1/12/2015
For those of you who have not yet had the "pleasure" of being a Medicare card carrying senior citizen, be warned of the pitfalls of paperwork.
I have only had one (count it one) doctor's visit go off to the far lands of Medicare for processing. Once the government takes care of whatever they deem appropriate to pay, then in round two the bill goes to your Medigap carrier. Exhausted yet?
This morning I spent over an hour with both AARP, who handles my Medigap insurance and the doctor's office. If all future bills are as difficult as this one, take me out back and shoot me! For reasons known only to the doctor's office they told me that my insurance had terminated. Yes, my insurance through IBM terminated at the end of November, but the bill in question was in December.
AARP's coverage won't pay if Medicare doesn't pay. Well guess what? The doctor provided me with not one, but three different devices (walking air cast, etc.) to cure my plantar fasciatis (sp). These devices were $400 each and according to AARP, Medicare didn't pay for such devices, so there would be no payment forthcoming from their end.
It didn't help that my insurance with IBM was with United Healthcare. My insurance through AARP is also United Healthcare. As you can see things could and did get a little mixed up. I wore myself out going back and forth between the doctor's office and AARP.
At the moment, I believe I have the doctor's office on the right path to receive payment from AARP.
When it comes time for you to decide on a Medigap provider, I can't say enough good things about AARP. The people are extremely helpful and there is little to no wait to talk to an actual human!
My wish for 2015? That all future billings from doctors are easier to deal with than the one I am trying to handle at the moment.
P
Monday, January 12, 2015
Friday, January 9, 2015
Watches
1/9/2015
Watches. Used to be everybody wore one and now thanks to cellphones adhered to hips, more and more people don't wear a watch.
I wear a watch and yesterday the battery inside died. A trip to the jewelry store is on my agenda to get it replaced. I am old school and most of the time couldn't even tell you where my cellphone is! Nobody knows the number and it wouldn't matter if they did, it's likely I wouldn't answer.
Here are some interesting statistics:
I do use my watch to keep time and I like wearing it because it has a circle of "diamonds" around the face. It's a pretty watch. I see ladies wearing watches that, to me, more closely resemble a man's watch with wide bands and large watch faces. I prefer daintier jewelry including the watch I wear.
Speaking of time, it's time for me to get to my appointment.
P
Watches. Used to be everybody wore one and now thanks to cellphones adhered to hips, more and more people don't wear a watch.
I wear a watch and yesterday the battery inside died. A trip to the jewelry store is on my agenda to get it replaced. I am old school and most of the time couldn't even tell you where my cellphone is! Nobody knows the number and it wouldn't matter if they did, it's likely I wouldn't answer.
Here are some interesting statistics:
- Number of watches sold annually worldwide 1,200,000,000
- Swatch/Omega annual sales - $8,880,000,000
- Rolex annual sales - $4,500,000,000
- The Swatch group has 18.3% of the market share
- Mechanical watches have 77% of the market share
I do use my watch to keep time and I like wearing it because it has a circle of "diamonds" around the face. It's a pretty watch. I see ladies wearing watches that, to me, more closely resemble a man's watch with wide bands and large watch faces. I prefer daintier jewelry including the watch I wear.
Speaking of time, it's time for me to get to my appointment.
P
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Baby It's Cold Outside!
1/8/2015
It appears that winter has finally landed in Maryland. We've had our first snow, which amounted to only a few inches, but still had to be shoveled. Jeff made a fabulous beef soup for us to eat on yesterday and likely again today. It's amazing how many meals you can make from a single package of stew meat.
The snow, thanks to the sun, is melting. Unfortunately, there also patches of ice on walkways and parking lots, guaranteed to trip you up if you're not careful. I hate walking around outside when there is ice on the ground.
This morning it was 7 degrees! I know that the good folks who live in Minnesota, Alaska and other such northerly places, would possibly find that temperature almost warm! As I sit here in the house typing this morning, my hands are cold. In a few minutes Jeff and I are leaving for a doctor's appointment and I dread going to the car and perching my "little" fanny on cold leather seats!
