Today started with the insurance problem.   Hal had called Northrop who told him that my insurance should be reinstated, but if I wanted it to be retroactive, I'd have to have Kaiser do that.

That made no sense, and was the exact opposite of what Kaiser told us, but I called them anyway.  My insurance has not been reinstated.  They checked their central place to see if it just hadn't reached them yet, but there's nothing there either.

Hal called NG back, got yet a different rep, with whom we had to tell the whole story over again.  This one said we missed Friday's deadline, so it wouldn't be in affect until August.  Hal explained that we over-nighted everything on Friday just for that reason, and we wanted to speak with his supervisor.  Instead of that, he came back on the phone and said it was being processed as urgent, and should be in effect in two days.  Delay, delay, delay, delay......

I started my morning routine, tested my blood sugar, had breakfast, started to go through email...when my stomach flipped over.  I've felt heavy and nauseous all day.  So I slept a lot.  Didn't do much of anything all day.  Still feel like a lead zeppelin is sitting at the bottom of my stomach, with it's little fan turning....

365 Project:       Attaching fringe to my current project.






\m/

Another quiet day.       Warm and sunny and Summery.  Did a few chores, watched some TV movies, mostly a non-computer day.  Some days I just need to get away from them.

365 Project:       My latest project; pulling a loop over e-wrap on the Knifty Knitter.





\m/

This was a lazy Saturday.   Goofed off all morning, took a nap, read a book outside while the pond was refilling, watched a lame movie, put away a load of laundry, made burgers for dinner.

The day was bright, sunny and warm, with a pretty good breeze.  It's a perfect summer day.  Toria would've loved it.

365 Project:       The temperature outside in the shade of the patio cover.







\m/

Today we stayed at home...mostly.  The weather is in the low 90's, partly cludly and muggy.  Very unusual for the desert in the middle of July.

The morning was spent with phone calls.  We made some calls and worked some magic to help Mary Kay with her car.  And we called Northrop Grumman...again.  This time we got a person that seemed to know what she was doing.  She said they received our letter and apps.  That Hal will be switched to Kaiser, and unenrolled from Secure Horizons, and they will make sure that there won't be a gap in coverage.  On mine, they will authorize Senior Advantage on Sept 1, and request that my old Kaiser be reinstated retroactive to May 1.  That request is marked urgent as we asked.  She said I should be able to use my current card in a few days.  That's certainly a relief. 

Talked to Merry Maids today.  The monthly amount they charge for once-a-month cleaning seems awfully high to me.  I thought maybe it was because they paid for their employees health insurance, so I asked.  They don't.  We may go ahead with them, but I'm going to get other quotes first.  I have the number for Molly Maid service and will contact them - probably on Monday.

Did the laundry and cleaned the kitchen today.  The rest of the time was spent on Facebook playing games and chatting with our grand-niece, Kelsey.  While perusing all my messages, I came across this picture of our granddaughter, Hailey.  She looked so pretty, I asked permission to show it here.  She's really good at photography, and I like the way the flash works with her portrait here. She's so pretty.  You can see the resemblance to her dad.

The hamburger I took out for dinner was still frozen, so we went to Farmer Boys.  I had a burger and a couple of Hal's fries; he had the crispy chicken tenderloin sandwich.

365 Project:       My current project.  Like the others, but in black, silver and white.









\m/

This was not our usual grocery day.  Before I was out of bed, the doorbell rang.  Hal answered it, and signed for our overnight package from Northrop Grumman.  Inside were two applications for Kaiser's Senior Advantage program.  Yay!  If they'd only done that three months ago, we wouldn't be in this mess.

So I showered, dressed, did my morning inhalers and meds and lotions and creams (for my various dried up areas), made a quick breakfast of peanut butter bagel, then sat in the front room with Hal filling out both forms.  Once that was done, we went in the computer room to copy my Medicare Card and my Disability Letter, then typed a cover letter with all of Hal's ID#'s, listing what was enclosed, demanding immediate restoration of my regular Kaiser retro-active to May 1, and a brief explanation of how their support crew messed this all up.

Next we took all that along with the return envelope they enclosed, to the UPS store, to mail it back by overnight delivery.  We had them put the stack of papers in the overnight envelope, and handed them the return envelope for the address.  Unfortunately, NG failed to give us a delivery address, only their PO Box.  Their real address was nowhere to be found on any of the documentation.  So the UPS Store person looked them up on the internet, but no physical address was listed there either.  She let us use her phone to call the Health Benefits Dept's 800#, and Hal asked the customer support person for the physical address.  Whew!  We thanked the UPS gal for all of her cheerful help.  I guess being a repeat customer has advantages.

After we finally got that in the mail I felt - odd.  Not physically, but emotionally.  I was drained and sleepy, and didn't want to leave Hal's side.  Like I needed to have him in my sights. 

We then decided while we were out there, we may as well do our grocery shopping, even if it were earlier than we usually go.  And we were lucky that, even thought it was the traditional lunch hour, there was hardly anyone in the store.  Since I still felt weird, as soon as I got the electric cart, I didn't toodle off on my own, but stayed close to Hal.  Felt I had to.  I explained the feeling to him later as he was picking up a soda at Jack, and he was fine with that.  Said he'd be right near me as long as I needed him to be.

