KKChat -- 18 May 2025

[Bynw]

[17:59] * web56 () has joined #Deryni_Destinations
[17:59] * web56 is now known as KK
[17:59] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Hullo KK  🙂
[18:00] <KK> Hello, all.
[18:00] <HoundMistress> Out taking pictures of my roof. Started a GoFundMe to help get the 20 yr old roof fixed. I don't think the insurance is going to pay for it all bcz it's a 20 yr old roof.
[18:00] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> I might miss part of chat.
[18:00] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/479836521864888347/1373797414636490843/20250518_175901.jpg?ex=682bb80b&is=682a668b&hm=2931b578b3775160b56a5e931296f51d1408166baa94c6d6383886f183669198&;
[18:01] <HoundMistress> Hi KK and Evie.
[18:01] <~bynw> Hi KK
[18:01] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> It's Evie's li'l Moma! 🙂
[18:01] <HoundMistress> I didn't have any pcitures of the roof.
[18:01] <KK> Are you with the granddaughter, Evie?
[18:01] <HoundMistress> Oh, Evie!! Such a beautiful girl!!
[18:01] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Easier to take pictures of newborns than roofs
[18:01] <KK> HM, what happened to your roof?
[18:02] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Yes, but hard for me to type one handed on phone
[18:02] <KK> Very true.
[18:04] <KK> True, Nezz.
[18:04] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> How's things with you this week, KK?
[18:05] * The_Bee (49443707@931FCCD0.65ADDF3B.C60DAD5D.IP) has joined #Deryni_Destinations
[18:06] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Hullo Bee
[18:06] <~bynw> hi Bee
[18:06] <HoundMistress> LOL, STNEZZ
[18:06] <The_Bee> Hello to all!
[18:07] <KK> A good week. Got my knees xrayed, and there's no damage from my little misadventure on the way to LA. Continue physio, exercises, and patience.
[18:08] <HoundMistress> Well it's 20 yrs old, original roof. And we had some hail and bad wind in April. Has a lot of damage. Just waiting on the adjuster to say how much insur will pay
[18:08] <The_Bee> Nurse-cat Daphne doing her duty?
[18:09] <KK> Nurse Daphne is her usual loving self.
[18:09] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> It's good to have a nurse-kitty you can count on
[18:09] <HoundMistress> What's happenin'. What's the buzz? Tell me what's happenin.
[18:10] <KK> Bummer, HM. Was there actually a lot of damage from the storms? Hard winter for most of us.
[18:10] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> We had hail damage to our roof when it was about that old, and insurance still paid for most of the replacement aside from a small deductible
[18:10] <KK> That sounds hopeful, Evie.
[18:10] <HoundMistress> Hi, Bee.
[18:10] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> I think we had to cover about $5K ourselves
[18:10] <HoundMistress> They said it just wasn't up to that weather anymore.
[18:11] <The_Bee> Hi Mistress of Hounds
[18:11] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Our HOA has been replacing all our roofs this week. It's been very loud around here.
[18:12] <The_Bee> Good for the HOA
[18:12] <HoundMistress> Did the HOA pay to replace them? Ours sure wouldn't. They just like to take our money and not give us anything for it.
[18:13] <KK> I have all kinds of road repaving machinery on the street outside my house--probably close to a dozen. They did a goodly stretch of road Thursday and Friday, toward the north, and will be at it for another couple of days. Repairing where they dug up last year to put in gas lines.
[18:13] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> HOA did pay, but it's in the contract that they cover the exteriors of the homes.
[18:14] <HoundMistress> Ug! You're going to be waked up early! They are building an Amazon whse less than a mile from my friend Gala's house. She gets up early...now.
[18:14] <The_Bee> Did the noise you mentioned come from the storms or the residents?
[18:15] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> I'm in a condo, so the HOA is actually the exterior maintenance group fundamentally. We've been building up reserves for new roofs ... but slowly, because assessments on the tenants are something of a burden after all. We do see the budgets for each year, so we know where the money is going.
[18:15] <HoundMistress> Good to hear, stnezz. My BFs noise? the contruction.
[18:15] <~bynw> expect the HOA fee to go up after the repairs to cover that cost though
[18:16] <~bynw> attend your board meetings, homeowners have that right
[18:16] <HoundMistress> Probably will. At least ours are reasonable but we still about 200 homes in our SD
[18:16] <HoundMistress> Or neighborhood, which is preferred now to subdivision
[18:16] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> I often do attend the HOA meetings
[18:16] <~bynw> good
[18:16] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> After the roofs failed shortly after I moved in, yeah, assessments went up. The previous board hadn't saved much money, so it was an emergency to cover $70,000 x 4 roofs in about a year or two.
