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Post by staytuned on Aug 1, 2022 12:56:14 GMT
Good morning, everyone. Hard to believe it's already August, which is usually the most miserably hot and humid month of the year around here. Onward.
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kritter
Mod Squad
When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
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Post by kritter on Aug 1, 2022 15:28:05 GMT
For all the Barney fans, it looks like another cat won the SNIPSA Face of the Race last night. The second cat to win of the 15 race face contests but also the second cat to win in the last 3 face races. Probably would have won last year but there wasn't a cat entered in the race. His name is Milo and he is an orange tabby. www.givegab.com/campaigns/snipsa-s-15th-annual-face-of-the-race
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val2525
Chaos Manager
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Post by val2525 on Aug 1, 2022 15:32:09 GMT
I think they had too many pets. Too much info to sort thru - I gave up about halfway and didn't go back. I'm glad a cat won though.
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Post by staytuned on Aug 1, 2022 16:00:31 GMT
I think they had too many pets. Too much info to sort thru - I gave up about halfway and didn't go back. I'm glad a cat won though. I agree, there were too many entries and info. The other pic of the cat siblings snuggling together was cute, too.
Let's face it, there will never be another Barney. He will always have a place in my heart.
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kritter
Mod Squad
When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
Posts: 19,883
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Post by kritter on Aug 1, 2022 16:03:24 GMT
I think the main point of having a lot of pets entered is that more money will be made from people supporting their pets through word of mouth and social media for their particular pet. It is not like a lot of people from outside would get involved or even know about the contest. Like how many people would have known about Barney if I hadn't been spreading the word everywhere.
The SNIPSA Face of the Race is not even a big deal here except for people who have their pets entered in the race so the more pets, the more publicity and the more money donated to support each pet from each owners spreading the word. Fewer pets equals fewer pet owners spreading the word.
Neither Milo or the dog that won last year made close to the money that Barney generated. In fact, Barney alone raised more money than the whole race raised each of the last two years.
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Post by Desire on Aug 1, 2022 16:45:57 GMT
Am I missing something on this? I went to the link provided and on the list of cats with the dollars raised next to it, I can't see Milo's face. There is no pic for him. Is his face anywhere on the link?
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Post by staytuned on Aug 1, 2022 16:52:22 GMT
Am I missing something on this? I went to the link provided and on the list of cats with the dollars raised next to it, I can't see Milo's face. There is no pic for him. Is his face anywhere on the link?
Click on the name "Milo" and a box comes up with his pic.
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Post by Desire on Aug 1, 2022 17:06:06 GMT
Thanks Stay - don't know how I missed that one! He looks just like my Rusty did. Sort of common looking though, nothing like the great fluffy, so cute-faced Barney!
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,750
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Post by val2525 on Aug 1, 2022 21:44:02 GMT
I just got off the phone with my insurance broker. She went over the basics of Medicare and is sending me a digital copy of the Medicare book (apparently I will also receive one by mail in the next few weeks). Interesting stuff. And a heck of a better deal than regular health insurance.
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Post by labbypaws on Aug 2, 2022 4:08:33 GMT
Val just make sure you pick the right plan. Take your time and also make sure you understand the the plans. I have been following Boomer Benefits on Facebook. Even if I don’t use them when it is time, they bring up great points.
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Post by chapeaunoir on Aug 2, 2022 7:23:18 GMT
I've been helping the DH, who just turned 70 (hard to believe), with his Medicare signup. We already have plans for Part B if and when he retires and we have to switch over. Fortunately, the best supplements locally are with Kaiser due to being members, so we can retain our current physicians, etc.
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Post by jesmelric on Aug 2, 2022 13:10:41 GMT
Hope everyone is doing well this week. They are saying July was the hottest month ever recorded here It sure felt like it lol. More chances for rain this week, although we didn't get any yesterday and I will have to water the yard today. I'm trying to salvage what I can of it. My water bill was $136 which is actually less than I thought it would be.
Well dad seems to be "stable" and I guess that's as good as can be expected at this point. Apparently he's been hallucinating and spaced out and I'm not sure if that's from sedation or from whatever health problem is causing it (Kidneys are shot?). My step mom gives me a text update daily and that's all we have to go by.