Once I'm back from the appointment, I'm not going to stick my head out again today. We will have the gas fireplace running all day, which will make the back part of the house warm. Our entire back of the house is windows, lots of windows.
As cold as it is today, I'm going to try and remember this when summer comes around and we're sweating from the heat and humidity. I guess we're just not happy if we don't have something to complain about!
So once I'm back home, it's read in front of the fireplace and drink hot chocolate (marshmallows optional).
P
It appears that winter has finally landed in Maryland. We've had our first snow, which amounted to only a few inches, but still had to be shoveled. Jeff made a fabulous beef soup for us to eat on yesterday and likely again today. It's amazing how many meals you can make from a single package of stew meat.
The snow, thanks to the sun, is melting. Unfortunately, there also patches of ice on walkways and parking lots, guaranteed to trip you up if you're not careful. I hate walking around outside when there is ice on the ground.
This morning it was 7 degrees! I know that the good folks who live in Minnesota, Alaska and other such northerly places, would possibly find that temperature almost warm! As I sit here in the house typing this morning, my hands are cold. In a few minutes Jeff and I are leaving for a doctor's appointment and I dread going to the car and perching my "little" fanny on cold leather seats!
Once I'm back from the appointment, I'm not going to stick my head out again today. We will have the gas fireplace running all day, which will make the back part of the house warm. Our entire back of the house is windows, lots of windows.
As cold as it is today, I'm going to try and remember this when summer comes around and we're sweating from the heat and humidity. I guess we're just not happy if we don't have something to complain about!
So once I'm back home, it's read in front of the fireplace and drink hot chocolate (marshmallows optional).
P
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Snow and Oatmeal
1/6/2015
We're only days into the new year, and have had our first snow. Not a major snowstorm, but enough inches on the ground that require shoveling. If you live where it snows, you know that you have to get ahead of the snow. While it would be comforting to sit next to the fire and forget about the mounting snow - this would be a mistake.
Jeff, is out this morning, shoveling the sidewalk and driveway. If you clear the snow off surfaces, then when the sun comes out, the remaining snow will melt faster. One of advantages of having sons is that when snowstorms did come around, we had a number of hands to help shovel us out. Unfortunately, that responsibility is all on Jeff. He shovels some and then comes back inside to warm up. Since the snow has stopped, once he has the driveway clear, then he's done.
Jeff and I would still like to have a big snowstorm. One reason, which is rather guilty of us, is that we have yet to have a power outage of more than a few minutes since we installed "Jenny" (the generator) in the yard. Jenny is big enough to run everything, and I do mean everything, in the house. So far, Jenny only runs about 15 minutes once a week which is sort of a maintenance thing. If Jenny doesn't run those 15 minutes, then there's a problem and it needs fixing.
On snowy days like this, oatmeal is the "go to" for breakfast. Jeff uses Steel Cut oats, which makes a much different kind of oatmeal than most people are used to. Mom used to make oatmeal and Cream of Wheat when we were kids, and I hated it.
Come to find out, if you take your bowl of oats, add butter (an absolute essential), brown sugar, white sugar, milk and/or raisins and nuts, you have an almost healthy breakfast! The good thing about eating oatmeal is that it stays with you much longer than say eating a piece of toast.
When the boys were young, they always wanted Jeff to make oatmeal on test days. The boys actually thought of oatmeal as brain food.
I hope wherever you are that you are snuggled in if it's cold, or you're basking in the sun drinking pina coladas (however you spell it).
P
We're only days into the new year, and have had our first snow. Not a major snowstorm, but enough inches on the ground that require shoveling. If you live where it snows, you know that you have to get ahead of the snow. While it would be comforting to sit next to the fire and forget about the mounting snow - this would be a mistake.
