Chatbug Karen

I see, while reading other blogs, that others run out of things to talk about on their blogs. I actually prefer to read about their randomness. It makes my days feel more normal instead of boring. So, having said that, here is what has been going on with me.

I have been getting prices on our medications. We might change our insurance coverage to the type which would require us to pay for our own medication. OMG! Was I ever shocked at the cost of blood pressure and cholesterol meds. We are going to have to compare that cost to the savings of a different policy to see if it is worth switching. These $1000 per month premiums are killing us.

I have been trying to change the cable on our televisions to work with the cable boxes that Comcast requires us to use. We are going through the whole change from digital to analog or something like that. I was enthusiastic to get ours to work after mom and I were able to get her three televisions set up with little effort. It couldn’t be that easy at my own house. You would think I was setting up home security systems with all the cords that run to our five televisions. I have four working but the fifth television has me stumped. I guess the Comcast guy shall have to make a call to our house. Ugh.

Those are the tasks I have been working on in between laundry, mowing grass and having company. Our company includes a five year old. Oh my goodness! I have to be one step ahead of that child. She is so much fun.

Here is the casualty of a baby doll left out where one of our dogs could find it.

This week, on Tackle It Tuesday, the author mentioned how she was backlogged with paper work. I think that many of us were behind the eight ball with paper work because of tax form preparation. I hate getting things together to figure out our taxes. When we see how much we pay in taxes each year it is maddening. I have looked over all of our utility bills in an effort to save money. I bartered with the cable company and was able to get some deductions on our bill. I also got new term life insurance quotes and worked on the bill for our cell phone plans. Now, if I could get our health insurance figured out. Sigh…

This is the last week of Greg’s summer vacation from grad school. He has accomplished a lot and relaxed some too. He had lunch with his Grandma Betty this week and while they were eating, an old friend sat down at their table. Gloria hadn’t seen Greg for awhile and it was good to catch up on each others lives. Gloria is lucky to be with us. A few years ago, she was traveling by herself in Tennessee. She was run off a mountain road by an unknown driver. Gloria’s car went straight down the mountain side and was damaged extensively. The car accident was not part of her vacation plan that year.

Did you know that if you have been in an accident that is not your fault, that you can re-coup the diminished value of your vehicle up to four years from the accident. Advocate Auto Claims will help you determine what you are owed with their FREE diminished value estimate.

We are all glad that Gloria is ok.

I have been looking, it seems like forever, for a sign like the one hubby put on my gate. I wanted to let people know that when they come into our yard they might be greeted by a dog. I didn’t want an ugly sign so I kept looking until I finally came across dog in yard signs from www.doginyard.com. I think it is very nice looking with the brass hardware it came with. I was amazed to find that they would send me a sign before I even had to pay for it. I could see if I liked the sign, which I definitely do, and pay after I received it. What kind of a place does that? A place that has great products to sell and wants happy customers. They call it their “Good Karma Policy.”

I want to say upfront that my dogs are not mean. They would lick you to death before they would bite. It is important though that visitors are aware that dogs are on the other side of that gate. They can be careful not to let my dogs out where they could run away. They can also choose to go to the front door instead of using that gate. They avoid muddy paws on their clothes that way. It is a good idea, for insurance purposes, to let people know you have a dog. Too many people are looking for a reason to sue. Protect yourself with a pretty sign from www.doginyard.com

I have a friend who has a child with autism. Autism is something that has changed her life. I had no idea of the challenges she has faced. She has had to fight to have her child attend school. She has had to fight with her insurance company to make them pay for therapy for her child. Life shouldn’t be so hard.

The band, Five for Fighting, is trying to raise money for Autism Speaks. When you click the link for What Kind of World Do You Want, Five for Fighting will donate $0.40 to Autism Speaks. Five for Fighting has said that they hope to get 10,000 clicks. Ha! They don’t know how we bloggers can spread the word. Please watch this heartfelt video and help fund research to find a cure for autism.