ValerieJo

Sorry I've missed so many posts.  It looks like many of you are traveling and having a wonderful time.  So glad you are having some great experiences.

Things around here have been a little stressful, but we are handling everything as best we can. Just the ebb and flow of life, I guess.   As the quote from "Finding Nemo" goes, "Just, keep swimming" 🙂

For those of you who have had birthdays, Happy Birthday to all.  To those who are ill, I wish you a speedy recovery and future good health.  Continued prayers for safety for all.

@taznremmy  Pat, what a great picture. I remember going on the ferry and to the Statue of Liberty as a kid (a very long time ago) I believe it was during the 1964 Worlds Fair.  😱

@BonTexasNY  It really is just so sad that a child can even think of doing something like that.  Heartbreaking.

11 hours ago, Tree_skier said:

Picked my wife’s new car today 😀

 

 

then took it down to Seal Beach.

 

Love the red!   Probably 90% of the cars I’ve ever owned have been red.  

Dinner last night was fresh Walleye about 18” straight out of the lake.  Delicious! 

50 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

Happy Labor Day to my fellow Americans!  Although Labor Day for many means the end of the summer, it kicks off my favorite time of the year...football season. 😁  It's also the start of a great few months here.  The summer crowds die down, and the weather stays really nice for a few more months.  Golf is so much more fun with slightly lower temps and greatly lower humidity levels.  Great beach day today, although still a little warm at 88F.  Live beach cam view:

Live Beach Cam - The Amelia Island Club

 

 

Thank you.  Kind of the last hurrah up here at the lake.  Some of the people are beginning to take their boats out for the season.   We’ll keep ours in for a couple more weeks.  We’re already seeing the beginnings of the leaves changing.  Sad to see summer coming to an end.  Go Lions! 🦁 

@dani negreanu  So sad to hear about the latest round of violence.  I pray every day for peace and for everyone’s safety.

@taznremmy  Pat, Hope you have a wonderful time on your cruise.  Tell John and Laura we’re looking forward to Bella 2.0 & 2.5.  😊

3 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Now I'm worried.    When Eric became eligible for medicare this past March he selected a Medicare Advantage PPO plan thru Aetna to cover part C & D.     To date, he has had no issues with any of his specialty meds and all his doctors (transplant, primary and eye doc) have been part of their network and co-pays have been the same or less than what he paid when he with BCBS thru employer plan.   

There was one medication that Aetna rejected when we went to refill in April but then his doctor stepped in advising Aetna that he is a transplant recipient and it has been covered at a cost of $0.10 for a 90-day supply since April.    

Fingers crossed we don't run into any future problems with the advantage plan.   

It’s just crazy that there isn’t just simple health insurance coverage for all of Medicare recipients.

 I also just signed up for the Medicare Aetna PPO Advantage Plan for my part C & D.  I’m happy to read that you’re not having any problems with it.  I’ve read that there are less problems with Advantage Plans if you’re in a large metropolitan area.  

It is my understanding that I have a year to try the Advantage plan and can change to traditional Medicare supplements if I’m not happy with my plan.  Thanks for sharing your experience. 

48 minutes ago, George C said:

I talked to my doctor about that and he gave me a business card of an independent broker. I have had Medicare part A for a decade but totally covered by my wife’s plan , so before she retires I need part B , D and supplemental coverage.

This is the boat I have been in.  Automatically got part A when I turned 65.  I’ve been under hubs plan until July 31.  Then had to get Part B and supplements on short notice.  So many details to pay attention to.  Plus, things not only vary by state but down to your zip code.  

21 minutes ago, helen haywood said:

Oh dear, @ValerieJo, I hate to hear about your experience with Medicare!  I’ll be eligible next May and have been wondering when to start the process.  My current (self insured) insurance company is negotiating with the primary hospital organization here…and it looks like it may not work out.  My PA and my ortho doctor would still be in network (however, my ortho doctor only for office visits; he performs surgery at the soon to be out of network hospital) but any tests I’ve previously had at the really nice hospital will have to be done somewhere else.  I thought if I could just stay healthy until May I’d be OK.  Now it sounds like I’m going to anticipate snafus getting registered for Medicare.  I’ve made a note to go to an office in person.

Definitely talk to your doctors and see what they take and possibly what they recommend.   You could also talk to an insurance broker who handles many plans that are available in your state.   This company was helpful in answering many of my questions.  (No obligation). boomerbenefits.com.  You may want to also check any Senior programs in your community.  Good luck and it’s good to start researching early. 

3 minutes ago, Arzeena said:

We have had one at a Cousin's truck. Lobster roll was amazing.

We have one that comes locally around here.  We haven't tried it yet but always wondered how they were. 

@Momof3gurlz  Camp NanaPapa sounds like it will be filled with fantastic memories for the grandkids.  Have a blast. 

It's funny on how I don't log on for a few days and feel like I've missed a lot.  😄   

The last two weeks or so, I've been dealing with the Black Hole that is Medicare.  I didn't realize what a horrible medical system we have in the U.S. until I've had to start dealing with it. (Apparently, I've been spoiled my whole life with good employer insurance.)    I applied back in mid-June to start on August 1.   I called several times and all they kept telling me is that it was processing.  Last week I decided to actually go to the Social Security office in person to try to get it straightened out. 

