Labor Day...How Did It Begin
?
Sunday, August 31, 2014
September 1st through October 31st
Our Garden
Wizard, Carol Van Camp, wants to remind our readers that it's time to
remember....
Carol
Van Camp
Fall Watering Restrictions
or
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Page...
"The Garden Wizard"
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Memories of a Masterpiece
She may have had the personality of
vinegar....but...somehow......despite her
objections....
A Spoonful of
Sugar
As Sweet Today as it
was 50 Years Ago
Monday, August 25, 2014
Watering Flowers and Plants the Cost Effective Way
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Off to the nursery to
buy a watering can for your plants and
flowers?
Nonsense.
Save money...
We'll show you how to use this instead !
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"Why Didn't I Think
About That ? ....Tips"
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Common Sense Can Save you Bucks
Using Common Sense
Getting the Best Deal
on a Cruise
Thinking about going on a cruise?
I know many people who have
enjoyed this type of vacation, but I'm amazed how so many people I've spoken to
have said, "I got a great deal", when in fact....they didn't get one at
all.
Just how do you get the "best
deal"?
Simple...use some common sense AND do a little homework before you book one.
Right off the bat...you SHOP AROUND and become familiar with the market.
A cruise is a cruise, no matter
where you buy it.
Here are some common beliefs.....
"Booking directly
through the cruise line is best".
Definitely....BUNK.
"My
travel agent gets me the best deal".
Often....BUNK.
"Booking early gets you the best price".
Really...BUNK.
Let's clarify those statements.
I started cruising about 30 years
ago and at last count, I've been on over 50 cruises. Only two of them...the
first two, did I book through a travel agent.
Then I became familiar with the
internet...and got the shock of my "cruising"
life....
...and since that time, I've used
the internet ever since...and have never regretted
that choice.
The moral of
that story....don't be afraid of the
internet.
Booking directly through the cruise
line "early" normally gets you a "brochure rate" that is well above what you may be paying at a later date.
The only advantage in booking early is choice of cabin
location and a specific dining time.
Many cruise lines will offer "past
passenger specials"...they'll show you the "brochure" price, but "because you're
such a valued customer"...and of course, if "you act NOW", they'll give you the
deal of a lifetime".
BUNK.
So...my first suggestion is determining where you want to go...and
when.
Are you looking for that "once in a
lifetime" cruise...
....or...
....are you just looking to "get away" for a
while?
Many seniors fall into the second
category. They no longer work, and are available to go whenever the right time
and PRICE appears.
...and if you're in that "I just
want to get away " category, I'm going to explain just how to get that "best
deal."
So....considering where you live, it's not that far to Los Angeles or San Diego, nor is it all that far to San
Francisco either...
And...if it's a "get away" trip, check out a cruise that departs from one of these ports and...
..don't fly...drive to
the port.
Think about this for a moment. From Las Vegas to any of the above cities, the round trip airfare is at best...once you add on all the extras, a minimum of $250 p/person.
So..before you even get to the port,
if there are two of you, you've "kissed off" $500.
If you MUST
fly...
.
.
DON'T BUY THE
AIRFARE from the travel agent or cruise line.
The only advantage if you do, is
that they guarantee the ship won't leave without you.
...and we haven't even discussed the
"fun" of flying !
...weight restrictions on luggage
and having to place the "explosive" toothpaste and
mouthwash in plastic baggies...
...getting there 2 hours early,
waiting in line, being frisked, and waiting and waiting and waiting...to take
off ....
...only to get there and wait again
for the luggage...
...and pay for a cab or shuttle to
the port.
That "quickie" flight, when all is considered, will take about 5-6
hours.
Here's an alternative.
DRIVE...but don't drive your own car.
Rent a one-way drop.
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Pick up the car at about 3:30pm in the afternoon the day before you leave, go home, get a good night's sleep, and then instead of going to the airport for that "early" flight...leave home about 6:00am-7:00am getting to San Diego or Los Angeles in about 4-5 hours...
...about the same time as the plane
would have taken to arrive.
Cost of a one way "drop" is about
$50-$75 each way (if you start to search early, as prices change daily on car rentals) plus about $50 in gas for a total of about $125. Round trip is
about $200-$250...for both of you.
You drop the car near the pier and
the car rental agency either shuttles you to the port---FREE of charge...or you
cab it for a few bucks.
