this little bluggy was written a month ago. I forgot to hit the word publish.
Now I will. Nothing earth shattering here of course.
m
===============
This past week we ventured into a CVS pharmacy to buy Cokes. If you don't watch the advertisements, you may not know that CVS will have Cokes and associated varieties on sale a lot cheaper than the guys across the street. 2 liters can be had for $1 while HEB sells it for $1.50.
.
Lemme point out: Most people I know call all soft drinks - all sodas - whatever - we called them cokes. I quote: "Let's go to the Dairy Queen and get a coke." It is like all nose blowing tissues are Kleenex or all refrigerators are Kelvinators - make up your own product and find the ones you generalize.
.
In this case I wanted Diet Cokes and Caffeine free diet cokes. I am not suppose to drink sugary stuff; thus, diet cokes. Diet Pepsi is vile - and "lips that touch Dr Pepper shall never touch mine." We walked in pushing their tiny buggy/cart. At that moment I had a revelation - an epiphany if you will. We need our flu shots.
.
Last year, when we tried this, our insurer Aetna had put a new process in place. I had to go home and call them. Then, they sent out a letter or form which I carried into CVS.
In addition, to those of you who are uninformed, there are 2 types of flu shots. One is bigger than the other. They have a name for it. I forget. I am allowed to forget. I am getting older.
Naturally, when we sidled up to the window, I brought these facts up - one at a time of course. Re: going home and getting a letter from Aetna -- The young lady behind the counter entered our info and said we are "good to go." I asked about the dosage. She told us that "Seniors" automatically get the higher dosage. Question: How did she know we are Seniors? She didn't ask. Is that profiling? Should I be offended? Of course not. I believe in profiling.
.
The spouse and I found our waiting-area chairs and chilled out -- waiting -- and talking about other people we saw come through. Other people and their little quirks are always good fodder for a quick conversation. No, I never feel guilty for being catty. What they don't know, hurts nobody except my tally sheet when I arrive at Gabriel's gate, if you get my drift.
.
A nice young lady brought over some official forms to be signed. The form granted our permission to be abused by her needle and the store. CVS is off the hook if there is a problem. And it instructed us how to pronounce: "IN - FLOO - EN ZA" I had always wondered how to pronounce Flu. If it were not for this valuable form, I might have continued to think it was pronounced "Bippity boppity boo."
.
She administered our shot. Both were poked in the left arm. Frankly, there was no pain at all. Over and done with. She was one of the finest Administrators I have ever met. On the whole, I rarely say nice things about Administrators.
Bought our Diet drinks and went home. Nuff. I never regret getting the flu shot.
==========================
Addition to the above comments:
.
Can't say names - OSHA might get me.... BUT SOMEONE I KNOW and his wife got their shots up in XXXXX (town name censored) the previous week. The next day her shoulder started to hurt. After a trip to the ER and more, I THINK her problem was attributed to the flu shot. Perhaps the "shot giver" hit a bone or a nerve? She has had major health issues in the past and is naturally concerned when she begins having any medical problem.
.
I don't know what has happened since her MRI.
.
To continue As it would happen, the day before they got their shots, I read an article in the Dallas paper about this. The People's Pharmacy (Oct. 25th, page 3E) has medical questions and answers. I think the authors may be latter-day hippies who are going for the healthy life style approach to all things. Someone wrote in about the flu shot and problems. I will summerize.
.
They were told that pain can happen. Now, what got me in their explanation was that our government has a website for you to report if you have a problem with a vaccination. And, if the problem continues for a long enough time, they have a compensation program. OUR RICH GOVERNMENT WILL GIVE YOU MONEY IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH YOUR VACCINATION. Isn't that nice.
.
