Much to do today...hope I get at least part of it done;) Dh went fishing. Didn't get much done yesterday so I'm,playing catch up today. I have a huge amt of laundry to do too. Dh asked me to check on his life insurance, but I'm having trouble with the website. They won't accept my password which is probably because you have to change it every few months and I probably didn't and now I have to reset it. They set me a temporary password (at least that came fast this time, it is usually slow)...but then when I typed it in, it said it was suspended and I have to ask for another. When I ask for another, they say I can't get another one today. Grrrr...I absolutely HATE government websites! So guess I'll just move on to other things.

Still having trouble with my computer and this morning my keyboard wasn't working well. Chrome has a frequently (more so at times) problem with the Shockwave Flash crashing. When it crashed my keyboard started working...not sure that one has anything to do with the other but that's the sequence it happened in. I have so little time to be on my computer and most of my life is on it (budgeting, calendar, schedules etc) so it does make it hard when things go wrong.

Take care everyone and have a good day.

I just read something really scary in the paper. This woman signed up for Medicare when she retired. Just regular Medicare. Some company automatically signed her up for their Medicare Advantage plan without her knowing it. After a hospital visit her doctor called her and told her that he does not accept that Medicare Advantage plan so she was left with a bill for $14K. Looking into it, she found out that some companies are starting to do that, and they are allowed. They send you a letter telling you they have auto enrolled you, and you have 60 days to decline. This woman said that because she only wanted straight Medicare she didn't read mail she got from other companies, thinking it was just solicitations. She had to get an attorney. Finally, the company cancelled her enrollment and Medicare paid her bill. I surely don't read all the mail I get from other insurance companies.

A similar thing happened to my friend's mother. One day my friend noticed that her elderly mother was being charged a monthly charge on her Sears bill. She called to find out why. It seems that her mother received a check for $25, and by cashing the check, she agreed to enrolls in some type of protection plan for her credit card. She didn't read that part. They sent her a check, so she cashed it! She got them to cancel the service, but I don't think her mother got credit for the months that she paid. The elderly become targets for scams.

Carol Sue How scary about the medicare issue. I received a notice last week that our Part D medication is changing to a name I never heard of. Almost tossed it, but just happened to really read it and was shocked, we had been with the other for 10 years!!! Don't know what this new one is like. Must call tomorrow and ask them some questions and more information.

I'll also be more careful cashing checks!!! Of course I haven't received any yet.

My Computer is ALSO acting up badly. Mary What is the name of the financial records program you use?

If mine goes down I may change from Microsoft to Mac like our daughter Pat did. She really needs it for her art work (Mac is better) and she was upset that Microsoft 10 collects too much personal data and passes it on to ????

I just printed off the financial info and medical info up to today so I at least have a hard copy for 2016 taxes. Right now, computer is doing well, but it woke Pat up twice in past month making loud noises. I'm now turning it off when I get thru.

Just wanted you all to know in case I go more than 2 days without getting on here.

Funny, I stopped going on Wednesdays for Adoration, but still do the updating schedules. I let everyone know as I released all the info I have that I may not be able to do it with the next update. Also asked someone else if they were able to take over. at least all 8 now have the most recent version.

DH can't stop going and buying. I spent 90 minutes trying to update just what he has purchassed in July and so far in Aug. (computer iss making errors again.) Sandy

Sandy, if I receive a check, I want to know why I'm getting it before I just cash it. One time I got a check from the IRS. No paperwork with it. I had no idea why we were getting it so I just set it aside, and a couple days later I got a letter telling me that I made a mistake on our taxes and they realized it after the fact, after the had already sent my refund. That told me that the IRS is honest. I didn't know I had made a mistake. They could have just kept that money. It was $40 or so. Of course another time years back I made a mistake and got a bill from them for an additional amount. I was an accountant/auditor for a living for 33 years.

Just this week I got a check for $100, but it did say on it that it was to be applied against my order if I ordered new windows or some such thing. It got shredded.

