tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201525170505090232011-11-27T15:59:19.862-08:00Retirement or Death - which will come first?MPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526356904630977676noreply@blogger.comBlogger141100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620152517050509023.post-5316346004153050212008-08-03T15:51:00.000-07:002008-08-03T15:55:51.631-07:00

Dear Readers:So sorry it has been such a long time. I'm adjusting to a revised form of morphine and while I've been able to read and comment on other blogs, it has been difficult for me to write as I make the transition.I'm off to a HOA meeting for the condo community where I make my home. Need to shower and get cleaned up prior to walking down. I'll write/post more very soon. It has been a

MPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526356904630977676noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620152517050509023.post-21265669807793327592008-07-11T21:22:00.000-07:002008-07-12T08:40:42.164-07:00

Wow - people are reading and commenting on the blog.Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.Question: Am I Preachy?One person offered the following comment: I really looked up your blog to see who brazenly keeps telling what other bloggers what to do/not do and was rather disarmed when I saw what you're going through. You come across as somewhat preachy but medication affects you and the way you think

MPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526356904630977676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620152517050509023.post-30683287193941696742008-07-03T21:25:00.000-07:002008-07-03T22:33:03.144-07:00

And I'm not even having any fun.I can't believe it has been almost two weeks since I last posted. Math and Numbers are Flying AwayThe cognitive losses continue and are pronounced.... and are becoming more difficult to hide.My ability to do math problems and simple calculations in my head is gone. I still know 1+1=2... Therefore, I can still make the mental leap that 11+11=22. But don't ask me the

MPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526356904630977676noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620152517050509023.post-14137571709904453322008-06-20T02:57:00.000-07:002008-06-20T03:09:12.737-07:00

Before I share more about my finances or budgeting process, I wanted to give you all an update on the disability claim process. I saw two of my doctors today. They both are in agreement I have significant cognitive loss. I tried to do some simple arithmetic for one doctor and failed horribly. Both doctors have no doubt the morphine has impaired my ability to think clearly. Yes, I’m able to

MPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526356904630977676noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620152517050509023.post-21758445580721612502008-06-18T03:43:00.000-07:002008-06-18T03:49:55.505-07:00

There is no way I could or would be taking this medical leave if it weren’t for having my Emergency Fund (EF). Without the EF I would have tried to work, be making horrible mistakes, my performance would be suffering, my sick days would be sky high, and by now I would have been either on probation or fired. This was a situation where it was best I was honest, and take myself out before doing

MPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526356904630977676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620152517050509023.post-60621734881276184352008-06-13T08:37:00.000-07:002008-06-13T09:04:17.593-07:00

I don't know who said it, but here's a quote I found in my inbox one day:If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.People talk about character. Sometimes they'll say that a challenge in life, such as a medical illness or financial hardship, is a "character building experience." People have also told me, "God never gives us no more than we can handle."I say, "No Way."I was not at the

MPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526356904630977676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620152517050509023.post-17169172053019609442008-06-12T02:53:00.000-07:002008-06-12T07:30:00.145-07:00

I have a long complicated medical history and now, for the first time in my 20+ year career, face filing long-term medical disability. I've not been to the office in nine weeks. Technically, I could qualify for benefits in 25 days. With each passing day, I feel the hard earned success of my career spiraling down the drain.My situation is this: I have had this disease/condition for over 20

MPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526356904630977676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620152517050509023.post-5258870657417117922008-06-11T23:33:00.000-07:002008-06-12T03:47:27.276-07:00

It has been weeks since I last drove my car which now sits in the garage gathering dust.I miss driving. I miss the freedom running errands, grabbing sushi, or escaping to a spa for the weekend. Now I am dependent upon the kindness of my neighbors, strangers, and taxis to get me where I need to be.When I started taking fentanyl last fall I was prescribed the generic product (this was per the

MPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526356904630977676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620152517050509023.post-47883386992099079102008-06-11T22:26:00.000-07:002008-06-11T22:41:56.962-07:00

Deciding to blog was not a spur of the moment thing. This is something I have considered for over six months.My first concern, of course, “Would I have something to say that people would want to read?” Next, was the graphics – what would this look like? There are like a gazillion blogs, sometimes they all look the same. Then, of course, the web hosting and all the tech stuff that would be way

MPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526356904630977676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620152517050509023.post-72868160225255082632008-06-11T07:00:00.000-07:002008-06-11T09:43:46.819-07:00

I love to work. It kills me not to work. And, the reality is, as a single female without a trust fund or wealthy husband (or ex-husband) to take care of my financial needs, I need to work so that I can eat, live and survive.My creativity, business acumen, communication skills, and a variety of talents make me a valuable employee. While at work, my employer receives 100% from what I have to offer.

MPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526356904630977676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620152517050509023.post-31863803815535959602008-06-10T09:25:00.000-07:002008-06-11T04:14:32.830-07:00

Yesterday I explained it has been two months without a paycheck and this time off from work is an unpaid medical leave.Expecting the unexpected can and will happen make it easier to plan for difficult times.What this entails is smart budgeting, living frugally, and aggressively saving until you have a cushion you feel comfortable with. For me, the emergency savings includes three parts:Income

MPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526356904630977676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620152517050509023.post-42783052655020493102008-06-09T13:56:00.000-07:002008-06-11T01:59:33.167-07:00

One of my favorite personal finance blogs is Dual Income No Kids authored by Meil and James. (You can find them at www.dinksfinance.com)They had a post yesterday regarding emergency funds – which is significant given my current medical situation. I’m on an unpaid medical leave from work. I haven’t had a paycheck in two months. One of the reasons people declare bankruptcy and lose their homes

MPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526356904630977676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620152517050509023.post-27379251733986276812008-06-08T11:47:00.000-07:002008-06-11T01:55:50.770-07:00

I became fascinated with blogging a few years ago. At first I thought they were a new form of fiction – a type of cyber novel – then I found out more as I began reading and following a few. I became intrigued. With a few, I became hooked.The first one I followed with some regularity had to do with a young man from Sacramento, California, named Casey. He was facing foreclosure on a number of

MPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526356904630977676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620152517050509023.post-78956464876340437952008-06-07T12:32:00.000-07:002008-06-11T01:47:16.354-07:00

"Good Evening" - Imagine Alfred Hitchcock's opening words from his classic television series. This is the opening narration of this blog, my story, and the journey we will be taking.I'd like to think I'm your typical 44 year old single female, but I know that's not true. There have been bumps in the road along the way. 2008 has been the worst year of my life.Seriously.I'm not kidding.Since the

MPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03526356904630977676noreply@blogger.com2