Ten Good Things Recently

Our son hadn't played all summer, and we hadn't seen my brother (his uncle) or our "brother from another mother" for a while. So, we traveled an hour for late breakfast and a round of Fall golf. Score was irrelevant. Spending time together was quite relevant.

The season is ending just as quick as it started, but our crew is pretty good, and enjoy each other's company. Just wish my body was about twenty years younger - not moving great these days. A bit relieved that today's JV game was cancelled.

We've had some problems with him - like deciding that when he wanted to come in and we weren't moving quick enough, he'd take a running start at the storm door in front (sounding like the place was falling down), or at the slider screen door (which he nearly bent in half). But he's gotten the message, and waits or gives a little yip when he wants in.

New Jersey has a property tax rebate program for older folks. While I'd rather just not have to pay it in the first place, we got our rebate last week. Used it to pay off the kid's car repair bill we put on a credit card (he's paying back over time, but it was a $2K bill when the serpentine belt shredded and took out the A/C and transmission lines).

We've been struggling because of client vacancies putting a big pinch on our revenue. All but one are filled now, and things are turning around. Now, just have to get staffing and excess hours / overtime fixed and we'll be OK.

With the several issues he's had with it, he wanted to just "get rid of it" thinking he could sell it and get the full amount we financed. After looking at the cost of getting another "better" car, he realizes that what he has is fine (for now), and even wants to put some of his own money into it.

Got slammed with electric bills this summer, between the rate increases in NJ and the kid leaving his on all night and day. Now, the A/C is off, and the wife hasn't cranked the heat... yet.

Looks like it won't be a big acorn season this year. There have been years where we had to rake up leaf bags full of acorns, but looks like a light year this year. Leaves... well that's another story.

Had a shirt with a button missing. One 'luxury' I give myself is getting my shirts and slacks done by a dry cleaner. I had sent a shirt in to get the button replaced. It took three attempts to get it done, but he got it done.

Had been getting a tire indicator (out of balance) light. Sometimes that means a slow leak (I have a habit of finding nails in the road), other times just that they needed a bit of a fill. Been checking and inflating, but probably over-inflated one a bit as the light stayed on for a few days. Today, I checked the front left tire, and it was a bit over. Let some air out, and the light went out. We'll see if we have it back later, but for now, all good. P.S. - That's been the only major issue with my car in the last few years (2016 Toyota Corolla).