My FIL either didn't know or care about Medicare and by the time he figured it out the cost would have been way too much, it's a good thing he had the VA. I didn't realize that if you don't sign up right away the cost goes up. Good information to know. Mom does not have a medicare supplement but I believe dad does. I have heard those can be quite complicated.
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Post by Emerald_Door on Aug 2, 2022 14:28:03 GMT
I'm not quite old enough for Medicare yet, but I've been educating myself so I'll be ready when the time comes. There are a lot of informative videos on YouTube by "Medicare School."
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Post by labbypaws on Aug 2, 2022 14:55:51 GMT
Desire is right on about it. Get the right supplement.
Be aware that if you start on Advantage and want to switch after a grace period you may have to answer health questions and go under underwriting and can be turned down for regular Medicare supplement. Also if you plan on moving, check how it affects an Advantage plan.
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Post by frakinfashion on Aug 2, 2022 16:00:01 GMT
I was always healthy and just went to the doctor for a checkup once a year. But I consider insurance to be for catastrophes, not maintenance really. So when I went on Medicare, I got the Part F plan that Desire has. When I had my emergency open-heart heart valve replacement (and associated afib and stroke) with a two week hospital stay, it was certainly out of character for me but literally a life-saver. The bills would have been hundreds of thousands here in New York. I paid $0. Just saying, if you can swing the premiums, good health insurance should be a top priority, in my opinion.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,750
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Post by val2525 on Aug 2, 2022 17:20:55 GMT
Cliff Notes Version: Medicare part A + Advantage Plan: similar to current health insurance in that it's a HMO/PPO type plan. Monthly premiums a bit higher but out of pocket for care is usually less or $0. Medicare A + B + supplemental plan: all docs in the country take it, monthly premiums a little lower but out of pocket expense for any care you get. Part D - drug plan is pretty much the same no matter which Medicare option you pick. It can be confusing, but it's not so bad if you sit down and identify what YOU need in a medical plan first, BEFORE you start comparing Advantage to Traditional. I also went over my options with my broker should I decide to move again. She even gave me the state ratings (rated 1-5) for the major Advantage plans in the cities I'm considering. FYI the only one with a 5.0 rating is United Healthcare. She's a really good broker and licensed in multiple states. If anyone needs a referral, PM me and I'll give you her contact info. She's is an independent broker so she's paid a flat fee no matter what plan I buy. I like that, because that way she can focus on what works for me and not what gives her the largest commission. She handles employer group insurance, individual health insurance and Medicare plans. If you don't sign up when you're eligible at 65, you may be hit with a premium increase when you do enroll. I think it's something like 10%? There are some exceptions to that though (i.e., employer insurance available, etc). Seriously, unless you have REALLY good coverage from your employer or spouse employer, Medicare seems the better deal IMO. Another hot sunny day on tap. We have heat advisory warnings out so I hope that means my little buddy Alpha will visit this afternoon.
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Post by blissfullymiserable on Aug 3, 2022 15:26:37 GMT
I'm relieved with the health insurance decision that I made. Already dreading next year. I'll find a way to keep the same plan for as long as I possibly can. The rep that i spoke to at UHC said to expect premiums to go up 20% every year. When my premium starts getting close to 1K in a few years, I'll be bowing out. I'd be interested in your broker though Val, if she can assist me in AZ. By a complete fluke, I briefly spoke with a broker here locally that I really liked but she said she was 64 so there a chance that she won't be around for much longer.
Need to whine for a second. Had a skin check a few weeks ago and she found something suspicous on my back that came back as pre-cancerous. Going back in a few weeks so that they can remove more flesh from my back. Boooo
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kritter
Mod Squad
When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
Posts: 19,883
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Post by kritter on Aug 3, 2022 16:49:56 GMT
My thought for the day: If there was a market for empty Fancy Feast cans, I would be in financial paradise.
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Post by frakinfashion on Aug 3, 2022 17:15:32 GMT
kritter Never say never. People buy empty toilet paper rolls on eBay, so...just maybe...
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kritter
Mod Squad
When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
Posts: 19,883
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Post by kritter on Aug 3, 2022 18:02:51 GMT
kritter Never say never. People buy empty toilet paper rolls on eBay, so...just maybe... Crap! Now you have me wondering if I should dig them out of my outside garbage can. Just when I got rid of my box hoard, I can start a FF can hoard.
