HEY

I'm fine.

My adopted daughter finally got here and we are trying to do it all and wear each other out.

BTW--she is winning the wear me out contest.

Well--Let's See...................

Where did I leave off in my life?

Monday, I had to drive up to Howell for a doctor's appointment.  At the time i checked my checking account balance on-line, (Sunday night), I had .36 cents.   I had 4 dollars in my wallet.

The FILL UP NOW OR YOU WILL BE WALKING, gas light in my car had been glowing since Friday when I had to drive up to Howell for the emergency dental visit.

What to do!  What to do?

My friend Chris, who I test crochet/knit patterns for, had dropped 50 bucks into my Pay Pal account on Saturday.

The middle of August, I had finished up all the projects for her, so I wouldn't be getting any more pay.  When I noticed that on Saturday, I immediately clicked on the button to have that money transferred to my checking account.

HOWEVER--it always takes 3-5 business days before the money gets to my checking account.  

I could call and cancel the appointment, it wasn't really all that important anyway.  Before I did anything, I got on-line and went to my checking account and there--LO AND BEHOLD, was the Pay Pal transfer!  How can that be?  It ALWAYS takes at least 3 business days and this time it was there in half a business day?

Also, in the mail, (which I did not get until after the appointment) I received notice that my bad insurance would be cancelled September 1st--and my new insurance wouldn't be effective until September 15th.  Good thing I could go to the doc's on the last day of August, or unknowingly, I would have had to pay for the entire office call!!!

So--once again. although I let myself get filled with doubt, when I know better--GOD, came through and saved my bacon--as has always happened for the last 30 years of living alone.

Now you all can say it was just a coincidence, but I won't ever believe that.  It should not have happened, but it did!!!
========================
The heat and humidity have returned full force!  The humidity makes me physically ill---literally!  I have had a headache and nausea for the last 4 days.  So---I don't go outside.  I am stuck in this place with all the windows shut tightly just as I will be in the dead of winter and  I HATE IT!!!  No walkies for me!
  
The very best news is that my Dear Daughter from another mother, will arrive any day now for a visit!!!!!  

Chris lives in Texas.  She bought one of those little trailers, left Texas the first week of July and has been traveling on the road, all alone except for her dog, since then.  She drove up to Idaho to meet her hubby, who was home on leave from the Army.  They took a few days trip up into the Canadian Rockies, then she left Idaho mid-August and is coming here, then on down to KY and TN and AR and then, home by third week of September.  

How brave would any of us be to travel all summer long--alone??

I have all her completed projects here, ready for her.  Plus, we are going shopping together for the yarn I will need for her next few projects.

I am so excited to see her that I am a nervous wreck!!!!!  
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I got this quilt, on sale, in January and I just got it done.  My 6th one, with only 3 more to go.

Angels Among Us

Melissa Geiger

Wife Goes On

These lyrics are for you.

Thank you and I pray, God continues to bless you and your family.

When life held troubled times, and had me down on my knees.

There's always been someone there to come along and comfort me.

A kind word from a stranger, to lend a helping hand.

A phone call from a friend, just to say I understand.

And ain't it kind of funny that at the dark end of the road.

Someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope.

Oh I believe there are angels among us.

Sent down to us from somewhere up above.

They come to you and me in our darkest hours.

To show us how to live, to teach us how to give.

To guide us with the light of love.

===============================================

Funny

Okay--I just gotta tell you this--I know it's wrong to gossip, but if it's the truth...is it gossip or just a good story?

So--Pearl came down last week to show me her new glasses.  She has been wearing the smallish wire frame kind.  She decided this time, to go with the new (old) plastic frames that are coming back in style.  Navy blue frames at that.  Not Progressive lenses--she still has the Coke-bottle kind of bifocal line across the bottom.

With her very pale skin color and pure white hair, I must say, they were a...what would you call it...a stand out feature!

She was so excited that I didn't really want to give my honest opinion, so I said, "I love the color of the frames!"

