In the overall scheme of things...

How many times do we allow ourselves to get upset and frustrated over things that can be resolved?

Because it is so cold up here and with a foot and a half of snow on the ground, I do not make it to the post office every day.  I finally went Monday and brought home what looked like an exciting assortment of Christmas cards plus a few other pieces of mail.  Once home, I sorted it all and opened the cards first.  Love Christmas cards.  They're another way to keep in touch with those you love.  I always touch the signature believing I am touching that friend's hand.  Then I go through the other mail. I saw a piece from Lincoln Financial Group and opened it.  I have TWO life insurance policies with them and figured it was a notice to tell me my premiums were going up again.  (I have this set up as a monthly automatic withdrawal from my checking account.)  This, of course, is insurance crap and HC Baker always took care of this.  In a nutshell, here's what the letter said.

First of all, the salutation read "Dear Policyholder".  (I've been paying you money for years and you can't even use my name?)  The letter told me they had not received payments for this particular policy since January 26, 2012.  That's almost TWO years ago!  I should tell you now that I don't balance my checkbook each month.  I go on-line every 3 or 4 days to check my balance, scroll through to see what's been paid, see what's yet to be paid and make sure there's enough money to cover it all.  I see Lincoln Financial every month so I don't give it another thought.  Well...remember when I told you in the last paragraph I have TWO life policies with them.  It seems only one was "drafting" from my account.  The letter went on to tell me during this nearly TWO year "lapse", the policy has been in force with no break in coverage (I wonder what the story would have been had I died during this time!!!)  Continuing with the letter...They want me to send "back" payment by January 2, 2014, or the policy will lapse for non-payment of premiums.  If I have any questions, I'm to call the person who sent me the letter at the number which is listed below.

OK - I NEED OXYGEN NOW!!!!!!!!!!  I'm not even close to being any kind of genius, but do you mean to tell me a company as large as this one is just now, after TWO years, discovering I have not paid a premium?  Who are these people?  I check the envelop and the letterhead to make sure it's not from some prince in Africa and then dial the number.

I'll give you the abbreviated version of this because you won't believe most of it anyway.  The following is all true I swear!

Letter sender call - She's not "in" today but if I need immediate assistance call back and ask for could not understand the name and press could not understand the extension number.

Called back and listened to press one for this and press two for that and I pressed 3 for idiots!

Connected to Sharon - explained my situation and she connected (wanted to get rid of me fast!!!) me to Robert.  Get ready because here's where the fun begins.  Robert sounded 12 but assured me he could help.  Robert also called me Jo Ann.  DEEP BREATHS!!!!  He could not help me and I asked to speak with his supervisor.  Robert told me his supervisor was not in.  I asked for his supervisor's supervisor.  He's not in either.  I asked if they had their office Christmas party over the weekend and everyone had stayed home to get sober.  Robert told me there was no reason for me to be rude.  DEEPER BREATHS HERE!!!!  I asked Robert who the president of the company was and he told me Dennis Glass was the President, but he wouldn't be interested in talking to me.  DEEPEST BREATHS HERE!!!!  I asked for Mr. Glass's number.  Robert didn't know it.  As I'm talking to Robert, I "google" Dennis Glass and discover his office is in Radnor, PA, his address and phone number.  I give the phone number to Robert and hang up.

I call back using the corporate number to reach the main "switchboard" (if that word is even used anymore) and a lovely woman answers.  I quickly explain my situation and frustration with all those who words have proceeded this call and ask to speak to the highest ranking person at this address.  She told me that would be Mr. Perez who is the Director of this office that houses over 3000 employees.  I asked her if she would connect me to him and she said "certainly"!  (Good Girl!)  Lo and behold, Mr. John Perez answered his own phone.  I was shocked and told him so!  I also told him I could tell we were on speaker phone and if he had any others in his office, he might want to turn that off.  I began my re-cap of conversations.  He was incredibly polite, listened without interruption, and apologized for all of the unacceptable responses I had so far received.  I gave him names and key words like policyholder and being called Jo Ann and everybody off today and un-understandable messages and the list goes on.  He promised me he would get back to me within 24 hours and gave me his direct phone number.  So ends Monday!