Some people prefer Mac. I know nothing about it. I barely have Windows figured out. ha ha

It's been kind of a strange day...I had a diabetes followup appt and dh decided to go with me as he wanted to go grocery shopping afterwards with me. After we got there he wasn't feeling well at all...chest hurting, upper back hurting.. told me after my appt he needed me to drive him home. I ask him to come in with me to my dr appts because I wanted to keep an eye on him plus maybe have them check him just in case. His pulse and bp were up some but so was mine..we have to climb some stairs to get to the office. But while waiting for the dr his pain got worse and he needed to lie down so he lay down on the exam table, and I put the head up and pulled out the leg extender. He felt better in that position but still hurt but the pain was moving down into his belly and I was beginning to suspect gas. Doc comes in and I told him to just make it dh's appt instead of mine. He checked dh very thoroughly and said I might be right, it might be just gas but he felt he should go to the ER just in case. Well by this time I really didn't think this was needed and dreaded the possible long time and almost certain long wait but he's the doctor so we said ok. As we got downstairs, I encouraged him to go to the restroom just in case as I was thinking just the position might help. It took a while (thank God there were two bathroom...both for both sexes and a line was forming), but after that he was fine...no ER needed and of course HE drove and we went grocery shopping. :D The doctor had called the ER to expect him so I let him know it was not needed. Dh's been fine since then. You see, my dh almost never experienced pain until he fractured his leg in 2010. He once had shingle pain and he had pneumonia and once when a young adult had a bad case of the flu, but that's about it. Since 2010 though and esp this past year he's had plenty, but the thing is he doesn't know about different kinds of pain and we both have become so used to focusing on his lung an heart. So it was kind of funny after it was over. So we got our groceries, two stores plus Walgreens and I came home with my legs burning...rested about 1/2 hour after putting away groceries, but hurt again while making dinner (potato soup with toppings). Now feeling better.

Carol - I have never had any problem with the IRS. I haven't liked some things they have done in recent years but not in my personal dealings with them. Don't like to call them though esp at tax time because of the long wait but then calling any government office seems to be like that. I think the people who get fooled by the things you mention are either very careless, very ignorant or not quite in touch with reality. Like you, if I get a check, I would never cash it unless I knew who it came from and why they sent it. I too get those checks to apply to some large purchase and I too shred them.

Sandy - Wonder whether the simply switched to either the generic or brand of med. Most meds have two names and sometimes insurance companies want to switch to the generic because it is usually cheaper. Good to check into it though....you need to know what it is. You asked about my budgeting program...it is called YNAB (You Need a Budget). I've used it in all it's previous forms for many years and it's the best I've ever found. This software really helped us get out of debt and build of emergency funds...and for the first time in our lives finally got to appoint where we don't live paycheck to paycheck and we don't live by how much money we have in our bank accounts, we just live by our budget. I spend a little time checking it most days, making sure it is the same with the online accounts. I like to do it manually but you can download many online accts directly into the budget. I use that more as a check if I'm off a bit. There is definitely a learning curve but I was able to figure it out pretty quickly and I only spend a little time each day at it...on the first of the month, I have to enter interest income so that day it's a few minutes longer. We don't write checks...many bills are paid automatically from our checking acct or one credit card, others are paid by our CU's bill pay (some auto bill pay) and also we pay at the credit card sites.
We've operated like this for many years now and it has given us such freedom.

Many people really like Macs...in fact some people are very passionate about Macs and some about PCs. Macs are very good in some ways and are supposedly safer, however in the past there were things I would not be able to do with a Mac that I liked to do...but things have changed so much, I think it probably wouldn't matter now. A Mac might be great for you though esp as your dd could help you if you have trouble.

Dh is calling me to watch AGT with him....you all have a good evening.

Mary, I'm glad your DH is feeling better. I hope it was not anything serious. That's scary.

I thought Sandy was saying that the company she gets her Part D meds from has changed, not the name of the med. I'm sure she will come by and clear up the misunderstanding, either way. Sometimes they could change companies, and sometimes the company could just change names.

I think the woman who cashed the check from Sears was elderly and possibly had some dementia, and didn't understand. I think my mother-in-law would have been one who would cash any check she received. Luckily she had 2 sons living with her up until the end, so they watched out for her.

I have continued with my low carb eating. My weight is up a bit this morning. It could have been from hidden carbs in the salad I ate last night, or from seasonings that could have me retaining fluid. But my fasting blood sugar was 112 this morning!! That is totally unheard of for me!! I used to think 160 was good. I did not take any Amaryl at all yesterday and don't need any this morning either. I really don't know how long I can continue this way of eating. So far I don't miss anything, but I know there could come a day when I really want something and will eat it. I am eating enough that I don't feel hunger, and so far, no cravings. DH bought some Pringles and I have been eyeing them a couple times, but didn't have any. I intend to make some brownies for my grandson, so that will be a challenge, too.

Dh has been fine ever since that episode and we just laugh about it. The doctor was trying to cover his bases and knew it COULD possibly be a beginning bowel obstruction so that's why he ordered the ER visit. I understand from his standpoint. You have to be careful and not make a wrong dx and maybe someone gets in real trouble. Although it did basically turn out to be dh's appt, he did quickly review my labs and said my A1C is good and noted my cholesterol is going up but we will discuss that next time. I will call if about getting a shot in my shoulder.

