Our Government at Work

Just have to do this second post...a little bit of a rant...

Yesterday I received a letter from Kaiser Permanente telling me that my monthly premium for my Senior Advantage coverage was increased.

Here's the letter:
Dear Violet E Townsend,
We are writing to tell you that starting January 01, 2014, your new premium will be $___ per month.

This new amount is a change to your current late enrollment penalty amount based on the annual change to the National Base Beneficiary Premium.  Each year the National Base Beneficiary Premium changes, so will the amount of your late enrollment penalty.

If you have questions about the information in this letter, or if you would like more information about how the national base beneficiary premium affects the late enrollment penalty, call Member Service Contact Center at....

So I called the number for the Member Service Contact Center.  The person I spoke to tried to tell me because I was late in enrolling in Medicare I was being assessed a penalty.  I told this person that I signed up for Medicare in May of 2007, two months before I had my 65th birthday.  So then she tells me to call Medicare and gives me the phone number.  Actually the number was included in this letter I received yesterday.

So I call Medicare and here is what I find out...this is priceless...

September 2009 I was dropped by Kaiser's Senior Advantage Plan because I had been late numerous times with my monthly premium.  I re-enrolled in October 2012.  Because I did not use my Part D of Medicare for 3 years, I was assessed a penalty which was included in my monthly payment.  What I didn't realize is that that penalty is ongoing...so for as long as I remain alive I will be assessed this penalty.  I had no coverage for 3 years, bought no prescription drugs during that time...yet am being penalized for not using the coverage...

How insane is that!!  The Part D coverage was ongoing even though I did not use it so am now having to pay for something that was never used by me for that time period...

Okay...that's my rant for today...

Small World

Gerry went to an American Legion meeting last night.  A lady that was there asked if he was from Hawaii.  He was wearing a shirt that had "Aloha ke Akua" on the front of it.  He told her no, that his wife was from Hawai'i.

She wanted to know what island...she is from O'ahu...he said his wife was too.  Then she said she graduated from Kailua High School...he said his wife did too.  She graduated in 1965...I graduated in 1960.

She gave him her contact information.  I don't recognize her maiden name, supposedly she has an older brother.  I emailed her last night, have yet to get a response from her.

I'm excited to talk to her...love finding people from home and who graduated from the same high school.

So we are fellow Surfriders...what could be better than that...small world...yeah...

Update:

Spoke with Faynette today.  We have so much in common.  We lived around the corner from each other when we lived in Kailua.  She was neighbors to a couple of families that I babysat for.  There are 2 sisters that live in our mobile home park that are both Kailua High graduates...she is sure she knows the younger of the two.

I went to the Ulta store in Citrus Heights this morning and took some of the residential streets to get home.  I was in the neighborhood where she and her husband live.  She wants me to go to the next American Legion meeting with Gerry (if he goes) so we can hang out and "talk story".

Enjoyed our telephone conversation so much!  Looking forward to meeting her in person.

PGR Mission Today in Truckee

Gerry and I continue to participate in PGR missions.  There was one today in Truckee for a sailor.  He was killed in a helicopter accident in Virginia a week or so ago and his service was today.

We got up early, leaving Sacramento about 7:20am to drive to Truckee.  It was a beautiful drive, although very cold.  The outside temperature was in the 30's as we got to Donner Summit at 7,000 plus feet and in the high 20's when we got to Truckee.  We were meeting some other PGR members to set up American flags at the high school where his service was being held.

First, we had some breakfast.  The 3 guys we met had hearty breakfasts.  Gerry and I had eaten breakfast so we had something light.  Arriving back at the high school, we met up with our contact person and then started setting up the flags.  A fire department ladder truck was already there and they were in the process of setting up a huge flag.  We set up 5 or 6 large flags facing the street and were going to line the driveway with flags.  Unfortunately, the ground was so hard and rock was being hit about 2 or 3 inches into the dirt.  We went ahead and got all the flags together, about 60 of them.  People were starting to line up along the street.  One of the guys suggested asking the people if anyone was interested in holding a flag.  Everyone that was standing out there walked over to get a flag.  They were lined up on both sides of the street.  It looked so impressive.  I took my tablet with me intending to take some pictures and then didn't do it.  I did take some for Bob with his iPad.  He is the one that does the flagging.

The military honors part of the program was done in the stadium and then the actual service was moved to the gym.  The stadium was packed.  The guys formed a flag line down on the field.  There is something about seeing numerous American flags blowing in the breeze that causes one to get teary eyed.  I always do...at every mission we do.

