Anyway, the ability to withdraw, repay and re-apply has been taken away. Once you actually apply, you are more or less locked into your benefits. Jannie, it has not been taken away entirely. I learned from the video that there is still a 12 month window where you can "change your mind". I verified that from the SS.gov site which states: ..... " Recent change in the withdrawal rules.Effective December 8, 2010, you can only withdraw your application for retirement benefits within 12 months of your first month of entitlement and you are limited to one withdrawal per lifetime." Wildchild, I am glad you (& others) found the video so helpful. Not everyone will take the time to view it, to their possible detriment. I also looked @ the AARP website (as Franklin recommended) & they have an excellent current article with really good examples. I haven't looked to see what they might have in the way of archived articles. Chisue, I so agree with you that the argument for a *voluntary* SS-like system kind of flies in the face of how little $ soooo many people save towards retirement. I do understand that it is nearly impossible for some given their low wages. But as an example, one gal I worked with participated in the company's voluntary retirement savings plan... to the tune of $5 per month. No kidding!!!! She had no kids & was an educated woman... but obviously clueless as to how ineffective that amount was. She actually "threw money away" since the company would have matched her contributions to a much greater amount!

Hi Hoovergal...I'm new to these forums, I didn't know there was such life advice and I was just at Houzz looking at the beautiful pictures. So I'm backtracking and reading. I work with the elderly in assisted living (memory support) and sometimes these people can get into a loop of habits and mannerisms. It's quite random...good news? It may go away as randomly as it came. As some have pointed out, it may have been nervous energy from being sick/in pain from the UTI. So I would guess that frequent assessment of her physical health will be important so you can find things she wouldn't be able to tell you. General safety is a must for dementia sufferers.. keep nails done, carry tissues, carry hand sanitizer, keep her occupied and distracted, redirected as best you can. Aside from that...I think you just have to accept that this kind of thing happens. Take her places where it's no big deal. More casual places. Visit friends (yours and hers) in their homes where the environment and privacy are more controlled. For busy public places...less than peak of the day times, like mid afternoon lunch instead of noontime. No matter where you go there might be someone who is not understanding of your situation but usually they are outnumbered by people who can see that your mom can't help it and be kind. The good news too...is that as your mother declines it will become more obvious that these lapses in her manners are out of your control and hers and the public will be quite forgiving. Also the soothing balm of humor! A grown woman digging for gold. Smile. It's kind of funny...dementia patients don't respond well to frazzled caretakers...so try not to sweat the small stuff. AND HEY. Adopt the attitude of gratitude. I say this with all sincerity and respect, appreciating that this is not ideal to nose-pick in public. However...at least she is not digging her butt. I hope that is a comfort to you. Hang in there. Patience. Peace. Understanding. Gratitude. Keep it simple. Breathe!

I can somewhat relate to the article linked because where we live nothing modern exists (now-modern or MCM) unless you build it yourself. We bought a 1959 MCM/ranch that was remodeled and added to at least three times and started rebuilding. Our choices of random color slate flooring in the entry hall and grasscloth wallpaper for the formal living room were a bit confusing to people we know since the prevailing style in the region is southeastern or new-but-old looking (distressed?). Our kitchen and family room are more now-modern since we wanted a new kitchen to use and the family room is an a ~2002 addition. The two bathrooms and the dining room and den in the original parts of the house will be even more confusing because the goal is to make them basically look like the place was built that way. Bathroom #1 will be ming green, bathroom #2 will probably be blue, and details are still TBD for the other two rooms. Nobody has been critical anyway, just a bit surprised. However, none of it will be authentic to the house. Bathroom #1 was taupe, bathroom #2 was bright yellow with a built in hamper and a corner of the room used for an air handler that is long gone, the dining room has yellow/beige VAT under '70s linoleum (under a floor that was raised 1'!) and the den was a large 1 car garage before the existing garage was built decades ago. Anyone critical of not going back to exactly that would be another "bite me" recipient. If we're rebuilding bathrooms that were remuddled poorly we're at least going with colors we like, and why in the world would we try and re-stick asbestos tile that's all warped and lifted up in a color we aren't even fond of? And since I'm already ranting about things there are a couple of things about our master bedroom/bathroom redo that I'm sure will be unpopular choices, but not something that can be worked around. The washer and dryer are moving to the master closet. Utilities, venting easy access to that location and wanting to get them out of the garage (1/2 mile walk from anywhere) drove that decision. The bathroom will suffer from the dreaded wasted space, but dealing with existing windows in a brick house and wanting the size of the room to be proportional to the bedroom and rest of the house bumped its size up some. There, that feels better :)[/rant]

is there any way you can get longer window coverings? you have beautiful crown, and a very nice window, but those drapes are really too short. The rod should be hung higher and the drapes need to hit the floor I think you'll find it looks a lot better if you try it. and also, that current arrangement, sorry, it just looks awkward. the tv is too far over (I know you have to clear the door) and the sofa is blocking the fireplace, and it's off center (Plus, only the front portion of the sofa should be on an area rug of that size) I just think you could find a better fix. this is an entry way and shouldn't be used for the tv wall. .