The Gramzie Chronicles

  I've been facing a high pressure situation here.  It's all my own fault. Previously, I mentioned the real adulting we've taken on.  What I should have said was I myself have taken it on. How I wish I was wired more like my husband; easy-going but always productive.  Instead, I'm going full afterburners in an attempt to control even some things that more than likely will eventually be out of my control anyway. I spent the entire day in my office yesterday, and while I think I accomplished quite a lot, I'm still left wondering if there is more I should be doing instead of resting a bit on my laurels. Allow me to outline a few, and you be the judge. We are at that time in our lives when we need a clear plan.  The last thing I want is for our kids to have to deal with a mess, or complications caused by anything we did not arrange properly. So, I went through all our policies, investments, and such.  I updated beneficiary information, first and foremost, even ...

  I know I promised no politics here, so I want to stick with that while also expressing my dismay over some horrifying developments over the past few days, namely Cornell and the latest, and most disturbing, black and while propaganda ad being run and paid for by our taxes.  If you haven't see it yet, watch for it.  I saw it for the first time last night, and all I could say was WTH was that?? With that said, I'll transition to an even more concerning trend: barrel-leg pants.  What self-respecting woman would willingly wear any piece of clothing with the word "barrel" in the name?  It makes even the thinnest, most fit person look like Festus from Gunsmoke, bowlegged as can be.  As a teen of the 70's, I already carry enough insecurity about my looks without bending to this fad.  Now, kudos to anyone who truly likes the look and wears it with confidence, but it's my greatest hope that it fades as fast as disco. Has anyone seen the Martha Stewart ad...

  I will admit to being heartbroken.  I promised no puppy and to wait to the end of summer to decide whether I could live without a dog.  I don't think I can, and have been scouring rescue sites.  Lots of big farm dogs, and while I do love a big dog, it isn't  practical for us at this point in our lives.  Jared suggested the perfect breed for us, and there is a rescue in Chicago that has a couple I'd love.  But, and it's a big but, Randy flat out does not want a dog. Period. I've hung onto the hope for another all summer, but I guess I'll just relinquish the dream.  The house just seems so empty. The banking situation is now down to one remaining account that will have to stay in place until our Social Security gets deposited in October.  There is only enough left in that to keep it active. I'll be grateful to have that chapter ended. We have another "planning" meeting tonight so we can make some future plans in order for our kids not to be b...

  I should be in the shower, but first a bit of mental cleanup. Please understand, I'm not bashing, simply airing my frustration. Fall is my all-time favorite season.  This fall is, unfortunately, following a very familiar pattern I'd hoped we'd avoid.  The farmers are doing their usual panic in the disco, either in prep for harvest, or complications in beginning.  This means more calls, more time running into the country for Randy.  The farm kid in him just won't let him turn them down.  Of course, there are those for whom he won't work anymore, and jobs he isn't doing anymore, but right now, if it doesn't have to do with the shop or Kiwanis, my dear man has the memory of a goldfish. One thing I'm trying to impress on him is that he's not doing the farmers any favors by bailing them out because as long as he makes himself available, as they will never look for anyone else. Jennifer recently put in one of those screen organizers to keep track of ever...

It's a sobering day across this great nation of ours, what's left of it, that is.  Everyone remembering that day, what they were doing, where they were.  We never forget. God bless America. Our sweet little neighbor lost her mom recently so I'm baking cinnamon bread for her family.  This has happened a lot this summer, and as you all probably know, baking is my answer to everything.  While I wait for the dough to rise, I thought I'd hit on a few things. The retirement saga continues, but I'm happy to report that we are no longer tethered to business hours,  Randy continues to go out every morning to "check on the shop".  He does have another old girl in his surgical suite, so if he has the parts, he tinkers around with that.  I have to laugh when he continues to act surprised when I remind him that it's okay to just lock the door. I recently read that women past "a certain age" should not wear bangs.  Actually, I've read a lot of things t...

  It's time for us to get things in line; simplified, convenient, and for good. We had both banked at the same place our entire adult lives.  When the branch closed, we still had the vestiges of a mortgage, two checking accounts, and a savings.  We also had a small ream of printable computer checks/deposit slips.  The cost alone of beginning anew was staggering, not to mention having to refinance what was left of the mortgage.  So, I learned how to do mobile banking. Since that time, we are debt-free, and now faced with the reality of being in our seventies  So,  we decided it was time for a change.  With the prospect of one day our son having to manage things, it made sense to gather what was ours and make it more easily accessible, eliminating an hour and a half drive to the branch.  Then there is the issue of being able to access the accounts on my phone. I understand that's a nightmare of its own, if it came to that. No one tells you how ...