There is a group called "Westboro Baptist Church" that pickets military funerals, protesting the United States participation in war.  Word was out that a group would be in Truckee to protest this service.  Some did arrive, however they were not able to get to the high school.  Supposedly CHP blocked them at the freeway exit.  Actually the PGR was formed to create a buffer between the protestors and the family of the fallen warrior.  As many PGR that were in attendance today, the protestors would have had a difficult time getting anywhere near the service.

We had quite a bit of help in getting the flags taken down.  I think everyone was tired.  The PGR guys that rode up on their bikes went to the funeral home and was part of the escort to the high school.  There had to be a 100 plus bikes.  That is also an impressive sight.

We were going to go into Old Town Truckee to eat after we were done.  We did drive down, then decided to just get back on the road and head home.  We stopped in Colfax and had some lunch then got home about 4pm.

It was so cold when we first got to Truckee then it warmed up and we were taking jackets off.  The temperature rose rapidly as we came down the mountain and it was pushing 70 degrees by the time we got to Colfax which is about 3000 ft (I think). 

There has been a huge high pressure system sitting over California, giving us cold nights, warm days (in the 70's) and no rain.

It is such a rewarding experience being a part of these missions.  Gerry and I look forward to being a part of them.

I Am Still Around...

Hi there,
I haven't posted to my blog since July of last year.  I have had some issues with my desktop computer.  Today my stepson installed a new computer for me.  I am hoping that I will be able to post again without issues.

A lot has happened since I posted last so will try to catch up in the coming days.

It is late so need to call it a day.  There is a lot to learn with the new computer, it has Windows 8 on it so will be spending time figuring out how everything works.

Aloha,
Betty

Saying Final Goodbyes

Saying final goodbyes...so hard to do...especially when it is a loved one  There have been 3 deaths in the last few weeks...2 family members and a high school classmate.

The first part of June, our daughter-in-law died unexpectantly.  Our son woke up on a Sunday morning, walked out to the kitchen and found her sitting at the kitchen table.  He tried to wake her and couldn't so went to get his daughter.  She was gone...the coronor was called, the fire department and police arrived.  Gerry got a call from son and he rushed out of the house to go to Roseville.  Our oldest daughter came over and gave me a ride to Roseville.  The family had a graveside service for her then friends and family were invited here to the clubhouse at the mobile home park where we live for a potluck.  What a difficult time that was, preparing for her service, saying our final goodbyes.  I don't know if our son has received the final autopsy report...those take a while to prepare.

This morning I received a phone call from a niece telling me that one of my older sisters passed away yesterday.  A while ago, she had been diagnosed with having pancreatic cancer.  This is a fast moving cancer and she wasn't given much time to live...hospice had been contacted.  Although it was expected, hearing that it had happened was shocking to say the least.  I had not seen this sister in a lot of years and had lost touch with her.  My younger sister stayed in touch with her and in fact the two of them were very close.  That sister took the news very hard.  My heart ached for her.

Then one day last week I received an email from a former classmate...another of our classmates had passed away.  What was so sad about this passing, it was someone that I had hung around with in junior high and high school.  She had been a close friend...of course contact had been lost after graduation.

Hearing the news of my sister passing away was a little strange to me...I was taking my morning shower when my niece called.  She left a message and I called her back.  I had been thinking about my siblings while in the shower...thinking of each one in order of age and where they all were...I later wondered if God was preparing me to receive the news.  I thought to myself I should call my younger sister and tell her what I had been thinking about...

Thankfully there are memories of each of these...those memories should hopefully help to make the sorrow I feel bearable...

We have no idea how much time we have on this earth...it is important to make each moment count with those that are dearest to us.

Sybil, Vi and Pat...you are free of pain now...your memory will live on with those of us who will always cherish the time we were able to spend with you...and will be missed so very much!!

Busy Sewing

These are pillowcases that I made for our bed.  This fabric was in a box in my closet, have no idea when I purchased it or what I purchased it for.  They are really easy to make.  Made another set, forgot to take a picture of it.

I purchased a yard of this upholstry fabric (barkcloth) from my friend, Barb Sasaki, Sasaki Bags of Kailua-Kona, HI.   I have always loved this pattern.  I made a tote bag for my neighbor, Sally, and then made one for myself this afternoon.  The background is black with red hibiscus and bird of paradise.  The colors are gorgeous!! 

