Updates on Many Topics
July 7th, 2018 at 07:48 pmA few weeks ago, I told my renter I need for him to move out so I can sell the house. He claims he has no money to move. I said I would forgive the unpaid utilities (I've been paying the water/sewer/garbage bill this whole time, although our written rental agreement stipulates it is his responsibility) in writing and give him 1k cash. He looked around and reported he had found a place he liked which would be available July 12. I said, great, let's do that. No rent due to me for July, so he can rent the new place. Then he had a heart attack and was hospitalized. Now he says he is "stressed" about the move.
I had hoped the 1k would make it possible to avoid litigation and get him out quickly. I still hope that, of course, but it may not go that way.
SB and I continue to live in our little travel trailer on his property. I have begun seriously contemplating what sort of rig would be best in the future for traveling. I am currently leaning away from a travel trailer and towards a small class b or c motorhome. This purchase is still years in the future, so I have plenty of time to contemplate.
SB and I have talked off and on for some time now about getting rings. A wedding ring for him, I prefer an engagement ring for myself. (There are no matrimonial plans, just rings). A few weeks ago, we pulled the trigger on that. He got to leave the store with his, mine is far too small and due to the style, can only be sized up or down one ring size. So, I had to order the same ring in a larger size and it is due to arrive in the store August 17. Here they are:
I just love mine and can hardly stand the wait.
And speaking of wait, I mean weight, I have been losing some of mine. I had gotten so out of shape down in the valley, with all of the coughing and breathing difficulties, for several years I had avoided taking a single unnecessary step. And, it really showed. Now that I am breathing well and more active, I have gradually been dropping a lb here and there. At the end of March, I decided it was time to get into good physical shape and got serious about regular exercise. So far, I am down 23.7 lbs and I feel great. Unfortunately, I have many more still to go.
A lot of people up here square dance. It looks fun, and we want to take it up and see if we like it. This is one of my motivations; when we first talked about it I knew I was too out of shape to keep up with others promenading and do-si-doing about the room. We haven't started yet but we are both looking forward to it.
My birth mother plans to arrive here next Saturday, and I am taking some vacation time. I am looking forward to our visit very much.
Work is going well and my one year mark is approaching (August 19). This is significant because it marks the end of my probation. It also means I will be getting my step raise, which is 5%.
About a month ago, SB and I went to that James Taylor concert and he was just fabulous. Bonnie Raitt cancelled part of the tour (she had surgery), so we did not get to see her. Still on the horizon is that Eagles concert.
I am already planning my budget for the happy time that my house has been sold. Premature as there are some hurdles between that point and my present point, but I do like to plan my finances.
I have recently exchanged out of Vanguard's Target Retirement fund in my Roth, in favor of the 3 fund portfolio. Now ALL of my retirement monies are invested the exact same way: 44% total stock market index, 22% total intl stock market index, and 34% total bond market index. I intend to keep this allocation for the next decade or so.
That's about it, I guess.