Joanie, I got an email from my PC nurse and she said the specialist I have to see are a vascular surgeon to check a blood vessel going to the kidney and also a Neurosurgeon for a spinal condition.  Neurosurgeons office has already called and I have an appointment next month.

Joan, Everyfriends......
....re, paying into our NHS, we have no choice, money from our wage packet is automatically taken towards our NHS contributions, we are not given a choice, ( it is not an Insurance policy ) as to whether we choose to, or not to pay towards our medicals, it is just automatically deducted, ( Government Policy ).....If we require a better medical service we can then, if we choose fork out our own money, pick a Medical Insurance Plan, then go Private, becoming a Private patient, but in the meantime they continue deducting from our wage packet too for the rest of our working lives, no matter how many different employment jobs we undertake.....

Jackie, pretty much the same here..... taken out all the years we work & still taken out (or you have to pay the taxes quarterly or some only in April) on Social Security and any interest earned from money in the bank, pensions, etc.  We also have estate, death & inheritance taxes when we die & a few pennies left over.   

Storms are past us so need to shower & get some sleep.... early up morning & must be bright & alert to get that elephant across town by 8:30 am.   

SHIRLEY....
.....re, storms, that's why I am now up and about, gotten woken up just before 4am, had no Idea what the noise was, thought it was a helicopter hovering over our rooftop, woke me up with a mighty jump....a gush of 5 minute downpour of rain and winds pelting down real heavy on our rooftops, of course our parkhomes aren't bricks and mortar.....Had my first cup of tea already, my first of many, cant get back to sleep, so here I am....it is now coming up to 5am...

Oh yes, we have all that, Inheritance Tax.... I think if it can be taxed, it will be taxed, tax on tax if they had their way...
We even have something called a " Bedroom tax.."... " also known as under occupancy charge or the Spare Room Subsidy is a change to Housing Benefit Entitlement that means you will receive less in housing benefit if you live in a housing association or council property that is deemed to have one or more spare bedrooms..." as you can imagine, this is not popular...especially if a spare bedroom is needed on medical ground, re, medical equipment or porposes...

Shirley, you might need to explain to me about " getting that elephant across town..."  

Good Saturday morning, Everyfriend.   There's waffles and sausage links to accompany your coffee or tea. I wish everyone a good day!!





Fun Things to Do In a Mall

Note: Any resemblance of names in this article to actual large powerful corporations capable of destroying mere mortal humans like sparrows in a jet turbine is, um, pure coincidence. Really.

Warning: Actually trying any of these could get you locked up in an insane asylum for a long, long time...

1. Ride mechanical horses with coins fished out of the reflecting pond.

2. Try pants on backwards at the Grap. Ask the salesperson if they make your butt look big.

3. Dial 900 numbers from demonstration phones in Radio Shlock.

4. At the stylist, ask to have the hair on your back permed.

5. At the bottom of an escalator, scream "MY SHOELACES! AAAGH!"

6. Ask the sales personnel at the music store whether inflated CD prices are in pesos or rubles.

7. Save a few ketchup packets from Burger Queen to slurp on as snacks. Tell people that they're "astronaut food".

8. Ask mall cops for stories of World War I.

9. Ask a salesman why a particular tv is labeled black and white and insist that it's a color set. When he disagrees, give him a strange look and say, "You mean you really can't see it?"