Tuesday, 2:35pm!  I answer my phone and meet April.  She says she wants to help me.  So as not to waste her time or mine, I ask her if she has talked to Mr. Perez and she says YES.  Ok, let the conversation begin.  I repeat Monday's conversations and ask her if she is amazed by all this and she replies YES.  I also told her my insurance husband is dead and I am continuing to learn how to do all this stuff, and I tell her I do not do a very good job with my checkbook.  She tells me she is so glad I called because she has been made aware they have a few training issues.  She apologizes repeatedly and assures me she will personally deal with all of this.  She also tells me the company will make whatever arrangements are necessary for me to make the "lapsed" payments.  She's actually listening and understanding my issues.  We really had a lovely conversation and actually laughed together a few times.

I don't know if y'all do the same thing but whenever I have this kind of experience, I have to tell someone about it just to say it again.  Stupid I know but necessary.  So my next call is to a very dear friend, and I ask him to just listen to my story.  I tell him not to offer any help or explanations, just listen to me.  I repeat all of this and then get all "weepy" and tell him I have to end this conversation and I hang up.   What's wrong with me???????  So I spend the next two hours attending my very own "pitty" party by myself (of course) and then fix myself a bowl of grits!  Later, my dear friend is brave enough to call me back.  

So this morning I call the money man and tell him to unload something so I can write a check to this company.  I won't be buyin' that airplane I wanted!  (That was a joke!)  And now I've written it all down for you to read.  I won't blame you or think less of you if you don't read it.  It's a pretty long story and all about me...again!  I will believe that you love me so in the overall scheme of things what else matters?  I have wonderful FRIENDS!

P.S.  I now cannot afford stamps for my Christmas cards so here's your greeting.

I LOVE YOU ALL!  MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EACH OF YOU AND BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY 2014!  XXOO                     
 

Sunday's prayer...

Dear Lord, this morning I'm struggling with the focus of my thoughts.

As I look out my window, I see plenty of snow on the ground and more blowing through the frigid air.  Thank you Lord for the seasons.  You blessed me with eyes to see and witness Your wonders.  I am also blessed with a warm home (though some would disagree!).  Thank You for the many kindnesses You have sent my way!  

Only ten days until we will celebrate your birth.  I am blessed with the knowledge of Your amazing gift to me.  There is no way I can ever repay this except to always work hard and do Your will.  Let others see You in me.  That thought alone brings an overwhelming desire to go outside and run up and down the street (cautiously) shouting Your name.  Thank You for Your patience with me!

This will be the fourth Christmas celebration without HC Baker.  I must admit from time to time I still pause and question why.  That's when my heart jumps and forces me to remember Your will, not mine.   I am blessed as I totally and completely understand and accept this, but my heart still has an empty corner (better than a gaping hole).  Thank You for Your steadfastness!

I had the wonderful opportunity to spend yesterday with Gracie.  Those times are irreplaceable...priceless as the commercial says.  How true.  We shopped until we dropped.  I am so blessed by my family.  Not one of them ever questioned the life-changing decisions I have made since my "widowhood", and they have supported me in every way.  Being with one or some or all of them will always make me smile and know the strength and power of love.  Thank You for my earthly interpretation of Your love!

On many days, I'm not sure I would have survived if not for my "heavy lifter" - TR Baker.  Through all that happened in 2010, both of us survived and pretty much in tact!  My survival is due in a huge part to  TR Baker.  He made my loneliness not so lonely.  I have been blessed by him.  He listens without making judgments, he has a keen insight into other people and situations and he's been my "heavy lifter" and yard man and snow shoveler and furniture mover (he hates to hear me say I want to re-arrange!) and pizza maker and...!  Thank You for knowing best!  

Daily I am blessed in untold ways by my friends, old and new and re-newed!  When I see Frank in FL is improving daily, I know Your hands are on his shoulders.  When I know EE is home safely and in the loving arms of his family, I know Your hands are on his shoulders.  When I talk with B & R J and they are laughing, I know Your hands are on their shoulders.  When all my friends are smiling, I  know You are with them in their lives and keeping them in Your arms.  Thank You for guiding our paths!

In sixteen days it will be 2014.  I laugh when I remember reading the novel 1984.  I thought that was a million years away.  And remember how all us earthly idiots thought the year 2000 would "cause" everything "computerized" to crash and burn.  Well, we've made it to 2014.  I wonder what it will bring!  I'm happy feeling absolutely no regrets about the decisions I've made in the past three and a half years.  I am amazed at all I've learned and been able to achieve.  And my journey is not over yet.  I've made a few decisions about 2014 and am looking forward to seeing how You will guide me.  Thank You for walking with me.

