So were to begin.  It’s been so long since I sat to write a blog.  Looks go back in time and try to capture some of the highlights of the weeks gone by.

The big one of course was Dec 10^th when I went in for knee replacement surgery.  We had to be at the hospital at 6:30 am and the ride was about 45 minutes so we were up real early that day.

This was a whole different experience from the last time.  When I had my left knee done at the VA Hospital, I never even had an opportunity to meet the surgeon.  He has his staff prep you, answer your questions, etc. but he himself for whatever reason never shows his face.  Odd, yes and a bit unnerving.  But that’s the way they do it.

This time, though, I met with my surgeon Dr. Tim for the first time a week before the surgery.  He took the time to explain in layman’s terms what exactly was going to happen the day of surgery and in the days after. Then the day of the operation he came in before the surgery to again answer any last-minute questions, explain the approximate length of the operation and to take Barbara’s cell phone number so he himself could call her afterwards – which he did.

I don’t remember much about the actual operation.  I was in the prep room for about 45 minutes, then up to the operating room.  I remember entering the operating room, I remember them transferring me to the operating table, then the next thing I remember was Barbara saying to me come on open your eyes and wake up.

The other thing I remember was that no more than 3 hours after waking up they had me up and walking with a walker.  Well, more like shuffling along since the knee was not about to bend even an inch.  I remained in the hospital for just 3 days rather than the 3 weeks I was in the last time.

I’m currently receiving out patient physical therapy 3 times a week.  The stitches are out.  I have my good days and I have my bad days.  I’m satisfied with my progress to date but realize I still have a long way to go.  Some days the pain is so-so and other days it takes your breath away.  I know, though, that in time all will be well and I’ll be walking pain free.  Hey, I may even get a bike, a kayak would be nice, and the ability to go hiking -awesome.

The other big event has been the weather.  We had one spat of rain that lasted for a full 24 hours.  It began on a Friday at 9 am and continued through to Saturday morning at 9 am.  This wasn’t a drizzle either, this was a full-on downpour.  When all was said and done, we had received a total of 6 to 7 inches of rain.  Sure glad it wasn’t snow!  Today we’re having more of the same.  At times it rains so hard it sounds like a train coming through the rig.  Where in the world is all this rain coming from?

The temperatures have also taken a nose dive during the night time hours.  We are usually in the 50’s to 60’s but we’re seeing more and more nighttime temperatures in the low 40’s to the high 30’s.  Very un-Florida like to say the least.  I believe if and when we return to Florida, we are going to plan to go a bit further south for the winter.

So, we are more or less up to date.  We are now packing for a trip to Wellsboro, PA to spend Christmas with family.  Going to surprise my mom by sort of just showing up.  She knows of course about my knee replacement and I’ve sort of let her believe that I’m not quite ready to travel.  But oh am I ever ready to go. This is going to be fun.  This is the first time we’ll be together since she lost her house to the hurricane.  I’m anxious to see her new apartment.

So, there you have it.  The last week or so has been interesting to say the least.  Through it all we’ve been blessed beyond measure.  God has been good to us to say the least.  I wonder how those without faith ever make it through times like this.  Last time I tried talking to the refrigerator it didn’t seem interested in my pleas.  Yet God always has time to hear and respond.

Three will be a few more blogs now before we go away and then another time out until we return.  So, for now I’ll bid everyone a good day.  Before going as always something for us to ponder:

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

See you on down the road

We awoke this morning to the sound of pouring rain.  Lots of pouring ram.  The weather report was for more of the same with high, gusting winds.  Well, we got one out of two.  The rain that is.  It never let up until around noon.  As for the winds, thankfully we never got more than a wisp.  All fine by me.  Oh, and the leak at the front window is definitely fixed.  Not a drop in that area during the entire rain storm.  Yipee!

Unfortunately, we never made church this morning.  One thing led to another and before we knew it the hour for worship had come and gone.  If all goes as planned hopefully I’ll be up to going next Sunday.  Time will tell.

As expected during the storm our Dish service went out.  Nothing unusual during times of really bad weather.  However, no matter how bad the weather has been in the past the system would make adjustments and eventually the picture would come back.  Not this time.  No matter what we did we could never get the channels we subscribed to back on the screen.  Time to make a call.  Less than a minute, maybe two, later we had our answer.  They cancelled our service for lack of payment!  The problem with that was that we had signed up for automatic payment,  they just forgot to note it on our account.  Fifteen seconds later and all was well again.

It’s time.  Time for knee replacement.  We’ll have to be up no later than 5 am and at the hospital by 6:30 am at the latest.  Part of me is definitely looking forward to this surgery knowing what the end result will be.  The other part of me says Isn’t there a way to get to the desired end without the pain.  Ah well as they say no pain no gain.  Will I be home tomorrow night?  Uncertain at this point in time.  One says yes, the other says it depends.  It will be what it will be.

This will be the last blog for the next several days.  I don’t want to bring the computer to the hospital.  I also don’t know when I’ll be up to writing again.  As soon as I can sit behind the keyboard I’ll start posting the blog again.  Time will tell.  Please check back periodically for the next blog post.  Hopefully, that won’t be too long.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  An easy day just getting prepared for tomorrow and the days after.  We relaxed, watched a couple of football games, some Hallmark movies, and played Mexican Train.  Just another wonderful day which we traveled through together enjoying one another’s company.

Thanks again for joining us.  We enjoyed your company.  Have a great day tomorrow and enjoy the week before you.  Remember to live each day with an attitude of gratitude.  Live each day to the fullest and enjoy every minute that God gives you to live.  I will leave you now for the evening but before I go a thought for each of us to ponder:

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 eventually some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.

