I had to open a IRA today for the 2008 tax year and with the markets in turmoil it was recommended that I put it into a CD for 18 months at 2.25% interest. I went to my local bank and spoke with a very nice young man in his 20’s. I didn’t know I had a choice in IRA's-traditional or Roth so we had to call Mike Cooke CPA who was not available.
Off I went to do chores and as I was at the auto shop to get a tune-up, oil change and wheel alignment-pothole heaven-Chicago winter, Mike called and said, “Traditional (not Roth) IRA; 18 months, not 2 years.” Mike hopes I can roll it over into something with more interest paid. So back to Devin and I to discuss the IRA.
I had to walk back to the bank with the car in the shop so it was a good workout on a sunny 45 degree day. We talked of the IRA-I could put in $1000 extra because I am over 65-Devin had to get that clarified. Kept getting a computer error message “over allowed contribution.” Then we talked about his auto accident yesterday-got hit by a car that had run a red light and the up side to taking Vicadin for pain-pain must be limited once you are in the healing process, it is counterproductive.
I asked Devin for a credit check as I wanted to see what a potential landlord would find: No "Catherine Zatsick" for one thing, I am still Catherine Scott, not sure how long it takes for a divorce to catch up with a credit data base, obviously more than 6 months. When I got home, a message from Devin asking that I come back “You left you hat here.” And one from the car dealtership, the car was ready and I was $280 poorer.
The IRA creation process probably took an hour-truly a “personal banker” experience. My blessing for the day. He said that the branch has been busy as customers are moving from the new Chase bank-they bought out the WaMu branch. And no one likes the way Chase treats them as customers. I thought "Hmm when you are one of the nations five remaining bigees" I guess that is how you can be.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Sorry Folks, Been too Busy to Write: Grandparent's Weekend Tampa
The last weekend in January is Grandparents Weekend so having 3 grandchildren at Nativity Catholic Elementary school I flew on down to Tampa to get out of the cold Midwest!
I arrived Saturday the 24th while it was freezing in the Midwest I stepped out into sun and 76 degrees for the next 4 days. What a difference a 1000 miles South makes!
Lisa, Ellie and I went out to Panera bread for dinner. After I had a discussion with Charlie about Obama's chances to change the policies of this country amidst what I call a depression. I think we agreed to disagree.
Sunday morning we got up to attend Mass after I slept in to 7:30, usually I am up at 6AM. Off we went after breakfast to attend the Children's liturgy. This mass is held in the side chapel that has a beautiful stained glass window entitled "Our Lady of Peace" she is in blue with yellow glass behind her. Since Jason's injury I cry in the chapel and I did this morning. This was to be a very special liturgy as Ellie was to read the introduction to the mass for the VERY first time. She and I had practiced the night before and then Dad and Ellie practiced some more. I told her "Ellie, speak to the person in the last row." Dad wasn't too supportive of that coaching idea but she did most marvelously well!
JC age 12 read the intercessions. He did a very good job, but his voice got a little low. I cried when I heard both of them read, my grandchildren participating in liturgy. I didn't until I was in mid-20's as the changes from Vatican II were being introduced. I was a lector. As much as I work to renew/reform the RCC, I still love the best it teaches through the ages-peace and justice for all including the earth itself.
Then after mass the boys went off with friends, mom and dad went to a presentation for couples and Ellie and I spent the afternoon together. First food-Wendy's, then on to the movies-Hotel for Dogs which told the oft told tale: boy has dog, boy looses dog, boy finds lots of dogs, everyone lives happily every after in a....Hotel for Dogs. Fun story, I enjoyed it and so did Ellie.
Then it was time to go home to help Ellie with math homework, I must say the kids don't want to do "1 extra bit of homework." Helped JC with his Spanish homework which reminded me that I really would like to learn Spanish if given the opportunity to do so.
Now it gets exciting/awful. The dog broke out of the electric fence and headed for a cat which it treed. Ellie and I couldn't get to her so we called for JC and a friend, they were now home. They caught the dog "so I thought" and Ellie and I left on our way to sell Girl Scout cookies. We sold until it got dark, went home to hear the dog barking "up a tree." Went in the house the same time Charlie and Lisa arrived home from the dinner date out. "Where is the dog?" JC said he had her. Truth be told he couldn't get the leash on so he left her "barking up the tree" at the cat. The neighbors who had come home were furious! The dog has done this before. Charlie was angry the dog got out.
I felt Ellie and I were innocent of the whole thing. I don't know what I could have done differently except call the dog catcher which I am sure Lisa would not have approved of. The rule is: The dog must be in the house if anyone leaves the yard, I guess she will break through the fence to follow the kids. I did not know this but I do now.
