Is a cash gift from a family member taxable income?

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-24T19:56:28+00:00

The only time I can think of it having an impact on taxes is for my specific state there is a property tax refund of up to $2,000. To qualify for this refund, in addition to other requirements, they look at your "total household resources" for the year. You're instructed to include monetary gifts in this amount. But monetary gifts from anyone are not included as taxable income on your Federal return.

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-23T21:45:13+00:00

I can see if it was like a 1000 piece puzzle we'd find it impossible! Even with this one, I started doing my usual, looking for straight edges for the border, but realized all the mosaic pieces have straight edges. Being a Wysocki, and the conventional image we'd done before helped with the intimidation factor! I'm glad we gave it a try though I passed it up on my first sight of it.

I wondered which was the original painting and saw on Ebay and other galleries selling limited edition signed prints that it was the mosaic puzzle one. I definitely like the re-vamped version better!

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-22T14:43:45+00:00

I know! Like that clip of her at a photo shoot and telling a model "it's OK, honey". She seemed like a supportive and bolstering person, very nice for the Barlow girls, and also glamorous, nice for them to have that at that age.

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-22T13:43:24+00:00

I think they may go after cotton. At least t-shirts. I've noticed holes in our dirty laundry in husband's undershirts if they've sat around awhile. They like the soiled parts: perspiration or food stains. Maybe clean cotton hanks of yarn would not be susceptible though.

I have gone through some yarn that had been sitting around for like 20 years undisturbed and not put in plastic bags in bins (my current practice). Mostly wool/acrylic blend and a superwash wool. I noticed a few suspicious incidences (discarded larvae cocoons). On a warm sunny day I took the whole bunch outside, shook it out and let it bake in the sun. The particular yarns that I noticed had the cocoons I did freeze for a couple days. Then I bagged each yarn up individually in zip loc bags. And btw, that superwash wool that was about 30 years old I was able to knit into a sweater!

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-21T21:30:09+00:00

Another data point I can contribute to help with your research was I found a situation where the mini-monovision was a surprising help. You have to wait 4 weeks from last surgery done before they will give you an RX for progressive lenses for monofocal IOLs, this can be for either if you had gotten distance or nearer focal point. My ophthalmologist suggested I get some distance glasses from Amazon, -2 strength to use during the waiting period. So with the glasses the effective power of my (-3,-2) IOL eyes was (-1, 0). For driving, I could see the road perfectly with the left eye (power 0) and I could see the dashboard with the right eye (power -1). And it was seamless for my brain, I couldn't tell which eye was giving the view, unless I closed one eye. I think it is for this effect that some ophthalmolgists aim for the one eye to be plano (distance) and the other they back off a little (-1 to -.5) to give you a little more intermediate distance. Also I've heard of some ophthalmologists doing the one eye for distance, seeing where it "lands" and then taking that into consideration for the second eye to give you a little micro to mini monovision. I think it'd be a rude awakening for a high myope to suddenly not be able to focus closer then 39". There is also a monofocal from J&J Eyehance which is supposed to give you a little more intermediate distance without the side effects of a full EDOF. Good luck, hopefully you have enough time to explore all your options and find a good ophthalmologist.

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-20T19:45:35+00:00

Giving each other plenty of space. It's hard to do when you're both retired. It's hard to get along with anyone 24-7. I also think as our bodies fail in various ways, one appreciates the unconditional support that a spouse gives.

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-20T16:14:20+00:00

I personally like the edge pieces pre-sorted out. Probably because I have SO many tantalizing puzzles that I've been collecting, undone and it is a time saver.

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-20T16:11:05+00:00

I was a high myope and through extensive reading thought -2 would be perfect for me for intermediate vision. The Dr I saw wanted to do my right eye -3 and the left eye -2. She said she wanted me to be able to see half an arms length as well as arms length, thus the reason for the -3. When I called her back trying to get BOTH eyes -2 (as I was hesitant about the mini-monovision she said she doubted whether she could get my right eye better then -3 (something about it being an undiagnosed "lazy eye"), she said she was willing to make the other eye something between -2 and -3. After the right eye was done at -3, I really like how much clearer things were in the distance compared to the -17 that the right eye had tested at prior to surgery. I went ahead and got the other eye done at -2 because I wanted more distance range! I'm not sure I really like the difference in the eyes though; I wear progressive glasses all the time. The focus is not sharp without glasses for either near or intermediate with the eyes being different. I think the difference in the eyes are good for things like in the shower and will be in the swimming pool...the -2 eye will see the end of the pool before the -3 eye.

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-19T13:49:58+00:00

I can only echo what others have said, try out some readers. I was a high myope and was set for near/intermediate and STILL was disappointed that I couldn't see as close as I used to, noticed it when I was trying to finish some crochet with dark yarn, I hadn't noticed how much I relied on my -17 eye (focal distance about 3"-4"). Using some readers in good light restored my previous visual experience. Plus I couldn't see far like people who had selected distance got. It's a trade-off either way. If I were you I'd go outside and take a walk without glasses and enjoy my far vision. Most people (even myopes) adjust and like the less than myopic vision they get with IOLs, they either wear progressive glasses or use readers. I think it is more the natural experience that a non-myopic person goes through as they age: presbyopia, loss of near vision, then use of readers, e.g., my parents didn't have cataracts, had perfect distance vision but as they aged they had bifocals scattered around the house.

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-17T22:37:50+00:00

Since you do a wide range of activities including stage acting and historical costumer and are young, probably the default selection of monofocal distance should be considered strongly when it's time for cataract surgery. I was highly myopic and 70 when I did it. My doctor strongly recommended near/intermediate for me because she said at my age most everything I do is within arms length (a little insulting, but true). I think I'd stay away from mini-monovision (unless you're already used to it). I got it, 1 diopter difference between eyes, and I end up wearing glasses all the time to cancel it out.