10. Construct a new porch deck in the tool department of Snears.



In Need of Hope

By John Kuperus
Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 19:1-18
He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life.”
1 Kings 19:4
Our community was shocked recently when a 21-year-old man shot himself. On the outside, he seemed to have it all together. He had good health, a girlfriend, a home, friends, and a family. He had completed high school and was set to make a difference in the world.
But internally he must have been suffering and struggling. We can only wonder how he may have wrestled with disillusionments or disappointments.
In 1 Kings 19 we find the great prophet Elijah in the desert. He had come to a place of hopelessness. From this place of emptiness and depression, Elijah turned to God in prayer. He did not take his own life, but asked God to take his life for him.
However, God met him in that place and sent an angel to help him. Elijah received some desperately needed food and rest, and when he was fortified, he traveled for forty days to the mountain of God. There God revealed to Elijah some more plans he had for him.
Sometimes we may feel that we are at the end of our rope. As we struggle in life, it is critical that we seek God’s face. He alone can give us hope and direction. Nothing can separate us from his love. Nothing!
Father, we grieve over loss of life and situations of hopelessness in this world. We are hungry for direction from you. By your Spirit and your Word, show us your will and give us hope, we pray. Amen.



If you always DO what you've always DONE, you'll always BE what you've always BEEN.

--Author Unknown

JOAN....
....good Saturday morning.....the rain and winds woke me up 4am this morning with a jump, been up ever since, had my third cup of tea, and its now only just turned 9am.... I can tell this is going to be one of those days, several trips to the loo, that is when I find I can stay awake....no doubt I will be dozing off throughout the day, after only having 4 hours sleep....

Good Morning Everyfriend!  I'm up and attem but I have to wait until 10 or so for breakfast.  I'm having it at my daughter's with Natalie before she returns to Texas on Sunday.  I think I might have to have a piece of toast to hold me over.

I finally had a night that I slept well aside from one small interruption.  I went to bed early and at 11:09, I had a phone call.  I was sound asleep at the time and I think I jumped a foot and a half!  After that, it was a bit difficult to get back to sleep.  Jackie understands that.  Must be the night for interruptions.

I hope Everyfriend has a lovely day full of what you love best!

JANE S.....
......Oh yes, this morning I was fast asleep and in dreamland, never been woken up so quick, and so terrified of the sound I was hearing.....

Good morning everyone.

I woke to the sound of a gentle rain and one doggie patting my arm to tell me it was time to get up. Now both dogs have gone back to sleep,little stinkers.
Last evening I was working at the kitchen sink when a flock of geese flew over, they were so low that I could have tickled their tummies!

Today is a trip to a bake sale my friend is having then stop at a market to see another friend and have a look around.Then home to sew.

Mary Ann, I am glad she like the recipe, a no muss no fuss one it is.

Hal, happy to hear no cancer!!

Don, great photo of you and Bubble.

Jackie,cat naps are in order for you today.

Jane,enjoy your breakfast out.

Joan, thank you for breakfast.

Enjoy your day everyone.

Good morning, Vanilla-Jackie. Sorry you were awakened by a storm.  You will need a nap today.

Janie--Good morning.  It really scares me when my phone rings at such a late hour.  Enjoy your breakfast with Natalie.

Good morning, Amy.  It seems so many are having rain--but not us.  On last night's local news they said my county has had 35 consecutive days without rain.  Enjoy your outings today.

Good morning everyone.
hope you all are having a better time than we are.yesterday after noon the water dep. people called and said you must have a water leak your bill is $299.29 . we went out and got bob to bring his skid steer over and lift the covers off o the junction boxes and sure enough the water was flowing away full fores. so we went to the meter and turned off the water.
Sil is going to bring a back Howe over sn dig up old lone so we can install a new one. spit baths are in order here,
Have a great day.

Lloyd

 Jane after we pay the water bill we will be out of $$$$ so don't look for any honey soon but we will keep you in mined.
no vacations for a while here now. but if you get to traveling and stop by you could pick up a bit of it. but at least it could be worse we are not getting flood damage's just reasonable rain. have a great day.

Lloyd

Lloyd, I think the water companies should make some kind of adjustment.  It seems to me they must have seen the unusual rise in you water bill before it reached those proportions.  One year when I was in Texas, I got notice from the water company noting that I might have a leak due to unusual use of water.  Since no one was using water at my house, I called my son and asked him to go check.  He found a toilet running and turned it off.  My bill usually runs $40. to $45. a month.  That month it was only $56.  I'm sure your water was running faster than a toilet but it still seems unreasonably high.

