AUTHOR: DrLefty on 3/28/2026 FIRST: Nancy Moser on 3/30 | RECENT: William Perry on 4/2
Comments
I make drip coffee, too, though I buy good beans for it. I’ve owned Keurigs for my office but never really liked the taste. I can tolerate Nespresso if that’s what they have in a hotel room. But I much prefer my strong French roast brewed in my own kitchen. My husband makes himself espresso every day and makes me a latte on Saturdays to drink while I’m writing my baseball column. (He’d make me lattes every morning if I wanted him to, but I get up before he does, and I like my black, dark French roast.)
In my version, I blend up eggs, a bit of cream or milk, plain Greek yogurt, crumbled goat cheese, and a bit of hot sauce and salt and pepper. I also use crumbled cooked sausage or bacon, and diced sautéed onions and peppers. They’re steamed and come out about the size of a mini muffin (or golf ball!). They freeze and reheat nicely. The original recipe called for cottage cheese, but I can’t abide that, so I swapped in the Greek yogurt. You could also use any other kind of cheese, but I like goat cheese.
Even when we were starving grad students, coffee was the one thing we wouldn’t skimp on. We’d cut corners elsewhere. No coffee from a can. We bought good beans and ground them either at home or in the supermarket. The Mr bought himself a very nice espresso machine and milk frother a couple of years ago when he got his bonus. Our coffee game has improved considerably. On the other hand, I won’t pay for Starbucks egg bites. I’ve perfected my recipe and make batches in my Instant Pot.
That’s what I was wondering, thanks. I think I’ll get a great gas grill and maybe add a smoker later. We do have room in the yard. I’m even thinking about a pizza oven!
OK, I’m back, and I’ve thought of a couple of “toys” related to our new place. One is that my husband is getting the new bigger, smarter TV he’s been pining for. We decided to leave our current one on the wall for our condo buyers (they were happy to get it). The others are for our new yard. I love grilling and have really missed it during our condo years. I’ve started looking at grills and have seen cool combo ones (gas/charcoal/smoker). I need to do more research but am intrigued. Also, one part of the yard has a nice deck. I’m thinking of a fire table plus some chairs for that. Already have a couple of options bookmarked. The sound system we’re getting with the TV will include outdoor speakers, so I’m imagining fall evenings on the deck…
Right?! I’m going to start seeing a cardiologist soon. I’m blessed to have made it nearly to 66 without being treated for heart problems yet, but my family history and risk factors are really bad. Hopefully preventive cardiology can give me some additional healthy years.
Thanks, but we won’t be there forever. My husband’s going down to 50% time in October, and then we’ll see how much longer he keeps working after that. But we’ll still be (beyond) fine, and we’re grateful.
We get a substantial IRMAA reimbursement as well (from my husband’s retiree benefits). It doesn’t cover everything, but it lessens the sting a good deal.
I’ve only been on Medicare for nine months and am not drawing Social Security yet, so I don’t have many opinions about the whole thing. Because of my pensions and my husband still working, our IRMAA bite is pretty substantial. I don’t feel angry about that—paying IRMAA means you’re doing well, after all—but it’s made it harder to feel like I’m “getting something I paid for.” I do like going to the doctor and not having to pay a $35 co-pay anymore, and my prescriptions are cheaper, too. 👍
Comments
I make drip coffee, too, though I buy good beans for it. I’ve owned Keurigs for my office but never really liked the taste. I can tolerate Nespresso if that’s what they have in a hotel room. But I much prefer my strong French roast brewed in my own kitchen. My husband makes himself espresso every day and makes me a latte on Saturdays to drink while I’m writing my baseball column. (He’d make me lattes every morning if I wanted him to, but I get up before he does, and I like my black, dark French roast.)
Post: Dickie and his magic beans
Link to comment from May 8, 2026
In my version, I blend up eggs, a bit of cream or milk, plain Greek yogurt, crumbled goat cheese, and a bit of hot sauce and salt and pepper. I also use crumbled cooked sausage or bacon, and diced sautéed onions and peppers. They’re steamed and come out about the size of a mini muffin (or golf ball!). They freeze and reheat nicely. The original recipe called for cottage cheese, but I can’t abide that, so I swapped in the Greek yogurt. You could also use any other kind of cheese, but I like goat cheese.
Post: Dickie and his magic beans
Link to comment from May 6, 2026
Even when we were starving grad students, coffee was the one thing we wouldn’t skimp on. We’d cut corners elsewhere. No coffee from a can. We bought good beans and ground them either at home or in the supermarket. The Mr bought himself a very nice espresso machine and milk frother a couple of years ago when he got his bonus. Our coffee game has improved considerably. On the other hand, I won’t pay for Starbucks egg bites. I’ve perfected my recipe and make batches in my Instant Pot.
Post: Dickie and his magic beans
Link to comment from May 6, 2026
That’s what I was wondering, thanks. I think I’ll get a great gas grill and maybe add a smoker later. We do have room in the yard. I’m even thinking about a pizza oven!
Post: Retirement Toys
Link to comment from May 5, 2026
OK, I’m back, and I’ve thought of a couple of “toys” related to our new place. One is that my husband is getting the new bigger, smarter TV he’s been pining for. We decided to leave our current one on the wall for our condo buyers (they were happy to get it). The others are for our new yard. I love grilling and have really missed it during our condo years. I’ve started looking at grills and have seen cool combo ones (gas/charcoal/smoker). I need to do more research but am intrigued. Also, one part of the yard has a nice deck. I’m thinking of a fire table plus some chairs for that. Already have a couple of options bookmarked. The sound system we’re getting with the TV will include outdoor speakers, so I’m imagining fall evenings on the deck…
Post: Retirement Toys
Link to comment from May 5, 2026
Right?! I’m going to start seeing a cardiologist soon. I’m blessed to have made it nearly to 66 without being treated for heart problems yet, but my family history and risk factors are really bad. Hopefully preventive cardiology can give me some additional healthy years.
Post: The reality of Social Security and Medicare- My real life experience.
Link to comment from May 5, 2026
Thanks, but we won’t be there forever. My husband’s going down to 50% time in October, and then we’ll see how much longer he keeps working after that. But we’ll still be (beyond) fine, and we’re grateful.
Post: The reality of Social Security and Medicare- My real life experience.
Link to comment from May 5, 2026
We get a substantial IRMAA reimbursement as well (from my husband’s retiree benefits). It doesn’t cover everything, but it lessens the sting a good deal.
Post: The reality of Social Security and Medicare- My real life experience.
Link to comment from May 5, 2026
I’ve only been on Medicare for nine months and am not drawing Social Security yet, so I don’t have many opinions about the whole thing. Because of my pensions and my husband still working, our IRMAA bite is pretty substantial. I don’t feel angry about that—paying IRMAA means you’re doing well, after all—but it’s made it harder to feel like I’m “getting something I paid for.” I do like going to the doctor and not having to pay a $35 co-pay anymore, and my prescriptions are cheaper, too. 👍
Post: The reality of Social Security and Medicare- My real life experience.
Link to comment from May 4, 2026
I think that’s right—maybe hit by a car? I remember Jonathan mentioning it a couple of times.
Post: Retirement Toys
Link to comment from May 4, 2026