[18:17] <~bynw> i attend mine but i'm on the board
[18:18] <HoundMistress> So your knees are OK, KK?
[18:21] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> KK, "Continue physio, exercises, and patience." just means continue the same routines as before? That's good.
[18:23] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Wow, slow week in chat. HM needs a new roof, KK is happy with her knees, Evie got a grandbab, anyone got anything else to report? TM? Bee?
[18:23] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Bynw?
[18:24] <KK> I got good news on Monday. My longtime tenant in the last of my rental properties called to let me know that she'd found another place to live; I'd given her a 2 year lease to give her time to find  one, and with a month to spare. She's been there for 16 years, and would have bought it-she loves it--but sadly she can't qualify for enough mortgage.
[18:24] <KK> But I'm of an age that I just  don't want to fuss with managing it--and I took a big hit last year for necessary tree work. Her rent no longer covers my expenses. Plus, Cameron wont have to hassle with selling when I'm gone. 
[18:24] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> My sister pointed out that the stock market is about where it was at the start of the year, so readjusting retirement savings might be good while it's stable.
[18:25] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> So that's a task for me to figure out, as a new retiree.
[18:25] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> KK, are you implying that you're going to sell it?
[18:25] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> KK, I didn't know you had renters. For another week or two, anyway.
[18:26] <The_Bee> My e-trike isstill out to get me.  it tipped over on my way to church again.  No damage to me this time.
[18:26] <HoundMistress> The retirement guy on Sundays before the church service says it's time to look at your distributions.
[18:26] <KK> I had a portfolio review last week with my finance guy, and he said I've come through with no damage to its value.  So thats a relief.
[18:27] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Hi Everyone!
[18:27] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Bee, Ugh!
[18:27] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Hiya Jsha!
[18:27] <~bynw> as long as you didnt sale during the down turn, anyone should do alright as it comes back up. market fluxuation is good really
[18:27] <HoundMistress> My B & SIL took a hit when COVID struct but have recovered now.
[18:27] <~bynw> hi Jerusha
[18:27] <The_Bee> Hi Jerusha
[18:28] <HoundMistress> Hi, Jerusha
[18:28] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Lovely new granddaughter, Evie!
[18:28] <HoundMistress> Isn't she lovely? Isn't she beautiful? (S Wonder)
[18:29] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Thanks!
[18:29] <KK> It's sold. Should be closing by the end of June, if all goes well. We went under contract 2 years ago, with the buyers being ok with the delay, and my realtor has check with them to be sure they're still going forward.
[18:29] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> I've had a finance guy for quite a few years now, but my husband is going to retire in just over a year, so we're going to start needing to dip into retirement soon.
[18:29] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> Patient buyers!
[18:29] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Good news, KK
[18:29] <HoundMistress> They were really patient!
[18:30] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> KK, gratz on selling. I've got my old condo that I'm wanting to sell to the renters as a rent-to-own, but I don't know how to set up a contract for that. Or who to talk to to write one.
[18:30] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Real Estate lawyer, I suspect
[18:31] <~bynw> yeah i would go for an attorney who practices in real estate
[18:32] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> That sounds right, don't know why I didn't think about it before. 🙂
[18:33] <The_Bee> There is much talk around here for more housing at more affordable prices.
[18:34] <HoundMistress> Here, too, Bee. The Californians have moved here and destroyed our home market. They think nothing of paying $500,000 for a basic 2 story house.
[18:35] <~bynw> my scanner keeps freezing up. guess i will try another day
[18:35] <HoundMistress> Oh no bynw!
[18:36] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Bynw, it's fried itself out for your sake. What a good li'l scanner.
[18:36] <~bynw> it's ancient (as far as electronics go). it's on my list to replace next year
[18:36] <HoundMistress> I'm still trying to get my new speakers to work. I suspect it's something in settings.
[18:36] <The_Bee> some towns waxed indignant when told they had  to build lower-rate housing near transit stations.
[18:37] <KK> Yes. And they're really in love with the house. And my tenant is moving back to the cottage that went with the big house, where she'd lived for 7 years until Scott and I renovated the house that's now being sold. She'd been in love with it the entire time she was in the cottage, and the new owners of the big house have done extensive work on it,
[18:37] <KK> starting with a new roof, so the cottage will be even better than where she lived in it before. They were doing it up to be an AirBnB, but were delighted when she asked if she could lease it. A win-win for everyone, except that she has to give up her home of 16 years. But she doesn't have far to move; the two properties are next to one another.
