Today I got a bill from Aetna for my Medicare Part D plan. $29.10 per month was supposed to be deducted from my Social Security check each month to cover the premium but somehow Aetna missed the boat and now sends me a bill for $116 and change - they thoughtfully, no doubt for my convenience, added on the April premium too.
So I called them to find out why the premium was not being deducted. They said I had not signed up for it and I asked if I could do so. No, not until I have a zero balance; but I was welcome to make a partial payment and the young man let me know how terribly generous they were....
Aetna: We also can deduct from your bank account so it won't come out of your Social Security.
Me: The only income we have in this house is from Social Security, so, ultimately it will come out of my Social Security.
Aetna: You could also put it on your credit card, that way, it won't affect your bank account either!
Me: Well, even if I put it on a credit card, it would still come out of my Social Security.
By now, it was getting a bit entertaining so I carried the phone in to Hubby's computer room so he could enjoy too....
Aetna: Oh, no! No, ma'am... if it was put on a credit card or deducted from your bank account it has absolutely no bearing on any money you get from Social Security.
Me: Okay, Social Security is the only income we have so any way I go about it - it will come from Social Security.
Aetna: No, absolutely not!
Me: You're from Washington, aren't you?
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The Butter Dilemma
It was a nice morning and I was in need of some onions to put in the 15-bean soup I was making for this evening's HopeKeepers meeting so Hubby and I decided to go out for breakfast, that way I wouldn't be making a trip to "town" for just one item.
We debated where to eat as we drove the 8 miles to town and decided to eat at one of the older, full service places instead of a fast-food establishment. It left us with 3 choices: Breakfast Nook, Simms, and Time Out Cafe.
Breakfast Nook has an omelet Hubby is very fond of, but they have a smoking section... More often than not, the desire for smoke free air outweighs the desire for the omelet - and since they are about 25% pricier than the other places they lose out more often than not.
Time Out Cafe has a great breakfast - and it is breakfast anytime - but they don't seem to have comfortable seating anywhere in the place. Plus trying to pay your check to get out of there is very unhandy. However, they have great carry out service and a lot of times on our way home from church I call in a take out order and we pick it up and bring it home.
So we went to Simms. Sat down in a booth, and looked over the menu. Hubby ordered an omelet, I ordered 2 eggs, scrambled - well done, with hash browns, bacon and whole wheat toast.
There was only one other table occupied when we went in - very unusual - to say the least. Normally at 8:30 AM on any day of the week the place is a bit crowded. Not today.
The waitress brought me a cup of coffee that tasted like they had brewed and re-brewed the same grounds for a few days, the non-dairy creamer I was given didn't do a thing to redeem it - it had a slight taste of diesel fuel. (uhmmm, yeah, I DO know what it tastes like!)
But the hash browns were perfectly crispy, my eggs were nice and done and the bacon was great. Then I took a bite of the toast. They had served me dry toast!
Why, WHY in the world would a restaurant serve dry toast?
Then comes one of those Great Debates....
Do I, as an almost-300 pound woman, ask for butter? Hmmm.....
I didn't.
We debated where to eat as we drove the 8 miles to town and decided to eat at one of the older, full service places instead of a fast-food establishment. It left us with 3 choices: Breakfast Nook, Simms, and Time Out Cafe.
Breakfast Nook has an omelet Hubby is very fond of, but they have a smoking section... More often than not, the desire for smoke free air outweighs the desire for the omelet - and since they are about 25% pricier than the other places they lose out more often than not.
Time Out Cafe has a great breakfast - and it is breakfast anytime - but they don't seem to have comfortable seating anywhere in the place. Plus trying to pay your check to get out of there is very unhandy. However, they have great carry out service and a lot of times on our way home from church I call in a take out order and we pick it up and bring it home.
So we went to Simms. Sat down in a booth, and looked over the menu. Hubby ordered an omelet, I ordered 2 eggs, scrambled - well done, with hash browns, bacon and whole wheat toast.
There was only one other table occupied when we went in - very unusual - to say the least. Normally at 8:30 AM on any day of the week the place is a bit crowded. Not today.
The waitress brought me a cup of coffee that tasted like they had brewed and re-brewed the same grounds for a few days, the non-dairy creamer I was given didn't do a thing to redeem it - it had a slight taste of diesel fuel. (uhmmm, yeah, I DO know what it tastes like!)
But the hash browns were perfectly crispy, my eggs were nice and done and the bacon was great. Then I took a bite of the toast. They had served me dry toast!
Why, WHY in the world would a restaurant serve dry toast?
Then comes one of those Great Debates....
