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Post by sneakers (Metro Houston) on Apr 28, 2024 22:56:26 GMT -5
Wrote my brother Bruce between about 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM. Steady except when I was eating supper and having the food come in from HEB. He wrote back about 9:30 PM tonight. My letter was close to three pages long.
We were going to have Shepherd's Pie, but one of AJ's friends came over and said "How about pizza?" He bought us pizza from Domino's. I had four slices of pepperoni and mushroom pizza about 7:15 PM.
The groceries from HEB arrived about 7:30 PM. They were: One 16-ounce loaf of HEB Super Duper Butter Bread One one-gallon jug of Red Diamond Sugar-Free Tea Four two-liter bottles of regular Dr Pepper A ten-slice package of HEB mild Cheddar cheese A ten-slice package of HEB Colby Jack cheese One one-gallon jug of HEB 2% milk A ten-slice package of HEB Provolone cheese A ten-slice package of HEB Swiss cheese A nine-ounce package of HEB Honey Ham lunchmeat Two seven-ounce packages of HEB Uncured Beef Pastrami A nine-ounce package of HEB Rotisserie Chicken lunchmeat A box of six HEB Zero Sugar Added strawberry frozen fruit bars Two Red Baron Four Meat frozen pizzas A 3# chub of 80% lean ground beef chuck Six boxes of HEB Macaroni and Cheese Two packages of Idahoan Cheddar and Sour Cream mashed potatoes An eighteen-ounce bottle of Whataburger Real Mayonnaise An 18.7-ounce box of HEB Raisin Bran A 15.25-ounce can of HEB Crisp N' Sweet whole kernel corn A 15.5-ounce jar of HEB More Fruit strawberry fruit spread
Listened to SiriusXM Classic Rewind until about 8:55 PM. Then, switched on the CW 39 nine o'clock news Watched the news and the following news program, "State of Texas." Then, I turned on the KPRC Channel 2 ten o'clock news. Plan to go to bed soon after eleven o'clock when the news is over.
Weather guess is that storms will be coming in 4:00 AM to 6:00 AM Monday morning. May or may not wake up when it comes through. I have a good view to the southeast from my bed.
Five pieces of mail in Informed Delivery for tomorrow: an ad for a new air conditioner, an attorney ad for me, a reminder of the upcoming school board election, a ballot for a technical society election, and a letter for AJ from a family member.
Main thing I have tomorrow on my agenda is an 11:00-12:00 appointment with the home health care nurse who saw me Friday. Just set alarm tomorrow morning for 9:00 AM so I will be up in plenty of time.
Plan to wash down bedtime pills with Red Diamond Sugar-Free Tea.
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Post by Unclebal on Apr 29, 2024 7:04:29 GMT -5
p.s. Finally sent off my tax return today. I don't always leave it this late, but what's done is done.
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soutxed
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Post by soutxed on Apr 29, 2024 8:42:26 GMT -5
Uncle--I guess your tax deadline is later than our April 15. But good to have it done. More bowling this week. Astros swept the Rockies in Mexico City. Maybe they should stay there and play the rest of the season. NFL talking about extending the season to 20 games. Would have Super Bowl on President Day weekend so that many people would have the day off after SB.
Sneakers--I will for now stay with Medicare Advantage since I cannot get a good supplement due to my cancer, even though I am cancer free. Wish we could get some of that rain, without tornadoes. Dominos is our favorite pizza.
Talk of the neighborhood was the day we were with our son in Corpus Christi, the lady across the street must have been drunk as she hit two parked cars and took out a mailbox. HPD was here as was EMS. I noticed one neighbor who leaves their car parked in the street moved it to the front lawn.
Church went well. Just my nagging cough might have disturbed some people.
By late in the day, the winds died down and I wasn't coughing as much.
Put a new lock on the gate and last night we could unlock it. Will have to get someone to cut it off.
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Post by sneakers (Metro Houston) on Apr 29, 2024 11:32:57 GMT -5
Sneakers--I will for now stay with Medicare Advantage since I cannot get a good supplement due to my cancer, even though I am cancer free. Wish we could get some of that rain, without tornadoes. Dominos is our favorite pizza.
When I first applied for a Medicare Supplement at 65, by that time they were no longer allowed to look at pre-existing conditions. But, if you look being over 65, they are allowed to do insurance underwriting. So, you're probably stuck outside of a Medicare Supplement.
We had 2.24 inches of rain at the local official rain gage the past 24 hours, mostly between one and four in the morning. When I woke up around those times for a bit, I could see plenty of lightning outside my bedroom window. Decided to get up about 5;30 AM. While I was going to the closet to get a fresh T-shirt, the power went out. I grabbed my cell phone, but by the time I had its flashlight on the power had come back on. Got up and went in the business room to do some paperwork and have some sugar-free tea.
