Observations

[sixdogsmom]

Diane, at this point we would take anybodys' rain. Sooo dry here. Terrible drought conditions, trees are beginning to really suffer from lack of moisture. Send rain! Anybody!! Please??

[larryJ]

Weatherman/woman was off.  It was windy, cool and sunny, but no rain.

Veteran's Day........My daughter called late this afternoon to wish me a Happy Veterans Day and my son sent a text saying the same thing.  So they remembered and sent their wishes.  Nice kids.

Veteran's Day.......In all my years working at the newspaper, I never had Veteran's Day off unless it happen to fall on my day off.  Unlike other holidays, the company did not pay holiday pay for Veteran's day. 

Veteran's Day.......All state, county and city employees as well as many companies give their employees the day off.  Most are not Veterans.

Veteran's Day.......In conclusion, many have expressed thanks to our veterans for their service.  I appreciate that and wholeheartedly include my thanks and thanks for remembering. 

Larryj

[sixdogsmom]

In honor of all veterans everywhere I want to thank all of you for your service. God bless all of you!

P.S. Yippee!! We got 2 1/2 inches of rain here in Moline overnight! Yippee! Yippee!

[Diane Amberg]

I put in a good word for ya....glad it worked. We have more coming tonight.

[Ms Bear]

I am glad you are beginning to get rain there.  We have had a normal amount of rain this year but still seeing the effects of the drought last year, lots of dead trees with branches falling with each wind or rain.  My house settled and will probably have to have it leveled, can see where the walls have moved some and back storm door won't shut.  Could have been a lot worse though.

Yesterday when we walked we saw three deer in the pasture.   Hadn't seen any close to the house in several years until the drought last year.

[larryJ]

Today was my monthly visit to my oncologist.  I love it when I get to go out and watch the world.

Observations:  I get an injection which is kept in the fridge.  So I call at least an hour prior to my appointment to have them take it out so it will be room temperature when I get there.  Otherwise, I have to wait an extra hour to get my shot.  I did that today as usual.  But I can always tell when they don't get the message.  My appointment was for 10:40.  I was there at 10:20.  I didn't get in to see the doctor until 11:10.  This is a sure sign that they didn't take the shot out.  Ironically, just as I was walking past the duck pond (lagoon) my cell rang and the young lady informed me that she did get the message and my shot would be ready when I got there.  I laughed and said, "Okay, see you in 30 seconds."  The door to the Oncology Department is right next to the lagoon. 

Sitting in the waiting room, there is a full view of the outside where you can watch people coming and going from the parking lot and the little fountain is right outside the window.  There is a square of chairs, maybe 20, all grouped together with a coffee table in the middle.  Usually, there aren't too many people there, but today it was almost standing room only.  I carry my electronic solitaire game with me to amuse myself and pass the time while I am waiting.  I am just not into readin old magazines. 

The people:  Of course, there are the elderly who have or have had some sort of cancer problems, many with walkers and one or two in wheelchairs.  Most often they are accompanied by their spouses.  Then there is the young 20's something woman dressed in a professional pantsuit that indicates maybe she was at work and took the time off to bring her grandmother to the doctor.  They seemed to be very close.  That was nice to see.  As with most waiting rooms, there is a sign saying "turn off your cellphone."  I don't do it and nobody else does either.  I don't because I know nobody is going to call me or I just don't think of it.  However, while I was there, a young hispanic tatooed woman with a toddler was across from me and hers rang.  Doesn't bother me.  I don't care.  Many folks will go outside to have their conversation.  She didn't.  Her conversation went something like this.  "Wow, that's good news!  They got the charges reduced to involuntary manslaughter?  That's great!"-------I'm thinking I sure hope they call me in soon!

After my appointment and my shot, I left to go to the phamacy to pick up some medicine that my better half had ordered.  I danged near tripped over one of the ducks hanging out by the fountain.  I would estimate there were 20 to 30 ducks laying around there.  They are not afraid of humans and don't move out of your way.  One of these days, I'm gonna have duck for dinner!

The line at the pharmacy was longer than normal and at the head of the line was an older man (60s).  It turns out he was saving a place for his wife who had gone to the ladies room.  So when the clerks called "next" he motioned for the next person behind him to go ahead.  Including me.  I never did see his wife come back.  Wouldn't it be funny if she forgot him or maybe she wasn't in a good mood and decided to just leave him there.  I will never know, but it's fun to imagine.

