Happy Valentine's Day to you all. Not been doing too much the last few days, just little things. Did start back weight lifting though, just dumbbells. Weightlifting is really good for the calorie burn. Weather is lousy today and I can't go to the gun range so think I'll just read a lot. Waiting on the home inspection for my mother-in-law's house. Could be that Jan will get her inheritance soon! Basketball season ends next week so I hope the weather turns so I can work outside. If not then it's painting time at the other house. I do love this retirement stuff. Having the time is the whole thing. Jan was reminding us of what a hectic time the week before Ferbruay vacation always was, especially in the elementary grades. Missing it all helps you to see just what kinds of pressures you no longer have. Starting a new project next week, kitchen track lighting. I've been rereading stuff lately. Passages from, The Power of Positive Thinking. It's a great book and a potential life-changing experience. Small changes to be sure but helpful. I also read some stuff from the old family bible. It's stuff like this that I thought about when working but never got to do so now, having the time, I'm doing it. Being able to spend more time checking things out is nice. I'm going to read now, see ya

Spent some time yesterday with a friend who is currently taking care of his dying mother-in-law. She left her assets unprotected and is about to loose quite a chunk, if not all of them, to LTC. I have a similar situation with my mom. She is still very healthy but basically refuses to make any moves to protect her assets. This, of course, got me to thinking about our situation and what we would do. I don't need my mother's assets and they play no part in our future plans. If they do come to me it will be an added plus. But what if I or Jan needed LTC NOW? How can one save for that without noticeably impacting finances and plans? I get the WSJ and have read tons on this subject and see few alternatives to this problem at this time. It makes you wonder about the quality of life in our country and how close most of us are to the line of financial ruin. I think we've done all kinds of "right" things in preparing for our retirement but can see where even those won't be enough. Well hopefully the new crop of presidental contenders will help with this looming problem. Meanwhile I'm going to look into creating a trust of some sort. Big storm headed this way, so they say. Will not have to rise early tomorrow to see if there is going to be a snow day, yay!