Dear, dear friends just left and as usual I'm sad. Christy and Kristi arrived Monday and for the next two and a half days we laughed and cried and talked and had a beverage or two! Christy and Kristi have been coming to visit me ever since HC Baker died. So we celebrated the fourth annual visit! Their first visit was at the blue cottage and then the next year they saw the house before it was my home, then last year they saw my home, and this year Kristi got to sleep in "her" bedroom, the last room I finished. And she loved it as was evidenced by the fact that Tuesday morning she didn't get up until 11AM!!!!!! Christy and I went to check on her to make sure she hadn't "slept her life away" (did your mother ever say that to you?). So these two very special people are my last visitors of the year.
But let me tell you about the "firsts"!
1. Christy started a fire in the fire pit (her first ever and who knew she could remember Girl Scout procedures?)! It only required a bunch of sticks, a few logs, a cardboard box, and a full roll of paper towels. The girl got it goin'! And so began our talks. Isn't that the best thing about friends? No matter how many or how few times you see each other, you can pick up right where you left off. And every year there's always new "stuff" to contemplate. This year we had several new subjects to review!
2. We ran out of wood to burn around 7pm Monday night. We even burned the best fire poking stick you'd ever want. (TR Baker had been keeping it for over a year because he builds and starts a lot of fires!) Anyway...what to do? Just prior to jumping in the car to begin our search, Kristi noticed logs from a tree that was cut down right across my street. This property belongs to my neighbors (have no idea who they are) but they are summer visitors only so, it was nearly dark and we ran across the street and became log poachers!!! Those logs burned for a while and guess what? We're out of wood again. So we made a quick trip to the Topinabee Market and bought a 5-piece bundle. We kept that fire going until we went to bed. I was afraid it would burn the house down during the night so I took two large pitchers of water out to the fire and poured them on top. Lots of sizzle and white smoke later, the fire was out. Guess what? When I got up the next morning and took the dogs out, that fire was still goin'!!!! I immediately put another log on and we had that fire all day long!!! (Of course, there were several more trips to the market for more wood!) Does that girl Christy make a good fire or what????
3. Except to poach a few logs and drive to the market, we never left the yard! No shopping or sightseeing at all!
Love my family and friends...especially when I can reach out and touch them.
Tonight is Garrett's last home football game. (I thought last week was!) Next year when he takes the field he will be a junior in high school on the varsity team! Holy Cow! Really - where does the time go? Does anyone have an answer to that question?
The weather forecast says Saturday night could be our first snowfall of the season! (What season is that? I thought it was autumn but apparently it's nearly winter!) Oh my - not ready for this!
As I write, I'm seeing two tomatoes I have sitting on the windowsill. Isn't that where everyone keeps them? I bought them at the Farmer's Market. Farmer Brown (his real name) told me they are probably his last of the year.
So there's my "firsts" and "lasts" of this week! Hope your week has provided some special moments for you too! xxoo
Great quote this morning from sweet friend Leesa, the Derby City Diva!
Someone else is happy with less than what you have.
Thank you Leesa!
Grateful all my traveling family and friends have returned home safely.
Prayers still requested for EE, CH, Trish, and add LT. Please and thank you!
Friday, October 18, 2013
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Medi(no)care!!!!
Well, I've been been trying to avoid my soapbox for a while, but I couldn't let this one go by without comment! It's tough to write because you know HC Baker was the insurance man and he was as honest as the day is long. But I have to keep in mind he was the insurance MAN, not the insurance COMPANY! Yes, this is truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help me God!
I've talked before about my up north doctor. He's wonderful and I love him! Remember, his grandparents were from eastern Kentucky and he would spend his summers not far from Lynch running all over their farm. This is NOT about him.
Today - October 10, 2013 - I received a bill in the mail for $25 from the McLaren Medical Group, the company that owns the 2 closest hospitals and my doctor's office. I thought to myself...I haven't been to the doctor in months. I looked the bill over very carefully and see this is a bill for a visit on - June 25, 2012 - 15 months ago. Here it goes...I dialed the number!
