And yesterday things changed

Two weeks ago Len had a biopsy of a spot on his scalp. He told me this was a sore that was just not healing and he had it for about a year. A YEAR!! I insisted he see our doctor. She sent him to a dermatologist. The dermtoloist told him it is probably cancer.

Yesterday I went with him to get the results. It was inconclusive but we were told they really believe it is cancer. She took more skin to be sent out for biopsy. We go back in two weeks for results. If cancerous, he needs it removed surgically and the surgeon is backlogged two months. I told Len today to call our family doctor. This is unacceptable to wait two and a half months to remove a cancer growth.

Nevertheless, today we told our employers to cancel our retirement date once again. We are frustrated, scared and disappointed. But most of all, we need Len to be well. At the earliest, provided he is fine, we now can't leave until the first of the year.

I was to have sold my car today. Thank the Lord, we found this out before the transaction was made. We will try to look on the bright side. Hopefully Terri and Steve will get a mortgage before we take off and the Fiver will be paid for. Also, gives us more time to invest in our 401k's and less time we will need to draw down from our Roth IRA's until Len is 62 in January 2011.

That is all we can do - look for a silver lining and pray.

Four weeks to go

We just got back from the Labor Day camping trip with our Good Sam Club Tag a longs. Sadly, this will probably be our last trip with these friends. It has been a good two years belonging to the club. We will keep our membership active. Who knows, someday we may be in the area when they have a trip planned.

This weekend it was at Sea Pines Outdoor World in Swainton, NJ only 38 miles from Fairton. Most of the members belong to Outdoor World. We went in as guests.

SO, four weeks from today to take off. I have only 12 more working days, Len has 15. We made a list over the weekend of things we need to accomplish. I will work on our insurances later this week. Next weekend we make a quick trip to Alabama taking the cargo trailer to Len's son. We need the surge guard installed. My car still is not sold. We have a few minor items to buy for the Fifthwheel. They can be purchased at WalMart.

It seems we have a lot to do, but when I write the list things come more in perspective.

Hot and humid here

We woke up this morning to 82 at 5 am! GEESH>

We ordered the Pressure Pro. It will probably arrive tomorrow.

The car fix was relatively minor. It was the right wheel bearings. Cost was a little less than $250. The woman who wanted to buy it for her son decided not to. Now she is saying she will buy for herself it but not until right before we leave. I feel uncomforable about it. I fear she will change her mind again and we will be in a rush to sell and not get the price we know it is worth. When we told the mechanic at the shop we were selling it, he asked what we were asking for it. When we told him, he said it was reasonable. He appeared interested. Would hate to turn down a sure offer for a yes/no/yes/no/yes deal.

Len is getting all kinds of medical issues resolved in the next few weeks including having some sores on his head looked at that have not healed in close to a year. I really should follow his lead and make some medical appointments for myself.

It's always something.

We were to sell my car last week. They got lost getting here then we were away for the weekend. Over the weekend they decided they really didn't know if they wanted to get a car. Then yesterday I drove it to work. Oh my gosh!

It idles quietly as usual. But once it gets up to around 40 the RPM needle bounces all over the place and the engine sounds like a jet taking off. We took it to the shop last night. Waiting to hear the outcome. So my usual good luck. Looks like it might be an expensive fix. If so, we have to figure if it is worth it with what we can sell it for. Yup, it's always something.

I did contact Social Security to get papers to start my Part B. Then I will look into an supplement. Certainly not through AARP. I dropped them years ago. Don't like their political leaning. We made call to order Pressure Pro system last night. Also waiting for a call back from the distributor so we can order it.

I might be carless soon

We had not planned on selling my car until late September. A co-worker of Lens asked to buy it. However, her son is in town and needs a car. He is returning to Georgia THIS WEEK. So, the car might be history for us soon. That's okay. I leave for work about same time as Len and I pass the prison. I will drop him off and come back in the afternoon for him. The prison is only 3 miles from here.

Tonight we will look into getting the Pressure Pro System. Last week we bought a second battery that Len installed. We think we would like one for Boondocking occasions. Last week we had electrical storm and lost power. We then found out our bedroom TV runs on 12 volt system. YIPPEE! Just have to be careful not to run batteries down too fast.

Len met with representative about his deferred comp at work. She says the same as our financial planner who I met with last week. DO NOT BUY AN ANNUITY. We will probably rollover his deferred comp and my 401(k) from Seabrook into our Ameriprise accounts. We find we have enough in our Roth IRA's to draw from until Len is old enough for Social Security. This will be an advantage tax wise.

Every thing seems to be coming together. But still have those pesky health insurance issues to deal with.

Great weekend

We had a great weekend just past. We got to spend Sunday with our beautiful granddaughter Charlotte. She is such a joy to be around. Our future son-in-law Steve gave daughter Terri a surprise 41st birthday party that day also. So, we picked up Grandson Justin and brought him to the party. Seems impossible he will be 22 next month.

As far as moving along with our October 1 plans, now that August is really here, we have to get shaking. We did go to Camping World last week and get a new aluminum outside table. The one we had was on its last legs. Len talked to a friend who will install our surge protector in a few weeks. We cleaned out the cargo trailer (again) and got rid of more stuff. Now we need to work on our financials by meeting with our planner and also purchase two annunities from funds we have at Seabrook Bros and South Woods State Prison.

Moving ahead

Lots of stuff has happened with us since last Blog. Will not go into it but we are moving on along now. Still on target for October 1 takeoff. Len made appointment with Scott Motor Coach to take fiver up last week of September for some warrantly issues: black tank valve leaks, pole in bedroom closet pulling loose, air mattress in sofa will not hold air.

Last night he installed a new water filter. I am exploring health insurance options for Len. We have agreed on a tentative schedule of traveling that takes us up to end of the year.

We have joined NOMADS. This is a group affiliated with the United Methodist Church who are RVers and do volunteer work around the country. We are scheduled to do hurricane clean up in Moss Point MS the last week of November and first week of December. We work 6 hours a day Monday - Thursday with Friday - Sunday off in exchange for full hook ups. Not a bad deal at all.

Right now our main concern is getting our finances in order. We each have small discretionary retirement accounts at our current employers. We are opting for lifetime annunities on each. This will only give us about $500 a month but every bit helps. I have started my Social Security and Len will have a pension from State of NJ. We need to meet with our financial planner about drawing some funds down from our IRAs. Finances will be tight for our first 15 months until Len is old enough for Social Security. We will manage and do quite well once the house is settled with Terri and Steve.

One thing at a time or else it seems overwhelming.