Jeff, is out this morning, shoveling the sidewalk and driveway. If you clear the snow off surfaces, then when the sun comes out, the remaining snow will melt faster. One of advantages of having sons is that when snowstorms did come around, we had a number of hands to help shovel us out. Unfortunately, that responsibility is all on Jeff. He shovels some and then comes back inside to warm up. Since the snow has stopped, once he has the driveway clear, then he's done.
Jeff and I would still like to have a big snowstorm. One reason, which is rather guilty of us, is that we have yet to have a power outage of more than a few minutes since we installed "Jenny" (the generator) in the yard. Jenny is big enough to run everything, and I do mean everything, in the house. So far, Jenny only runs about 15 minutes once a week which is sort of a maintenance thing. If Jenny doesn't run those 15 minutes, then there's a problem and it needs fixing.
On snowy days like this, oatmeal is the "go to" for breakfast. Jeff uses Steel Cut oats, which makes a much different kind of oatmeal than most people are used to. Mom used to make oatmeal and Cream of Wheat when we were kids, and I hated it.
Come to find out, if you take your bowl of oats, add butter (an absolute essential), brown sugar, white sugar, milk and/or raisins and nuts, you have an almost healthy breakfast! The good thing about eating oatmeal is that it stays with you much longer than say eating a piece of toast.
When the boys were young, they always wanted Jeff to make oatmeal on test days. The boys actually thought of oatmeal as brain food.
I hope wherever you are that you are snuggled in if it's cold, or you're basking in the sun drinking pina coladas (however you spell it).
P
Monday, January 5, 2015
Year End Taxes (Blah)!
1/5/2015
I know most of you are not yet thinking about the filing of your state and federal income tax forms, and neither am I. But, if you are a business, there are multiple forms that have to be filed and all of them seem to be due on different dates. A nightmare.
Jeff got right on the end of the year taxes for the business. I, as the "secretary" and "envelope licker" put all the forms in all the right envelopes (that's very important). I made copies of our filings to be put in the tax binder for our business.
When all of this is accomplished, and it will be finished today, I just feel like a weight is lifted off my shoulders. I don't have to think about what gets filed in January or February. Everything is done! And it's a good feeling.
All that's left for us to do is to wait for the accountant to do his magic and produce forms (yes more forms) for us to sign, date and mail by the required date.
Life is good!
P
I know most of you are not yet thinking about the filing of your state and federal income tax forms, and neither am I. But, if you are a business, there are multiple forms that have to be filed and all of them seem to be due on different dates. A nightmare.
Jeff got right on the end of the year taxes for the business. I, as the "secretary" and "envelope licker" put all the forms in all the right envelopes (that's very important). I made copies of our filings to be put in the tax binder for our business.
When all of this is accomplished, and it will be finished today, I just feel like a weight is lifted off my shoulders. I don't have to think about what gets filed in January or February. Everything is done! And it's a good feeling.
All that's left for us to do is to wait for the accountant to do his magic and produce forms (yes more forms) for us to sign, date and mail by the required date.
Life is good!
P
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Rainy Day and Oatmeal
1/3/2015
I'm still practicing the 2015 thing. I originally typed 2014 before I remembered!
The weather in Maryland is ugly today. It's not really cold as much as it is cooler (40's), and it's raining.
I hate gray, rainy days. With weather like that, it can be an uphill battle to stay positive - at least for me. The thing about rain is that if you are out in the rain, you get wet, really wet. If it's snowing and you're outside, I don't get that same "drenched cat" feeling. I don't understand everything, or anything, about weather, but while snow maybe piling up all around me, I just don't feel as damp as I do in rain. To be sure, noses, fingers and toes get cold, really cold, when you're outside shoveling.
I maybe just plain selfish, but I'd rather look out my window and see the beauty (for a moment anyway) of snow falling. The world is very quiet after it snows and my world is peaceful. Unlike during my working years, where I actually dreaded the arrival of snow and the enviable questions: are the schools open or delayed, is work open or delayed. When you have school age children, if the schools are closed, this presents a real problem for the working parent. I know - been there - hated it!
