Campfire

[JudyJB]

Decided the campfire needed bumping up. It has been beautiful, sunny, and mild during the day, but tonight is really chilly and windy. Went to my son's house for dinner, as I have been doing every night, but come home early by my standards since they go to bed early and get up very early for school and work.

Got my hair cut today and laundry done. Tomorrow will be a visit to one of my favorite stores then a few groceries for Saturday night when my grandkids will spend the night again.

[snowball]

I'm glad that you had lovely weather Judi we had snow today! snow that accumulated on the ground but pretty
sure that it will disappear sooner than later. Just not ready to walk Shadow in the snow
the campfire feels good...although I can't seem to get warm enough though...even with the campground..perhaps will
help myself to the hot chocolate but tonight I really have to forgo the toast with it..
Sheila

[Bethers]

Windy today. Going to drive to where we can take the ferry into SF tomorrow - so hoping the wind dies down a tad. But will take whatever it gives us. Have been to SF before but never ridden the trolleys, so that's on the agenda for tomorrow. Plus whatever strikes our fancies. (Our - me and the other single woman here on the team - after the next couple days, we'll never have any of the same days off - so taking advantage of it tomorrow).

Got a message from Sandi tonight - and she and I will probably go back to SF another day. I had no idea I was as close to her as I am. Hopefully will be able to see her several times if work doesn't completely do me in. But we were talking about going to Alcatraz one day (also on my list - however with the shut down, can't do it tomorrow).

[grammynmaggie]

Cold weather is good for most people... I sure don't want cold weather but
we are going to have 3 more days coming up 90.. I am so frustrated
almost in tears because I'm so hot... maggie is up and down up and down all night long
she is so hot she's panting all the time...dad is cold all the time.. so the
A/C... to suit him... can't plug in the RV A/C... his electric bill will go up
I offered to pay but he said no.... frustrated here....ok rant over..guess
I will go look for air card now.. one last time before I go to Verizon
have a great day and stay safe.. forgive typos using phone

[Redetotry]

Well it is afternoon but I need to put my feet up and have a drink and hope the day will get better. Little Winnie woke me at 3:30 being sick to her stomach and continued until about six ACK! Took her to the vet as soon as they opened and they 'think' it is pancreitis. I was worrying about Toby a few days ago because I read Miniature Poodles were prone to it and checked the fat content in their food which was low...I feel it is caused by something she found in the yard, even though it is fenced I've found some strange things out there. But I'm trying to follow the vets orders, she can only have 1 Tablespoonful of water every 15 minutes and I can't give her any food until tomorrow morning. She's had something else wrong with her for some time called Psycogenic Diaibetes Insipidis that makes her think she is thirsty and hungry constantly so this is going to be real challenge. Of course Michael and I will have to go out because i don't want to temp her with food cooking.
The Toyota repair shop called this morning with an estimate for my Sienna van, they want almost $1000.00 to repair the window that won't roll all the way down on my driver side door and a few other items they' found'...I told them to forget the door, I could live with a half way window and declined the other items except a cabin air filter. After that call, a friend sent me a email on information she had found online that our health insurance now has a $350.00 deductible and the plan we are on now will not longer be available and we have 4 others to choose from by December, plus we now will pay an increased monthly premium! So far we have not received any letters advising us of these changes, wonder when they will get around to that, not everyone has access to a computer. Maybe I will have two drinks!!

[Excel]

Just got my notice & thanks to Obamacare I can now pay more for less benefits ,so others can have insurance & can get away with free care... I am disgusted. I believe people should have medical care but this plan is terrible... A family I know has to pay over $1000.00 a month now & if they don't, the government will penalize them. Being as they don't have the money unless they give up eating, having power at their house, etc., what are they supposed to do.... Pay the penalty...........I am totally disgusted. OK.... I'm done !

[bluepinecones]

BJ, it does sound like a two drink day!

My insurance is more expensive for less benefits too. However, I am greatful the plan is still available; was fearful it would not be and I'd have to start search all over.

[mitch5252]

..
Oh, BJ, I think your day sounds like an entire bottle of wine day. Poor Winnie. And poor you.
The strange thing is you are so good about what you put in your pooches' tummies (unlike me before Abby had pancreatitis).
How are Winnie's stools?

