This morning’s sunrise. Purple and gold.
Yesterday was an time-suck of a day, trying and trying to get through to NY State of Health, which administers the Affordable Care Act here in New York state. The deadline for enrolling is today. Whether due to high demand or a faulty phone system or both, every time we tried to call, we would go through all the commands and be put on hold, terrible 70’s movie soundtrack music playing in the background, only to be cut off. Over and over again.
I was a wee bit panicked because we had to add some information – like the fact that I’m starting to get Social Security this month (Yikes!) and that Don will be changing the policy next June when he is eligible for Medicare (Double Yikes!) – and that had to be done with a person on the other end of the line. Finally (and take my advice – this often works) I tweeted them. As I looked down the list of tweets and replies, I saw that many, many, MANY people were having the same problem. They finally responded, asking me to leave a Direct Message with our phone number, etc. and they would have a Rep call. And lo and behold, they did.
I find the whole thing exhausting. (This is not a political discussion by the way. I know many people who are finally able to get health insurance after many years without it. And it’s the law of the land.) Anyway, it isn’t easy for freelancers like us, because they want to know where we’ll be working in 2016 and we have no idea. So whatever number they come up with isn’t accurate and then we’re supposed to keep them informed about changes in our income, and it’s a pain in the tush, because we forget to. We ended up having to pay a penalty on this year’s taxes because our income changed. And we’ll have to do it next year, as well.
I’m very happy one of us is getting Medicare next year. I never thought I would say I was looking forward to it, but I am. Even under the Affordable Health Care Act, we pay a lot of money every month for insurance – more than we can afford.
Enough of that.
This arrived in the mail yesterday.
I snagged it for $9.99 on eBay.
It’s the Clematis pattern. I really like it.
Interesting side note: Don really likes Roseville Pottery. He likes it even more than the McCoy. He likes it so much that he wants this piece on the coffee table in the living room, where he can see it from his chair.
The other side.
I am in love with this stuff. But I have to back off from eBay for a while.
Thank you for all the comments yesterday on the magazine article. You guys have watched the dollhouse evolve over the years, step by step, piece by piece. You have an investment in the whole process. And to be perfectly honest, knowing you were out there, anxious to see updates and cheering me on, was often the push I needed.
So thank you.
Happy (IKEA) Tuesday.
That is a beautiful piece of pottery Claudia. It’s nice that both of you share a love for the same things. I hope you have a great day at IKEA. I can waste a whole day walking around that place. :-). It’s a good thing the nearest one is over 300 miles away! Blessings, Betsy
Ours is 90 minutes away on a good day, so it’s a real trek for us. A long day!
Oh health care issues are a mess for sure. I know how you feel, I was ever so excited last June to finally get Medicare! Who knew turning 65 would make me happy! It’s costs a bit but worth it!! Enjoy IKEA! I love the Roseville you are finding. Great score on the bowl!
hugs,
Linda
Thanks, Linda!
That’s a gorgeous bowl. I love the edge work and the shape of the handles.
I hope your trip to IKEA is successful!
Thanks, Sue!
Love that new piece. Gorgeous. John always loved the McCoy so it made it fun when we were out and I found a new piece of McCoy. So, glad that Don’s on board. LOL
Have a wonderful day!
Judy
Don likes McCoy, but I think he’s become a real fan of Roseville, Judy. You’re right – it makes it a lot more fun when we’re out and about.
As to the Affordable Care Act-only the single largest oxymoron yet. Just saying. The yolk’s on us, certainly never on the powers that be, you know, the ones that always know what is best for us. Again, just saying.
Have fun on your outing!
Chris
Well, I don’t know how to respond to that as I support the ACA. Even though health care is expensive for us, it would be a hell of a lot more expensive without it, that’s for sure.
The insurance market place is a nightmare no matter what state you are in! So confusing…too many choices. I go on Medicare in March…I’m hoping it will be better. Pretty bowl…sounds like it will sit center stage! Have fun at IKEA! ;)
I hear Medicare is a lot better. But I’ve got to wait two years. At least one of us will be on it next year.
The pottery is lovely. I’m rapidly becoming quite enamoured with several of the patterns, much to the consternation of my daughter. We have been contemplating moving back into a house for a while and yesterday we drove past a beautifully restored Arts and Crafts style bungalow. Wouldn’t that make a fitting home for some Roseville? Ah well, add it to my already long wish list..
Have fun at IKEA! The nearest one to us is on the far side of the adjoining city. Bit of a hike even in good weather, but the readymade frames are the perfect affordable finish for commissioned work. (And the cafeteria at that location is awesome!)
We lived in an Arts and Crafts bungalow in San Diego and Roseville is just perfect in that setting! Am I inspiring a collection, perhaps?
We ate lunch at IKEA and it was very tasty.
Beautiful bowl. What a wonderful present to yourself and the timing of the delivery was perfect after that horrendous experience with your health insurance. I don’t like dealing with huge government agencies, especially those who deal directly with the public. I had an appointment at DMV to renew my driver’s license and even with an appointment I had to wait half an hour. Good thing I bring a book or knitting wherever I go….
It’s always stressful isn’t it? No matter how much I tell myself to relax, I get very tense!
Know exactly where you are coming from about the insurance. So relieved to go on Medicare in October. Even with my medigap policy, I am paying WAY less than I was and better coverage, too. Ikea is one of my favorite places just to walk and look. Our closest one is in Atlanta a little over an hour’s drive away. Enjoy your day. Oh by the way, I love the pottery, too.
This IKEA is an hour and a half away from us – in New Jersey. That’s why we don’t go there very often. It’s an all-day thing.
Beautiful piece of pottery at an extraordinary price. Happy IKEAing today,
looking forward to hearing about your adventures there.
We had a good day but we’re exhausted!
That piece is just lovely!! I can see why Don wants to be able to have it within eye’s view!
Have fun at IKEA, but don’t over-do! A stop in the cafeteria once or twice will give your ankle some rest….. ? (and Don some Swedish meatballs!!)
I was happy to see you made the decision to collect your SS so you can benefit from it and maybe even enjoy a bit of it! We worked HARD for that monthly check for many many years.
What a mess w/ this latest threat in LA and NYC and how each handled it. Terror is defined in so many ways. There appears to be no “right way” to handle any of it.
Can’t wait to see your IKEA purchases!! Hope it was a very fun day.
I listened to everyone’s advice about SS and thought to myself – why not get it NOW? Especially when certain candidates would like to abolish it and give us a ‘stipend’ instead. NO WAY.
Such a handsome bowl! Several years ago I found a blue sugar bowl and creamer in that pattern for $29 in a thrift shop and snapped the set up for our younger daughter. Your $9.99 bid truly was a winner!
I hope you and Don are having a great time at IKEA. Ours is on the far side of Houston so se don’t go often, but always have fun.
I couldn’t believe no one else bid on it, Margaret!
Gorgeous bowl Claudia…Yay..it’s finally IKEA day!!Can’t wait to see what you buy!
It will be a while before the unveiling. We have to paint the room and put everything together and my ankle is tired!
I bet you were happy to open a piece that wasn’t broken! :) That’s a beautiful bowl – I don’t blame Don for wanting to keep it in eyesight.
The seller packed it extremely well – the way things SHOULD be packed, Debbie!