The phone rings and I am told the caller volume is exceptionally high today so please leave a message and they will call me right back or if I choose to hold, the wait could be longer than expected. Two questions - How can they call me right back when they're so busy and how long is longer than expected? I "hold" and put the timer on! The phone music is so loud I'm tempted to put the phone in the other room! (It's apparent they never call themselves or they would turn that music down!) Not a long wait 'cause in a minute and 22 seconds Marian (not her real name) asks how she can help me! I'm very pleasant (really, I promise) and tell her about the bill. I also questioned her as to why an office visit made over 15 months ago was just now coming to my bank account's attention. She says many times it might take MEDICARE that long to make the payment. (Next time I owe money on my income taxes, I'm going to take 15 months to pay it! Think that'll work?) Anyway, back to my $25 debt. I told her it sounds like a co-payment wasn't recorded because $25 is my co-payment and how many times do you get to see the doctor before you give them your money? I look at the bill and give her what is called the "Plus Acct #", and she asks for my address and birthdate. She says let me look at this. She says she thinks I'm right. She said it looks like they charged me a co-payment twice. She says she will send this down to the coding office and they will review it and call me with any questions. I asked her if she had my phone number and she said yes. (Knew I should have left that blank!) Anyway, she said don't pay the bill. I'm very happy. I am right and I am $25 richer!!!
Get ready...the other shoe is about to drop!
About 20 minutes later my phone rings. I almost don't answer it because it says "No caller ID", a label I'm always wary of, but what the hey????? My day is going great, the sun is shining, and I have $25 in my pocket! After I say "Hello, this is Jo Ann Baker" the voice on the other end asked "is this Jo Ann Baker?" Seriously????? This "voice" needs to work on her listening skills! She is Susan (not her real name), and she says she is calling to explain the bill in question. I'm not liking the sound of her voice. She proceeds to explain to me that yes, she sees I made the $25 co-pay but I had a procedure done and the insurance company determined that required another co-pay. (The procedure involved Dr. Everett spraying that cold burning stuff in the stainless steel canister on a mole on my forearm. It happened while I was there for an office visit for something else and the procedure took all of 5 seconds. Dr. Everett turned his upper body toward the counter, lifted the canister, pointed it toward my arm and sprayed. 5 seconds at most!) Now keep in mind, I drove to the doctor's office, went in, signed the sheet, gave them $25, and sat down to wait. The wait is never long there. Once I am called back to see the doctor (for what I don't even remember - probably a refill on my allergy meds) and we talk and I ask him if he can get rid of a mole, he looks at it, made the upper body turn, lifted the canister, etc, etc, etc!
Somebody H E L P!!!!!!!!!!! And in this government shut down, please include the medicare workers because all they do is sit in their offices and think up crap to "piss-off" (sorry!) those of us who have reached the "golden years"! I said it once and I'll say it again...getting older ain't for sissies!!
By the way, I told Susan (not her real name) to make a note in my file. I'M NOT PAYING THAT $25! I told her to have the head of Medicare to call me. Who is that anyway????? I am now on a personal mission to find out and give them a call!
Happy Trials to YOU! (Miss Terri - I meant to use that word!)
Love to everyone!!!! xxoo
Prayers needed for...
EE and CH
Friend Trish
Safe travels for...
C and G returning from Rome
T returning from London
J traveling to Dublin
C and K traveling to Topinabee to see ME!!!!!!!
Just so you know I am now officially off my soap box but also just so you know...my insides are still on a roller coaster! DANG!
I've talked before about my up north doctor. He's wonderful and I love him! Remember, his grandparents were from eastern Kentucky and he would spend his summers not far from Lynch running all over their farm. This is NOT about him.
Today - October 10, 2013 - I received a bill in the mail for $25 from the McLaren Medical Group, the company that owns the 2 closest hospitals and my doctor's office. I thought to myself...I haven't been to the doctor in months. I looked the bill over very carefully and see this is a bill for a visit on - June 25, 2012 - 15 months ago. Here it goes...I dialed the number!