Domino's Pan Pizza is my favorite, not as much the regular version.
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Post by edindetroit on Apr 30, 2024 7:31:56 GMT -5
Sneakers: Do the instant mashed potatoes come in a box. If they are, I can see why you do not like them. My mother made those years ago but only on occasion. It was just quicker for her to make while feeding a large family. I never liked them as they had no taste whatsoever. The chicken sound good though. Enjoy your cheesecake while it lasts. My wife was absolutely horrified when she moved in and found a box of instant potato flakes in the pantry. They have been banned ever since.
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Post by edindetroit on Apr 30, 2024 7:34:04 GMT -5
Somehow I'm back in but for a while there I was blocked.
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Post by edindetroit on Apr 30, 2024 7:39:42 GMT -5
For the last several days we have had strong winds out of the south. Those strong winds made it all the way up to Michigan and warmed us up to the upper 70s low 80s.
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soutxed
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Post by soutxed on Apr 30, 2024 8:22:47 GMT -5
Sneakers--I know that feeling of being up in the middle of the night and the power goes off. At least the cell phone was within reach. I guess I could talk to an agent about a supplement. I checked right after Obamacare was law, but was still told I could only get a very expensive supplement. At one of our HEB retiree meetings, a Medicare insurance agent came and tried to sell us a supplement. When I asked about my situation, she was very vague. The coordinator then followed up saying those on Medicare should not be so cheap and get the supplement. When I repeated my comment, he did agree we are stuck with Original Medicare. Didn't know what Medicare advantage was.
Ed--I don't blame your wife for throwing out the mashed potatoes. As for the winds, along the border, we get the smoke from Mexican farmers burning their crops. For those of with allergies, it is a problem. A doctor on TV advised those of us with allergies to move away. Wife and I are headed to Corpus Christi for a playoff game involving our granddaughter and to visit son. Hopefully by Monday, the situation will be better here. No politician seem willing to talk to Mexico officials to stop the burning on windy days.
Not a bad day. Finally made it to the gym. Afterward was going to church for the Monday prayer time, but my cough flared up so stayed home and let my wife go alone. She did say there were 4 other ladies there.
Spent time reading and cleaning the den but didn't get much done as the dust made my condition worse. Doctor's appointment Thursday, earliest I could get in. Saw a news story that in many places it can take a month or more to get an appointment. Sneakers is luck he lives in an area where there seem to be good supply of doctors. Heard the Family Practice clinic I use is closing. They have 10,000 patients which would create a real problem in Harlingen.
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Post by sneakers (Metro Houston) on Apr 30, 2024 12:13:38 GMT -5
Sneakers--I know that feeling of being up in the middle of the night and the power goes off. At least the cell phone was within reach. Fortunately, mine came back in about thirty seconds. About the time I could pick up the cell phone (it was on my walker and I had contact with the walker) could get the cell phone flashlight on the power came back on. Don't think it's gone off since.I guess I could talk to an agent about a supplement. I checked right after Obamacare was law, but was still told I could only get a very expensive supplement. Medicare supplements have insurance underwriting unless you get them right at 65, which I did. I've been watching my claims come through and my skin graft is EXTREMELY expensive. But my podiatrist says it's a healthy wound with no signs of infection.At one of our HEB retiree meetings, a Medicare insurance agent came and tried to sell us a supplement. When I asked about my situation, she was very vague. The coordinator then followed up saying those on Medicare should not be so cheap and get the supplement. When I repeated my comment, he did agree we are stuck with Original Medicare. Didn't know what Medicare advantage was. Your coordinator must have been in a vacuum. Medicare Advantage has advertising year-round around here. One of the local plans gets "Five Stars" from Medicare.
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Post by sneakers (Metro Houston) on Apr 30, 2024 19:33:47 GMT -5
The boys and I are holding down the fort for the next three or four days. AJ is off working in Freeport again. I hope he remembered to take his inhaler this time. Last trip to Freeport, he left it behind and was bad enough without that he went to an ER.
Yesterday morning, I got up at 5:30 AM, only to have a thirty second power glitch right as I went to the closet. Almost thought I'd need to go back to sleep but the power came back on.
Got to the business room, scanned five pieces of mail to E-mail to my lawyer. In the afternoon, one of their staff contacted me and said to keep sending stuff.
Had two HEB Sugar-Free Strawberry Fruit Bars. It was a substitution on the prior HEB order because the ones made with regular cane sugar were out-of-stock.
Had a home health nurse scheduled to come by between 11:00 AM and noon. Got a message from her that she would be about here about 12:20 PM. She took my vital signs and weighed me (up about one pound since Friday), then changed my bandage.
Afterwards, I ate lunch. The usual of fruit and sandwiches. Yesterday's fruit was fruit cocktail, and the sandwiches were HEB Butter Bread, HEB Uncured Pastrami, and HEB Provolone Cheese.
