Scam Alert

10/18/2019

I want to tell all of you about a huge scam that is going around. Unfortunately, I received a phone call from someone identifying themselves as calling from Social Security. This alone should have sent multiple red flags. But, they didn't. She asked for my SSN, which in a case of pure stupidity, I gave her.

The woman told me that my SSN has been stolen and is being used in Texas to buy illicit drugs. I would face prison time and/or pay a fine of $98,000. I continued to press this woman for a phone number where I could call her back. Did I need a lawyer? Remember, at this point, I still believed this was a legitimate call.

After being pressured by me (and know I didn't send any money!) she just hung up on me. I then went to research this scam, which has affected approximately 75,000 people and 19 million people have lost money to this latest scam.

I did send emails to the attorney general, and all other officials that I could think of. I then called the bank and alerted them: there should be no charges from Texas, and to look for unusual and perhaps higher than usual charges. 

At the moment, I'm keeping my fingers crossed, that since I didn't give out all of my information, nor did I send money, I should be okay. Warning: if you get a call from "Social Security", and by the way they don't call, just hang up the phone.

I'll switch horses now. There is an article in the paper about an 83 year old woman, who received a "Notice of Lease Violation". Her crime: taking too many cookies from social gatherings.  And, to make her more of a criminal, she also took a bottle of milk. The milk makes sense, because milk and cookies go together like chocolate and peanut butter.

In the letter she received, stated that she must immediately cease taking and/or attempting to remove food, or beverages from community events.  She then received another email titled Notice of Lease Termination, and the violation, was not remediable . Really? All this fuss about cookies and milk. Seriously? She was told to vacate her apartment by October 17th, and her first notice of this situation was sent to her on September 16th. If I could, I would apologize to her in person for having to put up with all of this nonsense, particularly at her age. 

Remember, if you ever go to a community event, don't take too many cookies! Sad.

P

 

Fall Weather?

10/17/2019

Yesterday, it was "shorty" pants weather. Today, not so much. The joke is that if you don't like the weather, just wait, it'll change!

Going to drag out a sweatshirt to wear today. Temperature outside is 52. Not quite fireplace time, but we're getting pretty close. I'm thinking of turning the a/c off, and opening up the windows. We have been running the air conditioners for months now. Which means that the house hasn't been opened, and I think it's time. Of course when I do this, it will mean that the window will be open in the bedroom, allowing the dogs to see and hear easily. We have taken to getting the girls in our bedroom, and then shutting the door.

It's very breezy today. Definitely, a "Winnie The Poo" kind of day. Definitely, a good day to be indoors.

I bought a Diamond Botz picture of a butterfly. When Bella was young, I discovered the box outside, mangled. On the plus side, she didn't ruin the picture. I have had this "picture" in my office for several months. Perhaps, while Jeff is gone, I might put it on the dining room table, and see how easy or hard this will be! Fingers crossed. Okay, I said I was going to work on the picture, but, and there is always a but, I don't have the tool to put the "jewels" onto the picture. If it's not one thing, it's another!

Gotta run, the day is getting away from me much too fast.

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A Terrible Horrible Tuesday

10/16/2019

On a scale of 1 to 10, my yesterday was way, way higher than a 10. On my first day on the "job" of being alone, was a complete disaster. 

It started with a call from "Social Security". That should have been a red flag to me, but I guess, actually I know, that I was trying to be helpful to the person who made the call. This was a mistake. I know that SSA does not make calls, and here's where my "spidy (sp) sense" should have kicked in. I was an absolute fool, and gave out my SSN - big mistake, and one that I regret deeply.

Then the person said that my SSN had been used in Texas to buy drugs. And, I was going to be fined $98,000 or go to prison. Those words alone should have stopped me cold. I did ask the person what number she was calling from, but couldn't get an answer from her. She suggested that I hire a lawyer (why) to defend myself. After bombarding her with questions, she just hung up. Okay, I suppose the world will not end, but it feels like it to me. This scam has affected 145,5 Million people in a year. So, maybe I should feel better, since I'm not alone in being stupid. I did report this event to the Attorney General's office as well as another office, whose name I can't remember.

Okay, so that was my morning. I ordered an atomic phone - never needs batteries - is charged by the movement of your arm. Cool. I ordered the watch and it came to me with a leather strap, and I had ordered the watch with a strap band.

