Recent content by Philliefan33

For routine visits, I’ve had more luck with PAs and NPs. They seem to not be as rushed as the doctors in the office. If I had a complex medical issue I might prefer an MD. PAs are trained in the medical model, meaning they treat the disease. NPs (FNP stands for “ family nurse practitioner”)...

When we were visiting our mountain house about a month ago, the pilot light on our gas logs (which had been lit for the season) was off/would not stay on. Inspection of the thermocouple led me to believe that it had failed. We called around to find someone to fix it and could only find one guy...

I switched out the Halloween deco with some Thanksgiving things. Over last weekend we took out the window screens and washed them. I’ve been cleaning the windows a couple at a time; so far I have six out of twenty one done. The outsides are particularly dirty since we’ve been living in a...

It should be obvious who I am rooting for tonight.

Sometimes “repairs” are simple. I’m away from home this week, DH is home. About 8:10 last night I get a text from him: “I can’t watch the (Phillies) game on either tv, it says there is no internet connection”. (We stream YTTV so if the internet is down we have no tv) First I check the...

Our 8-month old granddaughter spent the weekend with us, as her dad was enjoying “bachelor weekend” for a friend and mom had night shifts at the hospital. The little princess gave us lots of smiles and giggles and we thoroughly enjoyed having her. Unfortunately I think she also gave me her...

What I experienced in Megacorp was everyone was hired at the same salary, but annual merit raises (or not) were determined by department managers. One year I was told by a friend (who was in the room when it happened)that when it got down to the last bit of raise money, the manager was...

I agree with this. A couple with each partner working and contributing to SS over a career will not benefit from the spousal part of SS. For example, my SS benefit on my own record is more than 50% of DH’s benefit. I’ve paid in for my benefits, he’s paid in for his, it’s a 1:1 ratio of...

When the house becomes a rental, you need to take depreciation. (Even if you don’t take the depreciation, when you sell the house you will be subject to the depreciation recapture for the amount you should have taken). The depreciation recapture gets taxed at (usually?) higher rates than...

Women’s Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls is worth a visit if you like history. The first time I visited, I was mad that I had never heard of the Declaration of Sentiments. Of course I was taught Susan B Anthony / women’s suffrage, but I feel like it was mentioned in passing...

Spent the day caring for my 7-month old granddaughter. As soon as one of her parents get home, I’m off to my home - I’ve been away for three weeks. (It’s a long story) But I’ve been able to see my town all over the news! The prisoner that escaped from Chester County prison is thought to be...

For safety, if your DW has not been riding regularly, remind her to keep the speed down on her new e-bike. They are great aides to getting more people out on bikes, but one downside is that they allow riders to go faster than they should. If one rides a regular bike at 18 mph, she/he has...

Not really. In 35+ years of home ownership, we’ve only had a “bug man” for one year. When we first purchased our vacation home in the woods we had a problem with carpenter ants. They were gone after a year of professional treatment. Nowadays DH does some DIY spraying if necessary.

For our brand new 2500 sq ft twin home in Chester County PA: $1800-$2000 per month for everything but repairs. I gave a range since we’ve only lived here since March and haven’t yet gone through a heating season and I don’t think we’ve gotten a water bill. We saved a bundle by appealing our...

+1 MYOB. Visit your friend, let him and his spouse know you are willing to help them and they should ask for specific things they want/need. I don’t think you should ask the wife about personal financial/legal matters. Maybe you could ask your friend a very generic “This is a scary reminder...