It's a God job!

 

We just returned from our visit to the Social Security Administration. It turns out they did make an unexpected error, which was surprising even to the SSA man we spoke with. I raised the valid concern about the possibility of them requesting money back in the future, but he provided us with solid proof to put in our files that it was their mistake, ensuring we don’t have to worry. The letter was overwhelming.  The recent deposit is the only one we will receive and yes, it was quite a generous amount! Starting next month, we can look forward to an increase in his monthly benefits.

 

Initially, my husband was hesitant to go in, but now he’s happy we did! When we first saw the amount, it felt a bit overwhelming and confusing. They mentioned an August 26 deposit, but we had already received that amount on August 6. Fortunately, we learned that our earlier deposit was sent out early for August 26. There's nothing wrong with asking questions to clear up confusion. I’m thankful we took the time to clarify things—

I inquired about how this situation arose, and he explained that while the SSA boasts a remarkable 99% accuracy rate, occasional oversights can happen for various reasons. He also mentioned that audits are conducted periodically, which helped uncover this error.

That’s why I wholeheartedly see this now as a true miracle—I don’t throw around the word “miracle” lightly, especially when there might be a plausible explanation. However, when the SSA representative mentioned he had never encountered anything like this before, it truly felt like a warm embrace from God. Naturally, a portion of that blessing will be used for His Kingdom here on earth. 

With everything now behind us, I can take a deep breath and truly appreciate this unexpected blessing that came to us out of the blue. Opportunities like this are rare, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have received it. 

Happy Monday, everyone! 

I’ll be getting my test results from the cardiologist on Thursday! While the waiting has been a bit of a drag, a doctor friend from church reassured me that if there was anything urgent, they would have acted quickly. I’m feeling optimistic, and just happy to get this all put behind me. It was May 8, the day after my son died from a heart attack 22 years ago, that I went to the ER with chest discomfort. So this saga was hanging over me like a dark cloud pretty much all summer.  

So yeah, put a fork in me, I'm done!  

I just realized that I missed my eye appointment! I typically go every six months for the eye plugs for my dry eyes. Instead of the usual text reminder, they sent a postcard that got lost in the shuffle of our junk mail. I’ll just reschedule. 

In just two weeks, we'll turn the page to September. I'm not going to talk about September just yet. I am still reeling that August has flown by so fast. It's getting to the point that I feel I need handrails to hold on to, as time whisks by at such a fast rate. 

Enjoy the day, the week, and the rest of the month! 

I sure will. 

Take Care,

Debby

New Store in Town.

Our latest shopping destination has officially opened its doors, and it's the perfect place to discover all kinds of stuff. 

Ninety-nine farmers from Rogue Valley, Oregon, each invested $10 to create a cooperative. They had no way of knowing that Grange Co-op would grow into a multi-million dollar business, providing services to customers in Southern Oregon and Northern California.

This store is similar to Tractor Supply but larger, offering everything for a sustainable farm and ranch lifestyle. You'll find supplies for beekeeping, feed, and tack for various animals, including horses, cattle, sheep, goats, hogs, and poultry. There's also a pet section with quality food and supplies, plus a great selection of wild bird food to attract birds to your backyard.

The store offers unique gifts and holiday items for everyone, along with stylish patio furniture, barbecues, and outdoor games for outdoor enthusiasts. There's also a variety of clothing and footwear for the whole family, making it a convenient one-stop destination for farmers and ranchers.

They had some nice items - 

I liked these decorative bowls.

Unique Plants

Succulents 

This one is called a mint chocolate chip plant.

Manfreda undulata

Scratching post for cats -My cat, Susie, has a climbing post that resembles a vibrant 🌵 cactus, though it’s starting to show signs of wear and tear. She also has another post designed to look like a lush palm tree 🌴, providing her with plenty of opportunities to stretch and play, which is important for an indoor cat. 

This gray and white one is stunning!

But nope, she's perfectly happy with the three she already has. Still, there's something fun about browsing and seeing what is out there. 