I then stopped at the grocery store for a few things.  I started in the produce department for apples and oranges and there was a woman and her 2 or 3 year old little girl.  The girl had been in the basket and mommy let her out to walk with a stern warning not to wander off.  The youngun was blocking the aisle in front of me so I smiled and said, "excuse me" and mommy turned and apologized and told her daughter to move to the side.  In passing I complimented mommy on having a cute child.  She said thanks.  Then it seemed like every aisle I was in, they came in the same aisle.  I felt like I was being stalked!     I got to the checkout and was putting my groceries on the belt and turned to see who was behind me and guess who?   Yep, it was them.  And both of them were smiling at me.  I guess I should be flattered by the attention.

It is so much fun to watch all the people.  It is a neverending story of life I see.

Larryj

[larryJ]

For many years now I have been in the habit of taking a nap in the afternoon.  My family is aware of this and I don't usually get disturbed by a phone ringing.  The naps used to occcur around 2 or 3 in the afternoon, but I've observed in recent weeks, the time slot for the nap has moved up.  Now, the nap window is between 12 and 2.  Is that old age?

So, today I am watching the Dallas-Cleveland game and feeling like a nap.  First, let me say that some time back we had changed our TV service to Direct TV.  Rather my wife changed our service.  There are times when I am not overly happy with Direct TV, but I don't watch much TV anyway.  So I am watching the game and it is halftime......and I am sleepy.  I doze.  I wake up and the game is in the fourth quarter and Dallas is leading, then Cleveland is ahead by 3 points and time is running out........down to the last 20 or so seconds and Dallas has the ball inside the ten yard line.......ready to win the game............and............this.....

"DUE TO CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS WITH THE NFL, WE WILL BE LEAVING THIS GAME TO BRING YOU THE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS GAME............AFTER A FEW ANNOUNCEMENTS."

Don't you think they could have waited just a few more minutes and finish this game?  I turned off the TV, but I should have watched the commercials so I would know who I am not going to patronize anymore!

sheeesh.

Larryj

[larryJ]

As is our usual family traditional, we have our Thanksgiving on the Friday after.  This is so our daugther and family can attend her in-laws festivities on Thursday.  And, so, our son and family can enjoy the day with friends who observe the day on the actual day.

It has been this way for many years and everyone is fine with it.  So today we had our Thanksgiving.  It was held at my daughter's house and in the past, everyone brought food so she really didn't have to cook anything.  This year she cooked a turkey.....first time in her 38 years.  My phone rang at 7:30 this morning.  It was my daughter.  "Dad, I can't find the neck!"  I said, "It's usually inside the cavity of the bird."  She says, "I've looked everywhere and it's not there.  I took out the giblets package and the gravy package, but I can't find the neck!"  Then........"Are you supposed to untie the legs when you cook it?"  Me......"I'll have your mother call when she wakes up."

Second call a few minutes later.  "I found the neck.  It was wedged under the legs."  That turned out to be the funny part of the day.

We had a good meal.  She did a good job on the turkey and my son brought other dishes and my brother-in-law brought some things to fix.  My wife and her cousin baked some gluten-free pies.  In fact, there was gluten-free dressing.  It turned out very nice.

I did observe though, that in the past, my daughter-in-law liked to sit and talk to me during these family meals.  Today, she seemed withdrawn a little.  The granddaughters were playing on the swingset in the back yard and she was out there with them.  I went to join them and after a few minutes she gathered them up and went back into the house.  Later, the girls and I were sitting in the living room and she came in and sat beside me, but only for a moment.  Now........I did take a shower today........put on some smelly stuff...
brushed my teeth.......so I am pretty sure it couldn't have been me.  Guess I will have to sit down with her and find out what's going on. 

I sat down with my daughter and son at one point and discussed some family financial matters.  My son is a CPA so we were able to make some decisions regarding these matters to everyone's satisfaction.  We also made plans for the Newport boat parade coming up in a few weeks.  I buy tickets at the American Legion and we sit on the patio and watch all kinds of boats, big and little, go by decorated with all kinds of lights.  Pretty spectacular.

I love these family times.  I wish they could happen more often.  But with everyone working, it's a little hard.  I will just have to be happy with what I get. 

All in all, a really good day.  I hope everyone on this forum had the same happy experience.

Larryj

[larryJ]

How many times have you or someone you know say......"Where's a cop when you need one?".....