As I sit here typing, Jeff is making oatmeal from Steel Cut oats. If you haven't tried Steel Cut oats, you should. Mind you, this kind of oats is not a five minute process, but well worth the time spent stirring the oats. Jeff adds cinnamon to the oats, so right now my kitchen smells as if I had been baking. If you eat a bowl of Steel Cut oats, you won't be hungry for hours, because these oats fill your stomach up. Once the oats are cooked, then you can "doctor" your bowl as you see fit - sugar, brown sugar, butter, milk, raisins, etc.
I've already had my breakfast, but there is no rule against oatmeal for lunch!
P
I'm still practicing the 2015 thing. I originally typed 2014 before I remembered!
The weather in Maryland is ugly today. It's not really cold as much as it is cooler (40's), and it's raining.
I hate gray, rainy days. With weather like that, it can be an uphill battle to stay positive - at least for me. The thing about rain is that if you are out in the rain, you get wet, really wet. If it's snowing and you're outside, I don't get that same "drenched cat" feeling. I don't understand everything, or anything, about weather, but while snow maybe piling up all around me, I just don't feel as damp as I do in rain. To be sure, noses, fingers and toes get cold, really cold, when you're outside shoveling.
I maybe just plain selfish, but I'd rather look out my window and see the beauty (for a moment anyway) of snow falling. The world is very quiet after it snows and my world is peaceful. Unlike during my working years, where I actually dreaded the arrival of snow and the enviable questions: are the schools open or delayed, is work open or delayed. When you have school age children, if the schools are closed, this presents a real problem for the working parent. I know - been there - hated it!
As I sit here typing, Jeff is making oatmeal from Steel Cut oats. If you haven't tried Steel Cut oats, you should. Mind you, this kind of oats is not a five minute process, but well worth the time spent stirring the oats. Jeff adds cinnamon to the oats, so right now my kitchen smells as if I had been baking. If you eat a bowl of Steel Cut oats, you won't be hungry for hours, because these oats fill your stomach up. Once the oats are cooked, then you can "doctor" your bowl as you see fit - sugar, brown sugar, butter, milk, raisins, etc.
I've already had my breakfast, but there is no rule against oatmeal for lunch!
P
Thursday, January 1, 2015
New Year!
1/1/2015
Last night, for the first time in years, Jeff and I actually stayed up until midnight. Shocker! We were watching a movie and by the time the movie ended, there was only 20 minutes or so left on the countdown clock. Oh what the heck we decided to see the new year in and immediately after, meandered our way up the stairs.
One of us - me, slept in until 10:00 this morning. When I got up, I couldn't decide whether I should have breakfast or wait two hours for lunch. This are big decisions people.
I didn't make any New Year's resolutions and likely you didn't either. My theory is that if you don't actually resolve to do something different, then when (or if possibly) you fail, no harm done. Life goes on as before.
The new year stretches before us like a brand new page in a journal. The possibilities for the year are endless. At this time next year, we can look back on the year with hopefully more joyful memories than sad ones.
Happy New Year.
P
Last night, for the first time in years, Jeff and I actually stayed up until midnight. Shocker! We were watching a movie and by the time the movie ended, there was only 20 minutes or so left on the countdown clock. Oh what the heck we decided to see the new year in and immediately after, meandered our way up the stairs.
One of us - me, slept in until 10:00 this morning. When I got up, I couldn't decide whether I should have breakfast or wait two hours for lunch. This are big decisions people.
I didn't make any New Year's resolutions and likely you didn't either. My theory is that if you don't actually resolve to do something different, then when (or if possibly) you fail, no harm done. Life goes on as before.
The new year stretches before us like a brand new page in a journal. The possibilities for the year are endless. At this time next year, we can look back on the year with hopefully more joyful memories than sad ones.
Happy New Year.
P
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