I slept in later since dh went fishing as I usually do. Figure he's taking off so I can that much at least. ;) But I'm going to be playing catchup the rest of the week as I'm so behind in my housework. Also need to do some things online for dh. I've hardly saw the kids today...they all stayed in mamas room together...not sure they even had breakfast. Then suddenly I heard something about mama running late for an appt and everyone was gone quickly. I was not asked to babysit. That day when I put one child in timeout (which lasted about 2 min as mama came home and gave him his way) for screaming and hitting, I was told my child raising ways are different than hers and I would not have to worry about babysitting again which is fine as I really feel I'm too old for it. Since then they have been left once with me while they were supposedly sleeping (not) but that's all except for a few minutes last night until daddy got home to pick him them up. I was glad he did as I was in a lot of pain when she left them. It doesn't matter to me...I enjoy the children being around, talking to them, reading to them, and just loving them, but don't really want to have to deal with them when they are behaving badly. I've raised enough kids. Oh and my son just called to say he just heard the appraisal HAS been done and now they are just waiting for all the paperwork. He wants us to do a walk thru with them tomorrow. It's an exciting time for them and I am very happy for them.

Carol - Wow you are doing so well...keep up the good work. Mine is better but not that great but then I'm not eating low carb. I wish I could get myself to do that.

Hi to Sandy, Glynne and anyone else who is lurking. Take care and have a good day!

Another busy day..Leaf Gard is coming today to replace a dented end cap on our front gutter. We suspect the barkdust truck did it. We have to pay for it but they will replace it. I have done daily stuff but next is weekly and some extra work in kitchen. Want to clean the chandelier in the dining room and the window in/out. I forgot to change the children's sheets so doing that today too. If I can get that much done I'll be pleased. There's still tomorrow for the family room and front entry. The kids just left so it's just the two of us now.

Last night we watched a movie, called America. It was rather different and I enjoyed it. About an Irish family who came to NY to get the husband's career started as an actor and of course, things don't go as expected, they end up living in a ghetto area and life is very difficult. At times it was difficult to hear even when we increased the volume, so dh esp missed a lot, but I filled him in afterwards.

Ok, gotta get back to work. Hi to everyone!

Mary, it will be great for the kids to move into their own place, and you will probably look back and be glad you had a bit of closeness with them for a while, even though it has been hard on you. I can't even imagine my kids moving back in. We have become so set in our ways.

Last night my bedtime blood sugar was 112, and this morning fasting was 114, so I did not have a liver dump! Normally I cannot stay low carb like this for long. This is day 9 of doing this. I really doubt that I will go forever without carbs, but each day I do it brings improvement. Maybe I will reach a point where I can have a small portion that will not raise blood sugar too high. I read somewhere that if you have carbs one day and your blood sugar goes up, it doesn't just come back down the next day when you abstain. It takes 2-3 days to come back down.

You have such a good routine with your cleaning, Mary. I hope to get some done today, but DH always ends up wanting to go somewhere. I wish he would go fishing. LOL

The Leaf Guard guys came but did not replace the end cap. The gutter is also damaged where it fits together and they said if the cap is replaced it will likely leak whereas at this point it is not. They gave us the cap end without charge though in case sometime we want to do it. The only way would be to replace the whole front gutter and that would be too expensive and not worth it for that little damage. That was a brand new gutter when it happened. Dh said he'll sure watch any trucks backing into our yard more carefully from now on! As it is, we can not prove the bark dust truck did it...it's just the only one we can remember that was high enough.

Yesterday we did the walk thru with the kids. Most houses here now are built with an up stairs which I would not want at our ages but it's fine for them. They have a laundry room which I would love to have and they have in ground lawn sprinklers which dh has always wanted. I googled them and told him the price which we can afford but he said no, it's not that much work anymore...like me with my housework he's figured out a system that makes it easy and efficient. If we weren't saving for so much other stuff though I'd do it for him....and myself too as anything to make life easier and allow us to more easily stay in our home as we age would be good.

I had a feeling a babysitting request was coming and sure enough after we viewed the house, we were asked to babysit after the kids were down and quiet. It was no problem...they were quietly on their electronics which dh took away at 11:30. Not the way I'd like to do it but it's their parents way and what they are used to and does make it easier on me, but it is sad to me also. At least they came home early, and we were able to shut our door then and I, amazingly, got a wonderful night of sleep...I slept about 7 1/2 hrs straight! Don't remember even waking up one time..haven't done that in years!! The kids left just before I got up this morning so it's just us here now.
dh is outside working in the yard and talking to a new neighbor.

