kirajh

The reason for inflated prices is that is what they charge for non-insured....to make up for what they have to write off. Anyway, that's how I see it. When I spent those two months in the hospital, my bill was pretty close to half a mil. Insurance settled the bill for, (Ithink) somewhere around thirty or forty thousand. Before DH retired we had excellent insurance through the Teamsters Union. $10 copay for doctor, $5.00 for scrips. Dental and optical. plus this included all immediate family members. Now, that he is retired, we have to pay $300./month......pay the first $100.00.....and then a small percentage of the bill. Scrips are the same and we have no dental or optical. Candace - okay, here's the toughy. How much or should I say, what percentage of your wages does Canada take out for taxes? Or how does Canada pay for their health care? I don't think a whole lot of how they want to cover the costs here. Seems they want those who have something to give most of what they have so those who don't have anything has just as much as those who do. That's wrong. Most of who Obama wants to tax higher are those who supply most of the business's and jobs. If they are taxed more, they won't be able to hire as many employees, they will have to charge more for their products, business will go out people won't be able to spend much etc etc etc. Will we be better off? I don't think so. OKAY NOW......NO MORE POLITICS HERE. SORRY I STARTED THIS TOPIC CAUSE POLITICS ARE A TABOO SUBJECT. TTYL or should I say tomorrow. Oh yeah, about the directions. Just give me the easiest shortest route there is. And the fastest. I used to have a good sense of direction, but old age is setting in and it just aint what it used to be.

Janet - I can see why those are your favorite pics. They are absolutely gorgeous. You've got some beautiful grandkids. That middle one is.......well, let's hope your son has some strong locks for her door. And you are looking fantastic!!!!! You aught to use that pic for your Christmas card. Candace - DH wants the lowdown on your health system. I can't believe what they are trying to do here. It is outrageous!!! I still haven't heard from my cousin yet so I am planning on leaving my house probably about 9am thursday. Went to the library today and checked out three audio books. See if that makes the drive better. So, that should get me to your place ........when? Late afternoon, early evening?? Can't wait. I'm bring my digital camera with me. Hope someone there can show me how to download and post online pictures. Okay, I'll check back later.....or tomorrow. Have a good night.

Karla - when I was in a losing mode, I ate pretty much the same stuff every day. Find something that works and wear it out. I usually had oatmeal for breakfast and I would make an omelet for lunch using egg beaters ( 2 eggs worth) and two pieces of fat free cheese. Then, for dinner I had a lean cousine and once or twice a week, I'd cook something and shqre it with DH. Plus exersizing. I was loosing 8-10 lbs a month which m fill doctor says is the norm. And, it took me ten months of fills to finally get restriction. Bandeversary date was July 16th. We're hqaving the same weather here that Linda and Candace are having. (well, duh, I'm about halfway between them). I can handle it pretty well. I am getting so excited. Can't wait. I forgot about cell phones and it being Canada. I have Verizon and I can call and have an add on just for the month for international calls. I gotta remember to do that.

Karla - when I was in a losing mode, I ate pretty much the same stuff every day. Find something that works and wear it out. I usually had oatmeal for breakfast and I would make an omelet for lunch using egg beaters ( 2 eggs worth) and two pieces of fat free cheese. Then, for dinner I had a lean cousine and once or twice a week, I'd cook something and shqre it with DH. Plus exersizing. I was loosing 8-10 lbs a month which m fill doctor says is the norm. And, it took me ten months of fills to finally get restriction.

I'm sorry (not) to say the DH won't be coming with me. I volunteered his services to help retile the bathrooms at church, and they're starting next week. Besides, he's not a social creature. Right now, I am planning on leaving Weds. morning. But, we all know Murphy. Things can change in a heartbeat. Besides, I e-mailed my cousin and am waiting to hear back from him. I'd like to touch base with him cause I haven't seen him since my sister's funeral........six years ago.

yipee! ! ! ! It came. I won't be left behind!!