So if you have a problem. Govn website vaers.hhs.gov/index
To apply for compensation -- the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program has a phone number 800/338-2382 and a website www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/index.html
Who'd a thought? That is my public service message for this day - for the week, month - year - whenever. I wish they had a compensation program for fertilizing my grass...or shining my shoes...or getting my haircut...or answering robocalls
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Monday, November 7, 2016
fly flue fluen
This past week we ventured into a CVS pharmacy to buy Cokes. If you don't watch the advertisements, you may not know that CVS will have Cokes and associated varieties on sale a lot cheaper than the guys across the street. 2 liters can be had for $1 while HEB sells it for $1.50.
.
Lemme point out: Most people I know call all soft drinks - all sodas - whatever - we called them cokes. I quote: "Let's go to Sonic and get a coke." It is like all nose blowing tissues are Kleenex or all refrigerators are Kelvinators - make up your own product and find the ones you generalize.
.
In this case I wanted Diet Cokes and Caffeine free diet cokes. I am not suppose to drink sugary stuff; thus, diet cokes. Diet Pepsi is vile - and "lips that touch Dr Pepper shall never touch mine." We walked in pushing their tiny buggy/cart. At that moment I had a revelation - an epiphany if you will. We need our flu shots.
.
Last year, when we tried this, our insurer Aetna had put a new process in place. I had to go home and call them. Then, they sent out a letter or form which I carried into CVS.
In addition, to those of you who are uninformed, there are 2 types of flu shots. One is bigger than the other. They have a name for it. I forget. I am allowed to forget. I am getting older.
Naturally, when we sidled up to the window, I brought these facts up - one at a time of course. Re: going home and getting a letter from Aetna -- The young lady behind the counter entered our info and said we are "good to go." I asked about the dosage. She told us that "Seniors" automatically get the higher dosage. Question: How did she know we are Seniors? She didn't ask. Is that profiling? Should I be offended? Of course not. I believe in profiling.
.
The spouse and I found our waiting-area chairs and chilled out -- waiting -- and talking about other people we saw come through. Other people and their little quirks are always good fodder for a quick conversation. No, I never feel guilty for being catty. What they don't know, hurts nobody except my tally sheet when I arrive at Gabriel's gate, if you get my drift.
.
A nice young lady brought over some official forms to be signed. The form granted our permission to be abused by her needle and the store. CVS is off the hook if there is a problem. And it instructed us how to pronounce: IN - FLOO - EN ZA I had always wondered how to pronounce Flu. If it were not for this valuable form, I might have continued to think it was pronounced "Bippity boppity."
.
She administered our shot. Both were poked in the left arm. Frankly, there was no pain at all. Over and done with. She was one of the finest Administrators I have ever met. On the whole, I rarely say nice things about Administrators.
Bought our Diet drinks and went home. Nuff. I never regret getting the flu shot.
==========================
Addition to the above comments:
.
Can't say names - OSHA might get me.... BUT SOMEONE I KNOW and his wife got their shots up in (town name censored) XXXXX the previous week. The next day her shoulder started to hurt. After a trip to the ER and more, I THINK her problem was attributed to the flu shot. Perhaps the "shot giver" hit a bone or a nerve? She has had major health issues in the past and is naturally concerned when she begins having any medical problem.
.
I don't know what has happened since her MRI.
.
To continue As it would happen, the day before they got their shots, I read an article in the Dallas paper about this. The People's Pharmacy (Oct. 25th, page 3E) has medical questions and answers. I think the authors may be latter-day hippies who are going for the healthy life style approach to all things. Someone wrote in about the flu shot and problems. I will summerize.
.
They were told that pain can happen. Now, what got me in their explanation was that our government has a website for you to report if you have a problem with a vaccination. And, if the problem continues for a long enough time, they have a compensation program. OUR RICH GOVERNMENT WILL GIVE YOU MONEY IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH YOUR VACCINATION. Isn't that nice.
.
So if you have a problem. Govn website vaers.hhs.gov/index
To apply for compensation -- the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program has a phone number 800/338-2382 and a website www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/index.html
Who'd a thought? That is my public service message for this day - for the week, month - year - whenever. I wish they had a compensation program for fertilizing my grass...or shining my shoes...or getting my haircut...or answering robocalls
.
