Happy New Year! I am up cleaning the house a little.(very little) Doing some laundry and getting ready to pack and get to my mom's. I will leave in a few hours and will take the truck as it has 4 wheel drive low and high range just in case. I will meet my sissie and we will clean the upstairs of mom's house. Actually we will clean the whole house. No easy task as it is a very large older home. Hope mom survives. Things are tense there with bro in Jail and our feelings toward Mom's handling of this very tense situation.
My first goal for the New Year is to fully fund our $1000.00 emergency fund which is down to about $86.00. I should be able to do that in the next 10 days and then I will tell you the next one. As I meet a goal I will post it on my goal page. In the mean time we will continue to save 10%, tithe 10% and pay as we have been.
I also have a goal to clean out all the drawers and closets in every upstairs orifice so to speak. It is getting bad. I will choose a room a week and post pictures.
Another reason for keeping this blog is my health. It is a log on how my arthritis has affected my life. I used to think that I was fine but it is very obviuos that I am not. I work hard because I enjoy it and also because I desperately need the money. I have to earn money to augment Hubby's salary. We cannot make it on what he earns. So I work. Now I could work at a real job where I got a salary, but I have so many health problems I don't think an employer would hire or keep me. I can work hard and I can get a lot done, but at my schedule if that makes any sense. Last year I did no outside work for anyone. I sewed in my shop and I ran the dance studio, I helped hub's at the bank(it is his contract). I am ready to start the disability paperwork. I hate to say that but I am. Do I consider myself disabled? No. My medical records argue this. The only way to really slow down is to have an income so I can. I will work on this although it irks me to know end. I have fought this fight for over 10 years and I am tired.
Now blogging buddies what do you think of this? I need advise.
Out My Window: Warm for this time of year, we actually walked the bridges yesterday and I am sore. But it is overcast and gloomy as usual for January.
Have a great and productive day!
Kim
Happy New Year! I'm wishing you better luck with your finances in the New Year (savings-studio-and debt paydown)! Getting disability in the US is a circus--you apply, get turned down, appeal, get turned down, get an attorney, maybe get disability. I've known quite a few people who were clearly disabled who had to go through all of that before getting any benefits (one guy couldn't even stand but wasn't considered disabled enough at first!). Best of luck to you in the new year!
ReplyDeleteI know all about the circus, and I have fought this for so long, it makes me sick. One thing I won't do is misrepresent. My doctors are pushing this.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs to you in 2014. I agree with you on the disability - if you can get off the hampster wheel long enough to get some rest, I'd bet your health would improve, which would free you up to work more (should you choose/need to) in the future. My doctor always advised me to focus on long-term earning potential when I stress about my job, & not to stay so focused on the months ahead.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a fabulous & healthy 2014!
Kim, j know you. You have an incredible work ethic. Just to read this, I know it's much worse than you are making it seem. Apply for disability. You've paid in for years and this is what it's for. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHappy New year, Kim! I hope you have a good visit with your Mom. And I don't know much about the process of getting disability but I've heard that it's a royal pain to get. So good luck, and I will keep you in my prayers!
ReplyDeleteGo for it. It will be a challenge but you can win.
ReplyDeleteAwww... (((Kim))) Do what you need to do.. don't be stubborn. ;) lol! Your health *has* to come first!! Prayers your way for the best decision!
ReplyDeleteBe selfish, be selfish, be selfish. If you don't take care of you, the entire house of cards will fall apart. And you don't want to have worked hard all these years only to make it to retirement and not be able to even retire, or physically be unable to do anything in retirement that is fun.
ReplyDeleteKim, I admire you to death crazy lady, but start learning to say no once a week to at least one request on your time or resources. For example: Did you really have to make two dishes for the funeral????? And did one have to be an expensive one like shrimp?
Come on girl - you give plenty to others. No give more to yourself.
Kim, don't you dare hesitate to apply for disability if that's what you need to do. My son gets SSI - he never worked, so the process would be different, I presume. We filled out the paperwork online and then made an appointment and went in person with all of our documentation in tow. His disabilities are clearly visible, so having him there face-to-face expedited the process. It was painless for us - not the norm, I know. But there is hope. Gather documentation from your doctors and get busy!! You deserve to rest and work on your health.
ReplyDeleteI can understand why you hesitate - disabled...YOU? You outwork anyone I know. But...should you? What long term damage are you doing to your body that can't be undone? What about in 5 years, 10 years, how will you be feeling? You MUST start the process now, God only knows how long it will take. You need some relief hon, you must see that. Holding you close!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with every one else. The time to start is NOW, especially if your doctors are pushing. Think about you and just go with it.
ReplyDeleteNo matter what your health is the most important thing. Apply for it and hopefully you get it quickly! You deserve the break especially since you should have applied earlier. Hope everything is ok.
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