Year-end conclusions. Positive and negative. Tell us about it

[telescopes]

There ARE things we cannot change, but sometimes we don't know until we try.

I agree - and yes, I took on the insurance companies for both my father and mother and after some serious battles, won several cases against them. I realize my post might make it sound like I roll over - I don't. What I don't do is ever complain to anyone about it, which really was the point I should have emphasized more.

Insurance companies are not here for their customers and over the years, I've learned to beat them at their own games nearly every time by deploying fairly aggressive and sometimes, questionable tactics - but never more questionable than their own tactics of denials. You did the right thing and it is an important point you made to be sure.

I am reminded of end line from Dylan Thomas's poem - "Rage Against the Dying of the Light."

Rage against the light. But don't whine about it when your are sitting next to me at the bar.

 

[OverMountain]

2024:
Got rated in the C-130, then went med down for a long period. Finished reading the Bible on an app I had downloaded years ago and never used. Outlook changed for the better.

 

[irishearl]

When you lose your soulmate of 49 years it is hard to find anything that has happened that is a positive.

Some bittersweet positives:
Our oldest son earned his MBA from LSU just a month before my wife passed.
In October he was hired by Tulane University and started the process of selling his house in Johnson City, TN so he can buy one down here.
The family has survived Thanksgiving and the Christmas season without her.



Unfortunately I have been told that it never does. That being said, I lost my mother 33 years ago and there have been times where it would be nice to talk to her or my father who I lost 31 years ago.

Am sorry for your loss. Whoever said old age isn't for sissies is right. No other age features as many losses, family, friends, health , etc. We have lost most of out friends, sometimes with dementia prior to death. My health remains relatively good, but fear for my wife's.

 

[Auxsender]

I’m extremely grateful to have my wonderful loving and supportive wife and amazing daughter who are, luckily, both healthy.
I love them with all of my being.
I’m grateful that I am healthy.
I am very grateful I own my house.

Other than that, everything is on fire and hurdling off a cliff.

2024 can get fucked with a hot poker.

 

[georged]

The older I get, the less filters I have.

fewer

 

[Briar Lee]

My wife was hospitalized with hepatic encephalopathy in July and I sold my law office and I’m retired now.

She’s recovering. It was caused by her using too much Motrin for her back pain. I’m now taking care of her, like she took care of me all those years. I never typed one letter, filed one paper, collected a dime, or paid one bill, thanks to her wonderful office management. All I ever did, was be a lawyer.

When I closed my office and packed up my Lee pipes and all my stuff, I only cried once, in my library packing up the law school text books I’d put there in 1985.

My wife asked why, and I said I’m crying for me in 1985.

I was scared almost to death then I’d not make it until today.

I had loads of satisfaction, earned a good living, helped over 20,000 people, and I’m the only lawyer I’ve ever heard of that quit winner and didn’t die in the traces.

I just wish I’d have taken more photos. But all those Images are wonderful memories of mine regardless.

My wife had to quit smoking.

So now I won’t smoke around her.

The easiest way to give up a pipe, is to roll Bouy Gold and get your quick nicotine fix that way.

I’m keeping the best ones, but there’s going to be a thinning of my stash.

 

[JOHN72]

Last night it was just me, my mother and my wife, having dinner. A seafood soup, boiled prawns, and a piece of cottage cheese with honey. My mother started dinner at 12 noon. It's hard not to stop laughing with her, she also asked her sisters by wasap, that if they had any food left over, they could prepare some tapers for her for today. She is the big sister, and you can't question her about anything, hahahahahahaha. We went to bed very early, I think at 11pm. I am very sorry for the hardships, problems, and loss of loved ones here on the comrade forum. It is admirable to see how our hearts are open, so many hundreds or thousands of miles away. Wishing you, with all my strength, that this 2025 will be a year of peace in all senses, and good health.

 

[OzPiper]

Just spent the day taking our (one and only) 7 year old granddaughter out for the day.
Absolutely loved our time with her.
All’s well in the world again

 

[OzPiper]

My wife was hospitalized with hepatic encephalopathy in July and I sold my law office and I’m retired now.
She’s recovering.

I’m keeping the best ones, but there’s going to be a thinning of my stash.

@Briar Lee
Welcome back.
Sorry to hear of your wife’s health problems. I sincerely hope she is recovering now.

Congratulations on your retirement.
And best of luck thinning your stash - at least you will have the time to make those difficult decisions now.

 

[Tbaggins]

Went through some battles and serious soul searching in 2024. But realizing health and family means more than anything. No complaints here, hoping 2025 is better for everyone.

 

[greysmoke]

Here are 15 highlights from my 2024, in no particular order:

1. I lost 20 lbs.
2. I stopped drinking alcohol (well, about 95% stopped) 11 months ago.
3. In May, I had emergency surgery 30 minutes after visiting an Emergency Room for a stomachache.
4. My best friend and canine companion died at age 15.
5. I turned 66.
6. I resumed learning saxophone after a 50 year hiatus.
7. The oldest of my five grandchildren turned 7; the youngest turns 2 next month.
8. I rescued a three year old dog.
9. I gave away, to my younger son, the 2009 Jeep Wrangler 4-door I'd bought new in 2008.
10. I got a new computer. Thank you, Microsoft, for ceasing to support Windows 10.
11. I began taking weekly allergy shots.
12. My 2000 Jeep Wrangler turns 25 next month. It needs a new battery.
13. I got myself a new pair of Tecovas Chelsea Boots.
14. I sold a few dozen pipes and bought a handful of new (to me) pipes.
15. I unloaded some tobacco and finished a tin of 3 Oaks Syrian. Still too much tobacco. Not enough 3 Oaks Syrian.

 

[karam]

It's been a tough but good and productive year. Pushed really hard saving and investing and basically doubled my stash from 2023. Won't be able to repeat that in 2025 but doesn't matter, there are things lining up which will allow me to take the foot off the gas.

Hit the gym hard this year, went from looking "fat but strong" to "fat but don't mess with this guy as he'll make you into a pretzel", next step would be losing quite a lot of fat but maintaining muscle.

Professionally it's been a good year, lots of difficulties in my job but managed to pull through unscathed.

Personally, emotionally and family-wise grew quite a bit, expanded my thinking and mentality, having several thoughts around mortality but also making the most of it.

I think 2025 will be a shitshow around the world, let's see. For now keeping my head down and working hard on the job and goals.

 

[karam]

I've taken on two health insurance companies and the IRS and kicked them to the curb, as well as assorted idiots who tried to cheat my parents, my friends, and me. I'm generally very easygoing, but when someone is stupid enough to provoke me by trying to pull a fast one, I don't leave a grease spot to mark where the idiot once existed.

There ARE things we cannot change, but sometimes we don't know until we try.

It's kind of a shame that quiet easygoing people are seen as targets by bullies and anyone who routinely makes a lot of noise. There've been a few bullies in my life who FAFOed.