One minute you're 40, the next you're applying for Social Security

The other morning when my brother Steve texted to let me know my nephew (his son Stevie) was getting married, and I asked how old is Stevie now and Steve said he turned 40 in September... weren't we all 40 just a few years ago?

Thinking back to 2001 when I turned 40, I headed into my kitchen and looked through the junk drawer and there it was--the pin I bought for the lapel of my coat, after the events of 9-11-01.  I remember that day like it was only a couple years ago, I'm sure many of you can say the same.  I was sent home early from work that day, as downtown Pittsburgh was ordered evacuated.  I got a ride with my ex's mother (who saw me standing at my bus stop and honked at me to get in, then yelled all the way home about our military, President Bush and trash tv).  

I spent that entire day glued to my tv, watching the same events play out over & over.  I can even remember what I had for dinner, leftover spareribs from Sunday.  A day or two later I was headed to work and saw these flag pins at a newsstand I passed on my way to the office, and bought one for my jacket.  

I don't know why I'm sharing all of this, I just can't believe how quickly the years have passed since I was 40.  I want to tell my nephew "you're going to be 64 before you know it".

Speaking of 64, last Saturday (November 1, the day after my 64th birthday) I was sitting here watching an awful documentary about Bigfoot, and thought "Well it's as good a time as any to apply for Social Security" so I went online to my SSA account.

On my recent statement it said "At age 64 years your monthly payment is estimated to be $1913.00."  Sounded good to me, so I began the application.  There were a LOT of questions, but nothing too difficult or complicated.

After I gulped and hit submit, I received an auto-generated email that said I should be hearing back from them after 30 days.  It added my reviewer would reach out by telephone or mail with additional questions, and they often do this on weekends or after business hours.  

Curious, I jumped on earlyretirement.org and a social security reddit board, and was dismayed at what I was finding.  A lot of people complaining their applications were on hold for months (for faulty or mismatched information) or outright denied.  

One man neglected to report his first marriage as a teen, people failed to report children they hadn't seen since childbirth, some people attempted to file too early or mistakenly filed for disability, etc.

A retired social security administrator said it took on average 90 days to review an application, not 30.  And this was before the recent government shutdown, so I figured I had a wait.

So imagine my surprise when I got an email from the SSA a week later.  Nothing written, just this image at the right, saying my attention was needed.

Assuming they were requesting additional documents (like my drivers license or birth certificate) I went to the SSA site, signed in and saw "Your application is approved."  And below that:

This only took a week, I guess you can't believe everything you read.  As I requested my payments begin in January, they start one month after your request date.

The amount will drop some when I turn 65 and Medicare kicks in, but that's not for 10-11 months.

I still can't believe this is really happening.  I know I earned it but still... I'm waiting for a follow-up that says they grossly overestimated my monthly amount, or I've been declared an anti-Trumpist and being deported instead.  We'll see!

Things of a Personal, Sweet & Family Nature

In a few days it will be two months since my infamous 3 hour dental appointment that reawakened the long covid in my head & face.  It brought new meaning to the date September 11 for me.

I'm sorry for going on about it for the umpteenth time, I know what a tired subject it is.  But I went over 3 months this summer with little symptoms before that much needed dental appointment.  This has been an ongoing thing for close to 2 years now.  

I just want it to lessen up to the point of being manageable again--where I can go back outside and spend time with friends & family again.

 Alright, enough.  I've got better things to share.

This morning my brother Steve texted me and told me my oldest nephew (his son Stevie) is getting married to his long-time girlfriend Jacie.  I haven't seen Stevie since a family dinner we had a couple years ago, but I've always felt a closeness to him.  He's a big bear, but a gentle one too and has never hesitated giving me a hug when we meet.  What really surprised me though is his age, he turned 40 in September.  Unreal. 

Anyway, aren't these terrific photos?  Someone in the restaurant overheard Steve proposing and took these pictures.  I sure am happy for these two!

And Steve & Ann (my brother and his wife of 75 years--well, it seems that long) congratulations to you too, I love you guys.  Yes Ann, you too! 😉  

Finally,  I wanted to share this "little surprise" I got in the mail yesterday--a belated birthday present, a big box of candy from my sister Shawn.  When I texted Shawn to thank her, she said "Doug I swear I had every intention of doing this before your friend Mike sent you that box of 5th Avenue candy bars and beat me to the punch!  That's the one candy bar I was looking for before I changed my mind and sent this to you!"

I told Shawn thank you and of course I believed her, and no one can have too much candy.  But I have a feeling my weekly weight chart is going to be headed in the opposite direction this month.

Swamp in a pot? Well, there's a first time for everything

The other day I was in the store reaching for a can of breadcrumbs, and a woman (black if you want to get specific, she had the tallest hair I'd ever seen) was standing directly behind me, talking on her phone.  She said "They got your sausage on sale, I'll make swamp potatoes."

After she walked away, I turned around and saw the sausage she was talking about--Eckrich Smoked Cheddar.  Can't say I ever bought this, and I had NO idea what 'swamp potatoes' were.  But it was only $2.99, so I tossed a pack into my cart.  When I got home, I looked up swamp potatoes and saw a hundred versions of this recipe that included extras like oil, butter, salt, garlic, Cajun seasoning, chicken broth, water, smoked paprika, chopped onions, onion soup mix.  

But they all boiled down to the same few ingredients in a crockpot:  green beans, onion, Yukon gold potatoes, smoked sausage.  I had the veggies, garlic powder & Cajun seasoning in my cupboard, and a mini-crockpot.  So why not give it a go.

I dumped the chopped onion in first, followed by one can of green beans (and didn't drain them--I figured that would be my water/broth).  Added 3 pats of butter.  Chopped 10 little yellow potatoes in half, tossed them in, sprinkled garlic powder over them and a couple shakes of that Old Bay.

Finally, I sliced ONE of those sausage links in 1/2" inch slices, put them on top.  Wonder how it will all turn out?

Well, it seems I did everything right.  I didn't add extra liquid (aside from the green beans) and it didn't need any, the pot made plenty.  No oil or soup mix either, just a few pats of butter and I went very easy on the spices.  A little of that Old Bay goes a long way.   

I let it cook on low for 2 hours, then high for 90 minutes.  I put a dollop of sour cream with some smoked paprika on the side, and it was absolutely delicious.  I can't wait to make this again.