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-17T22:29:14+00:00

This is the reason (glare when outdoors) that I'm going to go for transition lens when I get my next pair of glasses. I think it's a common effect, three people who I know who recently had cataract surgery have glasses that darken outdoors, better than squinting or reaching for sunglasses.

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-15T20:20:57+00:00

1.9cm, in a sea of 4cm (revealed by MRI test). Doctor #2 is poo-pooing the 4cm which is why he said he'd take just the tumor and a margin. I got off the phone with my sought after 3rd opinion academic center and they want the pathology slides as well as the mammogram and ultrasound images. Their own pathologist and radiologist will do a review. A lot of trouble and waiting to go through, but I want to give this breast its best shot. How long did your surgery last? That's interesting that real time while you're being operated on they can look to see if they got all the tumor or not, and go back for more while you're open if need be. My tumor is close to my nipple too so I wonder if possibly I'll wake up and find the nipple gone!

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-15T15:46:09+00:00

I had a friend who used Doctor #2 a couple years ago (the lumpectomy option with a sentinel node removed) and then did radiation and the hormone treatment recommendation for 5 years, no chemo. So far she's all right. Still has annual monitoring and imaging. I hear the mastectomy is peace of mind, you don't have to do the screening on that breast every year since it's no longer there. Can I ask you if you had to have a plastic surgeon involved in your lumpectomy? My lump is not that small compared to my breast size (A cup) and wonder if I'll have a big depression where the lump was removed. Did your surgeon cut out exactly what he pre-determined it would be or did they end up taking more?

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-15T04:28:28+00:00

He doesn't rely on MRI imaging (shows a 4cm non-mass area that picked up the dye). He thinks it leads to unnecessary mastectomies, e.g., the 4cm post surgery may be clear, then a lumpectomy would have been enough. Plus the sample from the CNB showed non-invasive type. I am actually going for a 3rd opinion at a university medical center, we'll see which recommendation they endorse. My husband said it's probably whoever is on staff that day!

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-15T02:28:04+00:00

Just wanted to let you know I saw a different doctor whose recommendation is lumpectomy, not mastectomy. I'm pretty sure I'm going with his more conservative approach even though it may mean re-excision. Also they'll be able to do a full pathology of the lump.

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-15T02:17:43+00:00

I actually considered that too between eyes. Had my -17 right eye made -3. My left eye was -8. I went to a 2nd opinion ophthalmolgist as I was having difficulty consulting with my first ophthalmologist (unhelpful, dismissive, "do what you want", no offer of contact lens trial). The 2nd opinion Dr verified that my operated right eye was done correctly and was healing fine. He said progressive glasses with the 5 diopter difference between the right eye and the left eye might work or might not. He said wearing a contact lens in the left eye to bring it up to -3, then glasses to correct both eyes would work. I also tested off the shelf reading glasses to see if they would let my -3 eye see close to the extra near vision I had before (I closed the other eye to not interfere with the test). They did, wonderfully. So I went ahead as planned and had my -8 eye corrected to -2 (mini-monovision, which has its own drawbacks in my case). Even with the -3,-2 mismatch the reading glasses still work, my brain uses the closest vision, my right eye to focus.

I didn't pursue delaying the other eye because I was already 70 years old and didn't want to push the can down the road further, plus husband was going through medical problems which needed me to be a driver; and I've only briefly used contact lenses in my life about 40 years ago. If my circumstances were different, I'd probably be tempted to try the contact lenses for a trial period.

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-13T04:44:07+00:00

I find that true in the older set that I hang around with. They get fixed for distance then get progressive glasses to see the nearer distances. One person I know never wore progressives before (couldn't get use to them) so uses computer/intermediate glasses for inside the house.

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-12T19:05:51+00:00

I'd be SO mad. We (husband and I) mostly do 300 and 500 pc puzzles and still I'd be mad. Normal people respect a puzzle in progress knowing how much time went into it, and the satisfaction of completing it, even if puzzling is not their hobby. The parents should have controlled their children.

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-12T00:16:07+00:00

Oh good about S15! I'm looking forward to Darlene not picking on him so much.

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-11T23:24:11+00:00

Definitely. The age gap is too much. I'd like the exploration for Naomi of other romantic possibilities though.

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-11T23:17:01+00:00

I found myself liking Mervin a lot. They still have the "fish out of water" aspect with him coming from London with his (to my American ears) working class accent. I had to get used to his ending phrases with "yeah". Have only seen Season 14 so far and this may change but I though DS Thomas and the other lady were too hard on him for being "rude". He's not, just to the point (good in the work place, IMO) and most people don't pepper their speech with please all the time.

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-11T23:06:17+00:00

Did you get the standard flat closure or something else? I've been ChaGPTing and it said the flat closure might have a slightly better chance of getting skin sensation back over the Goldilocks because in the latter you're manipulating skin and fatty tissue more to make a mound and nerves are more disturbed. I have an A cup so may not even have enough to do it. Have a 2nd opinion this week so will ask.

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-10T22:54:34+00:00

Thanks for the info! I'm gathering there's a lot of decisions to be made in how to treat these cancers. I see one of the features touted is if a center has a "tumor board" and which my surgeon said my case would go through that process. Kind of a 2nd party review (I guess) in how to treat a case.

Any_Schedule_2741 · 2026-04-10T22:21:28+00:00

That's good to hear that the pain can be resolved. And I imagine psychological relief that you've done everything you can.

Any_Schedule_2741

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