Thursday, March 10, 2022

A Week!

My goodness! Over a week has gone by since I posted anything. It’s just been more of the same here. I’m working, working, working on the baby cross-stitch. I am making progress, slowly but surely.  That light green in the upper left took me hours and hours because of the counting and many interruptions.

We dodged a snow storm yet again. This entire winter has been one of no snow for us so far. I think the total snowfall for the season is around 9 inches.  We were supposed to get 7 inches of snow last night then it was downgraded to four and then by bedtime last night they were saying 1 inch. It all went just south of us. We woke up to barely a dusting and it’s already gone. You won’t hear me complaining! Although I do know we need the moisture so it could warm up a little bit and rain. That would make me happy.😍

Other things have taken time also.  Together, Dennis and I put new covers on the dining room chairs. Whoever came up with the idea of putting cream colored seats on chairs needs to have their head examined! We didn’t do the most professional job, but they look a lot better than they did.
The gray blends in with the rest of the furniture too. Thank you to Connie at “The Crafty Home Cottage” blog that you can find on my side bar. She gave me some hints on how to do this, although her upholstery work looks much more professional than ours does. 💜

Here is my snoopervisor who helps me with all of my projects. She’s always right by my side ready to add her two cents!
She isn’t the greatest housekeeper as her toys are always all over the family room floor. 🐕 

I’ve decorated just a bit for St. Patrick’s Day. Here are the crocheted shamrocks that I made several years ago and have always had hanging on the kitchen island. With no island in this house, this is the next best thing that I found. We spend most of our time down here anyway as it’s where all of my yarn is and also our comfy chairs.
We go to the grocery store at Walmart in Iowa. It’s only 10 minutes from our house and just over the Missouri River. We were driving back home Tuesday night and it was the most glorious sunset. Of course by the time I got my phone out and took this picture the colors were fading but it’s still pretty. Prairie sunsets are always so beautiful.

Here we are driving back over the Missouri River into Nebraska. This is the Mormon Bridge. The Mormon pioneers had their winter encampment just about a mile from our house. There is a beautiful visitor center and cemetery on the location. This is historically known as the spot where they crossed the Missouri on their trek westward.

Monday afternoon we had a lady, (Aimee),  come over to help us with options for health insurance. She has worked with my brother and sister-in-law for several years and they have been very happy with her. She just got my sister set up on Medicare and a supplement last month. Each year she gets together with you and goes over your options to see if there is another plan that will work better for you. She ended up staying at our house over 4 1/2 hours. She went over all of our options and also reviewed moms. We are pleased with the information she came up with for mom and for us and we got all of our applications and forms filled out. I do have to find a new primary care doctor, yet again, if I want to keep the same Cardiologist who I like a lot, even though I’ve only seen him once. I will need to keep all of my doctors in  the University of Nebraska Medical Center complex. They are known for being the best, so that doesn’t bother me at all. It’s just finding a new primary care for the third time in less than a year that is a pain. I go for yet another “meet and greet” on Monday afternoon.

It looks like we’re going to lose our health insurance one way or the other come April 1, so we had to get something else in the works. Dennis will either retire completely or go part time, either way we will lose our health insurance. For him, there were no questions. He will have Medicare and another plan to pick up what Medicare doesn’t. However, I’m still three years away from 65. I have to go on the open market and it’s a scary world out there! Especially when you are on medication’s and have a pacemaker. Aimee seems to have found some plans that will work and cost about the same as we have been paying while Dennis has been working. 

I think another reason I haven’t felt much like blogging is the Ukraine situation. My heart is breaking for the people there and what they are going through. I wish it could all just end. I don’t think it will stop at the Ukraine if Putin is allowed to continue on with this war. I am not normally very political and I understand the reasons why NATO is trying to stay out of things, but I believe there’s a good chance that we’re going to be sucked into it at some point anyway. Why not save as many people as we can? Especially as they are now purposely bombing civilian targets. Maternity hospitals? Who does that?

