March 19th, Monday – I Guess the Squeaky Wheel Still Gets the Grease

I guess in some cases it is still true the squeaky wheel does get the grease.  But I’m getting ahead of myself.  This morning was absolutely beautiful.  Overcast, yes.  A few rain drops, so true.  The temperature, though, the temperature was more Florida like and it was great getting up and even the floor was warm.  Love it.

We decided upon rising that we needed to finish up our game of dominoes from the night before.  However, it was not to be.  Duty called.  We had a couple of appointments to keep.

First one was for our passports.  I thought getting our tags for the two vehicles was difficult.  This process pales in comparison.  This was our second trip and we thought

we had everything in order.  At least according to the instructions we were given the first time we figured this trip would be a piece of cake – as they say.  Oh how silly of us!  The pictures we had taken, nope, nada, zip, no good.  Would have to be taken again.  Then the real killer, my birth certificate.  Mind you this was good enough for Uncle Sam when I enlisted, and over the years it has been good enough for any number of other agencies.  Not this time.

Around the corner, we went to make an appointment to get new shoes for Graybeard.

They’re going to be installed this Friday.  The last major item on our list.  Check.

After all this we caught a bite to eat and then headed home.  We needed to get the process started for our passport cards.  On the way home we received two calls from the VA Hospital in Tampa.

The first call was for an appointment for my sleep apnea machine check.  The wanted to make an

appointment for April which I explained was not possible since we were leaving in a week.  They said they would work something out and call me back in an hour.  Well, I figured that was the end of that, given the way things had been going with the VA.  Wonder of wonders, in less than an hour they called and I have an appointment for tomorrow.

Now about that squeaky wheel.  That brings me to the second call.  I must have touched a nerve somewhere in the orthopedic department at the VA Hospital in Tampa.  Today, I received a call from Ryan who profusely apologized for the crass way in which I have been treated to date.  Furthermore, since the whole process is going to have to be restarted in August/September he also gave me his personal cell phone number and assured me if there any more issues in the future or if I just have questions I am to call him at any time.  Whoa!  Totally unexpected but fantastic.

Home again, Barbara began to work her magic for the passport cards.  We are going to have to jump through hoops to get my real, okie dokie, birth certificate and we can only hope that we get it in time for our passport cards so we can enter and leave Canada the end of June.  It’s going to be tight but Barbara is already working her magic.  So I believe.

Well, it is now time to have leftovers for supper.  Barb worked so long in making arrangements for my new birth certificate, she lost track of time and never started supper.  Well, leftovers are just as good.  After supper she went to the wishy washy.  She said it is nice to do it when nobody else is in the laundromat because she can use all of the machines.

Once again we are at the end of our day.  Movie night for us tonight.  Let’s see, what will it be?  Can we say it was a great day?  Yes, even though it was frustrating in some respects still we were together and that counts for a lot.  We’ll take the days as they come, meet the challenges together, and enjoy the time we’re given by our good Lord.  Hope you day was great as well.  If not, there is always tomorrow and a fresh new start.  Tomorrow when you wake resolve to let the light of Christ shine through you and touch those around you in a positive and loving way.

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.  Thanks again for sharing our day with us.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before