This is the other side of the bag.  I have some fabric left over, enough to probably make a couple of zippered pouches...Want one?  Let me know.

Last summer I started a quilt top, my first one...ever...had to put it aside because of my cataracts and not being able to see.  A few weeks ago, I finally got the rows sewn together...last week I purchased everything else I needed to finish the quilt.  I got the borders sewn on earlier this week and now need to put the sandwich together to finish it...I'm avoiding that part...once I got the borders on, it changed the whole look of the top.  I have it hanging in the doorway of the closet in my craft room.  Didn't want it to get wrinkled and have to press again.

Here's a close-up.

I sold 4 tote bags, the 3 that were listed in the previous post plus one like mine that I just made.  Sally, my neighbor, bought 2 of them and Didi, my Hawaii friend Jalna's sister, bought two.  I have squares put together to make 2 more...will get around to those in the next couple of weeks.

I've also made some flag bags for 3 of the PGR guys...those were simple to make.  I am enjoying so much being able to sew again.  Card making has kind of gone by the wayside...lol!

Saw the optometrist yesterday at Kaiser and got my new glasses ordered.  I need glasses to read and do close up stuff...should have those in a couple of weeks or so.  Otherwise my vision is excellent...was able to read the 20/20 line without any problem...my eyes have healed very well from the surgeries...still have to use the drops for the glaucoma...the pressure reading yesterday was very good...will get that checked again in October.

What I Have Been Doing

 With my new eyes I have been busy sewing.  The above quilted tote bag is available for purchase.  It was made from a charm pack called Peony Blush.  The colors are pinks and greens.  SOLD 

A close up view. 

Pale Pink lining with a pocket.  The green fabric was also used for the handles and a panel that joins the front and back of bag.

This is the second bag I made from the same charm pack.  My neighbor saw the squares before I got it put together and wanted it.  So it is sold.  I was pretty happy since this is the first bag I've sold!  :)  SOLD

The colors are gorgeous.

This is a smaller tote bag I made last summer from left over squares that I am making my quilt top from.  It is not quilted, has a lightweight interfacing to give it some body.  The bag alone is $10.00...with the zippered pouch $12.50.  SOLD
The other side.

The lining, also made the straps from the same fabric.  They are about 9 inches long.

Then I made a zipper pouch with different squares on both sides.  SOLD

This is the inside of the pouch.  THE ABOVE 3 TOTE BAGS & ZIPPERED POUCH ARE SOLD.  SCROLL DOWN TO SEE TOTE BAG THAT IS STILL AVAILABLE.  THANKS!

I had my second cataract surgery on April 8th...left eye.  It was a complete different experience.  I did not doze off after given the IV sedative so I was aware of everything that was going on.  There was a tiny bit of pain and could feel tugging and pulling.  I also felt the injection that the doctor gave me to numb the eye.  He and the OR nurse were chatting back and forth.  I could have said that I needed more of the sedative, however the pain was tolerable and I wanted the procedure to be over as soon as possible.

I didn't have a long wait as I did the first time.  I think I was there a total of about 2 and a half hours.  I have done real well and have 3 more days of putting eye drops in that eye.  It is absolutely amazing how well I can see.  Everything is so clear and vivid.  I am enjoying being able to get back to my regular activities and especially enjoying being able to sew again.

Haven't done any card making, need to tackle that one of these days.  Actually thinking about downsizing my card making stuff so I have more room for fabric, etc.  I could really use my 6 foot table.

I need to make an appointment with the optometrist now to see about getting glasses.  Thankfully I still have my old glasses so I have been using them to read and see things up close.  My distance vision is fantastic.  I still have to use the glaucoma drops for another 5 months and will have a check up in October to see how that is doing.  Then next year in April I will have a complete eye test.

I couldn't be happier with the care that I got from my doctor and the entire staff at the Eye Surgery Center.  I got cards from them after both surgeries and a Starbucks gift card.  Well, the Starbucks was because of the 5 and a half hour wait I had the first time. :)

 Almost forgot to add this bag.  I just completed it this afternoon.  It is another quilted tote bag made from a charm pack called Tapestry.  The colors are corals and greens.  It is also available for purchase. $25.00  THIS TOTE BAG IS STILL AVAILABLE.

The lining is green.  I forgot to sew in a pocket.  The handles are about 9 inches long.

Leave a comment or email me if interested in any of these.  bettytownsend@hotmail.com

Thanks!