Just because I had this photo on hand. This is what I see as I work up in the office/studio.
It’s my happy cabinet.
Thanks for all the input on dental insurance. We had great insurance through the union and now, through mishandling things on a massive level, we don’t. We were told this would be in place for the rest of our lives but we had it for only four years. The anger and rage I feel toward SAG/AFTRA is real. I don’t know what to do. We also don’t know how much will be covered in terms of Don’s shots for macular degeneration. I understand that some of you pay out of pocket – some mentioned that they do that for implants and crowns.
That’s not really possible for us, at least on a long-term basis. And we won’t be working until well into next year.
Anyway, I appreciate your thoughts and though I’m constantly worried about this, and so is Don, we decided to take today and tomorrow off from worrying and then on Friday, we’ll get back into researching it. Frankly, after we were told that we had insurance with the union and I cried with happiness when the woman on the phone told us we would always have it, I never expected this to happen. I even wrote about that phone call on the blog. I somehow kid myself that we’re in good shape now, that we don’t have to worry anymore, but that isn’t true, is it? We’re still paying a mortgage because we purchased our first-time home so late in life, insurance can be taken away from us, and we’ve certainly see people who paid into their pensions all their working life, suddenly lose them. And of course, there are the devastating losses so many are experiencing in the pandemic; loss of loved ones, loss of jobs, loss of small businesses nurtured for years. None of that was expected, and so many are grieving.
I’m a pretty positive person but I don’t mind saying that I’m having a hard time of it right now. I fantasize about winning just enough money to pay off our house, which would free us up a great deal. Hey, it’s not impossible, right? Anyway, enough. I have to trust that I’ll be guided in the right direction on all of this.
Today we’re going to remove the window air conditioner units (about time, right?) and do a small amount of organizing in the shed. But that’s it. We went grocery shopping yesterday after determining that the guy coming to pick up the dumpster was at least an hour and half away from arriving. The store was packed, of course. But we got everything we needed, came home, disinfected everything, washed all the veggies, made some lunch, washed the sheets. Then the guy came to pick up the dumpster and carried it away leaving yet another huge rut on our front lawn – in addition to all the ruts he made in the back while trying to maneuver the truck. Between this truck and the vehicles that were used in our tree trimming and removal, we have a big mess around here. I’m not sure how to deal with it; I suppose we’ll leave it until spring.
But the dumpster is gone and we’ve patted ourselves on the back for finally doing something we’ve been threatening to do for several years. We did it! It was a massive job, but boy oh boy, it was worth it. And when we’re gone, no one will have to deal with it.
We’ll have our version of a Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. Vegetarian, of course. We use the Holiday Roast made by Gardein. It’s delicious. We’ll steam some veggies, I’m going to try a crock-pot version of mashed potatoes, I might make my biscuits, and Don will make that incredible no-sugar apple pie. We’re looking forward to it.
Thought I’d share this photo we found in the shed. This is me on our honeymoon (which was just two days long as Don was doing a show and I had to get back to teaching.) We were in the Sierras and I was wearing my boot. I broke my ankle a couple of months before our wedding and much to my dismay, it hadn’t healed completely enough for me to go without it at our wedding. So I pulled a stretchy white sock over it and came down a flight of stairs in a wedding gown and white boot. I think I’ve shown a picture of it before on the blog.
I just tried to find it on the blog to no avail. I’ll share it with you another day.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
I lost dental and eye one year after I retired…I started making payments. I admit had to use money from selling house for crowns…but after that, when I had another one–made payments. Dental is so expensive it seems that I just keep paying out of pocket…I know horrible…Hope you have a good day tomorrow…lots to be thankful for after election…my southern family camping in mountains to isolate and get kids in fresh air…family here isolating tomorrow in home…I am isolating in apartment and am happy to do it…made veggie lasagna today for today and tomorrow…they offered to bring food-no sense in that…let’s just do the holidays and enjoy the way we must…take care dear one and be safe…
Crock pot mashed potatoes have been life changing for me!
We usually have extended family here for holidays and having those potatoes cooking and then keeping warm in the crock pot is so helpful when you are trying to get everything else done and on the table.
This year we will only have our daughter’s family here and we see them regularly.
There will be mashed potatoes in the crock pot.
Have a lovely Thanksgiving day tomorrow.
Stay safe
I’m looking forward to making them in the crock pot, Marilyn!
Stay safe.
P.S. I was sad when I retired from teaching after 18 1/2 years to learn that I had no real retirement-just a payoff into an IRA that taxes me horribly each time I take money out to use. I had a home-my son and I paid for it…when we sold it, my money bought a car and crowns for mouth…lol…it is not easy living as seniors…but wait a minute, Claudia…Social Security is giving us a raise…mine is about 10.00 a month…oh wait a minute…Medicare and supplement going up…lol…sorry just a little irony today…still I am happy about so much in my life and I live simply…take care again…prayers…
You look adorable in your Annie Hall style hat. Have a blessed Thanksgiving. God bless us, every one.
hej, christine …
amen to that last sentence you wrote … God does bless us all!
stay safe!
kathy in iowa
You, as well, Christine!