I've got everything ready to make salsa and can it.  That's either this afternoon or tomorrow.

Beverly is leaving for California today.  I have to run over to her other friend's house and say my goodbyes.  I'm pretty sure this will be her last trip East.  And I'm not ever going to go West again so this is our last visit.  We've been friends for almost 70 years even living so far apart.  It's so sad to think of not seeing an old friend.

Guess I better get myself dressed if I'm going to be out running around today.  Make it a good one, Everyfriend!

We had a water leak that was from a broken PVC pipe leading from the meter into the house.  We got a water bill for several hundred dollars.  Big shock!  We went to the water dept. and they sent someone out to see what was wrong.  We had the pipe repaired and the water dept. gave us a much lower total due because the leak was on the outside of the house.  If it was on the inside pipes it would be up to us and to our homeowners insurance to foot the bill.

Good morning, All.  Another very warm day here but I have no place I have to go so I'm staying right here.  I'll make some granola later and applesauce from some nice Granny Smith's that I brought home from the market.  Finished the Tomato Bisque last night that I had made from the beautiful tomatoes my neighbor shared with me.  It was delicious and something that I'll make again.  Also, shredded the last of the zucchini and put it into the freezer for making Zucchini bread later.....maybe at Christmas?  And, cooked up several storage containers of tomato sauce and put in the freezer to use with meatballs and pasta.  When the western NC apples start coming on the market I intend to make a lot of applesauce and apple butter.  We are so blessed with all of the wonderful vegs. and fruit, etc. that we have here.

Take care, Everyfriend.  Stay well and happy.

Good morning, Lloyd.  Wow!!  What a shock to get that high water bill.

Janie--I know your canned salsa must be great!!  Yes, it is sad to say goodbye to friends that we know we will never see again.  Do you and Beverly keep in touch via computer and phone.

Good morning, Phyllis.  You folks make me feel so lazy when you tell about what you cook, can and freeze.  Maybe you would put samples in the "hidey hole" for poor little me?

Hi everyone.  We had a very nice late afternoon rain yesterday that lasted for a couple of hours and it didn't seem quite as hot.   Our high for today is predicted to be 91 degrees with a chance of late afternoon showers again today.

Yesterday was a laid back day although I managed to stay busy.  I did the weeks washing/drying and putting away.  Then I fixed dinner.  I fixed Tilapia (the first time I ever fixed fish) and the Balsamic Mushrooms that Pat likes (also a first).  Happy to say both turned out well.  I haven't a clue yet what we will have for dinner.  I plan on staying home all day again today.

Joan, I think getting out to go to the chiropractor is about all Pat can handle right now.  At least that gets her out of the house for a short time. 

Joan, I remember several years ago when the Nitroglycerin tablets, that I was getting at Kroger for $4 for 100 pills went to over $25 for 25 pills.  When I told my cardiologist he immediately checked on the computer in front of him and verified what I was saying.  He apparently had no concept of what they cost.  I wonder if that isn't true of a lot of doctors in terms of the cost of new medicines.  What has never made sense is why you can go across the border into Mexico (and used to be able to order from Canada or Australia) and get the exact same medicine in the same sealed packing for a fraction of what we are required to pay in the USA.  I have to think the ties between the FDA and the drug companies are a little too close.

Hal, I have about decided there is no such thing as getting caught up on medical appointments and tests.  Sure good news to hear you do not have cancer.  Like you I try to take things in stride and not worry about them.  It is interesting how many people think we can get something for free.  Somebody has to pay for all of the free things but this seems to be getting lost in our society. 

Jackie, I haven't heard of the Bedroom tax existing here in the USA.  I bet it has been considered however. 

Amy, has your friend done all the baking for the bake sale?  Is this for a charity? 