On the van, can you get an estimate from a non-Toyota repair shop? Once my Sienna warranty was up, I had all my work done somewhere else. On the new tires, Toyota was a couple hundred dollars higher than the local guy (and I was comparing apples to apples).

Yes, this is a Bottle-Of-Wine Day...
Hugs.

..

[Redetotry]

..
Oh, BJ, I think your day sounds like an entire bottle of wine day. Poor Winnie. And poor you.
The strange thing is you are so good about what you put in your pooches' tummies (unlike me before Abby had pancreatitis).
How are Winnie's stools?

On the van, can you get an estimate from a non-Toyota repair shop? Once my Sienna warranty was up, I had all my work done somewhere else. On the new tires, Toyota was a couple hundred dollars higher than the local guy (and I was comparing apples to apples).

Yes, this is a Bottle-Of-Wine Day...
Hugs.

..

Thanks, I definitely needed a hug.
She was just a little loose but nothing to make me worry. I can't image what triggered it as she didn't have anything different that I know of. My brother asked me if she could have eaten a mushroom in the yard. I didn't think dogs would eat them but guess some do.
I don't know why I took the van to Toyota, maybe I thought it was an easy fix or a recall item...after they told me their price I called the woman at the garage where I usually go and her estimate was several hundred less.

[mitch5252]

..
Now that Abby's pancreatitis is apparently under control, the vet told me the first sign to look for is an even slightly loose stool and then get her in.

Yes, I will be watching The Butt of The Beast for the rest of her life.

Abby's favorite "cookies" are her canned food, dehydrated in the food dehydrator, and crumbled into small what-a-good-girl size pieces. She has one or two others, but they're limited ingredients and easily digestible.

Good luck with your sweet Winnie.

..

[JoanE]

Even under commercial insurance plans I found that my premiums increased each year and my benefits were affected so I don't think the onus can be fully blamed on the Affordable Care Act. When 40 million fellow citizens cannot get or afford health insurance, that is a sad commentary on our country. The ACA may not be perfect but it is heading in the right direction. There is no doubt that some will sabotage health care to prove their point or support their own agenda, but America must stand firm and make health care available to all of its citizens. We cannot profess to be a super power and land of opportunity without this benefit. Lack of quality health care will affect our country in myriad ways not the least of which is our financial base.

[JoanE]

Auto repairs...don't even get me started. ExDH's ac stopped working yesterday. We rented a car, tool his to garage for repair. They called this morning with $1150 quote. He was very upset as he paid several hundred to fix same problem in July. I suggested that he not do repair since temps are cooling and he may not keep car since ALF will provide him transportation. So he told them not to repair whereupon they called him back with new quote of $850. He agreed.

this afternoon they call and say $800 more is needed. So he can have his car back for either $850 and no ac or $1650 and working ac. I think he is being shafted. I am asking a mechanic friend to look into the situation. If he agrees with me I will take it to the local TV station.

old people and women beware of unscrupulous garages.

[BirdbyBird]

Being held hostage over car repairs....oh, yes, I bet the TV report guys would like that.

And, yes, dogs can and have eaten mushrooms. A breeder in Michigan several years ago talked about losing one of her older dogs and practically losing a half grown pup during one very damp mushroom growing period..... She learned to go out and check her dog yard carefully.

[BarbaraRose]

Joan, that sure sounds like a scam to me! I wouldn't pay a penny of that until you get the situation looked into. I would threaten them with a law suit and see what they say about the cost then!

[Cudedog]

Even under commercial insurance plans I found that my premiums increased each year and my benefits were affected so I don't think the onus can be fully blamed on the Affordable Care Act. When 40 million fellow citizens cannot get or afford health insurance, that is a sad commentary on our country. The ACA may not be perfect but it is heading in the right direction. There is no doubt that some will sabotage health care to prove their point or support their own agenda, but America must stand firm and make health care available to all of its citizens. We cannot profess to be a super power and land of opportunity without this benefit. Lack of quality health care will affect our country in myriad ways not the least of which is our financial base.

Very well put, JoanE.

I agree 100%. Thank you.

To that I might add: We have taken care of the people of the world for decades. It is time that we - finally - begin to take care of our own.

Anne