The glasses are way too big for her face and of course, being plastic, heavier than what she had been wearing.

"I just love them, " she said.  "I feel all hip and young!"
<reason enough to wear them, in my opinion>
==================
I went up to visit her and Merle last night. 

I noticed that Pearl was wearing her old glasses.

"What happened to your new glasses?'

"I don't like them!"

"Why?"

"Because everyone says I look like an Owl!  They are too big for my face and when people look at me, all they see are the glasses!"
<I noticed Merle is rolling his eyes>

"Can you take them back?"

"They can replace the frames, but the lenses are big, to fit those kind of frames, so...I'd have to get a whole new pair--lenses and frames."

"Oh."

Merle says quietly, "Oh, just go ahead.  What's another two hundred dollars?"
============
I told you, Pearl wants me to set up an e-mail account for her?  She wants it because, she can't order things on-line without an e-mail account.  

I keep putting her off.
She keeps bugging me about it.

I suggested she have her daughter do it for her, because I'm not sure how to do it.
<really, because I don't want to get involved in that circus>


As they say down South, "Bless her heart!!"
===================
My wonderful grandma, Helene,  was born 112 years ago.

==================
34 years ago today, my daughter Karen Helene was married:

====================
17 years ago today, my sister's son Adam was married.

SIGH

Well, let's see.  How can I make this post a positive one?

I am positive that...things are going to get much worse before they get any better.

I am positive that...I'm losing my mind.

I am positive that...I would just as soon die in my sleep.

But then, I worry about that because:  who would take my cats and be nice to them?  Do I have enough life insurance to pay for my funeral?  
=====================
I am positive there are no solutions for any of this.  I am positive I have no action plan.  I am positive I am truly depressed.  I am positive I don't do a thing except sit in my house...because ya know, my car radiator has a leak in it and my two serpentine belts are about to break and...I am positive I don't want to be on the road when that all happens!

I have three estimates on getting a radiator and the 2 belts--a MUST before winter.  All come in at around $500.00.  My regular service garage has the cheapest labor at $82.50 an hour.  Most charge $85.00 and some near $100.00.  

One place I called cheerfully told me, "I can get ya a new radiator and the belts, replace the antifreeze AND wash your car, all for under five hundred.  In fact, for $485.00!"
<WOW>

I can't seem to find any auto mechanics that work from their residence, BECAUSE Michigan law frowns on that and they can't advertise or they will get into trouble.  

Plus John can't remember the mechanic he knows, name OR phone number.  

He did promise to drive up to the guy's place and find out what it would cost me--"if the guy is even in business anymore."
GEEZ LOUISE!
====================
Yesterday I felt something strange in between two top teeth.  It felt kind of like a popcorn hull or something.  I went at it with my metal pick, my in between teeth brush, dental floss, fingernails--nothing would dislodge it.  Then last night I realized, it is a tiny wire off my 30 year old bridge!  So today I have an emergency visit to my dentist.  I wonder what that will cost!

I still owe her $200.00 (from the $800.00 crown) that I am paying off at $50.00 a month!
==============
Yesterday, I got a blood draw for my cardiologist and a copy to my primary care doc.  I fasted like a crazy fool, not even water, only to find out when the results came in, there was no request to have my cholesterol checked!!!

The cardiologist nurse called to tell me the results were fine.  So, I went on-line to my "patient portal" to check myself and found my white blood count is up, which can mean an infection and my glucose was at 110!  Which I think is too high, so---------
I have an appointment with my primary care guy on Monday.  I wonder what that will cost!

I still owe him $80.00 that insurance didn't cover ($225.00) and am paying him at $30.00 a month.
==================
Then in the mail this morning, I got a reminder from my  chiropractor that I owe him $210.00 that insurance didn't cover.  Maybe when I get my doc paid off, I can start paying him off?  In my opinion, I can't go back for any more adjustments if I am owing him money already.
=================

I could cash in my life insurance policy, but at this time, the $10,000.00 policy is only worth $425.00 and that won't even pay for a radiator and belts.  LOL

I checked with my DHS case worker and the only time they pay for car repairs is if you need that car to get to work.  

