possibly the best thing about Net Flix

It may be true that I'm one of the last ten people in the United States without cable TV.  I make up for it though by turning to Net Flix when I want to watch something entertaining (either new or reruns). This evening I realized that, besides the variety of shows, there is something else I really appreciate about Net Flix. There are NO POLITICAL COMMERCIALS. Bliss!!!

Kudos to the Social Security Administration

I wasn't planning on it but I ended up spending some time in the Social Security Administration office today.  A friend who doesn't drive needed a ride out there and I was available.  When we walked in, the waiting room was packed and I anticipated a really long wait. Since I had something I had been wanting to check on I signed in on their electronic system and was impressed that it was a straight forward, easy to use, touch screen system. We took our numbers and found two seats together. The wait, just a little over an hour, was made easier by the large flat screen TV mounted high on the wall which, among lots of other information, posted the numbers as people were called.  One of the messages that came up frequently was a long list of Social Security related questions/processes that you could take care of at home on your computer. Like "Why are you all sitting here? Go home and do this on line." I also spent some time people watching, trying to be unobtrusive about it. What a variety of shapes, sizes, ages, colors and hair styles!  When my number was finally called, I was very pleased with how efficiently my question was answered.  My friend was called next and I was most impressed with the gentleman who worked with her. I got to sit in on the conversation. She (a somewhat mentally challenged 26 year old) was applying to get control of her benefits. All of her support team feel she is ready for this move. Her mom, who has a drinking problem, has had control until this time, and seems to have been drinking up at least some of the money that should be coming to my friend.  Anyway, the gentleman who met with my friend carefully took her through lots of questions - proving to himself that she was competent. He tried to trick her with one question, asking her in which city in New Jersey she was born. She was born in South Carolina and told him so in no uncertain terms. She answered every question correctly, was well prepared with paper work and at the end of 15 minutes was awarded control of her own finances. I came away very impressed with the care he took and his ability to put her at ease. he made sure she had his contact information and explained carefully the best way for her to contact him if needed. I hope the Social Security people appreciate him.

my suspicious nature

I get several phone calls or letters each year from my supplemental insurance provider insisting that I need a House Call.  They want to send someone to my home to check up on me.  It is supposedly a benefit of my plan, "a health and wellness program." So far I have resisted their efforts.  This is where my suspicious nature comes in.  I can't help wondering what they're trying to sell me. Just received another letter from them today and this time they've upped the anti. If I allow someone to come "visit" me I will receive a $15 gift card for Walmart.  Humm, I may have to give this some thought. Maybe if I wait six months they'll up it to $30?

pumping iron

I do know how to iron.  My mother taught me when I was ten years old.  She started me off on pillowcases and it wasn't too long til I had graduated to my dad and brother's dress shirts and just about everything else that needed ironing. I didn't mind ironing because it was an indoor activity, as opposed to pulling weeds in the vegetable garden, and I could watch TV while I ironed.  All in all, not a bad job back then but over the years I have developed a real aversion to ironing. I suspect my mother felt the same way back when she so graciously let me do the ironing. It's not that it's such a hard job, just not very exciting. Luckily, these days thanks to knit fabrics and dryers ironing isn't often necessary. I can't tell you the last time I ironed a pillow case. It had been at least five years since I had ironed anything but wax beads. Once, a few years ago, a visiting friend asked if she could use my iron.  After some frantic searching I had to admit to her that, while I was sure I owned an iron, I couldn't find it. I did spot it some weeks later tucked in the back of a closet, and I did bring my iron and ironing board with me when I moved last year.  It's a good thing because this morning I discovered that the dress I wanted to wear to church had gotten wrinkled in the closet. Not only did I find my iron and ironing board and the distilled water right where I had put them when I moved in here 11 months ago, I managed to turn the iron on (after I remembered to plug it in) and actually ironed the dress without scorching it at all. Whew! That's enough of that. If I hang my clothes a little more carefully I may never need to iron again.

more and more festivals

I never knew how many festivals Fort Wayne has each summer until I moved down town.  I've mentioned some of the biggies in previous blogs but this weekend there wee three more. One I had heard of before - Taste of the Arts, food, music and lots of booths set up with information about all sorts of artistic venues in Fort Wayne.  In addition, there was a new festival this weekend.  I think it was called Fitness Fest. Unfortunately I didn't hear about that one until it was over.  The third one was called Amnesty Fest and they evidently gave away food to needy people and had a big picnic.  On top of those three there was an event (not a fest) at the Grand Wayne Center called Brick Road where participants showed off amazing Lego constructions. Who says there's nothing to do in Fort Wayne?

it's time to start exercising

Lately I've been thinking that I really should start some regular exercise routine.  I had been walking but since school started I'm spending a lot of time driving to pick my grandkids up after school. This gets me out of my apartment and it's fun but it's definitely not exercise. Friends have suggested I should try Pilates, or Yoga or 3B. That last is an exercise group that meets at our church. Anyway, I haven't decided on what to do but after what I saw on TV this evening I think I must do something.
There was a news report about a 93 year old man who just finished running (it looked more like a fast walk but who am I to criticize?) across the United States. He ran five miles each day and it took him three years to do it but he did run from California to Florida.  He was running in honor of other WWII veterans.  
But hey, here's a happy thought. I just realized that if I want to emulate this old veteran I have 22 years to get in shape. Maybe I won't rush into this exercise thing.

happy news on the family front

I just received a voice mail from my oldest nephew, age 37, telling me that he's engaged, As he put it "I finally got up the nerve to ask her."  He also said "I know you'll like her." There's no doubt about that.  I am so pleased that he's getting married, I will automatically love her. He came close once before with another young lady but now, it seems, it's really going to happen.  They've set a date, May 20, and will be married in Seattle. Goody, I'm delighted to have a happy reason to take a trip to Seattle.