[18:38] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Wow, glad that has worked out
[18:38] <HoundMistress> That's good, KK.
[18:39] <HoundMistress> Bubbie buzzed through my lap to say "Hi"
[18:39] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Hi Bubbie
[18:39] <~bynw> maybe i will have to see how much fedex office charges for use of their self-service scanning and just use their machines which are probably full duplex anyway. far better that my ancient one sided machine.
[18:39] <KK> I'm now playing catch-up on my several years of tax returns. Yuck!
[18:39] <The_Bee> Bubbie!
[18:39] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> HIya Bubbie
[18:39] <The_Bee> Hi
[18:39] <~bynw> that's never fun KK
[18:40] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Taxes are a curse
[18:40] <HoundMistress> I haven't filed my last 2 yrs. I'm just not able to deal with them. Gotta find someone who can.
[18:40] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Oh dear
[18:41] <The_Bee> I' still not sure it I needed to file last year or this.
[18:43] <KK> You would have needed to file by April 15 for last year's income.
[18:43] <The_Bee> I got an extension both years.
[18:43] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Oh good
[18:44] <KK> But you still have to file, and it's not an indefinite extension.
[18:44] <~bynw> extentions don't stop interetest or pentalities if any are due... they just let you file later
[18:44] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> My dad is still doing our taxes, but I can't imagine he'll be able to do it much longer. He'll be 89 in a month.
[18:44] <HoundMistress> But you're OK if THEY owe YOU money. Not so much the other way around.
[18:45] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Good for your Dad, Nezz
[18:45] <The_Bee> It depends whether my income was below a certain amount.
[18:46] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> And the automatic extension is 6 months. I started using FreeTaxUSA, excellent on-line software at quite low cost (much less than Turbo Tax), but I don't have weirdnesses. I think a tax accountant is needed ASAP for anyone who hasn't filed in previous years.
[18:46] <~bynw> i use them too TM
[18:46] <The_Bee> I KNOW I wasn't getting a refund.
[18:47] <KK> Do you have income besides Social Security? If not, you should have a statement from SS that will tell you what to do.  They're talking about not having to pay tax on SS, but I'll believe that when I see it.
[18:47] <~bynw> a friend of mine has her birthday on april 16th. it's real easy to remember
[18:47] <HoundMistress> I wish they would stop taxing Soc Sec.
[18:48] <KK> There's hope that they may.
[18:48] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Oh, wouldn't that be lovely!
[18:48] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> I'll believe it when I see it
[18:48] <The_Bee> I have a pension; my SS wasn't taxable before.
[18:50] <KK> Ah, pension will be in their crosshairs. I'd guess that if your SS is low, you might not have to pay.
[18:50] <The_Bee> I hope
[18:50] <HoundMistress> No pension, no retirement. Have to work if I want to keep my house.
[18:50] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> I never worked anyplace where I earned a pension, but I was able to make a halfway decent 401k before I had to retire. .
[18:51] <HoundMistress> Hopefully they are going to raise the amount you get from SS.
[18:51] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> (had to retire about 5 years before I'd planned)
[18:52] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> If they can swing it so that SS isn't taxed, then that's practically a 15-30% raise. 😄
[18:53] <HoundMistress> Yes, that would be a big improvement.
[18:53] <KK> I have to go hassle with the City about not renewing my Business License. I haven't yet found the W-2 from my royalty income last year. Can you believe that I have to buy a license to receive royalty payments for projects I wrote before I even knew there was a Staunton? Grrr.
[18:54] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Egad!
[18:54] <HoundMistress> Taxes suck.
[18:54] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Good  grief! That's rediculous!
[18:54] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Good  grief! That's ridiculous!
[18:54] <KK> Yep.
[18:54] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> Can your agent or publisher send you another W-2?
[18:55] <KK> EEk, I have to run. Tonight is season finale for Call the Midwife. I do enjoy that show! See yu all next week!
[18:55] <HoundMistress> Have agood week!
[18:55] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> A duplicate, I mean.
[18:55] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> The one little bit of organization I keep up is a magazine holder bin. If any paper mail comes in that's tax-related, I manage to toss it in this holder. Come tax time, it saves me.
[18:55] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Take care and enjoy the show!
[18:56] <The_Bee> ! Thanks for coming
[18:56] * KK steps onto her Portal, waves goodnight, and disappears in a shower of purple sparkles.
[18:56] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Nighters, KK
[18:56] <KK> Nghters!
[18:56] * KK () Quit (Quit: Client closed)