No resolutions. Don't need them.
Christmas is over. The tree is lying unceremoniously in the front yard waiting for the Boy Scouts to pick it up. The decorations are back in their numerous boxes in the cabinets in the garage. The pine needles have been vacuumed up. By looking at the number of needles on the floor after taking the tree out, you would think that the tree would have been bald by the time you got it out of the house, but it doesn't. In fact, it looks pretty good. It feels dry, but the color is still nice and green. It seems kind of wasteful to grow something for 8-10 years and then just throw it away after 1-2 months of use. At least it will be ground up for mulch.
Now that the clean up is done, it is time to get ready for our trip south. This year we are headed for Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in southern Arizona. I mean southern. The park is situated on the US/Mexican border about half-way between Yuma and Tucson and then south on Hwy 85. If you love the flora and fuana of the desert, you will love the park. The campground is one of the most beautiful I have ever been in. There are no hook-ups so generator use is permitted two times a day 8-10am and 4-6 to allow the charging of batteries and microwave cooking, etc. There is a dump station also.
R and I will be volunteering there for the months of February, March, and April. I am not sure what our duties will be but we are looking forward to the time spent in this goreous area. Watch for further blogs to let you know what we are doing.
With the trip in mind, this short time period will be used to get the truck and trailer ready. The trailer has been checked over; brakes, connections, etc. The water tank has been filled to the half-full level. The water heater has been drained and flushed. The only thing left on the trailer is packing it and most of that won't be done until the last couple of days, especially the food.
The truck is in the dealer right now to have the drive shaft lubed. I read about it in the Trailer Life magazine and it is something that I had noticed and wondered about. Next I will have the transmission serviced and it should be ready to go.
Vroom, Vroom.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Friday, December 24, 2010
Medicare Notes
Next week I come under the umbrella of Medicare. My 65th birthday isn't until the last day of the month but M becomes effective on the first day of the month you turn 65. And so I since we got home in November I have been trying to get my horses in order. Easier said than done.
Because of down-sizing I took early retirement from Pennzoil in 2001 and have been under their retirement wing for medical coverage since. Over the years I have been told by persons on the phone from the provider that when I was eligible for M that this current coverage would become a suppliment. After 2 months of telephone calls and not getting answers, I recieved a phone call yesterday informing me that my retirement medical coverage would end when I became eligible for M or in 8 days.
Luckily I have been to see an agent that handles Medicare insurance. I immediately called and got an appointment to set up a M supplement program and a drug program. It helps to talk to professionals about this part of your life. I did also meet with a volunteer from SHIBA (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance who provided me with more information and a booklet that is made for Oregon residents. I think they have one for other states too. This is called the Oregon Guide to Medigap, Medicare Advantage, and Prescription Drug Plans. It shows the various companies that operate in Oregon and their health plans and costs. It helps to talk to someone of knowledge before you try to travel down this curvy path called Medicare.
Because of down-sizing I took early retirement from Pennzoil in 2001 and have been under their retirement wing for medical coverage since. Over the years I have been told by persons on the phone from the provider that when I was eligible for M that this current coverage would become a suppliment. After 2 months of telephone calls and not getting answers, I recieved a phone call yesterday informing me that my retirement medical coverage would end when I became eligible for M or in 8 days.
Luckily I have been to see an agent that handles Medicare insurance. I immediately called and got an appointment to set up a M supplement program and a drug program. It helps to talk to professionals about this part of your life. I did also meet with a volunteer from SHIBA (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance who provided me with more information and a booklet that is made for Oregon residents. I think they have one for other states too. This is called the Oregon Guide to Medigap, Medicare Advantage, and Prescription Drug Plans. It shows the various companies that operate in Oregon and their health plans and costs. It helps to talk to someone of knowledge before you try to travel down this curvy path called Medicare.
Holiday
Today is Christmas eve day. A quiet day for R and me. It is just the two of us for the holiday. The pool is open until Noon so we will go for an hour or so and do our own exercise thing. Christmas Eve candle light services at out church are at 7pm so we will have our traditional oyster stew dinner before we go.