The company sent me a pre-paid label to return the watch. I put the label on the package and put it on my porch for pick-up. While trying to navigate the UPS site, I was just going around in circles. When I finally just called UPS, they said the label was not pre-paid and it would cost me $11.00 for pick-up.

Right about now, I'm beginning to lose my patience, and if I wasn't a lady, I might have used the "f" word. That's how frustrating this transaction had become.

I called the company where I bought the watch and explained that UPS told me my label was not pre-paid and it would cost me extra money for them to pick up the package. I told the company, that I was on the edge of a cliff over this transaction. All I want is the right watch. The company called UPS while I was on the phone. The company and UPS worked out the details, so I could have the package picked-up. Success. Only problem was that by this time, I was way beyond my patience level, and started crying on the phone. The UPS lady told me that I needed to settle down. All that did, was put me in a rage. This process took almost all of yesterday afternoon to get everything worked out.

Scott and Wendy came to the house to pick up Scott's little electric car. When Scott came into the house, I completely fell apart. He assured me that everything was going to be alright. I took a Xanax (I should have taken two), and began to calm down. When it was time for Scott and Wendy to leave, Scott gave me a real hug, and I basically jut cried during the hug. He told me that everything was going to be okay. 

He saw the leaves in the street, and was kind enough to pick the leaves up for me. I was moved to tears, not only from frustration, but more importantly, that Scott knew I needed help. And, came through for me. There's not enough words to describe how much his help and support meant to me. It appears, that in time of need, my boys will come through for me. 

I watched the ballgame last night, and the Nationals won the game. I think this means they are going to the World Series, but I'm probably wrong. I know the Nationals have played the Cardinals I think four times( (feel free to pick out a different number), and the game was definitely worth watching.

Ada comes today, so once she's gone, the kitchen and bathrooms, in particular, will be very clean.

Later

P

 

A Long Day

10/15/2019

Yesterday, Jeff, Bella and myself went to Hopkins for our six month "well" visit. While out appointments were supposed to be just 30 minutes each, our actual visit went on much longer. We were the last patients, so our doctor was able to spend more time with us. And, since we really like this doctor, we were more than happy to spend time with her.

After our visit, when it was time to go home, I walked through the hospital and walked through WalMart! These are big things for me.

Throughout our multi-hour visit, Bella was a perfect example of what a service dog should do. The trouble is, she's very pretty and just about everybody wants to pet her. One woman wanted to know why she couldn't pet her, until I explained that when is wearing her vest, she's "on the job". We don't want a lot of people pet her, it could take away her focus.

The big news is: I was actually able to walk to the doctor's office. And, I walked again while we shopped at WalMart. Doesn't sound like such a big deal perhaps to you, but if you live locally, then you would know what an accomplishment this was for me. I am stronger now than I was before having a personal trainer. I am able now to be able to just stand up when I've been sitting in a chair. Another big deal for me.

Jeff is off on his yearly migration, leaving me 5 days to be a "bachelorette". Nap when I want, eat when and what I want. I might even have cereal for lunch and/or dinner, and nobody will care.

First thing today, is the kitchen. Then, put my warmer weather clothes away, and pull out my "winter" clothes. I love this time of year. Sweaters feel good, as well as long pants. I always have my pants altered. At the moment, all my pants are altered. I like my pants just above my ankle. It's not a look everybody is going for, but I don't need pants too long that would/could put me at risk of falling! Here's a good example of the long pants I'm writing about.


 

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Traveling

10/14/2019

Today, after Jeff and I spend the afternoon at Hopkins, we're heading to the "Mart" to do some shopping. Jeff will be gone all week, so I need to have some of my favorite foods. Frostie Flakes being one of those foods that I must have.

This evening, Jeff will pack up his clothes. Tomorrow, his CPAP machine and his Dopp bag, which holds his toothbrush, paste, as well as anything else.

What’s a Dopp kit you ask? The all-knowing Internet, describes it as most if not in all instances, synonymous with a toiletry bag for men. Most of the original models have managed to survive two world wars. 

The first train case was first used in 1948, and all women who traveled, had train cases, such as these: The brown one resembles one that my Mother used, and the whitish one was what my Grandmother carried.