Do I, as an almost-300 pound woman, ask for butter? Hmmm.....
I didn't.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Tattletale!!
"Maaammmaaaa!!!!!! The mean goats escaped! They're scaring away all the birdies!!"



"Bad goats... BAAADDDDD GOATS!!"

Thursday, January 1, 2009
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
The New Year Approaches
Some may be intimidated by the thought of a new year coming. Not me. MY resolution for the approaching year? NO RESOLUTIONS!!!!
Nope.
Nada.
Ain't gonna happen.
Granted, there are things I want to accomplish this year, goals I want to see come to fruition, but I'm not going to make a big deal out of them. I'm just going to keep working in the general direction.
I want Hubby's Botox treatments for his headache (the one he's had since 1990!!) to be approved.
I would LOVE to see the attic completed. Or at least see the plumbing put in up there? Another potty in the house would be great! I mean, come on - is that asking too much??!?!?
In the grand scheme of things, I already have more than I deserve. I have a wonderful hubby who loves me, a cozy house, and 2 snuggly kitties. Every spring I have beautiful flowers blooming in the yard (thanks to a past owner!) I can enjoy, and once in a while one of the Pygmy goats has a baby to admire and spoil.
A New Year?!?!? Bring it on!!!
Nope.
Nada.
Ain't gonna happen.
Granted, there are things I want to accomplish this year, goals I want to see come to fruition, but I'm not going to make a big deal out of them. I'm just going to keep working in the general direction.
I want Hubby's Botox treatments for his headache (the one he's had since 1990!!) to be approved.
I would LOVE to see the attic completed. Or at least see the plumbing put in up there? Another potty in the house would be great! I mean, come on - is that asking too much??!?!?
In the grand scheme of things, I already have more than I deserve. I have a wonderful hubby who loves me, a cozy house, and 2 snuggly kitties. Every spring I have beautiful flowers blooming in the yard (thanks to a past owner!) I can enjoy, and once in a while one of the Pygmy goats has a baby to admire and spoil.
A New Year?!?!? Bring it on!!!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Gray and rainy
But its better than snow - or worse yet, sleet!
Our furnace is acting up - it keeps blowing cold air. We had it installed in 2005 so I would think it would still be under warranty. The HVAC guy says it is a "rollout switch"?? (rollover?? durn if I know!!) anyway, Hubby has to turn off the breaker then go into the attic and re-start the whole thing later. HVAC guy came and did something to it, and said if it keeps misbehaving he will order a new switch. Needless to say, he HAS been called to get a new switch!
Good thing we kept the infrared propane heater in here when we had the central heat put in. We would have been in trouble a few times.
December 23, 7pm our HopeKeepers group is having a "footwashing" again. Last year a good time was had by all - and soft, smooth feet reigned throughout the Lindley Christian Church. Anyone who thinks they are interested in attending - drop me a line!
Our furnace is acting up - it keeps blowing cold air. We had it installed in 2005 so I would think it would still be under warranty. The HVAC guy says it is a "rollout switch"?? (rollover?? durn if I know!!) anyway, Hubby has to turn off the breaker then go into the attic and re-start the whole thing later. HVAC guy came and did something to it, and said if it keeps misbehaving he will order a new switch. Needless to say, he HAS been called to get a new switch!
Good thing we kept the infrared propane heater in here when we had the central heat put in. We would have been in trouble a few times.
December 23, 7pm our HopeKeepers group is having a "footwashing" again. Last year a good time was had by all - and soft, smooth feet reigned throughout the Lindley Christian Church. Anyone who thinks they are interested in attending - drop me a line!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
There's a Chill In The Air!
I do believe Autumn is coming. I see the big black-and-yellow garden spiders have their webs built all over the property, we have even had a couple days when the furnace has been on, leaves are beginning to change.
On the other hand, my bones don't appreciate the cooler weather. Oh well, I suppose this is one of the "rewards" of getting older maybe? God's way of telling me to take it easier?
It is knitting weather - I can sit and knit for hours - when my hands don't hurt!
It is also "baking" weather. This is the time of year when all the baking I didn't do in the summer because the weather was too hot is welcome. Nothing warms the house quite as well as a batch of cookies!
On the other hand, my bones don't appreciate the cooler weather. Oh well, I suppose this is one of the "rewards" of getting older maybe? God's way of telling me to take it easier?
It is knitting weather - I can sit and knit for hours - when my hands don't hurt!
It is also "baking" weather. This is the time of year when all the baking I didn't do in the summer because the weather was too hot is welcome. Nothing warms the house quite as well as a batch of cookies!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)