Stay safe.
good luck on your insurance decision! just like the dumpster and its contents being gone, i know you’ll be relieved to have a decision made and a plan in place.
nice photo … you are very photogenic!
i wish you, don and everyone else here an easy day today and a very safe, healthy thanksgiving tomorrow. i count you among all my blessings.
kathy in iowa
Thank you Kathy! The same to you.
Stay safe.
I only have Medicare Part D and no dental. Its awful. I’ve no money for supplements. I’m in the process of apply for help with my Osteoporosis med from the drug company. Pretty sure I qualify. Its not easy on the little money I get but survive I will. Wishing you a lovely day and a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Your local council on aging has a shine or ship program that will take all the info about your meds and medical needs and recommend the best Medicare replacement or Medicare supplement plan for you. I just became Medicare eligible this year and they helped me. In Massachusetts it’s a program called shine.
Survive we will, Linda!
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia. My husband and i are both going through the insurance bs as well. We found out, however, that since we have no income, our state has Medicade, which I qualify for at no cost. Dental and eye included. Deep breath for me. Hopefully my state will continue this program until things are better. It certainly makes your heart drop. Love this picture. You are glowing. Have a lovely holiday everyone!
Glad to know you have coverage, Verna!
Stay safe.
I am sorry about your insurance troubles.
Here is something that might lift your spirits –
HGTV is having a four-episode series spotlighting nine teams composed of country’s top miniaturists as they vie to build the merriest mini holiday houses. It starts Friday, November 27, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. It is called Biggest Little Christmas Showdown and you can find more about it on HGTV’s website.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Don!
Yes, I heard about that. I hope it’s good! So far, anything I’ve seen with miniatures on television has been rather simplistic.
Stay safe, Ellen!
We pay out of pocket for dental and it is actually cheaper than insurance. We had to pay something like 1500 for 1700 dollars worth of insurance for the year. And we would use way less than 1500. We now pay cash and the dentist etc give us a knock down price because they don’t have to deal with red tape and phone calls. Also we find if we pay by check not credit card, they take a little off because the credit card people would take their share out of the figure we are paying.
Thanks, Jan.
Stay safe!
That is an exquisite photograph from your honeymoon
Like others have said, I am sorry for the changes to your insurance. I now have to pay for medical cover as a condition of my retirement visa, and do miss the wonderful NHS.
You are a magnificent curator of words Claudia- could you look to publish to pay off your mortgage?
Siobhan
I have no idea what I would write about!
Stay safe, Siobhan!
Darling photo of you, Claudia; you’re a gal who can wear hats when a lot more of us just look stupid in them!
I feel your money woes; we bought this old house in our 60s, so guess how WE feel when most anyone we know (except us) is mortgage-free at this ‘retirement’ age? Mortgage til our last breath here; that, and those insurance premiums/costs at the start of each month and after everything else is paid like utilities (our City bill is ridiculous; $100/mo for water and sewer with a separate bill for trash pickup alone), only THEN do we eat. And sometimes? Eat what’s in the pantry; bring out the dried beans and cheap boxes of pasta. But if we have a roof over our head; if we have food? Our medicines? Gratitude.
Speaking of eating, just took a mini tour of our town when going out early for what I hope is my last medical appointment in awhile, as I don’t want to be ‘out there’ in the Covid world, and what few restaurants we have left on Main Street? Going strong for breakfast. But I can see why we’re shutting down all restaurants for in-dining/out-dining tomorrow; they’re not doing it right. The tables aren’t spaced far enough apart; of course people are eating, so no masks. The outdoor dining they’ve tried to set up isn’t free-circulating-air when they’ve tried to close up the sides for privacy and protection from sun/cold/wind; just exchanging one ‘enclosed’ space for another. Makes no sense. My husband and I just shook our heads; NO WAY would we risk eating out like that! To each his own but, man, seems too risky. But I wish the restaurant owners good luck with takeout/delivery; can’t imagine how hard this is for them with all they did to try to reopen, just to get shut down again.
And speaking of weather, Santa Ana winds for us tomorrow (starting tonight) and, get this: We’ve been warned to expect mandatory power shutoff, like specifically for my block/my section of town. When everybody’s frig/freezers are full for Thanksgiving meals; stocked up as they’ve suggested for not going out to the grocery store as often. If my husband and I lose the contents of our two refrigerators (we never unplugged the other one; it’s a very crowded kitchen), I don’t know when we can replace that food anytime soon; so much expense. The reason for power shutoff is a hedge against wildfire because we’re ripe for it with the low humidities and having had no rain of any real or lasting significance in, what, nearly a year? The hills and canyons are DRY. So, what’s called a red-flag warning for us. And a strong wind event, not a mild one. Warm Thanksgiving Day afternoon and biggest wind in the night tomorrow, so good luck trying to sleep these 2 or 3 or more nights with all the noise. Oh well. Welcome to Southern California at this time of year.