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

See you on down the road

 

 

OK, I know when it’s time.  Time, in like, time to install the storm windows in the entry door.  Seems like such a small thing but trust me it makes a world of difference.  Both are in now and it is really so much warmer in here.  Now why didn’t I think of it sooner.

Now let me tell you a story with a very happy ending.  All week Barbara has been investigating Medicare Advantage Plans, Supplemental Plans, and everything in between.  This all came about because of an unexpected bill that we received which

neither the Veterans nor my supplemental insurance paid.  The question thus became, Could I do better?  Was there something out there that I should be considering different from what I currently have?  Phone call led to phone call and as many different answers as there are stars in the sky.  What to do?  Today was decision day.

Before I tell you what we did, let me tell you what we discovered along the way.  The one bill that was outstanding from the Veterans they had already paid.  Nice of them to inform us.  The second outstanding bill must be paid by the Veterans.  They ordered the service and since they did they are on the hook for it.  So now the ball is back in their court as they say and we wait to see if they are going to step up to the plate.

Now as to what we did in terms of Medicare and additional coverage.  I reached out to an old friend of mine, Joanne, who first sold me my supplemental plan.  She is no longer selling insurance but she still keeps in touch with her mentor, Brian.  She, therefore, suggested we contact Brian and seek his advice.  Barbara reached out to him and just like that everything was resolved in one phone call.  He knew immediately what was best for me in my situation – keep what I have – and so we did.  But wait there is more.

Barbara will be eligible for Medicare next March.  That means we’ll have to decide what is also best for her in just a couple of months.  Not any more.  Brian told us he will handle

everything.  He will ensure that she is enrolled in Medicare.  He will also review the best supplemental plans with us and help us to make an informed decision.  He will then enroll her in the plan we want.

A week of phone calls.  Confusing answers.  Agents pushing the plan of their choice.  No one giving us straight answers.  What a mess.   All resolved in the end with two phone calls.  Proving once again It’s Not What You Know But Who You Know.  Joanne and Brian we can’t thank you enough.

Moving on.  Monday is the big day, knee replacement.  Today we received the call as to when we had to be there.  How about 6:30 am!  I have to take a shower that morning before we go, doctors orders.  It is also an hour ride to the hospital.  I do believe we will be getting up very, very, very early in the morning.  I wonder what it is going to be like to really be able to walk with little or no pain?  I can’t wait.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  A big shout out to my wonderful wife for all the time and effort she put into trying to make sense out of Medicare and the different plans to supplement it.  Her only comment when everything was resolved was, Why in the world did you wait so long to call Joanne?  Yea, I wonder why.

Thanks again for joining us on the road.  Hey, if you ever need help with Medicare, let me know and I’ll put you in touch with Brian.  He’s the best.  Time now for Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.  Before I go of course I thought for each of us to ponder:

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 eventually some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.

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

See you on down the road

Yup, missed a day.  We started playing Mexican Train and before I knew it the hour was close to midnight and I was ready to crash.  So here we are today getting caught up.

We are definitely having some rather un-Florida weather.  Days are staying around 60 degrees and nights are in the mid 40’s.  No problem, however, staying warm.  As of now the heat pump is working just great.  Along with the electric heater we can keep the inside of Graybeard at a very comfortable temperature.  Just as long as it doesn’t get any colder we’ll be fine.

No rush this morning.  So we slept late, watched a Hallmark movie, had a late breakfast,

made a shopping list, and then got dressed and headed out.  We headed to our mecca of grocery shopping, you guessed it, Aldi.  It’s only about 20 minutes from the house in

Brooksville so it was an easy ride to and fro.  With the list in hand we went up one aisle and then down another and in less than an hour we were done and heading back home.

Back home I decided to attend to a few more things that I know I will not be able to do after next Monday – at least not for some time.  First on the list, late last night we heard a thump on the roof.  Acorns usually don’t make that much noise so what was it?  Today I climbed the ladder to the roof to take a look.  Nothing.  The only thing we can think of was, as in the past, a squirrel must have taken a flying leap from a nearby tree.

Next, it was time to take care of the slide seals on the outside.  Once a month I inspect them for tears or rips and treat them with 303 Aerospace Protectant.  No issues with any

of the seals so that’s another project I can cross off my list.  Time to move on.

Coming inside I cleaned all the windshield pillars and the molding around the front driver’s side door and the passenger window. While up in the cab area I also installed the new wooden plate that holds an electrical outlet and a 12 volt outlet.  The old one was ruined due to water leaking around the front passenger window.  I’ll need to keep my eye on this area going forward.  I don’t want to have to replace this plate again.

I believe we are now in good shape once I go for my surgery.  The only thing left to do is teach Barbara how to dump the black tank.  But then again it only has to be dumped every 14 days so if I dump it on Sunday she probably will not have to do it.  I’ll be back on my knees when it has to be done again.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement. Just another day in the neighborhood.  Our friends Tom and Cornelia left today.  Others will be leaving within the next week.  It still amazes me that the park is not full.  Almost.  Yet not quite there as of today.  All in all our day was a great one, another one that we traveled through hand in hand, side by side, singing our song.

Thanks again for joining us today.  We hope you had a great couple of days as well.  If not then make the choice now to make tomorrow a great one in every way.  Time now for our supper, we’re eating late today, but before going I leave you with a thought to ponder:

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 eventually some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.

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

See you on down the road