Nine Days In

Today's high temperature was: 12 degrees

Snowy all day, but sun shining

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I cannot believe we are already nine days into this new year.  I would think that hibernation would make the days feel longer, but not so.  I am so busy!

I got up about 9:15 and looked out at a new covering of about 2 inches of snow.  At 9:45, two guys arrived at the door and wondered if I wanted my driveway and car cleaned off--for 10 bucks.  Sure.  It took them exactly 6 minutes, so at 5 dollars a piece, they made almost one dollar a minute, LOL.

I messed around on Face Book, playing my usual games and then read my e-mails, checked out a couple of blogs.  Then at 11:00, I got dressed and went out to start my car.  At 11:15, I got in the car, drove up and down a few streets in the park and then came home and parked it on the opposite side of the driveway.

I made my bed, emptied the dishwasher and vacuumed.

That done, I had a sandwich for lunch, watched my Soap and cross stitched.

Then I called the company who supplies my natural gas.  My monthly budget payment is $50.00.  Last year it cost me $51.00 a month for my gas usage, but on this month's bill was a "wanted" payment of $70.00.  I asked why, when I am only suppose to pay $50.00

Explanation, so many budget plan people had to pay more last spring in their redetermination month of May.  They were mad.  So, the gas company decided to up every one's bill, by projecting how much overage of gas we would use.

I explained that this winter is not as cold or fierce as last year and...since I got my new furnace last February, I have continually used less gas.  This month I used 5 units ( or whatever they are called) less than last year at this time.

The lady in customer service agreed with me and put me on a new budget plan for low income seniors called, "Shut-Off Protection Plan".  I now pay $45.00 for the next 18 months--guaranteed.  Plus, the company owes me a credit of $61.99 so I don't have to pay anything this month--which I noted to the nice lady PROVES that I am using less gas then they projected I would last May.

AHA!!

I will however, continue to pay $50.00 a month, because that is what I have built into my budget.  There may come a month when I need to use that credit.

So now, my gas and electricity for a month is $90.00 and that my Dear Friends, is not a bad price to pay.
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Being old is a full time job.  If you don't check every item on every bill you get, "they" can slip things by you.  I expect my cable bill to go up next month and will be calling them.  If you call and complain about the price hike and explain  you can't afford it, they usually will set you up with a new promotion or discount as the same price or, even lower.  

I made a couple of loaves of a new bread recipe I saw on Face Book.  Real simple and quite a dense bread and I liked it.  I halved the recipe because I know that in a few days, the bread will dry out and I no longer will want it.  Although, the birds will love what is left--stale or not.

Then I spent most of the afternoon reading up on my new health insurance program.  Checking to make sure all my docs and dentist are in the plan and finding out how much insurance will pay toward vision and dental work.  Looks great!  Free dental cleaning and x-rays and 50% off the crown I need.  

Free eye exam and $200.00 toward new glasses.   My deductible is only $325.00 a year, which is a tiny bit more than on the insurance I used to have, BUT my plan payment is only $19.90, with the dental and vision and I used to pay $40.42, without that.  I will keep track of all out of pocket expenses and at years end will see how I came out.

I am starting to get a bit bored with my own company, so I think tomorrow morning, I will walk up to Merle and Pearl's and have a chat.  She called to tell me our doctor put her on a NEW arthritis med that she just knows is going to cure her.  I researched it a bit and it is the same drug she took before only a different name.  I won't tell her though as I know, if the mind thinks the drug is helping, than the drug will help.  LOL

Basketball and football games this weekend and I'm sure some more good Classic Movies and cross stitching and perhaps some crocheting.  I may have to make a run for milk and Diet Pepsi, but other than that--I should be good to go--perhaps even until February!!