The phone rings and I am told the caller volume is exceptionally high today so please leave a message and they will call me right back or if I choose to hold, the wait could be longer than expected. Two questions - How can they call me right back when they're so busy and how long is longer than expected? I "hold" and put the timer on! The phone music is so loud I'm tempted to put the phone in the other room! (It's apparent they never call themselves or they would turn that music down!) Not a long wait 'cause in a minute and 22 seconds Marian (not her real name) asks how she can help me! I'm very pleasant (really, I promise) and tell her about the bill. I also questioned her as to why an office visit made over 15 months ago was just now coming to my bank account's attention. She says many times it might take MEDICARE that long to make the payment. (Next time I owe money on my income taxes, I'm going to take 15 months to pay it! Think that'll work?) Anyway, back to my $25 debt. I told her it sounds like a co-payment wasn't recorded because $25 is my co-payment and how many times do you get to see the doctor before you give them your money? I look at the bill and give her what is called the "Plus Acct #", and she asks for my address and birthdate. She says let me look at this. She says she thinks I'm right. She said it looks like they charged me a co-payment twice. She says she will send this down to the coding office and they will review it and call me with any questions. I asked her if she had my phone number and she said yes. (Knew I should have left that blank!) Anyway, she said don't pay the bill. I'm very happy. I am right and I am $25 richer!!!
Get ready...the other shoe is about to drop!
About 20 minutes later my phone rings. I almost don't answer it because it says "No caller ID", a label I'm always wary of, but what the hey????? My day is going great, the sun is shining, and I have $25 in my pocket! After I say "Hello, this is Jo Ann Baker" the voice on the other end asked "is this Jo Ann Baker?" Seriously????? This "voice" needs to work on her listening skills! She is Susan (not her real name), and she says she is calling to explain the bill in question. I'm not liking the sound of her voice. She proceeds to explain to me that yes, she sees I made the $25 co-pay but I had a procedure done and the insurance company determined that required another co-pay. (The procedure involved Dr. Everett spraying that cold burning stuff in the stainless steel canister on a mole on my forearm. It happened while I was there for an office visit for something else and the procedure took all of 5 seconds. Dr. Everett turned his upper body toward the counter, lifted the canister, pointed it toward my arm and sprayed. 5 seconds at most!) Now keep in mind, I drove to the doctor's office, went in, signed the sheet, gave them $25, and sat down to wait. The wait is never long there. Once I am called back to see the doctor (for what I don't even remember - probably a refill on my allergy meds) and we talk and I ask him if he can get rid of a mole, he looks at it, made the upper body turn, lifted the canister, etc, etc, etc!
Somebody H E L P!!!!!!!!!!! And in this government shut down, please include the medicare workers because all they do is sit in their offices and think up crap to "piss-off" (sorry!) those of us who have reached the "golden years"! I said it once and I'll say it again...getting older ain't for sissies!!
By the way, I told Susan (not her real name) to make a note in my file. I'M NOT PAYING THAT $25! I told her to have the head of Medicare to call me. Who is that anyway????? I am now on a personal mission to find out and give them a call!
Happy Trials to YOU! (Miss Terri - I meant to use that word!)
Love to everyone!!!! xxoo
Prayers needed for...
EE and CH
Friend Trish
Safe travels for...
C and G returning from Rome
T returning from London
J traveling to Dublin
C and K traveling to Topinabee to see ME!!!!!!!
Just so you know I am now officially off my soap box but also just so you know...my insides are still on a roller coaster! DANG!
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
October - Already?
How can it be October already? Wasn't is just Easter and summer vacation? I'm really not ready for what's coming next. I've heard that the number of acorns falling to the ground is an accurate indication of how hard the winter will be. Well, let me tell you that my yard is covered in acorns...tons more than last fall. Oh no! And last winter went on F O R E V E R! Will this one be worse? And why am I worrying about this? There's not a thing I can do...except worry!
I've been "footballing" every chance I can. This Thursday, Garrett and the JV team will play Alpena at Alpena. Last week Cheboygan JV lost to Petoskey. It was a rough game. One Cheboygan player received a broken arm and another a concussion. This football stuff ain't for sissies! Friday night is Homecoming at Cheboygan High School. There'll be a parade before the game (taking on Alpena) and then the half time crowning of the Homecoming Queen! Remember those days? The weather forecast says rain but remember, I'm in my press box! Go Chiefs!!!!!