When we got home, we put away the groceries.  I read my email and caught up on Facebook, then got really sleepy and took a nap.  Felt much better after the nap.  I must've been "steeling" up for the hassle with the insurance forms, and as soon as it was done, I needed a hug and a nap.  Or my feeling was a woo-woo event that passed.

I put in the letter that we wanted them to call us as soon as they receive it, so I'm hoping we'll get a call tomorrow.  I've kept the dates of most of the phone calls, and the names of who Hal has spoken to, so if it comes to legal action, I have it pretty well documented.

365 Project:       When we got home, every driveway had a little orange plastic bag with the AT&T phone directory in it.  We hate when they do that.  Even with the plastic bag the stuff gets all wet or soggy or burnt and melted by the sun.  We were too tired to worry about it and decided to leave it there till tomorrow.  Well, I got an automated yes/no phone call from AT&T to find out if the book was delivered and in good condition.  The last question was "Was the book placed near the hinge side of the front door".  I selected NO, then thought this would be a funny picture.  See how close to our front door it is?  HA!  (then I picked it up and brought it inside).  I kinda like the way the sun's rays are doing their "God" thing, though....









\m/

Hal land I both got up at 4 am.  Don't know what was up with that, but I was done with my housework by 9!  I have so much more energy in the mornings....

Hal spoke with NG again today.  It turns out that they canceled my Kaiser on May 1.  They put me temporarily on Anthem (Blue Cross) until I filled out the Secure Horizons app, which I never asked for.  Anthem has no providers for 100 miles from here.  And certainly isn't accepted by Kaiser.

We think we finally got them to overnight the Kaiser Senior Advantage app to us.  We'll know tomorrow when we pick up the mail.  She was supposed to call us back, but didn't.  So Hal called them again, and she said that process was approved.  Keeping our fingers crossed.

I went to take a nap about 1:30.  Phone rang about 2:30.  It was Kaiser.  They just got the electronic cancellation of my insurance.  I explained what happened.  She said that if NG doesn't make the Senior Advantage retroactive to May 1, we'll be responsible for all visits, tests, and prescriptions since that date.  Arrrggghhhhh!  They will take my Medicare for 80% coverage, but that doesn't cover the prescriptions.  Sigh.

It's so obvious that the health benefits customer service reps at Northrop Grumman have no idea what they're doing.  Why do they still have jobs?  With all the people out of work, you'd think they'd be able to hire people that are competent.  I have no clue how the first guy got everything so messed up.  It should've been a simple roll-over.

I'm calling Kaiser tomorrow and see how much it would cost for US to pay for Senior Advantage, and if THEY can make it retroactive to May 1.

365 Project:       What I'm wearing today...






\m/

Today was frustrating.  On the happy side, the temps were around 90.  Warm and breezy, so a nice summer day.  And since we changed the filter, I'm breathing a little bit easier.

Northop Grumman kept sending the wrong forms to us to move me from Kaiser to Kaiser's Senior Advantage program.  The last bulk of papers mentioned a form to fill out, but no form was sent (except for Secure Horizons which is PacifiCare, not Kaiser).  So Hal called them (NG) today to get it all straightened out.  This is about the 3rd time he called, and they promised they'd send out the correct forms.  And this guy actually seemed to understand what we wanted to do. (Hal had them on speakerphone).  So we sighed a skeptical sigh of relief.

As I was setting up my pills for the week, I realized that I forgot to pick up my Lupus meds.  I got Hal and we drove down to Kaiser to pick up my prescription.  We got the counter, they had my meds, but stopped the processing and asked if I were still a member.  Well, as of last week, I was.  She said the records indicate that my insurance was cancelled by Northrup Grumman as of May 1.  WHAT???   And that the med cost $365 without it!

She sent us across the hall to member services.  They verified that information and looked to see if the Senior Advantage was started.  Not.  They let me use their phone to call the Sr. Advantage office to see if I could either get approval right away or get my old insurance with Kaiser renewed.  Neither one was possible - has to come for NG - the same fools we've called four times now!  Grrr.  Of course, NG is on the East Coast, and it was too late to call them.  The members services gal suggested we go back to the pharmacy and see if they'd do a "hold over" till the paperwork is properly processed.  You see, I have to take my Lupus meds, or my auto-immune system will attack my body - stopping, even temporarily, is not an option.  So we went across the hall again, and the pharmacist released a week's worth of meds and will hold the rest back till we get the paperwork straightened out.  Gagh!  This time it's Hal's employment dept that screwed up, not the insurance company.

I was upset.  Hal was thoroughly pissed and through F-bombs for about an hour.  I just got all tearful and irritated and frustrated and my blood sugar dropped, so I was shaky.  Some of you have seen me in that condition.  Irrational, to say the least.

On the way home, we stopped to pick up our mail.  In there were about 4 envelopes from NG, one from Secure Horizons and one from Kaiser.  None of them had the elusive application - but one DID have an application for Secure Horizons that Hal already has.  At least we hope he does.  They might have cancelled that, too.