After browsing, we went to Black Bear Diner for lunch. Nearby, a cute couple had a 9-month-old baby boy. After settling the bill, I decided to buy a playful bear bib for their little one. Without grandkids of our own, we enjoy spreading kindness to young parents. It’s nice to bring some joy, especially since acts of generosity feel rare these days.

About the Social Security Administration 

Next week, we're returning to Social Security. I have many questions. After the initial excitement, I began to reflect on the injustice of it all.

How did such a significant oversight occur, and what could have led to this situation? 

I anticipate evasive answers, but I have the right to ask questions. They shortchanged my husband for years, and then when they found the error, they continued to withhold his rightful payment until 2025. That feels criminal. I'm grateful he visited our congressman's office; they reacted with disbelief and advised us not to spend the money yet. We'll keep it in a separate savings account.

Honestly, this should make every person on Social Security pause and reconsider—are they really not taking advantage of you? It’s definitely something worth thinking about!

If this were a private entity, they’d be out of business. I just want to know: how can I trust that in a couple of years you won’t claim we’ve been overpaid and start deducting funds?

I want to confront them face-to-face. What right did they have to keep that from us? What if we had needed it? It's a racket.

Imagine the amount of money they could have saved if only they had gotten it right from the start! It’s frustrating to see such a lack of competence in our government from an agency that should be trusted. 

That's a wrap for me! Wishing you all a fantastic Saturday evening filled with fun and relaxation. Enjoy every moment, and here’s to an amazing Sunday ahead!

Debby

Unexpected Windfall

 On our recent bank statement, I noticed a significant deposit from the SSA dated August 6. This deposit turned out to be an adjustment due to an error where my husband had been underpaid since his retirement in December 2019. I do recall the events of 2020 when we did experience a glitch with SSA. During the pandemic, the situation escalated to the point where the SSA offices here were shut down completely. At one point, they were not even answering their phones. So, after reviewing his mail, I found the SSA notice that detailed this oversight. The August 6th payment was an extra payment for back benefits. We'll be getting another one on the 20th of August. Starting in September, he will receive the adjusted amount, which includes another deposit, and the last deposit scheduled for October.  The error was identified in 2023, and the credits were applied without any actual payouts. So it just sat...money owed to my husband. Additionally, this adjustment incorporates cost-of-living adjustments for those years as well. My husband is going down to talk SSA in person this afternoon. 

First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt praise and gratitude to God, acknowledging Him and Him alone for all that has transpired. We were completely taken by surprise; this was beyond anything we could have anticipated, or even imagined. I'm thankful the error was found.  I’m happy that we can bolster our savings which is important to me.  

Was this a Miracle? 

I was thinking about this - Although it does not align with the conventional notion of a miracle - typically seen as a supernatural occurrence that transcends the boundaries of natural laws - I embrace it as a blessing, recognizing that He really does operate within our lives, always watching over and working on our behalf.  Even in moments when we may be oblivious to injustices and mistakes, because we sure were, He is faithful to provide for us in His perfect timing.  With each step we take, we can find comfort in the knowledge that He is always by our side and steadfastly watching over us. 

He's got our back! 

I call it all AMAZING because we have an AMAZING GOD. 

My son had all their windows replaced in their home yesterday. This is Harry, who wasn't too pleased, being locked in the back room all day. 

Ed on the left and Harry on the right. 

They love boxes. 

Aren't they cuties? I've had two ginger kitties in my life. They have the most adorable expressions and tend to be very comical. 

Sad to say, my next-door neighbor's kitty, Sully, has not returned. How heartbreaking, and one reason I do not let my cat out. No way, no how is she getting past me. 

Can you believe we’re already halfway through August? Time really flies! It feels like just yesterday we were welcoming the summer.

We really must cherish these days and live with intention and purpose, embodying Christ in our actions. Our goal is to positively impact those who do not know Jesus - by sharing the transformative truth of the Gospel and being a light in a dark world. Let's do it! 

Until Next Time,

Debby