Watched the TV until about five o'clock. Then, AJ and I went to a garage to get the Tundra registered. I had only one card that had enough money on it, and I inadvertently left it at home. AJ talked to the guy at the garage and got him to register the Tundra over the phone and E-mail us the receipt.
Last night, about 6:30 PM, AJ had supper ready. A couple of slices of HEB Butter Bread and a serving of Shepherds' Pie. AJ is going to have to make Shepherds' Pie again. Although he asked me for chive and sour cream mashed potatoes, the closest thing I could find at HEB was Cheddar and sour cream mashed potatoes, the Shepherds' Pie was still tasty.
Sat and listened to music in the business room until eight o'clock. Then, I went to my bedroom and stretched out on the bed. Called cousins Sonja and Martha. Drifted off to sleep afterwards without my bedtime pills. Woke up momentarily a couple of times, then at two o'clock in the morning I got up to 2:30 AM and took my bedtime pills. Went back to bed.
Woke up a little before 9:00 AM. Got in the business room with the jug of sugar-free tea. Drank the last of it and threw the jug in the business room trashcan. Got the bag out of the trashcan, put the paper shredder shreds in it, and hauled it to John's room so he could throw it out along with all the other accumulated trash.
Had a letter to scan and forward to my lawyer from Saturday's mail.
About 10:30 AM, I took my morning pills.
FedEx came by about 11:30 AM bringing two boxes from Chewy. Now got plenty of pet food.
Ate lunch about 12:30 PM. Fruit and sandwiches, like usual. Today's fruit was pineapple chunks, today's sandwiches were HEB Super Duper Butter Bread, HEB Uncured Pastrami, and HEB Provolone Cheese. One of my prescriptions was running low, so I ordered it from HEB Pharmacy.
After I got done eating lunch, I ordered more food delivered from HEB. It came just after six o'clock this evening.
Trash truck came through about two o'clock in the afternoon.
Got package of two packages of twin bedsheets from Amazon. Saw the truck came in and and rolled to the door. By the time I got there, they had left the package and gone. Got John to pick it up for me.
At five o'clock, I was hungry. Ate a can of Libby's fruit salad. Had one piece of fruit fall on the floor. Chalupa dog sniffed at it, but did not eat it. I threw the piece of fruit and the can in the trash.
HEB arrived just after six o'clock. My order was: A loaf of HEB Super Duper Butter Bread Two one-gallon jugs of Red Diamond Sugar-Free Tea Two cartons of Imperial stick margarine Two one-gallon jugs of HEB 2% milk A box of a dozen HEB Strawberry Frozen Fruit Bars Two eight-ounce cans of Dole pineapple chunks in juice Two 8.25-ounce cans of HEB sliced yellow cling peaches A 32-ounce bag of Post Fruity Pebbles cereal Two 8.25-ounce cans of HEB fruit cocktail A 26-ounce carton of HEB iodized salt A 5# bag of HEB unbleached all-purpose flour Two eight-ounce cans of HEB pear halves
John put away the groceries. Afterwards, he went out and got the snail mail. One piece of junk mail for me and one letter for AJ.
A bit after seven o'clock, UPS arrived with a package. My mattress cover. John got to the door before I did and got the box.
Isaiah came in the business room and discussed supper. Couldn't think of anything better but pizza, our default food.
Currently watching the Astros-Guardians game. Guardians ahead 3-0 in the second inning.
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Post by patty7841 on Apr 30, 2024 22:21:51 GMT -5
Uncle: I hope your taxes were not late. Every country is different on when these type of things are due.
Soutxed: The smoke must be really bad this year. I thought your wife was the one with the severe issues with the smoke. It seems like you are getting it bad now. Hope that you feel better. It will be good when you get away to Corpus Christi. I am not sure if that is a day trip or a couple of days. The family practice that is closing is sign of the times in the medical field. There are now 8 hospitals here, owned by a Texas company, (the hospital group is Steward) who have defaulted on paying any bills to keep the health system in business. Not much is being said publicly with these hospitals as ihe situation is being handled behind closed doors. It is very scary. Appointments at other facilities can be a 4-8 month wait. It is nasty.
Ed: I don't know if you were locked out of GBO or just this thread. I know one night I was on this thread and I got locked out. Then GBO was down completely. It iwas back up and running the next day. Your wife was smart to throw the potato flakes out. I would have done the same thing.
Sneakers: Your skin graft was very expensive. If it works, all the better. How is your new bed?
Have a good Wednesday Everyone.
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Post by sneakers (Metro Houston) on Apr 30, 2024 22:39:11 GMT -5
Ever since I wrote last, I've been watching the Astros-Guardians game. Currently tied up 8-8 in the tenth inning as I write this.