And that’s all I’m going to say about that today. But please, please pray for the innocent lives that are being killed there every day.

I’ll see you all again soon.





24 comments:

  1. Nice to "hear" your voice again Betsy. Your cross stitch is lovely, but wow! That is a labor intensive sampler. A fun one, but labor intensive. Beautiful sunset for you. I hadn't realized you were so close to Iowa, but I also had not looked at a map - lol. I need to get on the stick with researching insurance options. We have been using my insurance from work, but I may retire at the end of the year...or the next, so we need to be ready for that. There is so much information to absorb and understand. I need an Aimee!!

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  2. I'm with you on the Ukraine situation. We pay trillions for our military and if there ever was a reason to use it-this is it. I am no war monger but it's like watching Hitler all over again and doing nothing. I am furious over the world's inaction to this bully. I know he's playing the nuke card but that just means he won't stop seeing how the rest of us are cowering in fear of his threats. Sorry about the rant but I am tired of feeling sad. It's time to get mad.

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  3. *ahem* Your snow came down here. Haha! Yep, we had snow yet again. And that's on top of the 2 inches of freezing sleet and then thundersnow on top of that we had on Sunday, the day after the wildfires (I made a post about it). // Snoopervisor! LOL! I love it! // Medicare has so many drawbacks, which we've learned since Jerry became permanently disabled almost two decades ago. Even with his Medicaid, some bills don't get covered at all and then I have to apply for charitable assistance. Ugh, I hate that. But we have no other options. My Medicare hasn't even begun yet, but I have the Medicaid. So far it covers 100% of everything, but I already know once I have Medicare that will change. We've been to local talks with state medical and insurance folks about these problems... number one comment is, "this is how the government keeps you poor." Sad, but true. At our age and on disability we have no other way to take care of our constant health problems. Hope it all works out for you guy and mom! // I agree, who bombs a maternity hospital?!?! I only read a few lines of news each day and spend a lot of time in prayer. But I don't become depressed about it... I have my own world and my own family to worry about. Whatever God decides is going to happen, He knows what He's doing. I continue to trust Him and lean on Him each and every moment. Sending you love and blessings, my friend!

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  4. Your chairs look great! I inherited my parents' dining set and changed the seats three or four times. Our new set has wooden chairs so I don't have to worry about spills, etc. I used to do cross stitch but my old eyes won't let me anymore. I love Connie's blog she is such an inspiration and her home is so cozy. Glad you got your health insurance all set up... we shouldn't have to worry about such things. I agree with you about Ukraine. The longer we wait the more lives will be lost and the more countries Putin will accumulate. It's a disaster no matter what we do. Our daughter in law's soon to be brother in law recently got orders to go to Iraq for a second tour but two weeks ago they changed and now he is going to Ukraine. Scary for sure.

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  5. I know what you mean about choosing new doctors. We had to do that too. Thankfully, I think I have found a dentist, general practice doctor, and an endocrinologist (if I need one). But, I are having a devil of a time finding a veterinarian that I like.

    Sadly, I think you are very right about Ukraine. I think it is just a matter of time until we have to get more involved. I did a little research the other night. In my 66-1/2 years, I think there were 4 years when the U.S. was not in some conflict or another. :-(

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  6. As we go into communion weekend, my thoughts and prayers are with this senseless war. Innocent people on both sides are dying for no real reason. Psalm 5:11 came to mind But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. Beautiful sunset. So glad you have been able to get some medical insurance sorted out. Every blessing.

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  7. Hi Betsy
    I 1ove your shamrocks. You have been busy busy busy. I 1ove the baby cross stitch. I Share your prayers. I haven't been posting much , but I hope that wi11 change soon. Piper wou1d have 1oved our diner at the nearby airport. Watching o1d and sma11 p1anes was fascinating , whi1e having french toast!

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  8. Prairie sunsets ( and sunrises!!) are so amazing and I really miss seeing them. We're surrounded by mountains ( I'm not complaining. I love them) but sunrises and sunsets are hard to see.
    You sure did a great job recovering your dining room chairs. Good job.

