Hope and heat

 Now, it's THIS weekend that is the hottest of the summer.  Yesterday's heat index was 112, after it rained in the morning.

This past week, I had a meeting with our company's financial advisor, from the bank that handles our retirement accounts.

We have what's called a 457(b), which is basically a 401(k) for people who work for government agencies. The municipal ambulance company is considered a government entity.

I rolled over the account that I had built up back home, over my 8 years with MediData in Illinois.  

Since the time when I rolled it over, it has expanded, and contracted, and at my last statement, there was not enough money in that account to last a year. 

I rarely look at the statements, since it's futile to keep too close a hold on something like that, with the swings it takes.

It hasn't grown much at all, though, and is currently in decline.

So, there's that, but we talked about other things, mostly, during my meeting.

Dave has had his first meeting with his company's financial guy, to start the process of retirement.  SO, I had all of his preliminary information available, and took it with me.

My main reason for taking the free advice was to take the free advice, AND to see if she thinks that Dave and I can BOTH retire, despite MY contribution to our household income basically disappearing.

Her answer was a resounding yes.  

I am not yet that confident, but we are going to investigate the possibility.

Dave has been with his company for over 40 years, and has been given hopeful news of being able to retire VERY comfortably. 

He has no heir, as his son is completely estranged.  We have no mortgage, no car payment.

I can't get medicare until I turn 65, if I get to that birthday, so we will have to pay cobra for me to keep the health insurance I have through Dave.

Maybe it could work, and I could find myself having the chance to live a little, before cancer takes it's victory lap.

My advisor suggested that I wait until my birthday next year to begin drawing my social security, as it would be a higher payment if I wait. That makes sense.

But... maybe it could work.

We shall see, and we have some time.  We have, however, already discussed getting our passports. 

There's not much else to report for the past week.  We were able to get out and walk in the mornings, on the days that I wasn't at the office.

My return to physical therapy was good, and I THINK I am feeling better in general.  It's a very slow healing process, though, unfortunately, and I am going to completely miss this semester of dance class and performance opportunities.  

I hesitate to start thinking that my dance life may be over.

I WOULD have performed in the spring, but they scheduled the show for the same weekend that we went to Arkansas for the eclipse, and got into the car accident that caused this injury. 

Sigh.

Well, I am off to make us French toast for breakfast, because I want it!!  

Nothing much planned for today, other than staying inside, though it won't be AS hot as yesterday.  I am going to make a pot of soup for dinner, because I want it... HAHA!

The Cubs game will help pass the time, too.

Have a lovely week!