Okay, Ladies...........gonna post this here instead of FB cause I don't want anyone to change things over there. And Janet, this is for you mostly cause you aren't farming now and I need you to work my farm in both your and Andrew's name. Why? Whenever someone works my farm, I get a notice in my e-mail that "a friend has worked your farm, click here to pay them back". I used to delete them but I figured, what the heck. I clicked.........did the chore......Xed out and returned to the e-mail. But, I tried clicking again and it worked again. You can do this three times. thats $45. and 18 experience points. And, oh yeah, just like when you do it from your farm, you can do it about three different times a day. And it will still work the next day. So, I save those notices and everyday, I work farms and earn beau coup coins and $$. Just be sure if you do this, you do chores from your farm first, or it won't work. Okay, enough of FaceBook. Food wasn't too good today. I had a lean cousine for dinner but then had a craving and went and got a McFlurry. BAD!!! Karla - If your ex has insurance from his work (meaning he doesn't have to pay for it) Why can't he put your girls on it. As long as they are full time students, carrying at least 12 credits, they are covered until they are 23. There is usually just a simple form that the girls would have to have signed from the college and you send it to your ins. co. And, you don't even have to ask him. Have your girls ask him. Even if he is an A##**. Steph - go get that unfill. You do not want to burn out. That is not fun....I've been there, done that and don't want to do it again. Take time for yourself......son't self-destruct. Okay, I gotta go. Sure hope my pssport gets here soon. I can't wait till next week.

I'm going to cross over Pt. Huron, Sarnia The BlueWater Bridge I think its called. DH is not coming and to tell you the truth, it doesn't matter where I sleep. I've been known to pull up a piece of floor and sleep there. I'm going to go mapquest or should I say candace quest. I've got the directions you sent me. Janet,- I did not have q soda. Didn't go to the store either. Kind of forgot about it. I was going to have a lean Cousine for dinner but heck, had one of my fave's instead. Garlic mashed taters, country fried steak and corn on the cob. I'm ready to go snack right now, but I know if I do, it'll show up as acid reflux in about three hours................OUCH!! I think part of my downer is that I haven't been sleeping real good. Maybe it would help if I'd go to bed before one AM. So, gonna try to get upstairs soon. See you all tomorrow. And for those of you out in the Western part of the country, NO MORE FOOD.

I just got off the phone with the passport people. He said it's done but it doesn't show that it has been mailed. He said that if it hasn't been mailed yet that it will probably go out tonight. I have a tracking number for it so I'll give it till Thursday. Must be something in the air. Is it a full moon? I'm kind of down too today and I haven't felt like this in absolutely months and if everyone else is too,,,,,,,,well, it has to be something in the atmosphere. No soda today, but that doesn't mean I can't jump in the car and go buy one...................(that's the kind of mood I am in).......or maybe I could just go out and walk to the store. It's only a mile and a half. Hm-m-m-m Steph, I was at Walmart yesterday and looking at fabric. They had a fleece that was done in pink cammo with the pink breast cancer ribbon on it. I thought of you when I saw it. Have you seen the throws made of fleece? Two contrasting pieces put together and then fringed and the fringe is tied off. Don't know if that makes sense or not but..........it would look neat. I've never put one together but DD has make quite a few of them as gifts. Gotta go, gotta pay some bills. will check back in later.

I am planning on being there. I can't wait. Looking forward to it. But I am still waiting on my passport.jjI tried tracking it on line and they said they didn't have anything with my info on it. But I left my e-mail and they said they would get back to me in a couple days. So, I go back on line tomorrow and if there still isn't anything, I'll go back to the Post Office where I applied and see if they sent it in. They better have. OR ELSE!!! Things are really quiet around here since the kids went home. I still find it hard to believe that two kids ages almost 2 and 4 were here for four days and not once asked for their mom or dad or had any meltdowns. Gavin just wanted to know if he could stay longer. But, they do tire you out. Taking them back home Fri. we had to roll the windows down, going 80 MPH on the freeway cause they were squealing so loud. 4/80 is a lot quieter than 2/2&4.

