Retirement

   Putting down a few thoughts about retirement today. I took my Social Security Benefits at age 62 which is only 70% of what you are eligible for.  Which turns out is a LOT when your check barely exceeds National Poverty Standards. And there are really quite stringent limits to what you can earn additionally with a job. Medicare (health insurance) doesn't start until age 66.  I'm sure the devil had something to do with that. So now I'm categorize as a proud retiree, just an 1/8 inch above Poverty $$, with no health insurance or prescription medicine insurance.  Thank God every day for The Patient Assistance Programs provided by the drug manufacturers.  I know, right?  Whoever thought I'd be grateful to those money grubbers?  HA!
It's only been since February...with that first SS check not coming until APRIL 15!   They tell you that when you apply way far ahead of time, but somehow it slips your mind.  Until you realize you will be without a regular check for that long.  And your job has already ended.  And you have no cha-ching.  So the beginning was hard, but it could have been worse. Grateful every day for generous friends and family.
I did all those things you do when you don't work a regular job.  Clean out everything, get caught up on everything, blah,blah,blah.  Great.  Now what? I keep eyeing my jewelry studio, aka the dogs room...  I just simply stopped creating one day and walked out, leaving it pretty much like this.

Nothing was selling.  Tried on Etsy. On a"my" website, which that was really hard to figure out.  Did it on one of those free sights.  Tried sharing on Facebook.  Started my Auntie RooLoo's Cottage page. etcetcetc.  It all sold great at the beginning at that local shop until that shop owner treated me worse than dirt.  She decided to only have juried artists.  Snob. And not even the you know what to let me know!  Just stopped ordering. Creating just POOF, disappeared.
Keep thinking about all the junk jewels that are just waiting for me.  Lots of stuff from friends just sitting there.  Lots of stuff we found out on our pickin trips.  Just sitting.  Waiting.
The best thing about retirement so far is that I can stay all snuggled up in my cocoon on these cool, fall mornings with Freddy laying on his back waiting for belly rubs. Heaven.  One of the last jobs was getting up at 4a.m. and driving about 30 minutes to work. NOT missing that job!
The most challenging has been trying to budget those dollars.  Keeping the WiFi and internet.  Downsizing to the very cheapest TV package.  Not many stations available down here in smalltown USA unless you have cable or satellite. And the cellphone! ACK!  It is ridiculous! Did away with the land line, only have internet line. 
I don't travel, go to expensive restaurants or the theater, no weekend girlfriend trips. No Starbucks...well unless I get 2 gift cards for Christmas like last year.  Got addicted to their Ethiopian coffee till those ran out. No Country Living Fair.  Or Round Top Antiques Fair. Or Brimfield. ACK! 
Keeping a handle on the $3 purchases even is a must. 
But it could always be worse.  The internet keeps me grateful for what I have when witnessing such hopelessness and destitution, war, and such.
Looking forward to giving my Freddy boy and great belly hug.  Maybe even HoneyMarie will jump in bed tomorrow!

Breast Cancer Awareness

The Arch in St Louis lit up for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Awareness hit me in the face 20 years ago when my best friend, Neola, was diagnosed.  She and I always confided in each other every time it was "that time" for the mammogram each year because we had fibrocystic breasts and it was always a very apprehensive time for us both.  There were always new cysts discovered at our annual exams.  So we would support each other while patiently waiting for the results.
This time for her she had found a new lump and insisted the Dr. do more testing.  He tried to reassure her it was just a benign cyst, but she wasn't having it.  She had "the feeling".  And I Thank the Lord every, single day she did. Behind that cyst she had found, there was cancer in another tumor.  And it was in both breasts.  Can you imagine that she might have gone another year? All I can say, is OMG.


BE PROACTIVE.  Please, please, please don't be afraid to challenge your Dr. or get another opinion.  There is not a doubt in my mind that this saved her life.  She is a SURVIVOR because she spoke up, challenged, demanded further testing.
Her journey was isolating and difficult.  She chose to close herself off to us all.  I would call, still, often and talk with her husband.  I wanted her to know I was there for her.  Right after the surgery I stopped by several times while she was still in St Louis recovering to talk, gingerly hug and love her.
One of those days when I stopped by I was on my way to get an invasive ultrasound of the new lump they had seen on the Mamm.  I didn't share this with her because I just didn't want to worry her.  That day she chose to show me her double mastectomy scars.  We cried together and hugged and I told her I was grateful she was smarter than the Dr. and we laughed.  
I went on my way to Missouri Baptist Hospital for my appointment, but this time it was so different.  Because my possibilities had just become more real!  I started sobbing, mostly for her, but because I was scared, too.  When I arrived, needless to say I was a total mess.  I'm not one to blubber in public, but I was blubbering bad.  This was right before Mo Bap built their fabulous Womens Breast Health Clinic.  But they had started the program.  An RN met me in the waiting room.  I couldn't even coherently tell her what was wrong!  She took me into a private room and I was finally able to share about my visit with Neola.  She was so kind and compassionate.  We got me calmed down and prepped for the procedure.  The Radiologist that day was just absolutely wonderful.  The RN had told him the story, and he was also so kind and compassionate. I was able to get my all clear results very quickly and will always be grateful and devoted to Missouri Baptist and their fabulous staff. 
Neola's breast cancer started my jewelry business.  Not that it was much of a business, but I began donated all the proceeds from sales of BC Awareness bracelets to Susan G. Komen for research.  I still donate when I can.                           

     This was a piece donated for a fundraiser for a friend's male relative

      

This is one of my later BC Awareness bracelets that I believe was also for a fundraiser                  

Please, be aware, be proactive, be a voice, be a supporter.

ONE in EIGHT woman are diagnosed with Breast Cancer