Frosty President's Day

[Colliemom]

Good Mooooorning,

Bit nippy here this morning. About 5 above. Will warm up once ol' sol gets above the horizon. Supposed to be a beautiful day again. Rest of week looks like a mixed bag.

Not much doing around here right now. Dogs are having their get up, go out go potty, come back in and go back to bed time
They have a set routine in the morning. They'll be bugging me after lunch to do something.

I in the meantime am going up to town. Want to hit Wally World and get some chicken broth for the soup I made yesterday. Some of the broth evaporated in the cooking process of course and iz need to add a bit more before I have some again. Let's say I put in a few too many noodles Oh yeah, I gotta get some Murphys Oil Soap too so i can finish cleaning my closets and cupboards. Also want to check out the sales on heavy weight hoodies and quilt lined shirts before they are gone. Need some new outerwear for work. There will be cool days before it gets warmer. And the stores are stocking in all summer stuff now, so got to get out there. It's February. Swim suit time Better get one now or they will be gone by summer when they start putting out fall wear It's fun going into the stores and seeing summer clothes, lawn furniture and the other neat spring and summer stuff out. You know winter is on it's way out.

Gosh, I'm in the mood for hitting the road and taking a ride someplace, but the green is a bit tight although I have a can full of coins that I just keep tossing in to get them out of my pocket. I should cash it in and start over again.

President's Day today, so no gym class. Darn. Did a few leg exercises before getting out of bed and need to do a few exercises sometime today.

So guess I will mosy along here. Have a wonderful day all.

[dayspring39]

Good Morning Sue... a tad bit cool here this morning but the wind has died down and the sun is shining makes you feel good... coffee is hot here and not much else....
I will be able to take Shadow for a nice walk today... you all know my ride his walk... Irmi and Steve took him yesterday as I was not sure enough with the high winds to ride my trike....
take care everyone and enjoy this day
Kathleen

[Nasoosie]

GOOD MORNING SUE AND ALL!

Sorry I have been absent for a couple of days, but I have been at St. Cloud where I have to go into my son's house (porch, really) for internet connection, and then back here to Orlando yesterday morning to get ready for Kenny Rogers concert at Sea World last evening. It occurred to me, as I was sitting there in my front row balcony seat in front of the stage on the aisle, that in all the years I have loved Kenny's music, I had never seen him in person before! It was a great concert, and I loved every minute of it! I had none of the brew and BBque, just the band and Kenny yesterday. Oh---forgot----I got a chocolate mint chip hot fudge Sundae on my way out!

My son has been being treated with high potency anti-biotics for a calf infection the doc at the ER seems to think he has, which I guess is better than a deep vein thrombosis which we all were worried about. It will be better if the antibiotics work, that is. He said he feels a bit better as of last night, so I have my fingers crossed. He had no injury that he can recollect, so where on earth did such an infection come from?

Linda (Liann) has mentioned that she and her sister are going up to Ocala on Sunday to visit with Irmi, Kath, and perhaps Sarah and Wendy? I was thinking it would be fun for me to haul my trailer up there for a few days, and get my federal parks pass at that national park in Ocala someplace. However, I will know more after my doc appointment tomorrow afternoon, if I need to do something else to get better. I am not noticing much difference in my digestive ailments, and it's driving me nutso.

Today I will spend talking to my health insurance company backup for Medicare, to see why on earth they pay so little for anything. I checked with Medicare yesterday, and for a 3,000 bill from the hospital to use its operating room facility for my colonoscopy, Medicare pays only 500 bucks! What the heck is that?? And then my other company, which I have had for years, chipped in about 150 bucks. And that was just for the operating room. The doc bill, and the lab bill add hugely to the overall cost of that danged reaming. And I don't understand annual deductions or how they determine copays, or anything like that. I have never been sick before, so have never had to try to figure this stuff out. The entire colonoscopy costs come to nearly 9,000 dollars! Holy sh&%!!! If I have to come up with that kind of money, I am done with docs and hospitals forever. I will just finish my life strapped to a port-potty in the woods somewhere.

I just spoke with Linda, and she offered me a ride to Ocala this coming weekend, with her and her sister, to visit with Irmi, Kath, and anyone else we may know up there. I have a lot to think about. First things first----my medical insurance company, Blue Cross Blue Shield something or other.

I hope everyone has a good day.

[Irmi]

Good morning Sue, Kathleen, Soos & everyone!

The winds from yesterday have finally died down. Steve walked to the grocery store this morning while I got some laundry going. Wendy will be here tomorrow to visit with Kathleen and us. Since tomorrow is Shrove Tuesday, we'll be having pancakes & sausage. This coming Sunday, Linda & Sandy will be stopping by. Soos, I really hope you'll be able to join them! Hopefully we'll be able to get some walks in today since the sun is out. Have a great day everyone!

[Sandersmr]

Morning! I'm one of the unlucky ones that actually have to work this President's Day. We used to have it off, then MLK Day was created. Instead of trying to please everyone, they took away President's Day and Easter and gave us 2 personal choice holidays. Then when I went on the 9/80 schedule (work 9 hour days with every other Friday off), I lost one of the PC days. Anyway, traffic was lighter this morning which was nice.

I'm fighting allergies, congestion and a bugger of a headache. Hope the weather settles down soon. Speaking of, my part of TX may be declared officially out of the drought for now. It should be with all the rain we've had since before Thanksgiving. I'm sorry all you Winter Texans who came down for the nice weather haven't gotten it. At least it's been a warm winter.

Have to go call in to a telecon. Have a good morning, ladies!