Will head to bed after eleven o'clock. That will allow me about nine and a half hours sleep before I wake up to my alarm and get ready to head to the podiatrist.
Nothing drivable here, no one that can drive, so I'll be taking UBER about noon to a one o'clock appointment.
Looked at my Medicare claims. Everything processed through April 3rd. The two claims from January by UTMB Webster still remain missing.
Looked at Informed Delivery. One letter for tomorrow for me. Letter will need to be scanned and E-mailed to my lawyer.
Looked at my main checking account. Tomorrow's Boeing pension payment has already arrived.
About nine o'clock, Isaiah fixed "default food." (Red Baron four-meat frozen pizza.) I had four slices of the default food.
Last thing I drank was sugar-free iced tea. AJ comments that's probably better for me than pop. Hardly drink pop any more, drink tea instead.
Astros just won 10-9 in the tenth inning.
Just switched to pick up the tail end of the ABC 13 ten o'clock news. They just announced the Astros had won.
Plan to watch "Jimmy Kimmel Live" until eleven o'clock and then head to bed.
Weather guess says 30% chance tomorrow and a 70% chance Thursday.
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Post by sneakers (Metro Houston) on Apr 30, 2024 22:53:43 GMT -5
Sneakers: Your skin graft was very expensive. If it works, all the better. How is your new bed? If it wasn't for my Plan G Medicare Supplement, it would be bankrupting. So far, Dr. Clause says it looks good. He will get another look at it tomorrow afternoon.
The new bed, even with the plastic bag on it, is more comfortable than the vinyl hospital bed was. Got my permanent mattress protector but it's not on yet. Not going to do it this late. So one more night with the plastic bag.
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soutxed
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Post by soutxed on May 1, 2024 8:14:17 GMT -5
Patty--The Family practice is owned by the major hospital here in Harlingen. The CEO at that time convinced the corporation that owned the hospital to keep it open but cut staff by no longer taking residence doctors. Will most likely go to wife's doctor. Wife and I share a lot which now includes illnesses. The wind died and I feel better. Trip is to watch granddaughter's softball team in the second round of playoffs. Will be interesting since they are playing the other Harlingen HS (not where I taught but have friends who have children there. Wonder if any of their fans will know me.
Sneakers--More and more I realize how fortunate you are to be in Houston area as far as medical facilities. Compared to Patty and me, you seem to get into doctor's and urgent care centers right away. Kimmel was good with Seinfeld as his guest. Also, you got rain, something we need desperately. Water supply is going down. Farmers cannot irrigate like the need due to shortage of rain and Mexico not releasing their water as required by treaty. Like the US, they have a presidential election this year, but in June. The two leading candidates are women. So it appears a macho country will have a women President before the US. Why do you need to send copies of mail to a lawyer? Are you getting ready to sue someone? I think I remember some dispute with a doctor.
Wife needed a special vitamin. Went to the store in the mall that carries it only to find they are closed. The number of stores in the mall here are going down. Only major store is JC Penney. A few other small stores and a bar. Also a gym.
Went to Target and found what she needed.
Looking forward to getting out of here and seeing family. Will leave tomorrow and return Saturday. So if I don't post I am okay. Been advised not to use wi-fi at hotels. Not sure what kind of signal we get as we are staying in Alice Texas near Corpus Christi. If we have time, daughter, brother-in-law, wife and I may visit son.
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Post by sneakers (Metro Houston) on May 1, 2024 10:00:44 GMT -5
Sneakers--More and more I realize how fortunate you are to be in Houston area as far as medical facilities. Compared to Patty and me, you seem to get into doctor's and urgent care centers right away. Kimmel was good with Seinfeld as his guest. Also, you got rain, something we need desperately. Water supply is going down. Farmers cannot irrigate like the need due to shortage of rain and Mexico not releasing their water as required by treaty. Like the US, they have a presidential election this year, but in June. The two leading candidates are women. So it appears a macho country will have a women President before the US. Why do you need to send copies of mail to a lawyer? Are you getting ready to sue someone? I think I remember some dispute with a doctor.
I have had my time waiting for doctors in Houston. Waited a month with an arrhythmia that they detected in a hospital to see my cardiologist. Waited three months a while back to see a dermatologist for a dysplastic nevus. Wanted an in-network psychiatrist, gave up on that pursuit when I turned 65 because my out-of-network psychiatrist accepts Medicare.
The copies of mail to the lawyer is because Bank of America is suing me as part of a debt resolution program. So far, my lawyer has settled with American Express and Wells Fargo but Bank of America decided to sue instead. Been in the debt resolution program about a year, will continue in it until 2028.
Haven't written the complaint to the doctor but still have plenty of time. I'm going to send my complaint to Medicare and the Texas Medical Board and let them deal with it.
Got appointment with podiatrist this afternoon. Going to eat an early lunch and take an UBER. I can't drive myself.
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