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Post by denise15601 on Aug 3, 2022 20:19:44 GMT
(((bliss)))
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Post by denise15601 on Aug 3, 2022 20:26:32 GMT
I am afraid to see what happens in Feb after my Medicaid review. I am $17 below the max income limit for Medicare + Medicaid. Welfare does see all of my tax papers, and the legitimate deductions save me.
But if we get a raise in our SS for 2023, I am in trouble. My chemo costs about $20,000 a month. No way can I pay co-pays on that!
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val2525
Chaos Manager
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Post by val2525 on Aug 3, 2022 20:30:24 GMT
You need more deductions, Denise. Or fewer sales - maybe shut your store for a week now and then?
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Post by denise15601 on Aug 3, 2022 20:52:18 GMT
You need more deductions, Denise. Or fewer sales - maybe shut your store for a week now and then? I do shut down my stores now and then. My caseworker and I discussed it and since I only get $1,026 SS monthly, she understands my problem.
If I lose my Medicaid and have to pay more co-pays, in a few weeks I would qualify again for Medicaid. So I would have another review and get it again. But then I would lose it again, etc etc etc.
What is weird is that my car will be paid for in 2 years, and then I will be expected to trade it in on a newer one since the car payments are counted. It would be great to not to have a car payment, though.
I have to sell online in order to pay my bills since they exceed my income.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,750
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Post by val2525 on Aug 3, 2022 20:53:55 GMT
Sunny, hot and humid here today. We have a heat advisory and the power company sent out their request to conserve energy. I dropped from 12 to 26 on power consumption, but the A/C filter was changed yesterday, A/C serviced, and I closed most blinds today. Hopefully I'll go back up. It is kinda fun to be in a "competition".
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Post by denise15601 on Aug 3, 2022 21:05:31 GMT
It hit 90 today and very humid. I watered my zucchini a lot today, and they still wilted. Now I covered them with a sheet to protect them from the hot sun.
My yellow squash plants are okay for some reason. Will be watering all of them tonight.
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Post by labbypaws on Aug 4, 2022 0:50:25 GMT
Sorry Bliss about the precancerous growth. Glad you caught it early.
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Post by chapeaunoir on Aug 4, 2022 5:20:08 GMT
I'm relieved with the health insurance decision that I made. Already dreading next year. I'll find a way to keep the same plan for as long as I possibly can. The rep that i spoke to at UHC said to expect premiums to go up 20% every year. When my premium starts getting close to 1K in a few years, I'll be bowing out. I'd be interested in your broker though Val, if she can assist me in AZ. By a complete fluke, I briefly spoke with a broker here locally that I really liked but she said she was 64 so there a chance that she won't be around for much longer. Need to whine for a second. Had a skin check a few weeks ago and she found something suspicous on my back that came back as pre-cancerous. Going back in a few weeks so that they can remove more flesh from my back. Boooo It's good they caught it, Bliss! I had skin cancer on my face - the first dermatologist I saw was this middle-aged individual with skin that had been leatherworked by the sun (nice advert, doc) who said I was one of those 'skin conscious people' in a chiding tone. The next call I got was from the office that the biopsy was cancerous and please make an appointment ASAP. I never saw the 'skin conscious' doc again, but instead someone else who was not only very good, but specialised in MOHS surgery - I have a 1 1/2" scar on my face from the removal but the doc did an excellent job and I have skin that heals well, so it's only visible in certain lights. I have enough acne scarring, anyway, that it's just another thing. Hopefully they won't have to remove too much and all will be well! I haven't had a recurrence.
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Post by treetop on Aug 4, 2022 12:16:15 GMT
Two years ago, I noticed a small sore on my arm that wasn’t healing. I showed it to my doc during my annual exam, she had me go to a dermatologist who determined it was basal cell skin cancer. I had to use Imiquimod cream on it for a few weeks and that removed it. Now I go in once a year for a body scan.
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Post by frakinfashion on Aug 4, 2022 15:40:24 GMT
Precancerous skin shouldn't require anything more than a slice off, I'd think. It's just precautionary. Don't worry ((((bliss)))).
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