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  9. It’s sad that the Ukrainian democracy has been in existence only 8 years! I recommend you watch the documentary “Winter on Fire” on YouTube. It shows how the people pulled together to fight for their democracy. You’ll need to enable the captions because it’s not in English. It’s an excellent film. Your sampler looks fabulous

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  10. That sunset is beautiful! Such tiny stitches in the cross stitch! It is looking good.
    I am certain we will get sucked in sooner or later also. Putin isn't going to stop at the Ukraine. The people there are putting up one heck of a fight and I applaud them! Someone or some Country needs to step up and say enough is enough.
    Nice that the snow missed you!

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  11. Great job on your upholstery and sampler! I thought Nebraska got more snow than that! We've had 3" of rain in 4 days--it's been a T-storm every day which has been odd after no rain for 4 weeks! Yes, the Ukrainian suffering is horrid. I wish the world would join in on stopping the bully--sooner rather than later!

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  12. I haven't blogged since day 1 of the new year. :/ Slowly trying to get back by at least reading blogs. Honestly, so much is going on in the world that I have a very hard time distancing myself from all the pain and suffering. I really just don't understand how people are continuously capable of such horrible acts.

    The cross-stitch you are working on is really sweet.

    My Denver boy has been having the nicest weather and then bam, snow day conditions. He's ready to spring forward and get that extra daylight. My NYC boy works from home for an insurance company that won't even provide health insurance for him. I don't have much good to say about insurance companies in general and neither does he after working for one for over a year now.

    Take care.

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  13. Greetings, sweet friend, I understand how you feel about the war in Ukrain, it's just heartbreaking. Your chairs look really nice! And the whole living room is so pretty. Also, your cross stitching work is beautiful! Spring will come soon and we will still continue to do the best we can with the Lords help!
    Take care and enjoy your lovely home, and life with those you love! As we still have peace in our country. Hugs, Roxy

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  14. Sounds like you've had a very busy week! Your cross stitch is looking great. I think you did a fabulous job on the chairs!

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  15. My husband has always planned to retire at 60 and the original plan was that I would pick up health insurance at my employer. Unfortunately I had to quit working in my late 50's to take care of elderly parents. We were able to get health insurance through his union and somehow, I have no memory of doing this, signed up for a supplemental to the original plan, too. This is probably why it cost more than I expected and more than he paid for insurance when he was working and his employer was sharing the cost. It was all worth it when I broke my arm as between the two, they paid over 90% of the $40,000 plus on just those claims. I started looking at Medicare 6 months before I turned 65. It was not enough time. What a confusing mess. After watching endless youtube videos, meeting with insurance agents, a workshop at our senior center, advice from friends (one is a CPA who set up a spreadsheet with different companies which I was using until I found out that even though we live just over the county line from each other, our policies and costs would be different), I finally just went with the company and policy we used from age 60+. It was a little more expensive, but they did pay so well with all my hospital and doctor bills and I felt safer just to stay. We went with Part A, Part D and somehow were grandfathered into Part F which doesn't exist anymore according to Medicare. Then came Part D. I signed up for one company after much research on my particular prescriptions. That was in Sept 2021. Never used it as I did not need refills, although I still paid the monthly premiums. Then I got a letter in late December that they were tripling the cost of the plan! So back to the drawing board. I have picked and company and went over my prescriptions with my doctor since some of them were Medicare Tier 3 which is more out of pocket and was able to switch some to Medicare Tier 1. I feel like you need a doctorate degree to navigate Medicare. They made the mistake of a pop up survey on their website. I responded and they actually asked me to do a zoom interview for an hour with them. That was a month before I joined Medicare. I shared that I consider myself an reasonably intelligent younger member of Medicare and how hard it was to go through all this and choose correctly. I cannot imagine what it is like for recipients in their 80's and 90's who have to evaluate their insurance every year.

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  16. Your cross stitch is turning out beautiful! You are very talented. Love that pic of your pup too. Praying for the innocent and trusting in God is all we can do.