Lloyd, glad you got that call before the bill got even higher.  This reminds me that I need to buy one of the tools that can turn off the water at the street level.  I left the one I had at my old house but never needed it. 

JaneS, I know it will be a sad parting for you but at least you can stay in contact via the phone or Internet.   

The US medical system ranks 37th among 119 developed nations, many Arab countries rank higher than us in medical care and the infant mortality and mother deaths in pregnancy are increasing along with  our pharmacy and insurance billing. We pay more for less than so many other countries and it is sad that nothing is done.

http://time.com/2888403/u-s-health-care-ranked-worst-in-the-developed-world/     


http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/press-releases/2014/jun/us-health-system-ranks-last


http://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-health-care-system-ranks-lowest-in-international-survey/

Good morning, Larry.  You are becoming quite the homemaker with cooking, laundry etc. I pray one of these days soon Pat will be able to get out and go someplace other than the chiropractor.  I complain to my doctors all the time about the high cost of medicines.  To tell you the truth, I think it goes in one ear and out the other.  Doctors themselves charge outrageous prices, IMO.

angelface--Good morning.  Interesting facts you posted.  Thanks for the links.  I will go to them when I am finished here.

Goodmorning. all my friends.  It is pouring rain, which we need, was not in the forecast.  Suppose to be partly sunny, every other day the weatherman has said possible rain.  To day is the Polish Fair all roads in Polish town are close, fair last for two days, and they even come by bus loads, as fair away as up state. My neighbor is have a big engagement party for her son, she has it all setup out doors, as we have not had any rain in a month.  The farmers are happy.

Larry Pat is going to make a cook out of you yet.  I hope she feels better soon.  You take care of yourself also.  Prays for both of you.

Joan, I know you and all other join me in hopes this time Gloria will get this computer problem strighten out.  the need to send her a new computer.  This is the reason i would only buy one form a local store, then I could talk to someone face  to face.

While I am writing Jess, just called and thanks everyone here for prays, he said they all help, he now can stand for a while, and move his legs for a short time. Still not walk.

Oh my is it muggy after the rain...had a great time at the bake sale and bought cookies, butter tarts and cheese bread..then pick up a big jar of honey at the market..

Larry, a group of ladies also bake and all proceeds go to a children's hospital in Montreal.

Lloyd, I think I would also be asking for them to reduce your water bill......no harm in asking.

Jane, you have wonderful memories of your friend to cherish.

LARRY HANNA.....
....Just looked the date up, says our Bedroom Tax started April 2013, the start of our tax year.....It has become so unpopular, I am sure given time it will get scrapped....Some argue that the spare bedroom be needed for carers to stay overnight....basically it is an unfair tax, many innocents are being penalised.....

Good Morning Everyone!

Got a rude awaking this morning.  Phone rang and I was sound asleep and of course it always concerns me when the phone rings early morning.  Except it wasn't early morning, I found later, it was 8 AM and some guy was on the line for Jamaica or India or overseas wanting to know how I felt, so I told him, in not too polite terms.  So that was the end of a once in a great while late sleep.  I got up put on coffee and then the dog decided she needed to take care of morning business so I let her out.  And then I heard the wife coming down the hall, phone woke her also.

The dog came back in and she was damp and a light rain had started and continues as I type.  Weather guy says we also have a real cold front headed our direction and will drop temps.  Tisie, Callie it will really affect you with some nice drops in temp.  If this is global warming, then bring it on.

Speaking of socialized medicine, as for me, I guess I am being a little hypocritical, I do get the medical benefits of government by being retired from the military.  But they do not dictate how or when I provided with care, just pay the 20 percent copay and provide a prescription program.  I also have a dental insurance program which I pay for out of pocket.