Well, good news, folks.  Today, a day that we have the two oldest granddaughters, I loaded them in the van at 7:30 and took the oldest to her school (start time 8:05).  When my daughter dropped them off, she asked if I could stop at a store and get some vanilla icing that she had promised to give to the preschool for their gingerbread house.  So #2 and I stopped at a local store and got the icing.  On returning to my house I was going northbound and stopped for a red light.  Recently, because there are a few schools on this street, there has been a motorcycle officer patrolling the area.  So while I am at this light, I see him sitting in the left turn pocket headed southbound and waiting to turn eastbound.  About this time, a speeding SUV going westbound goes through an orange light, blasting his horn to let everyone know he is coming through.  HAH!  The motorcycle officer whips his cycle around to chase the guy.  However, at this exact instant the light that all of us are stopped at turns green.  The cars going southbound begin to move and danged near ran over the officer.  However, he zipped out of the way and with lights and siren chased the SUV down.  So there you go!  There was "a cop when you needed one!"

A side note to Jarhead:  I have read the thread in Politics on the meatless mondays thread and of course, I won't comment on it, mainly cuz I ain't got nothing to contribute and wouldn't even if I did.  However, I did see my name mentioned in relation to your bunker.  I must confess........While I have been giving occasional updates on R.A.M.B.O"s progress, i.e., the last one being something about installing the bar on the 14th level...............What with R.A.M.B.O's small stature and tiny paws, the hole he is digging is actually only about three feet deep, but I haven't the heart to tell him.  I willl not tell him what you have said about your "bunker" because I don't want to discourage him from his ambitious project.

And this.........something a friend posted on Facebook.......

I DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO HATE THE PEOPLE WHO HATE ME.

I'M SPENDING ALL MY TIME LOVING THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE ME.

This next Monday granddaughter #1 will turn 8 years old.  Where has the time gone?  I heard we will party on Sunday.  Funny, though, in discussing this tonight with my daughter, granddaughter #2 announced she will also turn 5.  Somehow she has it in her mind that if anyone has a birthday, so should she!  Cute kid!

Larryj

[larryJ]

Another example of dealing with the government............As my wife's back pain is getting progressively worse and the operation is still some time off, her doctor prescribed a heavy duty pain reliever.  This is one that the prescription cannot be called in or faxed in, but has to be in paper form and carried in manually.  Last month when she first started using this medicine, we learned all of the above.  This caused me to have to drive the 80 mile round trip to her doctor's office to get the paper script.  So we tried to be prepared this month.  She had an appointment with that doctor last Tuesday and got a paper script to turn in for more medicine.  I knew she would have enough medicine to last her through Friday.  When I had previously filled the prescription, I discovered that not all pharmacies keep this in stock.  So I began to try to fill this script Thursday morning.  I should have started on Wednesday.  At the regular pharmacy, I was told it would not come in until Monday.  She graciously called the other one down the street and they were out, also.  Then she called another one about two miles away and they had it in stock.  So off I went.  In entering the information into the computer, the clerk was prompted to call for approval.  She called and then told me that the "adjuster" had informed Workman's Comp. that the case was now closed and the claim denied.  I called home and tried to get my wife and/or her cousin to call the doctor to see what was going on, which they did.  That person said she would call the lawyer and get it straightened out.  By this time. it was getting close to 5:00 and noboby was going to do anything.  So on Friday morning, after dropping my granddaughters off at school, I returned to the pharmacy with a letter that said if there was a problem to call a certain number.  Again, the young lady called and then informed me that the company that would pay for the medicine was going to get in touch with the "adjuster" and make it right.  By 5:00 yesterday evening, nothing had happened.  I asked the pharmacy how much this would cost without the insurance and it was $150.00.  I was all set to go back last night and just pay the money, but she said no, she wasn't going to pay the money.  In the last phone conversation with the pharmacy, we learned that the "adjuster" works on Saturdays and it could possibly be okayed this morning.  So now we wait.  She has no pills left and is going to depend on a lesser strength medication.  I would have just paid the money.

Hardhead.

I am willing to bet that sometime this morning I will be going to the pharmacy and doling out the money for the pills.

Hardhead.

The observation:  I firmly believe that the Workman Compensation people are trained and programmed to deny any and all initial claims when they are first submitted.  Then when the second request comes in, they okay payment.  Over the four + years that we have had to deal with this, she has had 5 MRI's, several X-rays, physical therapy, pool therapy, been seen by ten different doctors, been under surveillance by a man with a camera and now she needs surgery.  The doctor who is currently treating her and will do the surgery made the comment and I quote..........."The money that they (Workman's Comp) have wasted in delaying the inevitable would be more than enough to cover the cost of the surgery."  Unquote.

sheesh.

However, aside from the ranting.............Happiness is waking up and looking out the window and seeing nothing but fog and it's your day off and you don't have to go to work.

Larryj