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  17. The cross-stitch project is looking good! I know it takes awhile to get it done! Been there, done that! When I was not doing anything for a month or two when I had my surgery years ago, I did a Precious Moments counted cross stitch in that short amount of time. I still have it but not framed it. I am glad you were able to get some insurance that you need. I remember going into Iowa from NE when a friend picked me up from a house where I was visiting a friend in Omaha. She lived in Woodbine, IA. It was good to be there for some hours then someone else drove me back to my friend's house. Our nights have been chilly into the low 30s and 20s. No fun but looks like it will be warmer at night this next week and rain. Have a good weekend my sweet friend! Hugs and blessings,,,,Becky

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  18. Precious Betsy sorry I comment rarely embedded comment boxes no work on iPad which I use mostly. Now on Mobile teeny tiny screen.
    I'm amazed at the tiny stitches on that fross stitch.

    Its almost petit point to my eye, very small count thats why it takes so long.
    I've done it so know it well. Not for years though.
    Loved all of post but can't comment. I just posted a Wonderful Words encouragement post. That's why in here.
    Take care, precious Betsy. 😍❤🙏

    You're all in my prayers as is Ukraine. Very sad.
    But the fickle media have forgotten the ongoing devastating Sharia law in Afghanistan Turkey they've shocking regimes of cruelty and suffering with drought, starvation etc..
    Or China unbelievable cruelty to organ harvesting on live people who die because they are Fallon Gong religion on Weiga.. all so sad showing the length depth breadth of man's evil.

    Oh that all would seek the One Who is Prince of Peace. Salvation by faith in Christ Jesus as our LORD and Saviour.

    Amen even so come Lord Jesus 🙏🙏🙏

    Thanks for sharing, and may God bless and keep you and all whom you love safe and well.
    Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz. X

    {Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}


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  19. Your cross stitching is beautiful. It takes hours upon hours to do a big cross stitch picture...but with each stitch there is love. Your sweet little Grand baby will have this for a lifetime to remind her of just how much you love her. I pray along with you and others for peace dear friend. Blessings to you always. ((hugs))

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  20. I love the cross stitch picture and look forward to seeing its progress. Health insurance is a challenge. Luckily, my husband is retired military so I have insurance until Medicare kicks in. But I feel your pain. When I was working, I was a billing administrator for specialty physicians. I saw both sides of the health insurance game. I felt bad for people with bad coverage who owed so much. I hope that you found a good plan.

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  21. That stitchery is awesome! I so agree with you about the situation in Ukraine; it is so scary and so sad. Thanks for your recent post on my blog and the second one, too, as I was wondering about the first one! Try the Ripples Make Waves hat pattern; it's a fun knit and provides a chance to make a small donation towards Ukraine relief. Hugs!

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  22. The chairs look well done to me Betsy! They are really neat and I do like the colour that you used.This reminds me I need to give my dinning chairs,which I have finally rescued from my daughter's house, a thorough clean which means removing the seat pads. So sorry to hear about your medical insurance and the bother of having to find a new one. The news of the war constantly hovers over us daily. I dread to watch the news but do want to keep updated with what is happening. Please may it be over soon! Take care. Amanda x

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  23. It was so wonderful to have time to stop by and visit with you today! Your cross-stitch is just beautiful! I forget it you said it will be a pillow or something else - whatever it is, it is just lovely. I can only imagine how excited you are getting for the new grandbaby to arrive! So thankful to hear that Dennis gets to retire. I trust the Lord will allow you all to take many camping trips together making special memories in your new camper. Your little "snoopervisor" is so precious!! There is so much of God's goodness in all of our lives and so much to praise Him for! He is so worthy. May He continue to bless you and your family and pour many blessings down upon you.

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  24. Hi Betsy, Your baby cross stitch will be so special. Going camping sounds so exciting. Wish we could still do it but we had our turn. That is so cute of the dog on the motorcycle. I have started trying to do my blog again. I have missed it. Nancy

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