[Brewsterivy]

Good morning - nice day in NY again and going up to 60 by midweek! I left my snow shovel on the front porch in October when we had that freak storm and have not moved it since. I will leave it there as a good omen to no snow.

Soos, I too become exasperated by Medicare . It makes me crazy that we pay for Medicare and then "they" say "But it really isn't good so you have to get a secondary carrier...." Maybe they should make it better! Anyway, don't pay any extras yet. Sometimes the hospital and doctors just accept what Medicare pays and they leave you alone. My colonoscopy was totally covered and it was done in the hospital also. Let them fight it out.

One of my dogs is sick and I cannot figure out which one. I think it might be Sadie because she has been leaning against me. This morning I found some bloody stool on the rug which is very unusual. I will have to follow them around outside and see who is having a problem. I wish they could talk!

Carol Brewsterivy

[mitch5252]

I don't know if things have changed, but my understanding is that a provider, who accepts Medicare assignment, cannot bill the patient for anything over the amount approved by medicare. Medicare pays 80%, your secondary should pay a good portion of the remaining 20%, minus deductibles and co-pay. IF a provider does not accept Medicare assignment, you are responsible for any unpaid balance(s). That's why you have to make sure that your provider accepts Medicare assignment.

I am guessing that George's 3-month illness was an easy two hundred grand. I have, to date, only had to shell out maybe $100 - $150, between Medicare (primary) and United Healthcare (secondary).

[chalet05]

Good Morning!

Soos, I'm glad you enjoyed Kenny Rogers! I've always liked his music, but I can no longer watch him since that horrid face lift.

The Medicare issue was on my agenda this year as I will turn 65. Could they make it simple?? Since I could continue coverage through late DH's union plan, I wasn't too concerned, but I will be leaving that behind. One of the selling issues of Humana Advantage PPO (which is not available everywhere) was the out of pocket maximum each year - plus I can go to a doctor anywhere.

My 'to do' list continues to grow. Right now we have no wind, but at 9 a.m. it is only 47 degrees so have no idea if we will ride in the desert today.

Mitch has just posted what I thought to be the case with Medicare assignment.

[Acadianmom]

It's still a little cool this morning but should be warming up. The goofy cats are on high this morning. They have managed to get the cat tree off kilter so need to get a step stool to put it straight.

Soos, my son has an infection on his upper arm that sounds like what your son has on his leg. He didn't have an injury, it just showed up. These things are scary and it's happening more and more. My younger son got one on his foot when he was working in New Orleans after Katrina. No telling what kind of bugs were running rampant there. Now it's in his system and he has to be careful that it doesn't break out again.

The most trouble we have had with medicare was making them change my DH's to primary. He was on my insurance and it took a lot of calls and disputes to get the billing corrected.

Guess I better get dressed, my DH wants to give 5 calves a shot and I don't want to do it in my night gown. I had to get one of those hand grip exercisers. We use a gun looking thing to give shots and it is hard to squeeze.

Martha

[dpf]

I'd be perfect for Mt. Rushmore....I've been giving people stoney stares for years! Happy President's Day from South Dakota

[Bethers]

Soos - like the others have said, don't pay a penny out-of-pocket - until you really know if you have to. But do always make sure that where you go accepts the Medicare assignment. If not, you could be in trouble financially - that you have to make sure of in advance - just like confirming in years past that they take whatever insurance company coverage you have. Good luck.

I had a friend visiting us here at my other friends near Port A - so been busy all weekend. (Blog updated). She just left a bit ago, after I made us 3-2-1 cakes for breakfast Who ever said they are only for dessert? I just had the cake by itself. Conni and Denise each put a tablespoon or so of jam on theirs. Denise, first timer at it, is already talking about ways to make it when she gets home. I must say, they are so easy, and so versatile!

I've got to get my taxes to my accountant, so off to get that finished (just got my last paper from my investment account as Denise arrived). Hopefully paying the accountant will be the worst of it - we shall see.

[Echo]

GOOD MORNING SISTAHS!!!

Well I still have a couple of minutes of morning left here so I'm guessing it's legal!!

Frosty morning is right. Brrrrr It was cold last night/this morning when I took Shade for her last go of the day but it must have dropped even more between the time I went to bed and when I got up. I know I woke up once or twice cause my piggies were chilled. And when I got up Kelly was sitting on the couch, her bed with her hoodie on playing on the laptop. It's warmed up enough that we now have the heaters off and Kelly has taken off her hoodie. And the neighbors are being extra noisy! Across the street one neighbor who must know the landlord is using a chainsaw and someone out there somewhere is thumping or playing drum music loud enough that I can easily hear it in here.

I am so tired of the cold, chilly and damp weather. Yesterday was nasty windy, cold and damp. Got up to huge puddles from an over night rain and I'm guessing that is one reason that makes it so dang chilly.

OK, off to read and catch up. Hope ya'll have a great day for yourselves and remember to do it all safely.

Love to all

[AliceM]

Tomorrow is my infusion day. The drug is called Actemra and its for rheumatoid arthritis. I get a double dose every four weeks. I have been told that after six months, the hair loss should stop. I sure hope so because between me and the dog, there is a heck of a lot of shedding going on.

I would ride my bike to the infusion center, 13 miles each way but the current construction report says on of the heavily traveled roads with the least amount of room on the shoulder, is down to one lane. To stay safe -and- in line with the auto free exercise plan.. its trolley time! I love the trolley. They are upgrading to newer diesel trolley buses which lack the wood bench seats and square box look. I prefer the old look.

I just typed out a long winded rant about my non group health insurance, my premiums, my out of pocket... and decided that information was WAY more than anyone wanted to know.

I'm getting cranky.. must not be getting enough bike riding in.

Alice