Other than saving you
about 50%....
.... you pack whatever
you wish....
... put it in the
trunk...
...and casually see the sights
on the way, stopping...when you have to stop...and eating what you want to eat
and where you want to eat.
Same (or probably less) amount of time than flying...but with
FREEDOM !
When is the best time to get the best deal?
Usually about 90 days prior to the sailing.
Why? Most travel agencies have to turn in their unsold inventories about that time, and it's the last date for payment to avoid a cancellation fee.
Again...common sense...
...the cruise companies no longer have to honor any "lowest price guarantee" because the final date of payment has passed, and the travel agencies will have to return their unsold inventories back to the cruise company.
So what happens ?
The real deals begin !
Price reductions, on board ship credits, prepaid gratuities, specialty dinners on the ship often come in bunches....to fill up the ship before departure !
So...there you have it....little common sense thoughts travel agents will never mention that can save you big bucks...and...avoid some of the more common hassles in your cruising experience.
Dick Arendt
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Anthem Burglars under Arrest
Police Believe Pair Responsible for Anthem Burlgary Spree
Henderson Police ID suspects in 2-week Burglary Crime Spree
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"Henderson...LasVegas...Nevada...Happenings"
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Let Us Entertain You
Entertainment is
Looking at Old Age
with a
Smile
As our opening blog comments
explain...
Our primary
purpose is to...
Entertain You
Now...if entertainment to you includes notifications of weekly committee meetings....
...or...
...menus in a restaurant that changes ownership as often as I change socks...
...or...
....complaints about lousy landscaping...
This may not
be the place for you !
However...there are moments elsewhere that we do find...
HILARIOUS
at times.
Often we see comments about "the gravy"
or the "stinky fish", and I ask myself.....
"Is that all there
is?"
Just who would take time from their precious few remaining moments on this earth....and dwell on "stinky" fish or dead plants ?
Oh well, "whatever floats your bobber", I suppose
!
I imagine that is part of getting old
and living in a retirement community.
How about conversations between "mature" adults?
Isn't it fascinating to know Susie's
grandchild burped for the first time ?
What about those marvelous
conversations seniors have about their health?
I know I can't wait to hear about Joe's
replaced knee or Sam's enlarged prostate, or Erma's bulging medicine cabinet
with every known pill known to modern man !
BORING !!!!
However....once in a while, some of
this can actually entertain....but only if one is able to look at all of this
with a smile, and come to the conclusion that...
"being over the
hill...is better than...being under
it"
So...if you are one of this latter
group that looks at old age as...
"S_ _T HAPPENS"
...we found something that can look at
all of this in the way that it should be....
...with a smile.
It's a speech from a man named Fritz
Coleman, an NBC Weatherman, the keynote speaker at the Pasadena Conference on
Aging in March, 2014.
If you need a "belly laugh" to start your day....and can look at old age
as it needs to be looked at....this should do the trick
!
Dick
Arendt
Latest Las Vegas Valley Dining Options
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or
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Page:
"Dining
Bargains for Sun City Anthem Residents"
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Got Cash.....Will Get a Deal on a House
Cash Sales Continue to Dominate
Las Vegas Housing Market
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or
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Information Page...
"Henderson...LasVegas...Nevada...Happenings"
Monday, August 18, 2014
Don't Toss 'em....They Have Uses !
.jpeg)
Using old torn Nylons
and Pantyhose
or
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Page...
"Why Didn't I Think
About That ? ....Tips"
Sunday, August 17, 2014
When You Get That Smartphone Wet ....
Drowning a Smartphone...
is
Not Necessarily Fatal
!
.jpeg)
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or
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Information Page...
"Mr. Fix-It's World of Home
Improvement"
Friday, August 15, 2014
Food Store Makes Nevada Aware of Potential Threats to Credit Card Information
Data Security Breach at Albertsons Stores
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or
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Information Page...
"Henderson...LasVegas...Nevada...Happenings"
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Nevada Still One of the Highest Foreclosure States
Nevada Sees July Spike
in Foreclosure Starts
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or
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Information Page...
"Henderson...LasVegas...Nevada...Happenings"
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Bacall and Bogie....Together after 57 Years
They Had It
All...
Bogie...and...
