On the eve of 2013 I sit at my computer thinking about 2012 and all that unrolled throughout that year.

Notably for me it has been fraught with many obstacles having to do with health. On the cusp of being eligible for Medicare in 2013, I have been without health insurance ever since I closed my brick & mortar shop in 2008. It just got too expensive. My medications alone were well over $1,000.00 and the premiums over $800.00 - just for myself!

Are you going through the same situation? I know many who are. Self-employed folks like myself in an 'up and down' or basically 'luxury' business are hardest hit. So I am sure many, if not most of you readers fall into that same category.

So naturally, without insurance, small and large ailments have gone untreated or self-treated anyway possible. The result? The big picture will be revealed after Medicare kicks in this March and I get screened for all those things. The smaller picture is that the many aches and pains of being in my sixties has limited my ability to do antique shows, tend to my booth at our local mall on a more frequent basis, handle lengthy house calls, go to late night auctions, etc. Meanwhile, my 84 year old antique dealer friend goes like the energizer bunny to every show and every auction nearly every day of the week! Luck of the genetic draw? Who knows.

So my own 'physical cliff' has become my obsession lately. Next to dealing with buying and selling my antiques, of course! That this is also the deadline for Congress to avoid the dreaded 'fiscal cliff' looms large today too. No doubt that whatever that outcome it won't be all that good. For now - just so long as Medicare remains intact and I can get the help I need I will be most grateful.

One very, very bright note...my Ruby Lane store has done very, very well and in spite of all those cliffs in my way I hope it continues that way for many years to come.

Meanwhile, I wish you all a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

Written by Barbara Jokel

That Was Then Antiques on Ruby Lane