I don't know, Candace. I think I'll win the saggy jowls and neck thingy. And the bat wings. And legs? Let me tell you Karla, I get joked about my chicken legs, but the wrinkles are atrocious. Almost makes me want to give up my shorts but, no way, I believe in being comfy. Phyl - I just quit using my C-pap. It was at something like 14 too and I would wake up in the mornings with a super sore nose' In fact, I haven't used it in a little over a year and my sinus' are still messed up. It really did a number on them and my nose just runs constantly. It's annoying. I just found out today that my DH's niece just had bypass surgery. The doctor told her if she didn't lose and lose fast, she wouldn't live to see 50. And that is just a couple years away. Well, we're sitting here waiting for DD to call and we are going to meet halfway for dinner and make the kid exchange. It's been a fun couple days. Well, gotta go, she just called and they are getting ready to leave. I'll check back later.

WELCOME TO CAMP GRAMMAGRAMPA!!!! My DD's best friend from Montana came to visit and took her daughter to camp so now DD brought her little ones to Camp Grammagrampa so they can have some quality time together to catch up. We've got them till Friday nite. Phyl and Steph - the quilt is just gorgeous. As soon as I learn how to download pictures to my computer and how to post them, I'll post some of my quilts to show you. Food issues are much better and I'm still pedaling an hour a day but I need to get back to a gym and start working out again. Oh yeah, I'm still waiting for my passport to get here. It took DH & DD only seven days to get theirs. It's been over three weeks, maybe even four and I'm still waiting. Say a prayer that it comes, and soon.

Hey Phyl - sounds like it's Earl's TOM.

HUGS, STEPH!!!! I can't believe how things have changed in just a few years. I used to leave my kids in the car, run into the store.......no big deal. BUT......we know there are those out there who never should have had kids so we must pay the price for their stupidity. I had something similar happen to me when my son was 18 months old. He figured out how to climb out of his crib. Clawed himself up the side and threw himself over the side. Onto toys, into his toy box, etc. Kid was a mass of bruises. i had to take him to the pediatrician and she took one look at his bruises and admitted him into the hospital.immediately.....do not pass go....do not collect $200.00. And the questions she asked. She all but asked me if I beat my kid. It turned out that no one had informed me that aspirin thinned out the blood and he had one ear infection after another because he was lactose intolerant. It really was a scary time. I was afraid to disapline him because I thought Big Brother was watching etc. So, my prayers are with you. Janet - No, I'm not thumbing my nose at you. I just like soda.............and it calls to me real loud. You can't ignore it's voice. Candace- sounds like you're having a great time. Hope you've taken a lot of pictures. Looking forward to seeing them. Phyl - WHERE ARE YOU??? Has Earl tied you up and keeping you prisoner? Karla - I'm going thru the same dilemma. Fill or Unfill? Some days I just can't eat enough.. and other days when a couple bites fill me up. BUT........the acid reflux I am suffering at night makes me think I need an unfill. I'm just procrastinating. (I'm good at that) Still waiting for my passport. Left it to the last minute, as usual. But DD and DH got theirs in seven days. Why should mine be different? HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. WILL TALK WITH YOU ALL TOMORROW.

Week-end eating wasn't the greatest.............I figure, I've maintained. Today, now that's a different story. Bf-poptart lunch - bowl of french onion soup (45 cal) W/ 1half hamburger bun (50 cal) and low fat string cheese (80 Cal) Dinner- 1 lean cousine. (sun dried tomato pesto with chicken and pasta) ended up eating the chicken out of it (about five bite size pieces) two slices of zuccini, two pieces of corkscrew pasta................and I was stuffed. Two bottles of water so far and Yes, Janet, one can of ruby red squirt. Pedaled for 63 minutes and spent the entire afternoon out turning dirt in my perrenial garden. I'm not quite half done. Had to take two tylenol cause I am starting to stiffen up. (knees and back). More water and I'm done for the day. I hope so anyway. Karri - thanks for the food suggestions. I'm looking forward to trying your fauxtato salad. Sounds delish. Coliflower is one of my favorite veggies. That and sweet corn on the cob. Karla - WTG on the lost pounds. Doesn't it just feel wonderful? Gonna go now, See you all tomorrow. Have a good night.