We actually left vacation early to come home so I could go to the office.  As far as I could tell I had no Health Insurance as of August 1.  Went to the SS office in person.  My number was finally called and the guy behind the counter, hit a couple computer keys and said I was "All Set".  Not sure why my several phone calls and 6 weeks couldn't accomplish the same thing?   Finally got my Part A & B benefit letter today. I still don't have my supplement or drug coverage until the Benefit Letter gets processed. Ugh!  What a pain in the you know where.

Enough about my tale of Medicare woe.

I hope those who are ill are feeling much better. To those who are cruising, Bon Voyage and Safe Travels.  Hope the rest of you are Safe. Happiest of Birthdays and Anniversaries to those who are celebrating.

@Sea Dog Wow Greg!  That is so cool that those were recovered.  Your talents continue to amaze.  Thanks so much for sharing. 

1 hour ago, Luckynana said:

Thank you for letting me know where to look, Arzeena!  I did see that I am reserved for Hook since I clicked on my initials.🥰

We also have Hooked reserved for lunch on Wednesday, Feb 12.

So sorry to read about the sick little ones.  Wishing them a speedy recovery.  

5 hours ago, Luckynana said:

I was concerned about someone taking our Bella dog while on our cruise last year, also.  I do plan on bringing it along on our Bella 2.

Someone took our Bella Dog magnet off of our door on the Bella cruise.  Luckily our room steward found it and returned it to us.  It goes on the inside now.  
 

Our first cruise was Splendour of the Seas,  7 night Western Caribbean in 2005.

2 hours ago, jmh2006 said:

Tomorrow morning I and my DH and DS will be departing hot and humid Michigan for even hotter and more humid North Carolina.  On Saturday we will be celebrating the life of my dear father who passed unexpectedly last April.  And we are also going to be inspecting and closing on our home we are building there for our retirement in two years.  Our builder is going to be using it as a model for most of that time.  So this trip will be full of mixed emotions. 😞🙂

So sorry about your father.  May you find comfort in many happy memories.   Good luck with your house inspection and closing.  

2 hours ago, dani negreanu said:

 

@helen haywood

 

Thanks, Marian.

 

That was and is my biggest fear -- such a deadly strike, all of them young kids😢 -- will force us to retaliate, and hence -- the "butterfly effect" 😢

So sorry to read this.  My heart breaks for all of you.  Praying for a quick end to all of this. 

1 hour ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

I've found third party "airplay" type apps, and even the built in Apple Airplay, to work very inconsistently.  I therefore bought one of these Apple adaptors a few years ago:

Apple Lightning Digital A/V Adapter White MW2P3AM/A/MD826AM/A - Best Buy

 

We carry it, along with an HDMI cable, whenever we travel.  It's nice in that you can charge your device while using it to send videos to the TV.  So long as you can change the input on a TV to an used HDMI input, you can watch things from your iPhone/iPad.  We usually have several things on Netfix and Prime Video downloaded to my iPad.  Works great most of the time, although we sometimes run into situations where the ability to change the TV input has been specifically disabled (looking at you Ovation).

 

There are several no-name versions of the adaptor available on Amazon at much lower prices.  I can't comment on how well those work.

Thanks for the info.  I bought one several years ago and unfortunately it didn’t work very long.  I believe it was as an off brand. I might have to try it again with the “Apple” brand. 

We ended going to the movies last night after all.  Since it was the Drive In theater, there was 2 movies playing.  As I mentioned in my previous post, we saw “Twisters”.  While it was entertaining enough, I felt it was very predictable.   I would rate it a 7/10.
 

The second movie was “The Bike Riders”.  We were not familiar with this movie, but did enjoy it.  It was about a motorcycle gang in the 1960’s and how they evolved from a group of motorcycle enthusiasts to a rough gang.  It was done in almost a documentary style.  The young lady playing the lead character, “Cathy” was very good.  This movie is not for everyone, but I would give it an 7.5/10.  
 

I can’t believe we stayed awake for 2 movies!  Got home about 2:00 am.  Can’t remember the last time we stayed awake that late.  😂

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

A special day today.  My grandson turns 18 today.  Not sure how it happened so fast.  We will be celebrating on Sunday.

Doug and I are thinking of going to the movies tonight.  We haven’t been since before Covid.   I keep hearing how great the new “Twisters” movie is.  Some friends saw it yesterday and loved it.   I looked up showtimes and it’s actually playing at the Drive in theater.  I went and bought car snacks, so I think we’re good if we decide to go.  Just not sure we can stay up that late anymore.  😂

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

@FromSea2ShiningSea  Helen, Thank you for posting your beautiful pictures.  It looks like a fantastic trip.

@Keksie  So glad your procedure went well.

@Sea Dog  wishing you a speedy and pain free recovery.

7 hours ago, h20skibum said:

Saw this news story, saying they had to close the Racer roller coaster at Kennywood Park for a day. 
 

 

Evidently, they had to make some minor modifications.  Maybe they needed a third concrete block!

 

That is one of our favorite rides there. 

Growing up, I had cousins in Pittsburgh.  I would go spend a couple weeks with them in the summer.  I remember going to Kennywood once. It was the early 70’s so maybe they are upgrading from back then.  Thanks for bringing back a fun memory of my youth.  😊

@lenquixote66  Happy Birthday to you!  Sending well wishes to your daughter and grand dog.  So sorry you're dealing with all this on your birthday.  Hope you will be able to have a full celebration soon!

@Sea Dog - Sending well wishes to you as well for a speedy recovery.