I got all the work done I planned ...did it after viewing the house and we had eaten a late lunch so I didn't cook dinner and had time to clean. I did forget to clean some light fixtures in the kitchen though so plan to do those today. Also still need to weekly clean the family room today. Our older son may come by for his mail but I'll try and work around his visit. That's how I have to do when we go out, I just do what I can around our time away...if I'm not too tired, some days it just doesn't happen. Having my tasks in my calendar really helps keep me on track. There are things though that are not on it, but I also keep a running to do list and I track them there...those are the ones that are most likely to get put off though. :dizzy: Like the furnace/ac vent in our hall is dirty right now. My house is never super clean, just comfortably (for us anyway) clean. Our family room and hall carpets are terribly dirty right now too. I hope to clean them after the kids leave.
My office is very crowded with clutter...one day I hope to get that taken care of. At least before I leave this earth. ;)

Well, need to get started instead of talking about it...you all have a good weekend.

So proud of myself...I did all the work I expected to do today incl. vacuuming the upholstered furniture (always amazes me how much mess is under the custions!), and the front outside entry (window in/out too), and then I did a couple things I'd ask dh to do but he never got to...I cleaned the mud/dirty mess that ran out from two plants...couldn't get the whole stain off but looks better and I got our two nicest lawn chairs put into a big plastic trash bag to protect them. We'll take them out for any BBQs we may have but hopefully get them right back in the back afterwards from now on. These particular ones cost a lot ...got them for sitting on our RV patios in the camps...and used to take really good care of them but they've been neglected since we stopped RVing and using them here at home. Just braggin' on my self for getting so much done!! I'm feeling pretty good today so it was a good day to get things done.

You sure get a lot done, Mary! I envy you all that energy. Yesterday I finished a book I was reading and decided I will not start another one until I get caught up on cleaning. I get plopped down with a good book and forget the time.

I've been having terrible back pains lately in bed, which seem to go into my legs, too. It was terrible for a couple nights, but now is improving. Last night it was more of an ache instead of the stabbing pains and none in my legs at all. I was thinking it was from dehydration so I drank a couple extra bottles of water yesterday, so maybe that helped. I really do need to get back to my exercising. I think I'm just stiffening up too much.

We don't have any really nice chairs for outside because we don't have any covered porches to sit on. Most of ours have to be able to stay out in the weather so we used the plastic stacking ones. Mine need cleaned. One year I found something that cleaned them well, but now I can't remember what it was. We do have 4 folding chairs that go with out umbrella table and we bring them in when we're not using them. They fold up and can be put out of the way. I never thought about using a plastic garbage bag. Maybe if I figure out what will clean up my chairs, I will start to stack them and put a bag over them when not in use. I like them because they are inexpensive and sturdy. We have a couple chairs we got as a premium that are the folding canvas chairs that come in a carrying case. I don't like them because they are not firm enough for me and I have trouble getting out of them. We have them in the garage and take them to our son's house when he has a group over for a cook out and they can always use extra chairs. I'm thinking I might try my bathroom cleaner with bleach on the chairs. That might work.

The kid's house sounds very nice. Soon, Mary, soon! LOL

The girl at the sleep clinic gave me 2 more CPAP masks to try out. They are very unintrusive, and I can't decide which one I like the best. I have them on a trial basis until the 22nd, when I go for the sleep study. Actually, I would like to have a combination of the two. One has better straps that hold it on, and the other one has softer nasal cushions that contain a gel that are very comfortable. I will have to decide between the two in the next 2 weeks. After the study I will be ordering all new supplies. The girl is trying to talk me into getting my supplies from them instead of the mail-order place I used to use, but I will only do that if they have mail-order. It would be nice to have a place I could drive to to get some supplies, but I wouldn't want to have to do it all the time. The place is at least a half hour drive from here. If DH wasn't available to take me, I wouldn't want to have to make that drive myself. I am more of a local, to-the-store driver. It's on the highway, and I don't like having to merge into highway traffic. I'd rather have UPS bring a box to my door.

My blood sugar is still good, and I'm down another pound. So far, so good.

My back is still improving little by little, but DH is going to call his friend the chiropractor, and see if I can get in for an adjustment. That might help. It only bothers me when I'm lying down. I'm fine sitting or standing, but that's not good for sleep. Otherwise, there's not much new to post.