New dog Maggie is doing very well. She and Nutty are getting along great and I'm beginning to see less of Maggie's bones! Her arthritis seems to be a bit better. I guess those joint pills are helping. I do have my favorite store, Lowe's, coming in the next few weeks (before the ground freezes!!!) to install a fence. Maggie's "pointer" instincts are either gonna' pull my shoulder out of socket or give her whiplash, so I decided a fence was in order!
The fall colors are beautiful up here, and we have had wonderful sunshine the past few days. Hope it lasts a while longer.
OK...I'm stalling for time because I've got a mess on my hands of my own creation. Let's just say my brain is working overtime on a few decisions. Just when I think I've got it resolved, something happens and I need to begin again. And the more I worry about it, the more upset/concerned/frustrated/over-wrought I become! I was reading a book this week and loved a particular paragraph that kind of describes what I'd like. I'll paraphrase..The paragraph talks about how in a movie, when it's time for bad things to happen, the music changes. I've always thought it would be really neat if real life came with a sound track. It probably wouldn't change anything, but it would be nice. Your thoughts?
TR Baker suffered a work-related injury on Monday night. His finger was in the wrong place at the wrong time and the end of his left hand middle finger was ripped away. He was taken to the ER where they said it was not good! Yesterday he went to the doctor who said it was a worst case scenario and Friday he will see an orthopedic hand guy. Oh my!
The good news is my friend Ray had a second procedure for a kidney stone and is doing well. My friend Hub had a heart procedure and is now home concentrating on getting better. I saw a picture of sweet Miss Roberta at church and she looked wonderful. My sister Linda fell while on vacation in Telluride and now has a staple in the back of her head but home safe and (sort of) sound!
Hope you're enjoying the beautiful colors of fall!
Continued prayers for EE and CH, my friend Trish, and TR Baker's finger! Please and thank you!
xxoo
I've been "footballing" every chance I can. This Thursday, Garrett and the JV team will play Alpena at Alpena. Last week Cheboygan JV lost to Petoskey. It was a rough game. One Cheboygan player received a broken arm and another a concussion. This football stuff ain't for sissies! Friday night is Homecoming at Cheboygan High School. There'll be a parade before the game (taking on Alpena) and then the half time crowning of the Homecoming Queen! Remember those days? The weather forecast says rain but remember, I'm in my press box! Go Chiefs!!!!!
New dog Maggie is doing very well. She and Nutty are getting along great and I'm beginning to see less of Maggie's bones! Her arthritis seems to be a bit better. I guess those joint pills are helping. I do have my favorite store, Lowe's, coming in the next few weeks (before the ground freezes!!!) to install a fence. Maggie's "pointer" instincts are either gonna' pull my shoulder out of socket or give her whiplash, so I decided a fence was in order!
The fall colors are beautiful up here, and we have had wonderful sunshine the past few days. Hope it lasts a while longer.
OK...I'm stalling for time because I've got a mess on my hands of my own creation. Let's just say my brain is working overtime on a few decisions. Just when I think I've got it resolved, something happens and I need to begin again. And the more I worry about it, the more upset/concerned/frustrated/over-wrought I become! I was reading a book this week and loved a particular paragraph that kind of describes what I'd like. I'll paraphrase..The paragraph talks about how in a movie, when it's time for bad things to happen, the music changes. I've always thought it would be really neat if real life came with a sound track. It probably wouldn't change anything, but it would be nice. Your thoughts?
TR Baker suffered a work-related injury on Monday night. His finger was in the wrong place at the wrong time and the end of his left hand middle finger was ripped away. He was taken to the ER where they said it was not good! Yesterday he went to the doctor who said it was a worst case scenario and Friday he will see an orthopedic hand guy. Oh my!
The good news is my friend Ray had a second procedure for a kidney stone and is doing well. My friend Hub had a heart procedure and is now home concentrating on getting better. I saw a picture of sweet Miss Roberta at church and she looked wonderful. My sister Linda fell while on vacation in Telluride and now has a staple in the back of her head but home safe and (sort of) sound!
Hope you're enjoying the beautiful colors of fall!
Continued prayers for EE and CH, my friend Trish, and TR Baker's finger! Please and thank you!
xxoo
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