Lemme point out: Most people I know call all soft drinks - all sodas - whatever - we called them cokes. I quote: "Let's go to Sonic and get a coke." It is like all nose blowing tissues are Kleenex or all refrigerators are Kelvinators - make up your own product and find the ones you generalize.
.
In this case I wanted Diet Cokes and Caffeine free diet cokes. I am not suppose to drink sugary stuff; thus, diet cokes. Diet Pepsi is vile - and "lips that touch Dr Pepper shall never touch mine." We walked in pushing their tiny buggy/cart. At that moment I had a revelation - an epiphany if you will. We need our flu shots.
.
Last year, when we tried this, our insurer Aetna had put a new process in place. I had to go home and call them. Then, they sent out a letter or form which I carried into CVS.
In addition, to those of you who are uninformed, there are 2 types of flu shots. One is bigger than the other. They have a name for it. I forget. I am allowed to forget. I am getting older.
Naturally, when we sidled up to the window, I brought these facts up - one at a time of course. Re: going home and getting a letter from Aetna -- The young lady behind the counter entered our info and said we are "good to go." I asked about the dosage. She told us that "Seniors" automatically get the higher dosage. Question: How did she know we are Seniors? She didn't ask. Is that profiling? Should I be offended? Of course not. I believe in profiling.
.
The spouse and I found our waiting-area chairs and chilled out -- waiting -- and talking about other people we saw come through. Other people and their little quirks are always good fodder for a quick conversation. No, I never feel guilty for being catty. What they don't know, hurts nobody except my tally sheet when I arrive at Gabriel's gate, if you get my drift.
.
A nice young lady brought over some official forms to be signed. The form granted our permission to be abused by her needle and the store. CVS is off the hook if there is a problem. And it instructed us how to pronounce: IN - FLOO - EN ZA I had always wondered how to pronounce Flu. If it were not for this valuable form, I might have continued to think it was pronounced "Bippity boppity."
.
She administered our shot. Both were poked in the left arm. Frankly, there was no pain at all. Over and done with. She was one of the finest Administrators I have ever met. On the whole, I rarely say nice things about Administrators.
Bought our Diet drinks and went home. Nuff. I never regret getting the flu shot.
==========================
Addition to the above comments:
.
Can't say names - OSHA might get me.... BUT SOMEONE I KNOW and his wife got their shots up in (town name censored) XXXXX the previous week. The next day her shoulder started to hurt. After a trip to the ER and more, I THINK her problem was attributed to the flu shot. Perhaps the "shot giver" hit a bone or a nerve? She has had major health issues in the past and is naturally concerned when she begins having any medical problem.
.
I don't know what has happened since her MRI.
.
To continue As it would happen, the day before they got their shots, I read an article in the Dallas paper about this. The People's Pharmacy (Oct. 25th, page 3E) has medical questions and answers. I think the authors may be latter-day hippies who are going for the healthy life style approach to all things. Someone wrote in about the flu shot and problems. I will summerize.
.
They were told that pain can happen. Now, what got me in their explanation was that our government has a website for you to report if you have a problem with a vaccination. And, if the problem continues for a long enough time, they have a compensation program. OUR RICH GOVERNMENT WILL GIVE YOU MONEY IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH YOUR VACCINATION. Isn't that nice.
.
So if you have a problem. Govn website vaers.hhs.gov/index
To apply for compensation -- the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program has a phone number 800/338-2382 and a website www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/index.html
Who'd a thought? That is my public service message for this day - for the week, month - year - whenever. I wish they had a compensation program for fertilizing my grass...or shining my shoes...or getting my haircut...or answering robocalls
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
The eyes have it
Wed. the 2nd
Yesterday was my return visit to the eye doctor. A spell back (a while ago) our regular eye doctor sent out notice that he was moving to Florida. He did - move that is. We had to find a new eye doctor; and, we did.