Hope everyone is doing well.

It's a nice cool cloudy day. I like it like this although I like the sun too if it's not too hot. Supposed to get to 71 today, so just right to me. We went to the gym. I stayed up til 12 last night finishing a book...Lady Audley's Secret...have any of your read it? It's an old book, published in 1862 and the genre was Sensation Novel.. I thought that was kinda funny. :D I guess today it would be called mystery, suspense or maybe a thriller or even a horror. It was written by a woman ..kind of talky compared to most of today's books...but she writes well and I didn't mind the talkiness too much because I could visualize what she was writing about. Some talky books are not well written but if they are that makes a great deal of difference IMHO. I'm now reading another book (fiction) about people who buy up dying people's large life insurance policies...so they can do whatever they want to do in the time they have left but of course, there is something criminal going on.....I think the investors have to pay the premiums so it is not to their advantage to have people live too long. Kind of a different type plot.

We just got home from the gym. I could hear my lt arm crunching when I worked out on some machines. That is the first time that's happened although I do hear it (or feel it?) sometimes when I move my arms. It feels like one bone crossing over another. I'm going to call for an appt...it is not severe pain, more like a slight sprain, but it is hurting more often and now that crunching which was not before.

We had a good dinner last night....marinated bavette steak with Asian sauteed broccoli and rice. Even the kids liked the meat so everyone ate at least something. Think tonight will be leftovers/pantry meal...everyone on their own. I've been eating way too much again and my weight has gone to 4# over my sig weight! Perhaps it is because I'm reading more and tend to eat while reading. My bs is sometimes high and sometimes amazingly low.

Just found out my neighbor is very ill. If you are a praying person, please pray for him. He is probably in his late 50s or early 60s.

Carol - Strange that your pain is when you are lying down and that it is a stabbing pain. You should get it checked. We have a covered patio but it leaks and also the wind blows debris in from the sides..so it's always a mess.
We have patio furniture...large table and chairs. They don't seem to be bothered by the rain and our other chairs are either plastic or those fold up kind, some we bought, and some we won with the trip dh won. It is only the two we bought at Camping Word I'm concerned about because they cost quite a bit. As far as cleaning them, all I do is use the cleaning wipes usually. Right now the kid's little dog (Chiluahau) is outside and she jumps on everything even the table, she's not a really dirty dog, but before we have a BBQ I'll be cleaning everything really well because of her...she afraid of people so will mostly stay away while we are out there I think. The other day she even got really snappy with a couple kids (not her fam) ...I was surprised by that as she is not usually that way, usually just runs away. She will allow dh to hold her. I have only held her once when my gs put her on my lap, otherwise she just smells and licks my feet.

You all have a good day.

Mary Amazing what you can do when you aren't helping someone else. Glad your DH is OK after the scare. Hope the kids get a home and let you both have it easier.
A visit is one thing but too much instructions that you know aren't good for the kids would be a real pain in the neck.

Carol Sue Let pain is a serous problem. Hope you get help very soon. Would a pillow under the bend of your knee help? On the breathing device, so glad you get to try out the new ones. Hope you
can decide before the sleep study. Do you sleep well with either device? I can't imagine.

Computer is working today. Finances caught up and backed up on Quicken. Also the updates for my volunteer job with Adoration scheduling and substitutes. Trying to sub Thursday evening since the days are longer. By
October I'll have to stop because I can't drive in the dark.

DH has made a great computer station in the TV room so he can use his laptop easily. DS brought down a good office chair that he can use that is comfortable, adjustable, and ventilated, too. DS also bought his dad a label maker because
He knows how DH labels EVERYTHING!!! Sweet of DS to bring them down but best of all, he visited for a couple hours!!!! With them going to move out of state by end of year, I really appreciate being able to see him and talk direct as often as we can. He is so busy trying to finish up jobs here. 3 of his employees have found other jobs, so he has to do far more than usual.

A friend from Book Club invited us to her Apartment for dinner Friday. She is in a facility that serves meals, with menu and 4 choices for appetizer, salad, main entree and dessert. Wow! What a dream place to live! Her children help with the expenses and are so glad she is safe. I really enjoy talking with her. We like the same kind of reading (her's is by tape as she is blind) Sunday we had a Pancake breakfast at Church with a good assortment of table mates. 2 from Book club, 1 from Men's Bible Class, and 2 we knew ages ago, etc. Fun morning before Church. Then DH went to WV with Pat to pick up some of her paintings. I had quiet time to read a great book.

Sandy Hope I get to come here again if Computer lets me.