Then we will come home and watch the movie, "Christmas Eve". It is a 1986 made for TV movie adapted from a 1947 George Raft flick of the same name. This movie starred Loretta Young and Trevor Howard. Ms Young is a wealthy grandmother who is trying to get her estranged family home for Christmas Eve without telling them that she is near death.
The schedule is to have our family together next week Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday for our "Christmas". All of us have not been together for a long time. It is interesting how your family traditions change over the years. How priorities change as children go up and move away. What were fun annual family activities are just memories now.
May your holidays be active and fun-filled.
Then we will come home and watch the movie, "Christmas Eve". It is a 1986 made for TV movie adapted from a 1947 George Raft flick of the same name. This movie starred Loretta Young and Trevor Howard. Ms Young is a wealthy grandmother who is trying to get her estranged family home for Christmas Eve without telling them that she is near death.
The schedule is to have our family together next week Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday for our "Christmas". All of us have not been together for a long time. It is interesting how your family traditions change over the years. How priorities change as children go up and move away. What were fun annual family activities are just memories now.
May your holidays be active and fun-filled.
The Chiropractor
Until a few weeks ago I was a chiropractic virgin. Never been. My sister goes regularly, but me no. Never needed it. Even though I when I worked for Pennzoil moving cases of motor oil and drums around, didn't need it. Of course I was much younger and stronger.
So one morning while we were on San Juan Island, I woke up with a pain in the neck. It was on the left side sort of where teh neck joins the shoulder. I must have slept wrong. I have had them before once in a while. But it didn't go away. It persisted for weeks and I started to get headaches too.
When we returned to Eugene, I made appointments to check it out. Optometrist, new glasses.
Doctor for annual physical. (He didn't seem concerned.) So I decided to go to the chiropractor that R had used in the past.
Same kind of office. Same look. Went into the examining room and talked with him for a short time and then he had me lie on the table. He immediately felt the jammed up muscles and inflammation where my top ribs join my spine. Evidently the inflamation is the problem. It pushes everything around and presses on the nerves causing discomfort and, in my case, the headaches.
So the following happens on my visits:
1 I go in and lie on my stomach my my face in a special donut shaped pillow. An aid gives my whole back a massage with an electric machine that feels like a car buffer. It makes my back all soft and warm.
2 The doctor comes in and feels my spine and "the spot". He presses my spine in several places and I can feel movement and hear little snaps.
3 Then he has me roll unto my back and moves my spine by moving my arms in front of me and pressing on my elbows. It seemed quite odd the first time, but there was movement when he does it each time. He tells me that the movement it easier now showing that things are getting better. The inflammation is lessening. Movement is what is needed to get rid of inflammation. Movement allows the body to reabsorb the tissue that had become the inflammation. I told him that I had seen an ad on TV for a arthritus medicine that goes, " A body at rest tends to stay at rest. A body in motion tends to stay in motion." The meaning is obvious. Stay active even if it it is uncomfortable. My chiro confirmed. Use it or lose it.
So one morning while we were on San Juan Island, I woke up with a pain in the neck. It was on the left side sort of where teh neck joins the shoulder. I must have slept wrong. I have had them before once in a while. But it didn't go away. It persisted for weeks and I started to get headaches too.
When we returned to Eugene, I made appointments to check it out. Optometrist, new glasses.
Doctor for annual physical. (He didn't seem concerned.) So I decided to go to the chiropractor that R had used in the past.
Same kind of office. Same look. Went into the examining room and talked with him for a short time and then he had me lie on the table. He immediately felt the jammed up muscles and inflammation where my top ribs join my spine. Evidently the inflamation is the problem. It pushes everything around and presses on the nerves causing discomfort and, in my case, the headaches.
So the following happens on my visits:
1 I go in and lie on my stomach my my face in a special donut shaped pillow. An aid gives my whole back a massage with an electric machine that feels like a car buffer. It makes my back all soft and warm.
2 The doctor comes in and feels my spine and "the spot". He presses my spine in several places and I can feel movement and hear little snaps.
3 Then he has me roll unto my back and moves my spine by moving my arms in front of me and pressing on my elbows. It seemed quite odd the first time, but there was movement when he does it each time. He tells me that the movement it easier now showing that things are getting better. The inflammation is lessening. Movement is what is needed to get rid of inflammation. Movement allows the body to reabsorb the tissue that had become the inflammation. I told him that I had seen an ad on TV for a arthritus medicine that goes, " A body at rest tends to stay at rest. A body in motion tends to stay in motion." The meaning is obvious. Stay active even if it it is uncomfortable. My chiro confirmed. Use it or lose it.
