Just looking

This week we visited "The Forum," a retirement facility that's about 3 miles from here. I remember when it was built, about 35 years ago. It was sort of on the edge of our community with not a lot of housing and apartment buildings nearby, but now it is surrounded. I'd made a check list of what to look for based on some I'd seen on the internet, but I rearranged it a bit. They were all for "mom" and that was not our concern, and most lists were for assisted care or memory care. The Forum stopped doing nursing care during Covid so that section is vacant. Memory care and assisted care are across the street in a different building, so that's a separate concern.

So, I had things on my list like staffing, cleanliness, security, activities and proximity to the things we already knew. For proximity it gets A+ as our primary care doctor is on the same street. If we were 5 years younger, we could walk there. Also, the pharmacy, the stores we are used to are within a mile, and it's maybe one more mile to church than our current home. The big shock was it sits on 14 wooded acres. We've been driving past it all these years and didn't know that--I'd seen trees but I guess I thought there were houses in there. There's nothing prettier than a woods this time of year in central Ohio, So, that was a plus. Now I suppose that could change as land prices shoot up. Around here they are building very ugly multi-story apartment buildings in every open space.

I had picked out a floor plan from their website, and we toured the model, and also 2 that were empty, and not updated. It's 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living/dining area and a one person kitchen. that's 856 sq. ft., although there are some models that are over 1200 sq. ft. with a den and a dining room. One perk is a lovely balcony or deck. No washer/dryer--there are several on each floor. Some larger units do have a stackable in a closet. That would be hard to get used to, although they launder sheets. Elevators, of course. Beautiful dining room that looks into the woods. It was well appointed having been recently "refreshed" in contemporary colors and new chairs and flooring. We didn't have a meal, but there is a chef on site. There was a group of residents waiting in the lobby to go to a state park for a picnic, and it turns out the bus driver (an employee) is a member of our Sunday School class. Each unit has free parking at the entrance closest to that unit, but you can rent garage space. The word has it that many people use their garage for storage! Imagine that.

I was expecting some sort of meal plan in the cost, but it is full throttle--3 meals a day. I'm an apple and walnuts or cottage cheese breakfast person myself, and Bob is boring oatmeal with raisins guy. We'd probably put on weight. That might solve one problem--I have a bit of a china fetish--5 sets, and with no cooking, I won't need but a few dishes. As I thought about it, it started to sound like a good idea. If we have guests, just take them to the dining room.

And storage is definitely a problem for us. It's different for everyone, but in our case it's paintings. Hundreds. Other painters, plus both of us. If you're familiar with "flat files" which architects use, that's another problem.  I won't mind packing up and giving away the bazillions of nails and screws we've moved from house to house over the years, but paintings are a bit more personal. Books are a smaller problem, but we've been whittling that down for the past year.

New Year's changes in Social Security benefits for retirees

If you are retired and receiving a public pension (like STRS or PERS in Ohio) you couldn't "double dip" and also get your social security benefits. That has just changed. All the details are not worked out yet, and I have no idea how retroactive it will be. Retirees' associations have been battling this for over 40 years, but of course if Biden signed the bill he'll get the credit. To look it up check out government offset, or windfall--they are 2 different laws.

https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf?

https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/program-explainers/windfall-elimination-provision.html?

The gang's all here--retirees' lunch

 On January 5, 2024, the OSU Libraries retirees got together for lunch at the Morgan House.  This restaurant is in Dublin, OH, north of here about 20 minutes, and is named for a Civil War event.  It's a log cabin with additions moved to Glick Rd. from another location. About The Morgan House & John Hunt Morgan Near Columbus Zoo Restaurants | Dublin Ohio (morganhse.com)   Lots of back lighting, but that's my white hair in the front.  We don't talk much about libraries anymore.  I think we talked about Medicare and the drug plan changes. And cats, grandchildren and vacations.  Like all older people. From the left, Marty, Marcia, Mary Jo, Graham, Susan, Jerry, David, and me. On Februaty 2 it was my turn to host, so I chose the OSU Golf Course Dining Room.  It's close to my home and the parking is easy.

Joan is thankful for . . .

I give thanks --

• For the unconditional love of family. It provides me with the security to discover who and what I am and who and what I can become.
• For the gift of time. Each hour of each day and night offers new opportunity for me to reach out, take, give, be, and grow.
• For the beauty of the Earth. It encourages my heart and rescues me from the tedium of daily life.
• For the full use of my senses. The ability to see, touch, taste, smell, and hear allows me to become one with God’s creation.
• For my community of faith. Through the Christian church the noble, unselfish, and servant nature of humanity finds voice as we support each other in the quest for meaning and purpose in life and opportunities to contribute to the betterment of society and the building of the Kingdom of God here on the Earth.
• For my freedoms: I have freedom for living given me by my God. It is only through Him that the unselfish, tender, and noble parts of me can withstand the onslaught of the self-serving and callous nature struggling to emerge from within. I have freedom for living given me by my country. It was founded on the principal that all of us are created equal, and I can express beliefs and live as my own conscience dictates. I have freedom for living given me by my family and friends. Because they love me, they accept the unlovely parts of me and support me when I face adversity so that I can emerge on the other side of the conflict a stronger and more deserving creature.
• For my heritage. The long line of love and commitment goes back generations – the love for God and the respect for others and self that I learned by example.
• For those whose lives have intersected with and impacted mine. From the aunts and uncles of my childhood, to colleagues of bygone years, to eager students, to fellow worshippers, to thoughtful bloggers – they have all had a part in making me who I am.
• For those whose lives I have been able to touch. I have seen: the visible light when a student finally succeeds in a difficult task or understands a complex concept, the smile flashed when another person hears his/her worth affirmed, the comfort found by sharing a common interest, concern, or grief.
• For a searching mind and spirit. Life-long learning allows me to live many lives in one.
• For communication. How lonely the road would be could we not share thoughts, ideas, and beliefs with others.
• For a comfortable home and adequate food.
• For a modicum of financial security. My life need not revolve around meeting basic needs. Free of this burden, I can fly.