And in closing, please Lord, be with all of our soldiers and their families this Christmas season and every day where ever they are.  Protect them.  Bring them home as quickly as possible.  Thank You for guiding them!

To all who read this MERRY CHRISTMAS!  Be thankful for every breath you take!  Enjoy your life, whatever it holds.  Make the decision every day to be the best person you can be in every situation you encounter.  I love this thought...there is always someone who will trade places with you.

Happy Sunday!  xxoo    

              



 

Here's what's happenin' plus some of my other interesting observations...

I'm not much for TV and when you watch TV with TR Baker, it's always an adventure.  As we watch something, he is scrolling through to see what else is on.  And then we check to see if it's available in HD, and if so, we switch to that.  Then, when commercials come on, we fast forward through them.  And sometimes, I think more often than not, we must record a program for later viewing.  So this evening I sat down to watch the national news alone.  I like Scott Pelly, don't know what station that is, but on my TV it's 10.  If any of you don't like him for whatever reason, keep it to yourself.  I like his looks, his delivery, and the sound of his voice.  He is able to show just the right amount of caution and/or concern.  And a plus to watching him is a rerun of the Big Bang Theory immediately follows his newscast.  I love the Big Bang Theory.  I love all the actors and the roles they play.  I believe the writers to be some of the best in the business.  The show always makes me laugh.  (I might add it's followed by Two and a Half Men and I always turn the TV off just as it begins.  I hate that show and don't get me started on why!)  Anyway...during Big Bang Theory I saw a commercial and had to laugh.  I recognized Adam Levine who I understand, a few weeks ago People Magazine selected as the "Sexiest Man Alive"!  (People Magazine must be loosing it!)  So here's Adam Levine waking up in a bed next to a woman.  IS HE MARRIED?  THIS IS PRIME TIME FOLKS!  He jumps out of bed and begins searching for clothes.  He finds pants, a shirt, a jacket and heads out the door.  As he begins to run down the stairs he realizes he has forgotten his car keys and turns back.  As he approaches the door, it opens and the woman who was in bed with him hands him the keys.  And then it happens...the voice-over tells me to shop the Adam Levine Collection exclusively at KMart!  So this is what it's come to!  The sexiest man alive has a clothing collection and it's sold exclusively at KMart.  There are just no words I can put together to explain what I think of this.  'Nuff said!

In another commercial I did discover some good news.  If I ever have a legal problem that seems too big to handle, all I have to do is dial 1-800-Call-Sam.  Sam's gonna' fix my problem.  Good to know!  And now you know it too!  We're all lucky!  End of my TV watching for tonight.

I've got plenty to do.  This Sunday is the Topinabee Holiday Home Tour and my home is one of the homes that will be visited by anyone who buys a ticket.  (They're $15 in case you want to join the tour! If you should actually come for a visit, I'll buy your ticket!)  I've been decorating for two weeks now and have everything in place.  I've put up three Christmas trees, put tiny white lights on two grapefruit trees (HC Baker grew them from a seed 35 years ago and since his death, I have been able to keep them alive - that's amazing!), 5 wreaths, 4 Nativities, various stand alone decorations including 2 light-up cardinals in honor of U of L, and today picked up my 4 huge live poinsettias for use around the house.  The only thing I haven't done is cut a bunch of evergreens to put in the (non-working) fireplace and outside in a copper tub.  I have until Saturday afternoon to do that and hopefully sometime between now and then, it will not be snowing and I can get out into the front yard to the trees I need.  I'm now working on cleaning!  I hate cleaning "around" the Christmas decorations.  The first guests should arrive around 1pm Sunday afternoon and surely by then I can make the dust disappear!  Keep your fingers crossed.

I still would like to ask all of you to continue praying for several friends.  Frank in Florida spent Thanksgiving in the ICU after having his 3rd heart attack.  CH is still in the middle of a mess, EE is almost home, and R had surgery and needs a quick recovery.  There are so many others in need of our prayers - our soldiers and their families wherever they are, those who are fighting health and personal battles, the children of the world, families displaced by poverty or disasters, and I must add our politicians who need brains and to realize they are serving us...YOU and ME.

Best wishes of the season to each of you.  Merry Christmas!  xxoo