 I need a Go Fund Me set-up, but if it's not for hospital or funeral bills, I think it's kind of tacky.  
============
I thought about putting a Red Light on my porch, but.......at a dollar a "throw", I'd probably have to give back change!!! I have nearly forgotten what all is involved in a sexual encounter, but I do know---I'm too tired!!!

I had a gift card at Wal-Mart--that I was going to use for my new glasses and some money on my Wal-Mart Savings Bucks car--also going to combine for my new glasses, that I took yesterday and got cat food.  If it didn't smell so bad, I'd eat it for lunch, but..........
I did get myself some food, and my blood thinner prescription, and a half gallon of milk and fresh fruit, so I'm set until September 3rd--when thankfully my Social Security hits my bank account, which I checked today and have a balance of 36 cents.

===========
AHA, I knew if I thought about it long enough something positive would come to my mind--my new old insurance--Blue Cross Supplemental Insurance, goes into effect on September 15th.

My new Humana Prescription Drug Plan, the same day.

I am now paying $19.90 a month for the awful insurance I DO have and the new/old one will cost $40.42 and the new drug plan, $15.70, so it is more a month, BUT it used to cover everything at the chiropractor's office (if I didn't get a massage or ultra sound) and it covered doctor's office calls and dermatologist and all tests and.....everything, except $1,000 when I had hip surgery and I don't plan on needing that ever again.

SO--as soon as I pay the deductible of $300.00 on the new insurance, I should be good to go.  Having already paid the $500.00 deductible on the Advantage Plan I had from January until now.

I have already spent twice as much this year on medical/dental than I did last year.  That's why I had to ditch the Advantage Plan.
=============
Doesn't it all become laughable after awhile?

Does anyone know where I can find a Sugar Daddy, who doesn't want any "sugar", but if I sweeten his life a tiny bit, would like to give me three grand?

Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherry PITS!

It just gets funnier by the minute!  I am too the point where I am laughing a lot, about my car.  You know the kind of laughter--sort of on the edge of hysteria with a slight sob inserted here and there.

They found the coolant leak!  YAY.  I need a new radiator!  NAY.

In the order of what needs done:
Radiator, hoses/fluid    Parts & Labor: 394.39
Two Serpentine belts:   Parts and Labor: 152.15
Rear suspension:  Parts & Labor: 679.08
Rear brakes, wheel cylinders.  Parts & Labor  501.95

So, just as I was thinking that crawling into bed, pulling the covers up over my ears and staying there until Christmas, John called.  He had to run up to the vet's AGAIN, as Maisey has a bladder infection.

I told him all the things that need to be done to keep my car safe and he said, "I know a guy, over on M-59, who works out of his own garage.  He has worked on my cars for years, my grandkids cars.  He's great.  He can do the radiator AND serpentine belts for less than two hundred."

I started to feel a bit better.  This is what I have needed!  I was going to use the guy, out by where Pam lives, and she uses for all her repairs, but it is way too inconvenient.
===================
I caught a ride into Brighton with Dar--she was on her way to work.  She rattled on and on about her life all the way there, never asking me one single question about my car or the work done on it or the cost.  This morning, I liked that about her, because I didn't want to talk about my car fiasco.  That doesn't mean I heard a thing she was rattling on about, but..............................

When she dropped me off she said, "How do I get back to Meijers?"

"It's only two blocks away.  Just go back the way we came."

"I don't remember how we got here."

"Look...and I pointed....see all those cars?  That's Grand River.  Your store is on Grand River.  Pull out of here, go that way...and I pointed...to the first street.  Turn right and you will be on Grand River.  Meijer's is the second light.  Turn left and you will be in the parking lot."

"I hope I don't get lost!"

GEEZ LOUISE!!
==================
So, I went in the garage to settle up.  Now get this:  Parts were 45.18, Labor was 164.00.  $82.00 an hour and they are the cheapest ones around!!!!!!