Nice pics, Candace. Looks like you're having a great time. Gorgeous daughter. I see a lot of you in her. Are you bringing some of that wine home with you?

Today was NOT a good day for me. I think my brain got fried along with my nose and shoulders. Shake it off!!! Tomorrow's another day.

I was AWOL yesterday. My computer was down. I tried for three hours to get on and I couldn't. Seems I've used all my MB's and it slowed to dial up.(slower than). I went for a mammogram yesterday. Appt, was at 1:30 and it was almost 4:30 when I left. Talk about frustrating. I stopped by my sister's restaurant on the way home and picked up a small pizza for DH. Sat and talked with my sis and drank a soda. I've already had four bottles of water today and will probably have at least one more before bed. Candace, sounds like you're having a great time. Can't wait to see your photos. Hope you get a lot of them. I haven't used my C-pap in over a year. It was blowing to strong for me and I would wake in the morning with a sore nose. It got so bad that.............well, let's just say that my nose still drips constantly. I thought about having another sleep study, but, retirement health benefits suck. I haven't woken any one up with y snoring since I stopped using it, which is good.

Mylisa - I live in Michigan too, (SW Livingston county) but I haven't heard of them. OOPS, I just saw Harper Hospital. Still don't know anything about them. I couldn't wait for insurance approval so I ended up self pay in Mexico. Best thing I ever did. Well, day two back on the program. I'm doing pretty good, if I do say so myself. I haven't been totally good, but calories have been decent. No soda and I'm on my fifth or sixth bottle of water today. And I am getting full. Not able to finish my meals. They're advertising on tv again the pay for one PS and get a second free. I'm bound and determined I am going to do this. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT ALL. I'LL CHECK BACK WITH YOU ALL TOMORROW.

Taking shoes off isn't a problem for me. We've been doing that for years. I even take them off at other people's homes. It's second nature. My PCP lowered my thyroid meds six months ago. Just about the time those pounds started creeping back on. And I'm always cold, and constipated, eyebrows keep falling out. I have to have it checked but am waiting till I'm done procrastinating. Phyl - I like hot fudge sundaes. The other things you mentioned..............I haven't done without them so ice cream would be a treat for me cause I don't eat it too often. TTYL

Here I am. Just got home from being up north at a Graduation party. FOOD?????? I won't even touch that with a ten foot pole. Let's just say it left a whole lot to be desired. Or should I say I desired a whole lot? NO WORRY though. After weighing myself yesterday morning and knowing about today's party, I said to my self "Kari, eat, drink and be merry, for on Monday you get back on the program." I even got DH involved to help. I told him I wasn't cooking a whole lot, and no more garlic mashed taters,( he'll take baked) or soda and he said that was okay. SO..........KARLA AND LINDA How about a new challenge? I'll even make it easy on us. Five pounds by Canada, July 23. Hopefully it'll be more but....................shall we make a bet, Linda? The one of us who loses the least by the time we get to Canada has to buy the other one a drink. Or, a big hot fudge sundae. Winner's choice. Mqaybe we can get Candace in on it since she'll be living it up in France for two weeks. We can make her work double hard when she gets home. Okay, I need to get through yet, and it's getting pretty late so, I'll check back tomorrow. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT ALL, SLEEP TIGHT.

Hey Phyl The same thought crossed my mind when I read Karla's post. Brad would kill me if I did though.

Hello, Ladies You forgot me too. Welcome Connie. I also was self pay and went to Mexico. Where are you going and who is doing your surgery. I had Dr. Ortiz. Where do you live? Four hours is a hike for fills. Well, this forgettable lady needs to get back on the bike. We helped a friend move today and I only got 17 minutes in before we had to leave. TTYL

Worms might have too many calories, but they have a whole lot of protein. So forget the worms, just come to Canada. Applied for my passport today. Finally. I've got to be the worlds worst procrastinator. Or should I say the best? candace, are you ready to start farming? Food intake today is pretty good. Of course, I have to finish tying off a quilt and bind it by tomorrow night for a wedding shower. Yeah, my finger is blistering from pulling that needle through, fifty million times.

I meant to say DD not DH