 
 

The picture above definitely reminds me of the train case Mom had, it held her cosmetics and jewelry. In the 50's and perhaps even for a short time in the 60's, no woman went traveling without a case such as this. Today, this would be just one more thing to lug around while traveling. Although, while doing my research, it appears that the cases are still being used, in a new and improved look.

On Ebay, you can buy a vintage Louis Vuitton case for $13,000.00. If I paid that much for a case, then I want to be sure that I do a lot of traveling!

The hard-sided suitcases that we have in the basement, are now considered vintage, and is now longer used, by most people.

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The Elvis Shelf

10/12/2019

As a teenager, there were two artists that I loved, the Beatles and Elvis (last name was never important).

I remember watching Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, which some of you may have watched also. At that time, all the gyrating on the stage that he did, was something nobody had seen before. They called him Elvis the Pelvis, which is just about all that you need to know about him. As he got older and heavier, he could still gyrate, but it just wasn't the same.

I always wanted to see Elvis in person, but that never happened. I really wanted to see young Elvis, not old Elvis, whose time on top was beginning to fade. 

Compared to the musical performances of today, which are sometimes over the top. Okay, I'm old fashioned, and I don't mind. And, it just isn't the performers, dressed in clothes that looked like they were at the back of a closet, it's the music. 

The music of the 50's and 60's was, in my humble opinion, some of the best ever, before and definitely after. The songs of my teen years, is now considered "elevator music". I wonder if the same can be said 20 years from now, with today's music. Seems doubtful to me. But, this is just an old woman's point of view. And, what do I know?

After finding books about Elvis on Amazon, there are a number of books written that are for the most part, out of my budget. Some books are going for hundreds of dollars. I love you Elvis, just not that much!

Going to Graceland was a real treat for me. It's almost like you could feel his presence. I know that sounds kooky, but it's what I felt. There are, of course, rooms that you don't get to go into, and definitely not upstairs. Still, it was an experience I'm glad I had. Given the chance, I'd revisit Graceland. Here's two pictures of Elvis. I know that I wouldn't have wanted to see him as older, heavier Elvis.  But, you have to admit, at least I think you do, that he was once a very handsome man.

 




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Fall Chores

10/11/2019

Summer is officially over. Go to any store and you'll see a huge discount on all things summer. Right now, the stores are stocking their shelves with coats, long sleeve shirts, sweaters, etc.

With fall weather, comes the chore we all hate: raking and picking up leaves. Now, our big and tall 32 old oak tree in the front yard, is for all practical purposes dead. The old girl may be dead but she still manages to toss down a few leaves and acorns. Mind you, if you step on an acorn bare-footed, you will get immediate pain! Fall weather: shoes required.

We have made an arrangement with a tree company, to take down the old tree down. We're not really in a hurry. When the tree is cut down, I suspect there might be tears, at least on my part. Not to mention, when the tree is gone, our front yard will be empty. We have a picture of Scott standing in the hole before we planted the tree. The hole was waist high.

Jeff had blown most of the leaves in the front yard, and out to the street. Jeff was gone most of yesterday, and my OCD just couldn't allow the leaves to stay in the street.

So, with my broom (yes I know that a rake would make more sense), a county approved receptacle and my rollator, I headed outside. I swept the leaves into a pile, and picked them up with my hands. The purpose of the rollator was to have a place to sit when I was all tuckered out - which, unfortunately was every few minutes. Once my job was done, I literally just sat on my rollator taking in the sunshine.

The weather was wonderful. Just the right temperature for working in the yard. I really don't like picking up leaves. My thought is to use the blower thing and shoot up and into the tree. In theory, and I know it wouldn't work, this would cause all the leaves to fall down at once. Between now and the first frost, picking up leaves becomes a daily or weekly chore. This depends on how active you want to be, and how frustrating it is to have just cleaned the yard, and then have to start all over!

While I was "perched" on my throne, a neighbor came by to chat. Our street, in particular, we don't have much of a relationship with each other. You go outside to get the mail, and then promptly close your garage door. The neighbors I/we know are all very nice, and would help you if you needed something. Such as, a neighbor changed the battery in the smoke detector last year, while Jeff was gone.

While I could sweep some leaves into the street, I'm not going to bother today. Those leaves, as well as others, will keep falling down. I might as well wait!

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