Then Kevin showed me the pages he had printed out for me, with timeline of what needs done and the cost.

I decided to be perfectly honest with him.

"Kevin?  I want to thank you for the years of great service you have given me.  You have always been honest and up front with me.  You have never tried to gouge me.  BUT...I think that from now on, with the car as old as it is, it will continue to need patches and repairs and...I don't think I need a place that charges eighty dollars an hour, with unionized certified auto mechanics."

"I agree with you.  There are a lot of perfectly good mechanics around that work out of their own homes.  All certified service mechanic garages make money on the labor, not the parts, as you well know."

So, I laid out my 10, twenty dollar bills I had saved and dug around for the extra six bucks needed.  

I now have 1.36 in my checking account and 7 dollars in my wallet, but HEY--all the bills for the month have been paid and my car has new front brakes!!!!!

Life is good!

Grey, Dismal, Cold, Worrisome Day

John kindly followed me into Brighton, so I'd have a ride home, after dropping off my car for it's new front brakes.  A bit sad and frustrated.  It will take me another 3-4 months to save up the money for my new glasses.

Oh well--like my Alter Ego says:

You've heard the term "Death comes in threes", it does seem that way.

First was the death of  my friends 55 year old son, on his birthday.

Then the car that made an illegal U-turn on the expressway and killed my friend's 48 year old son-in-law, on the motorcycle.

On Sunday, I learned of the suicide of  a 19 year old son of younger friends.  Very well known family in Byron.    Hopefully, this will be the end of the vicious 3-cycle.

One bright spot, the suicide's older brother and his wife had a baby boy born this morning.
==================
john has become a huge annoyance today.  When he dropped me off at home this early morning, he said, "Do you want me to take you back to pick up your car?"

I said, "Oh, please don't worry about that.  I have no idea how long it will take.  You just go about your business and if, when they call me, I will let you know or if you are busy, Merle will take me, or even Dar.  She's home today."

"Well, I haven't anything to do today, so...when they call you for pick-up, you call me first."

"Okay.  Thanks."
===================
One hour later---"Have you heard from them yet?"

"Nope."

"You mean they aren't done with a simple brake job by now?"

"They are checking the car...all over to see if there are any major problems, BEFORE they do the brakes. They told me it might be three or four hours."

"What kind of place is that?  Have you always taken your car there?"
<okay, to me he is inferring I don't know anything, or at least that is the way I took it>

"It's a perfectly fine place.  I have taken my car there for twelve years.  They know my car.  They know me."

"Well, I can think of three other places that would have had the job done by now!"

"I will call you, when they call me, and let you know."
===============
Thirty minutes later, the service guy called me.

"Hi Judy, this is Kevin.  You were right,  you need new front brakes.  We checked the car all over and there are a few more problems."

"I was afraid of that."

"Most importantly, you have no coolant in the tank, so there must be a leak somewhere.  We need to fill the tank and then do a pressure check, to find the leak.  That is effecting your air conditioning and will effect your heater this winter."

"Gosh, I haven't seen any coolant on my driveway.  Maybe the tank is just empty?  I haven't had it filled since last November."

"Okay, we will check that out.  But...are you ready?"

"Oh, Dear God...I guess so."
<and my hands started shaking>

"You have no rear brakes, they are just rust and dust.  Your rear ball joints are failing, as well as the wheel cylinders on the rear.  I know you had the front ball joints and tie rods replaced in 2013, but not the rear ones.  Your rear suspension system is shot.  That's about fourteen hundred dollars.  Both serpentine belts are shot.  You know what happens if they go?"

A shaky, "Yesss.  The motor stops and the car dies."

"Yes...you definitely need to get those replaced before winter--if they even last that long.  With parts and labor, that's one hundred fifty dollars."

"Okay"

"Then you have three hoses that need replacing before winter.  That's about....hmmm...parts and labor, another one-fifty."

"So...you're talking close to two grand to fix everything?  Kevin...you know, I only have two hundred and twenty dollars to my name...."

"I understand that."

