At the end of the evening, in my PJs, I went around and changed the few clocks that were not automatic. Air VW the Gray surprised me by changing in the late afternoon and confusing me for a while. I had missed dinner, and I stopped by Popeye’s and got some spicy fried chicken for a late dinner. I had about 1/2 of it. I ate that and watched the last episode of Slow Horses again. I watch them twice to see what I missed. I find I like spy shows, and when set in the present, they are fascinating. This one involves mistakes in computer access and security, and I find it interesting. Social hacking combined with some old school honeypots and trojans.
Before this, I managed to score lower than my best and last of four in another try at the board game Grand Hotel Austria at Richard’s house. Laura led the whole time, but then Ricard broke out, finding a new engine in the game. Kathleen was distant from my score. I still like the game, but the wait for turns can be long, and there is no reason to look at the board, as it changes all the time, until it is your turn. Richard and Laura think the game is a bit random with the staff cards and relies on dice rolls for part of turn control.
Before taking the EV to Portland, I was at the house getting ready for next week’s trip. I was not making that much progress. I had two more reservations (completed Sunday morning) that are needed for the journey. Deborah and I found time to finish the season of Murders Only in the Building, watching together—Deborah in Michigan—and I thought it was an excellent conclusion. Of course, there was a new murder for the next season, already approved to go forward.
I called Joan S; she was free, so I picked up for a sort of lunch. I ate a salad while she had a Diet Rite at the McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse Imbrie Hall. We chatted and just enjoyed some time together. Joan S cannot drive yet, and so I try to help here and there. I figured she needed to get out, and it was fun. We also stopped by Kohl’s to return something.
Before this, I had some chores. I picked up travel-sized toothpaste and other like items at Walgreens. I mailed a card to Mom Wild and a set of Eastern Oregon Tourist magazines to Deborah. On her visit in February, we might, if the weather works, head to Bend and places east in Oregon.
(Should I take gum, Jesus, or Swift?)
Before all of this, I did paperwork. I successfully applied for insurance options on HealthCare.gov. I was approved! I have to pick an insurer by December 15th. This is contingent on my existing doctors taking the new insurance. I am surprised to find that I will miss UnitedHealthcare (not available to be extended), which, despite its iron-handed corporate approach to providers and customers, seems to be widely accepted (back to that iron-handed comment) and, despite often having to appeal (yes, more iron), does finally cover things I need. Regency (Old Blue Cross/Shield), Providence (very local), and Kaiser are all on the list, and I am looking, just for me, about $1200 a month to enjoy their lesser coverage (with dental). While packing, I will also select a few and call my Legacy-based primary, my Providence-based brain surgeon, and my OHSU-based oncologist to find out what they accept.
I hope there is a Venn diagram of coverage, price, and docs that means I can make this work with me only paying more (again, who would think I would miss $780 a month for UHC). But at least I have options. I remember what it was like before ObamaCare, and how someone like me—61 and retired—could not get any insurance at any price. Yes, dear readers, that was what it was like. I spent a few years with no coverage when I was young, with untreated migraine headaches for years (it was primarily caused by high blood pressure).
I also cleared the password and got access to my Social Security Administration Account with the US Government. I saw my 2024 wages, my last, are finally recorded. I checked with the software, and I should apply for my early retirement ($2700+ a month starting in May or June 2026) after December 2025.
I printed out my eligibility notice. Best to have a hard copy, I think. I would prefer a name I know for insurance, to pay less per month, and pay more for services. I do have to do an MRI and a CT Scan in 2026, and those will likely cost me thousands instead of hundreds now, even with the new insurance (again, I can’t believe I will miss UHC).
Moving backward in the story, I started packing by moving luggage to the spare room to get organized. I had showered, all that, and dressed. I did not put on my slippers, and I did slam my foot into the bed supports. I fell onto the bed. “Broke a rule,” I called out. No walking without shoes or slippers! My feet are partially numb from the chemo and diabetes. I was lucky, I had not hurt my foot.
As usual, I did the morning things after rising in the dark at 7ish. The coffee was made, and I finished the cottage cheese for breakfast.
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