.
This guy must have been new to the area because he was not really organized - some equipment was not here, etc. Because of the diabetes thing, they suggest that I see an ophthalmologist at least once a year. His nurse took me into an area and did all the major eye testing - no need for new glasses. Then, he came in and did the actual eye check -- This was back in May or so.
.
a little bit of history: Living in Pflugerville several years back, I started seeing flashes of light. I went to my Oph - whatever - eye doc - he looked and immediately sent me to another doc. This new doc was nearly 12 years old, I think. The "kid" performed laser surgery on my right eye. It seems that my retina had torn. Now, if you have never had laser surgery by a 12 yr old, you haven't lived. It was intense pain for a very few seconds. I have never had pain like that. Dull pain - not sharp like stepping on a nail. It was indeed tough. The kid told me to come back if I more problems.
.
Well, sure, I did. About a year or so later, light flashing and trip to see the Kid. He zapped me again - same eye - terrible experience. I asked and he told me that it was like 1 in 100 billion people have the first tear and 1 in a quad-zillion-coquetatillion if it ever happens again. It is so nice to know I am special.
.
Back to last May. The new doc looks at my eyes - Right eye seems to have a problem. He pulled out his zapper and lasered the right eye again....(I made up the word lasered. Spell check doesn't like it.) This time the pain was a "nothing." I still don't understand it unless he is pretending to hit the laser button so he can overcharge Medicare. Or, of course, maybe technology has improved over 2002. I'll take either explanation. My co-pay remains the same. He had me back a couple of months later to check the eye - all is well.
.
He started talking about my left eye. I believe he believes that the original work was done in the left eye, not the right. Well, No. Pain like that is remembered. Anyway, during this latest trip, he keeps looking at the left eye.
.
The new eye doc has lots of new machines which I experienced. I'm thinking my right eye has helped to buy those new machines. Yesterday, he made pictures of the back of my eyes. Amazing - really. And he showed me where their might be diabetes nerve damage in the back of the eye. That's pleasant news.
.
He wants to see me again in 9 months. Originally, he said 6 months - then I mumbled something about the insurance company - only can have inspection every year, I thought - and so forth. So he settled on 9 months back. I am not complaining. Except when he uses that little extra lens and the light on his head, this is not a bad trip to see a doctor. I do hate it when he uses extra lights to gander at the back of my eyes. This is so uncomfortable.
.
I put on dark sunglasses and the lovely spouse drove me home. I didn't even buy a big gulp for the trip - and, frankly, I deserved a big gulp for not screaming when he looked into my eyes. Dracula.
Yesterday was my return visit to the eye doctor. A spell back (a while ago) our regular eye doctor sent out notice that he was moving to Florida. He did - move that is. We had to find a new eye doctor; and, we did.
.
This guy must have been new to the area because he was not really organized - some equipment was not here, etc. Because of the diabetes thing, they suggest that I see an ophthalmologist at least once a year. His nurse took me into an area and did all the major eye testing - no need for new glasses. Then, he came in and did the actual eye check -- This was back in May or so.
.
a little bit of history: Living in Pflugerville several years back, I started seeing flashes of light. I went to my Oph - whatever - eye doc - he looked and immediately sent me to another doc. This new doc was nearly 12 years old, I think. The "kid" performed laser surgery on my right eye. It seems that my retina had torn. Now, if you have never had laser surgery by a 12 yr old, you haven't lived. It was intense pain for a very few seconds. I have never had pain like that. Dull pain - not sharp like stepping on a nail. It was indeed tough. The kid told me to come back if I more problems.
.
Well, sure, I did. About a year or so later, light flashing and trip to see the Kid. He zapped me again - same eye - terrible experience. I asked and he told me that it was like 1 in 100 billion people have the first tear and 1 in a quad-zillion-coquetatillion if it ever happens again. It is so nice to know I am special.
.