"I doubt you do and I hope you never have to be in my position.  Anyway, what can you fix today for that amount?"

"I can put on lower grade brakes, turn the rotors and clean them up and fill the coolant tank and check for the leak.  And fix the driver side door hinge.  I know you don't drive very many miles a year.  The brakes are going to give you some noise, but at least they will stop the car."

"Okay, go ahead with that.  Thanks, Kevin."
==============
I am just about ready to cry, but I call John instead.

"Kevin just called.  They have spent all this time checking out the entire car.  It needs a lot of work done on it, but they are just going to do the brakes and check for a pressure leak in the hoses for the coolant."

"Okay, well how long will that take?"

"It will take as long as it takes."
<trying to keep my voice level and not shout at him "HOW THE HELL DO I KNOW?"> 

"I will call you when I hear from them."

"Okay."

He calls back in 30 minutes.  "I'm just going out to mow the grass.  I just wanted to let you know in case you called."

"John!  It's okay.  Do whatever you want to do.  I don't have to get the car immediately.  I can get it anytime after they are finished.  I will call you, when they call me."
<lordy--just relax!>

3:00--John calls. "I'm done with the lawn and going to take a shower.  Did they call you yet?"

"Nope.  Haven't heard a word."

4:30--John calls.  "Have you heard from them?"

"Nope.  They must still be working on it."

"Well, you better call them and find out when it's going to be done.  Be firm with them.  They close at six and...I want to start fixing supper."

"John!  I told you...just go about your business.  I always tell them, they can have my car for as long as they want.  They have emergencies that come in and they have my permission to stop work on my car and tend to the emergencies.  People that work who need their cars fixed right away.  I don't need my car today--I don't need it tomorrow, or the next day...or even the next day.  I don't want you sitting around and waiting for me and my car.  Don't worry about me!"

"I'm not worried.  I just want to know what's going on."

"Okay.  I'll call them and find out."

"Hi Kevin, this is Judy.  Can you give me an estimate of when my car will be done?"

"The brakes are almost done, I've got another guy who's going to do the pressure test on the coolant line.  He had to step away to fix another car.  A lady had a problem with her EMC sensor and had her car towed in.  She needs it to get back to work tomorrow."

"That's fine, Kev.  I don't want to push you or rush you.  How's about, you let my car go and finish it up tomorrow.  I don't need the car and I can get it sometime tomorrow."

"Oh.  Thanks!  That would help.  Does it need a pillow and blanket to stay overnight?" (Meaning does it need to be stored inside.)

"Nope.  It's lived outside all its life.  Just park it and hopefully someone will steal it and I can get a newer one.  HAH."
=============
"Hi John.  I just called.  They are almost done, but had an emergency come in.  I told Kevin to just keep my car over night and finish it up tomorrow."

"Are they going to charge you for that?  Storing it overnight?  I know some places that do that sort of thing."

"No. they aren't going to charge me."

"Will it be safe?  Are they going to park it inside?"

"No.  I told them to just park it outside.  My car isn't used to being inside and it probably couldn't breathe and would probably die!"

"Well, what if someone vandalizes it, or steals it?"
<oh dear lord--save me from this neurotic man!>

"I'm sure it will be safe.  No one wants to steal a seventeen year old rust bucket!  And, the garage has insurance, so it would be taken care of."

"Okay.  Well, let me know if you need a ride tomorrow."

"Okay.  Thanks John."
=====================
Tomorrow or whenever I see John again...I am going to have to remind him that for over a year, I worked in a dealership service garage.  I KNOW about cars.  I KNOW the cost of parts AND labor costs.  I am not some little, blonde woman who is all DUH when it comes to this sort of thing.

AND--I DO NOT men who are condescending to me!!

SO THERE!

Now--where I am going to get the money to fix my car, is another thing.  Two grand, with cheap parts, will bring it up to a safe car, for at least a few more years.  Maybe I will die before I need that amount of work done on it again AND it is still much cheaper than having a car payment--which I can't afford anyway.