

14. December 14: Roast Chestnuts Day

15. December 15: Bill of Rights Day, National Cupcake Day, International Tea Day

16. December 16: Boston Tea Party Day, National Chocolate Covered Anything Day

17. December 17: Wright Brothers' First Flight Anniversary, National Maple Syrup Day

18. December 18: Bake Cookies Day, National Twin Day, National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day* (third Friday)

19. December 19: Look for an Evergreen Day, National Oatmeal Muffin Day, Holly Day

20. December 20: Go Caroling Day, Games Day, National Sangria Day, National Wreaths Across America Day* (third Saturday)

21. December 21: First Day of Winter/Winter Solstice* (date varies), Crossword Puzzle Day, Humbug Day, Look on the Bright Side Day, National Flashlight Day, National Hamburger Day, Forefathers' Day, Don't Make Your Bed Day* (first day of Winter), National Short Story Day* (first day of Winter)

22. December 22: National Date Nut Bread Day

23. December 23: Festivus, National Roots Day, National Pfeffernüsse Day

24. December 24: Christmas Eve, National Egg Nog Day, National Chocolate Candy Day

25. December 25: Christmas Day, National Pumpkin Pie Day

26. December 26: National Whiners Day, Boxing Day, National Candy Cane Day

27. December 27: National Fruitcake Day, Make Cut-Out Snowflakes Day

28. December 28: National Card Playing Day

29. December 29: Tick Tock Day

30. December 30: Bacon Day

31. December 31: New Year's Eve, Make Up Your Mind Day

December Weekly Holidays and Observances

1. Hanukkah* (changes yearly and lasts for 8 days)

Unique to the USA

a. National Handwashing Awareness Week (first week)

b. National Influenza Vaccination Week* (typically first week)

c. Tolerance Week (first full week)

d. Human Rights Week (second week)

e. Thank a Soldier Week (the week including Christmas)

2. Kwanzaa (December 26–January 1)

December Monthly Holidays and Observances

1. Art and Architecture Month

2. Egg Nog Month

3. Handwashing Awareness Month

4. Hi Neighbor Month

5. Learn a Foreign Language Month

6. Made in America Month

7. National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month

8. National Fruit Cake Month

9. National Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month

10. National Pear Month

11. Noodle Ring Month

12. Procrastination Awareness Month

13. Read a New Book Month

14. Root Vegetable Month

15. Safe Toys and Gifts Month

16. Sign Up for Summer Camp Month

17. Stress-Free Family Holidays Month

18. Tomato and Winter Squash Month

19. Tropical Fruits Month

20. Universal Human Rights Month

21. World AIDS Awareness Month

22. Write a Friend Month\

Should you age proof your house?

Maybe my wife and I are in denial. We've been talking about ageing, and I have thought about whether or not we should prepare to age in place by getting our home ready for the possibility that we might suffer an age-related disability.  My wife from time to time has issues with getting around, so I suggested the idea of installing a chair lift to get us to the second floor, which, in my mind would be better than selling. We are thinking about it and have been for about a year. Some people might think we were procrastinating but we are just being thorough.

I have a friend who lives in a one-story house. The master bedroom is on the first floor. They don't have to climb steps. Actually, going up the stairs doesn't bother me. But going down is a little more difficult. I get a twinge in my knee, a crack in my ankle. I have resolved to always make sure to hold onto the banister when negotiating the stairs. I know the last thing you want when you're our age is a fall.

We have a yard with trees in the front and the back, and I am researching the best way to handle the leaves that fall. There is one school of thought that says pick them up, and get rid of them. Another train of thought says pick them up and compost them. While a third train of though says leave them on the lawn, it will not hurt the lawn.

Meanwhile, some of our friends have moved into a townhouse or condominium. They don't have to rake leaves at all, but they are not subject tot new rules and regulations imposed by Condo Boards.

I am thinking of installing a grab bar in the bathroom, because the bathroom can be a dangerous place if your lose your sense of balance.

There is a movement in our area to replace the round doorknobs on the front doors of rooms with a levered doorknob on the front door. Because they are easier to open for seniors. I am not sure if it a good idea, but we have one, and it is easier to open and close than the front door.

The bottom line is if you want to age in place, then age-proofing your home is a good idea.