Signing Up

We had an interesting day today.

• We're setting record temperature highs for mid-March; no coats required. We near 80 degrees with clear skies every day. The tulip trees are in bloom, as is the forsythia. The boys want to be outside and so do the humans. This is like spending spring break in Florida but without the ocean and beach.
  

• My six month teeth cleaning / check-up at the dentist went quickly and without any pain. Also my teeth, what few are left, were pronounced in good shape. I only have 20 teeth -- but those 20 are in darned good shape.
  

• Hubby and I spent the afternoon, after the dentist, at the social security office signing me up for social security and medicare. We tried to do it on-line, but because I've had name changes in my past, we continually find ourselves unable to access my files, even for the purpose of on-line tax payments. It took about 45 minutes to get with a counselor, but I gather that's really quick timing. Hubby waited in the car with the boys while I met with the counselor who quickly determined that I was, indeed, eligible for full social security benefits and medicare when I turned 66 in May. Even better, Hubby was now eligible to receive benefits from my work history -- which upped his benefits significantly, so he came in and met with the counselor, too. Win / win. I have fretted about applying for social security, but with a knowledgeable counselor, even deciding on Medicare benefits was easy and straight forward. All I need now is a signature from my HR department stating they have been providing me with insurance this past year (when I turned 65) -- and all my benefits will begin on the 4th Wednesday of every month starting in May. It seems incredible that I actually am going to retire at the end of this school year. I have to admit, though, that it was Hubby who kept me moving forward in this process -- driving me on several occasions to the social security office, until we could finally get in for an appointment and get things arranged.
  

• Hubby's sister called from Houston to wish him a happy birthday. He liked his denim Schnauzer shirt birthday present. He ate a big bowl of Mexican casserole and then some ice cream and apple pie for his birthday dinner. We've had a simple, but effective, celebration day -- topped off with the knowledge that his social security payments will see a nice raise in May.
  

This spring break has been really beneficial. I'm enjoying the heck out of it -- and getting things accomplished.