Almost to the finish line

June 29, 2024

Today, I received the official approval letter for my teacher retirement benefits to begin.

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However, we’re not quite done yet. This action merely sets in motion a series of events that will require follow-up on my part over the next several weeks. One thing I’ve learned over the past two years is government entities have their prescribed processes and they shall not be hurried along (no matter how hard I try). Hopefully, everything will be as it should by October 1st.

Meanwhile, I’m diligently working to get the health insurance premiums adjusted to reflect my retiree status. We’ve been paying COBRA rates for close to two years now. I have no desire to pay the high rates any longer than necessary. If I’m retired as of 8/1, then my premiums should be adjusted to reflect that rate. My position is if I have to pay for August coverage in July, then it needs to be at the retiree rate, not the COBRA rate. Hopefully, they resolve it in the next couple of weeks. If not, an HR friend suggested I wait and pay the “retiree” premium amount right before the due date as this is essentially a billing issue and not a coverage issue. I’d rather wait until they show the correct premium due than pay and wait on a refund, which will take up to 3 months to get.

Anyhow, I feel as if a weight has been lifted and there’s indeed light at the end of the tunnel.

Downsizing my paper planner {finally}

June 28, 2024

For years, I’ve used a classic-size Happy Planner to keep track of EVERYTHING from lesson plans to appointments to sewing projects. This system has served me well. Lately though, I’m finding it a bit cumbersome to lug around when all I really need is a datebook and a place to write notes/tuck receipts. I tried to keep everything digitally on my phone, but I’m a pen and paper kind of girl at heart.

Today, I actually found a mini-size Happy Planner at Hobby Lobby in my preferred dashboard layout. It came home with me! I’ve had so much fun setting up my new planner – kind of like the excitement of prepping for a new school year. I’ll keep the existing larger planner for a while longer to make sure the mini-size works for me. If so, I’ll rehome any classic size paper and binder accessories to my sewing kiddos or some teacher friends. Most of the documents I keep are letter size, which is larger than the classic size binder. Truth be told, I probably have a set of BIG (letter size) Happy Planner covers and discs in my stash of teacher supplies in the basement somewhere. Hmmm…

I didn’t chose a word for the year at the beginning of 2024. However, I do believe the word of focus as I enter my next decade of life will be “SIMPLIFY”.

Downsizing my planner is definitely a start.

PSA: Stay away from downtown ATL on Thursday, 6/27

June 27, 2024

It’s Wednesday night and many of the roads in midtown and downtown are already starting to be closed off in advance of the Presidential debate tomorrow evening at 9 p.m. The “audience” (aka protesters from both sides) will be outside the venue instead of in studio. Add in an evening soccer match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and you have all the makings of a 3-ring circus.

Me? I’ll be in my sewing room – conveniently located OTP* – which means I’ll be away from the melee.

*For those of you unfamiliar with ATL lingo:
ITP = inside the perimeter
OTP = outside the perimeter
Perimeter = I-285, an interstate that makes a 60 mile long loop around Atlanta proper

P.S. If the candidates’ planes land at Dobbins ARB in Marietta, then I’ll definitely be impacted by the motorcades. 😦 Hope it doesn’t interfere with my hair appointment tomorrow afternoon. No bueno!

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