No New Car
Well, I didn't get the car. It is a great car. Sporty, looked to be a good shape for a 2003. The dealer dropped the price by a $1000 when I inquired but it did not happen. I would have driven to Bend and picked it up immediately, but R did not think it was a good idea. "It would just sit in the garage while we are gone." A good argument, but so did the Porsche and things were OK. So I relly don't know the reason for her reluctance. Her final response was, "Go ahead and get it if you want." Well I knew her well enough to read between the lines and let the dealer know that the buying or shopping process was over. Too bad because it was a cute car like the picture above.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Buying a Car II
This week-end we went to Portland. We were there to visit family and friends but an opportunity to check out cars in the metropolitan area. How did it compare to car shopping in Eugene? Actually, it was just more of the same.
Black Friday morning, while the girls were shopping, I called about a XB at a lot. "I want to come and see it. I will be there in a half-hour." "The boss's wife is driving it but it will be here when you get here." Guess what? It wasn't. I waited around for another half hour and still the "boss's wife" hadn't arrived and I was "outta there" never to return.
Another promising car was sold 15 minutes before I called about it. So nothing on Friday. NO shopping on Saturday. So today, Sunday, on the way home, we stopped to check out a Mini Cooper in Salem. Interesting,2002, bright blue with a white top, 90k miles, automatic, a little on the rough side, which means that it shows some wear. It is probably not fair to judge a car that is eight years old, but it has more wear for a 02 than my van does for a 03. Of course there is no owner's manual. I hate that. Why do all used car lots throw away any records from used cars? Finding out how to adjust the clock or what that button does when you move it.
So what does this car need? New tires ( three looked sorta good and one fair. How do you get four tires that way?) The seat belt light is lit. The oil is dirty. ( no big deal) The battery needed a jump to get started. ( Again no big deal) So what next? This car could be OK as a repl
acement for the Porsche if we choose to go that route. BUT, for that to happen, the dealer has to accept a low-ball price that I have in mind. It is the amount that I sold my Porsche. If it works out, I will have a fun driveable car that I can improve upon. So think positive thoughts. Tell that dealer that he needs to get rid of that car at a semi reasonable price of $7500.
acement for the Porsche if we choose to go that route. BUT, for that to happen, the dealer has to accept a low-ball price that I have in mind. It is the amount that I sold my Porsche. If it works out, I will have a fun driveable car that I can improve upon. So think positive thoughts. Tell that dealer that he needs to get rid of that car at a semi reasonable price of $7500.I will let you know how it goes.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Selling a Car
I'm in the midst of selling my family car. I would much rather just trade it in but for two reasons; money and car dealers. Actually, they are basically the same reason. We would all have more money if we could avoid car dealers all together.
I sold my Porsche using craigslist with little or no hassle. But you have to admit that there is a big difference between a 78 911SC Targa and a 2003 Chevy Venture Van. And so the story begins.
I listed the van on Craigslist a week ago. Wrote a nice description, included four pictures just like I did with the Targa. Nothing. No response.
I have visited several dealerships checking out various cars that were on my "short list" as possible future members of my "fleet". We are looking at cars with an automatic transmission. My favorite so far is the Mini Cooper or "Mini" as it is known.
It was once a British car that is now owned by BMW. It is a small, nimble, sporty car that is cute and fun to drive but pretty much useless as a family car. As a second car, perfect. As the only car, not quite as perfect.
So moving on. What else is interesting? 
PT Cruiser. No Doesn't seem to be well made. Built on Neon Chassis. Plastic interior. Seems cheap
HHR I don't think so. I like the looks but it is built on a Cobalt chassis. Plastic inside.
XB ---- Made by Scion. I like the looks, drives well, lots of goodies inside.
Prius Toyota Like the car but too expensive to buy new. Not sure about used battery
CRV
Forester
Rav4
Element
I will keep you posted on the hunt. The best so far is the XB. I like the looks of them especially thru 2007. The later ones are sleeker and bigger, but not as unique.
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