I feel you’re wise to try to take off a couple of days from worry. And that should include news/headlines. You and Don have done a lot of work; relax and now and watch some good movies. I’m going to try to do the same amid stuff going on in my life right now that is causing me stress. We’ve got a free multi-premium channels weekend for Thanksgiving on DirecTV starting today thru I think the 29th, already in full swing and, man, am I taking advantage of it; recording free (and commercial-free!) movies like crazy here. We’re basic-channels people here, so this is a real treat.
Finally seeing ‘fall color’ around town; such a joy to see the reds and oranges and yellows in a few trees so that we feel we get a real ‘autumn’ here; I always have to remember to not hurry it; that, for here, it’s always late Nov/early Dec for our turning leaves.
My doctor was supposed to be in Virginia today but instead she’s here this morning treating patients, saying she of course cancelled her trip for Thanksgiving as the warnings became more dire for flying and traveling; in her case, she’d also have to quarantine for 14 days afterward and she said she’d backlog too many patients. But she said she’s not delaying her wedding any further and even if it’s 5 people and not 250, she and her fiance are going thru with modified plans a few months from now.
By the way, in terms of what you said about OM and continuing to make him irrelevant, saw this flashed up on one of the news shows a couple of nights ago, and I confess to say I don’t know anything much about John Brennan, former CIA director for Pres Obama (my bad; I should know) but I guess he tweeted this:
“I now plan to ignore Trump.
I leave his fate to our judicial system.
His infamy to history.
And his legacy to a trash heap.”
Amen. Happy Thanksgiving to all here, and you & Don, too, Claudia.
John Brennan has been outspoken about Trump during the past four years.
Gosh, I hope there is no problem with your power, especially with a packed fridge!
Stay safe, Vicki.
I so feel for you with the insurance issue. I know I would be in a world of financial hurt if I was dealing with that and anger is so justified in a case like yours. I hope you’ll find a reasonable solution.
Love your happy cabinet! And your Vintage by Crystal friends!
Well done on the shed and the other projects. You have accomplished so much in the past weeks and I admire your energy, which is far beyond mine these days. I hope you two will have a lovely, restorative Thanksgiving.
Thank you, Jeanie.
You, as well!
Stay safe.
Made our stuffing, sw potatoes and turkey today. So we are ready. We always do it all a day ahead so it isn’t so busy in the kitchen on Thurs. With no one here, I guess it was just habit that we worked all day!! Too funny! But it is done except to mash some potatoes tomorrow.
So the idiot started his pardon-palooza today. 4:00 on the night before Thanksgiving. Pardoned for lying to the FBI. So horrible. What a complete disgrace he continues to be.
Yes, I’m hoping it will come back to bite him in the butt because Flynn can no longer plead the Fifth if he is called to testify.
Stay safe, Chris.
Regarding dental coverage – have you tried your local Community Health Center? These are non-profit organizations, usually providing dental care and no one is turned away. Based on income, they offer sliding scale payments. These centers are supported by Federal, State and often local funds. New Paltz has a center on Main Street.
Best of luck on your search.
I’ve been in our center and I’m not sure they provide dental. I’ll check into that.
Thanks, Anne.
Stay safe.
My 80 year old mother has been needing a ton of dental work and has been going to a dental school for the work. She pays them out of pocket but she said they’re much cheaper than the regular dentist. Just a thought.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Don. It’ll be just Brian and I at home tomorrow. We found a small stuffed turkey tenderloin at Trader Joe’s and I’ll make mashed potatoes, a bourbon corn casserole, Brussels sprouts with pecans, and cranberry-orange relish. We’re going to have a Zoom meeting later in the day with extended relatives.
Enjoy your day with Brian, Melanie!
Stay safe.
If only we didn’t need insurance, life would be so much simpler and money wouldn’t be so tight. Alas.
Putting worries away for a few days and concentrating on all the joys for which we give thanks. Easy to say, harder to do; but they don’t say mind-over-matter for nothing.
Bless us each and every one with love and care.
Thank you, Roxie!
Stay safe.
Happy Early T’giving Day. Just read the tragic ending for Barb of Sweet Tea and Sandals Blog…two days or so after his 70th and few days before their 50th…prayers for her and her lovely family…her story will touch many…
I’m not familiar with that blog, Brenda, but I’m sorry to hear that news.
Stay safe!