After I opened up my birthday gifts a warm blanket wrap from Lisa and family and an etched Polish vase from Jason and Jodi. It took me aback as I hadn't heard anything on my birthday from them. It was unexpected and very nice but I felt as if the present were from strangers. I wonder if they feel the same way receiving something from me.
Monday the big day:
I drove the kids to school and it was "off to the classes" I visited each "home room" starting with Ellie's first as I missed her room last year cause I ran out of time. Then to JC's and Jonathan's, meeting the teachers along the way. After I took them out to lunch then back school for the afternoon. Lisa and I did some chores, picked the kids up and headed for dinner at the beach. We went to a different one S of Tampa, Lisa had to call for directions. We got there about 1/2 before sunset. The kids and Lisa made a heart in the sand, they were ready to swim but it was too cold.
We headed to Applebees for platters of chicken and fries for dinner. No fruit or veggies for the kids.
When we got home Charlie and I had a discussion about Freedom of Choice Act-and actions that the RCC might take including civil resistance or shutting down hospitals because they must provide abortion services. The priest had mentioned it in his homily Sunday morning.
I arrived Saturday the 24th while it was freezing in the Midwest I stepped out into sun and 76 degrees for the next 4 days. What a difference a 1000 miles South makes!
Lisa, Ellie and I went out to Panera bread for dinner. After I had a discussion with Charlie about Obama's chances to change the policies of this country amidst what I call a depression. I think we agreed to disagree.
Sunday morning we got up to attend Mass after I slept in to 7:30, usually I am up at 6AM. Off we went after breakfast to attend the Children's liturgy. This mass is held in the side chapel that has a beautiful stained glass window entitled "Our Lady of Peace" she is in blue with yellow glass behind her. Since Jason's injury I cry in the chapel and I did this morning. This was to be a very special liturgy as Ellie was to read the introduction to the mass for the VERY first time. She and I had practiced the night before and then Dad and Ellie practiced some more. I told her "Ellie, speak to the person in the last row." Dad wasn't too supportive of that coaching idea but she did most marvelously well!
JC age 12 read the intercessions. He did a very good job, but his voice got a little low. I cried when I heard both of them read, my grandchildren participating in liturgy. I didn't until I was in mid-20's as the changes from Vatican II were being introduced. I was a lector. As much as I work to renew/reform the RCC, I still love the best it teaches through the ages-peace and justice for all including the earth itself.
Then after mass the boys went off with friends, mom and dad went to a presentation for couples and Ellie and I spent the afternoon together. First food-Wendy's, then on to the movies-Hotel for Dogs which told the oft told tale: boy has dog, boy looses dog, boy finds lots of dogs, everyone lives happily every after in a....Hotel for Dogs. Fun story, I enjoyed it and so did Ellie.
Then it was time to go home to help Ellie with math homework, I must say the kids don't want to do "1 extra bit of homework." Helped JC with his Spanish homework which reminded me that I really would like to learn Spanish if given the opportunity to do so.
Now it gets exciting/awful. The dog broke out of the electric fence and headed for a cat which it treed. Ellie and I couldn't get to her so we called for JC and a friend, they were now home. They caught the dog "so I thought" and Ellie and I left on our way to sell Girl Scout cookies. We sold until it got dark, went home to hear the dog barking "up a tree." Went in the house the same time Charlie and Lisa arrived home from the dinner date out. "Where is the dog?" JC said he had her. Truth be told he couldn't get the leash on so he left her "barking up the tree" at the cat. The neighbors who had come home were furious! The dog has done this before. Charlie was angry the dog got out.
I felt Ellie and I were innocent of the whole thing. I don't know what I could have done differently except call the dog catcher which I am sure Lisa would not have approved of. The rule is: The dog must be in the house if anyone leaves the yard, I guess she will break through the fence to follow the kids. I did not know this but I do now.
After I opened up my birthday gifts a warm blanket wrap from Lisa and family and an etched Polish vase from Jason and Jodi. It took me aback as I hadn't heard anything on my birthday from them. It was unexpected and very nice but I felt as if the present were from strangers. I wonder if they feel the same way receiving something from me.
Monday the big day:
I drove the kids to school and it was "off to the classes" I visited each "home room" starting with Ellie's first as I missed her room last year cause I ran out of time. Then to JC's and Jonathan's, meeting the teachers along the way. After I took them out to lunch then back school for the afternoon. Lisa and I did some chores, picked the kids up and headed for dinner at the beach. We went to a different one S of Tampa, Lisa had to call for directions. We got there about 1/2 before sunset. The kids and Lisa made a heart in the sand, they were ready to swim but it was too cold.
We headed to Applebees for platters of chicken and fries for dinner. No fruit or veggies for the kids.
When we got home Charlie and I had a discussion about Freedom of Choice Act-and actions that the RCC might take including civil resistance or shutting down hospitals because they must provide abortion services. The priest had mentioned it in his homily Sunday morning.
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