Travel Planning / Cross Country Days

Brookhaven Golf Course in Saratoga County

Yesterday was quite productive around here, but also relaxing and warm. I cleared out a bookcase of daughter's childhood books and took them to the library donation bin. I completed and filed my taxes - with a $600 refund coming my way. My mistake on the withholding form caused the refund; I try to calculate it to the dollar so that I owe nothing and get no refund, but I goofed. I believe I figured the correct withholding out a few weeks ago so next years taxes will be just right.

The trip to Switzerland/France is coming together nicely. We finally booked the airfare after watching prices fluctuate wildly for 3 weeks. That made me ponder the dreaded overnight hours in an economy seat - never fun. Business class easily doubles the cost of the whole trip, so I've decided against that; but then I saw Premium Select class, hmmm. I put my brain to work thinking how to justify/pay for that. Cutting my spending could work, along with selling a few things that I'm purging from the house on MarketPlace. Then I remembered my credit card points! I've accumulated almost $500 in cashback, so putting all these into effect means I'll be flying Premium Select now. And maybe getting  a bit of sleep in the roomier, extra reclining seat with leg rests. Whoohoo!

Southwest also finally came through for my daughter who got caught in the Christmas fiasco. They 

1) refunded more than half her original airfare, 

2) gave her 25,000 air miles, and 

3) paid her (me) $1000 for the flight/costs she incurred to book on another airline to get home.  Way to go Southwest, as now I'll feel free to book domestic flights with them again.

An unexpected few inches of snow fell overnight, which should ensure my X-Country ski plans.

Tuesday 2/1/23

I was determined to go skiing and that is what I did. It helped that the meeting time was a civilized 10 am. When I got to the rendezvous location, only 2 others were there, so we all got in my larger car and headed to the Golf course in Saratoga County. Our group total was nine out of the 18 who signed up. The temperature never went above 22 degrees, but the near constant movement for 5 miles ensured that I stayed comfortable. I actually took my jacket off after 30 minutes and was fine.


A nice little downhill.


Kathy, Ernie, and Jim

 It was a perfect partly sunny sky and there was plenty of snow on nicely groomed trails. We skied for about 2 hours, then headed into the restaurant for a leisurely lunch. It was a nice way to spend a chilly winter day. Have I mentioned how much I absolutely love retirement?

Comments

  1. MargaretFebruary 1, 2023 at 11:45 PM

    Retirement is certainly great! I love the flexibility; it's helped me be more spontaneous. I never know what to expect from taxes; although I pay quarterly, I could still owe since I have a lot of untaxed income. Hoping I don't owe $6,000 more like I did one year. (the year after my husband died, double whammy) I will enjoy your trip to France/Switzerland vicariously; I would love to go back but there are so many places I haven't yet visited.

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