After dinner, I went through the rest of the mail and found the software and cables for my meter.  I'll install that tomorrow.  I also sent a Kaiser email to Dr. Singla, begging her not to let them drop me as her patient because her new patient slots disappear quickly.  That's all I'd need.  Get my insurance back and lose Dr. Singla.  Sigh.  Keeping my fingers crossed.

365 Photo:      This is the useless packet of pages and pages of information having nothing to do with switching to Kaiser, except for the one with orange highlighting in the middle - that's the part that says we have to send an application for Kaiser to NG, but no app was included.  The far right one is a form for Secure Horizons, not Kaiser.  Hal's going to call them first thing tomorrow morning and raise some hell.



\m/

KTLA Morning Show and Internet

This is Bless the House Day.  I'm not as able to do a full blessing as I once used to, but between the two of us, Hal and I got a lot done.

Cleaned the sinks and toilets in both baths, cleaned the kitchen counters, changed the sheets, sorted laundry and started a load, loaded the dishwasher, and gathered all the trash to roll to the street.  I had to do it in small increments, but got it done.  Yay, me!

During my rest periods, I played the one-player game (Battle for Stars) in Super Mario Party 8.  I've finished 1 out of 5 adventures.  If I win all 5, it will unlock a stand in the funhouse where we can earn more mini-games, challenge games, and hopefully two new characters.  This is a time I wish Nat were here.  She's so much better at this stuff than I am.  You have to play against a computer player, so it can get tough.

365 Project:      This is my blood sugar test kit.  Hal's is similar.  The open tube at top center contains the test strips.  One is pulled out of the tube and is lying on the cap.  At the bottom left is the needle.  Actually, the needle is inside the clear cap on the "pen".  You remove the cap, insert a needle, twist off its protective cap, replace the clear cap, then use the big trigger at the bottom to "cock" it.  The clear part is then placed on a rosy, fleshy part of the body.  You push the little button (under the #7) and Bap! it punctures your skin.  I hold the whole thing pressed in for a count of 10 to make sure enough blood is present to test (it can be seen through the clear cap).  sometimes you have to squeeze the skin to get out enough blood.  Sometimes I still don't get enough and have to start over.  This "pen" works better than others I've had, because you can adjust the depth that it punctures.  Settings go from 1 to 9.  I have to have it set at 7 to ensure a good sample.  The alien looking thing is the meter.  If you look at the strip, you can see a series of white lines at one end, a gold strip on the other.  The white-lines end slips into the top of the meter.  Then, after poking yourself, you pick up the meter and hold the gold part of the strip on the edge of the blood drop.  The blood gets sucked onto othe strip through capillary action, and the meter tells you what your "score" is.  Best is between 90 & 120.  Once you're done, you put the protective top back on the needle and discard it, and pull the test strip out of the meter and discard that as well.

You do this several times a day, then take that average as your "score".  Mine is a little on the high end, but still within limits.  The meter keeps track of each reading, time of day, whether it's before or after eating (you tell it that), and the date.  I'm waiting for the software and cable.  When it arrives, the meter can connect to my computer, transfer the data into the program, and the program will do the math and make charts and diagrams over time.  Currently I'm logging it into a hand-written log.  When next I see my doctor (in October), I'll take those charts and graphs with me so she can see what my overall status is. 

So when you see the TV commercials saying how they've made it easier to test your blood, they're only showing you the meter, not the whole process.  I had a copay for the meter, the strips and needles are free.






\m/

This was a quiet Sunday.  Warm - in the 90's.  Clear blue sky, heavy winds.

Had marbled rye toast with juice for breakfast, watching a spooky movie with Kate Hudson, Gena Rowlands and John Hurt.  Had to do with voodoo and making someone believe so a spell would work.  Really interesting and creepy.

Played on Facebook for awhile, did some housework, then paid the bills and reworked the budget.  Once we've paid off the dental bill, we'll have a little "wiggle room".  Ordered some more Catherine Coulter mysteries, and more lilac oil for the diffuser Nat gave me.

Had the old stand-by, fish sticks and fries, for dinner.  A little fruit cocktail to even it out.

Hal and I have been pretty good at testing our blood sugar.  We're both pretty much in the correct range, except once I guess I didn't wait long enough after eating and mine was really high.  It helps that Hal and I do it together.  One of us will remember to do it, then we just have to coordinate when we snack.

Hal's deep into KoL.  Making spreadsheets to analyze how the game works, then making a run through the adventure in the fastest possible time.  Each run his character picks up more permanent skills, so if that's your goal, doing it fast is the best option.

He's OK.  Feet still swell on occasion - needs to put them up more frequently.  I've been having trouble breathing, but I know it'll get better - it always does.  Since I can't do as much in one spurt now, my back doesn't hurt much.  Only my tailbone from sitting too long, and my hip joints in the morning.  It's all manageable.

365 Project:      Another project, same as the last two, only this one is in Navy blue with yellow and rose mixed in.






\m/