Joan is a retired teacher who lives in Georgia—we followed each other as bloggers and now we are friends on Facebook.  What’s interesting about this list (reposted at FB from a 2007 blog entry) is that only the last 2 refer to anything material—which I think is how most retirees feel.

Seniors can ask for a discount (I’ve only tried a few)

RESTAURANTS:
Applebee's: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
Arby's: 10% off ( 55 +)
Ben & Jerry's: 10% off (60+)
Bennigan's: discount varies by location (60+)
Bob's Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
Burger King: 10% off (60+)
Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee ( 55+)
Chili's: 10% off ( 55+)
CiCi's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Denny's: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members ( 55 +)
Dunkin' Donuts: 10% off or free coffee ( 55+)
Einstein's Bagels: 10% off baker's dozen of bagels (60+)
Fuddrucker's: 10% off any senior platter ( 55+)
Gatti's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
Hardee's: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
IHOP: 10% off ( 55+)
Jack in the Box: up to 20% off ( 55+)
KFC: free small drink with any meal ( 55+)
Krispy Kreme: 10% off ( 50+)
Long John Silver's: various discounts at locations ( 55+)
McDonald's: discounts on coffee everyday ( 55+)
Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
Shoney's: 10% off
Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
Steak 'n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday ( 50+)
Subway: 10% off (60+)
Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)
Taco Bell : 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
TCBY: 10% off ( 55+)
Tea Room Cafe: 10% off ( 50+)
Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
Wendy's: 10% off ( 55 +)
White Castle: 10% off (62+) This is for me ... if I ever see one again.

RETAIL & APPAREL:
Banana Republic: 30% off ( 50 +)
Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month ( 50 +)
Belk's: 15% off first Tuesday of every month ( 55 +)
Big Lots: 30% off
Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days ( 55 +)
C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (50+)
Clarks : 10% off (62+)
Dress Barn: 20% off ( 55+)
Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kmart: 40% off (Wednesdays only) ( 50+)
Kohl's: 15% off (60+) Modell's Sporting Goods: 30% off
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday ( 55+)
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off ( 55+)
Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month ( 55 +)

GROCERY:
Albertson's: 10% off first Wednesday of each month ( 55 +)
American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday ( 50 +)
Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
Food Lion: 60% off every Monday (60+)
Fry's Supermarket: free Fry's VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday ( 55 +)
Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday ( 50 +)
Publix: 15% off every Wednesday ( 55 +)
Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
Uncle Guiseppe's Marketplace: 15% off (62+)

TRAVEL :
Airlines:
Alaska Airlines: 50% off (65+)
American Airlines: various discounts for 50% off non-peak periods (Tuesdays - Thursdays) (62+)and up (call before booking for discount)
Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations
Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Rail:
Amtrak: 15% off (62+)
Bus:
Greyhound: 15% off (62+)
Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50+

Car Rental:
Alamo Car Rental: up to 25% off for AARP members
Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members
Budget Rental Cars: 40% off; up to 50% off for AARP members ( 50+)
Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off ( 50+) Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members
National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members

Overnight Accommodations:
Holiday Inn: 20-40% off depending on location (62+)
Best Western: 40% off (55+)
Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Waldorf Astoria - NYC $5,000 off nightly rate for Presidential Suite (55 +)
Clarion Motels: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Econo Lodge: 40% off (60+)
Hampton Inns & Suites: 40% off when booked 72 hours in advance
Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler's Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
Marriott Hotels: 25% off (62+)
Motel 6: Stay Free Sunday nights (60+)
Myrtle Beach Resort: 30% off ( 55 +)
Quality Inn: 40%-50% off (60+)
Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Sleep Inn: 40% off (60+)

ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT:
AMC Theaters: up to 30% off ( 55 +)
Bally Total Fitness: $100 off memberships (62+)
Busch Gardens Tampa, FL: $13 off one-day tickets ( 50 +)
Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
Massage Envy - NYC 20% off all "Happy Endings" (62 +)
U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)
Regal Cinemas: 50% off Ripley's Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket ( 55 +)

CELL PHONE DISCOUNTS:
AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $19.99/month (65+)
Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service ( 50 +)
Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+).

MISCELLANEOUS:
Great Clips: $8 off hair cuts (60+)
Supercuts: $8 off haircuts (60+)

Seen at https://www.onmogul.com

My retirement blog

My last entry, Nov. 1, was pretty funny. You'd think I'd have more to say--I'm in my 10th year now. My cousin mentioned in her Christmas card that she was retiring as of Jan. 1, 2010, so I think I'll write a "letter blog" to J. on that topic. However, she's been a teacher, and my experience with other retired teachers is that after a month or two, they go into subbing because it's so much fun to do what they love without all the paper work and committees. Norma's Retirement Blog, Growth Industry.

Yes, you found the mother load!

Someone searched "blogs of retired old people" on Google and found me.

So I looked at what else, besides me, this search turned up.

Old Democrats blogging for Obama

Blog catalog using retired folks as a topic

Senior citizen humor--check out the 91 year old stripper

The New Old Age, NYT blog on aging

Retirement home for old horses

Stix Blog

And others. You get the idea. Old people are blogging.