I just do not want medical care as provided by some governments.  Where care is rationed.  a stark contrast is like where Jackie reminds us that people still buy private health insurance so they can get medical care on their terms and in a reasonable amount of time.  Some clerk administering medical care from a manual of regulations is not my idea of good medical care.  Problem I see is that every time government gets involved in anything, I don't care what it is, the cost goes skyhigh and bureaucrats weave such a tangle of regulation that no one care fix it.  The ones who messed it up always say, let us fix it for you and just mess it up more.  Angel infant mortality figures U.S. vs  other nations are not computed the same.  We include abortions, other countries do not.

Hey Larry, sounds like you are doing a great job.  I hope Pat gets back on her feet in short order.  Us old rascals trying to remember what little we knew about cooking and learning some new tricks is the pits.  My wife is doing okay now, but she is fed up with cooking and wants to go out to eat.  And I get tired of res truant food. 

http://www.coyoteblog.com/coyote_blog/2008/08/why-does-the-us.html
 

Linedancer--I wish you could send us some of that rain.  GREAT that Jessie is making progress.  I continue to pray for him.  I, too, think they should give Gloria a new computer.

Amy--Did you put samples of the baked goods you bought in the "hidey hole"?

Vanilla-Jackie--Glad we don't have a bedroom tax.

halkel--Did you say some not to nice things to that early morning caller?  Many folks getting rain while we get NONE.

http://www.newsweek.com/many-cancer-patients-must-face-bankrupty-or-die-489596

However you compute it or add or divide, it doesn't change the ranking. Only we can do that.

Joan ,yes I did put some in the hidey hole but.I did taste them first to see if they are ok.
Larry, I too want to say what a great job your are doing...

angelface--I've heard of a few folks who had to make the choice of buying their medicine or buying food.

Amy--Glad you taste tested before putting them in the "hidey hole".  Thank you.

Thanks for the goodies in the hidey hole.  I'm being treated well.  I went over to Cathy's and had brunch with them (the group included Courtney who drove up from Phila. to join us).  Kyle is supposed to be coming sometime today.  I'm going back over for supper (burgers and dogs on the grill) and Kyle should be there by that time.

Natalie and Cathy and I went to the consignment place where they have all kinds of furniture and housewares and whatever.  I just went to look around and I found the neatest little stand for beside my recliner.  I couldn't believe the price was only $17.50 so I bought it.  Now I can get rid of the folding tray table that is there now.  I'm going to go do it now.  This one has a magazine rack on the bottom so I can put most of what has accumulate on top down there. 

BBL...enjoy the rest of your day.

Jackie. Now I wasn't talking about what is deducted from paychecks while working. I am saying the on our Social Security Payments that we get after the age of 65 (If you paid while working) Then out of it Monthly is taken this deduction to cover 80% of health payments That is where the aprox. $
$1300 plus a year comes in. Some then buy a supplemental Insurance to cover the 20% still owing. That is not done in the UK. Nothing was taken out of the monthly SS checks that I saw my family getting.
I also get a monthly check from UK which is from what I paid in on the time I worked there.
I have said before. I don't complain about taxes I paid here in the 40 years of working. I feel I get well paid from the Social Security for what I paid in. Could not of invested that amount they took and it have earned what they pay me back..

I'm here......sort of.....woke early and got a load of laundry done, but it really wore me out. I don't plan on doing much else today, but I will have to go down for lunch, and that will be it.

Hal, I once asked my doctor when he suggested various tests, if they would cure anything. When he said No, they don't cure, they just let us know what is happening.  So I said, "no more tests." They just wore me out and I felt I didn't have to know what the tests told them. He allowed me my rights.

JEANNE P.....
....... think I was responding to Joan, re, it isn't an Insurance....
quoting, " Your insurance works different than ours...."   

JUNEDRABEK....
.....good for you, we have our rights....and we must use them....

AMY....
.....so you are our chocolate taste tester?...... 

....LINDANCER.....
.....I have to make my apologies, as I havnt been picking up the story as to who Jess is....so haven't made any comments re, Jess's walking progress....