Drat this working for a living all to heck.

... I have been investigating various options in assisted living for my next trick in my Aging as Ungracefully As Possible Extravaganza[1], and by gummy those things are expensive. Hoo.

Currently, I am comfortable-ish. Through assistance from my parents, I do not have a mortgage or a car payment. Both my home and my car are old and continuing to age, but at the moment all is pretty functional, and I have sufficient resources to put in a new water heater (last year) or new tires (this year), as well as cover regular monthly expenses, and allow myself the expense of owning cats (oy).

I am even feeling sufficiently beforehand with the world[2] this year that I am going to treat myself to new glasses this year also. This may seem like a small expense, but my lenses are incredibly expensive. My last new ones were in 2015 (happened more often when I was still working), and since then I moved the lenses to new frames to eke out the cost. I never worry about sales on frames because that is the least of the cost.

But, should I last long enough to need assisted living (meals cooked and cleaned up; laundry of bed linens and towels; light housecleaning in suite; lightbulbs sorted as needed; etc), I do not have enough to pay for it all - not even in the least expensive option's bachelor suite. And, only the more expensive places take pets. And, how are two outdoor enthusiasts going to adapt to basically a large bedroom with bathroom as their stomping grounds. I will be evicted for howling cats. Argh.

So. Do not be crazy with your retirement money. General costs continue to rise; and there is always your future needs turning out to be more needy to put a cramp in your splurging.[3]

[1] - sort of like the fall fair: The AUAPE! Ride the rides! See the cows! Vote for your favourite pie!
[2] - see your Georgette Heyer for translation
[3] - books. I like books

We keep getting snow. Last night was another 8 to 10 centimeters. We're getting into our fifth straight month of the ground being covered by at least a half a meter (currently a meter or more). When Lorne shovels, the heaps at the side of the driveway are taller than he is (6 feets). It has thawed and refrozen so many times there is strata on the roof. I have seen a Northern Flicker pecking away at it for bugs. Or twigs. Or because a flicker's gotta peck something.

I know it's boring to listen to whining, but I hate this snow so much. Actually, it isn't just this snow in particular - all snow is abominable. Hah.