Back to last May. The new doc looks at my eyes - Right eye seems to have a problem. He pulled out his zapper and lasered the right eye again....(I made up the word lasered. Spell check doesn't like it.) This time the pain was a "nothing." I still don't understand it unless he is pretending to hit the laser button so he can overcharge Medicare. Or, of course, maybe technology has improved over 2002. I'll take either explanation. My co-pay remains the same. He had me back a couple of months later to check the eye - all is well.
.
He started talking about my left eye. I believe he believes that the original work was done in the left eye, not the right. Well, No. Pain like that is remembered. Anyway, during this latest trip, he keeps looking at the left eye.
.
The new eye doc has lots of new machines which I experienced. I'm thinking my right eye has helped to buy those new machines. Yesterday, he made pictures of the back of my eyes. Amazing - really. And he showed me where their might be diabetes nerve damage in the back of the eye. That's pleasant news.
.
He wants to see me again in 9 months. Originally, he said 6 months - then I mumbled something about the insurance company - only can have inspection every year, I thought - and so forth. So he settled on 9 months back. I am not complaining. Except when he uses that little extra lens and the light on his head, this is not a bad trip to see a doctor. I do hate it when he uses extra lights to gander at the back of my eyes. This is so uncomfortable.
.
I put on dark sunglasses and the lovely spouse drove me home. I didn't even buy a big gulp for the trip - and, frankly, I deserved a big gulp for not screaming when he looked into my eyes. Dracula.
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Halloween M&Ms
Here it is, November 1st of 2016.
Since my last writing, lots of water has gone under that bridge....most of the items have not been earth shaking - so, I suppose, you might say it has been a trickle under the bridge. All of that taken in perspective might be one thing or another. For instance a tiny bit of water going under the Golden Gate Bridge would be pitiful. But if you bridge is a 1"x 2" piece of plywood and you want to keep your tootsies dry - it might be a problem.
.
But, I ramble.
.
Last night was Halloween. 31st of October. Little monsters roaming the streets knocking on doors in anticipation of piles of sweets. The vast majority of home owners prepare in advance. Nobody wants to disappoint a precious little kid, now, do they?
.
We built and moved into this house in the spring of 2008. It's a nice house - not a mansion. The houses in this subdivision are not mansions. They are nice sized but nothing like the 2 story things you might see around the lake. 2008. This is 2016. That would be 8 years - or - 8 years of Halloween. During the 8 years, we have had ZERO, OUGHT, NONE, ZIP, 0 "trick or treaters" at our door. Sure, I leave the porch light on - I have a skeleton hanging outside - a Halloween sign - Hey, I try. I suppose that I could rent a bus and transport the critters to our front door.
.
Not going to happen.
.
Every year, the wife and I have an argument about candy. It's not really an argument, but it is a disagreement. And for 7 years, her opinion proves to be correct. Y'see, in that first year, we both thought somebody might darken our dark door.
.
Follow this now: I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2008. I cannot eat candy - or I shouldn't eat candy. My wife can and does eat candy. She protests having any candy around the house because she knows she will eat it. I am that way about Chili or Mexican Food. But how many of you have given out bowls of chili on Halloween? "Here Kid. Take a tamale." I'd say none of you have approached this season of giving by preparing greasy food.
.
Monday morning. We have no candy in the house, but I have to go to town to mail a package. .
The following is totally unrelated to Halloween] Brother Jim and his lovely spouse Earline, are cleaning out their garage - looking forward to downsizing. He ran across a couple of 16 mm marching band movies of Levelland H.S. from 1967 & 1968. We had long graduated before those dates. I don't know how he got them, but I figure we can blame my father. That band was directed by Bill Woods, a fine marching band director. Bill is on my email list, so I asked if he would like to have the movies....thus, a trip to town on Monday to mail same movies.
.
While I motored by the post office, the wife made a quick trip inside HEB in her weekly grocery run. By the time I chose to return, she was checking out and had purchase on bag of candy for the evening run. At home, she proudly displayed M&Ms - a delightful chocolate treat. When it comes to chocolate, my wife loves it. She protests eating the candy - still, she eats it when forced.