Lauren
Bacall
Or
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Page"
"History
and Holidays"
Monday, August 11, 2014
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Sunday, August 10, 2014
Retirement Means Change....Accept It....and....Learn How to Deal With It
New to retirement?
Been retired and feeling
like life is passing you by too quickly?
From USA Today
Five Top Stressors in Retirement
and
How to Cope
Amit Sood, author of "The Mayo Clinic Guide to Stress-Free
Living", says the keys to lowering your
stress include creatively tackling your stressors, having an attitude of
gratitude, accepting people, especially your spouse, for who they are, and being
kind to others and yourself.
Socialization is also a great way to ward off stress, says Steve Brody, a psychologist in Cambria, Calif., who works with retirees. He's the co-author of "Renew Your Marriage at Midlife" written with his wife, Cathy Brody."We are social creatures, so we need to stay connected with others."
It's important to deal with stressors because your chances of a heart attack, stroke, cancer or early death are lower if you have less stress, says Sood, a professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Five common stressors in
retirement and ways to cope with them:
1.
Financial concerns.
Many retirees
experience stress from living on a fixed income, Brody says. They worry that
they won't be able to take care of themselves or their
family.
Stress-reduction strategy:
Beware of "awfulizing and "catastrophizing" your
situation," Brody says. Change your way of thinking. Instead of telling
yourself, you won't be able to make ends meet, think, "I don't have as much
money as I'd like, but I have $2,500 a month, and I can live on
that."
Adds Sood: Be grateful for what you have, and if
necessary, simplify your life. You might consider getting a smaller home — it's
less expensive and easier to maintain. Consider getting a part-time
job.
2. Health worries.
Health problems and changes in insurance coverage can
create enormous stress, Sood says.
Stress-reduction strategy:
Take care of your body by eating a healthful diet,
exercising regularly, getting enough sleep and getting preventive care, Sood
says. Don't become overly focused on your health and spend all your time
obsessing about it, he says. Play the hand you have. Embrace life's
uncertainties by letting go of the uncontrollable, he says. "We have to accept
the changes happening in the body and be grateful for the good health we have
and the medical care we have received."
3. Caregiving.
You may have to deal with the ill health of your
spouse, a parent or other relative. Being a caregiver, particularly for
illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease that involve cognitive impairment, has
been shown to be extremely stressful. The stress tends to accumulate for long
periods of time, years typically, and affects the health and functioning of the
retired individual.
Stress-reduction strategy:
The No. 1 strategy is getting help from others,
including relatives, friends and professionals. You should become informed about
the condition and how to deal with it. On the positive side, you know you are
easing the suffering of someone close to you.
4.
Relationship issues.
Some people
have not reconciled their differences with their spouse or learned to accept the
other person for who they are, Sood says. Some retirees feel lonely and isolated
after leaving colleagues, and others don't get to spend as much time with their
kids and grandkids as they'd like, Brody adds.
Stress-reduction strategy:
Learn to accept your spouse and others for who they
are, Sood says. Work on forgiveness. You don't want to close your life with lots
of hurts, he says. "The magic of retirement is having the time to nurture
relationships."
One of the keys to interacting with kids and grandkids
is give them space, and when you are with them try to help and support them with
their daily chores, he says.
Adds Brody: Adult children have a lot going on in their
lives. Being aware of that can help you adjust your expectations so you don't
end up nagging them or getting depressed over not seeing them
enough.
5.
Super-charged changes.
This is a time
of enormous change. You are leaving your job and friendships with colleagues and
finding new things to do, Sood says.
Stress-reduction strategy:
Realize that your brain's reward center likes variety,
so give yourself a variety of experiences, Sood says. "Let your best friends not
be the TV, refrigerator or couch. Let your best friends be real people, books
and sports shoes."
Treat your first year in retirement as if you are
"interning" to give yourself time to readjust and set new expectations, he says.
Find meaning in new passions, including possibly using your work skills in a new
job or volunteer work.
Brody says three keys to a successful retirement are
finding a sense of purpose for yourself, structuring your day and replacing the
social connections you lost when you retired. Also, if you can retire gradually,
going to a half-time job for a year before fully retiring, it's easier to
acclimate, he says.
Nurture your spiritual values, which may mean
developing a deeper connection with your faith, Sood says. "Live your life
fully, and say your 'I love you' every day." Most importantly, do not postpone
joy and do not bypass kindness."