.
Alas, we have a problem. Nobody came by the house; the wife has to eat the chocolate because it will go bad if left on the counter - right? So here is the situation. I whine to get her to buy chocolate - nobody comes by - it is her task to take care of the chocolate under protest. She open the first small bag and chomped down.
.
They were not regular M&Ms. Instead they are like little rice krispie treats thinly covered in unmeasurable chocolate - They don't even taste like candy - cereal !!! She doesn't like them. She won't eat them. We have a bag of Rice Krispies covered in minute chocolate. Can you see the problem? If it weren't so sad, it might be funny.
.
Maybe next Halloween.
Since my last writing, lots of water has gone under that bridge....most of the items have not been earth shaking - so, I suppose, you might say it has been a trickle under the bridge. All of that taken in perspective might be one thing or another. For instance a tiny bit of water going under the Golden Gate Bridge would be pitiful. But if you bridge is a 1"x 2" piece of plywood and you want to keep your tootsies dry - it might be a problem.
.
But, I ramble.
.
Last night was Halloween. 31st of October. Little monsters roaming the streets knocking on doors in anticipation of piles of sweets. The vast majority of home owners prepare in advance. Nobody wants to disappoint a precious little kid, now, do they?
.
We built and moved into this house in the spring of 2008. It's a nice house - not a mansion. The houses in this subdivision are not mansions. They are nice sized but nothing like the 2 story things you might see around the lake. 2008. This is 2016. That would be 8 years - or - 8 years of Halloween. During the 8 years, we have had ZERO, OUGHT, NONE, ZIP, 0 "trick or treaters" at our door. Sure, I leave the porch light on - I have a skeleton hanging outside - a Halloween sign - Hey, I try. I suppose that I could rent a bus and transport the critters to our front door.
.
Not going to happen.
.
Every year, the wife and I have an argument about candy. It's not really an argument, but it is a disagreement. And for 7 years, her opinion proves to be correct. Y'see, in that first year, we both thought somebody might darken our dark door.
.
Follow this now: I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2008. I cannot eat candy - or I shouldn't eat candy. My wife can and does eat candy. She protests having any candy around the house because she knows she will eat it. I am that way about Chili or Mexican Food. But how many of you have given out bowls of chili on Halloween? "Here Kid. Take a tamale." I'd say none of you have approached this season of giving by preparing greasy food.
.
Monday morning. We have no candy in the house, but I have to go to town to mail a package. .
The following is totally unrelated to Halloween] Brother Jim and his lovely spouse Earline, are cleaning out their garage - looking forward to downsizing. He ran across a couple of 16 mm marching band movies of Levelland H.S. from 1967 & 1968. We had long graduated before those dates. I don't know how he got them, but I figure we can blame my father. That band was directed by Bill Woods, a fine marching band director. Bill is on my email list, so I asked if he would like to have the movies....thus, a trip to town on Monday to mail same movies.
.
While I motored by the post office, the wife made a quick trip inside HEB in her weekly grocery run. By the time I chose to return, she was checking out and had purchase on bag of candy for the evening run. At home, she proudly displayed M&Ms - a delightful chocolate treat. When it comes to chocolate, my wife loves it. She protests eating the candy - still, she eats it when forced.
.
Alas, we have a problem. Nobody came by the house; the wife has to eat the chocolate because it will go bad if left on the counter - right? So here is the situation. I whine to get her to buy chocolate - nobody comes by - it is her task to take care of the chocolate under protest. She open the first small bag and chomped down.
.
They were not regular M&Ms. Instead they are like little rice krispie treats thinly covered in unmeasurable chocolate - They don't even taste like candy - cereal !!! She doesn't like them. She won't eat them. We have a bag of Rice Krispies covered in minute chocolate. Can you see the problem? If it weren't so sad, it might be funny.
.
Maybe next Halloween.
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